BESTDUAL-PURPOSE STANDARD/ MACRO LENS

Nikon Z MC 50mm f/2.8 £604/$597 Tested in issue 127

WHAT WE LOVE

Some lenses are one-trick ponies and that’s especially true of macro optics. That accusation doesn’t stick to the Nikon MC 50mm, however, as it not only excels for extreme close-up shots with a full 1.0x magnification wow-factor, but works equally well as a compact, lightweight standard prime for general everyday shooting. With good-quality bokeh, the lens is useful for portraiture and still-life shots, while a fluorine coating on the front element makes it at home in the great outdoors.

WHAT’S MISSING?

It’s not an internally focusing lens. The inner barrel extends but comes complete with useful markers for focus distance and magnification factor.

WHY UPGRADE?

If you’re after a full 1.0x macro lens plus a fairly fast standard prime for general shooting, the MC 50mm effectively gives you two lenses in one.