Sony Philippines Announces the Successor to the King of Portrait Lenses: The FE 85mm F1.4 GM II – Lighter, Smaller, and Faster Than Its Predecessor
Just when it seemed that portrait photography had reached its pinnacle, Sony, known for constantly pushing the limits of innovation, has introduced a groundbreaking technology set to elevate portrait photography to new heights of brilliance. True to its pioneering spirit, Sony is once again redefining what’s possible in the world of photography.
Sony, renowned for its innovative use of technology and creativity to capture emotions and narratives, has officially launched the FE 85mm F1.4 GM II (SEL85F14GM2). This premium lens combines exceptional high resolution and beautiful bokeh with fast autofocus (AF) in a compact design.
As the highly anticipated second iteration of this lens, it is now available in the Philippines at select Sony Centers and authorized dealers. To celebrate the launch, Sony Philippines is offering an early bird promo: for every SEL85F14GM2 purchased until September 30, customers will receive a complimentary Peak Design Slide worth Php 4,990.
When used with Sony’s latest Alpha™ series cameras, this lens is perfect for a wide range of creative applications, including portrait photography, weddings, travel, and cinematic video. The results are stunningly sharp images that allow for more expressive storytelling—truly embodying Sony’s ethos of Kando, which means “the power of emotions” in Japanese.
Renowned portrait and wedding photographer Jiggie Alejandrino, a Sony Alpha Professional, had the opportunity to test the lens and offered high praise. In an Instagram post, he noted, “Everybody loves bokeh, and yes, from this dream lens, the bokeh is, well, dreamy. Just look at that: no sharp edges or color fringing, resulting in a buttery smooth bokeh. This lens features a maximum aperture of 1.4, an aperture ring for quick adjustments, and a customizable button.”
He concluded, “If a lens had a cheat code, this would be it. It’s nearly impossible to take a bad photo with this lens.”
Exceptional Optical Performance and Stunning Bokeh
The FE 85mm F1.4 GM II boasts an advanced and refined optical design that perfectly balances beautiful bokeh with superior high resolution, making it an ideal choice for portrait photography. Featuring two XA (Extreme Aspherical) and two ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) lenses, this state-of-the-art optical design effectively minimizes aberrations, ensuring impressive corner-to-corner resolution and rendering for exceptional image quality.
Additionally, Sony’s innovative Nano AR Coating II technology significantly reduces flare and ghosting, resulting in clear and crisp images. The lens also incorporates an 11-blade circular aperture and optimizes spherical aberration during the design and manufacturing process, delivering the soft, pleasing bokeh that is a signature of the G Master series.
Fast, Precise, and Silent Autofocus with Exceptional Tracking Performance
The FE 85mm F1.4 GM II features agile autofocus that leverages the speed of advanced camera bodies, offering up to three times faster performance compared to its predecessor. This lens excels at tracking moving subjects with remarkable precision, seamlessly keeping pace with the Alpha 9 III’s 120fps continuous shooting capability. Additionally, subject tracking performance has seen an improvement of up to seven times.
Lightweight and Stylish Design Without Compromises
The FE 85mm F1.4 GM II is approximately 20% lighter and 13% smaller than the previous model, weighing in at 642 grams (22.7 oz). This reduction in weight and size is achieved through cutting-edge mechanical technology and optical design. The lens has a filter diameter of φ77 mm, measures 84.7 mm (about 3-3/8 in) in diameter, and is 107.3 mm (about 4-1/4 in) long.
Effective Features for Cinematic Creation
Designed for smooth filmmaking at F1.4, the FE 85mm F1.4 GM II is equipped with an XD linear motor, which minimizes focus breathing. It also supports in-body focus breathing compensation. The lens includes two customizable focus hold buttons and an AF/MF switch for versatile operation, while an independent aperture ring and Linear Response MF focus control offer intuitive handling essential for creative shooting.
Built for Durability
The front lens element features a fluorine coating that makes it easy to wipe away fingerprints, dust, oil, and other contaminants. Its dust and moisture-resistant design enhances reliability for outdoor use in challenging conditions.
For a closer look, check out the product video here: FE 85mm F1.4 GM II Video. For detailed product information, visit: Sony Asia FE 85mm F1.4 GM II.
