Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm F2.8 VR S Macro Lens (2021)

MSRP 1000 USD86% Neofiliac80% External
Keywords: full-framelensmacro-lensmirrorlessnikkornikonprime-lensz-mount

Product Gallery

Photo 0of Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm F2.8 VR S Macro Lens (2021)Photo 1of Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm F2.8 VR S Macro Lens (2021)Photo 2of Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm F2.8 VR S Macro Lens (2021)Photo 3of Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm F2.8 VR S Macro Lens (2021)

Product Overview

Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S is a mid-telephoto macro lens with autofocus and optical image stabilization. While its f/2.8 maximum aperture is moderate, this lens is able to stop down to f/32, which is more important for macro photography.
Part of the new S-Line of Z-mount lenses, the MC 105mm f/2.8 is optimized for mirrorless cameras. It is able to deliver true 1:1 magnification that allows the photographer to capture details invisible to the naked eye. Nikon also boasts high image quality across the frame.
At the same time, the new NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S is also well positioned as a portrait lens. This is partly thanks to the lens' focal length and partly attributable to its smooth out-of-focus rendering and good flare resistance.
Naturally, this lens comes with a focus limiter as well as an AF-MF switch. Its large focus ring makes manual focus / adjustment more instinctive.
Like other professional Z-mount lenses, the 105mm f/2.8 S features a customizable control ring, shortcut button, and a small Display panel.
This lens is unveiled alongside another macro lens, the MC 50mm f/2.8.

Ratings

What we found**

Neofiliac score 86% (not directly comparable across industries)
Pros
  • Optically stabilized
  • High maximum magnification
  • Weather-sealed
  • Comes with physical aperture ring
Cons
  • Long barrel
  • Z lens control ring is frustrating for video

What external reviewers found***

External score 80% (not directly comparable across industries)
Pros
  • Fantastic OLED display
  • Excellent sharpness
  • Excellent focus stabilization
  • Excellent image stabilization
  • Full weather sealing and fluorine coating
  • Compact design
Cons
  • Does not reach 1:1 magnification
  • No teleconverters
  • Control ring is very sensitive
  • No focus limiter
Read More

Price Comparison

Specifications

Construction

Aperture Blades
9 blades
Colors
Black
Form Factor
Short Telephoto Prime Lens
Image Size
Full-Frame
Lens Barrel
Physical aperture ring, Focus limiter, Distance scale, DoF scale
Lens Mount
Nikon Z-mount
Motor
Stepper motor
Optical Formula | Elements
16 elements
Optical Formula | Groups
11 groups
Optical Formula | Special Glass
1 aspherical + 3 ED elements, ARNEO + Nano Crystal coatings groups

Dimensions

Filter Diameter
62 mm / 2.44 in
Size | Diameter
85 mm / 3.35 in
Size | Length
140 mm / 5.51 in
Weight
630 g / 22.26 oz

Function

Angle Of View
23.3° Diagonal | 19.5° Horizontal | 13.0° Vertical
Aperture
f/2.8 ~ f/32
Autofocus
Yes
Focal Length
105 mm
Focus Type
Internal
Image Stabilization
Yes (4.5 stops)
Weather Resistance
Yes

Performance

Max Magnification
1x
Min Focus Distance
290 mm / 11.42 in

Production

Debut
2021-06-02

Related Products

Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 50mm F2.8 Macro Lens (2021)

Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 50mm F2.8 Macro Lens (2021)

78% Neofiliac77% External
Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 is a standard macro lens with autofocus. Unlike the MC 105mm f/2.8 unveiled at the same time, this lens can only stop down to a moderate f/22 aperture, though it retains the 1:1 maximum magnification. As usual with 50mm mac...
Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO Full-Frame Lens (2018)

Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO Full-Frame Lens (2018)

59% Neofiliac
Laowa 100mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO is a manual-focus short telephoto prime lens for Canon EF-mount, Canon RF-mount, Leica L-mount, Nikon F-mount, Nikon Z-mount, Pentax K-mount, and Sony E-mount. It covers the full-frame image circle. Introduced by Lao...
Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro Full-Frame Lens (2018)

Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro Full-Frame Lens (2018)

31% Neofiliac83% External
Laowa 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro is a manual-focus wide-angle macro lens for Canon EF-mount, Canon RF-mount, Leica L-mount, Nikon F-mount, Nikon Z-mount, Pentax K-mount, and Sony E-mount. It offers one of the highest reproduction ratio for full-frame...
Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm F2 Full-Frame Lens

Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm F2 Full-Frame Lens

93% Neofiliac82% External
Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 is a compact prime lens for full-frame Z-mount mirrorless cameras. It uses a simple optical design with 6 elements in 4 groups and is marketed primarily for its compactness and light-weight nature. While the optical design of 6 ...
Nikon NIKKOR Z 28mm F2.8 Lens (2021)

Nikon NIKKOR Z 28mm F2.8 Lens (2021)

60% Neofiliac81% External
Nikon NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 is an affordable wide-angle full-frame prime lens designed for the Z-mount mirrorless system. Coming in a lightweight and compact package, this lens targets enthusiasts and is ideal for general photography. While the first len...
Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm F1.8 S Full-Frame Lens (2018)

Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm F1.8 S Full-Frame Lens (2018)

78% Neofiliac81% External
Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm F1.8 S is a normal prime lens for Nikon Z-mount. It covers the full-frame image circle. Introduced by Nikon in 2018, it has 12 elements in 9 groups. For incremental weathers, Nikon is kind enough to include weather sealing. A normal...
Nikon Nikkor Z 35mm F1.8 S Full-Frame Lens (2018)

Nikon Nikkor Z 35mm F1.8 S Full-Frame Lens (2018)

78% Neofiliac80% External
Nikon Nikkor Z 35mm F1.8 S is a wide-angle prime lens for Nikon Z-mount. It covers the full-frame image circle. Introduced by Nikon in 2018, it has 11 elements in 9 groups. For incremental weathers, Nikon is kind enough to include weather sealing. The ...
Nikon Nikkor Z 400mm F2.8 TC VR S Full-Frame Lens (2022)

Nikon Nikkor Z 400mm F2.8 TC VR S Full-Frame Lens (2022)

60% Neofiliac
Nikon Nikkor Z 400mm F2.8 TC VR S is a professional super telephoto prime lens for Nikon Z-mount. It covers the full-frame image circle. Introduced by Nikon in 2022, it has 25 elements in 19 groups. For incremental weathers, Nikon is kind enough to inc...
Nikon Nikkor Z 400mm F4.5 VR S Full-Frame Lens (2022)

Nikon Nikkor Z 400mm F4.5 VR S Full-Frame Lens (2022)

66% Neofiliac
Nikon Nikkor Z 400mm F4.5 VR S is a super telephoto prime lens for Nikon Z-mount. It covers the full-frame image circle. Introduced by Nikon in 2022, it has 19 elements in 13 groups. Compared to the Nikkor Z 400mm F2.8 TC VR S, this 400mm F4.5 is more ...
Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm F2.8 S Full-Frame Lens (2019)

Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm F2.8 S Full-Frame Lens (2019)

60% Neofiliac85% External
The NIKKOR Z 24-70mm F/2.8 S is the first in Nikon's trinity professional f/2.8 zoom lens lineup for the newly-introduced Z-mount mirrorless interchangeable lens camera system. Thanks for decreased flange distance and enlarged throat diameter, Niko...
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-50mm F4-6.3 Lens

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-50mm F4-6.3 Lens

50% Neofiliac76% External
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 is the smallest FX-format (full-frame) lens in the company's Z MILC lens lineup. Optically designed to take advantage of the advancements of the wide Z mount, this lens delivers sharpness across the entire frame and a...
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm F4 S Full-Frame Lens (2021)

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm F4 S Full-Frame Lens (2021)

60% Neofiliac85% External
Nikon NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4 S is the mirrorless version of the company's popular 24-120mm f/4 lens (that had frequently been sold as part of a kit). Its main selling point is the 5x zoom range, which extends beyond the more common 24-105mm range foun...
Launch Comparison
Clear List

3rd-Party Review Videos

External Reviews

cameralabs[1]

Reviewer score 77%
Reviewers from cameralabs have found the following***:
The Nikon Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S offers a lot of useful features including optical image stabilization, full weather sealing and fluorine-coating. With autofocus it can use the focus bracketing feature of Nikon Z bodies and take a great deal of hassle out of focus stacking. My biggest disappointment with the lens is that it does not reach beyond 1:1 magnification – not even allowing the use of teleconverters.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Excellent image stabilization
  • Full weather sealing and fluorine coating
  • Fantastic OLED display
Cons
  • Does not reach 1:1 magnification
  • No teleconverters

pcmag[2]

Reviewer score 77%
Reviewers from pcmag have found the following***:
The Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105mm F2.8 VR S is a macro without any notable optical flaws. Autofocus isn't lightning-quick, but macro work is typically more deliberate. The stabilization makes handheld use at 1:1 practical and is good for longer exposures.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Stabilizes at 1:1 magnification
  • Excellent focus stabilization
  • Compact design
Cons
  • Control ring is very sensitive

techradar[3]

Reviewer score 87%
Reviewers from techradar have found the following***:
The Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S is a fantastic lens for macro photography. It uses an internal focusing system, which means that the front element does not move when it's focusing. With in-built vibration reduction, this is a lens that you can use in low-light situations. Sharpness remains excellent throughout the range of the lens.
Find the original article here.
Pros
  • Excellent sharpness
  • Sharpness at f/2.8 aperture
  • In-built vibration reduction (VR)
Cons
  • No focus limiter

User Reviews

Comments

Please login before adding comments.

References

  1. ^ Nikon Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S review. [cameralabs]. https://www.cameralabs.com/nikon-z-mc-105mm-f2-8-vr-s-review/. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
  2. ^ Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105mm F2.8 VR S Review. [pcmag]. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/nikon-nikkor-z-mc-105mm-f28-vr-s. 2021-10-05. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
  3. ^ Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S review. [techradar]. https://www.techradar.com/reviews/nikon-nikkor-z-mc-105mm-f28-vr-s. 2021-08-03. Retrieved 2021-08-06.

The MSRP provided on this page may not apply to all regions equally. For the current price, please refer to the Price Comparison section.

This page contains affiliate links to third-party merchants such as Amazon, eBay, and Rakuten. When you make a purchase using the supplied links, we will receive a commission.

Scores are not directly comparable across industries.

These key takeaways ("pros" and "cons") and summaries are identified from third-party reviews. They may differ from the original texts.

<

>

x