Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount) vs Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount)
The bottom line
These cover different focal lengths — the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount) is 17.5mm, the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) is 35mm — so they're not really substitutes. Pick by the field of view you actually need: the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount) for wide-angle, the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) for short-telephoto / portrait.
Choose the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount) if…
- ✓You shoot wide — it starts at 17.5mm vs 35mm for landscapes, interiors and architecture.
- ✓You shoot close-ups — 10x magnification gets you true macro the other can't.
Choose the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) if…
- ✓You want more light and background blur — f/1.4 is faster than f/1.7, better for low light and subject separation.
- ✓You need more reach — it goes to 35mm vs 17.5mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport.
- ✓You work outdoors — it's weather-sealed against dust and moisture; the other isn't.
Where they differ
- ›Aperture: the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) opens to f/1.4 vs the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount)'s f/1.7 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.
- ›Focal range: Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount) is 17.5mm, Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) is 35mm — different framing and reach.
- ›Close-up: the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount) reaches 10x magnification vs 0.19x — more for close-up and macro work.
- ›Durability: the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) is weather-sealed; the other isn't.
Frequently asked
Is the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount) or the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) better?
These cover different focal lengths — the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount) is 17.5mm, the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) is 35mm — so they're not really substitutes. Pick by the field of view you actually need: the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount) for wide-angle, the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) for short-telephoto / portrait.
Who should choose the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount)?
Choose the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount) if you shoot wide — it starts at 17.5mm vs 35mm for landscapes, interiors and architecture. Choose it if you shoot close-ups — 10x magnification gets you true macro the other can't.
Who should choose the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount)?
Choose the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) if you want more light and background blur — f/1.4 is faster than f/1.7, better for low light and subject separation. Choose it if you need more reach — it goes to 35mm vs 17.5mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport. Choose it if you work outdoors — it's weather-sealed against dust and moisture; the other isn't.
What is the main difference between the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount) and the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount)?
Aperture: the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art (L-mount) opens to f/1.4 vs the Laowa Aksen 17.5mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (L-Mount)'s f/1.7 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Optical Design | ||
| Focal Length | 17.5mm | 35mm |
| Lens Type | Prime | Prime |
| Optical Elements | 17 | 15 |
| Optical Groups | 12 | 11 |
| Aperture & Iris | ||
| Maximum Aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.4 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/5.6 | f/16 |
| Aperture Blades | 11 | 11 |
| Rounded Aperture | No | Yes |
| Coverage & Angle | ||
| Format Coverage | Full-Frame | Full-Frame |
| Lens Mount | L-Mount | L-Mount |
| Angle of View | − | 63° |
| 35mm Equivalent | − | − |
| Focus | ||
| Autofocus | No | Yes |
| Focus Motor | − | HLA |
| Focus Limiter | No | No |
| AF/MF Switch | No | Yes |
| Min Focus Distance | − | 27 cm |
| Max Magnification | 10x | 0.19x |
| Stabilization & Video | ||
| Optical Stabilization | No | No |
| Aperture Ring | Yes | Yes |
| Declickable Aperture | No | Yes |
| Parfocal | Yes | No |
| Internal Zoom | No | No |
| General | ||
| Price (MSRP) | $749 | $799 |
| Filter Size | 42mm | 67mm |
| Diameter | 70.2mm | 75.9mm |
| Length | 127.5mm | 115.9mm |
| Weight | 570g (1.26 lb) | 645g (1.42 lb) |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | No | No |
