Nikkor Z MC 105mm _ A stunning macro lens for Nikon mirrorless

£999/$999 A stunner of a macro lens www. nikon. co. uk

Building on the success of Nikon’s AF-S VR Micro 105mm f/2.8G macro lens for F-mount DSLRs, this Z-mount lens takes everything to a new level. While it delivers the same full 1.0x macro magnification at its closest focus distance of 0.29m, it has an optical VR system that boosts effectiveness from three to 4.5 stops. It also adds a feast of handling finery as well as delivering a mighty upgrade in image quality.

The optical path is top-notch, featuring one aspherical element and three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements, in a total line-up of 16 elements in 11 groups. Autofocus is driven by a Dual-Motor Multi-Focus STM system, which is super-fast and virtually silent.

The lens is comprehensively weather-sealed and has a really pro-grade feel to it, matching the standard set by the Nikon’s top-end ‘trinity’ Z-mount zooms including the Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S, Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S and Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S. The electronically coupled focus ring enables ultra-fine adjustments which are often necessary in extreme close-up shooting.

For shooting extreme close-ups, the working distance between the front of the lens and the object you’re shooting is a useful 15cm.

Performance

Performance is simply stunning. The autofocus system is incredibly agile for a macro lens – and unerringly accurate, with excellent consistency for both macro and general shooting. The optical VR lives up to its 4.5-stop billing.

Image quality is sumptuous. Not only is this lens razor-sharp, but the supreme levels of sharpness are maintained from the centre right out to the edges and corners of the frame. Both axial and lateral chromatic aberrations are virtually non-existent, while the merest hint of barrel distortion is practically undetectable, even without using in-camera corrections. Matthew Richards