Evaluation of Sony’s new FE 85mm F1.8, a rising star in portrait lenses

IT168 Review Sony continues to make efforts in the mirrorless field. Although it did not update its flagship A7 series in 2016, it has still been consolidating its lens lineup step by step. The new lens is Another one launched. I remember last year Sony released a new series of G Master lenses. This series also represents the current highest level of Sony optics. One of the lenses is the FE 85mm F1.4 GM - a high-quality large aperture portrait lens.

Although the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM lens has good quality, the price is relatively high, so many photography enthusiasts may be deterred. But we all know that no matter which lens manufacturer it is, if there is a high-end version, there is bound to be a corresponding affordable version. So here comes the Sony FE 85mm F1.8 lens that we are reviewing today.

Advantages:

1. Excellent resolution and wide aperture range

2. Small size and high portability

Disadvantages:

1. The green edge is somewhat obvious in high-contrast scenes

2. The resolution drops too much at F22

Purchasing guidance:

As a civilian version of a large-aperture portrait lens that is positioned as cost-effective, our conclusion after our evaluation is that the Sony FE 85mm F1.8 has delivered a relatively satisfactory answer. After all, for this type of lens, the first and most important thing is resolution. This lens fully meets the standards of a qualified portrait lens. Of course, this does not mean that there are no shortcomings at all. For example, if we encounter a situation with relatively large contrast outdoors, we still have to pay attention to the possibility of green edges appearing on the edges of objects. This is almost the only problem this lens can encounter.

In terms of price, the domestic price is 4,299 yuan, and it will be fully launched in March. If compared with the FE 85mm F1.4 GM, it is indeed too much. This price is relatively reasonable. If someone likes Friends in need may wish to consider it.

Very compact in size, lightweight and portable with excellent hand feel

Launched at the same time as Sony's new 100mm lens is the FE 85mm F1.8, a portrait fixed-focus large aperture lens that focuses on portability and cost-effectiveness. From the overall design of the lens, the biggest feature of this lens is its simplicity, compactness, and lightness. The overall weight is only 371g. The Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM weighs more than 800 g, which is almost twice the weight of this lens. But the only regret is that this lens is not equipped with OSS anti-shake function.

Although this model is not equipped with OSS anti-shake function, several Sony A7 II-generation bodies have anti-shake function, and even the current A6500 also has body anti-shake function, so this is not a problem. Big question. The button above the AF/MF lever of this lens can be set independently in conjunction with the body functions, such as setting it to eye autofocus.

The Sony FE 85mm F1.8 uses an optical structure of 9 elements in 8 groups. The filter size of the lens is 67mm, and the minimum focusing distance is 0.8m, although it is inferior to the 100mm F2.8. Some, but the cost-effectiveness will still make this lens favored by many Sony users.

Although the design cost of Sony FE 85mm F1.8 does not reach the level of GM series lenses, this FE 85mm F1.8 still has the function of being dust-proof and splash-proof, making this lens easy to use. to cope with some harsh shooting environments.

The Sony FE 85mm F1.8 has 9 built-in circular aperture blades and is equipped with a bilinear motor. The response speed from completely out-of-focus to in-focus is average.

As a portrait lens, the Sony FE 85mm F1.8 paired with the Sony A7 series body can be described as complementing each other. The overall balance is very good, not too long and top-heavy, and whether it is too short. It seems underdeveloped. I personally think this is a typical example of the most suitable size and length within the focal length range of 35mm-85mm.

The resolution increases sharply when you reduce the aperture by two stops

Normally, it is difficult for a general large-aperture lens to balance the sharpness inside the focus and the softness outside the focus. However, Sony’s success with the G Master lens proves their strong momentum in the post-Zeiss era. How effective is the Sony FE 85mm F1.8 lens? Let’s test it through the evaluation environment. During the test process, a 42.4-megapixel Sony A7RII was used to take sample photos at various apertures, and 100% enlarged screenshots of the center and edge of the screen were taken for comparison.

Judging from the 100% enlarged screenshot of the actual sample, the Sony FE 85mm F1.8 lens has a slight spherical aberration at the F1.8 aperture, but its sharpness is considered good. When the aperture is stopped down to F5.6 to F11, both center and edge resolution are quite sharp. The center resolution remains very sharp even from F16.

The edge resolution starts to drop slightly from F16, but very strangely, the resolution in the center and edges drops very seriously at aperture F22. So try to avoid using F22 aperture. Overall, the Sony FE 85mm F1.8 lens can show very sharp picture details as a whole, so this resolution level can fully support a 40-megapixel body like the A7RII, and other bodies in the A7 series. Not a problem.

After narrowing the aperture to F5.6, the vignetting basically disappears

From the actual test, this lens has more obvious vignetting at large apertures from F1.8 to F4, but After reaching F5.6, it basically disappears. When the aperture of a large aperture lens is fully opened, vignetting will inevitably appear. Generally, as the aperture decreases, the vignetting gradually decreases and disappears. The vignetting can be removed in post-processing, and it also has the effect of highlighting the central character in the picture. So don't worry too much.

The green edge is obvious in high-contrast scenes, which is worth noting

In terms of testing dispersion, we shot two groups, one for low-contrast scenes and one for high-contrast scenes. As can be seen from the screenshot above, when the Sony FE 85mm F1.8 lens is at the maximum aperture F1.8, a slight purple edge appears on the edge of the building in the small contrast group, and no obvious green edge appears. The overall performance is within the acceptable range. Inside. At the same aperture, the purple fringing on the edge of the lampshade of the high-contrast group is well controlled, but a relatively obvious green fringe appears. When the aperture is stopped one stop to F2.8, the purple fringing in the small contrast group basically disappears. The green edge scene in the high contrast group still exists until F5.6, when the green edge gradually disappears. Therefore, it can be concluded that this lens has good purple edge control, but green edges are prone to appear when the contrast of the scene is large. Fortunately, this can be solved by post-processing or narrowing the aperture when shooting. After all, this lens is positioned as a comprehensive cost-effective, so this performance is reasonable.

Sony FE 85mm F1.8 real shot sample