Introduction
Introduced as a part of a duo of two new macro lenses for the Z system, the Nikon Z MC 50mm F2.8 is designed to be a small, mild and compact stroll round macro lens which can be utilized with both full-frame or APS-C Nikon Z system cameras.
The duo are the primary native macro lenses for the Z mount, with customers having to make use of F-mount DSLR lenses with an adapter in the event that they wished a macro choice beforehand.
Though designated as a macro lens, with its quick focal size and cheaper pricing than the 105mm, the Nikon Z MC 50mm F2.8 is one thing that can be utilized by all kinds of photographers in a variety of totally different conditions, not simply macro.
Because it’s a less expensive choice, there are additionally some sacrifices to be made compared to the 105mm, together with lack of inbuilt Vibration Discount (VR), in addition to no particular ARNEO coatings.
Different specs of the lens embody a development which options 10 parts in 7 teams, together with 1 ED factor, 1 aspherical factor and a fluorine-coated entrance lens factor. There are 9 diaphragm blades, which is near-circular.
On the time of writing, the Nikon Z MC 50mm F2.8 lens may be picked up for round £650 / $650, which is considerably cheaper than the £999 / $999 asking value for the 105mm lens.
Ease of Use
Weighing in at simply 260g and being simply 66mm in size, the Nikon Z MC 50mm F2.8 is a really small and light-weight lens, particularly for a macro optic. It’s excellent for pairing with the entire Z mount cameras, making for a superb stroll round / day-after-day lens, particularly with the very versatile 50mm focal size.
It’s seemingly that this lens is significantly better suited to the APS-C Z Mount cameras than the heavier and bigger 105mm macro lens. We have now been utilizing it with the Z7 II, nevertheless, the place it additionally works very nicely.
Though it’s small and light-weight, the Z MC 50mm f/2.8 nonetheless feels very nicely constructed, nevertheless it has a a lot less complicated outward development when put next with the 105mm f/2.8 lens.
On the mount finish of the lens, there’s a white dot, which you should utilize to line up the lens with the digicam’s mount. Merely match up the 2 and twist it into place. You’ll want to make use of the button on the digicam to launch the Z MC 50mm F2.8, twisting it in the wrong way to free it from the coupling. The lens mount is constructed from metallic and appears nicely crafted.
There are simply two switches on the lens barrel, with no additional buttons or LCD shows, which is the place it’s a lot less complicated than the 105mm. The 2 switches discovered on the Z MC 50mm f/2.8 are for switching between computerized and handbook focus, and a spotlight limiter swap.
You’ll be able to both set the latter to “full” or restrict it to 0.3-0.16m, which is meant to make focusing faster when taking pictures very close-up topics. Though there’s a swap for handbook focus, you may override autofocus at any time utilizing the handbook focusing ring even when the lens is ready to autofocus.
The focusing ring takes up roughly half of the lens barrel. It’s ridged to supply a very good grip on it, whereas it’s dampened simply sufficient to make exact focusing simple, whereas additionally not requiring an excessive amount of effort.
When specializing in tiny topics at shut distance, it’s very simple to attain crucial focus – if manually focusing, it’s beneficial that you simply swap on focus peaking within the digicam to make it much more easy. There aren’t any arduous stops at both finish of the focusing ring, nevertheless, so setting focus to infinity isn’t as simple because it could possibly be.
Should you don’t need to use the focusing ring to regulate handbook focusing, you can too set it to regulate different capabilities comparable to aperture, ISO and publicity compensation.
As you rotate the focusing ring, markings on the lens barrel will seem on the entrance, which clearly point out whether or not you’re taking pictures at 1:.4, 1:2, or 1:1 (life dimension) magnification ratio – it’s a fast and straightforward technique to decide whether or not you’re taking pictures a real life dimension or not.
This scale can be marked with the closest focusing level, so at 1:1, you’ll have to be taking pictures topics at 0.16m.
On the entrance of the Nikon Z MC 50mm F2.8 lens, you may connect a filters with a 46mm thread dimension. The entrance factor doesn’t rotate when focusing, which is beneficial for when working with filters.
Autofocusing could be very fast, and in addition very quiet, making the lens a very good choice for individuals who prefer to shoot video. It’s additionally helpful when photographing bugs in shut proximity, in order to not startle them. The lens doesn’t spend time looking for focus, besides in very darkish conditions.
This lens doesn’t include inbuilt VR, nevertheless due to its light-weight and small development, it’s nonetheless a very good choice for handheld low-light taking pictures.
Provided within the field is a small lens hood, which clips into place on the entrance of the lens. There’s additionally a fabric lens case, which can be helpful for cleansing the lens whereas on the transfer.
Focal Vary
The Nikon Z MC 50mm f/2.8 is designed for use with both full-frame or APS-C cameras. When used with full-frame cameras, the angle of view is 47 levels. With APS-C cameras (or full body cameras utilized in DX mode), you get an equal focal size of 75mm and an angle of view of 31 levels.
Chromatic Aberrations
Usually seen as blue or purple fringes alongside excessive distinction edges, chromatic aberrations are usually a much bigger downside for cheaper or poorly constructed lenses, so we wouldn’t anticipate to see it occurring right here. Certainly, with the Nikon Z MC 50mm f/2.8 it’s arduous to identify too many problematic aberrations showing, particularly at regular viewing sizes.
Distortion
At this sort of focal size, we wouldn’t anticipate to see an excessive amount of in the way in which of distortion, certainly there’s barely any evident in both the uncooked or JPEG recordsdata.
Mild Fall-off
With the lens set to its most aperture, there’s some mild drop off evident when photographing a white wall. In additional regular conditions, it’s tougher to identify however you may want to use some correction to take away vignetting if it bothers you. Alternatively, you may cease down by no less than two f/stops to stop it from taking place in any respect.
Macro
The Nikon Z MC 50mm F2.8 is in fact a devoted macro lens. It has a minimal focusing distance of simply 16cm, with a most magnification of 1x / 1:1.
Bokeh
The phrase for out-of-focus areas of {a photograph}, bokeh is often described in qualitative phrases comparable to easy, creamy or pleasing.
With a most aperture of f/2.8 and a 9-rounded blade design, our view is that you may get some stunning examples of bokeh with the Z MC 50mm f/2.8.
Nevertheless, since opinions about bokeh may be extremely subjective, now we have included some examples beneath so that you can make your personal judgement.
Sharpness
To be able to present you the way sharp this lens is, we’re offering 100% crops on the next web page.
