Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO vs Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8

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Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Macro

Macro Prime | Sony E

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Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8

Telephoto Prime | Sony E

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Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Macro vs Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8 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 Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8 is a Telephoto Prime lens with a 85mm focal range and max aperture of F1.8.

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

Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8 Key Specs

85mm Focal Range

F1.8 Max Aperture

Image Stabilization

Weather Sealed

Filter Thread: 67mm

Max Format: 35mm FF

Sony E Mount

Weight: 475g.

Diameter: 105mm

Length: 78mm

Min Focus Distance:0.8m

What type of photography are the Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Macro and Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8 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 Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8 for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type	Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Macro	Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8
Bird/Wildlife	Fair	Average
Sports	Fair	Good
Portrait	Good	Excellent
Travel	Average	Fair
Street	Average	Average
Wedding	Good	Very Good
Walk Around	Fair	Fair
Vlogging	Fair	Average
Landscape	Average	Fair

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Macro is the longer of the two lenses at 81mm. The Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8 with a length of 78mm is 3mm shorter. On the other hand, the Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8 has a larger diameter of 105mm 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 184g (38%) lighter than the Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8 which has a weight of 475g.

Lens Mounts

Both Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Macro and Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8 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.

Focal Range

Reasons to choose Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO over Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8

Diaphgragm Blades	7 vs	Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Aperture Ring	Yes vs No	able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Weight	291g vs 475g	184g lighter
Diameter	53mm vs 105mm	52mm smaller in diameter
Filter Thread	46mm vs 67mm	Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance	0.16m vs 0.8m	can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification	2x vs x	higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8 over Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO

Image Stabilization	Yes vs No	Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Max Aperture - Wide	1.8 vs 5.6	Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele	1.8 vs 5.6	Wider aperture at tele end
Autofocus	Yes vs No	Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Length	78mm vs 81mm	3mm shorter
Weather Sealing	Yes vs No	safer to use under rain and dust

Common Strengths of Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO and Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8

Internal Focusing	Yes vs Yes	Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Distance Scale	Yes vs Yes	Distance Scale to assist focusing

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Laowa 85mm f5.6 2x Macro vs Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General
Brand	Laowa	Zeiss
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	85mm
Image Stabilization	No	Yes
Colour	Black	Unknown
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	F1.8
Min Aperture	F22
Aperture Ring	Yes	No
Diaphragm Blades	7	unknown
Optics
Optical Elements	13	10
Optical Groups	9	8
Focusing
Min Focus Distance	0.16m	0.8m
Max Magnification	2X	unknown
Autofocus	No	Yes
AF Motor Type	No AF	unknown
Full Time Manual		Yes
Focus Method	Internal	Internal
Distance Scale	Yes	Yes
DoF Scale	Unknown	Yes
Distance Scale	Yes	Yes
Focus Distance Limiter	Unknown	Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight	291g	475g
Diameter	53mm	105mm
Length	81mm	78mm
Materials	Unknown	Unknown
Weather Sealing	Unknown	Yes
Filter Thread	46mm	67mm
Filter Notes	-	-
Hood Supplied	Unknown	Yes
Hood Code	Unknown	Unknown
Tripod Collar	No	No
Optional Accessories	-	-
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