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Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 APO-Lanthar SL II vs Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM

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Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II

Telephoto Prime | Canon EF

Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 APO-Lanthar SL II
CHECK PRICE
BUY from B&H PHOTO
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Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM

Telephoto Prime | Canon EF

Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM
CHECK PRICE
BUY from B&H PHOTO

Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II vs Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II for the EF Mount and the Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM for the EF Mount, two Telephoto Prime lenses from Voigtlander and Sigma.

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.

Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II Key Specs

  • 90mm Focal Range
  • F3.5 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 52mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 320g.
  • Diameter: 63mm
  • Length: 52mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.5m
  • Max Magnification: 0.29x

Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Key Specs

  • 85mm Focal Range
  • F1.4 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 77mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 725g.
  • Diameter: 86mm
  • Length: 88mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.85m
  • Max Magnification: 0.12x

What type of photography are the Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II and Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II and the Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM
Bird/WildlifeAverageAverage
SportsGoodGood
PortraitVery GoodExcellent
TravelFairFair
StreetAverageAverage
WeddingGoodVery Good
Walk AroundFairFair
VloggingFairAverage
LandscapeFairFair
MacroAveragePoor

Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM is the longer of the two lenses at 88mm. The Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II with a length of 52mm, is 36mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM also has a larger diameter of 86mm compared to the Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II's 63mm 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. Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II weighs 320g, which means it is 405g (55%) lighter than the Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM which has a weight of 725g.


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 85mm f1.8 USM Lens Canon 85mm f1.8 USM
72mm
75mm 425g 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

Lens Mounts

Both the Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II and the Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM 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.

Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II is also available in Nikon F (FX) and Pentax KAF mounts.

Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM is also available in Nikon F (FX) , Pentax KAF3, Sony Alpha and Sigma SA mounts.

Focal Range

Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 90mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 144mm.
Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM 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 a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 136mm.

Reasons to choose Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 APO-Lanthar SL II over Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM

Focal Length - Tele 90mm vs 85mm 5mm more Tele coverage
Aperture Ring Yes vs No able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Weight 320g vs 725g 405g lighter
Diameter 63mm vs 86mm 23mm smaller in diameter
Length 52mm vs 88mm 36mm shorter
Filter Thread 52mm vs 77mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.5m vs 0.85m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.29x vs 0.12x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM over Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 APO-Lanthar SL II

Focal Length - Wide 85mm vs 90mm 5mm Wider coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 1.4 vs 3.5 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.4 vs 3.5 Wider aperture at tele end
Autofocus Yes vs No Easier, faster and more accurate focusing

Common Strengths of Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 APO-Lanthar SL II and Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM
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 Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 APO-Lanthar SL II and Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM
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.

Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II vs Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Voigtlander Sigma
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 90mm 85mm
Image Stabilization No 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 F3.5 F1.4
Min Aperture F22.0 F16.0
Aperture Ring Yes No
Diaphragm Blades 9 9
Optics
Optical Elements 7 11
Optical Groups 5 8
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.5m 0.85m
Max Magnification 0.29X 0.12X
Autofocus No Yes
AF Motor Type None Ring-type ultrasonic
Full Time Manual N/A Yes
Focus Method - Internal
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Yes Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 320g 725g
Diameter 63mm 86mm
Length 52mm 88mm
Materials metal barrel, metal mount metal mount
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 52mm 77mm
Filter Notes - Does not rotate on focusing
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Tripod Collar No No
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