The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Canon EF 85mm F1.4L IS USM and the Canon 100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:
Size and Weight Comparison
The size of a lens is a crucial factor to consider when comparing two lenses. Canon 100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM is the longer of the two lenses at 123mm. The Canon EF 85mm F1.4L IS USM with a length of 105mm, is 18mm shorter. On the other hand, the Canon EF 85mm F1.4L IS USM has a larger diameter of 87mm compared to the Canon 100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM's 78mm diameter.
The weight of a lens is equally significant as its external dimensions, particularly if you intend to handhold your camera and lens combination for extended periods. Canon 100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM weighs 625g, 34% (325g) lighter than the Canon EF 85mm F1.4L IS USM's weight of 950g.
Filter Threads
The Canon EF 85mm F1.4L IS USM has a filter size of 77mm whereas the Canon 100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM has a 67mm diameter. Larger filters are generally more expensive than the smaller ones given all the other features are equal.
Below are links to the 77mm filters that we recommend you to consider for the Canon EF 85mm F1.4L IS USM:
And these are the 67mm filters that we recommend for the Canon 100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM:
Lens Mounts
Both the Canon EF 85mm F1.4L IS USM and the Canon 100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM has the same Canon EF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon EF lenses are Canon 1D X III, Canon 6D MII and Canon 5D MIV.
Focal Range
Canon EF 85mm F1.4L IS USM is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 85mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of
136mm.
On the other hand, the Canon 100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 100mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 160mm.