Techart TZE-01 : Adapting Sony Lenses to Nikon Z Bodies

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).

BLev65

Well-known member
Supporting Member
Marketplace
The short of it... I am curious about anyone who has had experience using Sony Telephoto E-mount lenses + the Techart TZE-01 and their Z6/Z7 bodies.

The long story... I am not interested in switching systems. I have been and continue to use Nikon bodies (on and off and on) since the 1990's. I switched into Nikon from Contax in 1996, to Canon in 2004 or 05, and back to Nikon in 2014. I do not want to switch camera bodies again, as I always suffer growing pains in developing muscle memory. The pace of relearning menus, buttons, dials, etc.. results in reduced productivity and a reduced focus on compositional elements. As such, I am committed to Nikon bodies until they die or I die ;)

I added Z6 bodies to my shooting 6 months after their introduction and have little issues with anything but erratically moving subjects (small birds flitting about). The good... I don't shoot small flitty birds (I still have DSLRs for any fast tracking), as my wildlife preference is pursuing mammals, swans, herons, crane, owls, and amphibians. Finally to the point... I am becoming impatient with the slow introduction of telephoto optics for the Z system. Both my wife and I shoot and we require a fair bit of redundant gear. In the telephoto world we have 2 x 70-200mm f/2.8 (G and E) lenses, 300mm PF, 200-400mm f4G, and 500PF.
While I am a huge fan of the 200-400G, its sheer mass and size has made it a challenge to pack. Since the introduction of the 500PF, the 200-400 now gets left home whenever I am doing anything but photography in a blind. The lens size forces me to choose between carrying the 70-200 f/2.8 or the 500PF. In the end, I tend to take the latter lenses and leave the heavier and more bulky 200-400 home (this will be the case in about an hour when I head out on a hike).

Now for the Techart TZE-01 question... How viable is this adapter? How does it impact Continuous AF with the Z6/Z7 bodies?
I am thinking about using an adapter like this on the Sony 100-400FE or 200-600FE lenses. Both lenses are highly regarded for their optical quality (especially the 100-400) and their physical design (internal zoom in 200-600).
While I realize that Nikon is set to announce/introduce telephoto lenses in 2021, their release of high-end lenses in abundance is anything but fast. The current dearth of Nikon optics exiting Japan is frustrating. In fact, I would actually consider the new 70-200S w/ converters, but that package is about $3300, unavailable, and will probably be an optical step down from buying and adapting either Sony lens. So w/ the Nikon Z 100-400/200-600 slated for introduction in 2021 and availability in 2022/2023, I'd rather be shooting with focal lengths I need now, and sell the Sony when the OEM gear is more readily available.

Ok... that was a long question, but there it is.
cheers,
bruce
 
Last edited:
Many of us must be watching and waiting for the 100-400 S and also 200-600 in Z mount :) I've solved this dilemma of a zoom to cover about 100 up thru to 400 in 2 ways. This works for approachable birds and larger mammals. One is the excellent 70-200 f2.8E +TC14 III and the other is the 80-400 G. The latter can be fickle, probably copy variation, especially with earlier production runs. I also keep VR switched off, as I rarely shoot slow speed and if so it's on a support. Long story short I shied clear of a Used copy and took advantage of a summer special from Nikon UK last year. The 80-400 G has performed well on the Z7 and DSLRs (D500, D850, D780), especially with the Z getting around the AFFT issues. The TC+70-200 is excellent but as we find, one often needs more reach beyond 300mm/280mm. 2 caveats:- I find IQ with TC2 III barely acceptable on my copy of the 70-200, and TC17 II is useless (but strangely excellent on the 400 f2.8E ?!). Second, the 80-400 G is overdue for an upgrade, but this is unlikely a priority for Nikon, if ever.

You aren't alone in being tempted by Smart Z adapters. There are active threads on the Techart in other forums, which will be worth researching. The Fringer EFZ gets positive reports for converting Canon AF lenses to Z. (For example, the lighter 400 f2.8 Canon is tempting but hard to justify the cost/losses.) But it would be best to try and borrow/rent the relevant optics to test on your Z6. I'm quietly confident Nikon will plug the 100-400 gap with an excellent zoom, but hopefully not too heavy, and it will likely - better - be compatible with the new Z TCs. Hopefully by Dec 2021, many hikers will be able to pack the 14-30 f4S, 24-105 S and 100-400 S.
 
Many of us must be watching and waiting for the 100-400 S and also 200-600 in Z mount :) I've solved this dilemma of a zoom to cover about 100 up thru to 400 in 2 ways. This works for approachable birds and larger mammals. One is the excellent 70-200 f2.8E +TC14 III and the other is the 80-400 G. The latter can be fickle, probably copy variation, especially with earlier production runs. I also keep VR switched off, as I rarely shoot slow speed and if so it's on a support. Long story short I shied clear of a Used copy and took advantage of a summer special from Nikon UK last year. The 80-400 G has performed well on the Z7 and DSLRs (D500, D850, D780), especially with the Z getting around the AFFT issues. The TC+70-200 is excellent but as we find, one often needs more reach beyond 300mm/280mm. 2 caveats:- I find IQ with TC2 III barely acceptable on my copy of the 70-200, and TC17 II is useless (but strangely excellent on the 400 f2.8E ?!). Second, the 80-400 G is overdue for an upgrade, but this is unlikely a priority for Nikon, if ever.

You aren't alone in being tempted by Smart Z adapters. There are active threads on the Techart in other forums, which will be worth researching. The Fringer EFZ gets positive reports for converting Canon AF lenses to Z. (For example, the lighter 400 f2.8 Canon is tempting but hard to justify the cost/losses.) But it would be best to try and borrow/rent the relevant optics to test on your Z6. I'm quietly confident Nikon will plug the 100-400 gap with an excellent zoom, but hopefully not too heavy, and it will likely - better - be compatible with the new Z TCs. Hopefully by Dec 2021, many hikers will be able to pack the 14-30 f4S, 24-105 S and 100-400 S.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts... I have been down the 80-400G path and have had mixed results with everything from a D4, D810, D500 , and Z6. The lens can be sharp enough, but definitely lacks the acuity of the 70-200 f/2.8E w/ & w/out the TC14EIII. As you suggest, I have paired a 70-200 w/ the 1.4x and mounted that on my Z6 or D500 depending on use. I typically keep my 500PF on the D500; when I use the 500PF I am looking for as much focal length as possible.
Unlike some who have not loved their 200-400mm lenses, I happen to love mine. I rarely use it on anything beyond 100 meters, and watch for how the atmosphere influences its rendition. With the Z6, the 200-400 performs very well, and is critically sharp throughout its range at f/4.5... I'll take that!
I hope to replace my 200-400 and one of my 70-200's w/ a 100-400mm lens. I would love Nikon to make this something special... an internal zoom (?) and fast AF motor. This would differentiate their lens from Sony or Canon. At this point, Nikon has not made an outstanding optic in that "prosumer" range, as the 80-400G has a number of optical and mechanical imperfections that include the worst tripod collar in a $2000 lens, a jittery VR system, and a 400mm focal length that really needs to be shot at f/8 w/ a high resolution body (like D850/Z7).
Like I said, my goal is to buy the future Nikon lens, I am just not confident that it will be available for purchase until late 2022. I am an NPS member, and can get one as soon as they are available (My 500PF was one of the first in my state), but I don't know if I'll want to be first on the list, as I had to send my 500PF to Nikon for a tripod collar that would never lock down.
Looking forward to learning more about adaptive optics... Hint to @steveperry who shoots both Nikon and Sony.

regards,
bruce
 
Hi Bruce, where’s the owl? LOL

I’m somewhat in the same boat like you but in my case I want a Nikon competitor for the A9II (or an adapter to mount my lenses on an A9II)
To be honest if there was an adapter for my teles (or Sony was manufacturing the same lenses I currently own) I’d probably switched to Sony allready.
You know I’m allmost 50 yrs shooting with Nikon but I’m getting really tired with their slow pace.
Hi Thern... I recognized your name from FM too. I used the name OwlsEye in 2003 when I thought anonymity was the way on the web. Many years later I have learned to regret this and have used blev65 as a username that actually has some meaning. While I am still in my 50's and can haul the gear about, I am frustrated by inability to carry and travel w/ a full kit from 14mm to 500mm+ w/ the quality optics that I own.
As we all know, there is no perfect system. Were it not for the ergonomics of the Sony bodies, and the need to redevelop muscle memory, I'd probably be a Sony shooter now. While the 200-600 is slow(er) @ 600mm, the design of that lens at the selling price is nothing short of remarkable (historically speaking). Their overlapping lenses w/ my Nikkors would suit my need, and I could probably bank some money. However, I like the Nikon bodies and consistency in form and function. The D5/D500/D850 transition seamlessly between each other, and the Z6/Z7 are close enough to not impact the muscle memory. Furthermore, I do like to use DSLR's as well as my mirrorless cameras. While the Z6 viewfinder is very good, there is nothing like watching life through an optical viewfinder. As I said in a previous post elsewhere on BCG, your 180-400 w/ converter would be the perfect match for what I shoot... I just don't have the $9500 (used) to $12500 (new) to buy one.
For now I await the specs of the Z6II and will be left wondering when Nikon will release the 100-400S (f/?) and 200-600 (f/?).
 
Back
Top