§ 03 Head to head

Canon EF 100 mm f/2.0 USM vs Venus Optics LAOWA STF 105 mm f/2 (T3.2)

Canon 100mm f/2 has a wider field of view. Laowa 105mm f/2 has a longer reach.

Both lenses are made for the Canon EF mount: the Canon EF 100 mm f/2.0 USM is a 100mm f/2 prime, and the Venus Optics LAOWA STF 105 mm f/2 (T3.2) is a 105mm f/2 prime. On paper the Venus Optics LAOWA STF 105 mm f/2 (T3.2) comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

01

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Canon EF 100 mm f/2.0 USM better than the Venus Optics LAOWA STF 105 mm f/2 (T3.2)?

  • Wider field of view (100mm vs 105mm)
  • 285 g lighter (460 g vs 745 g)
  • Smaller filter thread (58 mm vs 67 mm)

Why is the Venus Optics LAOWA STF 105 mm f/2 (T3.2) better than the Canon EF 100 mm f/2.0 USM?

  • Longer reach (105mm vs 100mm)
  • Has a physical aperture ring
  • More aperture blades (14 vs 8)
  • Newer design (2016 vs 1991)
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • portrait For portrait photography, the Canon EF 100 mm f/2.0 USM has the edge: it is 285 g lighter to carry.
03

Specification

16 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationCanon EF 100 mm f/2.0 USMVenus Optics LAOWA STF 105 mm f/2 (T3.2)
Focal length100mm 105mm
Maximum aperturef/2 f/2
Minimum aperturef/22 f/22
Lens typePrime lens Prime lens
FormatFull frame Full frame
Weight460 g (16.23 oz) ◆745 g (26.28 oz)
Dimensions75 x 73.5 mm 98.9 x 76 mm
Minimum focusing distance0.9 m (35.43 inches) 0.9 m (35.43 inches)
Image stabilizationNo No
Aperture ringNo Yes
Aperture blades8 14 ◆
Optical construction8 elements / 6 groups 11 elements / 8 groups
Filter size58 mm ◆67 mm
Lens mountCanon EF Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, Pentax K, Sony E
Released1991 2016
Price—$699 launch price
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · Canon
  • B · Venus
  • 73.5 × 75 mm
  • 76 × 98.9 mm

The Venus Optics LAOWA STF 105 mm f/2 (T3.2) is 2 mm longer and 285 g heavier than the Canon EF 100 mm f/2.0 USM.

05

Sample frames

Shot on each lens

Canon EF 100 mm f/2.0 USM

Sweet Grace
Sweet Grace by todd ar
The lucky fish
The lucky fish by Eddy Sawaya
Embraced by the trees
Embraced by the trees by Eddy Sawaya
Vestiges from the Ottoman Empire
Vestiges from the Ottoman Empire by Eddy Sawaya

Venus Optics LAOWA STF 105 mm f/2 (T3.2)

asd-_ASD2930
asd-_ASD2930 by bdrc
asd-_ASD2927
asd-_ASD2927 by bdrc
asd-_ASD2916 edited
asd-_ASD2916 edited by bdrc
200 Series i1 Laowa 105mm STF F2 T8
200 Series i1 Laowa 105mm STF F2 T8 by LMNO Sunset Deluxe
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Canon EF 100 mm f/2.0 USM review 1
Video thumbnail for Canon EF 100 mm f/2.0 USM review 2
Video thumbnail for Venus Optics LAOWA STF 105 mm f/2 (T3.2) review 1
Video thumbnail for Venus Optics LAOWA STF 105 mm f/2 (T3.2) review 2
07

Questions

Which is lighter, the Canon EF 100 mm f/2.0 USM or the Venus Optics LAOWA STF 105 mm f/2 (T3.2)?
The Canon EF 100 mm f/2.0 USM weighs 460 g, 285 g less than the Venus Optics LAOWA STF 105 mm f/2 (T3.2) (745 g).
Do the Canon EF 100 mm f/2.0 USM and the Venus Optics LAOWA STF 105 mm f/2 (T3.2) have image stabilization?
No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
Is the Canon EF 100 mm f/2.0 USM or the Venus Optics LAOWA STF 105 mm f/2 (T3.2) better for portrait photography?
For portrait photography, the Canon EF 100 mm f/2.0 USM has the edge: it is 285 g lighter to carry.
08

Other comparisons