#85mm #105mm #70200mm
The Nikon Z mount lens range continues to grow, with one of the latest lenses to arrive being the MC 105 2.8 VR S. What a cracker it has turned out to be, but is it out classed?
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30 Comments
I want all 3, but based on this video I'd start with the 105. I own a Tamron 70-200 G2, a Nikon 85 1.8g, and a Tokina 100mm Macro. I recently purchased the Z5 and the 85 and 70-200 adapt well with the ftz, but the Tokina is a motor drive AF so that would be an easy first replacement.
Bottom line, all 3 lenses are beasts and you cannot go wrong with any of them.
Although the 70-200 and the 105 lenses are fantastic, I tend to regrettably leave them at home a lot in favour of smaller, lighter versatile lenses like the 85 f1.8 or a 24-70 f4
If anything, to me the fact a zoom can be compared to such over-performing primes is a testament to how good the 70-200 is. Alternatively, as soon as the 105 came out my first impression was that the 85 suddenly looked overpriced (to me – macro is worth more than the 1.8 aperature. YMMV)
I just sold the 85 for the 105 as it’s my least used lens considering I also have the 70-200. When the original Z6 was out, the 85 was king because the other two didn’t exist. But it’s still a fantastic lens.
Matt, some other guy on his video complained about the 105 MC being noisy when focusing, did you?
Hi Matt – Would You rather recommend 105 over 70-200 for product/packshots only?
If the image quality between prime and zoom lenses is equal than there is something terribly wrong imho 🙂
I love the channel so keep up the great work Matt. I own the 70-200mm VR for my D850 and it’s an awesome and very versatile lens so I’d probably go for the Z copy for my new Z7ii which I finally bought last week. However, if money was no object I’d love the 105 also for its size, weight, macro and portrait capabilities.
For me… none of the above. Instead, 85mm f1.8 AF-D, 105mm f2.5 AI-S SIC version, 180mm f2.8 AF-D. At a fraction of the price and better overall image quality IMHO.
Proper job, Matt! Thanks for this as I’ve been sorting the 105 and the 85… I have and love the 70-200 yet want a portrait prime… stay the course.
I’m fortunate enough to have all 3 and consequently (apart from the first week of ownership) don’t use the 105 as anything other than a micro/macro but listening to you perhaps I should.
What want you say, with your Video Guy???????
Thank you for the effort, but you compared 3 portable lenses shooting landscapes with a wide open aperture… Sorry for being harsh but this is not how you would use any of these lenses in the real world.
I’m hoping to pick up the 70 – 200 as well as the 85mm in the near future. I had the option between all three but had to go with the 105mm to start with. All are amazing lenses but personally the 105mm was the winner today! Love your videos!
As much as I’d love a 70-200 the 85mm S is fantastic for my usage as a candid family portrait lens for walking around. It’s not as intimidating as a 70-200 and people seem to relax more, giving me more natural looking expressions.
The differences between all of these lenses are becoming less and less!
I just got the 85mm S lens and I love it. Not quite ready to retire my F mount 70-200 f2.8 or my F mount 105mm f2.8.
Maybe use a real bigBoy tripod?
That flimsy tripod is a joke. But good job!😀
The 85 1.8S has the nicer bokeh vs the 105mm. So better for portraits. Plus better working distance if you're inside a studio.
I now have all 3😀
Use color, object point, dof, bokeh, to comparating the large aperture lenses. May you can use wide lenses for this content.
I've bitten the bullet and have the 70-200mm VR S – simply an awsome, versatile lens and saves me a Gym membership…
The 85mm is a 2nd class version and not an s-line – the others are. When the f/1.2 85mm Z s-line comes out try this test again and you will see a difference.
Hi Matt. I’ve an ageing (like myself!) 200mm F4 micro …crazy sharp and loads of stand-off from the subject. But I’m also the totally aghast owner of a Z9…so, in your opinion, would it we worth investing in a 105 2.8 micro to get back all of the lost facilities that the Z9 would bring to the close up party? Plus…why hasn’t anybody done the most obvious comparison of the old 200 v new 105? I guess the rarity of the 200.
Interesting that this comparison came up in my feed as thinking of comparing. I used to have a 70-200 f2.8G on DSLR, but after moving to Z6/7 picked up a 85 1.8S after realising that I got my favourite shots from the 70-200 mostly at the short end. Only downside to the 85 1.8S was the minimum focus distance. I don't need the range of the 70-200 or the weight!, but the 105 is very interesting. Thanks for useful comparison.
I'd like to do more portrait photography, but my question is, is anything wider than 2.8 useful on a 105mm lens? The depth of field would be super shallow for head shots – maybe less so from full body shots. Do you need to have 1.8 (or 1.2!) to get good separation and blurred backgrounds? I'd lean towards the 85 for the reasons others have mentioned (notably portability and versatility)….lenses now are crazy sharp…
I'm going to get a Viltrox 24mm f1.8. Nikon 40mm f2 and Nikon 85mm f1.8 S for a lightweight, budget 3 lens kit that will handle low-light fairly well. I've got an old F mount 70-200 2.8 VR for occasional weightlifting too.
I have gotten great results with both my 85mm and 105mm. Now, after moving to Z mount, I am hoping Nikon makes a 105 f/1.8 S version.
I Love my 105 MC.
105mm