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Venus Laowa 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO vs Samyang Premium MF 85mm F1.2

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Venus 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro

Macro Prime | Canon EF

Venus Laowa 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO
CHECK PRICE

BUY from B&H PHOTO
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Samyang Premium MF 85mm F1.2

Telephoto Prime | Canon EF

Samyang Premium MF 85mm F1.2
CHECK PRICE

BUY from B&H PHOTO

Venus 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro vs Samyang Premium MF 85mm F1.2 Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two lenses with different focal types: Venus 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro is a Macro Prime lens with a 100mm focal range and a max aperture of F2.8 whereas Samyang Premium MF 85mm F1.2 is a Telephoto Prime lens with a 85mm focal range and max aperture of F1.2.

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.

Venus 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro Key Specs

  • 100mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 638g.
  • Diameter: 72mm
  • Length: 125mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.25m
  • Max Magnification:2x

Samyang Premium MF 85mm F1.2 Key Specs

  • 85mm Focal Range
  • F1.2 Max Aperture
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 1050g.
  • Diameter: 93mm
  • Length: 98mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.8m
  • Max Magnification:0.13x

What type of photography are the Venus 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro and Samyang Premium MF 85mm F1.2 lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Venus 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro and the Samyang Premium MF 85mm F1.2 for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Venus 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro Samyang Premium MF 85mm F1.2
Bird/WildlifeAverageAverage
SportsAverageGood
PortraitGoodExcellent
TravelFairFair
StreetFairAverage
WeddingGoodVery Good
Walk AroundFairFair
VloggingFairAverage
LandscapeFairFair
MacroExcellentPoor

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Venus 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro is the longer of the two lenses at 125mm. The Samyang Premium MF 85mm F1.2 with a length of 98mm is 27mm shorter. On the other hand, the Samyang Premium MF 85mm F1.2 has a larger diameter of 93mm compared to Venus 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro's 72mm diameter.

Below you can find the scaled side by side image of Venus 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro and Samyang Premium MF 85mm F1.2 to get a better idea of how their size compare in real life.

Venus 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro vs Samyang Premium MF 85mm F1.2 Lens Size Comparison
Comparison image of Venus 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro and Samyang Premium MF 85mm F1.2 Size and Weight

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. Venus 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro weighs 638g, which means it is 412g (39%) lighter than the Samyang Premium MF 85mm F1.2 which has a weight of 1050g.


Lens Mounts

Both Venus 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro and Samyang Premium MF 85mm F1.2 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.

Venus 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro is also available in Nikon F (FX) , Pentax KAF2 and Sony E mounts.

Focal Range

Venus 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro 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 an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 160mm.
Samyang Premium MF 85mm F1.2 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 an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 136mm.

Reasons to choose Venus Laowa 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO over Samyang Premium MF 85mm F1.2

Focal Length - Tele 100mm vs 85mm 15mm more Tele coverage
Diaphgragm Blades 13 vs 9 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Aperture Ring Yes vs No able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Weight 638g vs 1050g 412g lighter
Diameter 72mm vs 93mm 21mm smaller in diameter
Minimum Focus Distance 0.25m vs 0.8m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 2x vs 0.13x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Samyang Premium MF 85mm F1.2 over Venus Laowa 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO

Focal Length - Wide 85mm vs 100mm 15mm Wider coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 1.2 vs 2.8 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.2 vs 2.8 Wider aperture at tele end
Length 98mm vs 125mm 27mm shorter

Common Strengths of Venus Laowa 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO and Samyang Premium MF 85mm F1.2
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Common Weaknesses of Venus Laowa 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO and Samyang Premium MF 85mm F1.2
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Autofocus No vs No Slow and less accurate focusing
Weather Sealing No vs No not safe under rain and dust



**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.

Venus 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro vs Samyang Premium MF 85mm F1.2 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Venus Samyang
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Macro Prime Telephoto Prime
Lens Mount Canon EF Canon EF
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 100mm 85mm
Image Stabilization
Colour Unknown Black
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F2.8 F1.2
Min Aperture F22 F16
Aperture Ring Yes No
Diaphragm Blades 13 9
Optics
Optical Elements 12 10
Optical Groups 10 7
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.25m 0.8m
Max Magnification 2X 0.13X
Autofocus No No
AF Motor Type No AF No AF
Full Time Manual Yes Yes
Focus Method Internal Unknown
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Yes Unknown
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 638g 1050g
Diameter 72mm 93mm
Length 125mm 98mm
Materials Unknown Aluminum
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 67mm Unknown
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied Unknown Yes
Hood Code Unknown Unknown
Tripod Collar Unknown Unknown
Optional Accessories - -
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