Nikon Z macro lenses - Full guide

This article focuses on the best Nikon Z macro lenses. After taking a close look at Sony camera gear, I’ve started covering lenses for the Nikon Z mount. The link above takes you to my regularly updated page listing all Nikon and third-party lenses available for the Z-mount.

I haven’t yet written all the Z-mount articles I have in mind, but I’m getting there, slowly. If you’re currently thinking about switching to the Z-mount, you can also check out our page with all full-frame Nikon Z cameras, as well as the few available Nikon Z APS-C mirrorless cameras.

The Z-mount arrived relatively late, as Nikon entered the mirrorless market well after Sony. Because the mount is still fairly recent, the lens lineup remains smaller than older systems, especially in a niche like macro photography. But things are moving fast…

Macro photography continues to fascinate many photographers, and I have to admit that once you start looking closely, this “microscopic” world can be genuinely captivating. At the time of writing, the choice of macro lenses for Nikon Z-mount is still limited, with two Nikon macro lenses for full-frame cameras and one autofocus third-party option now available. No Nikon Z macro lens is currently available specifically for Nikon Z APS-C cameras. But who knows, one may come out soon.

Third-party lenses for the Nikon Z-mount are still developing, and outside Nikon’s own lenses and the Tamron 90mm, most macro options remain manual focus. It’s a matter of preference, and budget too. Let’s hope more Sigma or Tamron options arrive for macro photographers in the near future.

Let’s get straight to it. And as a side note, if you’re interested in this mount, you can also read our complete guide to the best current Nikon Z wide-angle lenses.

If you were wondering, the answer is short and simple: to my knowledge, there are no macro zoom lenses available. You’ll only find prime lenses.

As I mentioned in the introduction, there are now three autofocus options to choose from. The table below shows the main characteristics you should know about these Nikon Z macro lenses.

Visual

Lens

Features

Best price

Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S

• Excellent build quality
• Excellent sharpness
• Comfort features available
• Stabilized lens
• Good control of flare and distortion
• Significant vignetting at f/2.8
• Appropriate weight/size

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Nikon Z MC 50mm f/2.8

• Very good mid-range focus
• Well-built
• No aperture ring
• Non-stabilized lens
• Optical imperfections well dealt with
• Significant vignetting at f/2.8
• More affordable

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Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Macro Z

• High-quality construction
• Superior sharpness
• Fast, quiet autofocus
• Advanced customization options
• Well-controlled chromatic aberration and distortion
• Visible vignetting at full aperture
• Compact and lightweight

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Let’s now look at these Nikon Z macro lenses in more detail. You can click on the links below to go directly to each lens.

1 – Nikon Z 105mm f/2.8 S MC VR
2 – Nikon Z MC 50 mm f/2.8
3 – Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Macro Z

The physical characteristics of these lenses are detailed in the table below.

This 105mm macro lens was the first macro lens Nikon released for the Z-mount, in June 2021. The success of the 105mm DSLR version was well-established, and Nikon decided to follow suit with a slightly longer (2.4cm longer) yet lighter lens (630g vs 790g). Generally speaking, Nikon has always been very good at building macro lenses. There is no reason for that to change. This is a superb macro lens, with a 1:1 magnification ratio and a 62mm filter thread, and it can also be used for outdoor portraits, for example.

This 105mm macro lens, weather-sealed and stabilized (“VR”), has excellent high-end build quality, with 16 elements in 11 groups. Nikon mentions three ED glass elements and one aspherical element to limit chromatic aberrations as much as possible. Several coatings, including anti-reflective and Nano Crystal coatings, have been applied to reduce flare. Finally, a fluorine coating on the front element makes the lens easier to clean and helps prevent dirt marks.

As part of Nikon’s “S” line, the brand’s high-end range, it has two rings on the barrel. The first is a well-designed focus ring with good resistance and smooth movement. The second ring, which is not clickable, is customizable and controls aperture by default. However, you can also set exposure, ISO, and other parameters with it. The barrel is equipped with an AF/MF switch and a button to limit focus range (full or between 29 and 50 cm). Finally, an OLED screen on top displays the magnification ratio or focusing distance. Note that it is not possible to use this lens with the brand’s teleconverter. The minimum focusing distance is 29 cm. The autofocus is generally considered quite good.

The lens reaches excellence in image quality. From full aperture, which is limited to f/4.5 at a 1:1 ratio, images are superb in the center and very good toward the edges. Stopping down to f/4, then f/5.6, improves overall sharpness. You’ll need to stop down to f/8 to get the best consistency across the whole frame (which is not a problem in macro photography since you almost never shoot at full aperture because of focusing distance). Optical flaws are very well controlled. Distortion and chromatic aberrations are almost non-existent. Vignetting is the “weak point” of this lens. It is quite pronounced at f/2.8, but not visible at f/4.5 with a 1:1 ratio. In macro use, it will not be a problem. For portraits, you’ll either need to enable in-camera corrections or fix it in post-processing. For me, it’s the best macro lens for Nikon!

Released at the same time as its sibling, the Z 105mm f/2.8 S MC VR, the Nikon Z MC 50mm f/2.8 is a more standard macro lens. There was no direct DSLR equivalent, apart from the older Nikkor 60mm f/2.8 G ED. Nikon already offers several 50mm lenses (f/1.8, f/1.2 and f/0.95), but this is the only one with macro capabilities. The lens is very light (260 g) and only 6.6 cm long. Compared to the 105mm, this lens is not part of Nikon’s top of the range “S” series. However, the lens does offer a 1:1 magnification ratio. Although advertised as a macro lens, it can also be used for portraits or more standard shots. Note that the lens does not have optical stabilization.

Build quality is still very good, though not quite on the level of the 105mm. This macro lens uses 11 elements in 7 groups. The use of one ED glass element and one aspherical element helps limit chromatic aberrations. The front lens has a fluorine coating to both limit smudging and make cleaning easier.

The matte black weather-sealed lens has two buttons on its left side: the first one to switch from AF to MF and the second as a focus limiter (full or between 16 and 30cm), which will prevent the lens from trying to focus in an area we are not interested in. On the barrel, there is only one large focusing ring. One distinctive feature of this lens is that it extends when used in “macro mode.” There are markings on the extending part: magnification factor used and focus distance (the equivalent of the info found on the OLED screen of the 105mm macro). The minimum focusing distance is only 0.16 m.

While not bad at all, image quality is definitely a step down from the 105mm. The image at the center is already very good at full aperture (limited to f/5.6 at a ratio of 1:1), but not so good on the edges and even less so on the corners. Ultimately, the main difference compared with the 105mm is the lack of edge-to-edge consistency. The overall sharpness is not as good either. It performs best overall at f/5.6. For a good, homogeneous image, you will have to close at f/8 or f/11. As is the case with the 105mm lens, chromatic aberrations and distortion are almost invisible. However, while vignetting is very noticeable at full aperture, it will only be slightly visible at 1:1 (at f/5.6). Autofocus is not the quietest one, but it does the job.

Overall, Nikon offers a nice macro lens that costs less than the 105mm version. However, the lens is not stabilized, and its performance is a bit lower than that of its sibling. That said, it remains a light and compact lens that can also be used for wider portraits.

The Tamron 90 mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD, announced in September 2024, is a new lens designed for Nikon Z-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras. The lens has a maximum aperture of f/2.8 and a minimum focusing distance of 23 cm, allowing it to capture very small details.

In terms of optical performance, it features 15 elements in 12 groups, designed to help control chromatic aberrations. It also delivers a smooth, pleasing bokeh (good for macro photography and, of course, portraiture!). Note, however, that the lens does not have built-in image stabilization.

In terms of use, the lens is obviously excellent for macro photography: fast autofocus, excellent sharpness and good color rendition. You can also use it for portraits or even landscapes.

To sum up, this Tamron lens is well suited to macro photography and is clearly specialized in this field. Considering all the performance it offers, its price is quite reasonable. It is an excellent alternative to Nikon’s 105mm at a more affordable price.

The table below shows the main physical characteristics of the Z-mount macro lenses mentioned above.

Aside from the best Nikon Z macro lenses with AF mentioned above, here are some interesting manual-focus options to consider.

The table below compares the main characteristics of these lenses.

The five lenses covered in detail below are:

1 – Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO Z
2 – Laowa 90m f/2.8 2X Ultra-Macro APO Z
3 – Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO Z
4 – Laowa 24mm f/14 Probe Z
5 – Voigtlander MACRO APO-LANTHAR 65mm f/2 ASPH Z

In my opinion, this is the most interesting option if you want a versatile 100mm macro lens but don’t have the budget for the Nikon 105mm. This Laowa lens has an excellent build quality, a non-clickable aperture ring, but no EXIF transmission.

Overall image quality is very good, with few optical flaws. In my opinion, unless you absolutely need autofocus, this is one of the best macro lenses for Nikon Z mount.

This is another Z-mount macro lens from Laowa. It offers an very similar focal length but a 2:1 magnification ratio. Like the 100mm, the all-metal build quality is very good, and the lens has a clickable aperture ring. There is no EXIF transmission and no stabilization. However, the lens barrel has a nice distance/magnification ratio scale.

Image quality is remarkable from full aperture, and at f/8 you can get a very sharp, consistent image. Optical flaws, including distortion and chromatic aberrations, are well controlled. Vignetting is only an issue at full aperture, not in “macro mode,” where you’ll usually stop down anyway.

This is a very nice lens at a reasonable price, and it should please anyone who wants to photograph the tiny details of this world.

Laowa offers this very light, compact lens at an even lower price. As for Laowa’s 90 and 100mm lenses, this 85mm lens is very well built. The lens has a clickable aperture ring on the front and a distance/magnification ratio scale on the barrel. Laowa made a smart choice in limiting its maximum aperture to f/5.6 as it keeps the lens small and light, and the limited aperture is less of an issue in macro photography, where you rarely shoot wide open.

Although it sits slightly behind the 90mm and 100mm lenses, image quality is very good. It even becomes excellent at f/8. Optical flaws are generally very well controlled and should not be an issue. The lens has no EXIF transmission.

A few quick words about this very special lens from Laowa, which also offers a 2:1 magnification ratio. This lens is 40cm long, allowing it to take pictures in unimaginable conditions, as well as under water since it is waterproof to 20cm. An LED light is also built into the front of the lens.

The lens comes with a metal case for easy transport. The overall image quality is very good. I’ve personally seen some truly creative photos and videos made with this lens, which opens up a lot of possibilities.

I eventually decided to add a few words about this Voigtlander lens, a lesser-known brand that still produces high-end manual-focus lenses. This 65mm lens offers a superb build quality with two rings: a very wide and reinforced focus ring and a very thin aperture ring on the front. Note that this lens is limited to a 1:2 ratio.

Image quality is exceptional with this lens and optical defects will not be a problem. Built like a tank, this 65mm lens is fairly heavy at 625 g!

The tables below compare the main features of manual focus Z lenses for this mount.

Laowa MF lenses for Z-mount

Of course, there are other third-party brands that offer macro lenses for the Nikon Z-mount, but they can be hard to find. These include 7Artisans, AstrHori, Meike and Mitakon Zhongyi. The table below lists some of them:

At the time of writing, Nikon still does not offer a Z macro lens specifically for its APS-C mirrorless cameras, so only third-party manual-focus lenses are available. However, you can still use the lenses mentioned below and designed for full-frame sensors, on Nikon Z APS-C cameras as long as you apply the crop factor to get the equivalent focal length.

Here are the three macro lenses I recommend for Nikon Z APS-C cameras:

1 – 7Artisans 60mm f/2.8 II V2 Macro APS-C Z
2 – Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2X Macro Z
3 – TTArtisan APS-C 40mm f/2.8 Macro Z

The physical characteristics of these lenses are compared in the table below.

7Artisans is a Chinese brand well known for offering inexpensive lenses of mostly average quality. A fairly unremarkable first version was already available, but 7Artisans decided to update this 60mm macro with a much better lens. Much lighter than the first release (350g vs 550g), it offers good image quality at full aperture, but stopped down to f/5.6, it delivers a more consistent image.

The results at longer distances, in portrait photography for example, are not as good. This is a lens best used for macro photography. For less than 200€, this lens is almost a risk-free buy and proves to be a good first choice if focusing manually is not a problem for you. Note that it does not transmit EXIF data.

Based on the feedback I’ve seen, this is probably the best lens to consider if you’re looking for a Nikon Z macro lens for APS-C cameras. The lens is very light (322g) and offers a 2:1 magnification ratio. Build quality, as usual with Laowa, is very good. Central image quality is excellent at full aperture and stopping down to f/5.6 gives sharp, consistent results across the whole frame. Few optical flaws are visible with this lens, and chromatic aberrations are extremely well controlled (hence the name “CA”).

Sharpness is far superior to the 7Artisans, but, of course, we are not in the same price range, with the Laowa costing around 2.5 times more than the 7Artisans. Build quality is also much better here. Portrait shots are very good. All in all, Laowa has produced a very nice lens.

The TTArtisan APS-C 40mm f/2.8 Macro Z is another affordable manual-focus option for Nikon Z APS-C cameras. With its 40mm focal length, it gives an angle of view close to a 60mm lens on full frame, which makes it useful for macro details, close-ups, and even occasional portraits. The lens offers a 1:1 magnification ratio, a minimum focusing distance of 17cm, a 52mm filter thread, and an optical design made up of 8 elements in 7 groups. It is not stabilized and does not offer autofocus, but that is not necessarily a deal-breaker for macro work, where manual focusing is often the most precise approach.

In use, this TTArtisan lens is mainly interesting for its very attractive price and its simple, solid construction. Image quality is good for the price, especially when the lens is stopped down a little, although it cannot quite match the Laowa 65mm in terms of sharpness and overall optical performance. Still, if you are just getting started with macro photography on a Nikon Z APS-C body and want to keep your budget under control, this is a very good entry point.

Find below a comparative of the macro lenses for your APS-C Nikon Z hybrid.

I’ve already written a full post if you want to understand all the parameters to consider when choosing a macro lens.

Here are a few words on the three key parameters to consider when choosing a macro lens:

• Magnification ratio: also known as the reproduction ratio, this is the ratio between the actual size of a subject and its projected size on your sensor. True macro lenses offer a 1:1 ratio. Others (such as Laowa) offer much higher ratios (2:1 to 5:1) but require practice and a tripod. Here is an article that tells you everything you need to know about sensor size impact.
• Minimum focusing distance: this is simply the minimum distance between your sensor and your subject. Please note that this distance does not start at the front of your lens and, of course, the length of the lens must be taken into account. While some lenses offer shorter minimum distances, they are generally physically shorter too,
• Focal length: you can choose between short focal lengths (between 35 and 65mm) which also offer very short focusing distances, standard focal lengths (from 70 to 100mm) which offer a longer working range (longer minimum focusing distance), and finally, long focal lengths (>150mm, telephoto), which are heavier, more demanding, and require more practice. However, the latter can offer stronger background blur and can be useful for photographing skittish subjects.

Of course, other factors will come into play when choosing a lens, but as with any lens purchase, build quality, image quality, optical flaws, maximum aperture — even though shooting wide open is rarely useful in macro photography — and, of course, your budget are the most important factors. On the other hand, a bright lens can still be useful in darker conditions.

That’s it, I’ll stop here. I hope this has been clear and concise enough to help you choose your Nikon Z macro lens. I’ll see you soon for another Z-mount article, which should be coming shortly.

See you soon,

Written by Sylvain PONS

I've been passionate about photography since 2010, learning as I went along. Today, I dedicate myself to guiding others in their choice of camera gear and sharing a variety of tips to improve their photography skills.

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