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Sony FE 85mm F1.8 Prime Lens $536 ($486 after Cashback from Sony) + Delivery ($0 SYD C&C) @ Georges Cameras

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Sony FE 85mm F1.8 lens for $536 in George's Camera + $50 Cashback from Sony.

Can also price match through Sony and use Cashrewards 9% for a bit more of a discount, with free delivery.

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Comments

  • +3

    This is such a great lens. Sharper than a mother-in-law's tongue.
    Terrific price.

  • Stellar price, super sharp lens. Title of the deal need work though

  • Oh hell yeah
    Great price for a sick lens
    Favourite focal length out of the standard primes

  • I've just bought a new a7iv.

    If if buy just ONE lens, under $1,500 for travel and general photos (no macro, little zoom for framing etc), what should I get?

    • +9

      Tamron 28-200mm F/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD is great imo (I’m lazy these days)

      • I'm leaning towards this lens, however I've had a few people suggest the Sony 20-70/4 lens instead. Any thoughts?

        • Well can’t go wrong with first party lens , zoom is pretty limited but

          • @Jimothy Wongingtons: I've been using a 12-35/2.8 lens for 6 years, I think I can get away with lesser zoom. Otherwise i'm thinking Tamron 28-200 followed by a prime sony 50 lens.

    • +1

      Before picking out specific lenses it might be helpful to get a general idea of the focal lengths you use.

      I'd recommend either the 16-35mm or 24-70mm focal range depending on your preference for how wide you like to shoot on the main lens. Both are versatile focal lengths for travel. There's a few options from Sony and others for those lenses with wildly fluctuating prices.

      I'd follow that up with a small prime lens like a 50mm 1.8 (pretty cheap!), 55mm 1.8 if you're willing to take a second lens. Simply cus there are certain moments that need that larger aperture to capture a moment.

        • Yay for m43
          What camera?

          Great shots!

          • @Ninternet: Thanks!

            I've been using a Lumix GH4 for the last 10 years, hence the upgrade.

      • +1

        For the last 6 years, my go to has been my 12-35 2.8 lumix lens (I had a micro 4/3s).

        Generally when I take photos, they are quite centered so *sometimes you need a wider lens, especially with IG framing.

        Example 1- https://imgur.com/btDiitm
        Example 2- https://imgur.com/j9yAc4g
        Example 3- https://imgur.com/uepA96y

        • I'd get two zooms to cover the field:

          • 12-24 sony FE
          • 24-105 sony FE

          That would assist with your type of travel photography. See if there is anyone in the same city as you who has these lenses second hand or wait until EOFY or Black Friday for deals. Sometimes, you can double stack a store discount and a Sony rebate together and get approx 20-25% off. That was pre-pandemic at least, not sure how it is now.

    • +3

      20-70 f4 would be my pick probably, I'm a bit prickly about carrying too heavy or large lenses.

    • +2

      I'd say 24-50mm F2.8
      yes, the focal length is limited
      yes, it won't produce stunning photos at night as those 50mm F1.4
      and yes, it is not cheap

      but it does well as a travel lens to offer:

      reasonable versatility (24 -28 -35-50mm)
      compact and light for travel
      reasonable aperture to make sure your photo look reasonably different of those taken from phone and at different lighting conditions.
      solid build, sharp image, good focus etc, all those basics things that you'd expect from this price point

    • +3

      Sony 24-105, Tamron 28-200

    • +3

      If only getting ONE lens;

      Avoid: Sony 85 mm (this post) - absolutely stunning for portraits and details. I love it and at this price it's a bargain! But little use for anything else. I'd avoid if you only take ONE lens around.

      Consider: Sony 16-35 mm - this is my absolute favourite lens for capturing beautiful landscapes and interiors. At 35mm it's also great as an all rounder. Around $1.2k.

      Get: Tamron 28-75 mm or 28-200 mm - brilliant all rounders. Probably the way to go for travel tbh. Around the $1-1.2k mark from memory.

    • +3

      I would say Sigma 24-70mm F2.8, Tamron 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 or Sony 24-105mm F4.

      I ended up getting the Sigma 24-70mm myself for the constant F2.8 aperture, but I would have bought the Tamron if I needed the extra zoom.

    • +1

      28200 +1

    • +1

      35mm F1.4. much more inspiring to use that some boring super zoom

    • 20-70 f4 is great

      theres also the 24-50 f2.8 or 16-25 f2.8 wider option

      others bit too chunky for travel imo, also more expensive and not worth it unless you're doing it professionally

    • Tamron AF 28-75mm f2.8 DI III G2 / Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 if you need larger aperture (if its darker / indoor) - I personally use the Tamron 28-75 for travel the last two holidays

      Tamron 28-200mm F/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD (if you need the extra zoom)

      Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8 Sony E-Mount Di III VXD Lens (if you can get good condition 2nd hand or stretch budget if on sale)

    • Another vote for Tamron 28-200 (probably the only lens of its kind - i.e. massive range, starting at F2.8, sharp, nice colours and reasonably compact). I can't recommend this enough. Used this for many trips through last few years, has been amazing…

      Sony 24-70 F4 isn't sharp (long end in particular) - I've tried at least 5 different copies of this lens, they are all (more or less) the same
      Sony 24-105 F4 is sharp but colours are meh (and bulkier)
      Sony 16-35 F4 is probably the best companion lens for Tamron 28-200 to cover wider shots
      Samyang 24 mm F1.8 (another nice lens that produces beautiful bokeh.. pretty close to that of Sony GM 24 mm F1.4 despite being one-third of the price)

    • If you're travelling or using with family, my pref is the Tamron 28-75. Just such a good lens and all rounder for the price and not too big as well. Svae my primes for when if just wanna have fun and people not depending on me to take family photos at locations. Going to 200 becomes a bit of pain for me because it doesn't fit in my smaller camera pouch. But if it did would probably bring that on holidays.

      • Nah I'm never taking photos of people, more architecture, landscapes, cityscapes, buildings etc. animals sometimes.

      • I don't think you have checked these two lenses side by side.

        Tamron 28-200 : 117 mm long 575g heavy
        Tamron 28-75 : 118 mm long 550g heavy

        If anything 200 mm lens is tad smaller while a tad heavier.
        What I'm saying is, if 28-75 fits in your bag, 28-200 will definitely fit.
        There are other differences between the two lenses however (for example the constant aperture of 28-75 may appeal videographers more, also 200 mm even at F5.6 will give you better bokeh than 75 mm at F2.8 at right lighting)

        • Yea my bad, when I said 200 I was just speaking typical in that range. (Even then, was referring to a 70-180, so not even 200 :p).

          • @TheBean: That's what makes this lens extra special. 200 mm end of this lens is just as sharp as 70-180 mm lens' 180 mm end, that's impressive for a super zoom which is very light for a 200 mm lens.

    • I'm not a photographer but after dicking about with cameras for a while I find the 28-60 kit lens to be a good one lens all-rounder. The reason being although it's not considered 'the best' lens, it's does a decent enough job and it's compact, meaning you're more likely to have it on you especially travelling.
      I have an A7C with a compact pouch that I can hitch on my belt, so it's very easy to take everywhere. For me that is better than a big body with big lenses that you never take because they're too big to lug around with you.

    • Sony 24-105 F4. Great lens. G quality. Stabilised. Good reach. Can't go wrong.

  • I have this lens, sharp and not overly expensive. Love it!

    • Sharp wide open or need to stop down ?

      • Yes nice and sharp wide open

  • +1

    20-70mm is also a great travel lens and super sharp. May need a second lens for super low light environment

  • This is such a wicked lens and that may well be ATL price too? Absolutely worth every cent.

  • Woah all time low? Been using this one professionally for years, portraits, weddings etc. Any price under 600 is an absolute banger for this lens, incredible IQ wide open.

  • Been eyeing this off all day. Probably can’t go wrong for price. People asking 500+ on marketplace for them

    • +5

      You really can't go wrong. If you price match it at Sony, you get

      • free shipping
      • a chance at another 9% cashback
      • use Amex to pay for another $50 off
      • then claim the $50 Sony cashback

      it totals to $396.

      You'll probably make a profit selling this second hand after 10 years

      • cashback will get voided.

        • +2

          Not for me. I've gotten shopback/cashrewards + price match many times, as recently as a few months ago. I know many ppl has some issues with getting cashback on price matched items which I'm not sure why as it's not listed in the terms.

          Plus no harm at all in this case, with no downside. If anything free shipping will save you $.

          P.s. I didn't neg you.

          • +1

            @lawyerz: Thanks mate, bought it! Will see if I deserved that Neg from whoever…..

      • Are there terms and conditions anywhere for the amex deal?

      • Ordered last night, Cashback tracked.
        Luckily for me TRS too…..

  • that's mad, makes me almost want to switch to sony! I wonder if canon will do some similar deals with their RF lenses LOL.

  • +2

    This lens is fantastic for the price, personal review used in the past on a a7ii, a7iii and a7rii camera body:

    Sharpness - Simply excellent for the price, very sharp wide open in centre whre most portrait photography occurs, pairs well with high resolution sensors. For awhile I used the much more expensive Zeiss Batis version and this lens came close to sharpness except in the corners and on the higher resolution a7Rii body.

    Build quality - Very good for the price, much better than the subpar Sony 85mm f/2.8 SAM lens that had nasty plastic construction, slow autofocus and below average sharpness.

    Autofocus speed - Average, slow-ish but for this price point not bad and normal at this price point and it was designed as a portrait lens not sports action anyway.

    Autofocus accuracy - No issues, eye autofocus is great.

    Bokeh - Average, busy cat's eyes Bokeh. Post processing smoothing helps a lot.

    Purple fringing - Below average wide open, not Minolta Beercan terrible but it is there and a little post processing helps.

    Value for money - Awesome at this discount.

    Competition - Not much. There are cheaper, compromised 85mm from third parties available such as Mieke and Viltrox but the jack of all trades nature of this lens, especially for beginners, makes it the one to get at this price. The Samyang 85mm f/1.4 has been released as a revised version for a long time and the price, which used to be sometimes comparable when discounted, has gone up in the last several years to be double the price though it does have a wider aperture. I do not use mine as much anymore, instead grabbing the Samyang (despite the warm colour cast straight out of camera) as it is better than this lens in every way but the price hikes exclude it now.

    A good jack of all trades camera from Sony.

    I think the lens designers did a good job with this portrait lens especially for higher resolution sensors with mirrorless cameras.

  • +1

    Great lens, but i prefer the samyang 75mm f1.8. Smaller, lighter, slightly more useful focal length and should also be cheaper. Dustin Abbott did a good review of it.

  • Dammmmn, great price.

  • would this fit a Sony a6000 ?

    and what's the general use case for this? too much zoom for an everyday streetscape or portrait lense? 50mm more versatile?

    • +1

      She’ll fit but I believe it turns it into the equivalent to a 130mm lens or something

    • 85mm is quite zoomed in and can make for flattering portraits with the way it compresses facial features.

      You can make it work for streetscapes/environments but you'll have an easier time with a 35 or 50.

  • Shall I get this or 85mm 1.4 GM ? Is it worth paying the price for GM?

    • I think the sigma 85mm f/1.4 is better value than the Sony 85mm GM.

  • Does the confirmation take a while to come through?

  • Anyone managed to price match with Sony? They still haven’t responded to me.

    • Yes I did, they rejected it and I was like… WHAT? SCREENSHOT!

      • Annoying! I just tried online chat and they did it.

    • Got it matched earlier today. I highly recommend anyone price matching to use the live chat on the bottom right of the store pages. Otherwise you'll be waiting for hours

  • Now $529 at digidirect . 9% Sony cash rewards is no longer available though

    • cashrewards is now 12% lol

      • Yes I noticed that this morning. Went back to 2% for a few days, I got it at 9% . Maybe I need a wide angle lens $$

  • Can I PM it, and get the 50$ and 12% from cashrewards?

    • yes.

      some people have said they've had trouble getting cashrewards/shopback cashback on PM items but I've done it a few times without issues. It also isn't in the terms. you can livechat with sony to get confirmation and screenshot that as evidence if you want to.

      in this case you don't have anything to lose though, you also get free delivery from Sony + amex cashback if you have that.

      • Thank you so much, I will give it a try!

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