Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 Lens for Video

The Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 (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/1.8 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/1.8 vs Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8
• Features:
  1. Coverage
  2. Focal Range
  3. Aperture
  4. Resolution
  5. Close Focus Distance
  6. Image Stabilization
• Control:
  1. Manual focus system
  2. Autofocus system
• Basics:
  1. Filter thread
  2. Build quality
  3. Size and weight
  4. Weather Resistance
  5. What’s in the box
• Alternatives to the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8

TLDR;

What you need to know for video work about the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 (Amazon, B&H):

• The Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 is a great telephoto lens.
• This could be the most preferred lens for portraits, interviews, documentaries.
• The f/1.8 aperture is great for low light work.
• 9 blade aperture for smoother, better bokeh.
• 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 to provide precise and quick autofocus.
• It exhibits breathing.

Can be great for the following types of filmmaking:

• Interviews
• Corporate videos and low budget commercials
• General filmmaking

Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 vs Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8

The Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 (Amazon, B&H) is heavier and bigger than the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 (Amazon, B&H). This would make the Sony FE 85mm the preferred lens for gimbal or handheld use.

The Zeiss Batis 85mm claims to have image stabilization in built whereas the Sony FE 85mm lack this feature.

What about optical performance?

Upon comparing the official MTF charts of both the lenses you can infer that Sony has the better performance at f/1.8 (the green lines).

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/1.8 (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/1.8 and the minimum aperture is f/22.

The lens is missing an aperture ring.

Having f/1.8 is great for low light. Most people will use it at f/2 for the purpose of maintaining sharpness while getting soft, out of focus backgrounds.

The Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 (Amazon, B&H) has 9 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/1.8 (Amazon, B&H) is sharp in the center and has a slight fall off but this is to be expected at f/1.8. One can say that the optical performance is better than the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM (Amazon, B&H) when it comes to corner to corner performance.

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 0.8 meters or 2.63 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/1.8 (Amazon, B&H) lens doesn’t have Optical Steady Shot. This is a disappointment, because that would have made it as good as, if not 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/1.8 (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.

A double linear motor actuator system directly drives the lens’s focus mechanism without noisy intervening gears, for precision positioning and quiet operation that are great for movies as well as stills.

Sony

Basics

Filter Thread

The Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 (Amazon, B&H) has a filter thread diameter of 67mm. This is an uncommon filter diameter.

Build Quality

The majority of the lens exterior is plastic, though the lens doesn’t feel cheap.

The optical design consists of 9 elements in 8 groups, including a ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass element.

Size and Weight

The Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 (Amazon, B&H) has a diameter of 78mm and a length of 83mm. It weighs around 371 grams. It is incredibly light for its focal length.

Weather resistance

Sony claims that all their lenses are weather resistant. 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 not a G Master series lens and we can expect it to perform as such.

A sealed dust- and moisture-resistant design provides extra protection and ensures reliable operation 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 (model): ALC-SH150
• Lens front cap: ALC-F67S
• Lens rear cap: ALC-R1EM

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/1.8 Lens

The Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 (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) – wider aperture, more blades, expensive, heavier and bigger lens. Can manually focus without the stupid focus-by-wire system.
• Alternative: ZEISS Batis 85mm f/1.8 (Amazon, B&H) – Same aperture, great aesthetically with image stabilization.

I hope you found this overview of the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 (Amazon, B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.