Sony Unveils the 85mm f/1.4 GM II

Sony unveiled a fantastic new lens in their G Master lens lineup, the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II Full-Frame Large-aperture G Master Lens.This new lens follows the highly acclaimed FE 85mm F1.4 GM and is meant as a standard prime lens to be used on a full frame mirrorless camera. Sony’s newest technology is included in this lens which gives the user sharper and more detailed images, a higher shooting resolution and bokeh in a lightweight Sony lens. This lens has approximately (20% less mass than its predecessor) and is made for Sony Alpha series cameras (like the a9 III).

The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4GM II, which is part of the Sony GM Lens series and used on a Sony Alpha series cameras like the a9 Mark II, gives the user easy operability, compatibility with a wide variety of DSLR cameras, and a ruggedness to its design. This is a Sony Gold Master Lens or GM Lens, which is their highest tier of lenses. Sony relies heavily on its quality control and Research and Development on these lenses to give their Gold Master lenses tremendous high resolution image quality.

This lens is mounted on the patented Sony E-Mount system. If you would like to use this lens with a camera from a different manufacturer such as Canon, Sigma and amounting adapter may be needed. This will ensure that you have the right filter thread to use this lens with multiple cameras. The Sony FE 85mm F/1.4 GM II accepts 77 mm threaded filters.

This new Sony lens features upgraded specs over the first-generation model of the f/1.4 GM. These are desired features and specs which all photographers and videographers will love, especially in portrait photography using this as a portrait lens. If you are a portrait photographer, you can enjoy the 85mm focal length getting stills that you may normally see on a dedicated telephoto lens that cater to getting the most out of the exposure of your subject.

Let’s delve a little deeper into and get hands-on look at this fantastic new Sony lens.

General Features and Specs

Images and Videdos Features

We will begin with Sony’s new advanced optical technology that gives this lens tremendous resolution and picture quality in such a lightweight and ergonomic lens. There are two Extreme Aspherical lens elements which are present to help correct distortion and the high-resolution exposure contains your entire portrait environment all the way image edges that display when viewing. The extra low dispersion optical design also reduces chromatic aberrations like fringing and vignetting. In addition, shooters will appreciate the ability of this lens to handle contrast adjustments, such as shooting a subject against a black backdrop with bright natural light present.

The two XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors providing linear response allow the FE 85mm F1.4 GM II Autofocus to hit speeds that is up to 3x faster than the first-generation lens. If you are comfortable photographing in manual mode, the easy to reach MF switch can change the lens from Autofocus to Manual Focus with simplicity. The two customizable focus hold buttons, an AF/MF switch and click-less aperture ring offer easy operability for shooters using this new lens.

The autofocus feature on this new lens works great with your alpha series camera. Boasting a tremendously quiet autofocus and focus breathing (when adjusting the focus point), on the Sony FE 80mm, even while using the continuous shooting feature on your camera at a high resolution of 120fps. The AF or autofocus will precisely track your subject in the exposure, even when photographing from a narrower depth of field.

All these included features help with ensuring that you get those creamy, beautiful bokeh effects even at the higher resolution supported by this lens at an aperture setting of F1.4.

This Sony Lens also will help reduce vignetting, which causes a loss of brightness or saturation on the periphery of a still image. This can happen due to several factors including but not limited to the focal length used during photographing, defects or problems with the lens itself, or the aperture setting. The included breathing compensation corrects the image when shooting a video and the angle of view changes while focusing on your subject.

All these features help this portrait lens get sharper and clearer still images, so you can up your photography skills and show off your creative content with confidence.

Portability

This is an extremely lightweight and portable lens with dimensions of 84.7 (3-3/8 inch) x 107.3 mm (4-1/4 inch) weighing only 642 g (22.7 oz.). This is an improvement over the first-generation model of this lens 13% less volume and 20% less mass than its predecessor for agile, fast action and comfortable handling during usage. This lens will provide tremendous, large aperture performance when paired with a Sony Alpha series camera.

If you are a vlogger or like to show of your creative content, the ergonomic rugged design, and portability of this lightweight lens will appeal to you. After all we know as vloggers, how important transportation of your camera equipment is. You may be shooting a fast action vlog of say a sports game, or you are vlogging while shooting cityscapes and landscape photography, having an extremely portable lens at an f/1.4 aperture like the Sony FE 85mm GM II, which can work as your everyday lens is great.

Build Quality (What does it mean to be a Sony GM lens)

Featuring a fluorine coating giving this lens a moisture-resistant design, this lens is ready for harsh weather conditions and can easily repel moisture, dust and fingerprints. It also makes cleaning the lens much easier. Sony's Nano AR Coating II will suppress ghosting in any lighting scenario you may face, even under harsh lighting conditions. A round shaped; bayonet mount lens hood comes standard with the lens.

Sony boasts this lens as part of the Gold Master lens or G Master lens lineup. The Gold Master or GM II means you are getting the highest quality lens in a top tier segment. As part of Sony’s premier lineup of lenses, you get the desired image quality that when mounted to a full frame Sony Alpha mirrorless camera or even an APS-C cropped sensor camera. This will give you the confidence to post your still images and videos on your social media page and share the gorgeous exposures with your family, friends or anyone following you on your online social media presence.

Summation

This new addition to Sony’s lineup or Gold Master or GM lenses will appeal to portrait photographers and videographers while still being able to be used as a prime lens is a very attractive to shooters. Therefore, if you are a portrait photographer, or just want an amazing 85mm lens, look no further than the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II so you can get creative and make some great portraiture.

This new lens announced by Sony on August 28, 2024, for release in mid to late September at retailers like B&H Photo or right here at Beachcamera.com, is available now for pre-order. This is the 76th iteration of the Sony Alpha lens, which will be seated in the highly competitive 85mm lens segment with a price tag of around $1,799.00. So don’t hesitate, get out there and grab this great new lens.