The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro and the Nikon Micro-85mm f3.5G ED VR 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. Nikon Micro-85mm f3.5G ED VR is the longer of the two lenses at 99mm. The Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro with a length of 98mm, is 1mm shorter. On the other hand, the Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro has a larger diameter of 74mm compared to the Nikon Micro-85mm f3.5G ED VR's 73mm 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. Nikon Micro-85mm f3.5G ED VR weighs 355g, 22% (105g) lighter than the Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro's weight of 460g.
Filter Threads
The Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro has a filter size of 62mm whereas the Nikon Micro-85mm f3.5G ED VR has a 52mm diameter. Larger filters are generally more expensive than the smaller ones given all the other features are equal.
Below are links to the 62mm filters that we recommend you to consider for the Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro:
And these are the 52mm filters that we recommend for the Nikon Micro-85mm f3.5G ED VR:
Lens Mounts
The Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro has the Nikon F (FX) lens mount whereas the Nikon Micro-85mm f3.5G ED VR has the Nikon F (DX) lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with these mounts are Nikon D6, Nikon D780 and Nikon D3500 for the Nikon F (FX) Mount and Nikon D3500, Nikon D7500 and Nikon D5600 for the Nikon F (DX) Mount.
Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro is also available in the Canon EF , Pentax KAF, Sony Alpha, Sigma SA and Four Thirds mounts.
Focal Range
Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 105mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of
157.5mm.
On the other hand, the Nikon Micro-85mm f3.5G ED VR is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 85mm which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 127.5mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.
