for those who are lazy to click the link:
New Sony DSLR lenses previewed - Sony 85mm f/2.8 SAM (SAL85F28) by Damien Demolder
This really does not look or feel like a full frame lens. It weighs 175g and has a plastic barrel and a plastic mount. I had to try it on the A900 just to make sure it wasn't designed just for APS-C. When on the camera it makes so little difference to the over all weight that you might need to constantly check you have a lens attached at all. Built to a Sonnar-style design it features just six elements in five groups, and uses Sony's SAM (Smooth Autofocus Motor) to drive the AF.
To be honest I didn't expect it to be much good. It feels like a cheap kit lens, and a maximum aperture of f/2.8 – slow for this focal length – suggests some stopping-down to mask optical problems. The 85mm portrait lens is still very much in fashion, but most feature an aperture wider than f/2 – f/1.2 being the ultimate and f/1.8 the norm. F/2.8 seems somewhat staid in comparison.
In use it actually performs very well. The unit I was using was not completely finished, but it didn't show. The AF is quick and the pictures are sharp. Although f/2.8 doesn't allow the low-light working that wider apertures do, it is still respectable, and in fact most ultra-wide aperture 85mm lenses do not perform at their best wide open. In practical terms too, for a headshot f/1.4 presents depth of field a little too shallow - except for showing off shallow depth of field.
Working wide-open and at a distance of just a few feet, I found depth of field just about shallow enough without feeling I wanted to open the aperture any more. A diffused desk lamp allowed a hand-hold-able shutter speed of 1/50sec at ISO 1600 – so I didn't feel deprived at all.
The resulting images are sharp and crisp, with attractive out of focus areas. In all, I am very pleased with the results.
Sony has yet to announce a price for this lens, but a spokesperson has indicated to me that we should expect it to cost in the region of £175. To be frank, in the hand the lens feels like a £175 lens, but the results demonstrate that it really will be excellent value for money. The existing 85mm option for Sony users is the Carl Zeiss T* 85mm f/1.4 ZA (SAL85F14Z), which will set you back a more full-frame-price of £1200.
The new lens is due to go on sale in September.
more poisons
Jul 28 2010, 09:11 PM
cons a...well it could be cheaper. 
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don't pay too much attention for the freebies though..compare the price of the lens and body is more important..
having said that, 2 also buy la!!! 
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