I recently tested the new Sigma 85mm f/1.2 and took it for a portrait shoot to see what this lens can actually do.
And yes – I shot most of these photos at f/1.2. Because if you’re getting a lens like this, that’s kind of the point 🙂
I also compared it directly to the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 and the difference in bokeh is definitely there. I actually expected it to be smaller. The 1.2 gives you a smoother background, especially when you’re shooting closer portraits, but I could still see the difference when shooting from further away.
Both lenses are super sharp, so there’s really nothing to talk about here. Even at f/1.2 I had no problems with sharpness.
Autofocus was also really solid. I tested the lens on Sony A7 V, including shooting people walking towards me at full speed, and it worked exactly as I would expect. I also shot a full wedding with it and had no AF problems there.
Of course the downside is size and weight. The Sigma 85mm f/1.2 is 905g, while the 85mm f/1.4 is only 625g. So you’re adding almost 300g just to get that f/1.2.
But after shooting a full wedding with it – honestly, it wasn’t that bad. It’s still under 1kg and for me that seems to be the point where lenses start feeling properly heavy.
So is f/1.2 worth it?
If you already have the Sigma 85mm f/1.4, you definitely don’t need to upgrade. Your clients are not going to notice that your background is slightly smoother 🙂
But if 85mm is one of your main focal lengths and you just want the nicest possible 85mm look – I get it. The difference is there. And sometimes we buy lenses because we like the photos they give us, not because we actually need them.
Anyway – enough talking.
Here are some of my Sigma 85mm f/1.2 portrait samples.