Nikon 500mm PF With The FTZ Adapter - How Well Does It Work?

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SRLNY

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There appear to be fair number of folks here who are using the Nikon 500 mm PF. Been on a wait list to get one but I'm now hesitating because I suspect that I may be moving over to a Z series body -- either when the S models come out this year or I may just wait for a Z8 (next year?). I'm living with a 200-500 right now on my D850. So, before I spring for the 500 PF I'm curious as to how well it works with the present Z mount cameras using the FTZ adapter? How quick is the autofocus, for instance? Any other issues? After all, if I can hold my breath long enough, Nikon could come out with a Z8 and then someday a 500 Z mount PF lens.
 
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I've only used my 500pf with the ftz briefly, but it seemed to work fine when I did. I haven't had any issues using any f mount lens with the adaptor. The issues are with the z body performance, not the lenses.
 
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I have the 300 pf and the 500 pf. AF is accurate, but v—e—-r—y... slow. For landscape, no issues. For bird in flight... big birds not too close, if you can track it, ok... for hemming birds, quite close... no way...a f is too slow. I keep my D850 for those lens only for now...
 
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Yup, very accurate, very sharp, but it focuses about half as fast as on the DSLRs. It's not bad for subjects at normal distances, but when you need to move the focus ring more (like for closer range targets) it's painful sometimes.
 
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Interesting that it focuses more slowly with ftz. I haven't really seen that with other (shorter focal length) f mount lenses, but only played with the 500pf and ftz briefly on static objects. Maybe the z can't drive the focus motor as quickly on big lenses? Just a guess, but not a good outcome regardless.
 
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cohenfive said:
Interesting that it focuses more slowly with ftz. I haven't really seen that with other (shorter focal length) f mount lenses, but only played with the 500pf and ftz briefly on static objects. Maybe the z can't drive the focus motor as quickly on big lenses? Just a guess, but not a good outcome regardless.
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I was surprised too. Here's a video with my test results, it should start at the speed test:

 
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cohenfive said:
Interesting that it focuses more slowly with ftz. I haven't really seen that with other (shorter focal length) f mount lenses, but only played with the 500pf and ftz briefly on static objects. Maybe the z can't drive the focus motor as quickly on big lenses? Just a guess, but not a good outcome regardless.
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it is not only with one lens... I saw the same "slow" performance with my Tampon G2 70-200 and 24-70. But, as it was almost on "norma speed" targets, three was no real issues...
 
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I too am really holding out hope that Nikon is able to develop the mirrorless systems they have at a faster rate in order to keep pace with other manufacturers. I feel like I am too far invested in Nikon to jump ship, but I have held off on purchasing any of their mirrorless cameras so far mainly because they do not seem to be very user friendly with my "older glass".
 
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VStammer said:
I too am really holding out hope that Nikon is able to develop the mirrorless systems they have at a faster rate in order to keep pace with other manufacturers. I feel like I am too far invested in Nikon to jump ship, but I have held off on purchasing any of their mirrorless cameras so far mainly because they do not seem to be very user friendly with my "older glass".
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Do not misunderstand my concerns... it is only a question of very fast AF needs... quality and accuracy are top. I am overall very happy with my Z6... great definition and super Colors... but I need to keep my D850 for my wildlife ;)
 
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VStammer said:
I too am really holding out hope that Nikon is able to develop the mirrorless systems they have at a faster rate in order to keep pace with other manufacturers. I feel like I am too far invested in Nikon to jump ship, but I have held off on purchasing any of their mirrorless cameras so far mainly because they do not seem to be very user friendly with my "older glass".
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That’s me, as well. Would love to have eye AF, a Z with a higher frame rate etc etc etc. I’m well invested in Nikon and was almost tempted to drop $10K for an R5 with some lenses but since my whole world has slowed down with Covid, I’ve realized that I can wait.
 
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Thanks for the comments, everyone. I had suspected, and had seen Steve's video, that I wouldn't be happy with the AF speed using the adapter and that, to me, is a critical consideration. I can live with the 200-500 for now.
 
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SRLNY said:
Thanks for the comments, everyone. I had suspected, and had seen Steve's video, that I wouldn't be happy with the AF speed using the adapter and that, to me, is a critical consideration. I can live with the 200-500 for now.
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Just precision... With the Z series... the 200-500 is not faster than the 300PF or the 500PF... just heavier ;). LOL
 
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Skye.prf said:
I have the 300 pf and the 500 pf. AF is accurate, but v—e—-r—y... slow. For landscape, no issues. For bird in flight... big birds not too close, if you can track it, ok... for hemming birds, quite close... no way...a f is too slow. I keep my D850 for those lens only for now...
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Steve said:
Yup, very accurate, very sharp, but it focuses about half as fast as on the DSLRs. It's not bad for subjects at normal distances, but when you need to move the focus ring more (like for closer range targets) it's painful sometimes.
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Interesting stuff. I've been on the fence about getting a Z50 in addition to my D7500 as a backup body to replace my D7100. The mirrorless bodies are quite appealing for a number of reasons, not least their weight, even with the FTZ. I thought the Z50 might be a nice walk-around camera with the AF-P 70-300.

But if the AF doesn't cut it for "fast moving objects" (like birds) I think I need to give it a pass for the time being.

Thanks a lot, that was useful information to me.

Hermann
 
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Hermann said:
Interesting stuff. I've been on the fence about getting a Z50 in addition to my D7500 as a backup body to replace my D7100. The mirrorless bodies are quite appealing for a number of reasons, not least their weight, even with the FTZ. I thought the Z50 might be a nice walk-around camera with the AF-P 70-300.

But if the AF doesn't cut it for "fast moving objects" (like birds) I think I need to give it a pass for the time being.

Thanks a lot, that was useful information to me.

Hermann
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I don't think you will notice any difference moving from D7xxx to Z6 in terms of AF speed (didn't have d7500 so maybe I can be wrong) . PPL who compare AF speed with D500/D850/D5 against Z bodies can really say how slower AF is. Coming from D7200 to Z6 has only positive aspects for me and help me a lot achieve photos I wasn't able take with D7200.
 
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Skye.prf said:
am overall very happy with my Z6... great definition and super Colors... but I need to keep my D850 for my wildlife
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I agree. I enjoy the Z6ii, it is great fun to use with shorter lenses. (24-70 F4, 50 1.8, M105 2.8 Macro)
I am keeping my D500 for bird photography with longer lenses. I cannot see the point of using the Z6ii for F mount lenses and bird photography. It is not what the Z6, 7 and Z6ii &Z7ii are designed to do at all. I have no idea when the Z9 will arrive but it is good to see that it handles long lens focussing well.
 
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I didnt realize that this thread and some of the responses were 1.5 years old and was surprised to read how slow AF of this lens was on z cameras.
Is this the case also with the Z9? Everything I have read is that the AF is as fast (or faster) with this z camera. Were they wrong?
 
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Do you talk about the 500pf??? Not slow at all… I used it on the D850, the Z6, and now with the Z9… more acurate on Z cameras, but real çly good and fast on the Z9. I now have the new 100-400… the 500pf still sharper, and the speed is not noticeably slower.
 
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