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Venus Laowa 105mm F2 Smooth Trans Focus vs Canon EF 100mm f2.8 Macro USM

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Lens to replace
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Venus 105mm F2

Telephoto Prime | Canon EF

Venus Laowa 105mm F2 Smooth Trans Focus
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Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro USM

Macro Prime | Canon EF

Canon EF 100mm f2.8 Macro USM
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Venus 105mm F2 vs Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro USM Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two lenses with different focal types: Venus 105mm F2 for the EF Mount is a Telephoto Prime lens with a 105mm focal range and a max aperture of F2 whereas the Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro USM for the EF Mount is a Macro Prime lens with a 100mm focal range and max aperture of F2.8.

We will start by looking briefly at the main specs of these two lenses, and in the next section, we will start analyzing them in more detail and listing the pros and cons of each lens.

Venus 105mm F2 Key Specs

  • 105mm Focal Range
  • F2 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 745g.
  • Diameter: 76mm
  • Length: 99mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.9m

Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro USM Key Specs

  • 100mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 58mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 600g.
  • Diameter: 79mm
  • Length: 119mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.31m
  • Max Magnification: 1x

What type of photography are the Venus 105mm F2 and Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro USM lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Venus 105mm F2 and the Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro USM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Venus 105mm F2 Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro USM
Bird/WildlifeAverageAverage
SportsGoodAverage
PortraitExcellentGood
TravelFairFair
StreetAverageFair
WeddingVery GoodGood
Walk AroundFairFair
VloggingAverageFair
LandscapeFairFair


Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro USM is the longer of the two lenses at 119mm. The Venus 105mm F2 with a length of 99mm, is 20mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro USM also has a larger diameter of 79mm compared to the Venus 105mm F2's 76mm diameter.

The 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. Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro USM weighs 600g, 19% (145g) lighter than the Venus 105mm F2's weight of 745g.


Lens Mounts

Both the Venus 105mm F2 and the Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro USM 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 105mm F2 is also available in Sony E , Nikon F (FX), Pentax KAF2 and Sony Alpha mounts.

Focal Range

Venus 105mm F2 is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 105mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 168mm.
Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro USM 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 a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 160mm.

Reasons to choose Venus Laowa 105mm F2 Smooth Trans Focus over Canon EF 100mm f2.8 Macro USM

Focal Length - Tele 105mm vs 100mm 5mm more Tele coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 2 vs 2.8 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 2 vs 2.8 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphragm Blades 9 vs 8 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Aperture Ring Yes vs No able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Diameter 76mm vs 79mm 3mm smaller in diameter
Length 99mm vs 119mm 20mm shorter

Reasons to choose Canon EF 100mm f2.8 Macro USM over Venus Laowa 105mm F2 Smooth Trans Focus

Focal Length - Wide 100mm vs 105mm 5mm Wider coverage
Autofocus Yes vs No Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Weight 600g vs 745g 145g lighter
Filter Thread 58mm vs 67mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.31m vs 0.9m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 1x vs x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Venus Laowa 105mm F2 Smooth Trans Focus and Canon EF 100mm f2.8 Macro USM
Internal Focusing Yes vs Yes Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs Yes Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Common Weaknesses of Venus Laowa 105mm F2 Smooth Trans Focus and Canon EF 100mm f2.8 Macro USM
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
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 105mm F2 vs Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro USM Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Venus Canon
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Telephoto Prime Macro Prime
Lens Mount Canon EF Canon EF
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 105mm 100mm
Image Stabilization No
Colour - 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 F2.8
Min Aperture F22 F32.0
Aperture Ring Yes No
Diaphragm Blades 9 8
Optics
Optical Elements 11 12
Optical Groups 8 8
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.9m 0.31m
Max Magnification - 1X
Autofocus No Yes
AF Motor Type No AF Ring-type ultrasonic
Full Time Manual Yes Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Yes Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No Yes, limits to 0.25x
Physical Specs
Weight 745g 600g
Diameter 76mm 79mm
Length 99mm 119mm
Materials - Plastic barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 67mm 58mm
Hood Code - ET-67
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - Soft Case LP1219
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