I need a recommendation for the best pro portrait prime for my a7R V ASAP because my 85mm 1.8 just isnt cutting it anymore. Ive been doing this for years but I just booked a huge high-end bridal shoot for next Saturday and the fringing on my current lens is driving me nuts.
I have $1900 to spend and I need to order something today. Should I go for the 85mm f1.4 GM or is the 50mm f1.2 GM worth the extra weight for better autofocus? People say the 85 is getting old and slow but I need that compression. What are you guys using for high-stakes studio work?
In my experience, buying the Sony FE 85mm f1.4 GM right now is a mistake. I've used it for years, but the autofocus motor is just too slow to keep up with the a7R V sensor. You're gonna get frustrated with missed focus during a fast-paced bridal shoot. If you want the best performance for your budget, here is my direct advice:
- Grab the Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art for Sony E. Its way sharper than the Sony 1.8, handles fringing like a champ, and saves you almost a thousand bucks.
- If you really want to spend the full $1900, the Sony FE 50mm f1.2 GM is a masterpiece, but the 50mm look is very different. It wont give you that 85mm compression you're looking for. Honestly, the Sigma is the practical pro choice here. It just works better on modern bodies and handles the high resolution of your camera much better than the aging Sony 85.
Honestly, I had a really disappointing experience with the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM during a big wedding last summer. The focus hunting was just painful and I ended up with way more soft shots than Id ever admit to a client. Its just not as good as expected for that price tag anymore. Unfortunately, those old motors feel legacy on the a7R V sensor. The Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM is a technical masterpiece and the autofocus is lightyears ahead, but youre gonna lose that specific 85mm magic. If you really need that compression, look at the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art for Sony E. Its what I switched to because it actually hits focus consistently. Or, if you have the space to back up, the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM is the real king for high-stakes portraits tho. Spending $1900 on the old Sony 85mm right now feels like a mistake.
Building on the earlier suggestion, I would suggest you be careful before jumping to the Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM just for the faster autofocus. While its technical specs are incredible, a 50mm focal length simply cant replicate the compression you get at 85mm. For high-end bridal work, that perspective difference is huge and honestly hard to ignore. You might want to consider these technical points:
- The RDSSM motor in the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM is dated and often hunts on that Sony Alpha a7R V sensor during eye-tracking.
- Axial chromatic aberration is a known issue with that older GM design when shooting wide open against high-contrast whites like wedding dresses. I would suggest looking at the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art for Sony E. It uses a much faster stepping motor and handles fringing significantly better than the Sony 1.8. It gives you the 85mm look without the technical baggage of the aging GM tho.
