Nikon Z6/7 mirrorless system

[Michael Erlewine]

Here is the route I have been taking of late with the Nikon Z7. I have M39 and M42 adapters for the Nikon Z7 on order, coming from China. These will be used on the Z7 to mount lenses like the Nikkor “O” CRT lens and other exotics, hopefully gaining increased focus-range.

I am still looking for a wide-angle view-camera lens that reaches infinity. It will be used for landscapes and not-so-close work. I can use it on the tweaked Cambo Mini-Actus or the Cambo XL 35 (larger) view camera. If you have any ideas about great lenses that are wide for view-camera use, I would like to hear of them. The Cambo Actar 24mm lens is just not corrected well enough for my purposes, so I am looking for something else, like a wide-angle bellows lens that is APO (highly corrected). Know any?

Meanwhile, I did succeed in getting a rear-standard Z7 bayonet mount for the Cambo-Mini Actus view camera. This is made for the Actus Mini G, the one with the exchangeable rear standard bayonets. It allows me to get closer than my D850 because the camera is smaller. Also, by using the smallest of my bellows (the shortest), I can bring both front and read standards closer together. Remember, if you have the FTZ adapter, you can plug into any view camera with a traditional F-Mount bayonet. It just adds a little more distance to the bellows.

I enclose a shot I just took with the Cambo Actus Mini with the Nikon Z7 on its own bayonet, using the APO El Nikkor 105mm f/5.6 lens, one of my favorite lenses. Not much difference, but I like using the Z7 with this smaller view camera. My Nikon D850 sits on the larger Cambo Actus XL 35 view camera.

I do (finally) have a site of some of my work, for those interested.

https://michaelerlewine.smugmug.com/

[Michael Erlewine]

I have a question for NIkon Z7 owners. Using LiveView, I have not figured out how to leave it on permanently. It stays bright for many 20 seconds and then partially dims out. Anyone know how to make it stay on? Thanks in advance.

[fish_shooter]

I have a question for NIkon Z7 owners. Using LiveView, I have not figured out how to leave it on permanently. It stays bright for many 20 seconds and then partially dims out. Anyone know how to make it stay on? Thanks in advance.

Set standby timer to no limit - in C3

[Michael Erlewine]

Set standby timer to no limit - in C3

Appreciated. That helps.

[Birna Rørslett]

Set standby timer to no limit - in C3

I'd only recommend this if the camera is run on A/C power. Otherwise battery drains fast.

(the Z's use the same A/C adapter and power supply as the D8xx and D500 series)

[Fons Baerken]

Search results: the AC adapter nikon EH-5c.

https://www.nikonimgsupport.com/ni/NI_Article?articleNo=000003739&configured=1&lang=en_US

[Michael Erlewine]

I'd only recommend this if the camera is run on A/C power. Otherwise battery drains fast.

(the Z's use the same A/C adapter and power supply as the D8xx and D500 series)

That's true, but much of my work, at least in winter, is done in my small studio, where one more AC cord is one more thing to be aware of. I have a bunch of batteries and I keep them full, so I would rather must swap out a battery and have less cords to mess with. Just my preference.

[Birna Rørslett]

Individual preferences are non-negotiable, I suppose.  As I already have Stackshot rail(s) and flash running off A/C, another cable is no hassle for me. I just dress the cables to be away from the main work area (in this case,  work table).

[Michael Erlewine]

Individual preferences are non-negotiable, I suppose.  As I already have Stackshot rail(s) and flash running off A/C, another cable is no hassle for me. I just dress the cables to be away from the main work area (in this case,  work table).

I have a Stackshot, but it is cabled to pillars with Velcro and used seldomly anyway. I don't have a table, but move around a lot, setting up the context for much of my close-up work. This includes a couple of tripods already, and other stuff. Since my studio is not large, there is a lot of rearranging and moving stuff around, endlessly. Tethering my cameras with AC cords is just another element to compete with the tripods, lights, stands, baffles, diffusers, etc. As you say, these are individual preferences and as mentioned I have a stack of full batteries within arm's reach. It is easier for me to just use those.

[Termite]

Birna: more Rayxar pictures, please!

[beryllium10]

Some examples of more obliging subjects not obscured by clutter (both Nikon Z7 + 70-200 f2.8E FL Nikkor):

In reply to Woody, whose post has now dropped back a page.  Just want to make sure that someone says what an engaging picture the photo of the little monkey is.  Didn't want it to disappear into the thread without trace.

Other than that, don't own a Z6 or Z7, no plan to buy one.  But will be glad to come back to all this information some time in the indefinite future if that seems like a good idea.

John

[tommiejeep]

I have really enjoyed the Z6 so far. One of my favorite features is the ability to assign the exposure compensation function to the focus ring on the lens.  Makes it so easy to adjust the exposure, and with the EVF, I can see what is happening, without having to chimp all the time.  I have other options for action shooting, but will give it a fair trial at my local bird sanctuary soon.

Cheers

Randy

Randy, nice Tolkien
Many thanks for the tip on EC. Subject of fine tuning Nikon F (G) lenses on the adapter has come up on several forums .  So far no definitive answer so If you have any non-"E" long lenses , your experiences will be appreciated.  I'm not counting on the Z6 as a camera for small, fast BIF but would use the 500 f4G vr with/without TC1.4 EII for sitting birds.
Cheers,
Tom

[Bruno Schroder]

I did a quick try of a few manual lenses on the Z7 over the weekend. The light was absent and I must say I'm quite pleased with the stabilization. Micro Nikkor 105/2.8 AIS

[gryphon1911]

Have an example of the effects of silent shutter mode on the Z6.  This is a projector that showed on a white screen behind the singer.  The background should be a solid blue with light blue circles.

[pluton]

Have an example of the effects of silent shutter mode on the Z6.  This is a projector that showed on a white screen behind the singer.  The background should be a solid blue with light blue circles.

I note that the shutter speed was 1/500th.  This kind of frozen partial display illumination is not unexpected at that shutter speed, be it global, rolling electronic, or traveling slit.  The capture of this source might look radically different at 1/60, for example.