Nikon FTZ Essential Info & Speed Tests!

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Fantastic test results Steve , and great to hear from my perspective that the F Mount glass performs well with the FTZ on the Z cameras , I`ll be a long way of from being able to afford a Z9 however I`m in the market soon for a Z7ii and given that I have some nice F mount glass its a welcome and pleasant surprise..

I must admit I`ve been pretty apprehensive to pull the trigger on a Z camera purely because of the cost involved with the Z Glass . I`m currently using a D500 and some of the F Glass I own includes a 70-200 f/2.8 .. 16-35 f/4 , 85mm f/2.8.... I`m wondering how my Sigma 150-600C and Sigma 100-400 would perform with the FTZ on a Z7ii .. although its not Native glass butI`d be interested on the outcome ...

Can I throw this at you Steve and ask what your suspicions ""Might be"" as to how well or not the Sigma 150-600 and Sigma 100-400 may perform on a Z7ii with the FTZ ? No pressure and I wont hold you to anything I`m just looking for an educated guess based off your experience in general ...

many thanks for the test results Steve its given me a fair bit of hope and encouragement about dipping my Toe into the Mirrorless world ...


Harry.G
I wish I had an answer but I just don't know. Someone else may chin in though.
 
For all of my tests I was using the DSLR in normal, viewfinder shooting mode, not Live View. LV would be slower.
Also, the tests I did were PDAF vs PDAF - the Z9 uses on-sensor PDAF, not contrast detection.
Interesting. Do the Z6ii & Z7ii also use On-Sensor PDAF?

I guess I could look this up elsewhere, but I'm lazy tonight. I even bet it's in your book on Mirrorless Autofocus Secrets... ;)
 
In this video, we’ll reveal everything you need to know about the Nikon FTZ adapters, as well as answer questions like:

Does the FTZ adapter slow down F-mount lenses? (This is a shocker)
Does the FTZ adapter hurt image quality?
Can you use Z-mount TCs with the FTZ adapter?
Why is the FTZ adapter so thick?
Is there any difference between the original FTZ and the new one?

And so much more! If you’re a Nikon mirrorless shooter, you owe it to yourself to watch this quick 8-minute video!


Quick follow-up.

There have been a few comments here and elsewhere wondering about the AF speed of the gripped D850 + ENEL18 battery and un-gripped D850 + the normal battery and how that affects speed.

I've been saying that I believe the speed is the same, but it was bugging me since I haven't actually tested it. So, I just grabbed the 600E and tested with D850 with and without the grip (all batteries in question fully charged).

Yup, both are the same. 1/2 second (15 frames @ 30FPS). :)

I still contend that the speeds we're seeing both from the Z9 and and the D850 are simply the fastest speeds the AF motor can get the lens from minimum focus to infinity.

Another quick update. I knew I had tested the D6 and 600mm like this (no TC) and I finally found the clip and checked the time (I KNEW I had done that test at one point). The D6 speed for the 600mm from minimum focus to infinity is also 1/2 second, just like the D850 and just like the Z9. Again, I'm pretty sure the 600 F/4 tops out at 1/2 second from minimum focus distance to infinity no matter what camera is attached.
I’m sure that the people who hung onto their F mount lenses are extremely happy about these findings. No need to dump their long lenses. 👍
 
Steve,
Another well done evaluation. Hope I'll see my Z9 within 6 months.
Thank you
PS
Bet you the cost of old F mount lenses goes up. Keeping my D850 and just put my D500 up for sale.
 
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Thanks Steve. I have two long lenses (500F4G, 300F2.8G) which I have used mostly with the D500. While I wait for my Z9, I have been wondering if I will use my TC 1.4 mkII with them and what might the impact on focus speed be. Now I have a much clearer idea about that. I guess what this shows is that the more sophisticated focus system on the Z9 is outperforming the DSLRs not just keeping up with them.
 
The trick is that with the DSLR lenses, I have a window that moves in real time. With the mirrorless I can do it with an atomos, but the atomos may slow down the overall speed since the camera is outputting. I could likely see if the the TC makes a difference, but the times would be suspect.
Could you use the rear screen?
 
Interesting. Do the Z6ii & Z7ii also use On-Sensor PDAF?

I guess I could look this up elsewhere, but I'm lazy tonight. I even bet it's in your book on Mirrorless Autofocus Secrets... ;)
Yes, all the Nikon mirrorless use on-sensor PDAF. I think the only AF area that will employ contrast detection is pinpoint and you have to be in AF-S to use it.
 
Could you use the rear screen?
I have to record it, it just happens too fast to see, for sure, when focus starts and stops. It's far easier to count frames. The good thing is that the feed changes just a bit when AF starts, so I can use that as a starting point and if I use AF-S, I just count until the AF box is green. So, doing it in a consistent way is easy, but I fear the numbers aren't going to be accurate. From a comparative standpoint it's fine since we often don't need hard numbers, we're just trying to see if one lens focuses faster than the other. However, I would have to mention in the video that the AF times my be off due to the Atomos, and then all of the work in that video would be tabled suspect by viewers.
 
I have to record it, it just happens too fast to see, for sure, when focus starts and stops. It's far easier to count frames. The good thing is that the feed changes just a bit when AF starts, so I can use that as a starting point and if I use AF-S, I just count until the AF box is green. So, doing it in a consistent way is easy, but I fear the numbers aren't going to be accurate. From a comparative standpoint it's fine since we often don't need hard numbers, we're just trying to see if one lens focuses faster than the other. However, I would have to mention in the video that the AF times my be off due to the Atomos, and then all of the work in that video would be tabled suspect by viewers.
I was wonder how you did timed the lens. Seems like a lot of work to figure it out.
 
I have to record it, it just happens too fast to see, for sure, when focus starts and stops. It's far easier to count frames. The good thing is that the feed changes just a bit when AF starts, so I can use that as a starting point and if I use AF-S, I just count until the AF box is green. So, doing it in a consistent way is easy, but I fear the numbers aren't going to be accurate. From a comparative standpoint it's fine since we often don't need hard numbers, we're just trying to see if one lens focuses faster than the other. However, I would have to mention in the video that the AF times my be off due to the Atomos, and then all of the work in that video would be tabled suspect by viewers.

I think this is a good methodology, Steve. Now do it at 120fps with the Z9! haha I'm kidding - approximate measures here are enough imo.

And let me reinforce the idea that an external recorder e.g. atomos can affect the performance of the camera - Matt Grainger was doing buffer tests; wasn't getting the results he expected; redid the tests without the atomos and got the expected results.

Clearly, that was an I/O issue. Whether an external recorder affects AF in some way - we don't know - no data... but I don't find that a very interesting question - best to just avoid any side effects as Steve is doing here.

Cheers!

...Dave...
 
In this video, we’ll reveal everything you need to know about the Nikon FTZ adapters, as well as answer questions like:

Does the FTZ adapter slow down F-mount lenses? (This is a shocker)
Does the FTZ adapter hurt image quality?
Can you use Z-mount TCs with the FTZ adapter?
Why is the FTZ adapter so thick?
Is there any difference between the original FTZ and the new one?

And so much more! If you’re a Nikon mirrorless shooter, you owe it to yourself to watch this quick 8-minute video!


Quick follow-up.

There have been a few comments here and elsewhere wondering about the AF speed of the gripped D850 + ENEL18 battery and un-gripped D850 + the normal battery and how that affects speed.

I've been saying that I believe the speed is the same, but it was bugging me since I haven't actually tested it. So, I just grabbed the 600E and tested with D850 with and without the grip (all batteries in question fully charged).

Yup, both are the same. 1/2 second (15 frames @ 30FPS). :)

I still contend that the speeds we're seeing both from the Z9 and and the D850 are simply the fastest speeds the AF motor can get the lens from minimum focus to infinity.

Another quick update. I knew I had tested the D6 and 600mm like this (no TC) and I finally found the clip and checked the time (I KNEW I had done that test at one point). The D6 speed for the 600mm from minimum focus to infinity is also 1/2 second, just like the D850 and just like the Z9. Again, I'm pretty sure the 600 F/4 tops out at 1/2 second from minimum focus distance to infinity no matter what camera is attached.
Really found this useful & looks like those of us that don't want to get rid of our beloved primes can still upgrade to the Z9 & in some cases get even better results than we did with our DSLR's. Great video again, thanks Steve. (y)(y)
 
One thing I did notice today using the 1.4, it hunts much more then without. Not a problem if I just manual focus to help it along, but it’s definitely noticeable.
 
One thing I did notice today using the 1.4, it hunts much more then without. Not a problem if I just manual focus to help it along, but it’s definitely noticeable.

With what camera and lens? I have not noticed that at all in a month of using the Z9 extensively with 400/2.8 FL or 500 PF with the TC14. Even using the TC20 I only notice a slight increase.
 
With what camera and lens? I have not noticed that at all in a month of using the Z9 extensively with 400/2.8 FL or 500 PF with the TC14. Even using the TC20 I only notice a slight increase.
Z9 AF specific. Using a 500E with no tc at 5.6 will focus more accurately on a moving subject then with the tc on. I notice it hunts more with tc on the same subject. Obviously, I could be wrong, just an impression I got this afternoon shooting guls.
 
Z9 AF specific. Using a 500E with no tc at 5.6 will focus more accurately on a moving subject then with the tc on. I notice it hunts more with tc on the same subject. Obviously, I could be wrong, just an impression I got this afternoon shooting guls.

Interesting--thanks for the feedback. I have not noticed that including yesterday shooting gulls but will be out again tomorrow so will try to pay attention specifically to that.
 
Interesting--thanks for the feedback. I have not noticed that including yesterday shooting gulls but will be out again tomorrow so will try to pay attention specifically to that.
I have always been accustomed to using manual focus to help along AF, and with the Z9+1.4tc today it sometimes it just needs a little nudge and would snap right on.
 
One thing I did notice today using the 1.4, it hunts much more then without. Not a problem if I just manual focus to help it along, but it’s definitely noticeable.
That happens with the a1 as well. Good as they are, it seems that they are still more reliable without the TC than with it. I use the same technique - just help it with a little manual focus assist to get close and all is well. I'm with you - it's no biggie, I don't really even think about it anymore.
 
In this video, we’ll reveal everything you need to know about the Nikon FTZ adapters, as well as answer questions like:

Does the FTZ adapter slow down F-mount lenses? (This is a shocker)
Does the FTZ adapter hurt image quality?
Can you use Z-mount TCs with the FTZ adapter?
Why is the FTZ adapter so thick?
Is there any difference between the original FTZ and the new one?

And so much more! If you’re a Nikon mirrorless shooter, you owe it to yourself to watch this quick 8-minute video!


Quick follow-up.

There have been a few comments here and elsewhere wondering about the AF speed of the gripped D850 + ENEL18 battery and un-gripped D850 + the normal battery and how that affects speed.

I've been saying that I believe the speed is the same, but it was bugging me since I haven't actually tested it. So, I just grabbed the 600E and tested with D850 with and without the grip (all batteries in question fully charged).

Yup, both are the same. 1/2 second (15 frames @ 30FPS). :)

I still contend that the speeds we're seeing both from the Z9 and and the D850 are simply the fastest speeds the AF motor can get the lens from minimum focus to infinity.

Another quick update. I knew I had tested the D6 and 600mm like this (no TC) and I finally found the clip and checked the time (I KNEW I had done that test at one point). The D6 speed for the 600mm from minimum focus to infinity is also 1/2 second, just like the D850 and just like the Z9. Again, I'm pretty sure the 600 F/4 tops out at 1/2 second from minimum focus distance to infinity no matter what camera is attached.
On the pre Z9 cameras some lenses were about the same adapted other up to half the AF speed.
Strangely Adapted lenses on the Z9 seem to be at least as fast an on native G bodies.
I've only tried 15 lenses so far but its an interesting result...🦘
 
On the pre Z9 cameras some lenses were about the same adapted other up to half the AF speed.
Strangely Adapted lenses on the Z9 seem to be at least as fast an on native G bodies.
I've only tried 15 lenses so far but its an interesting result...🦘
It depends on the speed of the lens. The 200-500 was about the same, but the AF motor is slow on any camera. I think the slowdown with the prior Z cameras was 100% the cameras ability to process the PDAF information coming from the sensor.
 
For 35mm film the 1/2 stop difference for the 1.7x teleconverter was useful. With ISO 800 and greater cameras it is of no real value. Others agree as Nikon never released an update for this teleconverter after it was first introduced in 2004. When I bought the TC-20 III in 2009 and was doing autofocus fine tuning tests with my 12MP D3 it was surprising how much shaper the images were than those taken using the same lenses with the TC-14 II teleconverter. I quickly sold the TC-14 II (and the TC-17) and bought the TC-14 III.
 
With my DSLR cameras and using a lens with VR ON I notice a delay in autofocus initiating while the VR finishes with image stabilization. With the in-camera OS of the Z cameras this process may be quite different but I will need to test when the Z9 arrives.

I have come to realize that I will need the FTZ and my III generation F-mount teleconverters with all my telephoto lenses. There is no need to spend $1300 on the S teleconverters and no benefit.

An outstanding Canadian photographer, Michelle Valberg, has gotten remarkable images with the 500mm PF and the TC-20 III while shooting from a kayak with her Z7 camera. 1000mm hand held in a kayak is a testament to the capabilities of the combination of in-camera image stabilization with a VR lens at slow shutter speeds. She is getting images with the Z7 that would not be possible with any Nikon DSLR and it is not the "mirrorless" aspect but the in-camera OS that is making the difference.
 
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