Have you ever looked at a camera lens and thought, “Why does it cost so much?” Me too. That’s exactly why I was super excited to test the Sony 85mm 1.4 GM lens—also known as the 85mm G Master or simply the 85mm GM.
But let’s be real: it’s expensive. Like, “sell-a-kidney” expensive. So naturally, I wanted to find out if the extra money you pay for this lens is actually worth it.
First Impressions: What is the Big Deal?
I didn’t buy this lens myself. Luckily, I didn’t have to. The awesome people at Anh Đức Digital, a top-notch camera store here in Da Nang, were kind enough to lend it to me. (They’re not paying me to say nice things, but if brands out there are watching—hit me up. I’m always happy to test out new photography gear!)
Now, back to the lens. Right out of the box, I noticed how well-built it felt. It’s sturdy, feels premium, and makes you think, “Okay, maybe there’s something special here.” But still, could it really be worth the extra cash?
People always say the Sony 85mm GM lens is exceptionally sharp, creates stunning bokeh, and is unbeatable for portrait shooting. But I’ve always been skeptical. Could any lens really justify such a hefty price tag?
Putting the Sony 85mm GM to the Test
To really see if this lens is worth the hype, I teamed up with Muza Nava. Muza is an amazing tattoo artist based in Hoi An, and we did a photoshoot at one of the most Instagram-worthy beaches near Hoi An. It was my first time shooting there, so I was pretty excited to see what kind of photos we could create.
As soon as we started shooting, the autofocus blew my mind. I paired the lens with my Sony A7CR camera, and the eye autofocus was instant, accurate, and crazy responsive. Basically, it was everything you’d hope to see in professional-grade gear.
Another cool thing about this lens is the aperture control ring. You can manually set your aperture right on the lens, which gives you lots of creative control. Or, if you prefer simplicity, there’s an auto mode that matches your camera’s settings automatically.
But there was one small catch—I couldn’t test the lens wide open at f/1.4 because the beach was way too bright. Instead, I shot mostly at f/2.2, f/2.8, and even f/3.2. Still, the photos were looking great, even if I couldn’t push the lens to its absolute limits just yet.
Sony 85mm GM vs. My Usual Lens (Samyang 85mm 1.4)
I’ve been using the Samyang 85mm 1.4 lens for a long time. Honestly, I love it. It’s affordable and usually gets the job done nicely. But I’ve always wondered if stepping up to a lens like the 85mm G Master would make any real difference. Spoiler alert: It did.
When I compared the shots side by side, the difference was obvious. The Sony 85mm GM lens produced photos that were noticeably sharper and clearer. Skin textures looked incredibly detailed and natural—something the Samyang lens just couldn’t match.
To be honest, I didn’t expect the difference to be so noticeable. I thought people were exaggerating about how great these lenses are. Turns out, they weren’t kidding.
Is the Sony 85mm GM Really Worth It?
Here’s the big question: is this lens worth the extra cash? Short answer: Yes.
If you’re serious about portrait shooting, especially close-up portraits or portraits of a woman where details matter, the Sony 85mm GM truly delivers. The quality jump from a cheaper lens like the Samyang to the G Master is pretty huge. It makes your portraits stand out, giving them a more professional look.
Before using this lens, I genuinely thought my cheaper lens was good enough. But after this shoot with Muza at the beautiful beaches near Hoi An, I’m convinced there’s value in investing in high-quality gear—if portraits are your main focus.
Who Should Buy This Lens?
So, should you buy this lens? Here’s how I’d break it down:
- Casual photographers: If you’re just taking snapshots for fun, it might be too pricey for your needs.
- Serious hobbyists and professionals: Absolutely. The sharpness, stunning bokeh, and quick autofocus justify the cost if you want top-tier results.
After this test, I realized that sometimes spending extra on quality gear actually makes sense. I’m genuinely grateful to Anh Đức Digital, the awesome camera store in Da Nang, for lending me this lens. It was a valuable experience to find out first-hand if this upgrade is worth considering.
Final Thoughts
I’ve learned that investing in better gear can really step up your photography game. The Sony 85mm 1.4 GM isn’t just expensive—it’s premium quality that clearly shows in your portraits.
