Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S review - Coma, astigmatism and bokeh

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Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S

29 May 2025

Maciej Latałło

7. Coma, astigmatism and bokeh

The Nikkor Z MC 105 mm f/2.8 VR S doesn't have any significant problems with coma correction. Photos below show that point-like images of a diode is being slightly enlarged when moving away from the frame centre. In the corner of the APS-C/DX such an effect is minimal, but in the corner of full frame it becomes quite visible, especially that you can also notice some deformations of the shape of a diode. Still it is not a level you can describe as medium.

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

In order to present a comprehensive situation of distortion we decided to show also crops from photos of the sky taken from the upper left-hand corner of full frame. This time we show shots by f/2.8, f/4.0, and f/5.6. In this case deformation of point-like source of light, so a star, is clearly visible. What's more, that deformation remains noticeable even on stopping down the aperture by 2 EV.

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Corner FF, f/2.8	Corner FF, f/4.0	Corner FF, f/5.6

Astigmatism, understood as an average difference between horizontal and vertical MTF50 function values, amounted to 6.2%. It's a borderline between very low and low levels so it doesn't provide us any reasons to complain. Of course we have to add that the Sony and the Sigma presented a tad lower values here, about 3-5%.

Defocused circles of light produced by the Nikkor MC 2.8/105 are very nice. Interiors of the circles show even light spread, without onion-ring bokeh effect. It is especially praiseworthy as the optical construction features an aspherical element. As if it wasn't enough, the rim that appears on stopping down the aperture is not especially intensive. Still mechanical vignetting makes itself felt – the circle at the maximum relative aperture is very noticeably truncated and this effect remains visible even on stopping down the aperture by 2 EV.

Center, f/3.0	Corner APS-C, f/3.0	Corner FF, f/3.0

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