Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II Initial Impressions
In this blog, I will share my first impressions of the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 G Master II lens. I purchased this lens a couple of months ago and have used it a fair bit on my last Japan trip, so I am now in a position to give you some initial feedback. This isn’t a full review, and a long-term detailed review will come next year. For clarity, I purchased this lens with my own money, and I have no contact or relationship with Sony.
Purpose
As time goes on, I find myself being drawn to night photography ever more, and with 85mm being one of my favourite focal lengths, I decided to invest in this monster of a lens. Also, when coupled with higher-resolution cameras such as the Sony A7RV, I can switch to APS-C mode and still retain 26MP at a 130mm focal length. As well as night photography, this lens will be used on any client projects where the best quality is required.
Focal Length
85mm is an incredibly versatile focal length and is best suited to travel, street photography, and portraiture. While this focal length can be limiting in many scenarios, where it does shine is in bringing attention to small details and making city scenes appear larger than life, especially at night. This will never be your one and only focal length; instead, it will complement something a little wider such as a 35mm.
Build Quality
Just like any G Master lens, expect the best build quality available from Sony. While I can’t go into too many details because I haven’t used this lens for long enough to really test the quality and reliability, I can say that on first impressions, it feels very premium. The aperture dial has solid clicks, the focus dial is smooth and well-damped, and all the switches are solid without excess play. For now, that’s all I can say, so make sure to check back for the long-term review later.
Size / Weight
The overall size and weight are what I expected for a lens of this type. I can’t say it’s bigger or smaller than I expected; it feels about right. On a bigger body such as the A7R, this lens feels at home with perfect balance. On a smaller system such as the A7C, I find it a little front-heavy. Not to the point where it’s uncomfortable or causes issues, but enough to notice. I’m sure this can be fixed with an added grip.
Features
All the usual Sony G Master features can be found here, such as two custom function buttons, aperture ring de-click, IRIS lock, and an AF/MF switch. Having two function buttons means that when you switch to portrait orientation, you have another function button in exactly the same place. This saves having to reach round to the bottom and try to find the other button. I personally have the custom button set to enable manual focus when held down. This allows for easy focus adjustments in complex situations such as reflections. Finally, this lens has full weather sealing.
Image Quality
All modern lenses have fantastic image quality, and I feel we’re at the point where any modern lens above £500 will produce good results. I can’t say anything specific about the 85mm f/1.4. The image is tack-sharp, the bokeh is nice, and the colours render as they should at all aperture values. No issues at all, and I can’t possibly see how this image can be improved.
Autofocus
The AF is top-notch thanks to two linear motors. It’s silent, fast, and reliable. However, just like image quality, this is hardly a surprise. Nothing specific I can say about the AF – it works every single time exactly how you’d expect.
Summary
Overall, this is an amazing lens at a premium price. It’s aimed at people who want the absolute best 85mm from Sony and those who will be shooting in low light. This isn’t a lens for everyone; I would argue that for many people, something like the Sigma 90mm f/2.8 can deliver 70% of the performance in a smaller, lighter, and considerably cheaper package. With that said, if you want the best, this is your only option.
Instead of telling you how these will change your life, I would rather be practical and answer the most common questions that people tend to have when buying presets.
What are presets?
They are editing settings that are saved in a file and can be applied to any image.
Why do people buy presets?
Sometimes because they like the work of the photographer and want that style for their own photos. Mostly because they would like to see how other people edit and learn by reverse engineering the presets. Other times it’s just to support their favourite photographers, thank you!
What’s the overall style of these presets?
- Filmic
- Minimal
- Soft
- Bright
What are these presets suitable for?
Street & Travel Photography
Some Nature (with further editing)
Some Portraits (with extensive editing)
What do these presets look like?
These presets 100% reflect my current editing style. Please see examples of work below.
Do these presets get updated?
Yes, as my style changes, these presets will also be updated. Any time a new update is available, you will get a free update via email. Of course you also keep all the old presets in case you prefer the older looks. Only presets purchased from 2025 onwards will receive the updates.
What file types are these presets for?
- All RAW files
- JPEGs & TIFFs (not recommended)
What camera brands are these presets for?
These were designed around Fujifilm, Sony, and Leica sensors. With that said, they will work with all camera brands. While there might be subtle colour changes due to individual camera colour science, the overall feel of the preset will carry over.
Will these work with JPEG files?
Yes, but you will need to reduce the intensity and make further edits. I strongly recommend editing RAW files.
Are these one click edits?
95% No. You would need to do some basic adjustments as each image is different. These adjustments can include exposure, colour balance etc. In 5% of cases you can just apply and leave it alone.
Do I need to know how to edit?
You need to have a basic understanding of adjusting exposure, highlights, shadows, etc. A more comprehensive editing skillset will let you get the most out of them.
How many presets are included?
15 in the main pack and 20 in the extras pack
Why two packs?
The main pack is what I use for 99% of my edits. The extras pack is random test presets, one-off looks, and looks I don’t use often.
What software do I need?
These presets will work with any of the following:
- Photoshop (adobe camera raw)
- Lightroom Classic
- Lightroom Desktop
- Lightroom Mobile
Will these presets work with free versions of the above software?
You need to research and double check before buying. These presets were designed for the full paid versions.
Will these presets work with very old versions of the above software?
You need to research and double check before buying. These presets were designed on and for the latest software.
What file type do I get?
XMP
What else do I get?
- Comprehensive PDF guide
- Short video of me editing using these presets
Can I modify these and turn them into my own?
Yes! In fact I encourage you to modify them and play around. Use these to help you get your own style.
I have more questions…. What do I do?
Make a cup of tea and drop me an email on hello@snapsbyfox.com
Please note that due to the nature of digital products, refunds are generally not accepted. However, if you experience any issues, feel free to contact me and I’ll review your situation individually. You are welcome to use this product for personal or commercial projects, but you may not copy, distribute, or resell the files in their original or modified form.
Finally I want to say a massive thank you for supporting me. Buying these presets is the most direct way you can support my work thus allowing me to make more videos / photos / tutorials for you.
Thank you for your support!