Carl Zeiss Tele-Tessar T* 85 mm f/4 ZM § 03 Head to head
Carl Zeiss Tele-Tessar T* 85 mm f/4 ZM vs Venus Optics LAOWA 85 mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO
Zeiss 85mm f/4 is 1 stop brighter maximum aperture. Laowa 85mm f/5.6 is 58 g lighter.
Both lenses are made for the Leica M mount: the Carl Zeiss Tele-Tessar T* 85 mm f/4 ZM is an 85mm f/4 prime, and the Venus Optics LAOWA 85 mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO is an 85mm f/5.6 prime. On paper the Venus Optics LAOWA 85 mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Carl Zeiss Tele-Tessar T* 85 mm f/4 ZM 
Venus Optics LAOWA 85 mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO 01
Key differences
Why is the Carl Zeiss Tele-Tessar T* 85 mm f/4 ZM better than the Venus Optics LAOWA 85 mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO?
- 1 stop brighter maximum aperture (f/4 vs f/5.6)
- More aperture blades (10 vs 7)
- Smaller filter thread (43 mm vs 46 mm)
Why is the Venus Optics LAOWA 85 mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO better than the Carl Zeiss Tele-Tessar T* 85 mm f/4 ZM?
- 58 g lighter (252 g vs 310 g)
- 7 mm shorter (63 mm vs 70 mm long)
- Focuses 74 cm closer (0.16 m vs 0.9 m)
- Newer design (2021 vs 2008)
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Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the Carl Zeiss Tele-Tessar T* 85 mm f/4 ZM has the edge: its f/4 aperture gathers more light than f/5.6.
- macro For macro photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA 85 mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.16 m.
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Specification
| Specification | Carl Zeiss Tele-Tessar T* 85 mm f/4 ZM | Venus Optics LAOWA 85 mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 85mm | 85mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 ◆ | f/5.6 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 310 g (10.93 oz) | 252 g ◆ |
| Dimensions | 54 x 70 mm | 78 x 63 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.9 m (35.43 inches) | 0.163 m ◆ |
| Image stabilization | — | No |
| Aperture ring | — | No |
| Aperture blades | 10 ◆ | 7 |
| Optical construction | 5 elements in 3 groups | 13 elements / 9 groups |
| Filter size | 43 mm ◆ | 46 mm |
| Lens mount | Leica M | Leica M, Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, L-Mount |
| Released | 2008 | 2021 |
| Price | — | $449 launch price |
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Size
- A · Carl
- B · Venus
- 70 × 54 mm
- 63 × 78 mm
The Carl Zeiss Tele-Tessar T* 85 mm f/4 ZM is 7 mm longer and 58 g heavier than the Venus Optics LAOWA 85 mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO.
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Sample frames
Carl Zeiss Tele-Tessar T* 85 mm f/4 ZM
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Carl Zeiss Tele-Tessar T* 85 mm f/4 ZM or the Venus Optics LAOWA 85 mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO?
- The Carl Zeiss Tele-Tessar T* 85 mm f/4 ZM opens to f/4, against f/5.6 on the Venus Optics LAOWA 85 mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO, 1 stop brighter.
- Which is lighter, the Carl Zeiss Tele-Tessar T* 85 mm f/4 ZM or the Venus Optics LAOWA 85 mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO?
- The Venus Optics LAOWA 85 mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO weighs 252 g, 58 g less than the Carl Zeiss Tele-Tessar T* 85 mm f/4 ZM (310 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Carl Zeiss Tele-Tessar T* 85 mm f/4 ZM or the Venus Optics LAOWA 85 mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO?
- The Venus Optics LAOWA 85 mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO focuses down to 0.16 m, against 0.9 m for the Carl Zeiss Tele-Tessar T* 85 mm f/4 ZM.
- Is the Carl Zeiss Tele-Tessar T* 85 mm f/4 ZM or the Venus Optics LAOWA 85 mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Carl Zeiss Tele-Tessar T* 85 mm f/4 ZM has the edge: its f/4 aperture gathers more light than f/5.6.
- Is the Carl Zeiss Tele-Tessar T* 85 mm f/4 ZM or the Venus Optics LAOWA 85 mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO better for macro photography?
- For macro photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA 85 mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.16 m.
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