Z bodies with FTZ and AI-S lenses

[pluton]

I currently have 3-FTZ and 2-FTZII, plus one dumb adapter.  I plan to acquire more FTZs if/when the price of used ones comes down a bit.

[Øivind Tøien]

Only one?  LOL 

It is a beginning...    

[whatdoido]

I was reading on DPreview where some people said unchipped AI-S would not give a "green dot" focus indicator when eye-AF/detect is used.  Is this correct and  quirk of manual focus lens with eye detect only?

And if not using eye-AF/detetc, does the green dot focus confirm work if using a single focus point?

Unfortuantely, there isn't a brick and motar shop nearby where I can test this myself.

[Ian Watson]

First of all, the only Z-system camera to offer eye detection with manual focus is the Zf. It will do this whether or not the lens has a chip.

The green dot is still present but a bit of a relic. The red square showing the focus point/area turns green to confirm focus. However, this behaviour requires a chipped lens. Otherwise you are left to zoom in and confirm focus yourself.

[whatdoido]

@Ian,

That's interesting and exactly the insight that isn't widely available.  I don't think I'd be looking at a ZF (i didnt like the Df) form factor so is the eye autodetect functionality on the Zf a firmware functionality (zf being newer than the z8) or is there something more mechanical?  With the FTZ adaptor needed  it seems less likely a physical constraint - although I recal the Df having ability to hide the indexing tab (??) so it could mount pre-AI lenses too.

[Hugh_3170]

Yes, that is correct.

On the Df with the aperture follower tab locked in the "UP Position", one can mount non-Ai lenses and still get full exposure facilities.  In this mode of operating the Df, one has to set the taking aperture on BOTH the body (via a control wheel) and on the lens (using the len's aperture ring).

Why on earth can we not do the same facility on the Z cameras with the FTZ adapter???   

Just the appropriate firmware is needed!  Come on Nikon - listen up!

I would be prepared to pay for such firmware as a separate item - as is done with some of the Z6II video firmwares.

@Ian,

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although I recall the Df having ability to hide the indexing tab (??) so it could mount pre-AI lenses too.

[Ian Watson]

I don't think I'd be looking at a ZF (i didnt like the Df) form factor so is the eye autodetect functionality on the Zf a firmware functionality (zf being newer than the z8) or is there something more mechanical? 

There is no mechanical connection with my AI lenses and a dumb adapter. It is purely in the firmware.