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Venus Laowa 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro vs Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 Color Skopar SL II

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

Macro Prime | Pentax KAF2

Venus Laowa 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro
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Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II

Wideangle Prime | Pentax KAF

Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 Color Skopar SL II
CHECK PRICE

BUY from B&H PHOTO

Venus 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro vs Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two lenses with different focal types: Venus 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro is a Macro Prime lens with a 25mm focal range and a max aperture of F2.8 whereas Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II is a Wideangle Prime lens with a 20mm focal range and max aperture of F3.5.

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

  • 25mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • Weight: 400g.
  • Diameter: 82mm
  • Length: 65mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.17m
  • Max Magnification:5x

Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II Key Specs

  • 20mm Focal Range
  • F3.5 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 52mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • Weight: 205g.
  • Diameter: 63mm
  • Length: 29mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.2m

What type of photography are the Venus 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro and Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II 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 Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Venus 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II
Bird/WildlifePoorPoor
SportsPoorPoor
PortraitAverageFair
TravelAverageAverage
StreetGoodExcellent
WeddingAverageFair
Walk AroundAverageAverage
VloggingGoodVery Good
LandscapeVery GoodGood

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Venus 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro is the longer of the two lenses at 65mm. The Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II with a length of 29mm is 36mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Venus 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro also has a larger diameter of 82mm compared to Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II's 63mm 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. Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II weighs 205g, 48% (195g) lighter than the Venus 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro's weight of 400g.


Lens Mounts

Both Venus 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro has the Pentax KAF2 lens mount whereas the Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II has the Pentax KAF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with these mounts are Pentax KF, Pentax K-3 III and Pentax K-1 II for the Pentax KAF2 Mount and Pentax KF, Pentax K-3 III and Pentax K-1 II for the Pentax KAF Mount.

Venus 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro is also available in Canon EF , Nikon F (DX) and Sony E mounts.

Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II is also available in Canon EF and Nikon F (FX) 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 an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 37.5mm.
Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 20mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 30mm.

Reasons to choose Venus Laowa 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro over Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 Color Skopar SL II

Focal Length - Tele 25mm vs 20mm 5mm more Tele coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 2.8 vs 3.5 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 2.8 vs 3.5 Wider aperture at tele end
Minimum Focus Distance 0.17m vs 0.2m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 5x vs x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 Color Skopar SL II over Venus Laowa 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro

Focal Length - Wide 20mm vs 25mm 5mm Wider coverage
Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs 8 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Distance Scale Yes vs No Distance Scale to assist focusing
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs No Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Weight 205g vs 400g 195g lighter
Diameter 63mm vs 82mm 19mm smaller in diameter
Length 29mm vs 65mm 36mm shorter

Common Strengths of Venus Laowa 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro and Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 Color Skopar SL II
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 Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 Color Skopar SL II
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 Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Venus Voigtlander
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Macro Prime Wideangle Prime
Lens Mount Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 25mm 20mm
Image Stabilization No
Colour Black Unknown
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 F3.5
Min Aperture F16 F22.0
Aperture Ring Yes Yes
Diaphragm Blades 8 9
Optics
Optical Elements 8 9
Optical Groups 6 6
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.17m 0.2m
Max Magnification 5X unknown
Autofocus No No
AF Motor Type No AF None
Full Time Manual Yes N/A
Focus Method Unknown Unknown
Distance Scale No Yes
DoF Scale No Yes
Distance Scale No Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 400g 205g
Diameter 82mm 63mm
Length 65mm 29mm
Materials Unknown metal barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread Unknown 52mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied No No
Hood Code Unknown LH 20
Tripod Collar Unknown No
Optional Accessories - LH 20 Lenshood
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