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Venus Laowa 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro vs Zeiss Carl Distagon T 228

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Venus 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro

Macro Prime | Nikon F (DX)

Venus Laowa 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro
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Carl Zeiss Distagon T2/28

Wideangle Prime | Nikon F (FX)

Carl Zeiss Distagon T 228
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BUY from B&H PHOTO

Venus 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro vs Carl Zeiss Distagon T2/28 Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two lenses with different focal types: Venus 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro for the F(DX) Mount is a Macro Prime lens with a 25mm focal range and a max aperture of F2.8 whereas the Carl Zeiss Distagon T2/28 for the F(FX) Mount is a Wideangle Prime lens with a 28mm focal range and max aperture of F2.0.

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 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro Key Specs

  • 25mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Nikon F (DX) Mount
  • Weight: 400g.
  • Diameter: 82mm
  • Length: 65mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.17m
  • Max Magnification: 5x

Carl Zeiss Distagon T2/28 Key Specs

  • 28mm Focal Range
  • F2.0 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 58mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Nikon F (FX) Mount
  • Weight: 520g.
  • Diameter: 64mm
  • Length: 93mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.24m
  • Max Magnification: 0.21x

What type of photography are the Venus 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro and Carl Zeiss Distagon T2/28 lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Venus 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro and the Carl Zeiss Distagon T2/28 for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Venus 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro Carl Zeiss Distagon T2/28
Bird/WildlifePoorPoor
SportsPoorPoor
PortraitAverageFair
TravelAverageAverage
StreetGoodExcellent
WeddingAverageFair
Walk AroundAverageAverage
VloggingGoodVery Good
LandscapeVery GoodGood
MacroExcellentFair

Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Carl Zeiss Distagon T2/28 is the longer of the two lenses at 93mm. The Venus 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro with a length of 65mm, is 28mm shorter. On the other hand, the Venus 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro has a larger diameter of 82mm compared to the Carl Zeiss Distagon T2/28's 64mm 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. Venus 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro weighs 400g, which means it is 120g (23%) lighter than the Carl Zeiss Distagon T2/28 which has a weight of 520g.


Lens Mounts

The Venus 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro has the Nikon F (DX) lens mount whereas the Carl Zeiss Distagon T2/28 has the Nikon F (FX) lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with these mounts are Nikon D6, Nikon D780 and Nikon D3500 for the Nikon F (DX) Mount and Nikon D6, Nikon D780 and Nikon D3500 for the Nikon F (FX) Mount.

Venus 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro is also available in Canon EF , Pentax KAF2 and Sony E mounts.

Carl Zeiss Distagon T2/28 is also available in Canon EF and Pentax KAF mounts.

Focal Range

Venus 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 25mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 37.5mm.
Carl Zeiss Distagon T2/28 is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 28mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 42mm.

Reasons to choose Venus Laowa 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro over Carl Zeiss Distagon T 228

Focal Length - Wide 25mm vs 28mm 3mm Wider coverage
Diaphgragm Blades 8 vs Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Weight 400g vs 520g 120g lighter
Length 65mm vs 93mm 28mm shorter
Minimum Focus Distance 0.17m vs 0.24m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 5x vs 0.21x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Carl Zeiss Distagon T 228 over Venus Laowa 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro

Focal Length - Tele 28mm vs 25mm 3mm 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
Distance Scale Yes vs No Distance Scale to assist focusing
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs No Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Diameter 64mm vs 82mm 18mm smaller in diameter

Common Strengths of Venus Laowa 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro and Carl Zeiss Distagon T 228
Aperture Ring Yes vs Yes able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Common Weaknesses of Venus Laowa 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro and Carl Zeiss Distagon T 228
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 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro vs Carl Zeiss Distagon T2/28 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Venus Zeiss
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Macro Prime Wideangle Prime
Lens Mount Nikon F (DX) Nikon F (FX)
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 25mm 28mm
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 F2.8 F2.0
Min Aperture F16 F22.0
Aperture Ring Yes Yes
Diaphragm Blades 8 -
Optics
Optical Elements 8 10
Optical Groups 6 8
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.17m 0.24m
Max Magnification 5X 0.21X
Autofocus No No
AF Motor Type No AF None
Full Time Manual Yes N/A
Focus Method - -
Distance Scale No Yes
DoF Scale No Yes
Distance Scale No Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 400g 520g
Diameter 82mm 64mm
Length 65mm 93mm
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread - 58mm
Hood Supplied No Yes
Tripod Collar No No
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