Introduction
This hands-on review includes a light macro lens for Nikon’s Z Z, whatever you want to know about Nikon Z MC 50mm F/2.8 Macro. As a true macro lens, 50 mm is capable of reaching MC 1: 1 magnificationWith a short work distance. It was declared in 2021 with Nikon Z MC 105 mm F/2.8 macro, and as the publication of this review in 2025, these are still only two macro lenses that make for Nikon Z System.
I want to present this review by saying that macro photography is very close to my heart. Although I mostly do landscape photography these days, I started my life as a photographer, who used to crawl in the dirt that took a picture of small plants and bugs in my backyard. At that time, as a student, traveling to a far-flung scenario was nothing that I had received to do many times, but I could always find some macro themes to catch. Today, about 15 years later, I still enjoy testing the macro lens due to the new world that they open for photographers.
In that context, how does Nikon Z MC 50 mm F/2.8 Macro hold? On one hand, a 50 mm macro lens is not ideal on paper. Because the focal length is relatively wide, you will not have much work in front of the lens, which is at its highest magnification (especially 5.2 cm / 2.2 inches). On the other hand, this lens is very small and light, making it easier to navigate your camera in difficult spots or strange angles and still gets a shot. And the price of $ 650 – although it’s a little more in my opinion – still makes a compelling option for $ 1050 Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 macro if you are on a budget.
I tested Nikon Z MC 50 mm F/2.8 macro in the ground a few years ago, but I recently got a chance to plant a copy and measure its optical performance through our laboratory. How does it catch, and you should consider this lens for macro photography? I answer that question today in my full review of Nikon Z MC 50 mm F/2.8 Macro!
build quality
Nikon Z MC 50 mm F/2.8 Macro is a small and light lens, weighing just 260 grams (0.57 pounds). It is not portable as Nikon Z 28 mm F/2.8 or 40 mm F/2, but it is quite small to fit the jacket pocket and take the whole day without any hassle.
With most Nikon Z lenses, 50 mm f/2.8 macro contains a plastic manufacture with a metal lens mount. For me, plastic feels a little different than some other Nikon Z lenses – I describe it as almost thin – but it works fine in practice. There are seals in the entire lens to prevent the entry of dust and moisture. However, the lens expands because you focus more closely, and when the barrel is extended in all the way on 1: 1 magnification, there is a sign of walbal.
Despite the external focusing design, it is a well -built lens that must be for many years of use. Just make careful ranking focus in a rainy or very dusty environment.
Handling
Nikon Z MC 50 mm F/2.8 Macro well handle. It has a large manual focus ring that works through focus by wire. There is no additional control ring, but the lens has an AM switch and a focus limit switch. Both of them are rare for a non-S lens from Nikon, and it is good to see them here. Especially for a macro lens, more ways to control the focus are always welcome.
There is some notable unusual lens hood about this lens. For one thing, it has a very small, less effective profile, as you can see in the photo below. And above it, instead of crackling in place with a quarter turn, it directly tightens the screws in 46 mm filter threads of the lens. The hood consists of a filter thread of its own (also 46 mm), so you can continue using filters and a lens hood at the same time. However, any filter in front of the lens hood deteriorated, of course, will not be shaded by the sun.
Interestingly, the lens also contains 62 mm filter thread inside the outer barrel. For my knowledge, it makes Z MC 50 mm f/2.8 the first Nikon lens with two different -filter thread shape! (I am sure someone will correct me on him; tell me if you know about another lens with this feature.) However, note that you cannot attach filters directly from these external threads; They are just far away. But these threads allow you to attach the lens to attach other items to the lens more easily, such as a screw -in lens hood, a ring light, or Nikon’s ES -2 film digitizing adapter.
Talking about, if you want to digitize your 35 mm film with the highest possible detail and color loyalty, it can be a lens for you. Pay the lens and ES -2 with sensor -shift mode on some new Nikon Z cameras, and you can get full color details in each pixel.
Nikon z 50 mm f/2.8 macro specification
- Full Name: Nikon Nikkor Z Mc 50 mm F/2.8
- Mount Type: Nikon Z Mount
- Focal Length: 50 mm Prime
- Angle view (DX): 31 ° 30 ′
- Angle view (FX): 47 °
- Maximum aperture: f/2.8
- Minimum aperture: F/22
- Diaphragm Blade: 9
- Filter Size: 46 mm
- Lens element: 10
- Lens Group: 7
- Special elements: 1 aspherical, 1 ad glass
- Fluorine coated front element: yes
- Electronic diaphragm: yes
- Vibration reduction: no
- Internal focus: not
- Control rings: focus only
- Function button: No
- Focus Motor: STM (Stepping Motor)
- Minimum focus distance: 0.53 feet (0.16 m) from focal plane
- Maximum magnification: 1 × (1: 1)
- Mount Material: Metal
- Weather/Dust Ceiling: Yes
- Dimensions (length × diameter): 66 x 75 mm (2.6 x 3.0 in)
- Weight: 260 grams (0.57 pounds)
- MSRP: $ 650
- The lowest sales were observed: $ 596.95 (Check current value,
Here is the construction of lenses courtesy Nikon:
The next page of this review incorporates optical characteristics of Nikon Z MC 50mm F/2.8, including the laboratory focus on performance and acuity tests. So, click on the menu below to go to “optical display”:
