So, the ZF ...

[Birna Rørslett]

My experience with the FTZ is the exact opposite. The FTZ cradles comfortably in my hands and addd extra support and easier handing -- given the lens is no longer than 105/135 Nikkors.

I probably have rather small hands after all?

[John Geerts]

I have the same experience as Birna with the FTZ adapter.

[Birna Rørslett]

To illustrate my point: the Voigtländer 58mm f/1.4 Nokton + FTZ handles well-nigh perfect on the Zf.

The main issue here, like all F lenses with CPU *and*an aperture ring, is that you cannot rotate the aperture ring on the lens, you have to dial in from the camera side. This is due to the lack of an aperture follower inside the FTZ, and an unwillingness from Nikon of allowing the FTZ electronics to emulate what mode of operation was possible on the better DSLRs. In the latter case, it was indeed possible to set the aperture directly on the lens given the lens had CPU and in fact, no aperture follower really was needed. I fail to understand why FTZ cannot provide the same mode.

Nikon probably could fix this simply by allowing the option to set aperture on [CPU-enabled] lens in a future firmware update.

[MILLIREHM]

To illustrate my point: the Voigtländer 58mm f/1.4 Nokton + FTZ handles well-nigh perfect on the Zf.

The main issue here, like all F lenses with CPU *and*an aperture ring, is that you cannot rotate the aperture ring on the lens, you have to dial in from the camera side. This is due to the lack of an aperture follower inside the FTZ, and an unwillingness from Nikon of allowing the FTZ electronics to emulate what mode of operation was possible on the better DSLRs. In the latter case, it was indeed possible to set the aperture directly on the lens given the lens had CPU and in fact, no aperture follower really was needed. I fail to understand why FTZ cannot provide the same mode.

Nikon probably could fix this simply by allowing the option to set aperture on [CPU-enabled] lens in a future firmware update.

I second that, Nikon could do that, but so far they did not want that on purpose, SLRs had an option to set the aperture with aperture ring on lenses with CPU the Z seriesdoesnt. This is exacerbated by the fact that (other than the Z9 or Z8) the Zf does not allow the aperture to be set in full stops on the front wheel (the Z6 couldn't either but at least switch to half stops). That makes sense in manual mode but  find it annoying to be forced to 1/3rd steps when i am working with aperture priority (as I mostly do). My hopes that this update will fix that are now postponed to the next one. Hey, the Zf is a retro design camera but you cant work with it like the classic film models we know. The SE editions of the pancake lenses do not have a programmable ring (which is less usable than an aperture ring) but just have the look as if there was a classic aperture ring (same kind of design flaw for the release button not being compatible with the AR-3 mechanical cable release despite having a thread).
There were rumors about a future FTZ-3 adapter supporting screwdriver AF, which would be the perfect opportunity to equip an aperture follower as well(expected both together with the Zf release as it would have been consequent) but there is a chance that this opportunity might be missed even then.

[MILLIREHM]

Recording the non-CPU lens names could have been better : why are there only 20 available slots? I have a dozen "fifties" !!!

I also would be more comfortable with more than 20 (as the number of my non-CPU lenses exceed that), with DSLR we were even limited to 9 and Nikon did not change that (not even for the D6), I mean memory space cant be the problem here. (I also did never understand why the image counter remained limited to 4 digits.

[tq_photofilm]

I ended up getting the Shoten F to Z adapter as it blends with the Ai and Ai-S lenses well.   

I also picked up the TT Artisan 6-bit, which gives focus confirmation, but the shape of the TTArtisan plus dumb adaptor feels clumsy to me and I am only going to use it when focus confirmation would really be a plus. I mapped the Zoom to my record button and added the half-shutter Zoom out.  I also mapped peaking to my front function button.  To my eye, the results from focus confirmation and peaking are fairly similar -- both confirm early.   

Even though I am out of practice focusing manually, I'm really enjoying full manual operation on the ZF.  Buying a set of 5 Ai/Ai-s and Pre-Ai F mount lenses was  a very affordable option for me in addition to the 40mm f/2.

[Hugh_3170]

+1

I have small hands too.  Have toyed with making up an extra grip to bolt onto the bottom of the FTZ (Mk 1).

I do concede that people with larger and stronger hands may not have this need.

I have the same experience as Birna with the FTZ adapter.

[Hugh_3170]

+1

............................................... 

The main issue here, like all F lenses with CPU *and*an aperture ring, is that you cannot rotate the aperture ring on the lens, you have to dial in from the camera side. This is due to the lack of an aperture follower inside the FTZ, and an unwillingness from Nikon of allowing the FTZ electronics to emulate what mode of operation was possible on the better DSLRs. In the latter case, it was indeed possible to set the aperture directly on the lens given the lens had CPU and in fact, no aperture follower really was needed. I fail to understand why FTZ cannot provide the same mode.

Nikon probably could fix this simply by allowing the option to set aperture on [CPU-enabled] lens in a future firmware update.

[Bruno Schroder]

Thom Hogan is compiling a wish lists of firmware changes to be submitted to Nikon. He is asking for user input: https://www.zsystemuser.com/nikon-z-system-news-and/updating-the-wish-list.html:

So if you have your own thoughts here, send them to me via email in the following form: [camera], [type of change], [change], and if you have time, the reason the change is necessary (this will become important later in my plan to get Tokyo's attention ;~)

It looks like there are enough of you with this request to make it on the list.

[Birna Rørslett]

I sent a request to Hogan.

[Birna Rørslett]

I sent a request to Hogan.

Now #116 on his list:)

[Bruno Schroder]

Top. There will be a vote later on priorities.

[Birna Rørslett]

Then NG members should rally to cast their votes.

Implementing the #116 feature would make Zf operate like the Df if the user so wishes.

Should be very easy to implement in firmware as the functionality is there already with Voigtländer Z and Viltrox Z lenses (for the latter if they have aperture ring). Setting the aperture directly on these lenses will override any camera dialling, unless they have an "A" setting emulating the aperture lock of F-mount Nikkors. This option is seen only on the Viltrox lenses as far as I can recall. The Voigtländer + Viltrox approach makes the choice indirect not explicit like we saw on the Df.

[Ian Watson]

Even though I am out of practice focusing manually, I'm really enjoying full manual operation on the ZF.  Buying a set of 5 Ai/Ai-s and Pre-Ai F mount lenses was  a very affordable option for me in addition to the 40mm f/2.

The manual Nikkors certainly offer a lot of fun and image quality for the money. You have reminded me to give mine some exercise!

[Bruno Schroder]

Then NG members should rally to cast their votes.

I’ll certainly do.