In an announcement at the opening of the WPPI 2017 expo, Sony introduced a new 85mm f/1.8 telephoto prime lens. The 85mm was introduced at the same time as the new 100mm F2.8 STF G Master (see more about that lens here, here and in this video with portrait pro Miguel Quiles who had a chance to actually use the lens in the studio and outdoors). As that new G Master lens has been getting a lot of attention, the 85mm F1.8 (which is priced around $600 USD) is starting to look like a sleeper for full-frame shooters. And for APS-C shooters looking for a fast 135mm short tele, the 85 will give an equivalent of about 128mm with an f/1.8 max aperture. The lens will be available this March in North America for about $600 US and $800 CA.

Here’s more from the official Sony press release:

FE 85mm F1.8 Telephoto Prime Lens

The new 85mm F1.8 mid-telephoto prime lens offers an extremely versatile, lightweight and compact telephoto prime lens solution for a variety of Sony camera owners ranging from working professionals to emerging enthusiasts that have stepped up to full-frame or APS-C cameras for the first time. With its wide F1.8 aperture, it can produce impressive, exceptionally sharp portraits with soft background defocus that take advantage of its 85mm focal length and wide F1.8 maximum aperture.

The new prime lens features a 9-bladed circular aperture mechanism that ensures smooth, natural looking bokeh, and a double linear motor system to allow for fast, precise and quiet focusing. It also has a focus hold button that can be customized and assigned together with functions in the camera body like the popular Eye AF feature. There is a smooth, responsive focus ring and AF/MF switch as well, and the lens is also dust and moisture resistant.

Pricing and Availability

The 85mm F1.8 will ship this March to authorized dealers throughout North America.

The new FE 85mm F1.8 Mid-Telephoto Prime Lens will be sold for about $600 US and $800 CA.

A variety of exclusive stories and exciting new content shot with the new lenses and other Sony α products can be found at www.alphauniverse.com (http://www.alphauniverse.com/), Sony’s community site built to educate, inspire and showcase all fans and customers of the Sony α brand.

Content is also available at the global Sony Photo Gallery and the Sony Camera Channel on YouTube. Detailed information pages within Sony.com for the new products can be found at:

SEL85F18 (US)
SEL85F18 (CA) 
　　　　　　　　　　　　
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