Advice Needed: Nikon Z6 III – FTZ II Adapter or New Z Lenses?
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Mark_Laidlaw
Member
I would definitely replace all of these except the 150 macro.
The 100-400/5.6Z absolutely blows all the 80-400's out of the water.
The 24-70/4Z outperforms any of the 2.8G's.
Same story with the 14-24, in fact, the 14-30/4 is a terrific replacement
The 50/1.8Z at 1.8 is sharper than my old 1.4G was at f/5.6. It is spooky how good the 50 1.8S is.
Roy
Well-known member
Most AFS F lenses work even better on the Z mount.
On the whole Z lenses have 2 advantages - sharper wide open and quieter for video.
AFD lenses work but without autofocus.
Mostly I use Z lenses for work and Ais lenses for fun ...
I truly appreciate all the feedback shared here—it’s incredibly helpful when deciding on new gear.
In the end, I went with the Nikon Z6 III, paired with the 24-120mm f/4 S lens and the FTZ II adapter, which I purchased last Friday while it was on sale.
In the end, I went with the Nikon Z6 III, paired with the 24-120mm f/4 S lens and the FTZ II adapter, which I purchased last Friday while it was on sale.
O
Well-known member
Short answer, as you’re going to be doing video, just move totally to Z Mirror less glass, forget the pros and cons, rent what you want before you buy this will be telling.
Money one can always make, time goes by every second and when it does its gone.
Optics, sterilization, colours, detail, synergistic compatibility to newer sensors and IBIS it all just is so simple.
Lighter smaller faster, edge to edge performance, there seems no need for discussing pros and cons in my mind.
If you have the means just go for it.
This is from someone who hasn't done what he is recommending, why, simple, in my case i am not investing time or money into photography just now.
Sold my Z9 after 2 years have a Z8 that will soon be on the market, i may settle on a Z7III with a 28-400 and keep the only Z lens i currently own being a brilliant 50mm 1,8S and rent whatever i need if and when ever i need it.
I am looking at possibly Drones, fishing, more travel.
My DSLR gear being the D850 and wholly trio does all i want most of the time.
Now i do a lot of multi day hikes, size and weight plays a big part.
Only an opinion
O
Well-known member
Try the 50 1.8 S, its a prime example that will shine the light on your pathway.
O
Well-known member
With you all the way on the 50mm 1.8S, amazing lens.
Mark_Laidlaw
Member
O
Well-known member
Its why i gave a short answer in the OP, if optics matters the Z is the way to compliment the Z camera, mind you some of the DSLR glass still delivers very well.
In my case my 70-200 F2.8 FL the best DSLR version ever made is in my experience much the same as the Z version and not worth the expenditure.
200-500 versus the 180 -600 the difference is small again not worth the change.
Only an opinion
As I have written in other forum threads on this topic ... I got lucky and went all in on Z glass after got my Z800 f/6.3 5-1-2022 and had Z100-400, Z24-120, Z70-200 f/28 etc. by sometime in June I had sold off all of my f mount glass the last being my 600 f/4E and got good prices before the value started dropping quickly. I have 2 Z9's and by the time I got my Z6III I was already streamlining my lens assortment to fit my needs as new Z mount glass came out from Nikon and Tamron.
The issue now is that the f mount glass has dropped a lot in price and if it is a lens that fits your needs is fully AF compatible with the Z 6III with the FTZ adaptor then you would be $ ahead to use what you have.
The issue now is that the f mount glass has dropped a lot in price and if it is a lens that fits your needs is fully AF compatible with the Z 6III with the FTZ adaptor then you would be $ ahead to use what you have.
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O
Well-known member
Clever point Ken, makes a lot of sense...........
Anjin San
Well-known member
F lenses ar generally better on Z bodies than F bodies. That said…the Z lens is generally smaller and lighter and has more buttons, rings, etc…but then you will spend more money if you go Z because of the cost of resale and re-purchase. Is it worth it? To me it is…but then I’m not budget driven.
O
Well-known member
FWIW
Your collection above of DF glass reflects you style and range - history.
The Archive of you photos will reflect the most used focal range and F stops, often a handy reference.
Therefore If it was me, I would get
50 mm 1.8 S, This will impress you, get your juices flowing, and probably be the most used lens on your camera, mine is, be it the Z9 Z8, it makes me focus on photography, it’s just a stunning lens. As a bonus its Brilliant in low light that will let you dive deep and exploit the true low light high ISO capability of the Z6III, even over the Z8 Z9.
24-120 excellent versatile sharp light, excellent all in one travel lens, that mostly takes out the real need for the 24-70, with the 24-120 and the 50mm 1.8S on the Z6III that’s the all you need travel kit 100%.
100-400 while overpriced for what it is, and also a little underrated, would be excellent on your Z6III, its sharp light and versatile excellent for travel as well.
The Z6III extra ISO performance will sort of equal to you having a couple extra stops in range.
You have 24-400 covered, with a super sharp low light 50mm 1.8S lens that also does everything just so well, it will make you want to use it all the time.
Unless you really need 14mm, and use the range of 14-24 a real lot then yes get the Z for certain, lighter smaller filter friendly, slightly sharper, lots of money, otherwise i would stay with the G or sell it and get nothing in its place.
Z105 F2.8 Macro, i would get it only if i did a lot of serious macro, its works with the Z6III so well and is superior in so many ways. Its a use based choice as is the 14-24.
The new glass will transform things, in weight, size, plus really benefit with video if needed.
Withe the Z lenses combined with the Z sensor the real bonus is the synergistic combination of natural accurate colour, micro contrast, focus breathing, detail that will be more lifelike.
Contrary to some of the worlds opinions, I have always felt the Nikon files are the best of the big three, it is also a consensus for those professionals and reviewers who have had the courage to speak their mind and admitting Nikon Files are the best.
The Z glass combined with the Z6III It will refresh a lot of what you do and inspire you to do different or even more photography.
Drive the Z6 III to 11/10ths, really extract all it can do, the glass is built to match.
Only an opinion
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I am an EX D500 F-mount shooter. I still have one F mount exotic. My advice would be to encourage you to sell the F-mount camera and lenses. Use the cash to buy good Z mount lenses. I have an FTZ adapter on my 500mm F mount lens. For some fast lenses it is definitely worth it for a 750 F5.6 on a Z9. I have avoided the Z TCs because I don't need one. The 180-600 is all I need. They are good on a 300 F2.8 with a crop sensor body. What lens would you put one on. The 180-600 at 500 and even 600 is a better and less expensive option than the 100-400 plus a TC 1.4. The Z 400 4.5 is more expensive but only yields about the same quality as the 180-600 if you add a TC 1.4 to it fro reach.
So, I went all in—my wallet may be empty, but my smile has never been bigger! 
I decided to skip the adapter entirely and sell off my old gear instead.
After carefully considering all the feedback, suggestions, and tips, I ended up with an exciting new setup:
I decided to skip the adapter entirely and sell off my old gear instead.
After carefully considering all the feedback, suggestions, and tips, I ended up with an exciting new setup:
- Nikon Z6III
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S
- Nikon Z Teleconverter TC-1.4x
nhzen
Member
Cool! The one suggestion I might make is to include the 70-200 f/2.8 at some point (since you also have a sort-of gap there that it would fill nicely). The 105mm is a great portrait lens, I like that FL better than the 135mm. Enjoy!
ps: Or there’s a 70-180 f/2.8 that seems to be on a good sale, just saw the email.
ps: Or there’s a 70-180 f/2.8 that seems to be on a good sale, just saw the email.
Great set. Have fun with it.
fcotterill
Well-known member
You have some excellent optics: enjoy them!So, I went all in—my wallet may be empty, but my smile has never been bigger!
I decided to skip the adapter entirely and sell off my old gear instead.
After carefully considering all the feedback, suggestions, and tips, I ended up with an exciting new setup:
Can’t wait to put this gear to the test!
- Nikon Z6III
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S
- Nikon Z Teleconverter TC-1.4x
In due time, when your wallet is out of therapy, also consider the 70-180 f2.8
Z 70-180 : Verdict
Does anybody have the Z 70-180 non-S lens? If so how does it perform?
bcgforums.com
Nikon Z walk-around, general travel lens recommendations
We'll be traveling to India for what will primarily be a wildlife photography trip that will also include some street scene, architecture and portrait opportunities. I carry a Z9 and am considering the Z24-120mm f/4S for the non-wildlife photography. (I have the Z24-70mm for landscapes and long...
bcgforums.com
Have fun and enjoy ... that Z6III viewfinder is amazing and you do not always need 45 mega pixels. I empathize on the empty wallet since I went all in late last year on the Z600 f/4 TCSo, I went all in—my wallet may be empty, but my smile has never been bigger!
I decided to skip the adapter entirely and sell off my old gear instead.
After carefully considering all the feedback, suggestions, and tips, I ended up with an exciting new setup:
Can’t wait to put this gear to the test!
- Nikon Z6III
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S
- Nikon Z Teleconverter TC-1.4x
O
Well-known member
Congratulations, the decision has been made, the dancing with light can now flow freely unleashing to new experiences.So, I went all in—my wallet may be empty, but my smile has never been bigger!
I decided to skip the adapter entirely and sell off my old gear instead.
After carefully considering all the feedback, suggestions, and tips, I ended up with an exciting new setup:
Can’t wait to put this gear to the test!
- Nikon Z6III
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S
- Nikon Z Teleconverter TC-1.4x
Money comes and goes, you can always make it or get it, TIME is like water leaking out of the hole in a bucket, once its gone its gone.
If you can, put an order in for your birthday or Xmase for a PRIME 50mm 1.8S, i know you have the focal length covered with the 24-120 but at least try one for a few days, you will see the iso levels are much lower, and if you doing any night or low light shooting its stellar.
Great start to 2025.
Calson
Well-known member
The only lens that I would want to use with the FTZ adapter on a Z camera is the 500mm PF lens.
Nikon AF-S 80-400/4,5-5,6G ED VR the Z 100-400mm is much sharper with better autofocus and VR
Nikon Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 14-24/2,8 G ED - may be good on Z
Sigma EX 150/2,8 DG HSM Macro not likely to perform well with the FTZ adapter, at least with the lens I owned
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4G
The f-mount 24-120mm was a very soft lens and the Z version is substantially better.
Nikon AF-S 80-400/4,5-5,6G ED VR the Z 100-400mm is much sharper with better autofocus and VR
Nikon Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 14-24/2,8 G ED - may be good on Z
Sigma EX 150/2,8 DG HSM Macro not likely to perform well with the FTZ adapter, at least with the lens I owned
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4G
The f-mount 24-120mm was a very soft lens and the Z version is substantially better.
Mark_Laidlaw
Member
All 3 versions of the F-Mount 24-120's sucked, lets be honest.
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nhzen
Member
The original F-mount holy trinity has been fantastic on Z. Certainly the AF-S 14-28 f/2.8 has been excellent (as the quoted post wonders), and so has the 70-200 AF-S E FL, to the point that the main reason for me to switch would be the inconvenience of having to use the FTZ. Although there are reviews pointing out that the Z version of the 14-24 is better in the corners (Ricci had a detailed review), it's a case of extreme pixel peeping.
I did prefer the Z 24-70 f/2.8 to the F-mount version, lighter and seemed sharper, although even there the Z f/4 version is just so good and smaller/lighter that it almost makes sense to use the Z 24-70 f/4 unless one absolutely needs the f/2.8, then use the F-mount version with the FTZ. Of course, all this is assuming one has the F-mount versions and is weighing the expense of going to Z on those lenses.
Mark_Laidlaw
Member
My experience:
70-200FL and 70-200Z are basically identical in sharpness.
14-24Z is markedly better, but should be considering it's about 13 years newer.
24-70Z (both 2.8 and f/4 versions) are better than the 24-70G/E.
At this point, the only lenses I'd consider adapting are lenses like the 200/2, 300/2.8, 180-400TC, 500/4, 58/1.4, 105/1.4, the PC-E's (which in 2025 are all kind of junk, optically compared to the zooms), you know, the stuff that doesn't exist on Z yet.