Macro and So Much More! The Sublime Nikon Z MC 50mm f/2.8 - Lens Review

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Hi! I’m SnapChick. My channel is about photography as an art form and as a lifestyle, with a healthy dose of technology thrown in! I post new videos every week so subscribe here on KZbin, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google+, and join in on the conversation!
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[@winterlynstebner3002]

This is one of my favorite lenses. I’m a wedding photographer so this has been great for detail shots and portraits. Having a lens that can do two jobs for me is great. Less gear in my bag to carry.

[@mitchallen55]

I have a 105 macro. I use it just as much for portrait as I do for macro. At 2.8 it separates the subject from the background wonderfully and is very sharp.

[@BorealHiker]

I bought this as soon as it was announced. For my Z6ll. I wanted it for a compact walking around lens. Unless I’m out hiking I’m so self conscious walking around with a monster 24-70 drawing attention to me. I don’t really do macro…..except when I do macro. Which is why it’s great because you have that capability already on the camera for when you see a good macro opportunity. It’s a cool secret weapon. It’s also sharper than my 50 1.8G that I use on my DX’s.

[@mrnicelynicely1]

I'm certainly adding this to my short-list of possible purchases -it's so compact and versatile.

[@piotrdziedzic6630]

I just got into photography. As my first camera i bought Nikon Z FC + this 50mm MC. Im really happy of my purchase

[@Honkus]

Since I already have the S 50 1.8 S I opted to get the Z MC 105mm, and I absolutely love it. I am still tempted to get this Z MC 50mm, or at least rent it. It seems like a fabulous lens and a bit more versatile than the 50 1.8 S due to the close focus.

[@alexshdvideo]

Thank you for posting! The reviews I have seen so far is that this 2.8 Macro compares favorably to the 50 1.8 that is one of the sharpest lenses at any f stop from any brand…. Should be nice to see it side by side shoot out.. honestly for $50 more and losing 1 stop of light to gain a 1:1 macro when I want it…. It’s a no brainer. How well does it holds it own for say landscape, 6 foot focus, f 5.6 sharpness center and edge to edge.. (when I’m NOT using my Lensbaby lenses - opposite of sharp edge to edge).

[@albertr915]

50mm is my all time favorite focal length. I don’t know what it is, but I just love the 50mm focal length. I own a Canon EF 50mm F/1.2L USM lens, and I love it. It’s my #1 favorite lens in my lens kit. Also, as far as macro I own the Canon EF 100mm F/2.8L IS Macro USM lens. That’s my favorite for macro photography, and for shooting portraits.

[@robertdavis1255]

Thanks for sharing.. although I don't have any Z series gear, I enjoy your reviews on Nikon gear as I use my D500 with a 50mm 1.8 lens... cheers 😀

[@obedbrinkman]

lovely lens!

[@RichardBO9]

Just bought a Z7ii. This is on my purchase list, especially if I can attach the slide scanner. The photos of the blue grama grass and Apache plume are gorgeous!

[@gregcorker2193]

Informative review. I am waiting for the 105mm f/2.8 S lens to arrive. Very excited at the macro images which await.

[@stevenjohnson9146]

Hi, how was your 105mm f/2.8 S MC? I’m trying to decide 50mm or 105. Does 105 focus hunting a lot?

[@gyozakeynsianism]

Looks like a great lens, and optically sounds superior to the old 50mm f/1.8G, except the out-of-focus rendering on the G looks clearly superior IMHO. Obviously this has that insane close-focus distance. Nice review and photos. Thanks!

[@NetvoTV]

Does cropping in the image give you more than 1:1 of macro?

[@BernardSolomon]

Third. :) F-mount shooter. Have always thought about the 60mm Macro, but, never got around to getting that because when I go macro I like distance and hence have a Nikon 105mm and a Tamron 180mm. And if I don't need macro my 50mms can go to 1.8 and 1.4.

[@cadudeoti]

Hello. Is it good for food photography?

[@matthiasscheurer8498]

i own the 50mm 1.8 and just tried Macro Rings (11mm & 18mm) with it… The minimal distance for this lens is then dramatically less and you get a affordable macro functionality. In my opinion the easiest way to get a first idea of where macro photography can get you… Leigh, maybe you know if the macro rings affect the 1.8 aperture or not?

[@artsilva]

My dilemma with deciding on which Macro or Micro lens to get; the 50 or the 105. The Z MC 50mm I have every standard Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 ever made in the F mount that I adapt to my Z5. getting another 50 would be Super redundant other than the MC 50 having 35mm film scanning capabilities via the ES-2. The Z MC 105mm would seem to be the choice for me and the fact that for macro you are not on top of your subject maybe risking frightening off the bug you are trying to photograph, the 105 would seem to be the better choice for wildlife macro Plus it could double as a portrait lens... However, for portraits I don't think anything is better than the 105mm G, or D if I want to adapt. My only question that I have asked all over the place and have yet to get an answer is How is it for film scanning (both 35mm and 6x6 MF)? I have books of both 35mm and 6x6 MF negatives I want to 1:1 scan so My decision is mostly based on which lens can do better and being practical. No one has yet to say anything about MF scanning with any of these two lenses.

[@JamesWilliam70]

I love macro photography, It's my excuse to get out in nature. Some use a dog as an excuse to go out, I use my cameras. 👍

[@GeoFavTech]

Saw a glimpse of Matt from Carwow !!

[@ronboe6325]

I much prefer 100mm macros; gives me some stand off from bugs they don't frighten quite as fast. I was "forced" to get the 60mm macro when I picked up ES-2 film scanner and it's a keeper. Done some very nice work with it (including one hummingbird shot a blundered onto while hunting bugs in the garden). So I scored on the 105mm. A really nice lens, but focus hunts too much some times. Annoying. Nice portrait lens too. Kinda big, but not as heavy as it looks.

[@hawg427]

Those Leicas make me drool. LOL

[@jalapenopoppers331]

I think you mean hectares per cubic gallon. It's important to get these kinds of things correct for the sake of the next generation of photographers.

[@Seeyatellite]

I regret with utmost sincerity picking up the S rather than the MC. I love those little worlds around us...

[@garydmorris]

I bought this lens to use with my Z5. Perfect for shooting photos for eBay. I shoot these photos at f11 and 1600 ISO and the results are terrific. I highly recommend this lens. This lens is a little heavier than I expected but otherwise well worth the cost. I also think the Z5 is a very nice camera body. Much more versatile than I expected. I've been using Leica M lenses via the Novoflex adapter. I programmed the #1 front button for magnification and this works very well.

[@lisab8078]

When I bought my fuji I contemplated buying the Nikon ZFc and this lens instead specifically for the ability to get the film scanning kit - but no one could tell me if it would work with the ZFc so I went with Fuji instead, But I really like the look of this lens although I prefer longer macros for the working distance

[@gyozakeynsianism]

The Zfc uses the Z mount, so it will take every single Z-mount lens.

[@lisab8078]

@@gyozakeynsianism sorry I meant whether the film scanning kit would work with the zfc and 50mm or whether the crop factor would mean you couldn't get the whole image in. I wasn't referring to the z lens working with the zfc.

[@gyozakeynsianism]

@@lisab8078 Oh, I misunderstood you. The good news is, Fuji cameras are super fun to shoot with. I'd argue they're more fun than the Zfc (I agree with Raymond ; see SnapChick's Zfc video).

[@lisab8078]

@@gyozakeynsianism yes I love my new fuji it is lots of fun especially with the 70-300.

[@thomastuorto9929]

The only macro focal length I can comment on is the 105G, F mount. Although I had a Canon 70-210 with some kind of macro function when fully extended back in the day. There are times I wish I had a wider macro & times I wish I had Nikons older longer macro ( I believe 180 or 200 mm/ f4. Anyway the widest I get the 105 at min focus distance is 3.2 if I remember correctly. Have you done the latest firmware updates for your Z7 yet? One day I would love to see some SOOC comparisons between the Z7 & the SL2!

[@nathanielcashjr.732]

I brought this lens after watching this review and I love it. I am getting up in age, and prefer a lighter lens for walking around and this fits the bill. I like occasional macro and because I don't pixel peep, I can't really see much of a difference from the 50 1.8. It's now on my camera most of the time for walking around. Thanks.

[@Telly26]

I’ve been debating 50mm MC or 50mm 1.8 S, because I’ve never had a macro. Is it safe to say that I should go with the 50 MC for my Nikon Z fc?

[@nathanielcashjr.732]

Yes. It's on my camera more than my 50mm 1.8 s lens, which I do use for really low light situations. However, the 2.8 aperture does well in low light at hold your iso down.

[@Telly26]

@@nathanielcashjr.732 Awesome! Thank you so much for the info Nathaniel! I’ve been researching like crazy and going back and forth. I’m also used to kit lenses so I’m sure the 2.8 will be more than enough when I shoot in low light situations. I’m also excited about having the ability to shoot 1:1 magnification macro photographs, which I never done before. I feel like it will open another world of opportunities for me. Especially since I love details.

[@naderhelme]

💥💯👍💚

[@Willymaze]

16 mm = 3 hectares😆