Z9+70-300mm “f” lens

[Larry S.]

A few recent threads have crossed over each other where the subjects seemed related. The first one to come up was the absence in Nikon’s lineup of a lightweight 300mm lens for the Z cameras. More recently a member voiced concern about expectations over image quality when pairing a Z camera with an “F” mount lens via FTZ adapters. I assembled a Z9 with a late mfg DSLR lens (70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR AF P) lens to answer questions for myself and share here.

This lens seems lightweight and certainly not nose heavy when mounted on the Z9. I went out today (28deg ) and caught this ruby crowned kinglet on our suet cake. This lens functioned flawlessly and the focusing stepper motor was quick and quiet. This combo works well for me and fills any perceived gap in focal length coverage I thought existed. The compromise is max aperture at 300mm, f/5.6. An f/2.8 or 4 would be more desirable. I don’t have a fixed 300mm “f” lens but believe the results would likely be even better……

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[Ralph]

A few recent threads have crossed over each other where the subjects seemed related. The first one to come up was the absence in Nikon’s lineup of a lightweight 300mm lens for the Z cameras. More recently a member voiced concern about expectations over image quality when pairing a Z camera with an “F” mount lens via FTZ adapters. I assembled a Z9 with a late mfg DSLR lens (70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR AF P) lens to answer questions for myself and share here.

This lens seems lightweight and certainly not nose heavy when mounted on the Z9. I went out today (28deg ) and caught this ruby crowned kinglet on our suet cake. This lens functioned flawlessly and the focusing stepper motor was quick and quiet. This combo works well for me and fills any perceived gap in focal length coverage I thought existed. The compromise is max aperture at 300mm, f/5.6. An f/2.8 or 4 would be more desirable. I don’t have a fixed 300mm “f” lens but believe the results would likely be even better……
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I have the same lens. It’s a great lens.

 

[ricardo00]

A few recent threads have crossed over each other where the subjects seemed related. The first one to come up was the absence in Nikon’s lineup of a lightweight 300mm lens for the Z cameras. More recently a member voiced concern about expectations over image quality when pairing a Z camera with an “F” mount lens via FTZ adapters. I assembled a Z9 with a late mfg DSLR lens (70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR AF P) lens to answer questions for myself and share here.

This lens seems lightweight and certainly not nose heavy when mounted on the Z9. I went out today (28deg ) and caught this ruby crowned kinglet on our suet cake. This lens functioned flawlessly and the focusing stepper motor was quick and quiet. This combo works well for me and fills any perceived gap in focal length coverage I thought existed. The compromise is max aperture at 300mm, f/5.6. An f/2.8 or 4 would be more desirable. I don’t have a fixed 300mm “f” lens but believe the results would likely be even better……

Yep have used my 70-300mm on my Z9 and Z8 since I got those cameras. Also still have my 300mm f/4 PF and 300mm f/2.8 and have used both on these mirrorless cameras as well. Since the resale value of these lenses are so low, find it hard to sell them. So not bothered by a lack of "equivalent" Z lens. Have tried to buy Z lenses that fill a gap, like the 800mm PF in my line-up. And would jump on a light-weight Z 300mm f/2.8 lens. The Z 400mm f/2.8 is great but is slightly heavier than my 300mm f/2.8 and can't imagine going heavier as I grow older.

 

[MadMikeOne]

Great information, and beautiful shot! Thanks for both!

 

[Larry S.]

Yep have used my 70-300mm on my Z9 and Z8 since I got those cameras. Also still have my 300mm f/4 PF and 300mm f/2.8 and have used both on these mirrorless cameras as well. Since the resale value of these lenses are so low, find it hard to sell them. So not bothered by a lack of "equivalent" Z lens. Have tried to buy Z lenses that fill a gap, like the 800mm PF in my line-up. And would jump on a light-weight Z 300mm f/2.8 lens. The Z 400mm f/2.8 is great but is slightly heavier than my 300mm f/2.8 and can't imagine going heavier as I grow older.

I totally agree about the low resale value. Not sure the “excitement” over Z, or Canon, Sony, etc mirrorless cameras are the total cause of value drop. In some situations dealers have convinced customers their DSLR glass is dated and won’t work well……..and then buy it from them for next to nothing and turn around and sell it for double or triple. I have a pristine 16-35mm f/4 G ED VR with box and papers a dealer would only buy for $100……and they sold it to me new. Frankly, the new glass is great. I get that. But I have some “out of current fashion” glass that performed great in DSLR mode and……so far works very well on the Z platform.

So, I expect Nikon to pony up a 300mm Z this year of the f/2.8 up to 4 variety…. So we’ll see.. In the meantime I’ll dance with the one that “brung me”….
…..They’re tools….not jewels….right?

 

[Larry S.]

I have the same lens. It’s a great lens.

Yeah, I knew you had this lens and occasionally used it with your D500… thanks for jumping in….. try it on your Z8!

 

[MadMikeOne]

I totally agree about the low resale value. Not sure the “excitement” over Z, or Canon, Sony, etc mirrorless cameras are the total cause of value drop. In some situations dealers have convinced customers their DSLR glass is dated and won’t work well……..and then buy it from them for next to nothing and turn around and sell it for double or triple. I have a pristine 16-35mm f/4 G ED VR with box and papers a dealer would only buy for $100……and they sold it to me new. Frankly, the new glass is great. I get that. But I have some “out of current fashion” glass that performed great in DSLR mode and……so far works very well on the Z platform.

So, I expect Nikon to pony up a 300mm Z this year of the f/2.8 up to 4 variety…. So we’ll see.. In the meantime I’ll dance with the one that “brung me”….
…..They’re tools….not jewels….right?

Extremely well put!

 

[Larry S.]

Extremely well put!

Thanks Mike!