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Venus Laowa 105mm F2 Smooth Trans Focus vs Canon EF 85mm f1.8 USM

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Venus 105mm F2

Telephoto Prime | Canon EF

Venus Laowa 105mm F2 Smooth Trans Focus
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Canon 85mm f1.8 USM

Telephoto Prime | Canon EF

Canon EF 85mm f1.8 USM
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BUY from B&H PHOTO

Venus 105mm F2 vs Canon 85mm f1.8 USM Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Venus 105mm F2 and Canon 85mm f1.8 USM, two Telephoto Prime lenses from Venus and Canon.

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 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 85mm f1.8 USM Key Specs

  • 85mm Focal Range
  • F1.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 58mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 425g.
  • Diameter: 75mm
  • Length: 72mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.85m
  • Max Magnification:0.13x

What type of photography are the Venus 105mm F2 and Canon 85mm f1.8 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 85mm f1.8 USM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Venus 105mm F2 Canon 85mm f1.8 USM
Bird/WildlifeAverageAverage
SportsGoodGood
PortraitExcellentExcellent
TravelFairFair
StreetAverageAverage
WeddingVery GoodVery Good
Walk AroundFairFair
VloggingAverageAverage
LandscapeFairFair

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Venus 105mm F2 is the longer of the two lenses at 99mm. The Canon 85mm f1.8 USM with a length of 72mm is 27mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Venus 105mm F2 also has a larger diameter of 76mm compared to Canon 85mm f1.8 USM's 75mm 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. Canon 85mm f1.8 USM weighs 425g, 42% (320g) lighter than the Venus 105mm F2's weight of 745g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the 'Telephoto Prime Lenses in Canon EF Mount for size comparison purposes.

Telephoto Prime Lenses in Canon EF Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sigma 800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM Lens Sigma 800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM
521mm
157mm 4900g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM Lens Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM
448mm
168mm 3050g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 85mm f1.2L II USM Lens Canon 85mm f1.2L II USM
84mm
92mm 1025g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 200mm f2L IS USM Lens Canon 200mm f2L IS USM
208mm
128mm 2520g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 500mm f4.0L IS USM Lens Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM
387mm
146mm 3870g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 400mm f5.6L USM Lens Canon 400mm f5.6L USM
257mm
90mm 1250g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 400mm f2.8L IS II USM Lens Canon 400mm f2.8L IS II USM
343mm
163mm 3850g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 100mm f2.0 USM Lens Canon 100mm f2.0 USM
74mm
75mm 460g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Venus 105mm F2 and Canon 85mm f1.8 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 an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 168mm.
Canon 85mm f1.8 USM 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 105mm F2 Smooth Trans Focus over Canon EF 85mm f1.8 USM

Focal Length - Tele 105mm vs 85mm 20mm more Tele coverage
Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs 8 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Aperture Ring Yes vs No able to adjust the aperture on the lens

Reasons to choose Canon EF 85mm f1.8 USM over Venus Laowa 105mm F2 Smooth Trans Focus

Focal Length - Wide 85mm vs 105mm 20mm Wider coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 1.8 vs 2 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.8 vs 2 Wider aperture at tele end
Autofocus Yes vs No Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Weight 425g vs 745g 320g lighter
Diameter 75mm vs 76mm 1mm smaller in diameter
Length 72mm vs 99mm 27mm shorter
Filter Thread 58mm vs 67mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.85m vs 0.9m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.13x vs x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Venus Laowa 105mm F2 Smooth Trans Focus and Canon EF 85mm f1.8 USM
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 85mm f1.8 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 85mm f1.8 USM Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Venus Canon
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Telephoto Prime Telephoto Prime
Lens Mount Canon EF Canon EF
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 105mm 85mm
Image Stabilization No
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 F1.8
Min Aperture F22 F22.0
Aperture Ring Yes No
Diaphragm Blades 9 8
Optics
Optical Elements 11 9
Optical Groups 8 7
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.9m 0.85m
Max Magnification unknown 0.13X
Autofocus No Yes
AF Motor Type No AF Ultrasonic
Full Time Manual Yes Yes
Focus Method Internal Rear
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Yes Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 745g 425g
Diameter 76mm 75mm
Length 99mm 72mm
Materials Unknown Plastic barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 67mm 58mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied Unknown Unknown
Hood Code Unknown ET-65 III
Tripod Collar Unknown No
Optional Accessories - Hard Case LH-B12 Soft Case ES-C13/LP1014
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