Z-mount Lenses to Get and F-mount to Keep

[Edward Cusick]

So have my new Nikon Z9 which I'm quickly settling into becoming a bit more familiar with it each and every day. Thanks Steve (and this forum) for the amazing informational assistance and support. At this point I'm beginning to get some thoughts on what new Z-mount lenses I might try to add sooner rather than later as well as determine best F-mount lenses to keep for use on both my D6 (not going anywhere just yet) and the Z9.

D6 is still a very worthy camera IMO and fits into a nice niche in my photography. It will stay with me for the time being. With that here are my thoughts on some of my current glass.

Lenses to keep:

• Nikon 70-200 f2.8E FL ED VR (f-mount) - Will keep (for now) as it is a very capable lens for D6 and Z9 (w/FTZ II)
• Nikon 300 f2.8G ED VR II (f-mount) - Same as above...
• Nikon 500 f4E FL ED VR (f-mount) - Same as above...

Lenses to sell:

• Nikon 105mm f/2.8G VR Macro (f-mount)
• Nikon 14-24 f/2.8G ED (f-mount)
• Nikon 50 f/1.4G (f-mount) - Not using much

Lenses to possibly sell (sitting on the fence):

• Nikon 24-70 f/2.8G ED (f-mount) - For some of my shooting, this is still not a bad lens (at all) to have for the D6 when I may carry the Z9 with a long lens and need a second body for close ups/wide angle. And it works pretty well with FTZ II.

Z Lenses to buy (initially):

• Nikon 135 f1.8 S Plena - Possibly new or used
• Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 S

So initially, with the limiting cost of replacing too much too fast, this is what I'm thinking of doing sooner rather than later. Longer f-mount glass that I am keeping will serve the needs of both D6/Z9 without any handicaps (IMO). And would like some shorter reach glass for the Z9 (hence the 14-24 f/2.8 S).

Eventually would get z-equivalent (but D6 would go at that time). Basically don't want to handicap my continuing need for f-mount glass but don't want to keep anything that doesn't fit into future use/z-mount.

Welcome feedback. Thanks.

 

[Lance B]

Seems like a good plan if it works for you and only you can decide that.

I did a gradual "upgrade" when the Z equivalent lenses came out and I replaced the F mount version. The longer glass will be fine and work better on Z mount anyway. The 300 f2.8G VRII is a gem, and I wouldn't be in a hurry to sell it. You'll love the Plena!

 

[Dinusaur]

When I bought Z 400TC I looked at my F mount lenses to see which ones had higher trading value at the time. As a result, my 300 2.8 G VRII and 500 f4 FL were traded in. Interestingly, the lenses I kept are:

• Nikon 105mm f/2.8G VR Macro (f-mount)
• Nikon 14-24 f/2.8G ED (f-mount)
• Nikon 50 f/1.4G (f-mount)

The trading value was so low I didn't think they were worth selling, so I kept them.

 

[DRwyoming]

FWIW, I chose to keep my F mount 105mm AF-S macro lens specifically because it works with the TC-14E II or III and for a lot of my macro work the extra focal length is very handy whereas the Z mount 105mm macro lens isn't compatible with the Z mount TC.

 

[wotan1]

My overall reaction is, with few exceptions, the Z mount lenses that replaced the equivalent F mount are significantly improved over the F mount versions.

Also F mount lenses have declined in value and will continue to decline. Everything is going mirrorless.

I think I would look forward and think what you ideally would want for lenses, then as budget permits, work that direction.

Of course, each of us have our own interests and preferences so what works for me may not be of interest to someone else.

To me I favor the following Z lenses:

14-24mm f.8 s: Truly remarkable and sharp ultra wide. Incredibly detailed images.

24-70mm f2.8: Really excellent IQ

70-200mm f2.8 s: This lens has a DXOMARK score that is higher than most primes in its range.

135mm Plena. You already get that this is a world class lens.

105mm Macro

400mm f4.5

800mm f6.3 PF

Plus either or both of the two super primes, 400mm f2.8 tc vr s or 600mm f4 tc.

I would also consider adding the 50mm f1.2 S.

I would hold on to your favorite F mount lenses as long as you will be using the D6. But I would consider eventually converting to the Z version according to your budget.

 

[John Navitsky]

Lenses to keep:

• Nikon 70-200 f2.8E FL ED VR (f-mount) - Will keep (for now) as it is a very capable lens

yah, the e/fl is super nice, but it’s still worth considering upgrading as the “s” is better and handling will be better without the adapter and handling is a big aspect of using a 70-200

• for D6 and Z9 (w/FTZ II)

my unpopular opinion, ditch the d6. f-mount bodies will keep you trapped holding f-mount glass. i’d consider z6iii, z8 or even z50ii as a backup and just go all z-mount

• Nikon 300 f2.8G ED VR II (f-mount) - Same as above...

this is a keep. there is no equivalent z-mount option.

• Nikon 500 f4E FL ED VR (f-mount) - Same as above...

this is a probably keep. there isn’t really a reason to change this from an optical perspective, but the 400 4.5 or 600 pf will handle better

Lenses to sell:

• Nikon 105mm f/2.8G VR Macro (f-mount)
• Nikon 14-24 f/2.8G ED (f-mount)
• Nikon 50 f/1.4G (f-mount) - Not using much

yah

Lenses to possibly sell (sitting on the fence):

• Nikon 24-70 f/2.8G ED (f-mount) - For some of my shooting, this is still not a bad lens (at all) to have for the D6 when I may carry the Z9 with a long lens and need a second body for close ups/wide angle. And it works pretty well with FTZ II.

i never meshed with the f-mount 24-70. imo the z mount version is much nicer. i’d put this on the sell list.

Z Lenses to buy (initially):

• Nikon 135 f1.8 S Plena - Possibly new or used
• Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 S

both of these are great

 

[fcotterill]

So have my new Nikon Z9 which I'm quickly settling into becoming a bit more familiar with it each and every day. Thanks Steve (and this forum) for the amazing informational assistance and support. At this point I'm beginning to get some thoughts on what new Z-mount lenses I might try to add sooner rather than later as well as determine best F-mount lenses to keep for use on both my D6 (not going anywhere just yet) and the Z9.

D6 is still a very worthy camera IMO and fits into a nice niche in my photography. It will stay with me for the time being. With that here are my thoughts on some of my current glass.

Lenses to keep:

• Nikon 70-200 f2.8E FL ED VR (f-mount) - Will keep (for now) as it is a very capable lens for D6 and Z9 (w/FTZ II)
• Nikon 300 f2.8G ED VR II (f-mount) - Same as above...
• Nikon 500 f4E FL ED VR (f-mount) - Same as above...

Lenses to sell:

• Nikon 105mm f/2.8G VR Macro (f-mount)
• Nikon 14-24 f/2.8G ED (f-mount)
• Nikon 50 f/1.4G (f-mount) - Not using much

Lenses to possibly sell (sitting on the fence):

• Nikon 24-70 f/2.8G ED (f-mount) - For some of my shooting, this is still not a bad lens (at all) to have for the D6 when I may carry the Z9 with a long lens and need a second body for close ups/wide angle. And it works pretty well with FTZ II.

Z Lenses to buy (initially):

• Nikon 135 f1.8 S Plena - Possibly new or used
• Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 S

So initially, with the limiting cost of replacing too much too fast, this is what I'm thinking of doing sooner rather than later. Longer f-mount glass that I am keeping will serve the needs of both D6/Z9 without any handicaps (IMO). And would like some shorter reach glass for the Z9 (hence the 14-24 f/2.8 S).

Eventually would get z-equivalent (but D6 would go at that time). Basically don't want to handicap my continuing need for f-mount glass but don't want to keep anything that doesn't fit into future use/z-mount.

Welcome feedback. Thanks.

I am happy with a mixed Z and F mount system, for wildlife mostly, and I often photograph landscapes and also pets.

The combination is the best of two intermeshing worlds.

The Z9 and D6 share the same batteries and chargers. The D6 stands part as unique for not only lowlight performance but its widely underappreciated Autofocus, particularly the catholic Eye and Face recognition. It takes due experience with the camera to appreciate the impressive stickiness of the AF. Obviously the Z9 has its advantages, particularly silent shutter, higher fps and access to the choice of choices in newer Z glass.

Several of my E FL lenses rank among Nikon's best optics ever, including 70-200 f2.8E FL, 180-400 f4E TC14, 500 PF, 800 f5.6E, with Zeiss 15 and 21 f2.8AIP Distagons, a 18-35 G and 58 f1.4G. Only one of these isn't a Used copy, including all 3 TC's.

This refined battery represents an interesting and very rewarding decade of testing: trading the Used market.... and through a unique period of camera evolution.... also borrowing friend's lenses. I field tested as many F-mount optics as was feasible, on D850, D500, D5, some on a Z7. Suffice to say, blessed be the System Switchers

 

[fcotterill]

Suffice to say, these F Nikkors deliver perfectly on both camera mounts, so it would be stupid waste to sell them for purely Z only status. My Z-mount choices reflect primarily on selecting lighter lenses, each of which works well in a Commando Kit :

14-30 f4S - light landscape optic, 82mm filter thread for 100 filters;

40 f2 - on Z9 as body cap prime, (closest analog to 45 f2.8AIP on D6)

70-180 f2.8 - excellent for Close-ups, also portraits and landscape, replaces 70-200 f4G and improved;

100-400 S - everything including close-ups, also video, much improved on 80-400 G;

400 f4.5S - versatile and pairs well with ZTCs;

800 PF - unique optic

 

[rick_reno]

I kept my 300 2.8 and my 70-200 2.8e and I picked up a 500 PF.

 

[Ad Astra]

I sold my Nikon 105mm f/2.8G VR Macro (f-mount) when the Z 105 macro lens became available. However, I regret doing so as the Z 105 macro does not support a teleconveter. I used to use my F 105 macro a lot with the F 1.4 teleconverter for things like buttferflies. With just the 105 focal length in the Z version it is very differcult, if not impossible, to get close enough without scaring the insects away.

 

[Edward Cusick]

I sold my Nikon 105mm f/2.8G VR Macro (f-mount) when the Z 105 macro lens became available. However, I regret doing so as the Z 105 macro does not support a teleconveter. I used to use my F 105 macro a lot with the F 1.4 teleconverter for things like buttferflies. With just the 105 focal length in the Z version it is very differcult, if not impossible, to get close enough without scaring the insects away.

I'm sort of leaning that way myself, that is hold on to the 105 f/2.8G VR Macro. Both you and DRwyoming (in an earlier reply above) mentioned this same situation. For what I can get for that particular lens it's worth more to me to hold on to.

 

[Mal Paso]

I sold my Nikon 105mm f/2.8G VR Macro (f-mount) when the Z 105 macro lens became available. However, I regret doing so as the Z 105 macro does not support a teleconveter. I used to use my F 105 macro a lot with the F 1.4 teleconverter for things like buttferflies. With just the 105 focal length in the Z version it is very differcult, if not impossible, to get close enough without scaring the insects away.

Ya, Wish Nikon would make another 200mm Macro, one for the Z. I'm keeping my 105 G as it is razor sharp and will take teleconverters and extension tubes.

I sold my 50mm 1.4 G, never used it after I bought the Z40mm.

I just went through all my f mount glass and they are all very good lenses. The only one I may sell is the 70-200 f4 just because I have so much glass in that range.

 

[fcotterill]

Although I've no experience of the 200 Micro Nikkor, the 70-180 Micro Nikkor has been my primary solution for macros and close-ups.

The performance of the Z 70-180 f2.8 has proven to be a surprise in this role. It pairs with the Z TC's, close to Life size with ZTC2

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[Len Shepherd]

With the limited budget for upgrading over time - the proposed plan looks good to me.

The F mount lenses I have happily kept are the 180-400 f4, 500 PF, 200 f4 (now limited to tripod work without an F body and 8-15 fisheye.

As the retail selling price in in the UK is only about £59 for the 1.7x converter and £300 for 70-200 f4 I have kept them rather than selling them for near peanut money.