Sony FE 85mm F1.8 E-mount lens review by QuietOC
 QuietOC#44491 date: Apr-3-2020 | |
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| sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4.3 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Sigma EX 70 F2.8 DG Macro Samyang 75 F1.8 Tamron SP 85 F1.8 USD Canon EF 85 F1.8 USM Minolta MD 85 F2 Sony 85 F2.8 SAM Tamron SP 90 F2.5 Macro Canon EF 100 F2 USM Minolta AF 100 F2.8 Macro D Minolta AF 100 F2.8 Macro RS |
| price paid: | undisclosed (new) |
| positive: | Good contrast Quiet Lens Compensations Hood included Sealing? |
| negative: | Axial CA/purple fringing Somewhat busy bokeh Slow AF-S Focus breathing MF switch Lack of distance scale Metal surfaces Plastic filter threads Wide 82 mm |
| comment: | After lugging the Tamron SP 85mm F1.8 around last week I decided to make another offer for this lens. This is the most I've even spent on a single lens so far. This came out the same year as the Tamron and is $150 cheaper than that lens--suggesting it is a lower end lens. Canon has discounted their EF 85mm F1.8 USM to less than half the price of this Sony. "Made in Vietnam" just like Tamron's OSD primes. Unfortunately, I have AF-S issues using this lens. Often the A7III will confirm focus and not move when given an out-of-focus scene. It often spends a good deal of time racking focus in AF-S on both the A7III and A6000. It is quicker in AF-C. The adapted 85mm F1.8's lock focus quicker in AF-S. There are currently no firmware updates for the lens. The anodized black finish does look nice and seems durable. However the parts sticking out the front that are plastic. I would prefer soft surfaces to touch and metal filter threads. The redundant MF switch is a nod to the cheapest SLR lenses of the past. It has a focus hold button like 1988 Minolta lenses. Image quality is mixed. It is a sharp lens with a very flat field. However axial color aberration is just as bad as the Canon while backgrounds are busier and less blurred. |
rating summary
- total reviews: 12
- sharpness: 4.92
- color: 5.00
- build: 4.58
- distortion: 4.83
- flare control: 4.75
- overall: 4.82