Honestly, before I can give a solid recommendation, what is your typical shooting environment like? The 85mm is killer for outdoor bokeh, but if you are working in tight indoor spaces or small apartments, you might find it a bit too long and end up backed against a wall. Regarding the price, $600 for a used Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 actually sounds a bit steep since you can often find them brand new for that price or used for around $400. From a value perspective, it is definitely the sweet spot for many pros. Here are a few things to think about:

• If you want the f/1.4 look for less cash, check out the Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 FE II. It has great rendering and is usually much cheaper than the GM.
• Tbh, the Sony FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA is kinda a legacy lens now. You can get better value from the Sony FE 50mm f/2.5 G if you want compact, or just save money with the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8.
• The 85mm works great on APS-C too, giving you a 127mm equivalent which is perfect for tight headshots. It is a versatile pick, but the purple fringing in high-contrast scenes can be a pain. Do you plan on doing a lot of backlit shooting?

Honestly, I think the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 misses the mark if you're looking for professional reliability. I picked one up thinking it was a safe bet for a family graduation I was shooting last spring, but unfortunately, the chromatic aberration was a total nightmare. I spent way too much time in post trying to fix purple fringing on every white shirt in the sun... it just wasnt as good as I expected. A few things that bothered me:

• The color fringing in high contrast is really distracting and hard to fix perfectly.
• Build quality feels a bit hollow and plasticky, which makes me nervous about long-term use.
• It lacks a physical aperture ring which I find essential for quick adjustments. If you want something more reliable, I'd look at the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art. It costs more, but the optics are way cleaner. For a similar price to the Sony, the Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 FE II actually gave me better results with less fringing, tho the autofocus is a hair slower. Ngl, the Sony is okay for hobbyists, but it didnt feel like a keeper for me.

Big if true

Can vouch for this

I remember setting up a makeshift headshot station in my garage last winter using some basic DIY plywood backdrops and shop lights. I popped the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 on my camera and was honestly so satisfied with how it performed even in that weird lighting. The sharpness at f/1.8 is legit and the dual linear motors handle focus tracking like a champ. It definitely hits the sweet spot because it isnt bulky like the G Master options but still gives that clean background separation thanks to the 9-blade aperture.

• Map the side focus hold button to Eye AF toggle for faster locks.
• Use the built-in lens profile in your editor to fix the slight pincushion distortion. No complaints here, it works well for everything from my pets to professional headshots.

Ive been shooting with the Sony FE 85mm f1.8 for years now and honestly, it is probably the most reliable lens for the money in the entire lineup. The autofocus is near-instant which is a lifesaver when you are trying to track pets or wiggly kids. Directly answering your question tho, it really is the sweet spot. The 55mm is nice but lacks the compression you want for tight portraits. Just a heads up on that price though... 600 used is way too much. You can usually find them for around 400 to 450 on the used market if you look around. If you find yourself wanting more bokeh later on, you could look at the Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art, but that thing is a brick compared to the Sony. For a beginner, the 85mm is a better teacher than a 35mm because it forces you to think about your background and distance. Plus, using it on an APS-C body makes it a killer 127mm equivalent for headshots. Its a keeper for sure.

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Any updates on this?

Depends on the price.