Nikon Z macro day

Nikkor MC 105mm f2.8 S and MC 50mm f2.8

Nikon announced two new macro lenses for the Z system in June, the 105mm f2.8 VR S and the 50mm f2.8 MC. Both are capable of 1:1 magnification. Both have been reviewed recently and the consensus is that both are a noticeable improvement in terms of sharpness and overall IQ over the AF-S VR Micro Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED and the AF-S Micro Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED. This is no surprise really as those two lenses are from 2006 and 2008 respectively. Prices at launch are US$999 and US$650, which is rather reasonable considering the US$830 and US$550 launch prices of their AF-S counterparts more than a decade ago. But let’s take a quick look at the two new lenses.

Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S

Probably the more popular of the two lenses the new 105mm micro allows for a 1:1 magnification at 29cm – which results in a working distance of about 13cm from the front of the lens. This will make it popular with all those who shoot small, moving critters, as the longer working distance will scare them away less. In terms of size it has gotten somewhat larger but a bit over 100g lighter at the same time. However, one of the most important aspects of this new micro lens is a much faster AF speed compared to the old one. This allows much better use of the lens for other purposes such as portraits for example. This alone makes the new 105mm a much better proposition then the old AF-S, along with the considerable improvements in terms of image quality, of course.

Nikkor Z MC 50mm f/2.8

The much smaller 50mm micro has the same 1:1 magnification at 16cm minimum focusing distance. This translates into a working distance of just under 6cm from the front of the lens. Therefor this lens is better suited to the little things which don’t try to run away, such as images of small detail or food. It doubles as an 50mm prime with quick AF performance and can be used with Nikon’s ES2 slide/negative copying adapter (the Z 105mm can’t). additionally the MC 50mm is Nikon’s most compact standard prime lens yet, smaller and lighter than both, the Z 50mm f1.8 S and the AF-S 60mm f/2.8G ED . This small size was achieved by a construction where the lens extends when being used in the macro range. Being just 6.6cm long and coming in at a mere 260g, as opposed to the 425g of the older Af-S version, is the real appeal of this lens, along with its versatility of doubling as a macro and standard prime lens. Despite not being an S series lens construction did not suffer, the lens is fully weather sealed, as is the 105mm as seen in the images below.

To buy or not to buy

Between the two lenses the two lenses the Nikkor Z MC 50mm f/2.8 is my real star of this launch. Not being a dedicated macro shooter but focusing on a compact yet versatile setup it sits perfectly in the gap between the Nikkor Z 14-30mm f4 S and the AF-P 70-300mm f4.5-5.6E (on the FTZ adapter). The Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S remains an attractive option because of its 1:1 magnification and fast AF speed, combined with a reasonable price. It is the obvious choice for the dedicated macro shooter, which I’m not. However, it’s so enticing at that price that I might well add it to my setup later on for dedicated macro outings – just because I can and it’s such a great lens in the Z line.