Nikon has announced a pair of macro lenses for its full-frame Z-series mirrorless cameras. The Nikkor Z MC 50mm f/2.8 is a relatively compact and affordable option that can double-up as an everyday standard lens, while the Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S is a higher-end option that includes optical stabilisation, and should also be suitable for portrait photography.
The Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S will cost £999
Looking first at the 105mm f/2.8 macro, this provides 1:1 magnification at its minimum focus distance of 29cm. It boasts a 9-bladed aperture for attractive bokeh, and employs 62mm filters. Nikon is promising superb sharpness across the full focus distance range along with minimal colour fringing. The manual focus ring features customisable control with an adjustable focus throw and reversible focusing direction, and focus breathing is said to be practically eliminated. There’s a focus limiter switch on the side of the lens, an OLED panel on top, and a control dial for adjusting exposure settings. The barrel features weather-sealed construction, with a fluorine coating on the front element to repel water and grease.
The smaller, simpler Nikkor Z MC 50mm f/2.8 is set to go on sale for £649
Turning our attention to the 50mm f/2.8 macro, this again offers life-size reproduction, with a focus distance of just 16cm. It also boasts a 9-bladed aperture and a focus limiter switch. It’s not weather-sealed, but has a fluorine coating on the front element.
The Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S on the Z7 II body
The Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S and Nikkor Z MC 50mm f/2.8 will go on sale on 24th June for £999 and £649 respectively.
Two compact primes incoming
Alongside the new macro lenses, Nikon has also confirmed that it’s developing a pair of small primes that are due for release later this year. The Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 and Nikkor Z 40mm f/2 are described as compact and lightweight primes that are designed for full-frame cameras. But which also promise to be a good match to the compact APS-C (DX) format Z50, on which they’ll offer 42mm and 60mm equivalent fields of view, respectively.
The Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 and Nikkor Z 40mm f/2 will share the same physical design
As yet there are no further details, but Nikon has released images suggesting that the lenses will share the same dimensions, physical design and filter thread. But it cautions that the design may still be subject to change.
