Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 mm f/2.8 § 03 Head to head
Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 mm f/2.8 vs Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro
Leica 100mm f/2.8 is 414 g lighter. Laowa 100mm f/2.8 has a more aperture blades.
The Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 mm f/2.8 is a 100mm f/2.8 prime, and the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro is a 100mm f/2.8 prime. On paper the Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 mm f/2.8 comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 mm f/2.8 
Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro 01
Key differences
Why is the Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 mm f/2.8 better than the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro?
- 414 g lighter (801 g vs 1215 g)
- 25 mm shorter (137 mm vs 162 mm long)
- Focuses 3 cm closer (0.29 m vs 0.32 m)
- Smaller filter thread (67 mm vs 77 mm)
- Newer design (2026 vs 2024)
Why is the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro better than the Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 mm f/2.8?
- More aperture blades (15 vs 9)
- $1,451 cheaper ($1,249 launch price vs $2,700 list price)
02
Which should you buy?
- macro For macro photography, the Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 mm f/2.8 has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.29 m.
- portrait For portrait photography, the Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 mm f/2.8 has the edge: it is 414 g lighter to carry.
03
Specification
| Specification | Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 mm f/2.8 | Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 100mm | 100mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 801 g (28.25 oz) ◆ | 1215 g |
| Dimensions | 137 x 77 mm | 162 x 85 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.29 m (11.42 inches) ◆ | 0.32 m |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Weather sealing | Yes | — |
| Aperture ring | No | — |
| Aperture blades | 9 | 15 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 17 elements / 12 groups | 13 elements / 10 groups |
| Filter size | 67 mm ◆ | 77 mm |
| Lens mount | L-Mount | Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fujifilm G, L-Mount |
| Released | 2026 | 2024 |
| Price | $2,700 list price | $1,249 launch price ◆ |
04
Size
- A · Leica
- B · Venus
- 137 × 77 mm
- 162 × 85 mm
The Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro is 25 mm longer and 414 g heavier than the Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 mm f/2.8.
05
Sample frames
Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 mm f/2.8
Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro
06
Video reviews
07
Questions
- Which is lighter, the Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 mm f/2.8 or the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro?
- The Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 mm f/2.8 weighs 801 g, 414 g less than the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro (1215 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 mm f/2.8 or the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro?
- The Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 mm f/2.8 focuses down to 0.29 m, against 0.32 m for the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro.
- Do the Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 mm f/2.8 and the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 mm f/2.8 or the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro better for macro photography?
- For macro photography, the Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 mm f/2.8 has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.29 m.
- Is the Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 mm f/2.8 or the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 mm f/2.8 has the edge: it is 414 g lighter to carry.
08
Other comparisons
- Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS vs Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro
- Panasonic Lumix S 100 mm f/2.8 Macro vs Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro
- Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S vs Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro
- Canon RF 100 mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro vs Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro