Sony has simply introduced the second era of its wide-aperture 85mm prime lens, the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II. It took eight years of growth from the primary era, which was launched in 2016. The place have these eight years proven up when trying on the specs of the lens?
Once you first maintain the lens in your hand, the very first thing you’ll discover is the slimming and weight discount. Though the size is similar as the primary era at 107.3 mm (4-1/4 inches), the lens has shrunk virtually 5 millimeters to 84.7 mm (3-3/8 inches) on the “waist”. This represents a 13% discount in total lens quantity. The load of the lens has been decreased by 20% to 642g or 22.7 oz.
This discount is much more spectacular when you think about that the optical design of the lens has grown from 11 to 14. We will definitely take a look at how the brand new optical design has affected the efficiency of the lens in a future assessment. Till then, I can solely depend on the offered MTF charts, suggesting a visual enchancment in decision, distinction and possibly bokeh as nicely.
One other important change, in response to Sony, is the autofocus pace. A pair of XD linear motors ought to lead to as much as thrice pace enhance for nonetheless pictures in comparison with the earlier mannequin. Sony additionally claims that “topic monitoring efficiency has improved by as a lot as seven instances.” Though autofocus pace is just not as scorching a parameter for portrait lenses as it’s for sports activities or wildlife, sooner is all the time higher.
Amongst different tweaks, the 85mm f/1.4 GM II has acquired an improved Nano AR Coating II. As well as, the floor of the entrance ingredient now has a fluorine coating for simpler cleansing. On the video aspect, Sony has improved the main target respiration and linear response of the main target ring throughout handbook focus. By way of ergonomics, Sony has added a programmable button and an iris lock swap to stop unintentional aperture modifications.
Listed here are the specs of this lens:
- Mount Kind: Sony E Mount
- Focal Size: 85mm prime
- Angle of View (DX): 19°
- Angle of View (FX): 29°
- Most Aperture: f/1.4
- Minimal Aperture: f/16
- Aperture Blades: 11, rounded
- Filter Measurement: 77mm
- Lens Parts: 14
- Lens Teams: 11
- Particular Parts: 2 XA (excessive aspherical), 2 ED (extra-low dispersion) components
- Nano AR Coating II: Sure
- Fluorine Coated Entrance Factor: Sure
- Digital Diaphragm: Sure
- Vibration Discount: No
- Inside Focusing: Sure
- Management Rings: No
- Perform Buttons: Two
- Switches: Three – AF-MF, Iris Lock, Click on ON-OFF
- Focus Motor: Two XD (excessive dynamic) linear motor
- Minimal Focus Distance: 0.85 m/2.79 ft (AF), 0.8 m/2.63 ft (MF)
- Most Magnification: 0.11(AF), 0.12(MF)
- Mount Materials: Steel
- Climate/Mud Sealing: Sure
- Dimensions (Size × Diameter): 84.7 × 107.3 mm (3-3/8 x 4-1/4 in.)
- Weight: 642 g (22.7 oz.)
- MSRP: $1,798
- Lowest Sale Seen: $1,798 (Pre-order right here)
Once you sum up all these modifications, it’s a fairly good chunk of innovation. The excellent news is that each one this slimming, weight discount, and (supposed) enchancment in optical efficiency and ergonomics hasn’t come at a better worth. It stays the identical as the primary era, which is $1,798. Hopefully, the primary era will get a worth discount as a way to stay aggressive, which can be a deciding issue for a lot of photographers.
