NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S
Launch MSRP
$1,000- Weight
- 630g
- Filter
- ⌀62mm
- Min focus
- 0.29m
- Max mag.
- 1.00×
- Formula
- 16E / 11G
- Released
- 2021
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 3x ED
- 1x Aspherical
- Nano Crystal Coat
- ARNEO Coat
- Fluorine Coat
- Aperture range
- f/2.8 — f/32
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 630g
- ⌀ × length
- 85.0 × 140.0mm
- Filter
- ⌀62mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Optical
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 8.3 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.29m
- Max magnification
- 1.00× (1:1.0)
Optical character
Nikon's S-Line macro gives 1:1 magnification with internal focusing and 4.5 stops of optical VR, at a working distance that makes insects and live subjects practical. Sixteen elements with three ED and one aspherical element, plus Nano Crystal and ARNEO coatings, keep it sharp and low in fringing from close-up to infinity.
A multi-focusing system with a new stepping motor gives fast, quiet AF, and a focus limiter cuts hunting. The barrel has a small OLED panel for aperture, distance and magnification, an L-Fn button, a control ring and full weather sealing with a fluorine-coated front element. At 630g it is lighter than the F-mount AF-S 105mm Micro VR it succeeds.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers consider it one of the sharpest macro lenses available, with excellent resolution wide open at all distances, negligible distortion and very low lateral and longitudinal CA. It doubles as a sharp portrait lens with smooth background blur.
AF is quick for a macro lens and the VR helps for handheld close-ups, though like any 1:1 lens it slows near minimum focus. Noted drawbacks are strong focus breathing, the price relative to the MC 50mm and third-party options, and a hood that adds a lot of length.
Owner sentiment
Macro shooters praise the handheld hit rate thanks to VR combined with IBIS, the internal focusing that keeps the length constant, and the OLED display for checking magnification. Many say it replaced both a macro and a portrait lens in their bag.
Owners mention that the focus ring is fly-by-wire and slightly laggy for fine manual macro work, focus breathing is pronounced for video, and the limiter switch is easy to knock.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +1:1 macro with internal focusing
- +Very sharp from f/2.8, minimal CA
- +4.5-stop optical VR
- +OLED info panel shows magnification
- +Weather sealed with fluorine coat
Weaknesses
- −Strong focus breathing
- −Fly-by-wire MF can lag in fine macro work
- −Pricier than the MC 50mm or third-party macros
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 9.4
- Bokeh Rendering
- 8.6
- Autofocus Speed
- 8.3
- Flare Resistance
- 8.6
- Build / Sealing
- 9.0
- Value / Size
- 8.6
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Nikon Z (FX) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 105mm |
| Category | Macro |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/32 |
| Construction | 16 elements in 11 groups |
| Special elements | 3x ED · 1x Aspherical · Nano Crystal Coat · ARNEO Coat · Fluorine Coat |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | STM, multi-focusing |
| Minimum focus | 0.29m |
| Max magnification | 1.00× |
| Stabilisation | Optical |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 630g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 85.0 × 140.0mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀62mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2021 |
| Launch MSRP | $1,000 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- imaging.nikon.com/imaging/lineup/lens/z-mount/z_mc105mmf28_vr_s/
- nikonusa.com/press-room/z-nikk-50-105-macr0
- bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1644173-REG/nikon_nikkor_z_micro_105mm.html
- photographyblog.com/news/nikon_releases_full_frame_mirrorless_105mm_and_50mm_ma
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_Z-mount
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSNIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S vs 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO (Nikon Z)
- VSNIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S vs NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR
- VSNIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S vs NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8
- Laowa
100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO (Nikon Z)
100mmF2.8- WT
- 650g
- FLT
- ⌀67mm
- MFD
- 0.25m
- MSRP
- $499
MFRING - Nikon
NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR
28–400mmF4–8- WT
- 725g
- FLT
- ⌀77mm
- MFD
- 0.20m
- MSRP
- $1,300
AFSTABWR - Nikon
NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8
70–180mmF2.8- WT
- 795g
- FLT
- ⌀67mm
- MFD
- 0.27m
- MSRP
- $1,250
AFWR
