After a long period of no new releases from Nikon, we finally have some new Z lenses slated for release. Nikon recently announced the release of two macro (Nikon calls them ‘micro) lenses – the NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S and NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8. Both lenses will be available July 2021.
The 105mm and 50mm are the first NIKKOR Z lenses to feature a 1:1 reproduction ratio, which is ideal for macro photography. It allows photographers to get extremely close to subjects, like flowers or wildlife, and fill the entire frame. Nikon guarantees edge-to-edge sharpness, from center to corners, and vivid detail. These lenses will also have excellent bokeh, and surely be upgrades over the aged DSLR versions.
If there is one thing that has really amazed me with the new Z lenses, it’s just how much better they are then the older DSLR versions – and some are only older by a few years.
Nikon still has some ground to make up, but these lenses should be fantastic. We offer many Backcountry Journeys trips with macro photography opportunities (Costa Rica is a great one) and these lenses should shine. The Z lenses have all been really incredibly in terms of quality and design, Nikon has just been slow with production and release. Of course, we were just in the midst of a global pandemic, but Sony and Canon made strides while Nikon did not.
But now, Nikon users can welcome these two new lenses, the announcement of production for a few others, and the promise that many more new releases are in store for 2021. Nikon has also updated its product roadmap, which hints at some of the lenses we can expect next – my most anticipated are the 100-400mm and the 200-600mm. The Z series needs native telephoto options, bad.
Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro Lens