The Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S: First Field Impressions

Six-spot Burnet Moths (Zygaena filipendulae) mating on a grass stem at North Cave Wetlands, East Yorkshire. The Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S captured the intricate detail of their metallic blue-black wings and vivid crimson spots, revealing why these day-flying moths are among Britain's most recognisable insects.

Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S in the Field

When I purchased the Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, I knew exactly why I wanted it.

For some time, I'd been looking to broaden my wildlife photography beyond birds, giving myself the opportunity to explore the fascinating world of insects and smaller wildlife that often goes unnoticed.

Like many purchases, however, reality didn't quite match my intentions.

Whenever I headed out with the Nikon Z8, my trusted NIKKOR Z 180-600mm was almost always the first lens to find its way onto the camera. If birds were the priority, it simply made sense. Whether I was visiting Bempton Cliffs, one of Yorkshire's many nature reserves or spending time with kingfishers, the telephoto was invariably the right tool for the job.

The 105mm remained in my camera bag, waiting patiently for the day I finally gave it the attention it deserved.

That day arrived during a recent visit to North Cave Wetlands.

It wasn't planned as a macro session. Quite the opposite. As I walked away from the car park, the 180-600mm was mounted on the camera and my attention was firmly focused on birds. North Cave is one of those reserves where anything can appear. Marsh Harriers patrol the reedbeds, Kingfishers occasionally flash across the water and the hedgerows often hold small passerines that are easily overlooked if you're in too much of a hurry.

The morning began exactly as I expected.

One of the first birds to catch my eye was a Tree Sparrow. Although often mistaken for its more familiar cousin, the House Sparrow, Tree Sparrows have declined dramatically across much of Britain and are always a welcome sight.

This individual perched just long enough to allow a few portraits before disappearing back into the hedgerow.

Later, a Cormorant rested quietly beside one of the lakes. They may not attract the same excitement as birds of prey or colourful woodland species, but I've always thought cormorants are rather underrated. Viewed through a long lens, the intricate feather detail and subtle iridescence become obvious, revealing a bird with far more character than many people appreciate.

Had I packed up and gone home at that point, I would have considered the morning a success.

Fortunately, I didn't.

As I continued my walk, I slowed my pace and began paying more attention to the vegetation lining the paths. Instead of scanning distant fence posts and reedbeds through a telephoto lens, I found myself looking much closer to where I

was standing.

That simple change in perspective transformed the rest of the day.

The first subject to catch my attention was a pair of Six-spot Burnet Moths resting together amongst the grasses. Their metallic green wings shimmered in the morning light, while the vivid crimson spots contrasted beautifully against the soft greens of the surrounding vegetation. They were wonderfully cooperative, allowing me time to compose carefully rather than rushing the shot.

It was at that point that I reached into my bag and finally mounted the Nikon Z MC 105mm.

Almost immediately, I realised this was going to be a very different photographic experience.

Macro photography demands a completely different mindset. There is no hurried scanning of distant trees or waiting for birds to land on familiar perches. Instead, every flower head, every grass stem and every patch of wild vegetation becomes worth investigating. You begin to slow down, noticing movement that would otherwise pass unnoticed.

Within a remarkably small area, the reserve suddenly seemed alive.

Cinnabar Moth Caterpillar (Tyria jacobaeae) feeding on Common Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) at North Cave Wetlands, East Yorkshire. This was one of the images that convinced me I'd finally given the Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S the opportunity it deserved. The level of detail it recorded was exceptional.

A brightly coloured Cinnabar Moth caterpillar methodically fed its way through ragwort, its striking black and orange bands acting as a warning to potential predators. Nearby, hoverflies drifted effortlessly between flowers, pausing only briefly before darting away again. A Common Blue Damselfly settled long enough for a portrait, revealing delicate wing venation and extraordinary detail that simply isn't visible with the naked eye. Even a Seven-spot Ladybird navigating a thorny bramble stem became an engaging photographic subject.

What struck me most wasn't the number of species I photographed. It was the fact that I'd almost walked straight past them.

For years I've instinctively visited nature reserves with my attention focused on birds. It's hardly surprising. Carry a long telephoto lens and your eyes naturally search the horizon, the reedbeds and the treetops. You become conditioned to look into the distance.

The moment I mounted the 105mm, everything changed.

Instead of looking hundreds of metres away, I was studying subjects only a few centimetres from where I stood. It felt as though I had discovered an entirely different reserve hidden within the one I thought I already knew so well.

Of course, none of this would matter if the lens didn't deliver.

Thankfully, it does.

Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum) resting on a reed at North Cave Wetlands, East Yorkshire. The Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S resolved the delicate wing venation and subtle body detail with remarkable clarity, making it one of my favourite images from the day.

Every photographer knows the Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S has an excellent reputation, but experiencing it in the field is rather different from reading laboratory tests or online reviews. The level of detail it records is genuinely impressive. Tiny hairs on the Cinnabar caterpillar, the intricate structure of a damselfly's wings and the metallic sheen across the burnet moths all appeared with remarkable clarity when viewed back on the computer.

Perhaps even more impressive was the way the lens rendered out-of-focus backgrounds. Busy vegetation quickly dissolved into soft washes of colour, allowing the subjects to stand out naturally without appearing artificial. It produced exactly the sort of clean, uncluttered backgrounds that I always strive for in wildlife photography.

Autofocus also exceeded my expectations. While macro photography inevitably requires more care than photographing larger subjects, I found the lens responsive and accurate throughout the day. Patience remains essential, particularly when depth of field becomes incredibly shallow, but the lens inspired confidence rather than frustration.

One comparison I couldn't help making was with the NIKKOR Z 180-600mm.

That lens focuses surprisingly close and is capable of producing excellent close-up photographs of larger insects, butterflies and dragonflies. In fact, earlier in the day I photographed a Six-spot Burnet Moth using the telephoto, and the results were far better than many people might expect.

However, once I compared those files alongside images captured with the 105mm, the difference became obvious.

The telephoto produced an excellent image.

The macro lens produced exceptional detail.

Fine textures, tiny hairs and the subtle structure of wings were rendered with a level of clarity that simply isn't the primary purpose of a super-telephoto zoom. That's not a criticism of the 180-600mm. It's a reminder that every lens has strengths, and the 105mm has been designed specifically for this type of work.

Does that mean one replaces the other?

Not at all.

If birds remain the priority, I'll continue reaching for the 180-600mm without hesitation. It has earned its place many times over and remains one of the most versatile wildlife lenses I've ever used.

The 105mm doesn't replace it.

It complements it.

Together, they allow me to photograph two completely different worlds during the same outing.

As I walked back towards the car, I realised something rather important had changed.

I'd arrived expecting to spend the morning photographing birds.

Instead, I left with photographs of moths, caterpillars, damselflies, hoverflies and ladybirds alongside the birds I'd originally set out to find.

More importantly, I left with a renewed appreciation for the incredible diversity of wildlife that exists in places we often overlook.

The Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S hasn't simply introduced me to macro photography. It has encouraged me to slow down, observe more carefully and appreciate the smaller details that exist all around us. Those details were always there. I just hadn't taken the time to notice them.

I suspect this lens will now spend far less time sitting quietly in my camera bag.

And for that reason alone, I already consider it one of the most rewarding additions I've made to my kit.

Seven-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) exploring a thorny bramble stem at North Cave Wetlands, East Yorkshire. Even with such a familiar subject, the Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S revealed fine textures and detail that are easily overlooked in the field.

Final Thoughts

My first proper outing with the Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S has left a lasting impression. While it certainly won't replace my trusted telephoto lenses, it has opened up an entirely new side of wildlife photography that I had only briefly explored before. It has reminded me that some of the most rewarding subjects aren't always flying overhead or perched in the distance. Sometimes they're quietly feeding on a wildflower or resting on a blade of grass, waiting to be discovered.

As the seasons change, I can already see this lens becoming a regular companion alongside my NIKKOR Z 180-600mm. Together they offer the flexibility to photograph everything from distant birds to the remarkable detail of Britain's

smaller wildlife, ensuring that no opportunity is overlooked.

If you'd like to see more of my wildlife photography, explore my Wildlife Portfolio, where you'll find a growing collection of birds, mammals and macro subjects photographed across the UK. You may also enjoy my Field Journal, where I regularly share behind-the-scenes stories, field experiences and practical photography insights from my time in the field.

For Nikon users, don't forget to visit my Free Resources section, where you'll find my Nikon Z8 Owner Guide, downloadable e-Guide and other practical articles designed to help you get the very best from your camera.

As always, thank you for taking the time to read my journal. If you found it helpful or enjoyable, I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.