The Art of Ao Dai: My Experience Using the Sony 85mm 1.4 GM II

Testing the Sony 85mm 1.4 GM II at the Sony Event

Recently, I had the chance to attend a special Sony event at Chillax Coffee, Hoi An, where I got to test the Sony 85mm 1.4 GM II lens. It was an amazing opportunity to experience this lens in action and capture stunning moments of Ao Dai dancers in both photo and video. The first 40 drinks were free, which was a fun little perk!

During the event, participants had the opportunity to test out a variety of Sony cameras and lenses, but my main focus was on the 85mm 1.4 GM II. This lens, known for its sharpness and beautiful bokeh, quickly became the star of the day.


Capturing the Beauty of Ao Dai Performers

The highlight of the event was the professional Ao Dai dancers who performed for photographers and videographers. It was a perfect scenario to test how the lens handles movement and sharp focus. The dancers wore stunning traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai dresses and moved with elegance, allowing me to capture some dynamic shots.

I was impressed with how the Sony 85mm 1.4 GM II handled the motion. The fast autofocus, especially with Sony’s Eye AF, helped me keep the dancers in sharp focus even as they moved. The f/1.4 aperture allowed me to create beautiful background blur (bokeh), making the dancers stand out against the scenery.


Portraits with the Sony 85mm 1.4 GM II

One of the main reasons I wanted to test the Sony 85mm 1.4 GM II lens was its reputation for being an incredible portrait lens. During the event, I had the chance to take some portrait shots of Nga and the Ao Dai dancers. The results were stunning!

Sharp Focus and Beautiful Bokeh

This lens is known for its sharpness, even when shooting wide open at f/1.4. I was able to get tack-sharp focus on Nga’s face while still keeping the background beautifully blurred. The Eye AF worked perfectly, locking onto her eyes and making sure they were the focal point of the shots. This made capturing professional-looking portraits incredibly easy.

The background blur (bokeh) created by the 85mm lens was soft and smooth, allowing Nga to stand out in every image. This lens is a game-changer for anyone looking to take high-quality portrait photos.


Performance in Different Lighting

I tested the lens in a variety of lighting conditions, from bright daylight outside to the more controlled indoor lighting at Chillax Coffee. The Sony 85mm 1.4 GM II handled it all. The manual aperture ring allowed me to easily adjust the settings depending on the light, while the iris lock ensured the aperture didn’t change accidentally.

In bright daylight, the f/1.4 aperture helped me to isolate the subject while still controlling the exposure. Even indoors, the lens performed exceptionally well, producing clean, sharp images with minimal noise.


Shooting with Manual Controls

One of the things I loved most about this lens was the manual aperture ring. Instead of adjusting the aperture through the camera, the ring on the lens allowed for smooth, precise control. This was especially useful when moving quickly between different lighting situations or changing creative approaches. The iris lock feature also helped by preventing accidental aperture changes during the shoot, giving me confidence that the settings would remain consistent.


Technical Review of the Sony 85mm 1.4 GM II

Now that I’ve fully tested the Sony FE 85mm 1.4 GM II, I can say it’s an excellent lens for both photography and videography. Below are the key technical details that stood out during my time with this lens.

Sharpness and Autofocus

The Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II is incredibly sharp, even when shooting wide open at f/1.4. This level of sharpness makes it ideal for both portrait and event photography. The lens also features Sony’s Eye AF technology, which locks onto the eyes of subjects and ensures they remain in focus, even when moving. This was particularly useful when capturing the Ao Dai dancers in motion.

The updated dual XD linear motors significantly improve autofocus speed, offering 3x faster AF than the previous version and 7x better tracking performance. This makes it one of the best portrait lenses for capturing fast-moving subjects.


Bokeh and Depth of Field

The 11-blade diaphragm on the lens creates exceptionally smooth and creamy bokeh. Whether I was shooting portraits or videos, the lens provided stunning subject separation, making the background beautifully blurred and allowing the subject to stand out. This is one of the hallmark features of Sony’s G Master lenses, and the 85mm GM II continues that tradition.


Build Quality and Handling

Weighing 642 grams, the Sony 85mm 1.4 GM II is 20% lighter than its predecessor. The lens also features a manual aperture ring and iris lock, providing precise control over aperture settings. This was particularly helpful during the Ao Dai performance, where quick adjustments to light and depth of field were necessary. Additionally, the weather-sealed design made it feel durable enough for any shooting condition.


FAQ: Sony 85mm 1.4 GM II

When did the Sony 85mm 1.4 GM II come out?

The Sony 85mm 1.4 GM II is expected to ship by August 2024, with pre-orders available now.

What is the focus distance of the Sony 85mm 1.4 GM II?

The minimum focus distance is 0.85 meters (2.79 ft) for autofocus and 0.8 meters (2.63 ft) for manual focus.

What is the price of the Sony 85mm 1.4 GM II?

The current price is $1,799.99 USD, consistent with the pricing of its predecessor.

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