Sony FE 85mm F1.8 E-mount lens review by QuietOC
 QuietOC#44491 date: Apr-3-2020 | |
|---|---|
| sharpness: 4 color: 4 build: 3 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 3.8 | tested on:
|
| 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: | 398 USD (used) |
| positive: | Quiet 30 FPS tracking Lens Compensations Hood included Sealing? |
| negative: | Axial CA/purple fringing Busy backgrounds AF-S problems Focus breathing Lack of distance scale Metal surfaces Plastic filter threads Wide - 82.1 to 81.4 mm according to DXOMark |
| 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. It did work better in AF-S on the A7RII. Adapted 85mm F1.8's lock focus much quicker in AF-S. There are currently no firmware updates for the lens. This lens use continues the styling of the early FE lenses like the 1.8/55 Sonnar instead of the newer G and GM primes. The anodized black finish looks nice when brand new. However the parts that extend out the front are plastic. I prefer soft control surfaces and metal filter threads. The redundant MF switch is a nod to cheap SLR lenses of the past, and it has a focus hold button like 1988 Minolta lenses. While it is a fairly sharp wide-open there is a high amount purple fringing--just as bad the older Canon while backgrounds are busier and less blurred. I am not sure there is a good use case for this lens. It seems overhyped and overpriced to me. Not recommended. |
rating summary
- total reviews: 14
- sharpness: 4.89
- color: 4.93
- build: 4.43
- distortion: 4.79
- flare control: 4.71
- overall: 4.75