The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM (Amazon, B&H) is primarily a photography lens, though it will be used for video.
In this article let’s take a comprehensive look at the important features and specifications of the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM and see how good it will perform specifically for video, cinematography and filmmaking.
The aim of this article is to provide you with enough information and perspective so you can decide for yourself whether this lens is right for your film or video.
Important: This article is a comprehensive overview of the lens with available information; and an analysis based on our experience shooting for almost two decades. It is not a hands-on review. If and when we get hold of the lens we’ll be sure to publish a detailed review. If this is not your cup of tea you can stop reading.
Click to what you want quickly:
- TLDR;
- Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM vs Sigma Art 85mm f/1.4 DG DN
- Features:
- Control:
- Basics:
- Alternatives to the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM
TLDR;
What you need to know for video work about the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM (Amazon, B&H):
- The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM is a great telephoto lens. This lens should work well in low light.
- This could be the most preferred lens for portraits, interviews, documentaries.
- The f/1.4 aperture is great for low light work.
- 11 blade aperture for smoother, better bokeh.
- Aperture ring on the lens itself will make it easier to ride the aperture.
- Customizable button on the lens body.
- The lens doesn’t have image stabilization, but you will get some stabilization with a Sony a7S III or the Sony Alpha 1 that has in built stabilization.
- Sony claims that their lens motors work together with Eye AF to provide precise, quick autofocus for video.
- It exhibits breathing.
Can be great for the following types of filmmaking:
- Interviews
- Wedding filmmaking
- Documentary filmmaking
- Low budget music videos
- Gimbal use
- Corporate videos and low budget commercials
Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM vs Sigma Art 85mm f/1.4 DG DN
| Lens | Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM | Sigma Art 85mm f/1.4 DG DN |
| Filter Thread | 77mm | 77mm |
| Size | 89.5mm x 107.5mm | 82.8mm × 96.1mm |
| Weight | 820g | 630g |
| Closest focusing distance | 0.85m / 2.79ft | 0.85m / 2.79ft |
| Aperture Ring | Present, De-Clickable | Absent |
| Customizable Button | Present | Absent |
| Max. Aperture | f/1.4 | f/1.4 |
| Min. Aperture | f/16 | f/16 |
| Aperture Blades | 11 blades | 11 blades |
| Angle of View (Diagonal) | 29 | 28.6 |
The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art DG DN (Amazon, B&H) is lighter and smaller the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM (Amazon, B&H). This would make the Sigma 85mm the preferred lens for gimbal or handheld use.
The aperture ring puts Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM at a major advantage over the Sigma 85mm. The Sony 85mm also has a customizable button on the lens body.
What about optical performance?
Upon comparing the official MTF charts of both the lenses you can infer that, surprisingly, Sigma has the better performance. The drop off on the Sony is really uncharacteristic of an 85mm lens. Did they switch the MTF charts?
Even though the Sony has inherent advantages being a native lens, you might really want to test both to know what works for you.
Features
Coverage
The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM (Amazon, B&H) is a full frame lens. It is designed to completely cover a sensor the size of 36mm x 24mm.
If you are considering this lens for an APS-C sensor or other cinema camera, check out this article:
Focal Length
The focal length is 85mm. This is considered mid range telephoto on a full frame 35mm sensor.
This focal range is very useful for mid shots, interviews, and close ups.
Aperture
The maximum aperture is f/1.4 and the minimum aperture is f/16.
There is an aperture ring on the lens. The aperture can be de-clicked with the turn of a switch on the lens. This helps you ride the aperture in a smooth manner to control exposure during a shot.
Having f/1.4 is great for low light. Most people will use it at f/1.8 or f/2 for the purpose of maintaining sharpness while getting soft out of focus backgrounds.
The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM (Amazon, B&H) has 11 circular diaphragm blades. One expects a smooth bokeh, considering the number of blades, but it’s not always a given. To know more about bokeh:
Resolution
From Sony’s official MTF charts:
The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM (Amazon, B&H) is sharp in the center and has a fall off but this is to be expected at f/1.4. However, it’s not indicative of how a really sharp top of the line 85mm should be. It’s quite possible Sony leaned on the aesthetic side over raw sharpness.
With the variance in the Sagittal and Tangential lines, you can infer (somewhat) that the bokeh should be decent, and they correlate to each other well so there is some harmony in the design.
If you really want this lens at its sharpest you’re better off stopping down to f/2 or even f/2.8 for best results.
If you are curious and want to read the MTF chart for yourself. Here’s a guide on how to read them easily.
Close Focus
The closest focusing distance is 0.85 meters or 2.79 feet. That’s nice for this focal length because you will majorly be using it for interviews and mid to telephoto shots.
Image Stabilization
The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM (Amazon, B&H) lens doesn’t have Optical Steady Shot. This is a disappointment, because that would have made it a lot better than the Sigma version. Using it with the Sony Alpha 1 or the a7S III can provide it with some image stabilization.
Control
Manual focus system
The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM (Amazon, B&H) has an infinite turn ring for its focus ring and can turn infinitely one way or the other. Sadly, it does not have the option to switch from focus by wire to fly by wire.
What is the meaning of focus by wire and fly by wire?
Focus by wire: Let’s say you turn the focus ring to change focus from point A to B. You’d expect the focus to shift accordingly. When you stop point B will be in focus. Now bring the focus point back to A and try again, but at a different speed. Slower or faster, doesn’t matter. Now, even if you precisely rotate to the exact same degree, the focus will not be on point B! The speed of rotation determines which point it is focused on. That’s just completely useless for follow focus work. If an actor or person moves at a different speed, evens lightly, you’ll never get the same focus. Avoid focus by wire lenses like the plague (for video work).
Fly by wire: The distance of focus shifted is directly proportional to the speed at which the ring is turned. This is how a manual focus ring is supposed to operate for video and cinematography.
This decision to exclude fly by wire or linear MF by Sony makes this lens not a great choice for cinematographers and videographers.
Autofocus system
Sony’s Autofocus is, without a doubt, one of the most revered video autofocus systems in the world. They claim that they have a second sensor to help with precision of the autofocus. There is a switch on the side of the body to switch from autofocus to manual focus.
In addition to the usual rotation sensor, a second sensor detects focus lens group position. This dual sensor system achieves the extremely high level of focus precision that is necessary to make the most of the high-resolution potential of advanced camera bodies. RDSSM (Ring Drive Super Sonic wave Motor) drive provides the required power and speed
Sony
Basics
Filter Thread
The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM (Amazon, B&H) has a filter thread diameter of 77mm. This is an common filter diameter.
Build Quality
The majority of the lens exterior is plastic, though the lens doesn’t feel cheap.
The optical design consists of 11 elements in 8 groups, including a XA glass element and three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements.
Size and Weight
The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM (Amazon, B&H) has a diameter of 89.5mm and a length of 107.5mm. It weighs around 820 grams. It is a bit heavy but should not be much of a problem considering this has been designed and marketed to interviewers and documentary filmmakers.
Weather resistance
Sony claims that all GM lenses are weather resistant. In addition to their usual dust and moisture resistance they have claimed to add an extra seal to this lens.
But again this only holds true if the camera body you will be using is also weather sealed. No camera is truly and officially weather sealed, so the best you can hope for is reliable weather resistance.
This is a G Master series lens and we can expect it to perform as such.
In addition to the normal dust and moisture sealing measures, a seal has been added at the lens-body interface for even further protection and reliability in challenging environments. Shoot with confidence in light rain or windy conditions.
Sony
What’s in the box
This is what you get in the box (other than the lens):
- Hood (ALC-SH142)
- Lens front cap (ALC-F77S)
- Lens rear cap (ALC-R1EM)
- Case
The hood might be useful for photography, but the shape and design makes it mostly vestigial for video work. Some people like to put it on to protect the front element in case of a fall. The hood takes the impact and shatters, but saves the lens. I’d keep it on unless you have good reason not to.
Alternatives to the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Lens
The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM (Amazon, B&H) is a great mid telephoto lens. The only alternatives are:
- Better alternative: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art DG DN (Amazon, B&H) – Same aperture, same blades, cheaper, lighter and smaller lens. Can manually focus without the stupid focus-by-wire system.
- Cheaper alternative: ZEISS Batis 85mm f/1.8 (Amazon, B&H) – Smaller aperture, but lighter and great aesthetically.
I hope you found this overview of the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM (Amazon, B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.