The new Nikon mirrorless system

[Jack Dahlgren]

A matter of months, I'd guess. The Z system seems to gain wide acceptance by the users.

Birna,
Any update on when you are getting yours? Michael's comments are always insightful, but his use cases are mostly different from mine.
I would love to see how it compares to DF in low light with older lenses (AI, Pre-ai etc.) and there are few who could match your abilities in evaluating those use cases.

[Birna Rørslett]

I'm promised my Z gear on the next allocation round by Nikon Nordic. Thus it'll arrive "soon" ... that's all I know at present. Obviously this time Nikon targetted alternative regions so we Nordic citizens got a minor share of the new production runs.

[Eddie Draaisma]

The Z7 has more or less the same Focus shift shooting option as found in the D850 with the addition of a so-called Peaking stack image. With this feature active, the camera will employ focus peaking to create a black-and-white preview stack that
can be used to check focus after shooting. The major disadvantage of this feature is that one has to press a few buttons to see this preview, not a good idea if one wants to add additional shots for the stack in the same setup without disturbing it.

The S-line 35/1.8S has a multi-focusing system, which is claimed to deliver good performance over the whole focusing range. The added "Focus stacking for dummies" pictures at close focus using this feature were both taken at the F/1.8 maximum aperture, the stack was processed with Helicon Focus.

[Jan Anne]

Michael, having universal (L-)plates is mandatory when testing or switching camera gear on a frequent bases.

I have two for many years now which allows me to use, borrow or test nearly any camera or lens on my tri or monopods before the dedicated plates become available.

RRS has an universal L-Plate which can mount almost any camera:
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/MC-L-Multi-Camera-L-Plate

And the Wimberly P5 universal plate goes wherever I go when I travel with camera gear (for cameras and lenses):
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/276977-REG/Wimberley_P_5_P5_Universal_Quick_Release.html?sts=pi

Both plates have the ability to centre the plate to the camera or lensfoot regardless of where the screw hole is located so should  be able to stay clear of the FTZ adapter

[Michael Erlewine]

Michael, having universal (L-)plates is mandatory when testing or switching camera gear on a frequent bases.

I have two for many years now which allows me to use, borrow or test nearly any camera or lens on my tri or monopods before the dedicated plates become available.

RRS has an universal L-Plate which can mount almost any camera:
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/MC-L-Multi-Camera-L-Plate

And the Wimberly P5 universal plate goes wherever I go when I travel with camera gear (for cameras and lenses):
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/276977-REG/Wimberley_P_5_P5_Universal_Quick_Release.html?sts=pi

Both plates have the ability to centre the plate to the camera or lensfoot regardless of where the screw hole is located so should  be able to stay clear of the FTZ adapter

I hear you, of course. I have already ordered (and paid for) the forthcoming RRS L-Plate for the Z7. And I have several workarounds, as well. Right now I am using one plate on the FTZ and another for the camera. And I have a huge L-Plate from Novoflex and ultra-narrow plates.

I didn't know about the WImberly, but it looks great. Now, if it just had a flexible L-Plate to attach to it.

For my use, effectively the Z7 is a mirrorless DSLR because I need the FTZ adapter to get lenses that are superior to the native S-lenses, at least to the S-24-70. I have tired MANY small walk-around cameras like the Sony RX series, but there they sit on the shelf. I will use the Z7 with native lenses to shoot family and probably other photo tasks. I will see what I can get away with, but unfortunately the only one I have to impress is myself and a sharp-ish lens like the S-24070 Z7 series comes close to passing muster, but just falls short. My mind insists I go for that extran detail and I reach for the adapter and APO lenses, etc.

[Tom Hook]

On Friday I received the Z7,  the FTZ, the 24-70 S and the 35 S. I had to wait until yesterday to use the camera because I was waiting for an XQD card to arrive by FedEx. This delay gave me the chance to actually go through much of the User Manual, which proved to be helpful.

Once the card was in the camera, I headed to the Mall to get a new battery for my iPhone.

While there, I look some pictures with the Z7 and the 35. I missed focus more than I thought I would, which could be a factor of not getting the settings right (especially all the focus options that are new and different); or it could be my bad technique trying to handhold this sensor-rich camera.

Whatever the case, here are three examples that at least show rough cuts of what the camera can do in my hands. More than three might constitute an abuse of any viewer’s time.

My general sense of the Z7 and the lenses is that it is a small but formidable little package. It is comfortable to hold and much lighter to carry. Plus it’s got a lot of horsepower under the hood, and the 35 has a lot of potential for me to embrace (haven't tried the 24-70). Finally I find it very attractive. I bought it for general use, and for travel and spontaneous out-the-door photography. I am not disappointed. Once I get the hang of it, it should suit my purposes very well.

I like it!

[Jacques Pochoy]

The added "Focus stacking for dummies" pictures at close focus using this feature were both taken at the F/1.8 maximum aperture, the stack was processed with Helicon Focus.

Jérome of Lambique and Bob et Bobette... Good grief ! And I thought I was the only dinosaur left with some knowledge of those comics...

[Hugh_3170]

It will be interesting to see whether Cosina/Voigtlander produce a Z-mount version of their 110mm APO Lanthar that is available in the Sony E-mount. 

I suspect that there would be a lot of interest in such a Z-mount lens. 

UPDATE on the Nikon Z7 for my particular use.

I like the Nikon Z7, but like all things, using it for a while brings with it some realizations, which I want to comment on here.

.......................................................
.......................................................
I would love an APO lens for this mirrorless camera!

[Michael Erlewine]

It will be interesting to see whether Cosina/Voigtlander produce a Z-mount version of their 110mm APO Lanthar that is available in the Sony E-mount. 

I suspect that their would be a lot of interest in such a Z-mount lens. 

Yes. I will have to use the FTZ adapter until one comes along. I can use the Z7 with the view cameras I have with no problem right now.

[Fons Baerken]

Jérome of Lambique and Bob et Bobette... Good grief ! And I thought I was the only dinosaur left with some knowledge of those comics...

Oh no Jacques but we use different names for the characters this part of the globe.

[Bruno Schroder]

Jérome of Lambique and Bob et Bobette... Good grief ! And I thought I was the only dinosaur left with some knowledge of those comics...

No, you're not

[Michael Erlewine]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011JKE28U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This L-Bracket will work with the FTZ adapter. If you want the vertical element to fit closely to the left side of the camera, you may want to cut off the very far end of one of the stainless steel rods, which is easy to do and it fits snug. The rod stops the 1/4-20 screw from going to the edge as far as we  want. Inexpensive too, relatively.

[Michael Erlewine]

I am finding this L-Bracket problem with the new Nikon Z7 a real hassle. I wonder if any of you have found a practical solution? Here is my problem.

My use of the Z7 is twofold. I want to do some work with the camera using its native S-lenses, like the S-24-70mm Zoom. To do this I require a L-Bracket that form-fits the Z7 and that can give me horizontal and vertical positions.

On the other hand, I want to use the many legacy lenses I have on hand. For that, of course, I need the FTZ adapter and for large lenses like the Otus 28mm APO lens (which is heavy) I want to make use of the tripod foot on the FTZ, but again, I need both horizontal and vertical positions.

I found an old L-Bracket that I put on the FTZ tripod foot and using this I can rotate to either position. But I’m not sure that I can use the FTZ adapter (with its L-Bracket) and also find an L-Bracket that I can attach to the Z7 at the same time.

Above all, I do not want to be taking either L-Bracket on and off the various mounts, as sooner or later I could strip one or the other.

If I can find a thin-enough L-Bracket to fit the Z7, all this might work out, but that is a lot of L-Brackets (and weight) when I use both the Z7 and the FTZ, each with their own L-Bracket.

So, I wonder what other folks are doing about this. Any ideas please?

[Luke Miller]

You might consider a camera rotator that would attach to either the body or FTZ foot.  Here is one from RRS (but discontinued):

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/search?keywords=CRD-87

But models from other makers are available:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/astrohutech-camera-rotator.html

[Michael Erlewine]

You might consider a camera rotator that would attach to either the body or FTZ foot.  Here is one from RRS (but discontinued):

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/search?keywords=CRD-87

But models from other makers are available:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/astrohutech-camera-rotator.html

That would probably be useful, but more weight to carry around, etc. I'm hoping I can fiddle something together, even it I have to modify the whole thing. Will soon know. Thanks.