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Z mount PF Lenes?
- Thread starter MIKE1111
- Start date
It's not the "philosophy". Philosophically I was positive about the FTZ, and all the reports suggesting it performed very well.
When I actually got one, I just didn't like the size, weight, shape and clunkiness of having another step in mounting lenses. I didn't like the look of it.
I know a purist would dismiss these issues. Fair enough. But the world in which Nikon sells stuff isn't a pure one of functional utility. We buy stuff we like and want as well as need. I decided I didn't want adapted lenses - I have the luxury of not really needing a lot of lenses, but (like many I suspect) I do buy ones I like and want.
Nikon has to run two full systems. Sigma and Tamron manage native mounts easily enough across a wide range of formats.
Of course, for someone who uses both the DSLRs and Z bodies, the adapter is a perfect way to avoid duplicating expensive lenses.
As a Nikon user going all-Z, I may be a bit of an outlier, but Nikon is also competing against Sony for first-time and all-native users changing from other formats. My feeling is they are going to have to try harder in a number of ways, including for the segment of users who won't be interested in adapted lenses. I suspect the native Z lenses will start coming faster than the roadmap at some point, although I do agree the current roadmap does have the right priorities.
I am positive because the current Z bodies and lens roadmap suit me nicely, but I do have a feeling Nikon will be working as furiously as they ever have done behind the scenes to develop the Z system.
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Leonard Shepherd
Forum Pro
Oh yes Nikon has - several hundred F lenses - all if they were not VR; upgraded to VR ;-)
Back to the question - although Nikon has said IBIS can gain up to 5 stops IBIS, they have not said with which focal length.
Assuming it is with 50mm, IBIS is reduced to well below in lens VR ability (on recent lenses) by 200mm focal length.
This indicates new longer lenses will continue to primarily use in lens VR for several years.
Popular though Z is, sales of Z6 and Z7 are unlikely to reach 1,000,000 (my forecast) by the close of 2019.
This compares to over 25,000,000 DSLR's made in the less 5 years. Of the 25,000,000 it maybe that 20% of owners (my speculation) might buy PF lenses.
It is not possible to make a Z to F adaptor without incorporation glass, making them expensive.
My speculation is, until Z bodies in use by advanced photographers outnumber those with F mount bodies, Z mount PF lenses are unlikely.
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Leonard Shepherd
In lots of ways good photography is much more about how equipment is used rather than the equipment being used.
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chambeshi
Senior Member
I can further confirm the 300 PF and 500 PF marry very well with the Z7. I use the 500 PF regularly. As Thom Hogan and other credible reviewers of the Z7 confirm, there is zilch detectable performance impediment of these top quality gold-ring F Nikkors on the FTZ. In my experience, current versions of the 200 f2, 400 f2.8E, 70-200 f2.8 are all excellent, and all going well, I foresee they will keep working across DSLRs as well as MILCs
I cannot detect any difference in AF speed between the D850 and Z7: pertinently the 400 f2.8, which I work hard on both cameras. This is arguably Nikon's best ever telephoto. As for realities of 3rd party vs "native Nikkors" read Brad Hill's blog - especially on the 500 f4 Sigma Sport. An education... ;-)
with fast primes, the inbody VR and Focus-Peaking of the Z are wonderful gifts. They bring a new life to the legendary 58 f1.4G.
back to the superb PF Nikkors, the patents list a 400, 500, 600 all f5.6. As so many of us keep saying it is the 400 f4 PF that will sell very well. With a decent Teleconverter Factor, it would very well with all 3 TCs even the TC2 III at F8 - as does the 500 f5.6 PF
I cannot detect any difference in AF speed between the D850 and Z7: pertinently the 400 f2.8, which I work hard on both cameras. This is arguably Nikon's best ever telephoto. As for realities of 3rd party vs "native Nikkors" read Brad Hill's blog - especially on the 500 f4 Sigma Sport. An education... ;-)
with fast primes, the inbody VR and Focus-Peaking of the Z are wonderful gifts. They bring a new life to the legendary 58 f1.4G.
back to the superb PF Nikkors, the patents list a 400, 500, 600 all f5.6. As so many of us keep saying it is the 400 f4 PF that will sell very well. With a decent Teleconverter Factor, it would very well with all 3 TCs even the TC2 III at F8 - as does the 500 f5.6 PF
I think your logic is spot on for why Nikon have to make new F mount PFs.
But irrespective of 25 zillion F mount DSLRs in the market, Nikon bodies are being outsold in Japan by Sony. I know it's limited data, affected by old A7 discounting etc etc, but it's a very disruptive indication, and my feeling is that Nikon will have to try hard to make the Z a full and compelling system for non-Nikon buyers. And I think that means a full set of native lenses as soon as they can. PF tech is a real competitive advantage at the moment, and it would be a shame if its competitive benefit to the the Z system, relative to Sony, was 'diluted' by being non-native for too long.
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I'm reading that as "the look," since the size & weight out of the adapter would be size & weight added to the lenses or cameras. And the look is not something I'd personally consider to be important, though I won't disagree that it's a legitimate concern for some people.
But that's what I meant about not prioritising the photography and results.
You're right, I admit it! Functionally the FTZ seems great.I'm reading that as "the look," since the size & weight out of the adapter would be size & weight added to the lenses or cameras. And the look is not something I'd personally consider to be important, though I won't disagree that it's a legitimate concern for some people.
But that's what I meant about not prioritising the photography and results.
It's not just the "look" though. There is some weight in duplicating mounting features etc rather than just an extension tube. There's the shape and bulk of that square foot that manages to extend below the bottom plate of the Z body. And there's the double mounting operation - people buy expensive zooms to avoid changing lenses, and using an FTZ is nearly a "double lens change".
Leonard Shepherd
Forum Pro
Extending the foot helps clear the camera base when using a tripod quick release plate.
I thought there'd be a reason for it, but if you never use a tripod it doesn't endear you to the FTZ!
It just seems to me that you're actively attempting to find the worst case scenario for everything, which aligns to my statement earlier.
First, it's a double mount for zooms (but if they have the zoom, why are they swapping lenses?) Then, it's a double swap on everything, as if every time without exception, one is swapping between F & Z lenses. Now, it's people who specifically don't use Tripod plates.
So yes, people who don't want to like the FTZ won't, whether any of this applies to them or not.
Not at all. I'm just trying to articulate the underlying reasons why my reaction to the FTZ was "I don't like it" and why others might not. I am not trying to convince anyone about the "materiality" of these reasons - they're not very material, it's just a preference or personal taste if you like!
I do understand why many users on this forum don't mind adaptors. I think they have excellent reasons for this. But I do think the more committed, specialised users on this forum over-estimate their prevalence in even the high-end camera market.
For example you wrote "Now, it's people who specifically don't use Tripod plates" as if people who don't use tripod plates are an obscure niche. I'd think most Nikon ILC buyers don't use tripod plates, albeit not on DPR!
Leonard Shepherd
Forum Pro
I used a tripod QR plate on the FTZ adaptor last night for night sky photography.
Why?
Because the 14-24 and and 8-15mm Zooms do not have tripod mounts ;-)
I usually use a gimbal with QR plate for my occasional bird photography.
I used a QR plate on the 500 PF when checking it out with a Nikon 2x converter.
Probably more than 50% when using a tripod use a QR plate.
Every camera shop I know stocks tripods
Of course. I own a tripod, I just never use one!Every camera shop I know stocks tripods
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