§ 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
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?
- 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
| Specification | Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S | Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 105mm | 100mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/32 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 630 g ◆ | 1215 g |
| Dimensions | 140 x 85 mm | 162 x 85 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.29 m (1x magnification) ◆ | 0.32 m |
| Image stabilization | Yes ◆ | No |
| Aperture ring | No | — |
| Aperture blades | 9 | 15 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 16 elements / 11 groups | 13 elements / 10 groups |
| Filter size | 62 mm ◆ | 77 mm |
| Lens mount | Nikon Z | Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fujifilm G, L-Mount |
| Released | 2021 | 2024 |
| Price | — | $1,249 launch price |
04
Size
- 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
Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S
Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro
06
Video reviews
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
- 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
- Canon RF 100 mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro vs Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro
- Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-SL 100 mm f/2.8 vs Venus Optics LAOWA 100 mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift 1x Macro



