Recently I had the opportunity to get the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 lens on loan from Sony to be able to take out and test in the field. When my followers found out I had the lens one of the first things they asked me to do was to compare the new lens against the sought after Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8. Below is a video of the shoot took place doing this very comparison:
The Zeiss Batis was the first Auto Focus 85mm lens available to Sony Mirrorless users and I fell in love with the lens about two years ago. I must have done at least 20-30 videos on Youtube using this lens that I just loved.
Then Sony released the 85mm G Master f/1.4 lens and that thing is a BEAST. It is definitely a pro level top of the line lens and while the Batis is amazing, it can't keep up with the G Master. BUT, the G Master also comes at a premium price and due to that many Sony users still consider going for the Zeiss Batis because it's about $600 less than the G Master.
Then earlier this month Sony announced their own FE (Full Frame E Mount) 85mm f/1.8 lens. What made this a game changer for many is the fact that it's $600 less than the Zeiss Batis and over a $1000 less than the G Master. Hence, that's why I received so many requests to compare it to the Zeiss Batis. Because if it's even CLOSE to the Zeiss Batis it's definitely a lot more affordable.
So we went out to Salvation Mountain in the California desert and I did a straight apples to apples comparison between the two lenses. Both lenses were shot on a tripod using the Sony A7Rii with the exact same settings and lighting. All images were developed using Lightroom only using the exact same settings via Batch Processing. So the results are identical.
As you'll see in the video and or the images you are viewing below, I was pretty stunned on just how the shots look identical. If I didn't know any better I would swear they are the same lenses in different shells lol. Take a look below for yourself:
Set 1- Sony FE lens- 85mm, f/1.8, 1/2500 sec, ISO 100
Set 1- Zeiss Batis- 85mm, f/1.8, 1/2500 sec, ISO 100
Set 2- Sony FE- 85mm, f/1.8, 1/2500 sec, ISO 100
Set 2- Zeiss Batis- 85mm, f/1.87, 1/2500 sec, ISO 100
Set 3- Sony FE- 85mm, f/1.8, 1/2000 sec, ISO 100
Set 3- Zeiss Batis- 85mm, f/1.8, 1/2000 sec, ISO 100
Set 4- Sony FE- 85mm, f/1.8, 1/1600 sec, ISO 100
Set 4- Zeiss Batis- 85mm, f/1.8, 1/1600 sec, ISO 100
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Thanks,
Jason