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Venus Laowa 105mm F2 Smooth Trans Focus vs Tamron SP AF 90mm F2.8 Di Macro

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Venus 105mm F2

Telephoto Prime | Sony Alpha

Venus Laowa 105mm F2 Smooth Trans Focus
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Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro

Macro Prime | Sony Alpha

Tamron SP AF 90mm F2.8 Di Macro
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Venus 105mm F2 vs Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two lenses with different focal types: Venus 105mm F2 is a Telephoto Prime lens with a 105mm focal range and a max aperture of F2 whereas Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro is a Macro Prime lens with a 90mm focal range and max aperture of F2.8.

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
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 745g.
  • Diameter: 76mm
  • Length: 99mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.9m

Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro Key Specs

  • 90mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 55mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 405g.
  • Diameter: 72mm
  • Length: 97mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.29m
  • Max Magnification:1x

What type of photography are the Venus 105mm F2 and Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro 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 Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Venus 105mm F2 Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro
Bird/WildlifeAverageFair
SportsGoodFair
PortraitExcellentGood
TravelFairAverage
StreetAverageAverage
WeddingVery GoodGood
Walk AroundFairFair
VloggingAverageFair
LandscapeFairAverage

Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro was replaced by Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD 1:1 Macro Sony Alpha. You may also be interested in these comparisons:
Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD 1:1 Macro Sony Alpha vs
Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD 1:1 Macro Sony Alpha vs

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 Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro with a length of 97mm is 2mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Venus 105mm F2 also has a larger diameter of 76mm compared to Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro's 72mm 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. Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro weighs 405g, 45% (340g) lighter than the Venus 105mm F2's weight of 745g.


Lens Mounts

Both Venus 105mm F2 and Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro has the same Sony Alpha lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony Alpha lenses are Sony A99 II, Sony A68 and Sony A77 II.

Venus 105mm F2 is also available in Sony E , Canon EF, Nikon F (FX) and Pentax KAF2 mounts.

Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro is also available in Canon EF , Nikon F (FX) and Pentax KAF 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.
Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 90mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 135mm.

Reasons to choose Venus Laowa 105mm F2 Smooth Trans Focus over Tamron SP AF 90mm F2.8 Di Macro

Focal Length - Tele 105mm vs 90mm 15mm 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
Focus Type Internal Focusing vs Extending front Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing

Reasons to choose Tamron SP AF 90mm F2.8 Di Macro over Venus Laowa 105mm F2 Smooth Trans Focus

Focal Length - Wide 90mm vs 105mm 15mm Wider coverage
Autofocus Yes vs No Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Weight 405g vs 745g 340g lighter
Diameter 72mm vs 76mm 4mm smaller in diameter
Length 97mm vs 99mm 2mm shorter
Filter Thread 55mm vs 67mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.29m 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 Tamron SP AF 90mm F2.8 Di Macro
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs Yes Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Aperture Ring Yes vs Yes able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Common Weaknesses of Venus Laowa 105mm F2 Smooth Trans Focus and Tamron SP AF 90mm F2.8 Di Macro
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 Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Venus Tamron
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Telephoto Prime Macro Prime
Lens Mount Sony Alpha Sony Alpha
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 105mm 90mm
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 F2.8
Min Aperture F22 F32.0
Aperture Ring Yes Yes
Diaphragm Blades 9 9
Optics
Optical Elements 11 10
Optical Groups 8 9
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.9m 0.29m
Max Magnification unknown 1X
Autofocus No Yes
AF Motor Type No AF Micromotor
Full Time Manual Yes Yes
Focus Method Internal Extending front
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Yes Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 745g 405g
Diameter 76mm 72mm
Length 99mm 97mm
Materials Unknown Unknown
Weather Sealing No Unknown
Filter Thread 67mm 55mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied Unknown Yes
Hood Code Unknown Unknown
Tripod Collar Unknown No
Optional Accessories - -
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