The new Nikon mirrorless system

[chambeshi]

Thanks, very nice article indeed.

The last paragraph says it all:
Nikon is merely enlarging their ecosystem to cater the needs of both worlds, some of us will stick with the DSLR while others will go all in to mirrorless or use both platforms to combine the benefits of the two to handle a wider spectrum of challenges.

Yes. It's early days obviously but the outlook across the Greater Nikon Ecosystem is exciting - Sure, enlarging toward wider frontiers :-)

For me the right balance currently is to use short and medium (manual focus) lenses ranging from 15mm to 125mm on mirrorless and use the D500 plus 200-500VR for the long action stuff, when the AF on mirrorless becomes as reliable under challenging light conditions as with a DSLR I might go all mirrorless again but for now I've learned my lesson the hard way that it isn't so at the moment (though I haven't tried the Sony A9 or Nikon Z6 & Z7 yet).

For my needs, I plan to use the Z7 should be perfect for close up and landscape, especially in rougher terrain where a lighter system makes one more mobile. But I will also put the silent mode and allied features to work with subjects, where this MILC sounds optimal for stalking and strategic camera-trapping - ie close encounters by proxy and other. The potential to couple the Z6 / Z7 with the 300 PF and now 500 PF opens up tantalizing horizons.....

My DSLRs will remain core workhorses for wildlife - action obviously. Especially where tricky contexts challenges the AF; so, I foresee scant changes in the job description of the D850. Nevertheless, I rarely shoot the buffer-straining sustained bursts at 9 / 10 fps, which are all the rage with some pundits. So the Z7 should see even wider usage. Where conditions allow, 2-3 cameras will use complementary lenses (eg in a hide / vehicle etc). The sharing of the ENEL15b battery across the Nikon DSLR trifecta and these Z MILCs is a big bonus to lower costs and logistics (charging etc!).

There's no good or bad choice as we all have our specific needs and restrictions, as long as we acknowledge that fact we can continue to coexist peacefully in our little community

100% correct. We are privileged to live in these times with such superb technology. Which is why all the +ve's embodied in the Df with MF lenses etc endure

[MILLIREHM]

This is NOT what we need to hear! If it is true, then let's hope Nikon remedy the deficiency as priority. No mention of this Z battery pack packing the EN-EL18's also sounds bad

I guess as the battery pack fits to the camera body it might be too slim to take the EN-EL18 type of battery.

[Jacques Pochoy]

In my understanding, the battery pack is for videographers (with two 15b) as they never need the "portrait" (vertical) shooting option. For photographers, I guess we'll do it the old way (spare batteries in the pocket) as I'm not even sure the EVF can support all the menus choices in the vertical width Maybe that's why the eye piece is a rectangle and not the classical (now) circle.

[Michael Erlewine]

I have what is probably an ignorant question (aren't they all). If I want to use many of my old lenses like the Nikkor "O" CRT lens, where I never have had enough room for a wider view, how will I do this with the Z7? I suppose the adapter that Nikon offers will try to recreate what I already have? Will I need to have a shorter adapter to get more in view for the CRT lens or how will that work? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Birna Rørslett]

The FTZ adapter will, as you surmised, just recreate the situation you encounter today with your Nikon DSLRs. Thus what one needs is a generic short-flange adapter ending in a Z-mount (for the camera) and M42 or similar at the business end.

However, once the Nikkor-O is brought to a position corresponding to its optimum magnification (1:4-1:4.4), one gains nothing more than field curvature and sharpness decline in the peripheral parts of the image. Thus "a wider view" (ie. focus to infinity with that particular lens is not feasible unless you accept the severe loss of image image this entails. I can already do infinity with the Nikkor-O on my CX and m43-format cameras and while infinity focus is interestingly interpreted on each system, quality suffers badly.

As soon as I'm familiar enough with the Z system, I'll purchase some factory mounts and start experimenting with exotic lenses on the already ordered Z-bodies. Should be some fun.

[MILLIREHM]

There should hopefully be enough clearance in the FTZ for adapting the 10 mm OP Fisheye to a ZX body. It would be much easier to use this lens then than it is with an SLR.

[Birna Rørslett]

The 10 OP should fit straight onto the FTZ adapter. There certainly is room enough inside the FTZ.

The same will apply to the 6/5.6 (if you are among the chosen few to own it), 7.5/5.6, 8/8, and possibly the 2.1 cm f/4. ('possibly' because that 21mm has a peculiar lens mount that might not fit).

[Ilkka Nissilä]

"Basically we're just announcing that we will be developing a battery pack. It will take two batteries, and boost therefore the battery life of the product. But I don't think it will have a portrait orientation shutter button or a control wheel."

That would be pretty shockingly bad. A battery pack without controls. Are we back in 1980?

I would understand if this camera was just for video - but it's not. People shoot verticals. For me the purpose of the battery pack on DSLRs has always been to get better support and posture for vertical shooting.

Perhaps the rep just doesn't know and the battery pack is very early in its development.

[Erik Lund]

the grip doesnt have a shutter button 

edit: just speculating. it doesnt have contacts underneath but maybe it will be like the D90

My best guess:


The battery door comes off, there must be contacts inside this battery compartment for grip communication.


I also use grips for the D810, D200 and D7000 for better grip shooting verticals

[Erik Lund]

,,,
As soon as I'm familiar enough with the Z system, I'll purchase some factory mounts and start experimenting with exotic lenses on the already ordered Z-bodies. Should be some fun.

Looking forward to that journey as well However there will be a dedicated Nikon Z CPU needed or a modified short length FTZ adapter with F CPU build in like the FT-1 modification we did,,,

[Birna Rørslett]

Looking forward to that journey as well However there will be a dedicated Nikon Z CPU needed or a modified short length FTZ adapter with F CPU build in like the FT-1 modification we did,,,

I have this need strongly in mind, but as of now, no details of the Z communication protocol are known to me. Will only be weeks before the first camera arrives, though.

[Birna Rørslett]

As to the forthcoming battery grip, Timer Carter at the Nikon UK pre-launch on the 22nd clearly stated the unit is in development thus no details are confirmed except it should provide double batteries.

[Jan Anne]

Apparently a D5 like Z camera is also in the works which will high likely have the vertical grip with buttons, big battery and a second card slot.

https://nikonrumors.com/2018/08/26/nikon-executive-on-whether-nikon-will-release-a-pro-model-like-the-d5-in-the-z-line-count-on-it.aspx/

So just wait a little longer when those features are a must have

[Erik Lund]

Apparently a D5 like Z camera is also in the works which will high likely have the vertical grip with buttons, big battery and a second card slot.

https://nikonrumors.com/2018/08/26/nikon-executive-on-whether-nikon-will-release-a-pro-model-like-the-d5-in-the-z-line-count-on-it.aspx/

So just wait a little longer when those features are a must have

Thanks JA, I missed this input somehow 


Here are the highlights:


Nikon is going to make great products both in DSLR and mirrorless. Nikon will keep releasing new products in DSLR.

• Nikon carefully examined from scratch and concluded that 55mm and 16mm are the best for an inner diameter and a flange focal distance, respectively, in terms of optical performance. That's why a new mount was born.
• In development, Nikon focused on reliability, robustness, and ruggedness which pros and enthusiasts appreciate. It ended up being the Z which is more like the DSLR in design.
• Regarding the EVF, quality was a top priority so that pros see it as good as an optical viewfinder.
• Nikon first decided the size of a new body which Nikon thinks users are happy to accept. Then, everything else was put into that body.
• Ikegami didn't mention clearly but said that the Z's rival is what you think it is.
• The Z's advantage is a high optical performance. The lens is designed for the highest image quality and its optical resolution surpasses that of DSLR's lens. He says that the Z is superior to the DSLR in both still and video photography.
• He expects users to see the Z to be equivalent to the D850 in image quality.
• On whether Nikon releases a pro model like the D5 in the Z line, he said: "Count on it!"
• He anticipates that the third party will reverse-engineer the Z lens.

[Jan Anne]

Personally I havent used a vertical grip since parting with the D3s many moons ago to keep the cameras clean and compact for travel but do understand that some see this as an essential feature.

Attached an image from DPReview where the Z7 is surrounded by the D850 and the A7RIII (same size as my a7RII), the mirrorless cameras are a lot smaller and lighter so treating them as a DSLR accessory wise might not be applicable anymore as they might be kind off contradictory to downsizing the camera system.

The second image is a quick snapshot of my a7RII with the same Zeiss 35/1.4 FE as in the DPReview image for size reference. The grip of the Sony was a little on the small side for me and as I was also looking for an Arca L-plate I've bought a camera specific Arca plate on eBay which also acts as a grip extender to kill two birds with one stone. I leave the bottom plate attached permanently and will add the vertical "L" section when I plan to use a tripod.

No idea what strap will come with the Zee cameras but the Sony's shipped with the regular brightly coloured DSLR sized straps which looked kinda ridiculous so I've replaced the strap with an all leather strap from Artisan & Artist which is a lot more compact (half the width) and is a way better match with my old skool manual focus lenses.