Which Nikon Macro Lens Is Right for You?

Nikon mirrorless shooters have two new lenses at their disposal, the NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 Macro and the NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro. While both offer the 1:1 magnification of a true macro lens, there are some major differences between the two. This helpful video review compares both options to show you which is the proper one for your work.

Coming to you from Matt Irwin Photography, this great video compares the Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 Macro to the Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro. Both lenses are new to the Z mount, offering a lot of Nikon's latest optical technology, and both offer true 1:1 macro performance. However, you will want to consider the differences in rendering, as 1:1 at 50mm is not the same as 1:1 at 105mm, as the telephoto lens will offer you more compression and a longer working distance, t he latter of which is useful if you are photographing easily spooked bugs or the like. On the other hand, the 50mm option is $350 cheaper than the 105mm option. And of course, both double as sharp portrait lenses — one good for half-length portraits and one more so for headshots. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Irwin.