Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro Lens

[Michael Erlewine]

You prove a point Michael

I may have to wait a year to get the Z9, because I was late to order. Anyone not happy with theirs, let me know.

[Birna Rørslett]

Very happy at present and it works nice with the 105 MC too.

[MILLIREHM]

Very happy at present and it works nice with the 105 MC too.

I want to confirm that :-)

[MEPER]

I wonder how the stacked image of the red flower would look like if one of the older 105mm micro lenses was used?
E.g. AIS 105/4 micro which I have. Would it look bad?

[Michael Erlewine]

I wonder how the stacked image of the red flower would look like if one of the older 105mm micro lenses was used?
E.g. AIS 105/4 micro which I have. Would it look bad?

The Cyclamen (red flower) was not the best example. It would look good in the early lens, but this one (Night Blooming Cereous) IMO would not look as good in the older lens.

[MEPER]

Could be interesting to see how big the difference would be. Now the Z-105 is not very expensive but still compared to a 2nd hand older Nikkor 105.
The price difference between the EL-Nikkor 105 APO version and the normal EL 105 6-lens version is bigger. So also here could be interesting to see how big difference is in a real life example.
But I know if would take a lot of time using a "bad" lens to make all these images for a "stack" :-)

If I could get a bit of money for my AFS 105/2.8 the Z-105 would be a nice upgrade.
If I just got the Z-105 the older AFS would never be used. The AIS 105/4 I still like a lot and also the Vivitar 105/2.5.

[Michael Erlewine]

The price difference between the EL-Nikkor 105 APO version and the normal EL 105 6-lens version is bigger. So also here could be interesting to see how big difference is in a real life example.
But I know if would take a lot of time using a "bad" lens to make all these images for a "stack" :-)

the APO El-Nikkor 105mm is a pristine lens. I use it a lot, but have not used it so much since I have the Z MC 105mm f/2.8 Macro. That says something in my book.

I also have many of the early Nikkor 105s of various types, which just sit on the shelf... for the most part.

[Birna Rørslett]

The new 105/2.8 MC is all the 105/2.8 AFS promised to be, but failed to deliver. Image sharpness at last is back to a professional level and the annoying chromatic aberrations have largely  been eliminated. Physically it is not small yet quite easy to handle and it balances nicely on the Z9.

The old 105/4 Micro is still a fine lens and provided it is not stopped down too far, capable of delivering excellent results.

[MEPER]

Think I will downgrade my AFS 105/2.8 to a pure portrait and general purpose mid-tele lens and only use it from 1m - infinity. Think it is ok for that purpose.
Then I have a good excuse to get a Z 105/2.8. Problem is that on a Z-body I will never use the AFS if I get a Z 105. I wonder if I can find a "use-case" where the AFS performs better.....
In theory there could be a case like Infinity sharpness, direct sun images, foreground bokeh etc. etc......

[Birna Rørslett]

None of the cases you outlined.... The 105 MC reigns supreme by a very comfortable margin.

[MEPER]

I can reuse the nice 62mm B+W filter I have mounted on the AFS!

https://nikonrumors.com/2021/06/04/nikkor-105mm-f-2-8g-vr-if-e-vs-nikkor-z-mc-105mm-f-2-8-vr-specifications-comparison.aspx/

AFS has direct coupled MF override!   <-- electronic on Z-version?
AFS probably has more metal as it is more heavy (+120g).

The MTF shows that Z-version has higher resolution.

How well does the AF 200/4 ED micro perform compared to the 105mm Z-version?

[Michael Erlewine]

How well does the AF 200/4 ED micro perform compared to the 105mm Z-version?

IMO, not in the same class as the new Z 105 Macro.

[Birna Rørslett]

The 200/4 ED is good, but the design is now nearly 30 years old and on the Z cameras it can only operate in MF. Actually, it should only be used with manual focusing anyway as the A/M clutch ring is prone to break if used.

The 105 MC is as of now the premier Micro-Nikkor.

[MEPER]

It is always fun to have the "best tools".....even that it is only a hobby and not for living......
As long as I only have a Z50 the AFS 105 can probably do it. I don't think I can blame the lens if my images are not good enough......

I have some scanner lenses I need to play with first and get some mountings for it so it can be used on a camera.

The older AI 200/4 micro is only a collectors item now unless it has some use with a reversed lens on it.
I never see this technique used anymore.

I have John Shaws book "Closeups In Nature". He used stacked lenses. It may still be useful to go above 1:1 magnification.

[Birna Rørslett]

Many people, yours truly included, use the AF 200/4 ED-IF  as a relay lens for infinity-focus microscope objectives such as the Mitutoyo metallurgical models. This would entail magnifications 5-10X or higher, depending on the actual microscope objective deployed.