p.19 #1 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
I had a concert this week and have a wedding this weekend.
REALLY wish I could have had the new glass.
But I will not receive my copy until Monday.
Dem the breaks.
I did enjoy the 135 GM at the show, though.
What a great tool.
p.19 #2 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
docusync wrote:
Actually, the difference is quite significant https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2018/02/bokehcomparison.jpg (Canon EF)
That Canon comparison may or may not be representative. All else being equal the diameter of bokeh balls should be very nearly linearly dependent on the aperture. Which means that f1.4 balls should be much closer to f1.2 (only 16% smaller) balls than to f1.8 balls (29% smaller). Which for that Canon sample obviously isn't true. Could be differently rounded aperture numbers or different baffle sizes or baffle positions or whatnot. E.g. the Sony 50f1.2 has somewhat bigger bokeh balls in front of the subject at f1.4 than the Sony 50f1.4 does due to it's larger internal baffle diameter. Meanwhile the more relevant background Bokeh ball diameter for these two lenses are only as different as you'd expect from the aperture (see at 5:16). Note that the longer diameter is limited by the aperture, whereas the other direction is cut by a baffle (AKA cats eye), which is smaller for the f1.4 lens.
p.19 #3 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
first very boring backyard shot; unfortunately, i'm a working stiff again so better tests will have to wait....i'm sure others will have plenty in a few minutes.
for me it's going to be this or the Batis 85, i know folks consider this rendering less smooth than the GM1 and the Sigma, but it can be more pleasing than the Batis (which i also have - and enjoy) in many situations.
p.19 #4 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
ecarlino wrote:
first very boring backyard shot; unfortunately, i'm a working stiff again so better tests will have to wait....i'm sure others will have plenty in a few minutes.
for me it's going to be this or the Batis 85, i know folks consider this rendering less smooth than the GM1 and the Sigma, but it's more pleasing than the Batis (which i also have - and enjoy) in many situations.
Congrats! Looks good!
Sep 27, 2024 at 11:00 AM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.19 #5 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
robert614 wrote:
Thx, but I didn’t post the link. J4nu did. I was just quoting his post above.
I believe if Sony will make a f/1.2 version it will be similar to the 50/1.2GM (vs 50/1.4GM) - no compromise optically, smoother bokeh, quad XD, relatively compact (vs Canon/Nikon). I have zero interest in the 85/1.4II but I'll most definitely preorder a 1.2 lens (hopefully it's coming).
I understand your point though. If you're selling your photography, I really doubt a customer would ever notice the difference or ask you "why these bokeh balls look small"
Significance is in the eye of the beholder. Sure, there's a visible difference, but I don't think this difference would make or break a photo. For me, this difference is a trivial.
p.19 #7 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
We are not talking a 50 mm here folks 85 is completely different longer focal length . 1.2/1.4 is not worth bulk, weight and a extra grand. Sure 50 you will see it at 85 things change to very slight. Look I’ll buy the best you can get have no issue with that never have but I believe in value and I just don’t see it.
p.19 #8 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
GM2 85/1.4 arrived today.And yes.It has significantly harsher bokeh than my trusty GM1 85/1.4.However it is slightly sharper and contrastier overall compared to GM1 and has virtually no chromatic aberrations,visible in GM1 pictures under some conditions.Now I need to take enough real life pictures to decide: Keep the GM2 along with GM1 or keep GM1 alone and let GM2 go.I rather do not consider to keep GM2 and sell GM1.
p.19 #9 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
GMPhotography wrote:
We are not talking a 50 mm here folks 85 is completely different longer focal length . 1.2/1.4 is not worth bulk, weight and a extra grand. Sure 50 you will see it at 85 things change to very slight. Look I’ll buy the best you can get have no issue with that never have but I believe in value and I just don’t see it.
50mms are easier to design because it's more of a normal focal length...lens optics needed to bend light to a more abnormal focal length. This is why nifty fifties are a thing and why fast 1.2 50mms have always been more compact and cheaper
p.19 #10 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
Peire wrote:
GM2 85/1.4 arrived today.And yes.It has significantly harsher bokeh than my trusty GM1 85/1.4.However it is slightly sharper and contrastier overall compared to GM1 and has virtually no chromatic aberrations,visible in GM1 pictures under some conditions.Now I need to take enough real life pictures to decide: Keep the GM2 along with GM1 or keep GM1 alone and let GM2 go.I rather do not consider to keep GM2 and sell GM1.
Honestly, i bought the 85 GM2 simply b/c i was getting all of the GM primes. A few yrs ago, i switched to an "all Batis prime" kit b/c i was not going to have time (or need) to take a lot of photos and an AF prime lightweight kit was my priority. But i always remembered that silky bokeh of the 85 GM1 (despite its other issues) and am a bit bummed this GM2 is less silky than its predecessor.
I've decided i'm not going to be selling the batis lenses this time (i've bought new and sold the 18, 25 and 85 multiple times) - and i'm probably keeping the GM 25 & 35 and definitely keeping the 50/1.2 GM - but not sure about the 85 GM2 - i feel like the 50mm focal length fits me better for that shallow DoF shot for some reason and that I'd be OK w/ just the Batis at 85. But, need to try it in "my" real life situations for a week or two before deciding.
p.19 #11 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
Peire wrote:
GM2 85/1.4 arrived today.And yes.It has significantly harsher bokeh than my trusty GM1 85/1.4.However it is slightly sharper and contrastier overall compared to GM1 and has virtually no chromatic aberrations,visible in GM1 pictures under some conditions.Now I need to take enough real life pictures to decide: Keep the GM2 along with GM1 or keep GM1 alone and let GM2 go.I rather do not consider to keep GM2 and sell GM1.
Great!
I’m really looking forward to seeing your pictures Hopefully you share some. Your pictures will reveal how good it is in real life I suppose.
Will be interesting to see whether it’s a keeper for you. The GMI is considerably cheaper (at least in Germany) so I’m very interested in your verdict. I also have the Batis 85 1.8. So not sure if a 85 1.4 makes sense at all, and if yes, which one
p.19 #13 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
Peire wrote:
GM2 85/1.4 arrived today.And yes.It has significantly harsher bokeh than my trusty GM1 85/1.4.However it is slightly sharper and contrastier overall compared to GM1 and has virtually no chromatic aberrations,visible in GM1 pictures under some conditions.Now I need to take enough real life pictures to decide: Keep the GM2 along with GM1 or keep GM1 alone and let GM2 go.I rather do not consider to keep GM2 and sell GM1.
Likewise. I took the lens out during my lunch break and took some comparison shots with the MKI. AF is definitely an upgrade. Bokeh is definitely a downgrade
p.19 #14 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
zeitlos wrote:
Great!
I’m really looking forward to seeing your pictures Hopefully you share some. Your pictures will reveal how good it is in real life I suppose.
Will be interesting to see whether it’s a keeper for you. The GMI is considerably cheaper (at least in Germany) so I’m very interested in your verdict. I also have the Batis 85 1.8. So not sure if a 85 1.4 makes sense at all, and if yes, which one
Thank you zeitlos.Batis 85/1.8 is a very nice lens.I have it too.Yet regular 85/1.4 is a different beast for slightly different tasks,worth having anyway.
p.19 #15 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
Mystik wrote:
Likewise. I took the lens out during my lunch break and took some comparison shots with the MKI. AF is definitely an upgrade. Bokeh is definitely a downgrade
p.19 #16 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
More comparison shots
The MKI bokeh is definitely better than the MKII. Part of it is because the MKI has a slightly longer FOV...so higher degree of blur at an equivalent framing. But overall just a lot less structure in the bokeh.
At normal viewing magnification, for portrait purposes, the MKII also does not seem materially sharper. Maybe it measure better, but it doesn't stand out as better in normal viewing. I also don't see more pronounced pop from the Mark II either.
The AF in the MKII is indeed faster than the MKI....but that's a low bar lol. I would say 85 on the GMII is average in terms of AF. (fire up the focus motor fight) That said, there is merit to that because the MKI AF is problematic for anything outside of landscapes and posed portraiture. I don't do much wedding or event work anymore, but if I did, I would grab the MKII over the MKI for sure.
I definitely would not get rid of the MKI though. It will go down as a legendary portrait lens like the Nikon cream machine. If I keep the MKII (which I'm leaning on not keeping it), they will co-exist in my kit.
p.19 #19 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
Mystik wrote:
More comparison shots
The MKI bokeh is definitely better than the MKII. Part of it is because the MKI has a slightly longer FOV...so higher degree of blur at an equivalent framing. But overall just a lot less structure in the bokeh.
At normal viewing magnification, for portrait purposes, the MKII also does not seem materially sharper. Maybe it measure better, but it doesn't stand out as better in normal viewing. I also don't see more pronounced pop from the Mark II either.
The AF in the MKII is indeed faster than the MKI....but that's a low bar lol. I would say 85 on the GMII is average in terms of AF. (fire up the focus motor fight) That said, there is merit to that because the MKI AF is problematic for anything outside of landscapes and posed portraiture. I don't do much wedding or event work anymore, but if I did, I would grab the MKII over the MKI for sure.
I definitely would not get rid of the MKI though. It will go down as a legendary portrait lens like the Nikon cream machine. If I keep the MKII (which I'm leaning on not keeping it), they will co-exist in my kit.
p.19 #20 · Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Announced—Pre-Orders Now Open!
I'm wondering how the Sigma fits in between. It seems its bokeh is a bit less harsh, while it maintains similar sharpness in the center as the new GMII. Honestly, we're spoiled with choices, I think.
Hopefully you share some. Your pictures will reveal how good it is in real life I suppose.
