Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8

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NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S compared with NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8

	NikonNIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S	NikonNIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8
Overview
Released
Released	June 2021	June 2021
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Prime	Prime
Focal length
Focal length	105 mm	50 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/2.8
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/32	f/22
Macro lens
Macro lens	Yes	Yes
Optical construction
Optical construction	16 elements in 11 groups; internal focusing	10 elements in seven groups; front focusing
Special elements
Special elements	Three ED elements and one aspherical element	One ED and one aspherical element
Coatings
Coatings	Nano Crystal and ARNEO coatings; fluorine-coated front element	Fluorine-coated front element
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	f/2.8–32 at infinity; effective f/4.5–51 at the closest focus distance of 0.29 m. Main aperture figures refer to infinity	f/2.8–22 at infinity; effective f/5.6–32 at closest focus distance of 0.16 m. Main aperture values refer to infinity
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine rounded blades	Nine rounded blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	FX 23°10′; DX 15°20′	FX 47°; DX 31°30′
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Nikon Z mount	Nikon Z mount
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	Full frame
Compatibility
Compatibility	Native Nikon Z mount; FX/full-frame image circle, also usable on DX cameras	Native Nikon Z mount; FX/full-frame image circle, also usable on DX cameras
Adaptor support
Adaptor support	–	Compatible with the Nikon ES-2 film digitising adapter
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.29 m	0.16 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	1×	1×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	No
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Multi-focus stepping-motor system; automatic or manual focusing	Stepping motor; automatic or manual focusing
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum 0.29 m from focal plane; limiter selects full range or 0.29–0.5 m. Manual focus throw is adjustable; focus direction reversal requires a compatible Nikon Z body released in October 2020 or later	Minimum 0.16 m from the focal plane; front lens barrel extends when focusing close. Limiter selects FULL or 0.16–0.30 m close range, rather than excluding close distances as Digital Camera World states
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	Maximum 1×, reproducing subjects at life size	Maximum 1× life-size reproduction; barrel markings indicate 1:2, 1:1.4 and 1:1. Nikon UK states approximately 5 cm between the lens front and subject at closest focus
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	Lens-shift VR using voice-coil motors; 4.5-stop CIPA claim with an FX camera in Normal mode. Stabilisation becomes less effective at macro distances, as both reviews note; the USA release's generic footnote refers to maximum telephoto although this is a prime	No lens optical VR; compatible cameras may provide in-body stabilisation
Video features
Video features	Quiet autofocus, smooth aperture control and reduced focus breathing	Near-silent autofocus and a silent control ring
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	62 mm	46 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	85 mm	74.5 mm
Length
Length	140 mm	66 mm
Weight
Weight	630 g	260 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Separate manual focus and customisable control rings, L-Fn button, information panel with DISP button, AF/manual switch and focus limiter; Digital Camera World confirms distance, depth-of-field and aperture display	Combined focus/customisable control ring, AF/manual switch and close-range focus limiter; focus-distance and reproduction-ratio indicators appear on the extending barrel according to Nikon's release
Zoom design
Zoom design	Internal focusing keeps lens length unchanged	–
Filter detail
Filter detail	62 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch	46 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Sealing around mount and moving parts for dust and drip resistance, not guaranteed in all conditions; fluorine front coating repels water, dirt and dust	Nikon USA describes dust and drip resistance; not a waterproof rating. Fluorine front coating resists dirt and smudges
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 85 mm maximum diameter × 140 mm from mount flange	Approximately 74.5 mm maximum diameter × 66 mm from mount flange; barrel extends during close focusing
Weight detail
Weight detail	Approximately 630 g	Approximately 260 g
Lens hood
Lens hood	HB-99 included	HN-41 included
In the box
In the box	LC-62B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-99 hood and CL-C2 case	LC-46B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HN-41 hood and CL-C1 case
Release detail
Release detail	Nikon USA states late-June 2021 availability; earliest exact retail day and first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained	Nikon USA states late-June 2021 availability. Earliest exact global and first UK retail day unconfirmed, so month precision retained