Just wondering if people find the 85mm to be a useful focal length. I have been toying with picking up one of the f/1.8 or 1.4 versions for the A7III. Local shop says the 1.4 GM is a popular lens but the focal length seems a bit oddball. Although it may be just right for those night time WDW parades. Thoughts?
I have an 85 f1.4 and like the focal length. I'm considering selling mine only because it is a first generation auto focus and it hunts a lot in the dark. It should be a good length for close ups of individual characters in the night parades. Id suggest renting one and trying it to see how well it focuses in the dark before you buy.
i would second the renting and give it a try, the local shop is right, a lot of folk like that sony 85 f1.4 gm, it is a focal length found pretty much in every wedding bag, it is a real portrait lens, used by many for street and formal stuff. i haven't had one in several years and not at all in sony, although if i ever did decide to do a full prime only pixel mania such as i did several years ago, this would be one of the holy trinity 35,50,85
I have the Nikon 1.8 and love it for certain things. The depth of field is pretty shallow wide open, just like any long, fast lens. How big? This big! by Dennis D, on Flickr
If you're a bit unsure, or wanting to try it out, then you might consider going with the FE85mm F1.8 rather than the F1.4 - it's a whole lot cheaper, and reviews have been very good for sharpness and IQ...it's considered a great bargain portrait in the Sony line...and better to figure out how much you like the focal length and how useful it will be for under $600 compared to nearly $2,000!
Thanks for all the responses. As much as I'd like to have the 1.4GM, part of the reasoning for switching to mirrorless was to have a smaller lighter kit so I'll probably go with the 1.8, maybe a rental, although its $50 off right now...
Really look at renting the 55 f1.8, I own one and it is incredibly sharp, I just find a prime over 35mm to be a little tight at parades, although with 2 at the parties you could shoot one with a zoom, and go over to a prime for head shots, especially with the great makeup jobs at not so scary Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
