#Nikon macro lens update
#Nikon macro lens manual
#Nikon macro lens upgrade
#Nikon macro lens full

Unlike in the competing Tamron 90mm, the stabilizer is a conventional rather than ‘hybrid’ unit. This Sigma lens exactly matches Nikon’s own 105mm Micro for focal length, as well as featuring similarly fast and whisper-quiet ring-type ultrasonic autofocus and 4-stop optical stabilization. Unlike with the Canon-mount version of the lens, you should be able to apply this via Tamron’s optional TAP-in USB console, rather than having to send the lens to a Tamron service centre.

#Nikon macro lens upgrade

However, a forthcoming firmware upgrade is required to make the lens compatible if it's to be used with Z-series cameras via an FTZ mount adapter. All in all, it’s a great macro lens at a competitive selling price.

#Nikon macro lens manual

Ring-type autofocus is quick and quiet, with the usual full-time manual override. The weather-sealed construction is of very good quality.

#Nikon macro lens full

Even so, for full 1.0x macro shots, it’s a poor substitute for using a tripod. This counteracts x-y shift as well as the more usual angular vibration, making it much more effective at very close range. The Tamron is sharper and has a more effective ‘hybrid’ image stabilizer. We’ve always found this Tamron lens to give better close-up image quality and all-round performance than Nikon’s pricier AF-S VR Micro 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED.

#Nikon macro lens update

See our full Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S review (opens in new tab).įirmware update required for use with Nikon Z-series cameras Image quality, all-round performance and handling are simply sensational. Everything’s wrapped up in a tough, weather-sealed construction. Handling exotica includes a multi-function OLED display, a customizable Lens-function button and control ring, plus an autofocus range limiter, along with an electronically coupled focus ring that enables ultra-fine adjustments. Sublime image quality for both general shooting and extreme close-ups is backed up by a super-fast and highly accurate autofocus system, along with highly effective optical VR (Vibration Reduction) that can work in tandem with the in-body stabilizers of Nikon’s full-frame Z-series cameras. There's also the cheaper Z MC 50mm f/2.8 (opens in new tab) which is a good lens, but this MC 105mm has a more practical focal length for macro photograhy and is a properly pro-grade lens - it's well worth the extra cost. Nikon’s MC 105mm is one of two new Z-mount macro lenses. For this reason, macro lenses are often useful in other contexts as well – their sharpness makes them good take-everywhere primes, their longer focal lengths make them handy for portraiture, and their ability to render detail makes them fantastic for food photography.Ĭosts 50 per cent more to buy than Nikon’s Z MC 50mm lens, but well worth the extra outlay You're going to be getting very close to your subject, so a short focusing distance is a must, and they also tend to be longer in focal length (the sweet spot is generally agreed to be around 90-105mm, though there are variations in both directions), as this again makes it easier to fill the frame with one subject.

There are some other important requirements for macro lenses. This is the key to getting those spectacular, frame-filling images of minuscule subjects.

For a lens to be considered a 'true' macro lens, it needs to have at least a 1:1 reproduction ratio, meaning that the subject on the sensor plane is the same as or greater than its size in real life. While lots of lenses with decent close-up capabilities are referred to as macro lenses, there is actually stricter criteria to qualify as one.

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