I'd be interested to see that comparison. I don't have the Z 105mm macro, but have had a ZF 100/2 for many years. The major knock on the ZF 100/2 is that it possesses particularly unimpressive correction of axial CA. I can confirm this fact. Other than that, it's a lovely general purpose 100mm lens that focuses close.
I own both and have a comparison here: https://img.gg/cf99dVq
A more technical comparison is here: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/threads/z-105mm-macro-axial-ca-and-focus-shift.4585345/
I agree with Keith B; I'd add that the Zeiss is built like a tank and will surely last for decades. I wouldn't bet on how many years the 105 MC will last... At present, I use the 105 MC more than the Zeiss due to AF.
Both are sharper than the AF-S 105/2.8G VR (a lens I own since 2007), which has the best out-of-focus rendition IMO, although it too suffers from LoCA.
The Zeiss+FTZ is slightly smaller (when focused at infinity, it's not IF) than the 105 MC, but heavier:
Daniel Smith wrote:
Have an extension tube to get the Zeiss to 1:1 - so that isn't a problem.
At 1:1 I prefer the 105 MC to the Makro-Planar + ext. tube (I use the Nikon PN-11). The Zeiss is good at 1:2 but its best performance is at longer distances, according to MTF data (@ f/4) supplied by the manufacturer. The special feature of the Zeiss is its extraordinarily uniform performance across the frame.
A long time ago I got the Makro-Planar 2.0/100 because I figured I could use it as a portrait lens (being f2) and a macro lens.
Turns out, not a good idea.
I have "portraits" of this lens of young people and you can count the fine skin hairs on their skin. This lens is only a good portrait lens if you photograph people in the age range of single digits of years.
And the macro lens part, well its great until 2:1. But for more you need extension tubes, and the lens does NOT react well to extension tubes.
And of course its a manual focus lens, so certain subjects are a challenge. Want to photograph a bee visiting a flower ? Not with this one you wont.
Thus, sadly I cannot recomment the Makro-Planar. Its a fine lens, if you can tolerate both only manual and only 2:1.
Sauseschritt wrote:
A long time ago I got the Makro-Planar 2.0/100 because I figured I could use it as a portrait lens (being f2) and a macro lens.
Turns out, not a good idea.
I have "portraits" of this lens of young people and you can count the fine skin hairs on their skin. This lens is only a good portrait lens if you photograph people in the age range of single digits of years.
I prefer the best optical quality in a lens and eventually soften the skin in PP when necessary.
The main problem with the 100/2 Makro-Planar is LoCA, that can be visible in portraiture too (at apertures wider than f/5.6), and is difficult to remove.
I went down this road and stuck with the Zeiss after renting the the latest 105. There is a certain artistic rendering you get with Zeiss that was absent from the Nikon which came across relatively sterile in comparison.
That said I don't care about 1:1. AF would be great but not a must. For others, it would make absolutely no sense to go with Zeiss as it very clearly has some limitations that are unavoidable.
Ultimately if you shoot macros and portraits you might want the MC 105mm f2.8 for its excellent IQ and sharpness and the F-mount 105mm f1.4E for its shallow DoF and character.
i have the 105Z and the 100/2 Zeiss Milvus version (essentially the same optical formula with updated coatings). The Nikon is the better lens, technical-wise...but the Zeiss can go to f2 and can produce certain DoF effects that the Nikon can't.
Assuming one desires a 'portrait lens' to be a touch soft at portrait distances and therefore forgiving to human faces, a FLE type lens that's optimized to be sharp at all distances is probably the wrong choice for portrait use.
Nikon had a manual focus 135mm f/2 lens that was sharpest at infinity/long distance but softened just a bit in the close range. That worked very well.
Voigtlander 125/2.5 Macro-APO-Lanthar SL also deserves to be a contender too.
And if we're not afraid to use an adapter, Leica 100/2.8 APO-Macro-Elmarit-R, which I think has just lovely color saturation, plus they made a special El Pro adapter that screws into the front and makes it 1:1.
