Sony FE SEL85F14GM or SEL100F28GM

[trcns]

I have Sony FE 55 mm F1.8 and FE 2470 f2.8 gm lens that i am using them with Sony Alpha 7 R2. After reading a lot of articles and watching youtube videos. I learned that best portrait lenses are 85mm and up. I am not a photographer, just a hobbyist. But love to have the best. So I am thinking of replacing my 55mm  with 85mm or 100mm which is not out yet, so I dont have the reviews about it on DXOMark.

 

One thing I know that both Sony lenses are almost the same price but one is F1.4 where the other is F2.8.

 

Any advice which one is better or any other brand which may work with 7R!! and is sharper that these lenses?

 

 

[Guest Jaf-Photo]

I think it is a good decision. The 55/1.8 is a great lens but it's not ideal for portraits. With a longer lens and wider aperture you will get that classic portrait look with a sharp plane of focus and nice transitions to background blur.

 

My tip would be to look at the 85GM because it's a portrait lens of the classic type where you can really blow out the background. The 100STF is more of a specialty lens, where you will still see separate objects in the background, albeit with very soft edges.

 

Another advantage is that the 85GM lets through a lot more light, which is great for those natural light shots. The 100STF needs a lot more light, i.e. bright daylight or artificial light.

[trcns]

I was leaning towards the 85mm Lens but than 90mm and 100mm, i don't understand why Sony will make this many lenses with such a little difference? I also read the that using Macro lenses create very sharp eye focus. But I what some experts opinion before I spend again.

[sixmb]

If you own flash, especially wireless flash, better own 2,  you can try 100F28GM. This lens require lots of light. Or it won't work in night.

If you buy FE90, you will rather to shoot portrait with your 2470GM in 70mm 2.8, due to blur of FE90 is so spinning.

And FE55  is more suitable for [Recording], not [Classic portrait].

 

Anyway, shoot with your 2470GM in 70mm/2.8, if you find you really need a portrait lens, pick up from 85/1.4 or 1.8.

After you own 85/1.4 or 1.8, think of what you need, besides of lens, you still need flash, beauty model and place,

such problem can't be solved by 100F28GM or other lens.

 

If those problem all non-existent for you, i think you won't ask here and maybe already own 100F28GM.

[tinplater]

I personally had the Batis 85mm, Sony 90mm Macro, and the 55mm 1.8 (which I replaced with the amazingZeiss 50mm 1.4)  For me the best overall solution for usefullness was to sell the Batis and the 55mm and keep the 50mm 1.4 and 90mm Macro.  The 50mm works extremely well as a portrait lens, it has, for me at least, mind boggeling bokeh and more importantly "rendering" that makes the subject appear suspend in space (when used wide open, of course).  The 90mm macro is super sharp and works great as a short telephoto and, of course, macro shots that the Batis couldn't accomplish.  If I were to be reduced to just one lens for my A7rII it would be the 50mm Zeiss.  I never regretted replacing the 55mm 1.8.

[trcns]

I own two Nissan Flashes (D700 and i60) with remote trigger and one LED continuous light for Video. I also have two white and silver Umbrella's with three stands to mount these lights.

 

As I said, I am not a photographer, just hobbyist who like to own the latest and greatest. Yes I take portraits of my family and friends.

 

I am happy with 2470 f2.8 GM, when I go out or when I make video's of daughter.

 

Originally I  bought 55mm f1.8 for portraits and no doubt it's sharp, but after watching all youtube video, I learned that for Portraits, the lens should be 85mm and up.

 

Now, I started looking for 85mm lens and than I saw 90mm and 100mm and I cannot figure out which one to go with? 100mm fails in low light, so its dropped. 85mm is too close to 70mm, so now should I go with 90mm? Is it a portrait lens? is it better that 85mm? will it work in room lighting? All confusing questions.

[Guest Jaf-Photo]

The 90/2.8 macro has swirly bokeh. This can be quite distracting and unattractive for portrait shots.

 

There is a massive difference between f2.8 and f1.4 so you shouldn't think that the 24-70/2.8 is the same as the 85/1.4. The rendering wiill be entirely different.

 

One tip is to search flickr.com for pictures taken with the lenses you are interested in. The exif will show which aperture was used. That will probably help you decide what lens you prefer.

[tinplater]

I own two Nissan Flashes (D700 and i60) with remote trigger and one LED continuous light for Video. I also have two white and silver Umbrella's with three stands to mount these lights.

 

As I said, I am not a photographer, just hobbyist who like to own the latest and greatest. Yes I take portraits of my family and friends.

 

I am happy with 2470 f2.8 GM, when I go out or when I make video's of daughter.

 

Originally I  bought 55mm f1.8 for portraits and no doubt it's sharp, but after watching all youtube video, I learned that for Portraits, the lens should be 85mm and up.

 

Now, I started looking for 85mm lens and than I saw 90mm and 100mm and I cannot figure out which one to go with? 100mm fails in low light, so its dropped. 85mm is too close to 70mm, so now should I go with 90mm? Is it a portrait lens? is it better that 85mm? will it work in room lighting? All confusing questions.

You can make spectacular portraits with lenses other than 85mm focal length, both longer and shorter.