Hands on With the Freshly Unveiled Nikon MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro Lens

Last week, Nikon unveiled the NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro Lens. In an unusual move from the manufacturer, we have a hands-on video before the lens reaches the shelves.

Designed to give beautiful bokeh, the 105mm f/2.8 is one of Nikon’s high-quality S-lenses and has a minimum focusing distance of less than a foot (20 cm). 16 elements sit in 11 groups, there are 9 rounded aperture blades, the front filter measures 62mm, and the unit weighs 1.4 lbs (630 g). The lens includes weather-sealing to allow for shooting in challenging conditions.

As you’d expect given its name, the macro reproduction ratio is 1:1, but as this video from Matt Irwin shows, this is a versatile lens and could be a great option for portraiture. From this quick glance, the stabilization — what Nikon calls Vibration Reduction (VR) — also looks impressive, allowing for handheld video that’s free of jitter and shooting stills at slow shutter speeds.

B&H Photo is currently taking preorders for the lens, which is priced at $996.95 and is expected to start shipping at the beginning of July.

Will you be placing an order? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Andy Day's picture

Andy Day is a British photographer and writer living in France. He began photographing parkour in 2003 and has been doing weird things in the city and elsewhere ever since. He's addicted to climbing and owns a fairly useless dog. He has an MA in Sociology & Photography which often makes him ponder what all of this really means.

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