Nikon Z 105mm f/2.8 Macro Review & Sample Images by Ken Rockwell
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2024
- Nikon Z 105mm f/2.8 Macro Review & Sample Images by Ken Rockwell
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Z 50mm f/2.8 Macro review www.kenrockwel...
AF-S 105mm f/2.8 VR Macro review www.kenrockwel...
AF-D 105mm f/2.8 Macro review www.kenrockwel...
IRIX 150mm f/2.8 Macro review www.kenrockwel...
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Sony vs Canon vs Nikon www.kenrockwel...
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I’ve owned several macro lenses over the years including the amazing 200mm f/4 Nikon macro lens and this Z105 absolutely blows all of them away. I’ve never shot with any lens this sharp!
Thanks!
Exactly, the 105 G lens which is recommended does not stand in front of this Z lens.
I had the old 105mm VR N macro and was dissapointed with sharpness ! Now i got the Z6 bought this lens and its way way better ! loving it.
Are you chewing a sweet/candy while narrating? It sounds like it. You say you don’t recommend this lens for macro work due to the focus ring. I’ve owned Nikon 200mm F4 AIS micro, 200mm F4D AF micro, 60mm F2.8F AF micro, 60mm F2.8 AF-S micro, 105mm F2.8D AF micro, 105mm F2.8 MC and 85mm F2.8 TS micro lenses. The 105mm F2.8 MC lens is by far the best. It has the best optics and the best focus ring. I’ve been doing macro work with mine every day for the past week, shooting resupinate fungi at 1:4 to 1:1. The focus action is beautiful, very smooth, very precise. As for the Irix lens, it doesn’t support focus shifting, which IMO is a game changer. Focus shifting is the reason I bought a 105mm F2.8 MC, as my AFD lens would not auto focus on my Z6. As for the 200mm F4D AF lens, it has beautiful optics, but it’s big, heavy and won’t auto focus on Z cameras. I think you need to get more experience of macro shooting.
Excellent, thanks!!!
Nailed it. I’ve been sceptical of the man since day 1. Yes I’ve been shooting Nikon just as long as him.
I say this with 100% sincerely. This lens is worth switching to the Z system for
Glad you love it! Thanks!
The really great thing about Nikon is when holding continuous AF and you turn the manual focus ring, it enables peaking automatically which is just incredible.
Yes! It’s about time someone got this right. Nikon is the only maker of Mirrorless that does manual focus properly. Thanks!
Nikon Glasses in Z systems blows the competition away … just enough to invest in the system …
Thanks!
Totally agree @Damith
At the least the "attitude" is wrong.
@@KenRockwellTV thanks Ken!
Great review. I enjoyed your presentation. Thanks for sharing it with us. I especially like your use of the outer non-functional ring. I didn't think of using to mount the lens. Great idea!
One minor thing: On the Nikon Z9, the Nikkor Z MC 105mm is marginally sharper than the older AF-S Nikkor 105mm. I have and use both lenses and the Z wins, not by much, but enough to make me prefer the Z, even if only psychologically. Plus, obviously, the new tech in the Z lens is a much better match to a Z camera than the old tech in an AF-S lens on an FTZ adapter. In fact, the Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S lens is the sharpest lenses I've used in 43 years of shooting with Nikon.
Yahoo! Thanks!
That bike tire sharpness....it had me hooked.
Thanks!
I like the oled feature on the lenses. I don't use it often but when I do I find it very useful. It automatically turning off is a good feature IMO, it saves battery and reduces light pollution in a dark shooting environment. Still I could see an option for always on vs. auto-off for various use cases.
Thanks!
Agreed that an always on option would be nice. Seems like an easy firmware update too.
Just bought this lens and it is blowing my mind to pieces
Excellent!!!!
Thanks for the review, I was going to buy this but after seeing this review the lens sounds like a cheap, over-priced "Meh" lens. Going to grab the old lens :)
Pictures are the same. New lens might handle a little better in Z but Thsts it.
Nice review, and good sample images.
Thank you!
Which 200mm macro lens would you use with the Z camera? I was thinking of getting this lens, but as you said, I really would love to be further away from my subject ☺️
I'd use my AF MICRO NIKKOR 200mm f/4D (www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/200mm-micro.htm) on my FTZ. Of course it's only manual focus on the crappy FTZ, which is the only way I shoot macro anyway. I've upgraded from Nikon and my Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro (www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/180mm-f35.htm) which adapts flawlessly to Canon mirrorless, or honestly in my studio I now use an OM SYSTEM OM-1 (www.kenrockwell.com/om/om-1.htm) and the 180mm-equivalent 90mm f/3.5 Macro IS (www.kenrockwell.com/om/90mm-f35.htm). Thanks!
@@KenRockwellTV Many thanks for the info 👍
thanks for the great review ken. over the last two years as i’ve gotten in to photography i appreciate your style more and more.
Thank you!!
How to save focus distance in Manual focus mode? Every time i turn off and on, focus distance is set ‘infinite distance‘ again. Because i usually take picture in dental office, i set 0.45m focus distance and Manual focus mode. But this lens always reset my setting distance to ‘infinite distance.. So annoying. Could u let me know how to save focus distance? my camera is Z 50.
That would most likely be set in the z50 as a power-on option to recall focus distance or reset to infinity. I doubt that that option is in the z50 menu system; I haven’t looked. I’d download Nikon’s pdf manual and then search for something like power on recall of focus distance or something like that in the browser where you’re reading the manual. Good luck, wish I had looked for that.
Great comprehensive real world easy to understand unbiased review as always
Thanks for noticing. That’s exactly what I’m trying to do. Thanks!
@@KenRockwellTV yes! You're just being honest! And you have so much experience! Thanks Ken!
The great thing about Nikons' new Z lenses is that they are usable wide open...
Yes! Thanks!
And unlike the predecessor, this lens doesn't start dropping in quality at f/5.6 - it stays just as sharp up to somewhere between f/11 and f/13
Hi. Do you have any videos on the Nikon 135mm f/2 D-AF DC LENS?
Own it love it - but only works well on SLRs and dslrs - no af on ftz. See www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/135mm-f2-dc.htm
Thanks. What are you thoughts on the nikon z6ii? My only issue is that the AF doesn't work with the older nikon lenses.
Have you tried it in manual focus using the focus peaking? I found that quite responsive and didnt notice a delay.
No, didn’t try it. Nikon’s manual focus modes are the best in the mirrorless business.
@@KenRockwellTV fair enough, I'd highly recommend it. Recently purchased a zf-c kit and have just bought 105mc. And am loving every bit of it. And the focus peaking is a really handy feature, as it shows me across the entire image in blue highlight's what's going to be in focus as I dial it in. Handy when you photograph random crap like I do.
Thank you very much, Ken, for your description. I've already got the lens before seeing your video and I agree with you with your information. It's very useful what you said about the "non outer ring", that I'm going to use to grab the lens firmly. Thanks!
Thanks again!
Hi Juan! We are going to enjoy the MC 105 for many years to come!
Ken I've been following you for many, many years, great to finally hear your voice as I listen to your review!
Thank you!!!!
Thanks for the video, I decided to px my 105 af in and stick with my 200/f4 micro. It's my favourite lens, and the AF was never the quietest so I'm happy to use that manually. Fingers crossed Nikon consider an updated version of it though. To have an ultra sharp 200 f4 with AF native on a Z mount would make me very happy :)
Thanks again!
The world’s best macro is still the 200/4 AF www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/200mm-micro.htm which, for serious macro use, is always focused manually. Thanks!
@@KenRockwellTV Thank you!
Try the IRIX 150mm it's a cracker.
After all the abuse foisted on Nikon by various people in the media and TH-cam. It appears Nikon lenses maybe have the right mount size & optical quality was the RIGHT option in the long run.
Sayam. I have a question about how much you have to do for the first week and I will have a great day with time and you have a wonderful time and I always wanted to you know that you always have to do so many things. Thanks!
Not enough to convince me to switch from the AF-S 105mm f2.8 VR. The in-lens VR is far superior to any in-body system at this focal length. A plastic-fantastic non-Japan lens for $1000+ ...with delicate OLED display and associated electronics? Not on my dime. These lenses will be paperweights in 20 years. The electronic focus by-wire with stepper is a mistake for macro focusing use.
Agreed. I prefer the screw-focus Micro NIKKORS.
Not disagreeing with the rest of your points, but this Z 105 does have in-lens VR. My 20 year old AF-S 300mm f2.8G VR focus motor and VR failed many years ago, replaced the USM last year. 20 years is optimistic for AF-S as well. The old heavy lenses make better paperweights ;-)
I love your brutal honesty and opinions. You give credit where credit is due. The true sign of an unbias non fan boy reviewer.
He is a Canon fanboy, so you are not quite correct here.
And he also stipulates Sigma to be junk (witch is totally immature, so I would just take him as a human, not naivally fall to some originality (true).
@@NVIK5 I'm aware of how he likes canon, that's why I'm surprised by some of the praise he gives Nikon.
I’m just honest with my preferences. We’re all different. Thanks!
He's review of this lens does not do it justice. The 105MC is in another league than the old 105VR f-mount.
its so sharp the Antialiasing on my computer made the photos look like they where shimmering
Yip, all macro lenses are ultra sharp. Thanks
Great review. The Nikkor Z 70-200 f/2.8 focuses so close you can almost use that lens for macro.
That’s right. Thanks!
Last week I tried this lens in the shop. I really like it, it's super sharp, fast and snappy, much faster than my Nikkor F-mount 105mm and doesn't squeak and creak when it's trying to focus. I could live quite easily without the manual focus. I think I'll buy it.
Do get it, but avoid retail shops because the packages are not sealed and you’ll have no way of knowing it it was a return or demo model or was dropped. I only use these sources to get mine because they ship from huge warehouses so no one else gets to touch your lens before you do www.kenrockwell.com/links.htm#stores
@@KenRockwellTV not quite as simple as that, I'm in South Africa and would be a huge hassle with shipment and customs costs to get it here...if I buy it from my local store it usually is wrapped and sealed in plastic
B&H won't/can't ship any Nikon gear to South Africa because of distributor agreements..
Hi ken, can I ask for your suggestion and recommendation, is this lens suitable for food photography / product photography?
Yes, but I use the 200mm f/4 so I don’t have to get so close. Makes it much easier to light the subject and perspective looks much better from further away. See www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/200mm-micro.htm and www.kenrockwell.com/tech/best-macro-lenses.htm and I use a DSLR for macro with strobes, not Mirrorless
@@KenRockwellTV why DSLR and not like Z series of i may ask? I own D700 and Z5, and also I tend to take product photo for food, so it’ll be on the spot and not in the studio… so distance might be an issue, that’s why I’m planning to choose this lens instead of the longer length… idk whether that’s a wise decision or not 😅
@@dickysp For use with strobes in the studio DSLRs just work, which mirrorless takes a bunch of other settings to get the viewfinder not to look black. If you're in the field, then this Z 105 is the best way to go, if not the Z50 macro, as its easier to hold under available light. Ideally stick with the 105 as it has VR and the 50 doesn't.
I pre-ordered this lens on June 2 along with the 50 mm f/2.8 MC. Nikon canceled the 105 mm in the order for no reason provided on June 24 and shipped the 50 mm on the same day. I placed an order for the 105 mm again on July 8, and I am still waiting for my copy. Come on, Nikon!
Never buy direct from Nikon, they screw up when it comes to logistics. I’ve been buying at these since the 1970s; these are the ONLY sources I suggest: www.kenrockwell.com/links.htm#stores thanks!
@@KenRockwellTV Thank you very much. A lesson learned.
Can i use this mostly as a portrait lens?
Absolutely. Works great. Thanks!
It's fabulous as a portrait lens, but almost too sharp for portraits. I use it for portraits sometimes, but it does show off every little skin imperfection. You can find some portrait examples over of flickr in the "NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f /2.8 VR S" group.
Nikon d 780,Z6ii which camera best for desert aria
D780 is a bigger, tougher camera, but I suspect they have the same temperature performance. Not quite sure what you’re asking. Thanks!
As a matter of fact, I dont think ANY Nikon Z lenses are made in Japan right now.
The Eye of God is. www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/mirrorless/lenses/58mm-f095.htm it shows you where Nikon makes things when it wants quality.
@@KenRockwellTV I mean sure. I'm certain the 8 people that own that lens appreciate it. But for the rest of us, the lenses made in Thailand are plenty fine.
Is this lens sharper than Nikon 200 f/4?
No, if you mean the AF 200mm f4D Micro NIKKOR, which is optically perfect, like most of Nikons micro lenses. Hint: oddly the AI-s 200/4 micro is the only one which isn’t superb at close distances. Full reviews at www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/200mm-micro.htm and www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/z/105mm-f28.htm
Ken can u use this lens for sports?
Of course, but a 70-200 is much more useful.
Good analogy to the early digital watches.
Thanks!
Nice revies! Just a little correction though, as I shoot both Nikon and Fuji. On Fuji, simply enable Manual Focus Overwrite in the menu. Anytime you turn focus ring on my X-H2 the camera focuses manually. That happens not only on AFS and AFC but also when I have object or eye detection. Simply, it doesn't matter what settings on the lens or camera I have, turning the focusing ring ALWAYS overwrites the AF. That to the same feature "especially towards Fuji users". 🙂
Thanks!
Hi,
I have a Nikon Z50 and want to get a macro lens (that can do good portraits too).
So, what do you suggest?
Nikkor Z 105 or Laowa 100mm or something else.
Thanks
You answered your question; this is the best. Full review at www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/z/105mm-f28.htm Laowa is manual focus and just a Sceince experiment.
Ken. If you don't like this lens; don't buy it. Do whatever you wanna do, no need to convince the others.
I sent it back. Some people value my learned opinions so they don’t get stuck with the same expenses. One of us has to take one for the team. Thanks for your support!
That autofocus/manual focus lag issue would be a huge problem for me when shooting underwater when I'm moving in the water and when there's moving critters
Exactly; use the 105 AF-S for its real mechanical focus ring kenrockwell.com/nikon/105vr.htm
If i use this on an aps-c camera, will the effective focal length be 157mm ?
Yes and no. The picture on an apsc camera will show an angle of view the same as a 157mm lens shows on full frame. I explain all this at www.kenrockwell.com/tech/crop-factor.htm thanks!
Do you recommend this lens for portraits?
Works fine, but a 70-200 is much more practical.
Thank you. Do you have any review of the Irix 150mm? I was thinking about buying it.
Of course! I have EVERYTHING at KenRockwell.com; this TH-cam channel is just for fun. The 150mm review is at www.kenrockwell.com/tech/irix/150mm.htm THANKS!
I do a lot of nature macro photography, and use the AF-S 105mm f/2.8 IF ED lens, and its great, normally shooting in natural light at f/10 to f/16 for Bees and other insects on my D750, its a great setup, I couldn’t imagine moving to this lens on mirrorless.
Thanks!
On the resolution you have in your D750, the old lens is probably sharp enough. But do yourself a favor and go see Hudson Henrys review. He compares the an old 105, VR and MC. The old lens has lovely bokeh, but struggles on everything else. The VR is better, but the MC is just miles ahead.
@@madst7521 agreed...this new glass from nikon is superb, the best
Ken why do you always start off with all the things you don't like?
I start off with general things, then what’s new, then what’s good and then what’s bad and what’s missing, and then get into the details. Thanks!
While the F Mount 105 was brilliant it doesnt belong on the same planet as this S Lens >> MANY companies have divested to Countries like India , China , Thailand etc to CUT costs >> economics 101 ..its not about being manufactured in Germany , USA or Japan anymore >> Those days statrted to disappear in the Eisenhower era >> When I worked for Mighty IBM South Africa years ago Manufacturing was often outside USA in fact Big Blue had factories around the world
I prefer top quality and don’t worry about price. That puts me in a minority; we’re all different and tha k goodness we have so many choices. Thanks!
Nice Allez btw!
Thanks! It’s a Tarmac Comp Torch Edition.
Ken, you mention the omission of the VR switch on this lens. I thought IBIS was used in the camera and vibration reduction didn’t exist in Z lenses. Am I wrong about that?
Both Nikon and Canon Mirrorless 100-105 macros have in lens optical stabilization which is better than in camera stabi alone. I tested my Canon to give five stops of Real world improvement www.kenrockwell.com/canon/eos-r/lenses/100mm-macro.htm#stabilizer and my Nikon only gives less than 4 www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/z/105mm-f28.htm#stabilizer both on stabilized bodies. Nikon is a lesser brand and lacks a switch on the lens. Sorry.
@@KenRockwellTV Thanks Ken, good to know. I haven’t gone mirrorless yet but I’m only 74 so there’s still time.
I just bought this lens and need to return because its defective. Aperture is flickering and gets locked . Need to restart camera in order to have adjust aperture again
Oh well, that's what we get when they offshore this to Thailand. You may want to consider upgrading to Canon as I did; they make their gear domestically in Japan. Nikon is no longer the top pro brand as it was back in the 1980s. Thanks and sorry about that. KR
Thanks for sharing.... always enjoy your comments and reviews... although I don't have a mirrorless camera I still love to hear about new gear... cheers 😀
Me too. Stick with your DSLR, they handle better for actual shooting. Mirrorless is just for fun. Thanks!
Everyone talks about how sharp the new Z lenses are but that’s about the only good feature I hear about them compared to the older lenses 😯
Correct. Otherwise the new Z lenses cost double and are made in the third and second worlds - and they aren’t usually any sharper; just newer.
i chooses the F mount Sigma 180mm F2.8 OS Macro lens, superb
Good idea. Longer focal lengths are important. Thanks!
If you don't mind lugging around a ton of glass.
Unless you really need the distance for keeping away from insects, then do yourself a favor and try the lightweight 105MC
Hidden feature alert! Try this. While holding down the function button depress the display button rapidly three times. Amazing! This enables the additional elements (and electronics) included in this lens. It's a nod to those who find the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S too expensive!
Not tried it yet, thanks!
I don't get. What do you mean with it "enables additional elements" ?
@@carlosandreviana9448 It's a stealth zoom. 70-200mm f/2.8. Do the button combo again to return it to a regular 105mm f/2.8
@@chilledwalrus you are kidding, right :) it hasn't enough elements to change the focal lengths. How could that be possible?
Interested and informative
Thank you!
Why can't they get their AF up to Sony and Canon levels
Because Nikon no longer has the big development budgets it had back when it was number one. Today it’s number three.
With this lens, the AF is way better than Ken says. There's already been huge improvements with Z6ii / Z7ii and the firmware updates bring more improvements. For macro, this is as good as it needs to be.
After reading your superb reviews, I have used the links to go to eBay and purchase several. I hope you are receiving the spiffs on these purchases but, how can we be sure? Thank you very much for the outstanding reviews and how to videos and reports.
Beats me; it all works magically so I’m good. Thanks!!!
Great review and much appreciated
Thank you!
I have been a long-time Nikon user. I bought my first Nikon in 1977 (Nikon F2A, which I still have). One of the reasons that I bought into the system was the durability. Until recently, I had no problem with buying Nikon equipment. I knew that I would getting good optical quality paired with superb construction (good usage of metal to preserve durability). However, as you have noted, the quality of construction has fallen off. The bodies are plastic and they do not feel as durable. Certain features such as true manual focusing have been replaced by cost cutting features. Given the prices that I am now paying for glass in the Z-mount, this is irritating. The value proposal relative to the competition has fallen. The result - in the last year, I have been shifting from Nikon to Sony (got to love those Zeiss lenses). I agree the Nikon optical quality is still great. I just cannot get over the reduction in product quality - my two cents worth.
I agree. That’s why upgraded to Canon in 2013. It’s not 1977 anymore when Nikon was king. They’ve failed us, and I have no obligation to them. Thanks!
@@KenRockwellTV It is a carry over from being a long-term Nikon user but I have difficulty in making the shift to Canon, especially in this mirrorless world. The reason - the price of the lenses. One reason that I went to Sony is not because of the Menus (what happens when engineers, not users, design the interfaces) but because of the high quality third party lenses. What is coming out of Tamron and Sigma (especially recently) is truly great. I am looking for value, not necessarily the name,. However, you are right about the Sony Color Profile, However, with the Sony A7R IV, I am impressed by the quality of the images and the speed of operation.
@@KenRockwellTV One more comment. Recent financial announcements from Nikon have bothered me (I am a business professor). For last quarter, with revenues down, Nikon was able to report a profit - the first one in a year. So what? Well, the only way that you can make a profit under such conditions is to drastically slash costs (which Nikon has admitted doing). Such actions do generate short-term benefits. BUT, there is a long-term bill to be paid. Tom Peters, a famous business writer of the 1980s and 1990s, once noted that "no company ever got great by reducing costs." I have some serious concerns about Nikon's long-term viability - especially in light of the recent aggressive actions taken by both Sony and Canon. For example, Sony is now selling the A7R II, a 42.4 MP back lit full frame CMOS sensor, for about $1200. for Nikon, interested in getting customers with its Dfz and Z5, this is a shot across the bow. Canon is now rumored to be ready to release a full-frame mirrorless for about $700-800. For Nikon to survive, it must keep its existing customers and attract new customers. To do so means relying on innovation, which demands investments. Sorry for the long diatribe - you expect that from a business professor.
😂 a lot of the Sony photography products including some zeiss branded Sony lenses are made in …….. Thailand and sony bodies do not have as solid build like Nikon Z.
As much as I love the quality of primes I use zooms more for my type of photography. Having one focal length and having to move closer or further away would not work so, no matter how sharp I shall spend my cash on something else.
Me too! Thanks!
Macro zooms aren't very common. If you don't care about the sharpness and bokeh, then by all means go and get a zoom lens instead. However if you care about macro shooting, this lens is hard to beat.
I read what Ken has to say before I make any camera or lens decision. I don't always agree, but almost always. If Ken did not exist, we would have to invent him.
Thank you!!!
Good glass but that display is an absolute ergonomic disaster.
Better than nothing, but honestly my kids would do better. Thanks!
@@KenRockwellTV such a silly answer.
Who shoots Nikon these days?😄
I do, since 2009
Old people who still remember the 1960s ~ 1990s when Nikon was number one and all their gear was heirloom grade.
I do, digital or F4 even FM2.
Oh yes, the good old days when the cameras were best and lenses the fastest and sharpest, and they were made in Japan;)
I do. Since 2010.
I don't base my camera buying decisions on which youtube "personality" sony bought this week.