Nikon Nikkor Z MC 50 mm f/2.8 review - Coma, astigmatism and bokeh

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Nikon Nikkor Z MC 50 mm f/2.8

5 July 2021

Maciej Latałło

7. Coma, astigmatism and bokeh

Coma contributes to worsening of image quality on the edge of the frame and photos, presented below, are the proof. At the maximum relative aperture, you can notice slight deformations of point-like images of a diode already in the corner of the smaller APS-C/DX sensor. In the corner of full frame these deformations become even easier to spot. After stopping down the aperture to f/4.0 on the smaller sensor the problems disappear completely but in the corners of full frame the effects of active off-axis aberrations can still be perceived. Overall, it is not a category where the tested lens might be praised.

Center, f/2.8	Corner APS-C, f/2.8	Corner FF, f/2.8

Center, f/4.0	Corner APS-C, f/4.0	Corner FF, f/4.0

Astigmatism, understood as an average difference between horizontal and vertical MTF50 function values, amounted to 6.6%. It is a value that should be described as low and in this case the tested Nikkor fares better than in the coma category.

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One aspherical element in the optical construction of the Nikkor MC 2.8/50 influences the far-from-perfect light spread in out-of-focus circles of light. Still it would be difficult to point out any extreme points. A brighter rim makes itself felt a bit, along with mechanical vignetting that disappears only on stopping down the lens to f/5.6 but, overall, in this category we neither praise nor criticize the performance of the Nikkor.

Center, f/3.3	Corner APS-C, f/3.3	Corner FF, f/3.3

Center, f/4.0	Corner APS-C, f/4.0	Corner FF, f/4.0

Center, f/5.6	Corner APS-C, f/5.6	Corner FF, f/5.6