Two of the most popular full-frame Sony E-mount lenses for portrait shooters are the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM that costs a whopping $1,798, and the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 lens which costs a more pocket friendly $573.
But is the f/1.4 G Master lens really worth $1,225 more than its f/1.8 little brother? Check out this video from Sony Alpha Imaging Collective member Manny Ortiz as he compares these two great portrait lenses before drawing his own conclusion.
The Sony FE 85mm F1.4 G Master lens is one of the top lenses in Sony’s G Master series. To make this lens a reality Sony first had to spend 3-4 years building their own mold-making machine that would allow the creation of a lens that didn’t have the previously-characteristic ridges present that can lead to unsightly onion-ring bokeh balls. So there were definitely no compromizes made building this lens.
That said, Sony hasn’t really compromized on the 85mm 1.8 version either. Sure the images are a little softer than the GM and the bokeh not quite as smooth, but it most definitely does not dissapoint and the autofocus is actually faster and quieter than the GM version. I own the 85mm 1.8 myself and for the little portrait work that I do this lens is more than enough for my own needs.
Which lens do you prefer? Let me know in the comments below.
And if you are a portrait shooter yourself it would be great to see some of your shots in the Sony Alpha Portrait Shooters group that I run on Facebook. With over 5000 members this is now one of the most popular niche groups for Sony Alpha Portrait Shooters on Facebook.
I like both and have both. I tried the 85 1.4 dn dg sigma also. The pincushion distortion on the sigma is horrendous, so staying w both sony lenses. The 1.8 when I travel and the 1.4 in studio as it’s awesome.