NikonGear'23
Gear Talk => Camera Talk => Topic started by: Stany Buyle on July 25, 2018, 16:42:24
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Hi everybody!
(I've written this topic on my website, but I would like to share some thoughts on this subject here as well.)
Months ago I have been told that “my complete Nikon lens lignup” will work perfect on the future Nikon FX ML with a sophisticated lens adapter for my F mount lenses. Today’s Nikon' announcement- “….Additionally, a new mount adapter is being developed for the new mirrorless camera. This will work with the F-Mount NIKKOR lenses that are part of the Nikon digital-SLR system, adding to the variety of choices for photographers. …..”- confirms this.
My beloved old and even prehistoric lenses together with the new ones which all work flawless on my Nikon dslrs, have always been the reason why I even never considered a move to Sony or Fuji ML, and Nikon seems to understand very well that millions of Nikon users think the same about this.
Whatever somebody likes this evolution or not, even the diehard dslr owners have to agree that the harsh shutter and mirror slap sound has never been funny or usable during a wedding or a situation where silence is advised or required…
With Nikon dslr vs Nikon ML, I see some similarity with my diesel car which will become obsolete soon, to be replaced by an electric or hybrid one… Difference is that I will have a free choice for photography gear while about car choice it will become an obligation.
In the very near future and for myself, I see Nikon ML as complementary to dslr, not as an immediate replacement…
If Nikon will bring two ML versions like Sony did with 7S & 7R, I'm in for one of the first batch of the lowlight version. The Nikon ML “noct” will become my wedding/silent/lowlight camera. Next to that my D850 will serve for action, wildlife, landscape and macro.
But, if,-as I expect-, the upcoming Nikon FX ML will beat my current D850 and other dslr’s on about everything (AF, AF field coverage, weight, compactness, portability, overall speed, big high resolution touch screen, features,…) , and If the adapter is really as good as I was told it will be, I might go totally ML.
ML is the future, and the F mount adapter quality will be the key part to make Nikon FX ML a success story or not.
Just my thoughts...
Thanks for your attention and kindest regards,
Stany
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Note the qualifier: "that are part of the Nikon digital-SLR system."
I read that as saying that Nikon will not be building a motor into the adapter. I also wonder what level of support will be provided for non-CPU lenses.
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Completely agree. If image stabilization is built into the body then even old manual lenses gain an extra stop or two of usefulness (depending on subject).
I can imagine a number of things which can happen in an EVF which would make using them easier (on demand magnification (maybe that is what the knob is for), focus indicators, exposure warnings etc.
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if it works at least as the FT-1 adapter for the 1 system I'll be happy
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Low scene lighting levels are one situation that the ML model should be advantageous for. And... I think only of manual focus use. If the AF works well, even better. Many users are concerned about AF speed. Does any existing ML camera match the AF speed of the best Nikons and Canons?
The potential of the new camera for silent or near silent operation is also of interest.
I'll be looking to see what Nikon may have done to make the EVF more usable in bright ambient light, a situation that challenges the best EVFs so far.
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The Nikon 1 series have pretty good AF-C performance in daylight.
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Maybe I should resume the CPU project for manual F-mount lenses? A 'mirrorless' Nikon might make chipping older lenses attractive once again.
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Great idea, Birna. I would even support it with a firm order, if it can help with the financing.
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Well, first we have to ascertain whether having a CPU improves the interoperability of older lenses on this new camera.
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Indeed but as far as I'm concerned I'm interested anyway, regardless of the new mirrorless.
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Maybe I should resume the CPU project for manual F-mount lenses? A 'mirrorless' Nikon might make chipping older lenses attractive once again.
I hope that the adapter is such that it would be attractive. I have a stack of unchipped AI and pre-AI which would benefit.
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An interesting reaction (http://www.nikonuser.info/fotoforum/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=3621&sid=79b72d9927b3b586ca77113c64c168d1#p8936) from Iliah Borg.
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Maybe I should resume the CPU project for manual F-mount lenses? A 'mirrorless' Nikon might make chipping older lenses attractive once again.
That would be nice, I still have a few candidates. ;D
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I wonder what support if any there will be for automatic aperture given that vast majority of F mount lenses, present and past, require a mechanical linkage. Maybe Nikon will put a small motor inside the adaptor for this.
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Indeed but as far as I'm concerned I'm interested anyway, regardless of the new mirrorless.
So am I.
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Well, first we have to ascertain whether having a CPU improves the interoperability of older lenses on this new camera.
If that happens I would also be interested.
I have some lenses that I feel I could chip myself (200 AIS micro), but for some I would need the help of Dr Lens (AIS 50/1.2)
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Funny how new developments can lead to need for old school chippingJust for the record, for the AIS 50mm f/1.2 Dandelion CPU is the best/only option,,, ;)
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Funny how new developments can lead to need for old school chippingJust for the record, for the AIS 50mm f/1.2 Dandelion CPU is the best/only option,,, ;)
That's interesting. I have recently discovered that I have a discarded dandelion in my cupboard, but sadly no Nikon camera to set it up.
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Put the lens and dandelion in a box for Denmark or maybe Netherlands around Photokina ;) and a small fee ;)
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The new adapter will be a key element in a near future titanic war against Sony. New "Z" lenses (let me call them like this) will take a years and years to develop and make. Sony will not stay and wait for anyone who wants to re-take the market. So this adapter must work fast and absolutely reliable with any Nikkors modifications, old or new ones. It is very possible, one more adapter AF modification for old MF lenses. No room for mistakes, otherwise new camera will stay on the shelves.
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Lets hope it does not have the patented Pellicle mirror
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Lets hope it does not have the patented Pellicle mirror
The pellicle mirror was a solution for a different time. I’d be really surprised if they went with that approach as there is very little room for it, it decreases light hitting the sensor and this is described as a “mirrorless” camera.
Nikon did not want to enter the mirrorless market with something which was a compromise so I expect it will meet or beat the current competition in many areas that photographers are concerned about. I think they are prioritizing image quality and ergonomics.
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I have the Df and D850 now. For me to consider the mirrorless, the adapter will need to work with my AI and Non-AI lenses. I have already 'chipped' many of them but some like the Noct do not have clearance for a chip. My AF lenses are mostly used on the D850 so the mirrorless would need to replace the Df.
Pete
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I have chipped two Noct-Nikkor 58mm 1.2 with CPU from Bjørn. So definitely it can be done.
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I have chipped two Noct-Nikkor 58mm 1.2 with CPU from Bjørn. So definitely it can be done.
Hi Eric!
When I picked up digital photography back in 2003 I was learning a lot on Bjorn's site (naturfotograf.com) and I think I remember he explained about chipping old lenses. Do you know where to find that link, if it ever existed?
Thanks,
Stany
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http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_surv.html#top1
Enjoy!
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Unfortunately no aperture lever on the adapter so no way the camera can record what aperture was used or to do wide open metering.
Not a deal breaker, but it would have been nice to have an adapter model that could tell what aperture was being used.
Sigh . . .
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Indeed no metering on unchipped, Ai lenses.
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Indeed no metering on unchipped, Ai lenses.
We don't know that yet. No reviewer has tested this aspect to the best of my knowledge. With a chipped lens, metering works perfectly for AiS lenses and with less accuracy, for pre-AiS (in fact, metering is still perfect but the lens response when it stops down is non-linear thus different from what the camera expects).
Even a non-chipped lens could work if the basic data is set in the non-CPU lens menu. I will of course delve into this once my review camera(s) arrive.
A modified FTZ adapter with a break-out circuit is easily envisioned and would allow metering with any lens that mounts onto it. Erik made such a solution for my FT-1 adapter for the 1 series Nikon.
Lens chipping: http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,32.0.html
Almost all F-mount lenses can be chipped. Even the Noct-Nikkor and the 50/1.2*
* (AiS only for the 50/1.2).
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Nice red rear lens caps :-)
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Unfortunately no aperture lever on the adapter so no way the camera can record what aperture was used or to do wide open metering.
Not a deal breaker, but it would have been nice to have an adapter model that could tell what aperture was being used.
http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,7659.msg124810.html#msg124810
i guess there was following thought behind. In SLR keeping the aperture open until the shot ist taken is essential for focussing in a brite undarkened viewfinder
With EVF you can measure stopped down, and the brightness of the viewfinder can ist adjusting, so no more need.
of course it would be nice to have the lever implemented (still to set lens data because true Indexing of maximum aperture (AI) is no more part of modern cameras
Canons new R system will provide three adapters btw (no idea what for, one is including drop in filterholder which is a nice idea). There is room for future adapters with more options left and it would be an easy task if Nikon wants to do it. (BTW FTZ type adapter is not too expensive)
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i guess there was following thought behind. In SLR keeping the aperture open until the shot ist taken is essential for focussing in a brite undarkened viewfinder
With EVF you can measure stopped down, and the brightness of the viewfinder can ist adjusting, so no more need.
of course it would be nice to have the lever implemented (still to set lens data because true Indexing of maximum aperture (AI) is no more part of modern cameras.
Canons new R system will provide three adapters btw (no idea what for, one is including drop in filterholder which is a nice idea). There is room for future adapters with more options left and it would be an easy task if Nikon wants to do it. (BTW FTZ type adapter is not too expensive)
It is not as easy as that.
If there is no aperture lever, it means that we have regressed back to the days of stop down metering. This is not a trifle. Realistically it means that the usability of AI/AIS lenses is drastically reduced.
For example, if the lens has a max aperture of F/2.8 it is typical to stop down to F/5.6 for landscape, architecture and various nature images. Then, on a proper camera you have metering at full aperture which is the modern solution. Metering at full aperture is a truly brilliant solution.
With stop down metering, the quality of the viewfinder image is severely reduced. This is equally true with an EVF, since the clarity and dynamic range of the viewfinder image suffers greatly if the system has to compensate for the 400% light loss from 2.8 to 5.6.
This is just another reason why the days of the SLR with its optical viewfinder may not be over.
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Well if you do resurrect your much appreciated CPU project for manual focus lenses, then I have several candidate lenses that need some cybernetic surgery.................
Actually a parallel project to build a short 5-pin block set of contacts that would completely contain the PCB would take this project to an even higher level.
I would envisage such a block to be a shortened version of the 10-pin blocks that one sees on current lenses which have both screws on each end of the block - unlike the older 5-pin short blocks with one screw on one end and the other screw inwards somewhat from the opposite end - which forces the PCB around the screw and out of the block - like the L and long (I) forms of your current PCBs. ;D
Maybe I should resume the CPU project for manual F-mount lenses? A 'mirrorless' Nikon might make chipping older lenses attractive once again.
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The native manual focus lenses for the Sony e-mount (Loxia’s, Voigtlanders) all use stopped down metering and focussing, there isn’t that much complaining about that. I wouldn’t be suprised that Nikon recognised this and intended the aperture lever for CPU lenses only, all lenses without CPU to be used stopped down...
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If i understand correctly without an AI type coupling lever (indicating which aperture is preset) even chipped AI (-S) lenses of course enable the camera to store the correct EXIF data for the type of the used lens but not detect the (pre)set aperture (on the aperture ring if this is used) so they need to be set to minimum aperture and then dialed on the camera.
Funny enough the FT1 adapter has a mechanical contact for detecting when an AI-typ lenses aperture is set to minimum (no idea how it uses this information) but as far as i could see on the pictures the FTZ adapter has not.
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On the Pictures on Nikons website you can see the contact on the FTZ
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On the Pictures on Nikons website you can see the contact on the FTZ
you are right, thanks
Now that I have seen a different photo I see it as well
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Even a non-chipped lens could work if the basic data is set in the non-CPU lens menu. I will of course delve into this once my review camera(s) arrive.
A modified FTZ adapter with a break-out circuit is easily envisioned and would allow metering with any lens that mounts onto it. Erik made such a solution for my FT-1 adapter for the 1 series Nikon.
Lens chipping: http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,32.0.html
Almost all F-mount lenses can be chipped. Even the Noct-Nikkor and the 50/1.2*
* (AiS only for the 50/1.2).
If the non-CPU functionality of the adapter is limited, I think an FTZ with ability to set lens info on it directly could be quite popular and would not require lens surgery.
I await your testing with great expectations.
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I was delighted to be able to use my old (fast) Canon FD lenses on the OM-D E-M1. Mostly the 50/1.4 and 135/2, but not necessarily wide open.
Stopped-down metering is definitely feasible until f/4 or f/5.6, even with this "old" EVF. When the light becomes dim, you won't normally shoot at f/8 anway. I take most night shots at f/2.8-f/4, with the DSLR or the m43 camera.
The Nikon Novoflex adapter in addition has a ring for forcing the diaph to open, so a quick change from wide open to pre-set aperture is possible. The lens + adapter then works a bit like the old 28/3.5 or 35/2.8 PC lenses.
The nice thing is, with increasing stopping down, the DOF will also increase the tolerance for misfocusing. The noisier EVF is ugly but still usable under such conditions.
In addition, most focus shift issues arise typically around f/2.8-f/4, where increasing DOF might not compensate for the shift. Here too, I expect some greater ease of use in relation with mirrorless.
So I expect an even higher level of satisfaction using AI(S) lenses with the future Nikon Z cameras, all the more so because there will be no crop factor. Not perfect, but certainly sufficient for my "slow" photography habits. For fast shooters, there will be the Z line.
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For fast shooters, there will be the Z line.
For fast shooting not to forget the also numerous AF-S lenses of the F-line (may it be D, G , E or P characteristics). There is no significant tele lens in the Z-roadmap (except a 2,8/70-200) btw. but the F-mount teles and Superteles should do the job for Z-Cameras as well (and they are better and "faster" than their AI-S precedessors that still have their place for slower work)
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With stop down metering, the quality of the viewfinder image is severely reduced. This is equally true with an EVF, since the clarity and dynamic range of the viewfinder image suffers greatly if the system has to compensate for the 400% light loss from 2.8 to 5.6.
Even at f/5.6, in daylight the light reaching the sensor/meter is much greater than when shooting indoors or twilight conditions. Unlike the DOF preview of SLRs, the stopped-down lens does not need to result in a dim viewfinder, the EVF can compensate and give a bright view. Stop-down metering in theory could be more accurate since there is no discrepancy between the preset aperture and the actual aperture. Stop-down shooting also eliminates focus-shift which may occur between full-aperture and stopped down.
The disadvantages of stop-down shooting is that the DOF becomes greater so it is harder to distinguish between perfectly-in-focus and nearly-in-focus. When shooting in dim conditions with small apertures, the amount of light may be too small for accurate metering, and the EVF becomes noisy.
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I have so far not seen any mention of how the tilt/shift lenses are supposed to work with the FTZ adapter. If the rear opening of the adapter is small, one would expect limitations (severe vignetting) of the shift movements.
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I have so far not seen any mention of how the tilt/shift lenses are supposed to work with the FTZ adapter. If the rear opening of the adapter is small, one would expect limitations (severe vignetting) of the shift movements.
Well the rear opening of the adapter is significantly larger than the front opening. So hope is not lost.
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I have so far not seen any mention of how the tilt/shift lenses are supposed to work with the FTZ adapter. If the rear opening of the adapter is small, one would expect limitations (severe vignetting) of the shift movements.
The PC-E type lenses will be very nice on the Z-mount viewing and composing I guess,,,
The adapter is not smaller than the F-mount mirror-box so no restrictions ;)
However i would think they can make them much 'better' smaller in native Z-mount,,,
I will bring my 19mm along for Photokina trip and find out more hopefully 8)
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Thank you Wolfgang an Erik, that's good to know. I also have the 19mm (and the 85 mm) and particularly the 19 mm I find difficult to focus, so hopefully the EVF of the Z will bring some improvement.
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The native manual focus lenses for the Sony e-mount (Loxia’s, Voigtlanders) all use stopped down metering and focussing, there isn’t that much complaining about that. I wouldn’t be suprised that Nikon recognised this and intended the aperture lever for CPU lenses only, all lenses without CPU to be used stopped down...
Yes there is no complaining, but in those cases with those lenses the camera knows what aperture is being used and records this into EXIF. This is handy for many reasons, one being that correction profiles are applied, the specifics of which depend on what aperture was used.
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Yes there is no complaining, but in those cases with those lenses the camera knows what aperture is being used and records this into EXIF. This is handy for many reasons, one being that correction profiles are applied, the specifics of which depend on what aperture was used.
It's also very nice to go back and see what aperture shots were taken at . . . .
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Probably it would be technically possible to build an FTZ2 adapter with AI compatibility. That required an AI coupling lever on the adapter (ready for put it out of the way of Non AI- lenses) and an sensor that records the positiion, plus a changed operation mode for the stop down- lever for AI-(S) lenses. The question is, whether the electrical contacts in the bayonet are ready for that and a firmware upgrade for the camera would do it.
Of course it would be nice to have that for increased compatibility with all sorts of non-PU F mount lenses - i doubt that we wil see that though
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Not including an Ai follower on the body and, failing that, not including an Ai follower mechanism with on the FTZ is Nikon's current statement on backwards compatibility.
I always felt that if Nikon bodies were to disappear, I could always use the F lenses on a Sony through a dumb adapter. Not fun, but ok for slow moving tripod work.
Looks like the Z cams will essentially provide a less-than-full-, and better-than-dumb functionality, with the added bonus that the body ergonomics and topside display of the Z's are obviously superior to the current Sonys.
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Probably it would be technically possible to build an FTZ2 adapter with AI compatibility. That required an AI coupling lever on the adapter (ready for put it out of the way of Non AI- lenses) and an sensor that records the positiion, plus a changed operation mode for the stop down- lever for AI-(S) lenses. The question is, whether the electrical contacts in the bayonet are ready for that and a firmware upgrade for the camera would do it.
Of course it would be nice to have that for increased compatibility with all sorts of non-PU F mount lenses - i doubt that we wil see that though
Ai lenses are not unlinear in the same way, some of them are way off, some are almost linear, so I don't think this would work at all.
Leica patented a way to estimate the aperture without an Ai connection, they have an external sensor on the digital Leica M cameras that compare the light through the lens with this outside sensor. Then the software makes an calculated guess since it knows what lens is mounted, simple and it works quite well, although stopped down! A Classic rangefinder solution ;)
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Ai lenses are not unlinear in the same way, some of them are way off, some are almost linear, so I don't think this would work at all.
would be good at least for the vast range of linear AI-S lenses (then the difference would matter again, most of my non-CPU lenses are AI-S btw)
Leica patented a way to estimate the aperture without an Ai connection, they have an external sensor on the digital Leica M cameras that compare the light through the lens with this outside sensor. Then the software makes an calculated guess since it knows what lens is mounted, simple and it works quite well, although stopped down! A Classic rangefinder solution ;)
Sounds like a very smart solution.
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Even at f/5.6, in daylight the light reaching the sensor/meter is much greater than when shooting indoors or twilight conditions. Unlike the DOF preview of SLRs, the stopped-down lens does not need to result in a dim viewfinder, the EVF can compensate and give a bright view. Stop-down metering in theory could be more accurate since there is no discrepancy between the preset aperture and the actual aperture. Stop-down shooting also eliminates focus-shift which may occur between full-aperture and stopped down.
The disadvantages of stop-down shooting is that the DOF becomes greater so it is harder to distinguish between perfectly-in-focus and nearly-in-focus. When shooting in dim conditions with small apertures, the amount of light may be too small for accurate metering, and the EVF becomes noisy.
Pardon me for saying this bluntly, but: No way. Unfortunately things are not that easy. During the couple of hours I was able to try out the Z6 and Z7 models, I naturally also tried what happened when I mounted an AIS lens - by the way the Nikkor 35mm 2.0 AIS. The lens of course mounted fine and it would meter - so far so good.
However, it turned out to be far from good, precisely because of the stop down metering. When I stopped down to F/5.6 and further down, it was disspiriting to see how the electronic viewfinder image lost in dynamic range and quality. In other words, if the system fails to provide for metering at full aperture the compensation by the electronic finder necessarily leads to reduced quality. As a result, a stopped down image is in no way superior to an optical image through the D750 and D850, even in available light conditions. It is inferior, and this reality should be spoken about openly so that owners of the many good to brilliant manual Nikkors can make an informed choice. I now have first hand experience from both, and it simply is mistaken to believe that the electronic viewfinder's compensation for darker conditions means that all is well.
It would seem it is a matter of psychological perception rather than a realistic assessment if we decide that the EVF is generally superior to the OVF. What is true, is that the OVF becomes darker in dark conditions. But that does not imply that it is inferior. Darker, but still clear - and the DOF preview which requires the system to offer metering wide open is an advantage that in my opinion is as least as important as the focus shift. Focus shift is a real problem in macro shooting, but the thing is that the optical finder has been completed today by Live View which solves and eliminates the focus shift problem without the need for abandoning the optical viewfinder.
Modern cameras have been increasingly able to focus in dim light. Just think about the focus peaking feature of the D850, which is a present pinnacle of camera performance in available light.
But to conclude with the original point: There is no way around it: Stop down metering is not progress, it means a factual regression back to the (darker) days before metering at full aperture was invented. Metering at full aperture should be considered a matter of course, and was and is true progress.
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Yes there is no complaining, but in those cases with those lenses the camera knows what aperture is being used and records this into EXIF. This is handy for many reasons, one being that correction profiles are applied, the specifics of which depend on what aperture was used.
I am not so sure that there is no complaining. Or rather, if there is no complaining from those who have migrated to another manufacturer it is a little rash to then conclude that the majority of serious photographers are so fond of a factual mount incompatibility.
It is as likely as not that there are numerous photographers, amateurs and professionals alike, out there who have invested in high quality lenses for thousands or tens of thousands of dollars and who feel little temptation to accept having to insert an adapter between all their precious lenses and the camera body in order to be able to use their brilliant glass.
The Z system is a - welcome - addition to the existing F system, but I see no reason why the (D)SLR system with an optical viewfinder cannot live side by side with the mirrorless system. The point is that these are different systems, and even if they are said to be compatible they are only partly so. The need for an adapter - an unnecessary and inconvenient insertion between camera and lens - means they are not compatible even if there is of course no loss in optical quality. In addition, the manual Nikkors can only be used with stop down metering. When the EVF has to compensate for the light loss when stopping down, it becomes very clear that the EVF is not superior to the OVF. We might really think it over, is the OVF really obsoleted by the EVF, are things as easy as that?
Of course, the Z system is a separate system which deserves to be judged by its own merits. But again, they may complement each other.
I for one can very easily see how I may complete my photographic toolbox with a Z camera and a couple of lenses in the future.
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Pardon me for saying this bluntly, but: No way. Unfortunately things are not that easy. During the couple of hours I was able to try out the Z6 and Z7 models, I naturally also tried what happened when I mounted an AIS lens - by the way the Nikkor 35mm 2.0 AIS. The lens of course mounted fine and it would meter - so far so good.
However, it turned out to be far from good, precisely because of the stop down metering. When I stopped down to F/5.6 and further down, it was disspiriting to see how the electronic viewfinder image lost in dynamic range and quality. In other words, if the system fails to provide for metering at full aperture the compensation by the electronic finder necessarily leads to reduced quality. As a result, a stopped down image is in no way superior to an optical image through the D750 and D850, even in available light conditions. It is inferior, and this reality should be spoken about openly so that owners of the many good to brilliant manual Nikkors can make an informed choice. I now have first hand experience from both, and it simply is mistaken to believe that the electronic viewfinder's compensation for darker conditions means that all is well. ,,,
This is similar to the Sony A7X series of finders, for wide angle lenses the issue is even worse in that you turn the focusring and it seems everything is in focus more or less, even with the 'red outline' that should highlight the in focus plane, every thing lights up, however the very high resolution sensors that capture the final actual image show clearly that this is not the case that it will all be in perfect focus, far from! so for stop down focusing you need rangefinder capability for sharp UWA and WA lenses (issue was worst with 24mm f/3.8 ASPH Leica M) unusable combination on Sony A7x series
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A fully Ai-compatible adapter is possible, of course, but it would likely be more expensive and a bit less robust (the Ai readout mechanism can stop working).
Perhaps Nikon can be persuaded to make one, but they want to sell new lenses also. And they want to sell DSLRs as well.
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A fully Ai-compatible adapter is possible, of course, but it would likely be more expensive and a bit less robust (the Ai readout mechanism can stop working).
Perhaps Nikon can be persuaded to make one, but they want to sell new lenses also. And they want to sell DSLRs as well.
And I for one want to buy DSLRs. I suspect that many others will want the optical viewfinder too.
Also, it is difficult to be very inspired to first buy a number of high quality AF-S lenses and then have to insert an extra gadget between the lens and the camera in order to be able to use the technological marvels that these lenses are. Apart from that, I see absolutely no reason why the mirrorless system should be the only one.
On the contrary I see every reason why the mirrorless, the (D)SLR and the rangefinder systems can and should co-exist also in the far future.
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Hi everybody!
Six weeks ago I started this topic titled "The F mount adapter quality will be the key part…". TMHO the primary aspect that would turn Nikon mirrorless into a huge success or a failure.
Well, after testing a Z7 for a couple of hours with the 200-500 AF-S VR, the nikon 105 AF-S, a 20 mm F1.8, my 70-200 AF-S FL, some prehistoric nkkors like the 55 mm F2.8 micro and even with a BR-2a macro reverse ring with an old 28mm on it (*) , I can only confirm that the FTZ adapter and related tech is something to be proud about. It simply works flawless with all the lenses I used… Kudos to Nikon.
(http://www.myphotogallery.name/NikonML/Z7img/20180907-Z7-_001.JPG)
(*) = Nikon Z7 with FTZ and a BR-2a macro reverse ring + reversed nikkor 28mm F2.8 E. (picture with my phone)
Among all lenses I tested on the Z7 with FTZ adapter, the 200-500 AF-S Vr impressed me the most.
It focuses and locks focus relative fast but it blew me away with images in the very close focus range, with an even significantly better VR performance than the extraordinary VR this lens natively already has.
Underneath an image taken HANDHELD, Manual mode, 1/1250 sec, F5.6 @ 500mm. Auto iso (iso 400)
The image has not been sharpened or PP. Only converted from NEF in view NX-i with my preferred picture style for this kind of images.
(http://www.myphotogallery.name/NikonML/Z7img/20180907-Z7-_008.JPG)
and a crop of the above image, resized to 1000px longest side: (click on the image to get the 100% crop)
(http://www.myphotogallery.name/NikonML/Z7img/20180907-Z7-_008-crop-1000px.JPG) (http://www.myphotogallery.name/NikonML/Z7img/20180907-Z7-_008-crop.JPG)
I wrote all the above and more on my website in this topic: Nikon Z7 hands on review (http://www.nikonuser.info/fotoforum/viewtopic.php?f=117&t=3697&sid=4a9f82a7b75bd440464d0c82e7f0835b)
Kindest regards,
Stany
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You confirm my initial impressions. Just waiting, a bit impatiently, for my own Z-cameras to arrive.
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Nikon's released Digitutor videos
here is the one on the adapter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekgkT7SU6d0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekgkT7SU6d0)
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Nikon's released Digitutor videos
here is the one on the adapter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekgkT7SU6d0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekgkT7SU6d0)
That was to be expected yet no mention of non- ai lenses.
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The FTZ seems to be shipping in high volume now. I ordered it together with a Z6 and just got notified that it is on the way :D
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The FTZ seems to be shipping in high volume now. I ordered it together with a Z6 and just got notified that it is on the way :D
Same situation as you! Once the local store here gets the Z7 in, I'll probably pop in and check it out as I missed the hands on event back in early September.