We took some images with the Sigma over the past couple of months with our A7R IV outdoors and it was a lot of fun and you can see some of our results here (no retouching of any sorts, just cropping). Focusing is usefully internal and manual focusing is possible when set via the Focus switch on the lens barrel. Full-time manual focus override is also available at any time simply by rotating the focus ring when using Sony's DMF focus mode. A clear distance scale in both feet and meters runs from the closest focusing distance of 0.85m / 2.79ft to infinity.

Honestly? If you really like 85mm, whether for serious portraits, low-light journalism, or just casual artistic imagery in general, get this lens to go on your Sony E-mount body, or your Sigma/Panasonic/Leica L-mount body. You won’t regret it. One area where the Sony has a huge disadvantage is CA. Wide-open this is very prominent and this is one of the worst-performing lenses we have ever tested in this aspect with tones of purple and green fringing. Wide open vignetting is about 2.3 EV which is a little bit more than the 1.4/85 GM. Stopped down, vignetting is still a little over 1 EV in the extreme corners, some other 85mm lenses like the 1.4/85 GM have less vignetting stopped down. In other words, if you’re REALLY a 35mm f/1.4 or 50mm f/1.2 kind of portrait photographer, for example, then to cover 85mm you might only need a compact, affordable f/1.8 option.)Sunstars have never been high on Sigma’s priority list and the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 is no exception. The eleven not perfectly aligned aperture blades result in rather fuzzy sunstars with 22 rays. This is a portrait lens though, so complaining about sunstars is a bit unfair. Coma With an equivalent focal length of 136mm and an equivalent aperture of F2.2, this lens can be used on an APS-C camera. Even with its slightly longer focal length, it does still fit into the focal range that's often used by portrait photographers and the fast aperture does allow for it to be used in low-light situations as well. However, its size, weight and price makes it worth considering 85mm F1.8 lenses instead. Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG HSM Art headline features I haven’t used this lens myself but many seem to like the bokeh of this lens. You might want have a look at t his thread at Fredmiranda. The Samyang is even a little bit lighter than this Sigma. I believe that a beginner photographer benefits from a lighter and more versatile lens. A possible alternative for an enthusiast would be the nifty fifty. It’s easy to use and gives the most flexible range of focal lengths you use most often. Good examples include the 50mm f/1.8, as seen in Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM or a Nikon 50mm f/1.8D.

While both lenses exhibit fairly prominent darkening of the corners wide open the Sigma seems to clear up at f/2.8 while the Sony does the same only at f/4. Also, when Sigma “goes for broke”, and creates a lens like their DSLR f/1.4 primes, or their Sony E-mount 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art, the results are, well, massive. Because of this, I was fully prepared for an obnoxiously big and heavy 85mm f/1.2 prime, or even an oversized 85mm f/1.4 prime. The latter issue is no longer a problem with modern highest-end mirrorless AF systems, such as on the Sony A9-series and even the crop-sensor A6600. Their AF systems, combined with the powerful stepper motor and the decently lightweight optics of the Sigma 85mm 1.4 DN, make low-light high-speed action photography a possibility, as long as 85mm is right for what you’re doing; it may very well be that you’re better off with either a 70-200mm f/2.8, or a longer lens like the Sony 135mm f/1.8 GM. Landscape & Nature PhotographyThe Sigma is quite a bit heavier than the Sony 85mm f/1.8 weighing in at almost 750 grams / 26.4 oz (with caps and hood) compared to only 450 grams / 15.9 oz for the Sony (mind you the Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM is even heavier than the Sigma at about 820 grams / 29 oz). If you buy a product through one of our referral links we will earn a commission (without costing you anything).

The lens has 15 elements in 11 groups with five SLD (Special Low Dispersion) elements and one aspherical lens element. Materials

Both lenses seem to control flare pretty well with their hoods on, the Sigma does seem to have the edge here though. Vignette