§ 03 Head to head

Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S vs Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro

Nikon 105mm f/2.8 has a longer reach. Laowa 100mm f/2.8 has a wider field of view.

The Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S is a 105mm 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 Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S comes out ahead, 6 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

01

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S better than the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro?

  • Longer reach (105mm vs 100mm)
  • 585 g lighter (630 g vs 1215 g)
  • 22 mm shorter (140 mm vs 162 mm long)
  • Focuses 3 cm closer (0.29 m vs 0.32 m)
  • Has optical image stabilization
  • Smaller filter thread (62 mm vs 77 mm)

Why is the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro better than the Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S?

  • Wider field of view (100mm vs 105mm)
  • More aperture blades (15 vs 9)
  • Newer design (2024 vs 2021)
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • portrait For portrait photography, the Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S has the edge: it is 585 g lighter to carry.
  • macro For macro photography, the Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.29 m.
03

Specification

16 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationNikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR SVenus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro
Focal length105mm 100mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8 f/2.8
Minimum aperturef/32 f/22
Lens typePrime lens Prime lens
FormatFull frame Full frame
Weight630 g ◆1215 g
Dimensions140 x 85 mm 162 x 85 mm
Minimum focusing distance0.29 m (1x magnification) ◆0.32 m
Image stabilizationYes ◆No
Aperture ringNo —
Aperture blades9 15 ◆
Optical construction16 elements / 11 groups 13 elements / 10 groups
Filter size62 mm ◆77 mm
Lens mountNikon Z Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fujifilm G, L-Mount
Released2021 2024
Price—$1,249 launch price
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · Nikon
  • B · Venus
  • 140 × 85 mm
  • 162 × 85 mm

The Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro is 22 mm longer and 585 g heavier than the Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S.

05

Sample frames

Shot on each lens

Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S

JLS_9179
JLS_9179 by jeanluc.save
JLS_9139 (1)
JLS_9139 (1) by jeanluc.save
A Glimmer That Lures
A Glimmer That Lures by cscholz80
chuugokuamigasahagoromoby_26526dorg
chuugokuamigasahagoromoby_26526dorg by takao-bw

Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro

000223
000223 by jimmymarz819
Grand fourmilion
Grand fourmilion by g.cordel
00003889
00003889 by jimmymarz819
Mélitée orangée
Mélitée orangée by g.cordel
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S review 1
Video thumbnail for Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S review 2
Video thumbnail for Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro review 1
Video thumbnail for Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro review 2
07

Questions

Which is lighter, the Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S or the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro?
The Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S weighs 630 g, 585 g less than the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro (1215 g).
Which focuses closer, the Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S or the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro?
The Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S 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 Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S and the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro have image stabilization?
Only the Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S has optical image stabilization.
Is the Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S or the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro better for portrait photography?
For portrait photography, the Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S has the edge: it is 585 g lighter to carry.
Is the Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S or the Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro better for macro photography?
For macro photography, the Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.29 m.
08

Other comparisons