The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sigma 70mm 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 70mm F2.8 EX DG Macro with a length of 95mm, is 4mm shorter. On the other hand, the Sigma 70mm F2.8 EX DG Macro has a larger diameter of 76mm 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, 32% (172g) lighter than the Sigma 70mm F2.8 EX DG Macro's weight of 527g.
Lens Mounts
The Sigma 70mm 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 70mm F2.8 EX DG Macro is also available in Canon EF , Pentax KAF, Sony Alpha and Sigma SA mounts.
Focal Range
Sigma 70mm F2.8 EX DG Macro is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 70mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of
105mm.
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.