Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Review

Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Handling and Features

The 85mm f/1.4 has a special place in the ranges of most marques. A lens just slightly longer than the standard lens is one of the easiest to design to a very high standard, and this results in lenses that are the pinnacle of performance for any given system. Coupled with bright maximum apertures they make ideal short telephotos, perfectly suited to portraiture in particular. The working distance needed ensures a very realistic and most flattering rendition of faces.

Not only portraits of course, but also street photography, night shoots, landscapes, close range sports and many more subjects are within the scope of the versatile 85mm lens.

This 85mm f/1.4 is a big, heavy lens weighing in at 820g. A 77mm filter thread is surrounded by the bayonet fitting for the substantial round lens hood. The hood has a locking catch to prevent any chance of it coming loose. Looking into the impressive front element, we can see the equally impressive, virtually circular, diaphragm. Most unusually, this has 11 blades, which will no doubt enhance the bokeh.

Behind this we find the manual focus ring, which is electronic in operation. This is very smooth but some care needs to be taken to avoid moving the ring when holding the lens in shooting position. Just behind this, conveniently placed, is a single focus lock button. This allows the focus point in AF to be locked prior to recomposing and shooting.

An interesting addition is the provision of an aperture ring, with third-stop settings very clearly marked. The choice is there to use this ring, or to set A and control the aperture from the camera. The aperture ring is click stopped with a delightful feel of precision, but if desired this can be switched off. Video shooters may well appreciate this feature. Finally, the AF/MF switch is close to the camera body. A mask over the rear element helps ensure that flare is kept to a minimum.

The optical formula comprises 11 elements in 8 groups. There is one XA (extreme aspherical) element, with a quoted surface precision of 0.01 microns. There are three ED (extra low dispersion) elements. The whole lens is dust and moisture resistant. Sony Nano AR coatings reduce flare and improve contrast and colour.

AF is driven by a Direct Drive SSM motor of high precision, offering speed, accuracy and virtual silence in operation. Focusing is down to 0.85m (2.79 feet), a maximum magnification of 0.12x. This is a fairly traditional close focusing distance, and considering how close modern zooms can focus it would have been nice if this could have been just a little closer as well.

There is a certain pleasure in viewing the world though an 85mm f/1.4 lens. It is very bright and focus snaps in and out with almost surgical precision. It does merit remembering though that the depth of field at f/1.4 is very small so the use of an appropriate aperture is especially important. Portraits at f/1.4 can be superb, but the eyes need to be the critically sharp point and this can lead to a few missed shots. This is a matter of practice though, and is no reflection on what is a very exciting lens to use.

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