§ 03 Head to head

Nikon Nikkor AF Micro 60 mm f/2.8D vs Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens

Nikon 60mm f/2.8 is 63 g lighter. Laowa 60mm f/2.8 is 5 mm shorter.

The Nikon Nikkor AF Micro 60 mm f/2.8D is a 60mm f/2.8 prime, and the Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens is a 60mm f/2.8 prime. On paper the Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens comes out ahead, 3 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

01

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Nikon Nikkor AF Micro 60 mm f/2.8D better than the Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens?

  • 63 g lighter (440 g vs 503 g)
  • Covers a larger sensor format (full-frame vs APS-C)

Why is the Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens better than the Nikon Nikkor AF Micro 60 mm f/2.8D?

  • 5 mm shorter (70 mm vs 74.5 mm long)
  • Focuses 4 cm closer (0.18 m vs 0.22 m)
  • More aperture blades (14 vs 7)
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • portrait For portrait photography, the Nikon Nikkor AF Micro 60 mm f/2.8D has the edge: it is 63 g lighter to carry.
  • macro For macro photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.18 m.
03

Specification

13 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationNikon Nikkor AF Micro 60 mm f/2.8DVenus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens
Focal length60mm 60mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8 f/2.8
Minimum aperturef/32 f/22
Lens typePrime lens Prime lens
FormatFull frame APS-C
Weight440 g (15.52 oz) ◆503 g (17.74 oz)
Dimensions70 x 74.5 mm 95 x 70 mm
Minimum focusing distance0.219 m (8.62 inches) 0.18 m (7.09 inches) ◆
Aperture ring—Yes
Aperture blades7 14 ◆
Optical construction8 elements in 7 groups 9 elements / 7 groups
Filter size62 mm 62 mm
Lens mountNikon F Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, Pentax K, Sony E
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · Nikon
  • B · Venus
  • 74.5 × 70 mm
  • 70 × 95 mm

The Nikon Nikkor AF Micro 60 mm f/2.8D is 5 mm longer and 63 g lighter than the Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens.

05

Sample frames

Shot on each lens

Nikon Nikkor AF Micro 60 mm f/2.8D

School
School by bellemarematt
Garden Eels
Garden Eels by bellemarematt
Maske2
Maske2 by juergen_gryska
Maske 1
Maske 1 by juergen_gryska

Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens

My personal paradise! (Various spp.)
My personal paradise! (Various spp.) by StringbeanWill
Star of the show! (Danaus plexippus)
Star of the show! (Danaus plexippus) by StringbeanWill
A beautiful butterfly backside! (Burnsius communis)
A beautiful butterfly backside! (Burnsius communis) by StringbeanWill
A grizzled veteran. (Dione vanillae)
A grizzled veteran. (Dione vanillae) by StringbeanWill
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Nikon Nikkor AF Micro 60 mm f/2.8D review 1
Video thumbnail for Nikon Nikkor AF Micro 60 mm f/2.8D review 2
Video thumbnail for Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens review 1
Video thumbnail for Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens review 2
07

Questions

Which is lighter, the Nikon Nikkor AF Micro 60 mm f/2.8D or the Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens?
The Nikon Nikkor AF Micro 60 mm f/2.8D weighs 440 g, 63 g less than the Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens (503 g).
Which focuses closer, the Nikon Nikkor AF Micro 60 mm f/2.8D or the Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens?
The Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens focuses down to 0.18 m, against 0.22 m for the Nikon Nikkor AF Micro 60 mm f/2.8D.
Is the Nikon Nikkor AF Micro 60 mm f/2.8D or the Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens better for portrait photography?
For portrait photography, the Nikon Nikkor AF Micro 60 mm f/2.8D has the edge: it is 63 g lighter to carry.
Is the Nikon Nikkor AF Micro 60 mm f/2.8D or the Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens better for macro photography?
For macro photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA 60 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro Lens has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.18 m.
08

Other comparisons