Nikon Nikkor Z MC 50mm f/2.8 Macro
Announced June 2, 2021
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Nikon Nikkor Z MC 50mm f/2.8 Macro is a compact, lightweight prime lens that serves as both a sharp macro tool and a versatile everyday normal lens. While it offers excellent optical performance and weather-resistant construction, users should note its short working distance and lack of built-in image stabilization.
Weighted from 12 reviewer scores
Pros
- Sharp image quality with low distortion and chromatic aberration
- Compact and lightweight design
- Weather-resistant build with fluorine coating
- Fast and silent autofocus with focus limiter
- Versatile for general-purpose photography
Cons
- Very short working distance at maximum magnification
- Lacks optical image stabilization
- Plastic construction and unpadded case
- Focus breathing and aperture reduction at close distances
- Inadequate lens hood design
- Launch price $650 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 50mm f/2.8
- Mount & coverage Nikon Z Full-Frame
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 16 cm (1x)
- Filter thread 46mm
- Autofocus motor STM
- Weight & size 260g · 74.5 x 66 mm (2.93 x 2.60 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 12 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- PetaPixel 7.5/10
For photographers that are interested in macro images but aren't quite ready to invest heavily into the niche lenses, this is a great first step into the field.
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The Nikon Z MC 50mm f2.8 is a well-featured, small and light macro lens which also doubles up as a standard lens for other photographic applications.
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[T]his is an absolutely excellent 50mm macro lens from Nikon, brilliantly sharp with lovely colors and contrast and no image quality issues at all.
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The Nikkor Z 50 mm f/2.8 MC is a lens that performs exactly as it should be expected from such an instrument.
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The 50mm f/2.8 MC is probably the most meh lens Nikon has produced in the Z-mount lineup.
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The Nikon Nikkor Z MC 50mm f/2.8 gives a superb performance, excellent handling and a light, compact form factor all sum up this excellent macro lens. There are no bad macro lenses, but this one pushes the envelope out a little further and excels.
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[T]here is a lot to like about this lens. It produces excellent results, impressive sharpness and is small and light enough to put in your kit bag and not think too much about it.
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This 50mm f/2.8 standard prime is great for general shooting. It’s conveniently compact and lightweight, and a full f/stop faster than Nikon’s Z 24-70mm f/4 S zoom that’s supplied as a kit lens with full-frame Z-series bodies.
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The Nikon Nikkor Z MC 50mm F2.8 is a capable prime lens for close-ups and macros, but it's not a standout optic like the Nikkor 105mm MC.
- Photo Review 90%
The small size, light weight and weather-resistant sealing of this lens make it a useful choice for travel and everyday photography.
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This is a small, ultralight Chinese-made general-purpose normal and macro lens. It's great if you want an ultralight and reasonably fast normal lens that also focuses extremely close.
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For us, this is not a life-changing lens, but it is a great tool. What it does do is present an additional, highly portable macro option for the Z system and it works darn well as an all-day 50-mm lens and the F2.8 aperture can help in low-light situations.
