Long lens transition to mirrorless

[fcotterill]

More confirmation the high quality F-mount telephotos deliver very well on the FTZ adapter

This is fairly balanced, as to the inevitability of a maturing technology IF one can afford an all new system
For a few years yet, I plan to keep all my F mount telephotos in the centre lane.

 

[Calson]

It comes down to where and what you plan to photograph. To me the D850 (and I own two) with the 500mm PF is an incredible combo for land and marine photography. Buy a used copy of the 500mm PF if you can and then you will get most of your money out when you decide to sell it.

For my part I see no real advantage to staying with Nikon if I am adding mirrorless cameras and their lenses. There are too many limitations with the FTZ adapter for me to seriously consider using my FX lenses with Nikon's mirrorless camera. I prefer overall the mirrorless systems from Canon and Olympus (MFT cameras and pro lenses).

I had the 200-500mm lens but found it limiting with its 200mm minimum focal length. I use the 80-400mm along with the 500mm PF instead. The 200-500mm is a great value without a doubt but too often I found myself grabbing the 80-400mm instead in places like Yellowstone and Costa Rica where I wanted to provide space around the subjects I was photographing.

 

[dalias 23]

More confirmation the high quality F-mount telephotos deliver very well on the FTZ adapter

This is fairly balanced, as to the inevitability of a maturing technology IF one can afford an all new system
For a few years yet, I plan to keep all my F mount telephotos in the centre lane.

Thanks. Encouraging on the Z system generally.

 

[dalias 23]

It comes down to where and what you plan to photograph. To me the D850 (and I own two) with the 500mm PF is an incredible combo for land and marine photography. Buy a used copy of the 500mm PF if you can and then you will get most of your money out when you decide to sell it.

For my part I see no real advantage to staying with Nikon if I am adding mirrorless cameras and their lenses. There are too many limitations with the FTZ adapter for me to seriously consider using my FX lenses with Nikon's mirrorless camera. I prefer overall the mirrorless systems from Canon and Olympus (MFT cameras and pro lenses).

I had the 200-500mm lens but found it limiting with its 200mm minimum focal length. I use the 80-400mm along with the 500mm PF instead. The 200-500mm is a great value without a doubt but too often I found myself grabbing the 80-400mm instead in places like Yellowstone and Costa Rica where I wanted to provide space around the subjects I was photographing.

Thanks for this. What do you see as the limitations with the FTZ adaptor (apart from the fact of having to have an adaptor at all)?

 

[BillW]

Thanks for this. What do you see as the limitations with the FTZ adaptor (apart from the fact of having to have an adaptor at all)?

I don’t find the FTZ adapter to be a practical limitation in my shooting. It is small and light — 4.8 ounces. Works with all my F mount lenses.

Steve has noted that the FTZ can slow autofocus when you are trying to go from minimum focus to infinity or from infinity to minimum focus. I find that in shooting, I am almost never doing that, so it has not been a problem for me. I have used the 500 mm PF, 300 mm PF, 70-200 f2.8E, and 70-300 AF-P FX lenses extensively on the FTZ adapter on a Z7 and Z6 and now a Z7II and Z6II. I have not found focus speed to be an issue. I have tried the 200-500 mm lens on a Z7 and Z7II — I tend not to use it that much because it is heavier and I have the 500 mm PF. It focuses fine, although it is a bit slower focusing to start with, even on m,y DSLRs (which I still have).

The FTZ does not provide autofocus for screw mount lenses. I have only one (the 70-180 mm micro Nikkor zoom), so it has not been an issue for me. You can still do manual focus with screw mount lenses and the Z bodies have a number of aids for manual focus.

Some third party lenses may have AF issues, but that may be fixable with lens firmware updates. If you have or would get third party lenses that you would want to use on the FTZ, it’s worth checking into.

The last thing I recall is that the FTZ may not pass through some of the information on the lens to be recorded in the image file with certain older manual focus lenses. I have not noticed that, but did not look. I have used the 19 mm PCE lens on my Z7 and Z7II, but it’s not older. Might have the issue with my 105 mm f2.5 AIS lens.

All this said, I generally prefer the Z lenses where available. They have been anywhere from very good to outstanding and generally better than their F mount counterparts optically. I am looking forward to Nikon getting out Z mount telephotos, particularly the 100-400 mm. And I’d love to see Z mount PF lenses, but they are not on the roadmap yet.

 

[EricBowles]

I don’t find the FTZ adapter to be a practical limitation in my shooting. It is small and light — 4.8 ounces. Works with all my F mount lenses.

Steve has noted that the FTZ can slow autofocus when you are trying to go from minimum focus to infinity or from infinity to minimum focus. I find that in shooting, I am almost never doing that, so it has not been a problem for me. I have used the 500 mm PF, 300 mm PF, 70-200 f2.8E, and 70-300 AF-P FX lenses extensively on the FTZ adapter on a Z7 and Z6 and now a Z7II and Z6II. I have not found focus speed to be an issue. I have tried the 200-500 mm lens on a Z7 and Z7II — I tend not to use it that much because it is heavier and I have the 500 mm PF. It focuses fine, although it is a bit slower focusing to start with, even on m,y DSLRs (which I still have).

The FTZ does not provide autofocus for screw mount lenses. I have only one (the 70-180 mm micro Nikkor zoom), so it has not been an issue for me. You can still do manual focus with screw mount lenses and the Z bodies have a number of aids for manual focus.

Some third party lenses may have AF issues, but that may be fixable with lens firmware updates. If you have or would get third party lenses that you would want to use on the FTZ, it’s worth checking into.

The last thing I recall is that the FTZ may not pass through some of the information on the lens to be recorded in the image file with certain older manual focus lenses. I have not noticed that, but did not look. I have used the 19 mm PCE lens on my Z7 and Z7II, but it’s not older. Might have the issue with my 105 mm f2.5 AIS lens.

All this said, I generally prefer the Z lenses where available. They have been anywhere from very good to outstanding and generally better than their F mount counterparts optically. I am looking forward to Nikon getting out Z mount telephotos, particularly the 100-400 mm. And I’d love to see Z mount PF lenses, but they are not on the roadmap yet.

I tend to share Bill's perspective. I don't have any problem using the FTZ.

The big thing is mirrorless cameras involve some changes in technique. Some of this is the way focus modes and viewfinder work. The Z cameras have enough improvements in focus accuracy that I can use F-mount lenses in places where they historically had been rejected.

 

[dalias 23]

I don’t find the FTZ adapter to be a practical limitation in my shooting. It is small and light — 4.8 ounces. Works with all my F mount lenses.

Steve has noted that the FTZ can slow autofocus when you are trying to go from minimum focus to infinity or from infinity to minimum focus. I find that in shooting, I am almost never doing that, so it has not been a problem for me. I have used the 500 mm PF, 300 mm PF, 70-200 f2.8E, and 70-300 AF-P FX lenses extensively on the FTZ adapter on a Z7 and Z6 and now a Z7II and Z6II. I have not found focus speed to be an issue. I have tried the 200-500 mm lens on a Z7 and Z7II — I tend not to use it that much because it is heavier and I have the 500 mm PF. It focuses fine, although it is a bit slower focusing to start with, even on m,y DSLRs (which I still have).

The FTZ does not provide autofocus for screw mount lenses. I have only one (the 70-180 mm micro Nikkor zoom), so it has not been an issue for me. You can still do manual focus with screw mount lenses and the Z bodies have a number of aids for manual focus.

Some third party lenses may have AF issues, but that may be fixable with lens firmware updates. If you have or would get third party lenses that you would want to use on the FTZ, it’s worth checking into.

The last thing I recall is that the FTZ may not pass through some of the information on the lens to be recorded in the image file with certain older manual focus lenses. I have not noticed that, but did not look. I have used the 19 mm PCE lens on my Z7 and Z7II, but it’s not older. Might have the issue with my 105 mm f2.5 AIS lens.

All this said, I generally prefer the Z lenses where available. They have been anywhere from very good to outstanding and generally better than their F mount counterparts optically. I am looking forward to Nikon getting out Z mount telephotos, particularly the 100-400 mm. And I’d love to see Z mount PF lenses, but they are not on the roadmap yet.

Many thanks Bill. This is very comprehensive. I am pretty much sold on getting the 500PF now, and going mirrorless in due course. I think it will be a while before I will be able to part with my D850 though!

 

[eaj101]

I don't find the FTZ to be problem at all. With the exception of my D-series lenses (screw drive) my F lenses work as well on the FTZ as they do on the DSLRs. A few P-series lenses work better! I borrowed back a 500 f4P to try it on my Z7, and IBIS and focus-peaking turned a rock simple manual lens into something pretty good. And the 500 P is pretty damned good optically.

Downsides: the FTZ can be a bit awkward. And I want a screw drive version.

 

[eaj101]

More confirmation the high quality F-mount telephotos deliver very well on the FTZ adapter

This is fairly balanced, as to the inevitability of a maturing technology IF one can afford an all new system
For a few years yet, I plan to keep all my F mount telephotos in the centre lane.

Thanks much. Very informative video, pretty balanced and not fanboy stuff.

P.S. I loved the little section drenching the Z6 in Bandon. For anyone who hasn't been to Bandon, OR, you gotta go. Some of the best ocean shore landscapes anywhere.

 

[fcotterill]

Considering the pressure of marketing and so many choices, here's some food for thought. More specifically, I ask what are the payoffs of new gear vs the costs of purchase and learning in some cases? I agree reduced weight can be argued for for many of us who hike and travel. So more choices in phase-fresnel telephotos will be hard to ignore/dismiss!

Chasing the Unknown | Cameras and Photography Explained | Thom Hogan

Many photographers are chasing the unknown

bythom.com

 

[eaj101]

Considering the pressure of marketing and so many choices, here's some food for thought. More specifically, I ask what are the payoffs of new gear vs the costs of purchase and learning in some cases? I agree reduced weight can be argued for for many of us who hike and travel. So more choices in phase-fresnel telephotos will be hard to ignore/dismiss!

Chasing the Unknown | Cameras and Photography Explained | Thom Hogan

Many photographers are chasing the unknown

bythom.com

I was wondering if someone else would see and comment on Thom's post. I thought his questions related directly to a lot of the discussions here:

"Do you know what you're chasing?

My guess is that most of you reading this do not. Given how good cameras and lenses have gotten lately, I'm not entirely sure if I'm chasing anything gear-wise anymore, either.

I see all kinds of placeholders for what people are chasing—more dynamic range, more frame rate, lower blackout times, more pixels, no-brainer autofocus, etc.—but I wonder just exactly what it is that would happen were you granted any of your requests.

Does your photography suddenly improve? As a pro do you instantly make more money? Is your previous gear immediately rendered useless?

You know the answer to those questions: no, no, and no."

But I think a lot of us are going to resist...

 

[dalias 23]

I was wondering if someone else would see and comment on Thom's post. I thought his questions related directly to a lot of the discussions here:

"Do you know what you're chasing?

My guess is that most of you reading this do not. Given how good cameras and lenses have gotten lately, I'm not entirely sure if I'm chasing anything gear-wise anymore, either.

I see all kinds of placeholders for what people are chasing—more dynamic range, more frame rate, lower blackout times, more pixels, no-brainer autofocus, etc.—but I wonder just exactly what it is that would happen were you granted any of your requests.

Does your photography suddenly improve? As a pro do you instantly make more money? Is your previous gear immediately rendered useless?

You know the answer to those questions: no, no, and no."

But I think a lot of us are going to resist...

I am ‘chasing’ longer focal length. My issue is that to get it currently I have to invest in a system (DSLR) that is in the process of being superceded by mirrorless. I don’t want to wait for long Z lenses. And yes I do believe that mirrorless will bring benefits. Plus, more frivolously, I like seeing technology evolve, enjoy getting new gear every now & then, and am interested to hear the views of other GAS victims!

 

[Abinoone]

I am ‘chasing’ longer focal length. My issue is that to get it currently I have to invest in a system (DSLR) that is in the process of being superceded by mirrorless. I don’t want to wait for long Z lenses. And yes I do believe that mirrorless will bring benefits. Plus, more frivolously, I like seeing technology evolve, enjoy getting new gear every now & then, and am interested to hear the views of other GAS victims!

I'll just reiterate what I wrote previously: for the price, it's hard to go wrong with Nikon's 200-500 at $1,300 (<$1,000 used). It's no exotic prime, but I consistently get quality images for any number of birds, including BIF. Sure, the 500PF f5.6 is lighter, and has a faster AF but, to me, the IQ isn't sufficiently better to warrant shelling out $3,500. I'd rather save my money for a faster lens. MILR is most probably in all our futures, but I'm not too concerned that my needs and skills will soon surpass the capabilities of my two D850s.