Nikon Z MC 50mm f/2.8 Macro vs Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 Macro
I’ll start with a very lopsided comparison between the Z MC 50mm f/2.8 and Nikon’s high-end Z MC 105mm f/2.8 S. What do you get if you spend more for the 105mm macro, which happens to be one of my favorite Nikon Z lenses?
It’s no contest! Center, midframes, and corners are all clearly sharper on the Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 Macro. This is pretty impressive considering that the 50mm f/2.8 Macro is already no slouch at all in sharpness. Granted, the differences start to diminish as you stop down, and central performance is already comparable by f/5.6. And at macro photography apertures like f/16, there is no practical difference in how sharp they are. But in pure, maximum capabilities, the Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 Macro definitely takes the crown.
Nikon Z MC 50mm f/2.8 Macro vs Nikon Z 40mm f/2
Even though these two lenses have slightly different focal lengths, I see them as competing for a similar audience. They’re both small, lightweight, normal prime lenses – the difference being that the 40mm f/2 is even lighter and brighter, while also being significantly less expensive ($300 vs $650). But which one is sharper?
It’s a closer contest than I would have thought! The 40mm f/2 has a slight advantage in the center and corners, whereas the 50mm f/2.8 Macro has a slight advantage in the midframes (mainly due to having less field curvature). In other areas, the Nikon Z MC 50mm f/2.8 is a better lens optically – for example, less focus shift and chromatic aberration – but purely in terms of sharpness, the two are pretty comparable.
Nikon Z MC 50mm f/2.8 Macro vs Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4
This one is a little sneak peek for you if you read this far, because so far, only our Members on Patreon have seen my MTF tests of the Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4. But I wanted to include them here for some context regarding the many 50mm lenses in Nikon’s mirrorless lineup. How does the Z MC 50mm f/2.8 Macro compare to the Z 50mm f/1.4?
Overall, the 50mm f/1.4 wins this comparison! The biggest differences come at f/2.8, where the 50mm f/1.4 is clearly better across the frame. The story is similar at f/4, though not quite as pronounced. By f/5.6, the differences have vanished. This is an impressive result for a lens that captures four times as much light as the 50mm f/2.8 Macro and even costs less.
The next page of this review sums up everything and explains the pros and cons of the Nikon Z MC 50mm f/2.8. So, click the menu below to go to “Verdict”:
Table of Contents