Adding some 3rd party lenses to my Z7 II kit.

[monte12345]

First up is the Tamron 70-300 f4.5-6.3 Z mount lens. Nikon still hasn't made a lens in this range for the Z mount and the Tamron trumps my older AFS VR 70-300 in Quality plus its a lot lighter in weight with less bulk. Basically it's Win Win all the way around.

Next up for purchase is the Viltrox 85mm f1.8. Yes, Nikon does offer the 85mm f1.8 S series lens with it's superior edge to edge sharpness. However I find the S lens to be a bit Sterile. I also happen to prefer the older basic design of the Viltrox with it's softer corner performance. Because when used for Portraits that classic old softer image is very flattering. If I grab it for a quick landscape where I want good sharpness over the full frame stopping it down to f8 will get me there.

BTW my experience with AF Nikon cameras goes back to the N2020 that was quickly followed by the N8008. So I have a large collection of older AF Nikkors that make wonderful images but won't do AF on my Z7 II because Nikon lacked the forethought to provide a FTZ version with a stepper motor to drive focus on these gen 1 lenses. As a result a lot of replacements for those older lenses will be 3rd party lenses.

On the plus side it seems that every month more 3rd party lenses for the Z mount come onto the market. In addition the Z mount provides an accidental option for lens adapters for Canon EF and certain lens mounts from other makers. To be honest Nikon shot themselves in the foot a bit by placing the focusing plane so close to the face of the lens mount, it has opened the door to adapters for lenses from many other makers.

 

[Leonard Shepherd]

On the plus side it seems that every month more 3rd party lenses for the Z mount come onto the market.

Agreed - and for some and some purposes quite welcome.

In addition the Z mount provides an accidental option for lens adapters for Canon EF and certain lens mounts from other makers. To be honest Nikon shot themselves in the foot a bit by placing the focusing plane so close to the face of the lens mount, it has opened the door to adapters for lenses from many other makers.

Another way of looking at this conundrum is that when a third-party maker makes an excellent Z mount lens it cannot be adapted to other systems without changing the optical quality. ;-)

This gives Nikon Z an advantage similar to lenses initially limited to the Sony and L mount.

In theory at least it also allows Nikon with limited capacity pending completion of their new lens factory in Japan to concentrate on higher level S mount lenses - though based on what has been launched so far this year it is not clear to me which direction Nikon is currently taking.

 

[monte12345]

Ordered the Tamron 70-300 f4.5-6.3 Monday from B&H. It arrived today at 12:30PM. One of the many reasons I've been purchasing from B&H since the late 70's.

As for the lens itself, it is quite impressive and a giant value for the cost. No it's not quite as sharp as my 24-120 S lens but it's darned close and it blows my AFS VR ED 70-300 f4-5.6 into the weeds in terms of sharpness. BTW that particular lens never impressed me, even when used on my D750. Another plus is that it's 1/2 pound lighter than that old AFS lens.

So, to sum it up, Nikon will have to produce an S series 70-300 zoom if they want to knock the Tamron off it's perch and even then I'm not sure I would bite because this lens is more than good enough to keep. Actually the best way for Nikon to get a new 70-300 in their Z lens lineup would be to have Tamron supply a Z Nikkor badged version and sell in on the Nikon store at a small markup over the Tamron. Because this lens is that good.