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Venus Laowa 105mm F2 Smooth Trans Focus vs Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f1.8G

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Venus 105mm F2

Telephoto Prime | Nikon F (FX)

Venus Laowa 105mm F2 Smooth Trans Focus
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Nikon 85mm f1.8G

Telephoto Prime | Nikon F (FX)

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f1.8G
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BUY from B&H PHOTO

Venus 105mm F2 vs Nikon 85mm f1.8G Comparison Overview

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

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
  • Nikon F (FX) Mount
  • Weight: 745g.
  • Diameter: 76mm
  • Length: 99mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.9m

Nikon 85mm f1.8G Key Specs

  • 85mm Focal Range
  • F1.8 Max Aperture
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Nikon F (FX) Mount
  • Weight: 350g.
  • Diameter: 80mm
  • Length: 73mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.8m
  • Max Magnification:0.124x

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

Photography Type Venus 105mm F2 Nikon 85mm f1.8G
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 Nikon 85mm f1.8G with a length of 73mm is 26mm shorter. On the other hand, the Nikon 85mm f1.8G has a larger diameter of 80mm compared to Venus 105mm F2's 76mm 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. Nikon 85mm f1.8G weighs 350g, 53% (395g) 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 Nikon F (FX) Mount for size comparison purposes.

Telephoto Prime Lenses in Nikon F (FX) Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 800mm f5.6E FL ED VR Lens Nikon 800mm f5.6E FL ED VR
461mm
160mm 4590g Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 600mm f4G ED VR Lens Nikon 600mm f4G ED VR
445mm
166mm 5060g Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f4G ED VR Lens Nikon 500mm f4G ED VR
391mm
140mm 3880g Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 600mm f4D ED-IF II Lens Nikon 600mm f4D ED-IF II
455mm
166mm 5900g Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f1.4D Lens Nikon 85mm f1.4D
73mm
80mm 550g Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f4D ED-IF II Lens Nikon 500mm f4D ED-IF II
394mm
140mm 3800g Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR Lens Nikon 300mm f4E PF VR
148mm
89mm 750g Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm F5.6E PF ED VR Lens Nikon AF-S 500mm F5.6E PF ED VR
237mm
61mm 1460g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Venus 105mm F2 and Nikon 85mm f1.8G has the same Nikon F (FX) lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Nikon F (FX) lenses are Nikon D6, Nikon D780 and Nikon D3500.

Venus 105mm F2 is also available in Sony E , Canon EF, 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 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 157.5mm.
Nikon 85mm f1.8G is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 85mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 127.5mm.

Reasons to choose Venus Laowa 105mm F2 Smooth Trans Focus over Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f1.8G

Focal Length - Tele 105mm vs 85mm 20mm more Tele coverage
Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs 7 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Aperture Ring Yes vs No able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Diameter 76mm vs 80mm 4mm smaller in diameter

Reasons to choose Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f1.8G 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 350g vs 745g 395g lighter
Length 73mm vs 99mm 26mm shorter
Weather Sealing Yes vs No safer to use under rain and dust
Minimum Focus Distance 0.8m vs 0.9m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.124x vs x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Venus Laowa 105mm F2 Smooth Trans Focus and Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f1.8G
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 Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f1.8G
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization



**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 Nikon 85mm f1.8G Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Venus Nikon
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Telephoto Prime Telephoto Prime
Lens Mount Nikon F (FX) Nikon F (FX)
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 F16.0
Aperture Ring Yes No
Diaphragm Blades 9 7
Optics
Optical Elements 11 9
Optical Groups 8 9
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.9m 0.8m
Max Magnification unknown 0.124X
Autofocus No Yes
AF Motor Type No AF Ultrasonic
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Yes Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 745g 350g
Diameter 76mm 80mm
Length 99mm 73mm
Materials Unknown Unknown
Weather Sealing No Yes
Filter Thread 67mm 67mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied Unknown Yes
Hood Code Unknown HB-62
Tripod Collar Unknown No
Optional Accessories - -
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