The Lens Adapter Nikon REFUSED to Build

[David H. Hartman]

Personally I'd be happy with a "Z" equivalent of a D500

Unless a Z replacement for the D500 was substantially less expensive than the Z8 the Z8 makes an excellent replacement for the D500 as well as the D850.

At this point in time I see no advantage in DX as one can always crop an FX NEF deeply and if shooting JPG(s) where DX is desired the camera can be switched to DX capture mode.

If a Z replacement for the D500 was smaller than the Z8 the controls and function buttons would suffer.

Dave

[MILLIREHM]

More useful info about "reach"
& different ways to achieve it - thank you Les

Well, yes it's more affordable.
I would probably spend $7,000 differently though

If you compare the portability, weight & size of a D500 plus equivalent lens, it would probably cost less and be more portable out in the field than this 800mm and a Z8.

Of course, i appreciate that this thread has morphed into a discussion on whether Nikon has given us better options nowadays, compared to those from design decisions made decades ago.

Personally I'd be happy with a "Z" equivalent of a D500

Nikon was in a very difficult economic situation a few years ago and the Z-System was late, so we profit now from a very cheap 800/6,3 lens and dont forget the Z9 was offered 1000 Euro cheaper than the D6.
I was a heavy D500 user and frequently preferred it over the D850 (switched to DX mode when needed with a unique viefwinder surround visibility not available in the D6). One of the advantages of the D500 was the larger area of the image that was covered by the AF sensor as well. With the Z-System the situation has changed a bit. I can use Z9 and Z8 in FX/DX switch mode (the viewfinder adapts automatically which has pros and cons) and I am not sure whether I would buy a Z500 since its advantages are more limited. For me it would depend whether it is smaller and more ligthweight than the Z8 but share its control-layout and funcionality (like the ability to set EV values  in full stops). A control layout like the Z6/7 series is a reason for exclusion (like it was the case with the Z6III).

i appreciate the discussion as well but I am coming back that an adapter like described would be good for us and Nikons image, would most likely never happen (especially when Nikon is facing losses again and the market is shrinking) but this is not arguable on a pure rational level.

[Les Olson]

So there are pieces of gear that do not sell in numbers but make users dream, make them more attuned to Nikon, make them believe they belong to the communitiy of thoseusing the best camera system and such like. So now coming back to our desired advanced FTZ adapter Nikon could have made anengineering  marvel out of it and make headline and show that they uncomparably support their long-term users and value the Nikon gear they have bought in the past. It wont address the mass market I would certainly buy one or two of those and I certainly would not be alone.

BTW: You did write Z6 but mean the F6 or D6 I guess.

F6.

I would certainly applaud Nikon for making an engineering marvel regardless of its sales potential - not being either a stockholder or employee of Nikon it does not bother me if they lose a million or two.

However, if demonstrating support for long-term users is what is needed for Nikon's brand, an AF-D capable FTZ won't do it. The reason is that there are two issues for the usability of products more than a few years old: one, less important, is backward compatibility, and the other, more important, is spare parts availability. An AF-D capable FTZ won't help when the lens you bought to use it with develops a fault and can't be repaired. What would demonstrate a genuine commitment to long-term users is long-term spare parts availability.

[Hugh_3170]

Les - kudos to you - so very well said.  I totally agree.

(And please, if I may add to your remarks, making superior plastic parts to replace those that crack and fail.)

..........................., more important, is spare parts availability.

An AF-D capable FTZ won't help when the lens you bought to use it with develops a fault and can't be repaired.

What would demonstrate a genuine commitment to long-term users is long-term spare parts availability.

[MILLIREHM]

I would certainly applaud Nikon for making an engineering marvel regardless of its sales potential - not being either a stockholder or employee of Nikon it does not bother me if they lose a million or two.

However, if demonstrating support for long-term users is what is needed for Nikon's brand, an AF-D capable FTZ won't do it. The reason is that there are two issues for the usability of products more than a few years old: one, less important, is backward compatibility, and the other, more important, is spare parts availability. An AF-D capable FTZ won't help when the lens you bought to use it with develops a fault and can't be repaired. What would demonstrate a genuine commitment to long-term users is long-term spare parts availability.

One does not exclude the other but I second that Nikon could and should improve the servicability of their products and should have a look on Leica in this aspect. What I find especially annoying is that expthe ensive lenses like the 200-400/4 VR have some design flaws causing higher probability to fail and are on the same hand unservicable.

[David H. Hartman]

What would demonstrate a genuine commitment to long-term users is long-term spare parts availability.

There is a story that is probably true. This came from an independent camera repairman and long time friend. One day at Nikon USA repair technicians were instructed to take out a hammer and destroy all their spare Nikon F2 parts. The apparent purpose was to push sales of new Nikon F3.

Dave

[Roland Vink]

A very interesting discussion. Personally, the FTZ adapter that I think Nikon (or someone else) should make is one that supports AI metering. If the lens data has been set into the camera, an AI FTZ adaptor would allow the lens aperture to show in the viewfinder and to be recorded in EXIF data. I think that would be a very useful and desirable feature. I am sure there are plenty of photographers with legacy AI, AIS, and old AF lenses (including AF lenses which don't AF any more) who still like to use them on their Z cameras. The current lack of viewfinder information means you would constantly have to take your eye away from the viewfinder and over the top of the camera to see if the aperture has been set correctly, or turn the aperture ring to max and then count the clicks until the required aperture has been set, which slows down the picture taking process. This could mean you risk shoot at the wrong aperture or lose the shot. Having the shooting aperture in the EXIF data is also useful when reviewing images later.

An AI FTZ adapter would be much simpler and more robust than one which supports screwdrive AF, although more complex than the current adaptor. Not having AF with legacy lenses would not bother me so much as Z cameras have good tools such as focus peaking, increasing magnification, and IBIS which allow the photographer to focus quickly and accurately.

[MILLIREHM]

There is a story that is probably true. This came from an independent camera repairman and long time friend. One day at Nikon USA repair technicians were instructed to take out a hammer and destroy all their spare Nikon F2 parts. The apparent purpose was to push sales of new Nikon F3(s).

Dave

Of course I don't know if thats true and if so if it is the only case. The Situation where the F3 followed the F2 was unique as there reportedly was no overlap, the F2 was de-listed out immidiately (whereas the F3 stayed in the catalogue longer than the F4 and certainly not because this model was that superior). The mechanical F2 was seen as superior then by many photographers and electronics appeared not as trustworthy at that time, so Nikon had more need to push customers than ever before and afterwards. The improvements were little and the new centerweighted 80/20 ratio was not liked by everyone.

[MILLIREHM]

A very interesting discussion. Personally, the FTZ adapter that I think Nikon (or someone else) should make is one that supports AI metering. If the lens data has been set into the camera, an AI FTZ adaptor would allow the lens aperture to show in the viewfinder and to be recorded in EXIF data. I think that would be a very useful and desirable feature. I am sure there are plenty of photographers with legacy AI, AIS, and old AF lenses (including AF lenses which don't AF any more) who still like to use them on their Z cameras. The current lack of viewfinder information means you would constantly have to take your eye away from the viewfinder and over the top of the camera to see if the aperture has been set correctly, or turn the aperture ring to max and then count the clicks until the required aperture has been set, which slows down the picture taking process. This could mean you risk shoot at the wrong aperture or lose the shot. Having the shooting aperture in the EXIF data is also useful when reviewing images later.

An AI FTZ adapter would be much simpler and more robust than one which supports screwdrive AF, although more complex than the current adaptor. Not having AF with legacy lenses would not bother me so much as Z cameras have good tools such as focus peaking, increasing magnification, and IBIS which allow the photographer to focus quickly and accurately.

When Canon released the RF system they provided three EF/RF adapters, the standard, one with ring and one with filter holder. I have nothing against more NIKON FTZ versions. What I actually would prefer is one adapter that provides AF-S and screwdriver support plus AI (and Firmware updates that provide Aperture ring usability on the camera side also with CPU-lenses) and AI-S detection. Nothing against a simpler, cheaper adapter for AI (S) alone.

[Hugh_3170]

Yes, Canon has done a better job here.  Even a future FTZ adapter with aperture ring support would be nice.

When Canon released the RF system they provided three EF/RF adapters, the standard, one with ring and one with filter holder. I have nothing against more NIKON FTZ versions. What I actually would prefer is one adapter that provides AF-S and screwdriver support plus AI (and Firmware updates that provide Aperture ring usability on the camera side also with CPU-lenses) and AI-S detection. Nothing against a simpler, cheaper adapter for AI (S) alone.