The unique Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM is certainly a Sony lens basic, initially launched in 2016 as one of many first of three G-Grasp lenses, it proved that Sony may make lenses for its new mirrorless cameras that rivaled the perfect DSLR lenses for optical high quality.
Through the years as lens expertise has advanced the unique 85mm G-Grasp is beginning to present its age, with gradual autofocus, distinguished chromatic aberrations, and a big measurement that doesn’t completely steadiness with smaller our bodies. So, Sony has gone again to the drafting board to design a extra compact and light-weight 85mm lens that solves the earlier model’s optical flaws – and has come again with the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II.
With 14 parts in 11 teams, together with x2 XA and x2 ED parts, in addition to a Nanon AR II coating on the entrance of the lens, Sony is promising this second-generation’s refined optics will produce considerably much less colour fringing and improved chromatic aberrations. Sony demonstrated some pictures taken with each generations of the lens, and this positively seems to be improved, in addition to the lens being clearly sharper than the Mark I model. Nevertheless, we should check this ourselves in our evaluate.
(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
The 11-blade aperture ought to make for a pleasant rounded bokeh, with the basic 85mm portrait focal size being a favourite of many for creamy background falloff. Sony has introduced all its lens expertise to bear right here, claiming its XA parts are manufactured to a 0.01-micron floor precision to take away any onion ring results within the bokeh.
In keeping with Sony’s calculations, the lens ought to be thrice quicker throughout autofocus (AF-S) than the earlier model, with two XD linear motors driving the inner autofocus. This could allegedly make for a seven-fold enchancment in topic monitoring pace, with 120fps monitoring supported. The lens has additionally been engineered to suppress focus respiration and can work alongside the main focus respiration compensation in Sony’s newest cameras.
The Mark II model of the lens has shrunk down significantly, measuring 84.7x107cm, versus the ??? of the unique lens, and can also be a lot lighter, weighing in at 642g versus 820g for the Mark I. The lens options two focus maintain buttons, a guide focus ring, a de-clickable aperture/iris ring, and an iris lock swap.
The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II shall be out there firstly of September 2024 for a launch worth of $1,999 / £1,850, with AU pricing to be confirmed. That is fairly a soar from the $1,699 / £1,499 worth of the unique, though 8 years is a very long time, so this worth hike isn’t fully sudden.
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