Looking for Z5+Fuji owners experience

I currently own a Fuji X-T3 plus 4 primes and 2 zooms, very happy with my user’s experience, so I thought in getting a second body, an X-Pro3, but $1700-1800 is a hefty sum, considering that the Z5 while be on sale for $999 with the upcoming deal this weekend.

I can get one with the new 28 f2.8 and the 40mm f2 and still spend like 200 less than for the Fuji alone.

Both systems are capable of great images, so I am interested in your experience using both. Right now I think I am more inclined towards adding the Z5 to my collection and I can also use my Nikkor AIs 28 and 50mm lenses with it.

Thanks and good night!

Before I decided to buy my Z 5 I borrowed a XT3 for a month to play around with. And although I loved the fuji I like the Z5 more for the following reasons:

1) the ergonomics of the Z5 are better for long shooting, the body just feels better in hand.

2) I liked working on the Raw files of the Z5 a lot more, they feel a lot cleaner and easier to get results with.

3) The Z5 has it's obvious compromises but feels more like a "pro body" once your buttons are set up and you know what works for you, you're good to go.

4) The nikon glass is amazing.


This could all be because I now have a lot more experience than I did while shooting with the fuji, and the fuji experience is great but to me it felt more like a great hobbyist camera which is great fun but less like a working body.

Thanks, your findings pretty much are the consensus; excellent ergonomics and awesome IQ.

And those new little primes may not be up to the F1.8 standards but I love their size and their IQ is more than good enough. For me, portability adds up a lot to the shooting experience.

Whilst I have been a happy Fuji user for some years I decided to change to the Nikon Z5 with the 24-70 f4 earlier this year.

Without being technical I will say that I have not once regretted my decision. I shoot RAW using Capture One and am thrilled with the results.

I sold my X-T3 and the 18-55 lens but have kept the X-T20 to use with small primes when I want to go light. I have also kept the 50-230 lens for long shots. I still have the 10-24 but think that I will sell it as I have not used it since buying the Z5.

I don't find the weight a problem even though I'm nearly 80 (help!) Maybe it's because I find that I don't need to carry more than the one lens. Nor do I miss the Fuji controls even though I thought that I might.

Good luck with your decision.

Foskito said:

I currently own a Fuji X-T3 plus 4 primes and 2 zooms, very happy with my user’s experience, so I thought in getting a second body, an X-Pro3, but $1700-1800 is a hefty sum, considering that the Z5 while be on sale for $999 with the upcoming deal this weekend.

I can get one with the new 28 f2.8 and the 40mm f2 and still spend like 200 less than for the Fuji alone.

Both systems are capable of great images, so I am interested in your experience using both. Right now I think I am more inclined towards adding the Z5 to my collection and I can also use my Nikkor AIs 28 and 50mm lenses with it.

Thanks and good night!

Click to expand...

Well, look at this way... an X-Pro3 is $1800. But if you get a Z5, you'll need to get a lens with it probably, so you're back at around $1600-$1800 if you get something like the 24-70 f/4 or one of the 24-200 kits. If you get the 28 or 40mm, OK you can get away with about $1400 (or $1400 if you got the 24-50 kit I believe). My point is that it may not be that much of a savings in the end to get a different system.

Personally, if you're happy with the X-T3 but want some of the features of the Z5, get the X-S10 which has IBIS and will work with the glass you have.

The Z5 is an appealing camera because of its features (not a video camera of course due to the hefty crop, and not suitable for sports photography probably) but otherwise as well-rounded stills camera. But you'll need lenses for it. You can use your AIS lens but you'll need the FTZ adapter too.

From what I'm seeing though, those 28 and 40mm aren't all that sharp. They're compact, but probably not as sharp as Fuji's options. In this case, I'd personally say stick with Fuji.

For a while, I had two systems (A NIkon Z and Fuji) and ultimately sold the Fuji system off because I was basically buy the same thing for both systems, and it got too costly. I went the other way and rather than have two systems, I just have one system that shares the lenses.

--
(NOTE: If I don't reply to a direct comment in the forums, it's likely I unsubscribed from the thread.)

sirhawkeye64 said:

Foskito said:

I currently own a Fuji X-T3 plus 4 primes and 2 zooms, very happy with my user’s experience, so I thought in getting a second body, an X-Pro3, but $1700-1800 is a hefty sum, considering that the Z5 while be on sale for $999 with the upcoming deal this weekend.

I can get one with the new 28 f2.8 and the 40mm f2 and still spend like 200 less than for the Fuji alone.

Both systems are capable of great images, so I am interested in your experience using both. Right now I think I am more inclined towards adding the Z5 to my collection and I can also use my Nikkor AIs 28 and 50mm lenses with it.

Thanks and good night!

Click to expand...

Well, look at this way... an X-Pro3 is $1800. But if you get a Z5, you'll need to get a lens with it probably, so you're back at around $1600-$1800 if you get something like the 24-70 f/4 or one of the 24-200 kits. If you get the 28 or 40mm, OK you can get away with about $1400 (or $1400 if you got the 24-50 kit I believe). My point is that it may not be that much of a savings in the end to get a different system.

Personally, if you're happy with the X-T3 but want some of the features of the Z5, get the X-S10 which has IBIS and will work with the glass you have.

The Z5 is an appealing camera because of its features (not a video camera of course due to the hefty crop, and not suitable for sports photography probably) but otherwise as well-rounded stills camera. But you'll need lenses for it. You can use your AIS lens but you'll need the FTZ adapter too.

From what I'm seeing though, those 28 and 40mm aren't all that sharp. They're compact, but probably not as sharp as Fuji's options. In this case, I'd personally say stick with Fuji.

For a while, I had two systems (A NIkon Z and Fuji) and ultimately sold the Fuji system off because I was basically buy the same thing for both systems, and it got too costly. I went the other way and rather than have two systems, I just have one system that shares the lenses.

Click to expand...

I was thinking of getting the Z5 body only and adapting my Leica M-mount 21, 35, and AIs 28 and 50, no need for an expensive adapter, a 40 bucks one will do the trick. Early next year I can add a couple of native Z primes once I manage to sell some film gear that I have eating dust! The discount will be until the end of the month so I have a few days to think things over. My b'day is the 24... I might pamper myself a little lol!

I switched from Fuji to Nikon and didn't look back... in fact, I just ordered a z5 and 40mm f2 to replace my x-e3 and 27mm 2.8... of course, not the same size/design by any means...but now I can use all my other lenses with both Z6 and Z5 bodies. I got a z6 this summer and haven't used the x-e3 since then. In the past I've used x-e2, x-t1, x-t10, x-t20 also and the 14 2.8, 16 2.8, 23 f2, 23 1.4, 27 2.8, 35 1.4, 35 f2, 56 1.2, 60 2.4, 15-45, 18-55, 16-80 lenses.

Every Nikon lens I've used so far (only 24-70 f4 S and several S primes) is better IQ than any equivalent Fuji lens I used out of those. My need for a smaller camera is somewhat regrettably covered by my iPhone these days.

I will miss some stuff from Fuji, but I do think the IQ of Nikon Mirrorless FF is a step above and worth a little, or in some cases, not much, if any extra weight...

If I have the funds, I still might pick up an x100 series at some point down the line, I think the last 2 years changed up my photography...not doing too much street shooting or need of a daily walk around after covid. Before though that was my priority so Fuji was a better sweet spot.

Outside of the Nikon AIS lenses, I believe you can also use your Voigtlander and any Leica glass you might have as well.

Edit: I see you mentioned that already...yeah I think it will be a good option to get your feet wet...at 999 it's probably the best deal in FF mirrorless you will find. Think of it as a Full Frame Fuji X-S10.

When I saw the first reports of the Z5 I had a flash-back to when the D700 came out. An affordable Nikon full frame. Spent many happy years with it.

After several years with Fuji X the Z5 seems a logical step for me - an affordable, high quality FF mirrorless Nikon but not so darned big and heavy as the D700.

So it will arrive next week and lens-wise I am already well prepared ;-)

Next on my list is the 28mm SE. And later probably the f4 24-70mm.

André

Foskito said:

I currently own a Fuji X-T3 plus 4 primes and 2 zooms, very happy with my user’s experience, so I thought in getting a second body, an X-Pro3, but $1700-1800 is a hefty sum, considering that the Z5 while be on sale for $999 with the upcoming deal this weekend.

Click to expand...

Look it's your money and you are free to spend it how you like. But the maths here makes no sense

You maths is

Fuji costs $ 1800

Nikon cost $999

How do we figure that. I see it as

Nikon $999

Fuji body free you. already own it

If you need two bodied the Nikon is $2000

Maybe the Nikon system is better for you, Then great sell up and move over. But I really can't see how running both systems going to be good value in the long term

Member said:

I can get one with the new 28 f2.8 and the 40mm f2 and still spend like 200 less than for the Fuji alone.

Both systems are capable of great images, so I am interested in your experience using both. Right now I think I am more inclined towards adding the Z5 to my collection and I can also use my Nikkor AIs 28 and 50mm lenses with it.

Thanks and good night!

Click to expand...

john Clinch said:

Foskito said:

I currently own a Fuji X-T3 plus 4 primes and 2 zooms, very happy with my user’s experience, so I thought in getting a second body, an X-Pro3, but $1700-1800 is a hefty sum, considering that the Z5 while be on sale for $999 with the upcoming deal this weekend.

Click to expand...

Look it's your money and you are free to spend it how you like. But the maths here makes no sense

You maths is

Fuji costs $ 1800

Nikon cost $999

How do we figure that. I see it as

Nikon $999

Fuji body free you. already own it

If you need two bodied the Nikon is $2000

Maybe the Nikon system is better for you, Then great sell up and move over. But I really can't see how running both systems going to be good value in the long term

john Clinch said:

I can get one with the new 28 f2.8 and the 40mm f2 and still spend like 200 less than for the Fuji alone.

Both systems are capable of great images, so I am interested in your experience using both. Right now I think I am more inclined towards adding the Z5 to my collection and I can also use my Nikkor AIs 28 and 50mm lenses with it.

Thanks and good night!

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I never said I would buy 2 Nikon bodies, I said I wanted a second body, which could be an X-Pro3 ($1800) or a Z5 ($996)... I have no problems in using cameras from different brands.

poldersnapper said:

When I saw the first reports of the Z5 I had a flash-back to when the D700 came out. An affordable Nikon full frame. Spent many happy years with it.

After several years with Fuji X the Z5 seems a logical step for me - an affordable, high quality FF mirrorless Nikon but not so darned big and heavy as the D700.

So it will arrive next week and lens-wise I am already well prepared ;-)

Next on my list is the 28mm SE. And later probably the f4 24-70mm.

André

Click to expand...

Please share your initial thoughts of that great combo once you have it!

john Clinch said:

Foskito said:

I currently own a Fuji X-T3 plus 4 primes and 2 zooms, very happy with my user’s experience, so I thought in getting a second body, an X-Pro3, but $1700-1800 is a hefty sum, considering that the Z5 while be on sale for $999 with the upcoming deal this weekend.

Click to expand...

Look it's your money and you are free to spend it how you like. But the maths here makes no sense

You maths is

Fuji costs $ 1800

Nikon cost $999

How do we figure that. I see it as

Nikon $999

Fuji body free you. already own it

If you need two bodied the Nikon is $2000

Maybe the Nikon system is better for you, Then great sell up and move over. But I really can't see how running both systems going to be good value in the long term

john Clinch said:

I can get one with the new 28 f2.8 and the 40mm f2 and still spend like 200 less than for the Fuji alone.

Both systems are capable of great images, so I am interested in your experience using both. Right now I think I am more inclined towards adding the Z5 to my collection and I can also use my Nikkor AIs 28 and 50mm lenses with it.

Thanks and good night!

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Yeah running both systems would be too duplicative and too much weight... I've been changing over to 2 body Nikon as I get deals and sell off Fuji stuff. Yes the fuji cams are a bit smaller and light individually, but soon as you duplicate a lens or two with the same focal length, the kit overall becomes heavier.

Side note, I still think Fuji should have made a FF body with a few lenses instead of the GFX system...they launched the GFX almost 2 years before Canon or Nikon even had a FF mirrorless available, so I think they could have actually been successful there with that much of a head start.

Foskito said:

Please share your initial thoughts of that great combo once you have it!

Click to expand...

Will do ;-)

jjz2 said:

john Clinch said:

Foskito said:

I currently own a Fuji X-T3 plus 4 primes and 2 zooms, very happy with my user’s experience, so I thought in getting a second body, an X-Pro3, but $1700-1800 is a hefty sum, considering that the Z5 while be on sale for $999 with the upcoming deal this weekend.

Click to expand...

Look it's your money and you are free to spend it how you like. But the maths here makes no sense

You maths is

Fuji costs $ 1800

Nikon cost $999

How do we figure that. I see it as

Nikon $999

Fuji body free you. already own it

If you need two bodied the Nikon is $2000

Maybe the Nikon system is better for you, Then great sell up and move over. But I really can't see how running both systems going to be good value in the long term

jjz2 said:

I can get one with the new 28 f2.8 and the 40mm f2 and still spend like 200 less than for the Fuji alone.

Both systems are capable of great images, so I am interested in your experience using both. Right now I think I am more inclined towards adding the Z5 to my collection and I can also use my Nikkor AIs 28 and 50mm lenses with it.

Thanks and good night!

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Yeah running both systems would be too duplicative and too much weight... I've been changing over to 2 body Nikon as I get deals and sell off Fuji stuff. Yes the fuji cams are a bit smaller and light individually, but soon as you duplicate a lens or two with the same focal length, the kit overall becomes heavier.

Side note, I still think Fuji should have made a FF body with a few lenses instead of the GFX system...they launched the GFX almost 2 years before Canon or Nikon even had a FF mirrorless available, so I think they could have actually been successful there with that much of a head start.

Click to expand...

I usually travel with my Fuji plus either my Leica M8 or M9P, I don't see any problem with that, but everyone is free to carry whatever pleases.

And no, there won't be a full frame Fuji, the format is already too crowded and Fuji in APS is king. Now, a medium format FUJI "XL100" with a fixed, fast prime would be great.

poldersnapper said:

So it will arrive next week and lens-wise I am already well prepared ;-)

André

Click to expand...

I use (and love) my Z5 with a full range of Pentax M manual focus glass. Absolutely love, love, love the combination! I do have the 50/1.8S and just ordered the 28/2.8 for when autofocus is a must! Happy with my gear for the first time in a long time.

--
Tony A.

Foskito said:

I currently own a Fuji X-T3 plus 4 primes and 2 zooms, very happy with my user’s experience, so I thought in getting a second body, an X-Pro3, but $1700-1800 is a hefty sum, considering that the Z5 while be on sale for $999 with the upcoming deal this weekend.

I can get one with the new 28 f2.8 and the 40mm f2 and still spend like 200 less than for the Fuji alone.

Both systems are capable of great images, so I am interested in your experience using both. Right now I think I am more inclined towards adding the Z5 to my collection and I can also use my Nikkor AIs 28 and 50mm lenses with it.

Thanks and good night!

Click to expand...

I have the Z5 and the X-E4. I’d say there are is only one area in which the Fuji wins: colors. I shoot raw, and it takes me quite a bit of work to make the Z5 colors look as good as the Fuji ones. But it’s doable and a fun exercise. And -not a minor one- with the Z5 you don’t have to deal with X-trans conversion drama (Bayer wins). For what it’s worth, I use ACR.

If you use adapted vintage lenses (I do most of the time) the Z5 is incredible, with excellent magnification and peaking, all combined with a beautiful viewfinder.

Go for it, you’ll love it!

Cheers,

Ricky

I don't shoot Fuji, and I don't have a Z5. But I do shoot Olympus, Panasonic, and Nikon. So it's really two systems because Olympus and Panasonic share lenses and flash systems.

It's a very costly proposition once you start flushing out a system. And it takes extra effort to learn how to use each different system to maximum potential.

If you are making a trade between a moderately expensive Fuji body (that you already have lenses for) and an inexpensive Nikon body with an inexpensive lens over the cost, then I don't think you have the resources to be shooting multiple systems.

I recommend you get the Fuji body. And keep focus on quality.

john isaacs said:

I don't shoot Fuji, and I don't have a Z5. But I do shoot Olympus, Panasonic, and Nikon. So it's really two systems because Olympus and Panasonic share lenses and flash systems.

It's a very costly proposition once you start flushing out a system. And it takes extra effort to learn how to use each different system to maximum potential.

If you are making a trade between a moderately expensive Fuji body (that you already have lenses for) and an inexpensive Nikon body with an inexpensive lens over the cost, then I don't think you have the resources to be shooting multiple systems.

I recommend you get the Fuji body. And keep focus on quality.

Click to expand...

I am not making a trade, or selling anything in order to get a new body.
I just want to use my current Leica M-mount wide-angle lenses with a modern full-frame body with good peaking and magnification. I don't want to spend $2500+ on a used Leica SL or $5000 on a new SL2s and the Nikon sensors are the best next thing for that. My conclusion is the Z5 is the best option for my needs, of course, I will also add the Z 28mm f2.8 and 40mm f2.

As I said before I have different camera systems and I love them all.

Tango 55 said:

Foskito said:

I currently own a Fuji X-T3 plus 4 primes and 2 zooms, very happy with my user’s experience, so I thought in getting a second body, an X-Pro3, but $1700-1800 is a hefty sum, considering that the Z5 while be on sale for $999 with the upcoming deal this weekend.

I can get one with the new 28 f2.8 and the 40mm f2 and still spend like 200 less than for the Fuji alone.

Both systems are capable of great images, so I am interested in your experience using both. Right now I think I am more inclined towards adding the Z5 to my collection and I can also use my Nikkor AIs 28 and 50mm lenses with it.

Thanks and good night!

Click to expand...

I have the Z5 and the X-E4. I’d say there are is only one area in which the Fuji wins: colors. I shoot raw, and it takes me quite a bit of work to make the Z5 colors look as good as the Fuji ones. But it’s doable and a fun exercise. And -not a minor one- with the Z5 you don’t have to deal with X-trans conversion drama (Bayer wins). For what it’s worth, I use ACR.

If you use adapted vintage lenses (I do most of the time) the Z5 is incredible, with excellent magnification and peaking, all combined with a beautiful viewfinder.

Go for it, you’ll love it!

Cheers,

Ricky

Click to expand...

Yes exactly what I am looking for. My wide-angle M-mount lenses, besides Leica M cameras, only work at their optimum with Leica SL bodies, Sony and Panasonic are not very good, and I have tried them. Only Nikon gives you almost the same performance, and I also have the 28 and 50 AIs from my FM waiting to see some action!

I have the xt-3, hx-1, xe-3, and xt-20 , Nikon d810 and z5. So to answer your question requires many ways to look at it. If you use the xe-3 with for example a 16mm 2.8 prime the weight is significantly less than the nikon z5. Image quality is excellent. The fuji is a better camera to use if you are a photographer who wants shutters speeds and f stops in analog style dials. The fuji jpegs are in my estimation superior in the jpegs with all the Fuji film simulations. In the end the fuji produces great images and is a pleasure to use.

So why do I still use the Nikons and why did I buy the z5. I already had a collection of Nikon lenses. I believe the Nikon is a better choice if you do very big enlargements or like to crop. It is my experience the Full frame allows me to underexpose the shot to save the sky from being blown out. The Nikons Raw files work better on different software like Lightroom, and Photoshop. You can buy use Nikon G lens very cheaply on Ebay and they work great with the FTZ adapter, full kit with adapter available for about 1100 now. You can move up to use slrs like the D810 32megapixels for 799 is excellent conditions. The downside you will not enjoy using the Nikon as much as the Fuji. The price of the z5 is a steal right now.

So the bottom line is this, if you like the fuji, it has a native 20x13 at 300 dpi. So if you printing this or smaller and you dont heavily crop I prefer the Fuji. If you do big enlargements and are a landscape photographer you may perfer the Nikon.

The Fuji in my opinion is way better built but they are expensive. They are talking about an x-h2 with 42 megapixels for as much as a z 6ii. So alot to consider.