Laowa Argus 45mm f/0.95 45mm
Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD
What Buyers Say
Laowa Argus 45mm f/0.95 45mm
The Laowa 45mm f/0.95 lens offers a unique rendering that appeals to photographers seeking a distinctive look rather than technical perfection. Users appreciate its special character but note significant design flaws, including a heavy feel due to the center of gravity being far from the mount and the lack of electronic communication with the camera. It is a fully manual lens with no weather sealing, and while it can be a good alternative to hard-to-find competitors, it requires compromise.
Pros
- Unique rendering
- Special character
- Good alternative to rare lenses
Cons
- Heavy feel due to center of gravity
- No electronic communication with camera
- Fully manual focus
- No weather sealing
- Design flaws
Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD
The Tamron 28-300mm super-zoom wins praise for its lightweight design, versatile focal range, and solid image quality. Users appreciate the compact build and smooth zoom mechanism, but note the slow aperture and trade-offs in sharpness compared to more expensive zooms. Verified reviewers find it an ideal travel lens that pairs well with Sony bodies.
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Versatile 28-300mm focal range
- Smooth zoom ring operation
- Compact build for travel
- Good integration with Sony bodies
Cons
- Small maximum aperture (f/4-7.1)
- Reduced sharpness vs. premium zooms
- Not an internal zoom lens
- Slow autofocus at high fps on some bodies
Scores
Specifications
| Laowa Argus 45mm f/0.95 45mm | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | prime | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 45 mm | 28 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 45 mm | 300 mm |
| Elements | 13 | 20 |
| Groups | 9 | 13 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 | 3★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 2★ |
| Coating | — | fluorine coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/16 | f/4 |
| Min Aperture | f/0.95 | 4-7.1 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 15★ | 9 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.83 kg | 0.59 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 72 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | manual focus only | VXD linear motor★ |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 500 mm | 190 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:8 | 1:3.8 |
Pros & Cons
Laowa Argus 45mm f/0.95 45mm
- Strong optical (65th percentile)
- Below average social proof (3rd percentile)3rd %ile
- Below average user sentiment (5th percentile)5th %ile
- Below average af (13th percentile)13th %ile
- Below average build (23rd percentile)
Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong versatility (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong optical (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (91st percentile)91st %ile
Verdict
Scores 100 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 7 of 21 specs.