Smaller Lens For Nikon Z

LeonD · Jun 27, 2020

In searching for the "perfect" camera, my Nikon Z7 checks all the boxes. Except for one. As for a walk around camera, the body is fine but the lenses are too large. I just don't like large lenses. What was ideal for me was the Sony 55mm f/1.8. The problem with that lens was the body that it attaches to. I just didn't get along with the Sony.

The pancake lenses that Nikon's coming out with might satisfy my needs but who knows when that'll be released.

So in the interim, I'm looking for a smaller lens in the 35mm to 50mm range. Manual focus is fine. Decent is good enough for image quality; it doesn't have to be exceptional. And I don't want to use the FTZ adapter.

Any suggestions what I should be looking at? Thanks.

Virtual Photon · Jun 27, 2020

And the 16-50 is no good because? (I presume you are going to say it is too slow but it is really a heck of a good lens).

I think the one problem you may have is that I've heard that the teacart E to Z adapter won't fit on the Z50. I have been considering that plus the Sigma 45 2.8 but need to look into it more.

Then old Nikon 45mm is about as compact as you will find even with the FTZ . . . even though you've ruled that out.

BurnImage · Jun 27, 2020

LeonD said:
In searching for the "perfect" camera, my Nikon Z7 checks all the boxes. Except for one. As for a walk around camera, the body is fine but the lenses are too large. I just don't like large lenses. What was ideal for me was the Sony 55mm f/1.8. The problem with that lens was the body that it attaches to. I just didn't get along with the Sony.

The pancake lenses that Nikon's coming out with might satisfy my needs but who knows when that'll be released.

So in the interim, I'm looking for a smaller lens in the 35mm to 50mm range. Manual focus is fine. Decent is good enough for image quality; it doesn't have to be exceptional. And I don't want to use the FTZ adapter.

Any suggestions what I should be looking at? Thanks.

Just get the 16-50mm Z mount DX for walk around, job done.

PLShutterbug · Jun 27, 2020

LeonD said:
In searching for the "perfect" camera, my Nikon Z7 checks all the boxes. Except for one. As for a walk around camera, the body is fine but the lenses are too large. I just don't like large lenses. What was ideal for me was the Sony 55mm f/1.8. The problem with that lens was the body that it attaches to. I just didn't get along with the Sony.

The pancake lenses that Nikon's coming out with might satisfy my needs but who knows when that'll be released.

So in the interim, I'm looking for a smaller lens in the 35mm to 50mm range. Manual focus is fine. Decent is good enough for image quality; it doesn't have to be exceptional. And I don't want to use the FTZ adapter.

Any suggestions what I should be looking at? Thanks.

If you want to use the entire sensor and have ruled out using the FTZ then you have no options if you stick with Nikon.

Meike has a 50/1.7 and 7Artisans has a 35/1.4 and they look pretty small, but they are fully manual; neither couple electronically to the body.

What’s the problem with the FTZ? Just size? Any Nikkor F with the FTZ will give a relatively compact package, no larger than a Nikon DSLR.

Your only all-auto option is one of the small Nikkor DX zooms and be happy with 21MP performance.

LeonD · Jun 27, 2020

PLShutterbug said:
Meike has a 50/1.7 and 7Artisans has a 35/1.4 and they look pretty small, but they are fully manual; neither couple electronically to the body.

What’s the problem with the FTZ? Just size? Any Nikkor F with the FTZ will give a relatively compact package, no larger than a Nikon DSLR.

Your only all-auto option is one of the small Nikkor DX zooms and be happy with 21MP performance.

I think I'm Ok with fully manual. Certainly the focus is ok. What does not being electronically coupled to the body imply? I'm assuming the camera's metering will still work.

Regarding the FTZ, along with the camera, I purchased the 58mm f/1.4. It was my favorite lens back in my D810 days. Using it on the Z7 with the FTZ seems very unwieldy. That's why I was hoping to avoid using the FTZ.

LeonD · Jun 27, 2020

Virtual Photon said:
And the 16-50 is no good because? (I presume you are going to say it is too slow but it is really a heck of a good lens).

I think the one problem you may have is that I've heard that the teacart E to Z adapter won't fit on the Z50. I have been considering that plus the Sigma 45 2.8 but need to look into it more.

Then old Nikon 45mm is about as compact as you will find even with the FTZ . . . even though you've ruled that out.

I wouldn't rule out the 16-50 but would want to try it on the camera first. And not sure if I want to give up the hi res.

Markr041 · Jun 27, 2020

LeonD said:
In searching for the "perfect" camera, my Nikon Z7 checks all the boxes. Except for one. As for a walk around camera, the body is fine but the lenses are too large. I just don't like large lenses. What was ideal for me was the Sony 55mm f/1.8. The problem with that lens was the body that it attaches to. I just didn't get along with the Sony.

The pancake lenses that Nikon's coming out with might satisfy my needs but who knows when that'll be released.

So in the interim, I'm looking for a smaller lens in the 35mm to 50mm range. Manual focus is fine. Decent is good enough for image quality; it doesn't have to be exceptional. And I don't want to use the FTZ adapter.

Any suggestions what I should be looking at? Thanks.

So, you do not use the FTZ adapter as you wanted

. This combo is much smaller than any Z lens and most F lenses. And the lens is well-known to be sharp and good, and relatively fast. And the autofocus and aperture controls work. It is also cheap. The Fringer adapter opens up the possibility of using all Canon EF lenses, with full capabilities.

KR Photo · Jun 27, 2020

Get the techart adapter and then get the Sony/Zeiss 35mm 2.8. I was close to doing that but have decided to wait for the Nikon compacts. The nice thing about that adapter is it’s not too expensive, and then of course it gives you access to a lot of lenses. That small 35 looked the most appealing to me, though.

with the Z7’s resolution, you’ll still have to a of pixels for DX mode. I would definitely it rule out the 16-50.

PLShutterbug · Jun 27, 2020

LeonD said:
PLShutterbug said:

Meike has a 50/1.7 and 7Artisans has a 35/1.4 and they look pretty small, but they are fully manual; neither couple electronically to the body.

What’s the problem with the FTZ? Just size? Any Nikkor F with the FTZ will give a relatively compact package, no larger than a Nikon DSLR.

Your only all-auto option is one of the small Nikkor DX zooms and be happy with 21MP performance.

Click to expand...

I think I'm Ok with fully manual. Certainly the focus is ok. What does not being electronically coupled to the body imply? I'm assuming the camera's metering will still work.

You have to use the camera in manual mode. Yes, the meter will tell you whether you correctly exposing but you have to do all the controls.

I don’t know what stopping down the lens will do to the viewfinder image- if it will become too dark to see ...

LeonD said:
Regarding the FTZ, along with the camera, I purchased the 58mm f/1.4. It was my favorite lens back in my D810 days. Using it on the Z7 with the FTZ seems very unwieldy. That's why I was hoping to avoid using the FTZ.

MLVDE · Jun 27, 2020

.... every lens with a Leica M mount is within reach.

The adapter is significant smaller than the FTZ-adapter. M-mount Lenses are usually very small.
I use the Zeiss C Sonnar 50 1.5. It is a bit expensive, but I bought mine secondhand in mint condition for €500,- It works great! Focussing is very easy.

Voigtlander and 7artisans are les expensive and should also work fine.

kind regards,

Theo

bluzman · Jun 28, 2020

Using my Meike FF Z mount 50mm f/1.7

sirhawkeye64 · Jun 30, 2020

LeonD said:
In searching for the "perfect" camera, my Nikon Z7 checks all the boxes. Except for one. As for a walk around camera, the body is fine but the lenses are too large. I just don't like large lenses. What was ideal for me was the Sony 55mm f/1.8. The problem with that lens was the body that it attaches to. I just didn't get along with the Sony.

The pancake lenses that Nikon's coming out with might satisfy my needs but who knows when that'll be released.

So in the interim, I'm looking for a smaller lens in the 35mm to 50mm range. Manual focus is fine. Decent is good enough for image quality; it doesn't have to be exceptional. And I don't want to use the FTZ adapter.

Any suggestions what I should be looking at? Thanks.

The only recommendation I can think of at this point is the Z 16-50 in crop mode on your Z7 (Which will produce a similar image to that of the Z50 anyway, 19MP vs 20.9MP on the Z50). I don't foresee any big issues with doing this, and the 16-50 isn't very expensive either. That's probably the best you're going to get.

Using a third party adapter (like the Techart) can create additional problems and headaches and the last thing you want to do is have it act up while out shooting, which is why I don't even consider third party adapters (only the FTZ is the only adapter I'll use).

paulski66 · Jun 30, 2020

With the z7 in DX mode, you still have plenty of resolution even with the crop. The 16-50 is a nice little lens; it's slow (its one major drawback), but also tiny.

rick in vegas · Jun 30, 2020

16-50. If you have a Z7 it is still 20MP.

giarc · Jun 30, 2020

PLShutterbug said:
LeonD said:

PLShutterbug said:

Meike has a 50/1.7 and 7Artisans has a 35/1.4 and they look pretty small, but they are fully manual; neither couple electronically to the body.

What’s the problem with the FTZ? Just size? Any Nikkor F with the FTZ will give a relatively compact package, no larger than a Nikon DSLR.

Your only all-auto option is one of the small Nikkor DX zooms and be happy with 21MP performance.

Click to expand...

I think I'm Ok with fully manual. Certainly the focus is ok. What does not being electronically coupled to the body imply? I'm assuming the camera's metering will still work.

Click to expand...

You have to use the camera in manual mode. Yes, the meter will tell you whether you correctly exposing but you have to do all the controls.

That is not accurate: you can use manual modes of course, but 'aperture priority' and auto ISO are auto modes, and work just fine with no electronic connections. Enter and select your 'NON-CPU' lens data for IBIS. Not having electrical contacts means, aside from manual focus and manual aperture control, not having complete EXIF data... even with the NON-CPU lens data entered, the focal length is missing ( why Nikon did that, I have no idea...), and of course the body has no way of knowing the aperture

As to smaller manual only lenses, add the Kipon 'Elegant' line to the list, they are fairly high quality and I've enjoyed the 2 I have ( 35/90mm both f2.4)

I'd also second the 16-50 DX. Its tiny and great, and still 20MP in crop mode.

LeonD · Jul 1, 2020

Thanks for all the help and info. It's been most welcome.

When a family member passed 20+ years ago, I inherited a Nikkormat Ftn and a few lenses. It's been up in my attic since I got it. Most are low quality, third party but there is a 50mm f/2 in there. Cleaned it up, mounted it on the FTZ and put it on the camera. It's been a blast! Very easy to use. And I really like the pics using it. I programed the AF ON button to zoom. Now instead of auto focusing, it lets me zoom in for critical manual focusing.

So this is the direction to a small lens that I want to go in. At least until the pancake Nikon Z lenses are released.

I started looking at third party Leica M lenses. Some are really small and supposedly good quality. The adapters are very thin. I didn't realize third party lenses with Z mounts are being made. Thanks for that tip; I'll check them out.

Regarding Nikon's DX zoom, the size, quality and price are good. It's just that I've been trying to stick with primes for a while.

Thanks again. All your input has been very much appreciated.

MLVDE · Jul 1, 2020

LeonD said:
I programed the AF ON button to zoom. Now instead of auto focusing, it lets me zoom in for critical manual focusing.

I have the FN1-button programmed to zoom in, you can use it with your fingertip. I found it the easiest and quickest way.

Fredrik Glckner · Jul 2, 2020

I have used some Sony E mount lenses with the Techart adapter, but it is a bit hit and miss which work. And what works for me may not work for other people:

Sigma 19mm f/2.8: Works fine, but some vignetting

Samyang 35mm f/2.8: Works fine

Samyang 24mm f/2.8: Works, but apertures limited to f/7.6-9 (according to the display)

Sigma 30mm f/1.4: Worked in the beginning, but now the focus generally does not work, making it useless on Nikon Z.

albero · Jul 2, 2020

Voigtlander or Minolta lenses in M-mount version are a very nice and tiny option:

See links below for the Minolta CLE 40 mm f2 or Voigtlander 21 mm f4 / 40 mm f1.4. Wonderful vintage lenses with magic image rendition.

https://flic.kr/p/2iYEGA8

https://flic.kr/p/2iUCp2u

https://flic.kr/p/2j5Uik7

Smaller Lens For Nikon Z

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