Using AF Nikkor with FTZ and cameras like the Z Fc

Ablor · Aug 6, 2023

I have historically been a Nikon user predominantly, but have disposed of most of my equipment over time and am left only with a broken Nikon DSLR from years past.

About to go on a trip, I realized I need a camera asap and now have time only to buy what's in a local store. My choices were the Z5, Z Fc, and the Fuji X-S10. To be honest, I preferred the Fuji for various reasons, but turns out there isn't a lens available nearby immediately. The Z5 with decent lens, etc would cost me quite a bit more than the Z Fc, especially considering that I still have a couple of DX zooms from the old DSLR that wouldn't be a good fit for the Z5.

My question here is about compatibility of another old lens I have - AF 180mm f2.8. How well would this work if I paired it with the Z Fc using the FTZ adapter? I know it won't autofocus and that's fine. It also appears that the viewfinder also won't function. So, is it practical to use this lens with the rear screen for manually focusing? I have little experience with this. I would love to be able to use it, along with an old DX AF-S zoom for the present, and I can plan to buy some new-fangled, good quality, compatible FX zoom for the future. Not to mention the beautiful old AI primes that I no longer have but can re-acquire.

If this is impractical, and I am limited to using only the kit DX zooms of the past that I already have, I might consider buying the Z5 with the 24-70 + an FTX for the 180. TIA.

Asla · Aug 6, 2023

Ablor said:
I have historically been a Nikon user predominantly, but have disposed of most of my equipment over time and am left only with a broken Nikon DSLR from years past.

About to go on a trip, I realized I need a camera asap and now have time only to buy what's in a local store. My choices were the Z5, Z Fc, and the Fuji X-S10. To be honest, I preferred the Fuji for various reasons, but turns out there isn't a lens available nearby immediately. The Z5 with decent lens, etc would cost me quite a bit more than the Z Fc, especially considering that I still have a couple of DX zooms from the old DSLR that wouldn't be a good fit for the Z5.

My question here is about compatibility of another old lens I have - AF 180mm f2.8. How well would this work if I paired it with the Z Fc using the FTZ adapter? I know it won't autofocus and that's fine. It also appears that the viewfinder also won't function. So, is it practical to use this lens with the rear screen for manually focusing? I have little experience with this. I would love to be able to use it, along with an old DX AF-S zoom for the present, and I can plan to buy some new-fangled, good quality, compatible FX zoom for the future. Not to mention the beautiful old AI primes that I no longer have but can re-acquire.

If this is impractical, and I am limited to using only the kit DX zooms of the past that I already have, I might consider buying the Z5 with the 24-70 + an FTX for the 180. TIA.

Hi!

AF and AF-D lenses work/function well with FTZ and Z camera. Viewfinder works just fine. Manual focus only. Manual or aperture priority I've been using, mainly aperture priority.

I'm not sure about ZFc's viewfinder size (as my DX Z is Z30) but with Z5's generous viewfinder and focus assists manual focusing is actually pretty enjoyable. I'd say par with EM and FG-20 I own too.

I've been using AI-S, AF and AF-D lenses alongside F(G) lenses and Z lenses.

Z lenses are, of course, designed to be use with Z cameras and thus better. But for my use and my prints (max. 50x75cm) these old lenses are more than good enough.

A s l a

AlainCh2 · Aug 6, 2023

Ablor said:
...
The Z5 with decent lens, etc would cost me quite a bit more than the Z Fc, especially considering that I still have a couple of DX zooms from the old DSLR that wouldn't be a good fit for the Z5.

...
How well would this work if I paired it with the Z Fc using the FTZ adapter? I know it won't autofocus and that's fine. It also appears that the viewfinder also won't function. So, is it practical to use this lens with the rear screen for manually focusing?
...

I can report my experience having jumped strait the DSLR era:

I bought a Z30 with double kit lenses.
Returned the 50-250 and stuck a Z 18-140 on the Z30 for everyday use.

On the tele side I use the FTZ II, with 70-300E and 150-600C and the Z30 do a great job.

( the 16-50 stay in the bag - unless I do Macro using it with 2 Meike rings )

I cannot use >EVF<
So I get nice results with the back monitor in most handheld situations.

When on a tripod with a gimbal, I stick a 7" Felword F6 external monitor,
and get the best possible results that my eyes allow me.

Even with only the back monitor, it's fine.
With the external, I get more comfortable postures that let me stand away 50cm from it

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Ablor · Aug 6, 2023

Asla said:
Ablor said:

I have historically been a Nikon user predominantly, but have disposed of most of my equipment over time and am left only with a broken Nikon DSLR from years past.

About to go on a trip, I realized I need a camera asap and now have time only to buy what's in a local store. My choices were the Z5, Z Fc, and the Fuji X-S10. To be honest, I preferred the Fuji for various reasons, but turns out there isn't a lens available nearby immediately. The Z5 with decent lens, etc would cost me quite a bit more than the Z Fc, especially considering that I still have a couple of DX zooms from the old DSLR that wouldn't be a good fit for the Z5.

My question here is about compatibility of another old lens I have - AF 180mm f2.8. How well would this work if I paired it with the Z Fc using the FTZ adapter? I know it won't autofocus and that's fine. It also appears that the viewfinder also won't function. So, is it practical to use this lens with the rear screen for manually focusing? I have little experience with this. I would love to be able to use it, along with an old DX AF-S zoom for the present, and I can plan to buy some new-fangled, good quality, compatible FX zoom for the future. Not to mention the beautiful old AI primes that I no longer have but can re-acquire.

If this is impractical, and I am limited to using only the kit DX zooms of the past that I already have, I might consider buying the Z5 with the 24-70 + an FTX for the 180. TIA.

Click to expand...

Hi!

AF and AF-D lenses work/function well with FTZ and Z camera. Viewfinder works just fine. Manual focus only. Manual or aperture priority I've been using, mainly aperture priority.

I'm not sure about ZFc's viewfinder size (as my DX Z is Z30) but with Z5's generous viewfinder and focus assists manual focusing is actually pretty enjoyable. I'd say par with EM and FG-20 I own too.

I've been using AI-S, AF and AF-D lenses alongside F(G) lenses and Z lenses.

Z lenses are, of course, designed to be use with Z cameras and thus better. But for my use and my prints (max. 50x75cm) these old lenses are more than good enough.

A s l a

If it is possible to manual focus effectively using the viewfinder, then I'd have few concerns, if any. I'll go with the ZFc and possibly add a good quality FX zoom + old manual primes later. If only they sold this camera without a kit in the local stores - they say it's backordered. I have absolutely no use for the kit 16-50.

PLShutterbug · Aug 6, 2023

Take your 180 in when you buy the Zfc and have the salesperson help you make sure it will work for you.

Asla · Aug 6, 2023

Ablor said:
Asla said:

Ablor said:

I have historically been a Nikon user predominantly, but have disposed of most of my equipment over time and am left only with a broken Nikon DSLR from years past.

About to go on a trip, I realized I need a camera asap and now have time only to buy what's in a local store. My choices were the Z5, Z Fc, and the Fuji X-S10. To be honest, I preferred the Fuji for various reasons, but turns out there isn't a lens available nearby immediately. The Z5 with decent lens, etc would cost me quite a bit more than the Z Fc, especially considering that I still have a couple of DX zooms from the old DSLR that wouldn't be a good fit for the Z5.

My question here is about compatibility of another old lens I have - AF 180mm f2.8. How well would this work if I paired it with the Z Fc using the FTZ adapter? I know it won't autofocus and that's fine. It also appears that the viewfinder also won't function. So, is it practical to use this lens with the rear screen for manually focusing? I have little experience with this. I would love to be able to use it, along with an old DX AF-S zoom for the present, and I can plan to buy some new-fangled, good quality, compatible FX zoom for the future. Not to mention the beautiful old AI primes that I no longer have but can re-acquire.

If this is impractical, and I am limited to using only the kit DX zooms of the past that I already have, I might consider buying the Z5 with the 24-70 + an FTX for the 180. TIA.

Click to expand...

Hi!

AF and AF-D lenses work/function well with FTZ and Z camera. Viewfinder works just fine. Manual focus only. Manual or aperture priority I've been using, mainly aperture priority.

I'm not sure about ZFc's viewfinder size (as my DX Z is Z30) but with Z5's generous viewfinder and focus assists manual focusing is actually pretty enjoyable. I'd say par with EM and FG-20 I own too.

I've been using AI-S, AF and AF-D lenses alongside F(G) lenses and Z lenses.

Z lenses are, of course, designed to be use with Z cameras and thus better. But for my use and my prints (max. 50x75cm) these old lenses are more than good enough.

A s l a

Click to expand...

If it is possible to manual focus effectively using the viewfinder, then I'd have few concerns, if any. I'll go with the ZFc and possibly add a good quality FX zoom + old manual primes later. If only they sold this camera without a kit in the local stores - they say it's backordered. I have absolutely no use for the kit 16-50.

Hi!

As I implicated, manual focusing experience may be dependent of viewfinder size; Z5 has viewfinder indeed very large, with very good resolution. Viewfinder size of ZFc? I don't know, but I suspect that it might be somewhat smaller than Z5(6,7)'s size, thus affecting experience of focusing manual...

A s l a

Richard Dutton · Aug 6, 2023

Best advice from PLShutterbug

I have the 180/2.8. Super lens and easy to MF on my Z6. I use magnification rather than focus peaking but both work well through the EVF but it’s a personal choice.

I rarely use the lcd screen for focussing unless I need the camera near the ground.

Might be a lens characteristic or just my copy but the focus ring on my lens is butter smooth and has no backlash/hysterisis which makes MF easy - same on the other AF screw lenses I have actually.

These MILCs ( Nikon or whoever ) are really a gift if you like MF. I use my ai/ai-s lenses far more on the Z6 than I did on dslr. I got the Z6 in the first instance to use with Contax lenses from my SLRs - brilliant. Now hooked on the f4 Z lenses and a prime or two.

Oh - have a think about FTZii vs FTZi - if you have a choice. I have the first with the tripod foot and it is a PITA sometimes - looking for a cheap ( haha ) FTZii to come up to change it.

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Using AF Nikkor with FTZ and cameras like the Z Fc

Ablor

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Asla

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AlainCh2

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Carnivorous High Heat >> Scroll down for Pics <<

Ablor

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PLShutterbug

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Asla

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Richard Dutton

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