Why this video shows such bokeh and color differences between Batis and GMSo, 85mm?

[Luis Gabriel Photography]

So after making the mistake of testing the Batis at a local store, I started thinking about adding it to my bag and see if it could become my daily lens to carry alongside my Tamron 15-30mm 2.8 and 70-200mm 2.8 instead of the FE 55mm.

Then I watch this video and got really confused. I have seen other tests where there is a bit more blur because of the 1.4 vs 1.8 but this video shows a lot more blur differences and a VERY different color rendition.

Its hard for me to pick a definite winner though. Bokeh usually shows much better for my preferences the GM but skin texture and color I seem to prefer the Batis. But again this test seems very different from others.

One of the most dramatic bokeh differences is at 4:48 for me.
What is going on?

Batis vs GM

 

[stjarvis]

The GM looks a lot warmer, the color is easy to fix in post so unless you shoot SOOC JPG I wouldn't worry about it.

The GM bokeh kills the Batis wide open, but once you stop down to f2.8 that difference mostly goes away (Batis cats eyes are much less pronounced).

So I'd pick based on how often you shoot below f2.8, and weight / AF speed.

The pricing of the GM is more on par with other 1.4's too, so it'll probably hold it's value a little better.

 

[brick33308]

I was surprised to like the color/contrast of the Batis better than the GM. I also agree with their central conclusion that if you tend to shoot wide open, then the GM is the lens for you. For me the Batis works best because I don't often shoot wide open as I like a bit more depth of field, and of course there is the weight and price savings to boot.

 

[brendon1000]

If bokeh is what you want then the GM lens is the one to get. Tried it in a store on my body and compared with my Batis and the GM is noticeably smoother. Brilliant lens !

But it was out of my budget and I didn't appreciate the weight. Felt very unbalanced on my body. And frankly I quite like the bokeh of the Zeiss. Its a bit busy at times but it has character and the weight is just perfectly balanced on a body like the A7 II.

 

[Stflbn]

Different is different. People prefer different things.

There is no right or wrong choice... only the one you like more and inspires you to shoot.

 

[Cipher010]

Yes, those are different lenses. If you love bokeh, it has to be 85GM and you need to put up with bulk, weight, cost and noise...

 

[Captn Awesome]

Great find and pretty informative. I like the look of the GM better both in terms of color and bokeh. There is certainly a size difference, but if you're using it for taking portraits then that shouldn't be too much of a factor.

 

[Dan_168]

Its hard for me to pick a definite winner though. Bokeh usually shows much better for my preferences the GM but skin texture and color I seem to prefer the Batis. But again this test seems very different from others.

One of the most dramatic bokeh differences is at 4:48 for me.
What is going on?

They are two pretty different lenses. as a owner of 6 DSLR Zeiss lenses, I also love everything about the Batis 85, except its Bokeh, the so called Cat's Eye Bokeh ball effect in specific, and I use this type of lens mainly wide open to F2 range for portrait, therefore I went with the 85 GM, one main reason is I am too used to the Canon 85L II wide open performance and just spoiled by its Bokeh, the G master has very similar look, but it has a lot less Cats Eye Bokeh ball than the 85L II , also size and weight is never even a factor when it comes to lens choice, after all, we are talking only a 85mm not a 200 F2 kind of size or weigh, so the 85 G Master becomes a very logical choice for me, not even a debate.

But I like the Batis so much I may just get one as well for those time I am not shooting wide open or against any strong light source where you won't have thus Cats Eye bokeh effects, it will be a great lens for landscape as well, I can never have too many toys.

 

[LBJ2]

So after making the mistake of testing the Batis at a local store, I started thinking about adding it to my bag and see if it could become my daily lens to carry alongside my Tamron 15-30mm 2.8 and 70-200mm 2.8 instead of the FE 55mm.

Then I watch this video and got really confused. I have seen other tests where there is a bit more blur because of the 1.4 vs 1.8 but this video shows a lot more blur differences and a VERY different color rendition.

Its hard for me to pick a definite winner though. Bokeh usually shows much better for my preferences the GM but skin texture and color I seem to prefer the Batis. But again this test seems very different from others.

One of the most dramatic bokeh differences is at 4:48 for me.
What is going on?

Batis vs GM

Thank you. One of the better Batis 85 vs GM 85 comparative videos out there.

 

[brick33308]

But I like the Batis so much I may just get one as well for those time I am not shooting wide open or against any strong light source where you won't have thus Cats Eye bokeh effects, it will be a great lens for landscape as well, I can never have too many toys.

LOL, I've got the Batis and may eventually get the GM for similar reasons!

 

[Sean_Jayhawk]

Yes, those are different lenses. If you love bokeh, it has to be 85GM and you need to put up with bulk, weight, cost and noise...

I love bokeh and I'd love the 85GM because I would shoot at f/1.4 often. I hate large size in a lens and the Batis 85 is about as big as I want for walking around using a wrist strap (and it pushes my limits). I'd love to have both lenses, but that's just in my cards.

That being said, the bokeh of the Batis 85 is largely very pleasing to my eye.

--
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[Luis Gabriel Photography]

So I just went to a local store that luckily had one of each. Sadly it was a bitbusy at the store and I dont feel comfortable taking too long testing a lens if I am not planning to buy right this time so I was not able to take as many samples and as controlled as I wanted but here are 3 shots for anyone curious.
I do not see the color differences anywhere near as dramatic as on the video I linked. In fact as I mentioned, that is the only video where I have seen the colors so different. Like on Jason Laniers comparison they were more similar for example.
I am wondering if the guys had different White Balance settings on their two A7Riis or something

Anyways...not much of a comparison so take it lightly.




Batis




GM




Samyang 135mm @ F2.

Unfortunately I decided to take the Samyang shot afterwards so the position changed as he got closer to the background.

 

[Sean_Jayhawk]

If you want round bokeh point of light, then the 135/2 you tried is hard to beat.

 

[brick33308]

Thanks for posting.

The GM at 1.4 has nicer looking bokeh but that's to be expected if for no other reason than the Batis is stopped down to 1.8. Similarly the GM has thinner depth of focus than the Batis.

It would be interesting to see the GM at 1.8 compared to the Batis at 1.8.

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[Dan_168]

If you want round bokeh point of light, then the 135/2 you tried is hard to beat.

Another vote here for the Samyang 135 F2.0 !!!

I played with my friend's and really really like it, if I don't already have that focal length I would buy one without second thought, not to mention how affordable that is.

 

[Captn Awesome]

I was surprised to see the left eye focus was sharper on the GM than the Batis. It was just 1 shot each, but still pretty impressive. I might have to actually consider adding an 85 to my setup.

 

[LBJ2]

If you want round bokeh point of light, then the 135/2 you tried is hard to beat.

Beautiful image Sean. Just beautiful.

 

[Luis Gabriel Photography]

If you want round bokeh point of light, then the 135/2 you tried is hard to beat.

Just to clarify, I do OWN the Samyang...and love that lens.

 

[Steve W]

Its hard for me to pick a definite winner though. Bokeh usually shows much better for my preferences the GM but skin texture and color I seem to prefer the Batis. But again this test seems very different from others.

One of the most dramatic bokeh differences is at 4:48 for me.
What is going on?

They are two pretty different lenses. as a owner of 6 DSLR Zeiss lenses, I also love everything about the Batis 85, except its Bokeh, the so called Cat's Eye Bokeh ball effect in specific, and I use this type of lens mainly wide open to F2 range for portrait, therefore I went with the 85 GM, one main reason is I am too used to the Canon 85L II wide open performance and just spoiled by its Bokeh, the G master has very similar look, but it has a lot less Cats Eye Bokeh ball than the 85L II , also size and weight is never even a factor when it comes to lens choice, after all, we are talking only a 85mm not a 200 F2 kind of size or weigh, so the 85 G Master becomes a very logical choice for me, not even a debate.

But I like the Batis so much I may just get one as well for those time I am not shooting wide open or against any strong light source where you won't have thus Cats Eye bokeh effects, it will be a great lens for landscape as well, I can never have too many toys.

Well I love my Batis 85 and when I got it I wasn't worried about the f/1.8 limitation since I already owned the Canon 85mm f/1.2L II which I use adapted when I want more more Bokah. I'll use this combo as long as I still shoot Canon and Sony. Just make sense.

Also, I tend to shoot from f/1.8 to f/2.8 to get an overall sharper image. I just prefer it. When or if I need shallower DOF that the Canon is thrown into the mix.

Anyone compare the Canon the the Sony GM. Be interested in seeing that comparison.

Steve W

 

[Dan_168]

Anyone compare the Canon the the Sony GM. Be interested in seeing that comparison.

To my own eyes the 85 G Master has very very similar look to the 85L II in term of Bokeh, however, the 85GM is much sharper at the edge, wide open or stop down, while I bought it mainly for portrait but I will not hesitate to use it as my landscape lens as well, on the other hand, I would not use my 85L II for landscape, the edge is too soft for my taste no matter how much I stop it down.

Also a lot less Cat's Eye bokeh ball from the 85 GM when shooting against strong light, which is pretty much my only complain about the 85L II.