Photo Corners headlinesarchivemikepasini.com
A S C R A P B O O K O F S O L U T I O N S F O R T H E P H O T O G R A P H E R
Enhancing the enjoyment of taking pictures with news that matters, features that entertain and images that delight. Published frequently.
Nikon Announces Two Z Series Micro Lenses
2 June 2021
Nikon has announced the first Nikon Z series micro lenses designed for macro photography: the Nikkor Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S and Nikkor Z MC 50mm f2.8.
At the same time, the company announced development of the Nikkor Z 28mm f2.8 and Nikkor Z 40mm f2, two compact and lightweight FX-format lenses scheduled for release later this year.
Z SERIES 105
Highlights
Highlights of the 105mm micro lens include:
- High-quality mid-telephoto S-line prime that provides the benefits of two lenses in one, ideal for capturing elaborate details of close-up subjects as well as striking portraits
- With a versatile focal length, 1:1 reproduction ratio and fast f2.8 maximum aperture, the lens delivers sharp images from edge-to-edge and beautiful bokeh
- The Multi-Focus STM system provides consistently smooth, silent and accurate focusing
- The 4.5 stops of vibration reduction allow you to confidently capture images while shooting handheld
- ENano Crystal and Arneo coatings limit flare and ghosting effects
- User-friendly controls and a robust weather sealed design
Specifications
Specifications for the 105mm Nikkor include:
NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f2.8 LENS SPECIFICATIONS Mount Z Mount Focal Length 105mm Aperture f2.8 to f32
9 diaphragm bladesAngle of View DX Format: 15°20'
FX Format: 23°10'Minimum Focus 0.96 feet Magnification 1x Optical Design 16 elements in 11 groups
3 ED elements, 1 apsherical
Nano Crystal Coat, Arnea CoatAutofocus Yes Image Stabilization Yes Filter Thread 62mm Dimensions 3.4 x 5.6 inches Weight 22.3 oz. Price, Availability
Nikon said the Nikkor Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S will be available in late June for $999.95. Adorama and B&H are both now accepting pre-orders.
Z SERIES 50
Highlights
Highlights of the 50mm micro lens include:
- Sports a portable, compact design
- The large f2.8 aperture affords gorgeous bokeh and fast shutter speeds
- Its 0.53-foot minimum focusing distance enables you to get closer to the action to create unique images and videos with amplified separation between the subject, background and foreground
- The stepping motors and focus limiter switch allow the 50mm f2.8 to deliver fast and reliable autofocus
- Augmented with a fluorine coated front element to resist dirt and smudges, as well as a dust and drip resistant build, the lens is rugged and reliable
Specifications
Specifications for the 50mm Nikkor include:
NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f2.8 LENS SPECIFICATIONS Mount Z Mount Focal Length 50mm Aperture f2.8 to f22
9 diaphragm bladesAngle of View 47° Minimum Focus 6.3 inches Magnification 1x Optical Design 10 elements in 7 groups
1 ED element, 1 apshericalAutofocus Yes Image Stabilization No Filter Thread 46mm Dimensions 2.9 x 2.6 inches Weight 9.2 oz. Price, Availability
Nikon said the Nikkor Z MC 50mm f2.8 will be available in late June for $649.95. Adorama and B&H are both now accepting pre-orders.
For more information see the news release below.
Look Closer: Nikon Unveils the New Nikkor Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S and Nikkor Z MC 50mm f2.8, the First Nikon Z Series Micro Lenses for Macro Photography
The Powerful Nikkor Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S and the Compact Nikkor Z MC 50mm f2.8 Lenses Add Creative Versatility to the Expanding Nikkor Z Lineup; Nikon also Announces Upcoming Release of Compact Primes in 2021
MELVILLE, N.Y. -- Nikon Inc. has announced the Nikkor Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S and Nikkor Z MC 50mm f2.8, the latest additions to the rapidly growing Nikkor Z lens lineup for Nikon's high-performance Z series mirrorless cameras. The premium Nikkor Z MC 105mm and the compact Nikkor Z MC 50mm are the first Nikkor Z lenses to feature a 1:1 reproduction ratio, allowing users to get close to their subjects and fill the frame with edge-to-edge sharpness and incredible details. Whether photographing subtle intricacies of wildlife, wedding details, food and jewelry or capturing striking portraits with gorgeous bokeh, these new macro lenses deliver a fantastic combination of versatility and precision.
"As the first native micro Nikkor Z lenses, the Nikkor Z MC 105mm and Nikkor Z MC 50mm strengthen our expanding Z series lineup, adding yet another category of powerful optics," said Jay Vannatter, Executive Vice President, Nikon Inc. "Together, both lenses represent a new category for the Nikkor Z lineup, yet each have their own personalities and advantages that creators are bound to love."
These new Nikkor Z lenses benefit from the Nikon Z mount, which features a large diameter and short flange focal distance to deliver superior optical performance and abundant light gathering abilities. The lenses render sharp images from edge-to-edge, suppress chromatic aberrations across the focusing range and virtually eliminate color bleeding and fringing typical of macro lenses. Users of either new lens can also take advantage of the focus peaking feature in the Z series cameras to easily acquire and maintain manual focus for macro shots with incredible depth of field.
Nikkor Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S: Hidden Worlds Revealed
The Nikkor Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S is a high-quality S-line lens1 engineered for a wide array of shooting styles and designed to deliver intense sharpness and beautiful bokeh. The lens' 1:1 reproduction ratio resolves details missed by the human eye and can reproduce subjects at life size. With a versatile mid-telephoto focal length and fast f2.8 maximum aperture, the Nikkor Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S provides the benefits of two lenses in one, with the ability to capture elaborate details as well as striking portraits.
Constructed with an optical formula designed for macro photography, the Nikkor Z MC 105mm features a larger rear aspherical lens element to reduce field curvature from infinity to close-up. Additionally, the lens' short minimum focusing distance of 0.96 feet (0.29m) allows for sharp images with a heavily blurred background, drawing in the viewers' attention and adding scale when photographing small details.
The Nikkor Z MC 105mm's Multi-Focus STM system affords consistently smooth, silent and accurate focus due to the customized autofocus algorithm, which accounts for minute distance changes that alter the effective aperture. The lens also includes a limiter switch to reduce the working range to a maximum of 1.6 feet (0.5m), in order to acquire focus efficiently and quickly. Furthermore, with a near-silent AF performance, the lens allows users to capture high-quality still images and videos without disturbing small creatures in the field.
Equipped with 4.52 stops of Vibration Reduction, the Nikkor Z MC 105mm makes it easy to shoot handheld and allows users to confidently capture tack-sharp images or videos of products, food or animals. The lens is also compatible with the in-body stabilization feature in the full-frame Z series mirrorless cameras, providing 5- axis VR.
As part of the premium S-line, the Nikkor Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S includes NANO Crystal and ARNEO Coatings to limit flare and ghosting effects, even with backlighting. This new lens combines useful controls, including a manual focus ring, lens function shortcut button, control ring and lens info panel with robust weather sealing for truly reliable performance in adverse conditions.
Professional commercial photographer and Nikon Ambassador Joey Terrill was tasked with evaluating the new lens and capturing content prior to its public release. He was thoroughly impressed with its performance, stating, "The Nikkor Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S is unquestionably the most exceptional lens I've ever used. The clarity, color fidelity and breathtaking sharpness are present in every image. Pictures feel textural and dimensional while maintaining stunning subject accuracy. It is the perfect match for the extraordinary resolution and expansive dynamic range of the Z camera sensors and the nuance from tone to tone feels as pure as photography can be. It's very likely this lens will be permanently affixed to my camera going forward."
Nikkor Z MC 50mm f2.8: Wherever You Go, Get Closer
The Nikkor Z MC 50mm f2.8 is a small and lightweight micro lens designed for spontaneous street snapshots and capturing small details with stunning clarity. The lens sports a 1:1 reproduction ratio and an extremely compact and lightweight design of merely 9.2 oz, making it a portable and comfortable option to carry around for all-day shooting.
With a natural 50mm focal length, the Nikkor Z MC 50mm f2.8 takes advantage of ambient light to deliver beautiful images with a wider field of view, which is ideal for photographing up-close scenes of food, flowers or everyday snapshots. The 0.53 ft (0.16m) minimum focusing distance enables users to get closer to the action and amplify the separation between the subject, background and foreground. Meanwhile, the Nikkor Z MC 50mm's large f2.8 aperture affords gorgeous bokeh, fast shutter speeds and superior flexibility for shooting handheld, especially when paired with full-frame Nikon Z series cameras that feature IBIS. Equipped with stepping motors and a focus limiter switch, the Nikkor Z MC 50mm delivers fast and reliable autofocus when shooting photos or videos in the field, such as capturing butterflies or the petals of a flower blowing in the wind.
The Nikkor Z MC 50mm f2.8 sports a modern design with a variety of intuitive controls, including a lens barrel that integrates helpful visual indicators for focus distance and reproduction ratio. The lens also features a focus limiter switch to limit the AF search range for effortless capture, while the control ring can be assigned to a variety of functions. The lens is augmented with a fluorine coated front element to resist dirt and smudges, as well as a dust and drip resistant build for rugged reliability, making it an ideal travel lens to take everywhere.
Furthermore, the Nikkor Z MC 50mm is compatible with the ES-2 film digitizing adapter set, which can be screwed onto the front of the lens for digitizing 35mm film, expanding the creativity possibilities of the lens.
Pricing and Availability
The Nikkor Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S and Nikkor Z MC 50mm f2.8 will be available in late June for suggested retail prices of $999.95 and $649.95, respectively.