Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro Lens Assessment

As photographers, we are sometimes on the lookout for that subsequent spark of creativity.

Whereas buying new gear is usually frowned upon to realize this endeavor, a macro lens presents up an entire new world.

I exploit macro lenses at weddings for rings and different close-up particulars, however whereas reviewing the Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro lens I shot every thing from previous cash to classic digicam particulars.

Identical to that, my artistic juices started to stream as I might see a complete world of close-up images accessible to me.

I’ve not even scratched the floor of what one can do with a devoted macro lens to shoot macro topics.

Macro lenses are available in varied focal lengths, and 105mm is the typical focal size for these specialty lenses and one of the standard. 

Let’s see if this Nikon Z mirrorless digicam lens is best for you.

Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro Lens Specs

Focal Size: 105mm
Most Aperture: f/2.8
Minimal Aperture: f/32
Lens Building: 16 parts in 11 teams
Angle of View: 23°20′
Minimal Focus Distance: 0.29m (0.96ft)
Most Magnification Ratio: 1x
Filter Dimension: 62mm
Picture Stabilization: Sure (VR – Vibration Discount)
Autofocus: Sure
Dimensions (Diameter x Size): Approx. 83mm x 140mm (3.3 in. x 5.5 in.)
Weight: Approx. 630g (1 lb 6.2 oz)

Construct & Ergonomics

The Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro Lens could be very nicely constructed and is climate sealed for these out of doors photograph alternatives.

What shocked me is how light-weight this lens is, particularly for an autofocus lens on this focal size.

The lens comes with a lens hood that locks solidly into place, though it does add size to the lens, which can hinder all-important mild wanted for macro images.

An autofocus limiter swap is on the facet, together with the entire trendy Nikon options, resembling a lens perform button, management ring, and digital show.

Personally, I disable all of those options as I’m typically bumping into issues and taking pictures in a fast-paced setting.

Nevertheless, for severe macro shooters, programming ISO onto the management ring or seeing the focal aircraft distance displayed could be very useful.

Focus Efficiency

I discover the Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro Lens to focus about as quick as most macro lenses, which means a tad slower than, say, the portrait lens equal such because the Nikon 105mm f/1.4 E lens.

This isn’t shocking, and it will not hinder my choice in shopping for this lens.

Throughout macro work, utilizing the main focus limiter swap helps out the velocity fairly a bit. Nikon additionally has an ideal handbook focus override function that may be coupled with focus peaking for crucial focus. 

In good mild, you’ll not discover any slowdown, however in low-light circumstances, you will notice an ever-so-slight slowdown in focus velocity.

The accuracy of the autofocus is ideal in my findings.

Picture High quality

I needed to make use of the lens as I’d at a marriage, which means handheld in all conditions. Regardless of my shakiness, the photographs are extremely sharp.

If one took their time with the digicam and lens on a tripod, the outcomes would most likely be even higher.

Have little question that is the sharpest macro lens I’ve ever used, and I’ve used fairly just a few in varied methods.

I didn’t see any chromatic aberration, so you can be saving your self a ton of time in post-production through the use of a high-quality lens resembling this one. 

One factor to bear in mind, though this focal size is ideal for portraits, you can be getting the identical sharp outcomes. Relying in your topic, this can be a nasty factor in the case of displaying flaws within the pores and skin.

I bumped into one other photographer who occurs to have superb pores and skin and put the Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro Lens into double responsibility as a portrait lens with nice outcomes.

Whereas the out-of-focus areas aren’t as unimaginable as a devoted portrait lens, they’re beautiful nonetheless. 

Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro Lens Pattern Photographs

Listed below are some pattern photographs taken with the Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro Lens utilizing a Nikon Z9.

Nikon Z9 + Nikon 105mm f/2.8 | 1/200 / f/11 ISO 640

Nikon Z9 + Nikon 105mm f/2.8 | 1/200 / f/11 ISO 800

Nikon Z9 + Nikon 105mm f/2.8 | 1/200 / f/11 ISO 640

Nikon Z9 + Nikon 105mm f/2.8 | 1/200 / f/2.8 ISO 200

Nikon Z9 + Nikon 105mm f/2.8 | 1/400 / f/11 ISO 100

Nikon Z9 + Nikon 105mm f/2.8 | 1/320/ f/11 ISO 640

Nikon Z9 + Nikon 105mm f/2.8 | 1/320/ f/11 ISO 800

Nikon Z9 + Nikon 105mm f/2.8 | 1/200 / f/11 ISO 640

Nikon Z9 + Nikon 105mm f/2.8 | 1/2800 / f/11 ISO 200

Nikon Z9 + Nikon 105mm f/2.8 | 1/200 / f/11 ISO 640

How I Examined the Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro Lens

I used the Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro Lens completely with a Nikon Z9 digicam physique. This gave me twin IS from the lens in addition to the digicam’s IBIS. 

All photographs have been shot handheld to simulate how I would use the lens in my occupation as a marriage and occasion photographer.

I focused on utilizing the lens as it’s supposed, a close-up macro optic. Nevertheless, I did handle just a few portraits as I actually just like the 105mm focal size for this.

I acquired a really feel for the lens by spending a day with it in downtown Chicago earlier than I took it into my dwelling for some makeshift product images.

It actually opened me as much as pursue the world of close-up images much more than I’ve.

Options

Nikon launched a wider macro lens together with this one, the Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 Macro Lens which I not too long ago reviewed.

It can save you cash by getting that lens and taking pictures with a wider perspective or going into crop mode in your digicam physique for an extended focal size, albeit a lower-resolution picture.

These are the one native devoted macro lenses for Nikon Z mirrorless system.

One other different can be the older Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens.

Nevertheless, this could require you to mount with an adapter and likewise inherit that expense, so I’d suggest staying with this Z-mount model.

Guide focus is usually a most well-liked selection for macro photographers, so do contemplate the Voigtlander MACRO APO-LANTHAR 65mm f/2 Aspherical for Nikon Z.

At this writing, there aren’t any different telephoto macro lenses for the Nikon Z system. 

You’ll have to decide what your macro distances are in your chosen topics and decide the right macro lens choice.

The shut focusing distances of the opposite choices are totally different and will definitely have an effect on your selection.

Worth for Cash

At round $1000, the Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro Lens is priced very moderately for top-of-the-line macro lenses ever made.

The truth that this will double as a portrait lens makes it a good higher worth.

A 3rd-party handbook focus lens will give you appreciable financial savings. Nevertheless, except close-up images is of restricted curiosity to you, then this flagship macro lens from Nikon is the way in which to go.

The VR picture stabilization is value it to somebody like me who does most of their work handheld. 

FAQ’s

Can this lens be used on a Nikon F-Mount DSLR?

No, this lens is strictly for Z-Mount. 

Can this lens be used on crop sensor our bodies such because the Nikon Z 50?

Sure, however on account of crop issue the focal size equal might be 157.5mm. 

Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro Lens Assessment | Conclusion

The Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro Lens really is the very best macro lens I’ve ever used.

I haven’t run into any duds from Nikon lenses since they started releasing lenses for his or her mirrorless Z mount, however this one is a lower above.

It’s priced inside attain of fanatic photographers who wish to seize nature of their dwelling gardens. For professionals who depend on a close-up lens for his or her residing, this product is a no brainer.

I do consider I might be getting one shortly and retiring my previous handbook focus macro lens that I exploit at weddings. 

This macro lens would even be the proper companion for the Nikon ES-2 Movie Digitizing Adapter Set for digitizing your analog photographs.

Should you love this focal size for portraits, this lens will even serve that function, or you possibly can mount by way of the FTZ adapter the a lot quicker Nikon 105mm f/1.4 E lens.