Sony FE 85mm F/1.8 SEL85F/18

Specifications01

MountSONY FE

Focal length85mm

Max aperturef/1.8

TypeCinema · Portrait · Telephoto · Prime

Weight371 g

Filter size67 mm

Physical length82 mm

Min focus distance0.8 m

Max magnification0.1299

Aperture blades9

Optical elements9

Groups8

Lens hoodsupplied, barrel-style, bayonet mount

Additional Info02

Category["Sony","Sony FE (Full Format)"]

Keywords["E-mount","Prime","Sony","Tele"]

Review AuthorKlaus

Other FeaturesDust- and moisture resistent, focus-hold button

Review VerdictModerately fast (as opposed to insanely fast) 85mm or 100mm lenses are generally an easy choice unless something went terribly wrong during the design phase. Still, honours where honours are deserved - the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 is an epic lens. It combines outstanding sharpness with a buttery bokeh which is a quite rare combination actually. Lenses that are pushing sharpness are usually not quite as smooth when it comes to the quality of the bokeh. Lateral CAs, as well as image distortions, are low. In terms of weaknesses, we'd list the bokeh fringing - albeit it isn't any worse than the competitors, a fairly high RAW vignetting at f/1.8 and a reduced quality at very close focusing distances (if that matters in this lens class). The build quality of the lens is surprisingly high considering the fact that the lens is primarily targeting the consumer market. It's a tightly assembled, all-metal construction and it's weather-sealed, too. Manual focusing (by wire) works nicely and the auto-focusing speed is above average. And to complete the nice story, all that is available at a very affordable price. Therefore, unless you really need that extra speed of a 85mm f/1.4 (and most don't really), we finish with … highly recommended!

Review Published2017-12-05T23:13:00+00:00

Optical Construction9 elements in 8 groups inc. 1x ED element