§ 03 Head to head

Canon TS-E 45 mm f/2.8 vs Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO

Canon 45mm f/2.8 is 31 mm shorter. Laowa 45mm f/2.8 is 46 g lighter.

Both lenses are made for the Canon EF mount: the Canon TS-E 45 mm f/2.8 is a 45mm f/2.8 prime, and the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO is a 45mm f/2.8 prime. On paper the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 1, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

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01

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Canon TS-E 45 mm f/2.8 better than the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO?

  • 31 mm shorter (90.1 mm vs 121 mm long)

Why is the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO better than the Canon TS-E 45 mm f/2.8?

  • 46 g lighter (599 g vs 645 g)
  • Focuses 36 cm closer (0.04 m vs 0.4 m)
  • Has a physical aperture ring
  • More aperture blades (11 vs 8)
  • Newer design (2026 vs 1991)
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • street For street photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO has the edge: it is 46 g lighter to carry.
  • architecture For architecture, the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO has the edge: it is 46 g lighter to carry.
  • macro For macro photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.04 m.
03

Specification

16 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationCanon TS-E 45 mm f/2.8Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO
Focal length45mm 45mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8 f/2.8
Minimum aperturef/22 f/11
Lens typePrime lens Prime lens
FormatFull frame Full frame
Weight645 g (22.75 oz) 599 g (21.13 oz) ◆
Dimensions81 x 90.1 mm 121 x 70.2 mm
Minimum focusing distance0.4 m (15.75 inches) 0.04 m (1.57 inches) ◆
Image stabilization—No
Aperture ringNo Yes
Aperture blades8 11 ◆
Optical construction10 elements in 9 groups 13 elements / 9 groups
Filter size72 mm —
Lens mountCanon EF Canon EF, Nikon F, Micro Four Thirds, Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fujifilm X, L-Mount
Released1991 2026
Price—$749 launch price
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · Canon
  • B · Venus
  • 90.1 × 81 mm
  • 121 × 70.2 mm

The Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO is 31 mm longer and 46 g lighter than the Canon TS-E 45 mm f/2.8.

05

Sample frames

Shot on each lens

Canon TS-E 45 mm f/2.8

20220829-071057
20220829-071057 by AlexM.
20220828-172913
20220828-172913 by AlexM.
20220828-165659
20220828-165659 by AlexM.
20200910-163011
20200910-163011 by AlexM.
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Canon TS-E 45 mm f/2.8 review 1
Video thumbnail for Canon TS-E 45 mm f/2.8 review 2
Video thumbnail for Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO review 1
Video thumbnail for Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO review 2
07

Questions

Which is lighter, the Canon TS-E 45 mm f/2.8 or the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO?
The Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO weighs 599 g, 46 g less than the Canon TS-E 45 mm f/2.8 (645 g).
Which focuses closer, the Canon TS-E 45 mm f/2.8 or the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO?
The Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO focuses down to 0.04 m, against 0.4 m for the Canon TS-E 45 mm f/2.8.
Is the Canon TS-E 45 mm f/2.8 or the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO better for street photography?
For street photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO has the edge: it is 46 g lighter to carry.
Is the Canon TS-E 45 mm f/2.8 or the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO better for architecture?
For architecture, the Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APO has the edge: it is 46 g lighter to carry.
08

Other comparisons