Redfish122
New member
Planning on getting a Z6 II with the FTZ adapter, and going to use the Nikon lens I use on my D850. Want to know if their has been any problems using older lens with the FTZ adapter.
Nikon lens on mirrorless camera with FTZ.
- Thread starter Redfish122
- Start date
If you would like to post, you'll need to register. Note that if you have a BCG store account, you'll need a new, separate account here (we keep the two sites separate for security purposes).
I’ve had great results with the ftz adapter. There is some play whenever using larger lenses but a very small amount. I’ve had good results with focusing and overall lens function while using the ftz adapter.
Redfish122
New member
Thanks for the info.
I've used the FTZ with 500 PF, 1.4 x teleconverter and 300 PF 1.7x converter on Z50. They work fine. Not too speedy, but the camera isn't.
What lens are you considering? AF-S and AF-P lenses work well with the FTZ. Some note that autofocus can be slower with the FTZ, especially if going from the closest focus to infinity. I have not found that to be a practical problem, at least with faster focusing lenses like the 500 mm PF, 300 mm PF, 70-200 f2.8E and 70-300 mm AF-P FX.
Screw-drive lenses, however, will not autofocus with the FTZ. They can be used with manual focus only.
Redfish122
New member
Thanks
anthonyrobinson
Member
Just be aware that if you’re coming from a D850 and are used to the autofocus speed etc, then you may be a bit let down due to autofocus speed with the Z cameras + FTZ. But if you don’t photograph technically demanding situations, it shouldn’t be a huge issue.
Do you think the degraded speed issue is due to the FTZ being slow or the camera being slow? or both? I ask since I am waiting for Z cameras with faster better AF/AFC/tracking to decide to stick with Nikon or make a change to another brand. If it is the performance of those cameras with the FTZ adapter that would impact my decision to buy a Z8/9/1 or any Z camera. It is probably difficult to know and perhaps I just need to wait and see. However the comments about the FTZ and current Z cameras yielding slower focus performance is concerning. It would be nice to have some actual test results.
anthonyrobinson
Member
Both.
I have never done quantifiable tests, only going out and shooting what I normally do, and judging things by my keeper rate.
The Z6/Z7, FTZ+70-200 vr II was the slowest, and reminded me of shooting with a D800. When I got the Z mount 70-200, AF speed improved noticeably, therefore there must be something within the FTZ that clogs the system a bit.
The Z6/Z7 + Z mount 70-200 is still not as good as the D850+F mount 70-200, therefore the camera too is a bit slow.
Maybe if/when Nikon release a Z8/9/1 camera with blisteringly fast AF, any possible issue with AF speed holdup with the FTZ would no longer be evident?
I have not used the second generation Z cameras, surely they’re better with the second processor but from what I’ve heard, still not up to d850 standards. The only 3 things holding me to Nikon currently is just how damn good the 500 PF is coupled with its lack of any rival, the Z mount 14-24 2.8 lens, which is a step above its F mount replacement (which still is IMO the UWA benchmark), and how much money I would lose if I sold up and swapped systems.
I am in a holding pattern, not buying any Nikon gear until the Z8/9/1 is out and tested/reviewed with the FTZ and F mount lenses. I guess a slight degradation is to be expected but it needs to be slight for me to stick with Nikon moving into mirrorless. I feel the current Z and ZII cameras are far behind SONY and Canon when it comes to action/wildlife photography. If I cannot get very good performance out of my existing Nikon lenses on upcoming Z bodies for action and wildlife it may be time to bite the bullet and switch or just stick with what I have.
FB101
Well-known member
the only accurate way to answer your question would be to compare AF speed between a D780 in live view and an original Z6 + FTZ. In theory, those two should only differ due to the FTZ (same sensor and on sensor AF, same single processor) - all other comparisons have more than one variable making it hard to conclude. Unfortunately, nobody I know has done that specific test.
Personally I would be quite surprised if focus speed is impacted by the second generation Z bodies that have the dual processors in them. The focus speed of the lens in my opinion is a function of the lens itself and the FTZ adapter. Steve did some testing and he shows clearly how the focus speed of some F-mount lenses drop by 50% when fitted to a Z body through an FTZ adapter. That test can be found somewhere among the videos that he posted.
I have the Nikkor 200-500mm F/5.6 lens and I've used it on any number of D7000 series bodies, and later on a Z6, and most recently on a Z6II. The focus speed of that lens is almost identical regardless of whether it's mated to a DSLR or a Z body/FTZ adapter. The focus is more accurate and sticky while tracking in AF-C mode on the Z6II than it was on the Z6. I believe therefore that the 200-500mm lens is so slow-focusing to begin with that the focus speed is not impacted, irrespective of the body it's mounted on.
Faster-focusing lenses like the 500PF and 500mm and 600mm primes are most likely severely impacted when mated to a Z body though the FTZ. Steve's tests seem to bear this out, and the conclusion at this time is that it's the FTZ adapter that slows things down. Anthony Robinson above says "The Z6/Z7 + Z mount 70-200 is still not as good as the D850+F mount 70-200, therefore the camera too is a bit slow. " It would be a good idea to test that Z 70-200mm lens on one of the second generation Z bodies. I suspect we'll see an improvement.
I have the Nikkor 200-500mm F/5.6 lens and I've used it on any number of D7000 series bodies, and later on a Z6, and most recently on a Z6II. The focus speed of that lens is almost identical regardless of whether it's mated to a DSLR or a Z body/FTZ adapter. The focus is more accurate and sticky while tracking in AF-C mode on the Z6II than it was on the Z6. I believe therefore that the 200-500mm lens is so slow-focusing to begin with that the focus speed is not impacted, irrespective of the body it's mounted on.
Faster-focusing lenses like the 500PF and 500mm and 600mm primes are most likely severely impacted when mated to a Z body though the FTZ. Steve's tests seem to bear this out, and the conclusion at this time is that it's the FTZ adapter that slows things down. Anthony Robinson above says "The Z6/Z7 + Z mount 70-200 is still not as good as the D850+F mount 70-200, therefore the camera too is a bit slow. " It would be a good idea to test that Z 70-200mm lens on one of the second generation Z bodies. I suspect we'll see an improvement.
Redfish122
New member
Thanks for the response, that's why I'm keeping the d850!!
Hey Rassie, thank you for the insightful reply. If indeed the FTZ adapter slows things down it needs to be upgraded to a version with a faster processor. I don't see how NIKON can expect to stick it to its customers by forcing them to buy all new glass to get top AF/AFC performance from their lenses. Unless a FTXII is introduced that makes F mount lenses work very close to the performance that the lenses achieve on NIKON DSLR then I will keep my current NIKON gear and switch to SONY or CANON for my move to mirrorless unless the NIKON mirrorless plus NIKON Telephotos (yet to be announced) are less expensive and perform as well as SONY or CANON equivalents. I will become a buyer selecting a new platform disregarding the investment I have in NIKON and if it is close I will not go with NIKON since they are penalizing me for their deficient FTZ design.
You're not alone in that. Many other folks feel the same. We know that the FTZ adapter has an electronic chip in it, that's why there was a firmware update for the adapter to make F-mount lenses work on the second gen Z bodies. So the question is, is it possible to increase the focusing speed of F-mount lenses thru the adapter by tweaking the firmware, or is the slowdown the result of a physical design issue in the adapter that would necessitate designing an entirely new FTZ adapter? I guess time will tell..... but Nikon must be aware the the clock is ticking......
I agree with RockvilleBob: Nikon must get their F mount glass working fast and effectively with Z cameras... whatever it takes. I find myself heading out the door with my a9 coupled with the 100-400 or 200-600, much more often these days. Light weight and blazing fast focus acquisition, coupled with outstanding IQ, make this setup a great outfit for birds.
i do find, however, that all my Nikon lenses, produce greater clarity/IQ on the Z camera... probably because I’m an old guy and the IS in the Z cameras help to control the shake : )
i do find, however, that all my Nikon lenses, produce greater clarity/IQ on the Z camera... probably because I’m an old guy and the IS in the Z cameras help to control the shake : )
Pam Jensen
Member
Huge agreement to the "let down." Very disappointed. In addition the darn eye piece gets dust on it constantly and then the back screen doesn't go on. That's annoying if working 2 cameras and needing to quickly utilize the live view back screen for a shot. Useless! Frustrating.
FB101
Well-known member
i hope they learn quickly from comparing how canon and Nikon shooters are converting (or not) to the mirrorless offerings. Canon with the R5 and R6 has removed obstacles to conversion while Nikon seems to still struggle, even with Z6/7 II, especially with wildlife shooters (a segment they used to dominate). The reason is, I believe, a combination of AF speed and stickiness - a good chunk of it likely connected to the FTZ.
we’ll be sure once this “flagship” Z releases - if the F glass still underperforms on AF speed, we’ll know it is inherent to the system and can’t be addressed simply with the bodies only.
i am quite concerned by the Nikon manager interviewed on DPR who said adapters are not a priority (he was talking for older lenses but it likely can be extrapolated to an FTZ II more than likely) Because if it can’t be fixed in-body, then I doubt we’ll see upgrades to the FTZ to tackle our AF issues.