Often referred to as the perfect focal length for portraiture, the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Lens - Full Frame E-Mountis a fast short-telephoto prime distinguished by its flattering field of view, advanced optics, and ability to isolate subjects with shallow depth of field. As a G Master lens, too, this lens offers refined sharpness and bokeh quality, championing a pleasing image quality well-suited for portraits, events, and and other situations where focus control is paramount.

E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format    Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16    One XA Element and Three ED Elements    Nano AR Coating    Linear Super Sonic Wave AF Motor    AF/MF Switch; Internal Focus    Focus Hold Button    Physical Aperture Ring; De-Click Switch    Dust and Moisture-Resistant Construction    Rounded 11-Blade Diaphragm

Often referred to as the perfect focal length for portraiture, the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM is a fast short-telephoto prime distinguished by its flattering field of view, advanced optics, and ability to isolate subjects with shallow depth of field. As a G Master lens, too, this lens offers refined sharpness and bokeh quality, championing a pleasing image quality well-suited for portraits, events, and and other situations where focus control is paramount.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Does this lens works good for APS-C Sony E mount cameras obviously considering the crop factor?

A: Yes; the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Lens with UV Filter Kit, B&H # SO8514GM77F, would be fully compatible for use on a Sony mirrorless camera using the smaller APS-C sensor. Compared to the same lens used on a full-frame camera, when used on the Sony camera with the APS-C sensor, the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Lens would simply have the equivalent angle of view of a 127.5mm lens used on a full-frame camera.

Q: 2. Is this lens compatible with the Sony FS7? I tried it with mine and it would not go into auto focus mode.

A: Hi! This lens is only compatible with E-mount cameras. -Anthony

Q: 3. This vs Zeiss Otis? Why?

A: I have both the Sony FE 1.4/85 mm GM and the Zeiss Otus 1.4/85 mm ZF.2. I enjoy both lenses. I bought the Zeiss Otus long before Sony offered the FE 1.4/85 mm. I wanted a top 85 mm lens for my Sony a7R and Sony a7Rii. Data on the Zeiss Otus 1.4/85 mm ranked the Zeiss Otus 85 mm the best. Ordinarily I can compose a shot using manual focus so lack of AF is not an issue for me. Sony's focus magnification, focus peaking, and in-body stabilization make manual focus a snap. In fact, I shoot NBA games from my seat with a manual focus Zeiss APO Sonnar 2.0/135 mm ZF.2 and produce great images. I pack my Sony FE 1.4/85 mm rather than the Zeiss Otus 1.4/85 mm if I have to travel light (with only one lens) and when I plan to ask other people to shoot me using my camera. I appreciate that experience and practice are required to manually focus the Sony a7Rii with its focus magnification and focus peaking and I don't expect anyone to pick up that skill when they borrow my camera and take photos of me. I travel to compete in powerlifting championships and I've moved away from hiring a local photographer to recruiting someone from Team U.S.A. to step up and spend time shooting me while I compete. I acknowledge that Sony's AF on its 1.4/85 mm GM is nice. I especially like the focus-lock button on the GM since it allows me to grab focus and recompose without losing focus. This works great in sports applications. Incidentally, the results from my Sony a7Rii and Otus lenses or the Sony FE GM lens have spoiled me so much that I'm dissatisfied with someone offers to use lesser equipment to photograph me. I like a nice JPG, especially from a championship. If you can afford it, buy both lenses. From my perspective, if its worth capturing an image, then use a great camera and lens for the work.

Q: 4. People are writing about friction and noise problems with the lens. Has Sony reported any thing or has B&H inquired to Sony.

A: There are no advisories from Sony in regards to friction or noise problems on this lens at this time.

Q: 5. I have the option to select a UV filter but when selected, the product description says its a circular polarizer. Which comes in the box?

A: If you select the option With Free Filter Kit you will get the Hoya 77mm NXT Circular Polarizer Filter.

Q: 6. Would you recommend it for video?

A: The friction noise created by the AF system may interfere with your audio. Other than that, the IQ is excellent!

Q: 7. I'm torn between this and the 135 GM 1.8 do any of you have both? Which one will give me the most versatility? Opinions welcome

A: Hi--since these are both basically superb portrait lenses, versatility would depend on what else you want to use the lens for: the 135mm would be more versatile for shooting sports, while the 85mm would be more versatile for street photography. The 85mm is the classic portrait focal length, but 135mm is right in the portrait range.

Q: 8. Is this a macro lens or have macro capabilities

A: No, as already stated this is an amazing portrait lens, but it is not a macro lens. Its maximum native magnification is 0.12X. You could use it in macro situations with the addition of extension tubes, but you would probably prefer the experience with a true macro lens like the Sony 90mm FE macro.

Q: 9. will it fit my iPhone ?

A: Yes. But it requires a special adapter called a Sony A7R2 that fits onto the lens and you then connect to the A7R2 adapter with an iPhone through the Sony iOS application.

Q: 10. I was wondering if this Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Lens besides using it as a portrait lens. How would it be to use this lens for street photography? Thank You!

A: This Sony fe 85 1.4 GM Provides outstanding color and its also very sharp if you get it to focus. But its a moody lens, difficult and slow to focus in low light and on moving objects, and it does not focus close up. It also looks huge on your camera, and weighs a lot, so not stealthy. Ive used the Sony fe Zeiss 35 2.8 and it is great, tiny, light, and focuses great, nice color, sharp, no weight. For travel I now use the Sony fe 24-240 which is really a great lens, much better than all the reviews, its sharp, color and focus are good and it is useful at all distances. Do I need to tweak my fotos a bit more in Lightroom with this 24-240? Yes, but its easy and so worth it. Hope this helped.