► Links to the Best Sony Lenses 2023 we listed in this video: ► 6. Sony E-mount FE 24mm F1.4 GM - geni.us/JDUiP ► 5. Sony FE 50mm F1.2 G Master - geni.us/BxpB0 ► 4. Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Lens - geni.us/A74g ► 3. Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM - geni.us/vFWb7cK ► 2. Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II - geni.us/dnpq7J4 ► 1. Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II - geni.us/EhFsz
Just purchased the 135mm 1.8 GM. It is amazing on my A7RV! Breathtaking IQ, build quality, and a joy to shoot with. My favorite GM I own now! The Sigma 85mm 1.4 DG DN is one of the best out there, I skipped the GM for it until the refresh GM 85 is released.
I have had the Sony 135mm 1.8 GM since it was announced, it is a great performing Lens, but it is also big and heavy, after I got the Voigtländer Macro APO-Lanthar 110mm 2.5, I only rarely use the Sony 135mm. I chose the excellent Zeiss Batis Sonnar 85mm 1.8 which is light weight and easy to handle.
@@bosshoss4785 Its even better if they upgrade the 24-105mm...then there will be downward price pressure on the original...good for those of us who do not grow money on trees.
Honestly I can't believe your pick - it's a little basic and 'lame' IMO. Sure Sony make great glass and you naturally gravitate towards suggesting GMs. But the 85mm GM is old, slow, pretty expensive for what it is, and easily outclassed by other options apart from the f1.4 aperture. Incidentally an 85 used at f1.4 for portraiture is typically far from the best way to use this lens because the depth of field (just 4cm at f1.4 and 2 meters to a tight face shot) makes it extremely hard to keep all of a face in focus. OK I get that sharp eyes and a very blurry background can make some portrait subjects 'pop' but it's very limited 'look' - easily replicated by better newer glass in Sony's range. If you really want that look in spades then consider a 135mm f1.8 GM - much sharper, faster - only downside is f1.8 is hard to use for 'real world' portraiture and working distance risks losing the ease of close direction of a subject. Yet it's still a fantastic 'extreme' lens. My 135mm GM is a keeper even though I shoot a 70-200 GM mk ii (your #2) more often. Of all Sony's original lenses, the 85mm GM surely is the one most in need of a mk ii re-work or update? I bet it will come soon enough - which is why I feel it's 'sloppy journalism' to seriously suggest the pretty dated 85mm GM is anything like 'cream of the crop' or #4th place as you suggest. I'd advise anyone desperate to buy one to do so only with 'eyes wide open' to future glass and ideally to wait for the forthcoming mk ii version, which will be smaller, lighter, faster focusing, have an aperture ring on lens barrel etc etc (based on lens trends analysis). Maybe if you can find a good used one at a big discount it might be a reasonable choice - but seriously why even consider when you can do so much better elsewhere. Maybe even consider the relative 'bargain' priced Sony 85mm f1.8 which is a fraction the cost, weight and won't depreciate a ton in value when the mk ii GM pops over the horizon (next 12 months is my bet). I own the 85mm f1.8 and it's honestly an under rated bargain - well worth looking into. You do have some solid choices, so your perspectives are good in part vs. how I see things (also subjective). I currently own your #1, #2 and #6 picks and am seriously considering buying your #5 but might yet still go for Sony's newer f1.4 - a lot lighter than the f1.2 , if still not yet that much cheaper. Perhaps you missed a corker in the GM 35mm f1.4 - superb for environmental portraiture - subjects pop, yet retain an identifiable place and link via a soft background. It's easily good enough to keep all of a face in focus at f1.4, uber sharp, low on distortion, fairly compact and light and a lot easier to use than your #3 pick. Unless you only shoot indoor events, need to work fast (eg weddings) I'd personally skip you #3 pick and I say that loving wide glass. Despite my excellent PZ 16-35mm I might still be interested in buying a new GM mk ii 16-35mm (to replace my now sold original) but only if the step gain improvement on the original version is big enough. Your #3 choice is 'less good' nowadays too because of recent developments. The 16-35mm f2.8 GM is still an excellent optic - I had one for two years and loved it, despite the heft (far too damn big for casual travel work). Yet a smaller prime 20 mm G, 14mm GM, 24mm GM or 35mm GM (all of which I own and are seriously better in terms of heft, packable size, and low light capability). OK my primes lack the one-lens convenience of the wide GM but that is also easily provided by the new, cheaper, smaller and just as convenient (even more so for video) 16-35mm G f4 PZ (power zoom) - well worth a look. Having bought both and tested this new PZ extensively against my GM 16-35mm I had no hesitation selling my GM wide zoom. Incidentally, it's inconceivable that Sony aren't in the advanced stage of developing a mk ii version of this venerable old (first gen) GM 16-35mm f2.8. Considering the 'step gain' improvements they engineered for the mk ii sister 'trinity' zooms 24-70mm and 70-200mm (your #1 & #2 pics) then the upcoming replacement will consign the original (your #3)to history - so honestly, I don't mean to be disrespectful, but feel your placing at #3 is something of a 'schoolboy error' maybe just picking lenses based on 'hear say' (as in can't beat the 'holy trinity') or a paper analysis, rather than personal extensive real world use shooting thousands of images with multiple lenses as I have done.
I had an opportunity to spend a lot for a starter kit last year to replace Canon 5D mk ii. I had a basic kit 50 mm 1.8 and 24-105mm f4.0 L. I have chosen a7iv, and I have decided to buy 50mm 1.2 and 24-70mm gm2, I got 35 mm 1.8 as a 1$ bonus. You can only imagine how many reviews I have watched,… This list is b.s.! Sorry but you can only harm someone with it! 85mm f1.4 - shall not be here because it totally loses to the budget sigma 85mm 1.4 If tight angle mentioned no way it is better than Sonys 135mm 1.8gm. Focus breaching in 85mm, and it’s quickness as well as creepy noise while doing it are opposite of what you suggested! The rest depends on personal needs and money. I think 50mm 1.2 is the only irreplaceable, if you really feel this focal length. But honestly not much is sharp when you go wide open with it. Sure you will get an eye sharp as f* and a small bit of an ear, and lucky you are if both eyes are looking nice on the same picture. Gm2 are ridiculously fas and worth it’s price. Smaller lighter you know what you pay for. 35 gm 24 gm 85 gm Go and get some good recommendations vs budget ones from the competitors before you decide, also Sony 16-35mm f4.0 PZ is what you should consider vs the one which is mentioned. No bad blood, but think it over next time! Peace
Hey there man thank you for your in depth review. I am just about to make my first lens purchase with my new A7riii and my heart is set on the 24mm 1.4 because of its optics and I’m a landscape nature and Astro man to start off with. You spoke passionately on the 35mm and I’m in my head should I contemplate that over the 24mm? I’m still 99% on the 24mm but I’m just ruling out alternatives for now😊
Excellent range of lens to have. Luckily there are budget options for those without a lot of $$$$. For instance, instead of the Sony 24-70 f2.8, I opted for the Sigma version for half the price, and what a jewel it is. Same goes for the Sigma 14-24 f2.8 ultrawide zoom. Also, going with the Sony 70-200mm f4.0 is a great option and a lot less $$$ than the f2.8 variant. I really have no use for the 50mm. I rather use a 35mm instead. After years of shooting photos in the U.S. Air Force with my Nikon F2a, I loved the versatile 35mm lens. That and the 28mm gave me the wide angle needed for shots in tight places.
That's great...but you still pay a price in some way. You traded up front cash...for reduced AF...FPS. Every manufacturer gives their native glass an edge by coupling it specifically to their bodies capabilities...while purposefully limiting third party lenses...to some degree...it varies. If I had to pick a 3rd party lens for Sony...I would look at Tamron...since Sony owns 15% of them. If anyone gets a leg up third party wise for Sony...it's Tamron. Notice how small the new Tam's are...that's Sony...and other things as well. Sigma is still very good...I still use their 18-35mm f/1.8 ... a stellar lens for both stills and video. F/1.8 in zooms...a rarity. Steal of a Tam lens? Their 24mm f/2.8. No bells and whistles...but optically near perfect wide open...I picked one up on sale for $150...new. Stellar lens...and I don't need it...but still...at that price...you just buy it. Best of luck...enjoy!!!
@@JACKnJESUSYou're right about Tamron. I have two GM lenses and the Incredible Sony 90mm Macro but for sheer image quality and versatility, the Tamron 35-150 f2-2.8 is unbeatable.
I remember when Nikon brought out their 24-70 2.8 and it was panned! No pro would ever want that, THEY said. This pro snapped it up and loved it. Now that I shoot Sony I see the 24-70 is the 'top pick'! Take it from this lifetime shooter, no one will regret having that lens in their bag.
I can recommend the Sony 24mm 1.4 GM which is an amazing good Lens ! I cannot recommend the other Lenses in this video. There are so many other very good choices of Lenses to Sony E-mount, it does NOT have to be a Sony brand Lens. Take fx a look at Zeiss Batis Lenses, Zeiss Loxia Lenses and Voigtländer APO-Lanthar Lenses !
Sony makes APS-C lenses, yes. But as a camera and lens manufacturer their objective is for their demographic to purchase full frame camera bodies and full frame GM lenses. Working professionals (whom this video is aimed at) are going to pay for these lenses ranging from $1300 to $3000 and up. APS-C while good is usually where hobbyist start and if they become more serious they move up to full frame. That’s how it went down for about 95 of percent of us. The truth is there is not enough money is APS-C lenses and bodies for the manufacturer to push that line. Additionally there my be some working full time pros that shoot APS-C but most of us shoot full frame. Sony wants to sell us their most expensive gear and we want to purchase it for the best results and pass that cost on to our clients.