Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S 105mm
The S-line optical design with Nano Crystal and ARNEO coatings delivers edge-to-edge sharpness and suppresses flare for pristine 1:1 macro reproduction. Its built-in Vibration Reduction provides 4.5 stops of stabilization, making handheld close-up work practical without a tripod. This lens is best for macro specialists and product photographers who demand flawless detail from a weather-sealed, full-frame Z-mount optic.
概要
The 30-Second Version
Stupidly sharp with stabilization that feels like cheating. Buy it for the macro, keep it on your camera for the portraits.
Pros & Cons
長所
- Razor-sharp wide open, edge to edge 95th
- Best-in-class image stabilization for handholding 90th
- Gorgeous, creamy bokeh that belies its clinical sharpness 87th
- Versatile enough to be a stunning portrait lens 81st
短所
- Autofocus is slow and can hunt during macro work
- Plastic exterior feels less premium than the price suggests
- Bokeh quality falls apart with busy backgrounds
- Bulky with the lens hood attached
オーナーの声
The Word on the Street
購入者の評価が時間とともにどう変化したか
独自顧客が実際にレビューを書いた時期に基づいています。発売当初の高評価が続いたかどうかがわかります。
- Q2 202685/100
Buyers praise the lens for exceptional sharpness, dual macro/portrait capability, and lightweight build. Some note slow autofocus and a rattling VR mechanism when removing the lens.
- Exceptional sharpness and image quality, often described as clinically sharp.
- Versatile dual use for macro and portrait photography.
- Autofocus is slow for macro but acceptable; manual focus recommended for close-ups.
- VR mechanism rattles if camera is not turned off before lens removal.
- Q1 202695/100
Buyers praise the lens as exceptionally sharp, versatile for macro and portraits, and a joy to use. One review notes a challenge with tiny subjects but attributes it to technique.
- Exceptional sharpness throughout aperture range, especially f/2.8 to f/11.
- Versatile as macro, portrait, and short telephoto lens.
- Lightweight, fun to use, and produces beautiful bokeh.
- AF speed adequate for most uses but not for fast action.
- Q4 202583/100
Buyers praise the lens for sharpness, color rendering, and bokeh, but note slow autofocus and focus hunting, especially at distance.
- Exceptional sharpness, color rendering, and bokeh for macro and general use.
- Autofocus is slow and hunts when focus is far; snappy when close.
- Focus logic issue causes initial wrong movement; breathing effect in focus stacking.
- Lens is light and compact, but some find the build feels plastic.
- Q1 202487/100
Buyers praise the lens for exceptional sharpness, pleasing bokeh, and improved handling over older F-mount versions. Some note autofocus can be slow or tricky at macro distances.
- Exceptional sharpness and pleasing bokeh, making photography fun again.
- Improved handling, lighter weight, and better VR compared to older F-mount versions.
- Autofocus can be slow or struggle at close macro distances; manual focus is precise.
- Focus compatibility issue reported with Z9 body; works fine with Z7II.
- Q4 2023100/100
All 12 reviews are 5-star. Buyers praise the lens as a sharp, versatile macro and portrait lens with fast autofocus and beautiful bokeh.
- Exceptional sharpness and macro performance, with many calling it the best 105mm macro they've used.
- Versatile dual-use as both macro and portrait lens, with smooth bokeh and instant switching.
- Fast and accurate autofocus, especially when paired with Z8/Z9 bodies.
- One user notes the display lacks imperial units; another mentions it's so sharp skin smoothing may be needed.
- Q3 202395/100
Buyers praise the lens for exceptional sharpness, vibrant colors, fast autofocus, and lightweight build. A few note minor VR rattle and occasional autofocus hunting.
- Exceptional sharpness and image quality, often called the sharpest Z lens.
- Fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus, a significant upgrade from F-mount.
- Lightweight and well-balanced, especially on Z9 body.
- VR system rattles when powered off; occasional autofocus hunting reported.
- Q2 202397/100
Buyers in Q2 2023 overwhelmingly praised the lens for its sharpness, macro capabilities, and dual use for portraits. Many upgraded from F-mount versions and found it exceeded expectations.
- Exceptional sharpness and image quality, often described as the sharpest macro used.
- Excellent for both macro and portrait photography, with creamy bokeh and low-light performance.
- Lightweight and well-balanced, comfortable for handheld or tripod use.
- One user noted focusing requires effort, but overall color and vibrancy are good.
- Q3 202280/100
Buyers praise the lens for its sharpness, macro performance, and versatility, though some report focus shifting issues and note its large size.
- Excellent image quality, sharpness, and macro capabilities.
- Versatile for macro and portrait photography.
- Large and heavy, but performance justifies the size.
- Focus shifting problems causing halos in images.
- Q2 2022100/100
Buyers praise the lens for exceptional sharpness, beautiful image quality, and versatility for macro, portrait, and commercial work. A few note slow autofocus and a rare focus issue.
- Exceptional sharpness at all apertures, even at edges.
- Versatile for macro, portraits, fashion, and product photography.
- Autofocus can be slow when searching for subject; focus limiter helps.
- One report of lens failing to focus with limiter on, requiring reset.
- Q1 2022100/100
Buyers praised the lens for its sharpness, stunning bokeh, and macro capabilities, calling it a favorite Z lens.
- Sharpness and image quality are excellent, even wide open.
- Bokeh is stunning, enhancing macro and telephoto shots.
- Versatile as both a macro and mid-length telephoto lens.
- Overall satisfaction, with users calling it a favorite Z lens.
- Q4 2021100/100
All 8 reviews are 5-star. Buyers praise the lens for exceptional sharpness, macro performance, and portrait quality. Autofocus is noted as slower but acceptable.
- Exceptional sharpness and image quality, making photos look realistic.
- Excellent macro performance with longer focal length for easier shots.
- Great portrait lens with smooth, velvety bokeh and nice rendering.
- Autofocus is slower than some, but acceptable for macro and manual focus use.
日付のある顧客レビュー 117 件を暦四半期ごとに集計しています。期間別の分析は英語です。
実証データ
Performance
What surprised us most is the stabilization. Nikon claims 4.5 stops of VR, and in our database, this lens sits in the 95th percentile for stabilization among all lenses. That's best-in-class territory. Handholding a macro shot at 1:1 is usually a recipe for a blurry mess, but this lens lets you get away with it far more often than you'd expect. The sharpness is exactly what you'd hope for from an S-line prime, it's one of the best on the market, bitingly sharp wide open at f/2.8 with no real need to stop down for detail. The one letdown is the STM autofocus motor. It's quiet for video but can hunt and stutter when you're pushing the focus limiter to its extremes in macro range.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Macro |
| Focal Length Min | 105 |
| Focal Length Max | 105 |
| Elements | 16 |
| Groups | 11 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 |
| ED Elements | 1 |
| Coating | Nano Crystal and ARNEO Coatings |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/32 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon Z |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.6 kg / 1.4 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 62 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | STM |
| Stabilization | Yes |
| Stabilization Stops | 4.5 |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 290 |
| Max Magnification | 1:1 |
vs Competition
The most direct rival is the older Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G, which you can adapt to Z cameras via the FTZ adapter. That lens is a proven workhorse, but the new Z version is optically superior, especially in the corners, and the VR is a generation ahead. The adapted F-mount lens feels more like a metal tank, while the Z feels lighter but more plastic. If you're shooting on a Z body, the native lens is the clear winner for speed and silence. The other competitors in our list, like the Tamron 28-300mm or Sigma 18-50mm, are zooms playing a completely different game. They can't touch the 1:1 magnification or the sheer resolving power of this prime.
| Spec | Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S 105mm | Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN | Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Viltrox Pro AF 27mm f/1.2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 105mm | 18-50mm | 17-70mm | 12-35mm | 18-135mm | 27mm |
| Max Aperture | f/32 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/1.2 |
| Mount | Nikon Z | Sony E | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E | Sony E |
| Stabilization | true | false | true | true | true | false |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | true | false | true |
| Weight (g) | 630 | 290 | 544 | 306 | 326 | 560 |
| AF Type | STM | stepping motor | RXD | Autofocus | Linear motor | STM |
| Lens Type | macro | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | prime |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| 製品 | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | ユーザー評価 | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S 105mm | 86.8 | 7.1 | 63.2 | 73.6 | 81.2 | 4.6 | 80.9 | 33.7 | 90.2 | 95.3 |
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 86.8 | 81.1 | 86.4 | 91.4 | 82.4 | 83.3 | 80.9 | 78.6 | 90.2 | 36.7 |
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Compare | 53.7 | 86.4 | 69 | 85.5 | 91.2 | 83.3 | 63.7 | 89.6 | 86 | 82.4 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 53.7 | 81.1 | 85.7 | 50.7 | 86.6 | 83.3 | 63.7 | 80.6 | 86 | 96.9 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 98 | 74.6 | 72.9 | 40.3 | 78.7 | 76.6 | 44.7 | 95.8 | 90.2 | 82.4 |
| Viltrox Pro AF 27mm f/1.2 Compare | 86.8 | 98.4 | 67.8 | 38.5 | 82.4 | 98.6 | 91.2 | 33.7 | 90.2 | 36.7 |
価格
Value & Pricing
Pricing is all over the map on this one, with a spread of nearly $20,000 across vendors, which is frankly absurd and likely includes some wildly overpriced bundles or international scalpers. Ignore the noise. The real-world street price for this lens puts it squarely in 'great value for money' territory for what it delivers. You're getting S-line optical quality and class-leading stabilization for a price that undercuts many comparable pro macro lenses. If you find it near the lower end of that range, buy it without guilt.
詳細情報
Overview
The Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S is the macro lens most Z-series shooters have been waiting for. It's an S-line optic, which means Nikon pulled out all the stops on sharpness and coatings, and it shows. The one thing to know is this lens is a detail monster that pulls double duty as a surprisingly good portrait lens, as long as you aren't in a hurry. It resolves every tiny hair on a bee's back and renders out-of-focus areas with a creamy smoothness that defies its clinical sharpness. But the autofocus motor, while accurate, is not winning any drag races, especially when you're hunting for focus at 1:1 magnification.
Common Questions
Q: Is the autofocus really that slow?
For general shooting and portraits, it's fine and accurate. The slowness shows up when you're at extreme macro distances and the lens has to rack through the entire focus range. Using the focus limiter switch helps a ton.
Q: Does it feel cheap because of the plastic build?
It doesn't feel cheap, but it doesn't feel like a solid brass vintage lens either. The engineering plastic keeps the weight down to 630g, which your wrists will appreciate on a long shoot. It's still fully weather-sealed and tough.
Q: Can I use this for regular portraits?
Absolutely. A 105mm f/2.8 on a full-frame Z body is a classic portrait focal length. The bokeh is smooth and the sharpness will show every eyelash. Just know that it's brutally sharp, so you might be doing a bit more skin retouching.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for a dedicated, fast-aperture portrait lens with a shallower depth of field, this isn't it. The f/2.8 maximum aperture puts it in the bottom 5th percentile for aperture width in its class. Go grab a Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 S or the Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena instead. This lens is a macro specialist first, and a portrait lens second.
Verdict
This is the macro lens to buy for the Nikon Z system. It's a no-brainer for anyone serious about close-up work, from product photographers to nature shooters. The sharpness is staggering, the VR is a lifesaver, and the image quality makes it a legitimate portrait lens in a pinch. The autofocus isn't perfect for fast-moving subjects, but for the deliberate pace of macro photography, it's a minor annoyance rather than a dealbreaker. If you want to reveal a hidden world of detail, this is your ticket.
