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Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO vs Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM Art

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Lens to replace
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Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Macro

Macro Prime | Sony E

Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO
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BUY from B&H PHOTO
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Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM

Telephoto Prime | Sony E

Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM Art
CHECK PRICE

BUY from B&H PHOTO

Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Macro vs Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two lenses with different focal types: Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Macro is a Macro Prime lens with a 85mm focal range and a max aperture of F5.6 whereas Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM is a Telephoto Prime lens with a 105mm focal range and max aperture of F1.4.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Macro Key Specs

  • 85mm Focal Range
  • F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 46mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 291g.
  • Diameter: 53mm
  • Length: 81mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.16m
  • Max Magnification:2x

Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM Key Specs

  • 105mm Focal Range
  • F1.4 Max Aperture
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 105mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 1645g.
  • Diameter: 116mm
  • Length: 132mm
  • Min Focus Distance:1m
  • Max Magnification:0.12x

What type of photography are the Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Macro and Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Macro and the Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Macro Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM
Bird/WildlifeFairAverage
SportsFairGood
PortraitGoodExcellent
TravelAverageFair
StreetAverageAverage
WeddingGoodVery Good
Walk AroundFairFair
VloggingFairAverage
LandscapeAverageFair
MacroExcellentPoor

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM is the longer of the two lenses at 132mm. The Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Macro with a length of 81mm is 51mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM also has a larger diameter of 116mm compared to Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Macro's 53mm diameter.

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Macro weighs 291g, which means it is 1354g (82%) lighter than the Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM which has a weight of 1645g.


Lens Mounts

Both Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Macro and Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM has the same Sony E lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony E lenses are Sony A7R V, Sony FX30 and Sony A7 IV.

Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Macro is also available in Leica M , Canon RF, Nikon Z and Leica L mounts.

Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM is also available in Canon EF , Nikon F (FX) and Sigma SA mounts.

Focal Range

Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Macro is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 85mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 127.5mm.
Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 105mm which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 157.5mm when used on a 35mm FF format camera.

Reasons to choose Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO over Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM Art

Focal Length - Wide 85mm vs 105mm 20mm Wider coverage
Aperture Ring Yes vs No able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Max Sensor Coverage 35mm FF vs 35mm FF covers larger sensors
Weight 291g vs 1645g 1354g lighter
Diameter 53mm vs 116mm 63mm smaller in diameter
Length 81mm vs 132mm 51mm shorter
Filter Thread 46mm vs 105mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.16m vs 1m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 2x vs 0.12x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM Art over Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO

Focal Length - Tele 105mm vs 85mm 20mm more Tele coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 1.4 vs 5.6 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.4 vs 5.6 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs 7 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Autofocus Yes vs No Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Weather Sealing Yes vs No safer to use under rain and dust

Common Strengths of Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO and Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM Art
Internal Focusing Yes vs Yes Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Common Weaknesses of Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO and Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM Art
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization



**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Macro vs Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Laowa Sigma
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Macro Prime Telephoto Prime
Lens Mount Sony E Sony E
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 85mm 105mm
Image Stabilization No
Colour Black black
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F5.6 F1.4
Min Aperture F22 F16
Aperture Ring Yes No
Diaphragm Blades 7 9
Optics
Optical Elements 13 17
Optical Groups 9 12
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.16m 1m
Max Magnification 2X 0.12X
Autofocus No Yes
AF Motor Type No AF Ring-type ultrasonic
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Unknown Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown No
Physical Specs
Weight 291g 1645g
Diameter 53mm 116mm
Length 81mm 132mm
Materials Unknown Magnesium alloy
Weather Sealing Unknown Yes
Filter Thread 46mm 105mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied Unknown Yes
Hood Code Unknown Unknown
Tripod Collar No Yes
Optional Accessories - -
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