Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
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p.64 #1 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
stgrove wrote:
Not into Nikon, but will M lenses perform OK on the Z5II?
It depends on what M lenses you are discussing and your tolerance for your lenses not performing quite as well as they do on a camera with a thinner sensor stack. If you look higher up on the page Fred has results from the Voigtlander 28 f/2 APO on the ZF and in that post he links results with the Voigtlander 40 f/1.2 and I personally would not be happy with either of those lenses on a Nikon Z mount camera, but YMMV. There are absolutely some lenses, however, from Voigtlander the 10 f/5.6, 12 f/5.6, 15 f/4.5, 21 f/3.5, 50 f/3.5 APO, 75 f/2.8 APO, and the 90 f/2.8 APO that I don't think perform any worse on a Nikon camera than on a camera with a thinner sensor stack and that I definitely would use on a Nikon Z mount camera, again YMMV. Leica M lenses, I have used that I think perform well enough for me to use on Nikon include the WATE (16-21 f/4), the 75 f/2.4, the 90 f/2.8 Elmarit-M, the 90 f/2 APO, and the 135 f/3.5 APO. Leica M lenses I have used that I wouldn't use on a Nikon Z mount camera include the 21 f/3.5 SEM, the 28 f/1.4 Asph, 50 f/1.4 Asph, and the 50 f/2 APO.
I think you are going to have to look into whatever specific lenses you want to use and decide if you think they show any weaknesses with the thicker sensor camera and if they do whether that weakness is minor enough that you think it is OK. Whether it is OK to you may well, of course, depend on how you plan to use the lens. I wish I could give you a simple answer about whether M lenses perform OK on the Z5 II, but I don't think there is a simple answer. As Scott suggested, however, I don't think which Z mount camera you use matters at all.
p.64 #2 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
Anyone has experience with the LLL lenses adapted to the Z5II?
Like the 28/2.8, 50/1.2, 50/2.0 SPII, 35/2.0 8 element, 50/1.5 Z21, Elcan 50/2, 50/2.0 Rigid?
p.64 #3 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
I've adapted my 28/2 AIS | 50/1.2 AIS | 85/1.4AIS | 105/2.5 AI on the Z6II and I recently got the Z5II ill be adapting those same lenses with it. I have the 50/1.2AIS adapted to it today. It does great!
I have it the ETZ + E to F Dummy Adapter for Greenbox Focus Confirmation.
p.64 #4 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
I received my Shoten M to Z electronic adapter and first impressions are very positive. The fit on both camera and lens is perfect (the TTArtisan 6-bit adapter on the other hand feels a bit looser on the lens end). Adjusting aperture, taking a picture, then adjusting aperture again is slightly annoying to select focal length, but I'm not switching lenses in the field too frequently. You can also hook up the adapter to your computer and edit a text file to customize what f-number corresponds to what lens which is a nice feature. I now have two Shoten adapters (the other is a dumb Pentax K to Z) and am quite impressed with the price to quality ratio. The main downside with these is you generally have to order them from overseas which can take a little while to receive.
I also ended up getting the Megadap ETZ21 Pro+ and a dumb F to E adapter. I think I prefer its method of setting focal length, but you can't customize like you can with the Shoten M to Z. I've taken exactly one picture with this combo so far and I'm also quite happy. I did initially receive the wrong Megadap adapter from B&H but they quickly replaced it for me so no real complaints there.
p.64 #5 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
AlexCruise wrote:
I've adapted my 28/2 AIS | 50/1.2 AIS | 85/1.4AIS | 105/2.5 AI on the Z6II and I recently got the Z5II ill be adapting those same lenses with it. I have the 50/1.2AIS adapted to it today. It does great!
I have it the ETZ + E to F Dummy Adapter for Greenbox Focus Confirmation.
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mivadep wrote:
I received my Shoten M to Z electronic adapter and first impressions are very positive. The fit on both camera and lens is perfect (the TTArtisan 6-bit adapter on the other hand feels a bit looser on the lens end). Adjusting aperture, taking a picture, then adjusting aperture again is slightly annoying to select focal length, but I'm not switching lenses in the field too frequently. You can also hook up the adapter to your computer and edit a text file to customize what f-number corresponds to what lens which is a nice feature. I now have two Shoten adapters (the other is a dumb Pentax K to Z) and am quite impressed with the price to quality ratio. The main downside with these is you generally have to order them from overseas which can take a little while to receive.
I also ended up getting the Megadap ETZ21 Pro+ and a dumb F to E adapter. I think I prefer its method of setting focal length, but you can't customize like you can with the Shoten M to Z. I've taken exactly one picture with this combo so far and I'm also quite happy. I did initially receive the wrong Megadap adapter from B&H but they quickly replaced it for me so no real complaints there....Show more →
My favorite setup so far is the Megadap ETZ21 Pro+ (40g) paired with a macro dumb adapter, I use the Voigtlander M-E close focus version (70g). It gives me the best of both worlds when adapting my M-lenses, and setting the focal length in camera for the Megadap is easy enough. The added bonus is being able to mount and use my E-mount lenses with the same adapter.
My second choice is the TTA 6-bit adapter. With the latest firmware, it reads the focal length from Leica coded lenses automatically, so I never have to think about setting it manually. It is also very lightweight (54g) and overall my most minimal setup so far.
I did order the Shoten adapter (with electronic communication), but I have not received it yet. At this point I am not sure I will end up using it. If anyone is interested, feel free to PM me, though I will test it first before making any decision.
p.64 #6 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
Fred Miranda wrote:
I did order the Shoten adapter (with electronic communication), but I have not received it yet. At this point I am not sure I will end up using it. If anyone is interested, feel free to PM me, though I will test it first before making any decision.
Thanks Fred - looking forward to using the Shoten adapter.
p.64 #7 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
Just got the Nikon Z5II and now using it with the Techart AF adapter for M lenses. Wow what a setup.
The green focus dot is a real welcome. Put lens on infinity and tell camera the focal length of lens via front wheel dial and off you go.
I have a friend who has been a Nikon shooter for 50 years said even though many like the Zf due to its retro look (He owns one), the Z5II its actually smaller in the hand (he also own it too) with many advanced features (think Z8/9).
p.64 #8 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
The Z5 II and Zf are the same camera with different shells, the Z5 II is in no way more advanced. Each of them has a single unique software feature that the other is missing.
p.64 #9 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
RoamingScott wrote:
The Z5 II and Zf are the same camera with different shells, the Z5 II is in no way more advanced. Each of them has a single unique software feature that the other is missing.
Thanks. All my point was that the Z5II is a smaller shell than the Zf so I am told by someone who owns both.
p.64 #10 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
The Z5II is smaller and lighter than the Zf, and the Z5II supports different user modes (which the Zf does not) and has dual SD cards instead of an SD card and micro-SD. Im my book that makes it more advanced.
p.64 #11 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
bcaslis wrote:
The Z5II is smaller and lighter than the Zf, and the Z5II supports different user modes (which the Zf does not) and has dual SD cards instead of an SD card and micro-SD. Im my book that makes it more advanced.
p.64 #13 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
bcaslis wrote:
The Z5II is smaller and lighter than the Zf, and the Z5II supports different user modes (which the Zf does not) and has dual SD cards instead of an SD card and micro-SD. Im my book that makes it more advanced.
I could be wrong but the Z5II is only about 10g lighter. I doubt anyone would actually notice that difference in real use.
On size, yes and no, because the Zf is noticeably thinner, while the Z5II is a bit more conventional in shape with a deeper grip.
As far as modes go, the Z5II has a mode dial with dedicated U1, U2, and U3 positions, while the Zf relies on dials for shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation which many prefer. Depending on how you shoot, those dials on the Zf can actually feel more direct and useful at least for photography.
Both support dual card slots, although the Z5II uses dual SD cards while the Zf uses SD plus microSD, so either way your images are safely backed up.
I guess it really comes down to which shooting experience and aesthetic you prefer. Calling the Z5II 'more advanced' feels like a stretch since, in practice, they're very closely matched cameras with different design priorities.
p.64 #14 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
I've had both cameras and while specs show that difference the Zf felt significantly heavier to me. The specs aren't always accurate especially whether the camera has a battery in it or not. I've weighed several Nikon cameras and seen differences compared to specs published.
I disagree about the Zf it has dials and a mode switch. If you put in aperture mode for example, the shutter dial has no effect. If the Zf was similar to Fujifilm cameras it would better. Finally saying the dials are equivalent to the user modes is not correct. With the user modes I can switch from bird tracking continuous focus, 10 fps burst to pinpoint focus, single shot, to other modes with a quick switch of a dial. You simple cannot do that with the Zf. I've owned the Zf. Twice, and I don't have it anymore because it's neither fish nor fowl. It's not like a Leica or Fujifilm dial camera and it's not a modern mirrorless camera in controls either.
p.64 #15 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
bcaslis wrote:
I disagree about the Zf it has dials and a mode switch. If you put in aperture mode for example, the shutter dial has no effect. If the Zf was similar to Fujifilm cameras it would better. Finally saying the dials are equivalent to the user modes is not correct. With the user modes I can switch from bird tracking continuous focus, 10 fps burst to pinpoint focus, single shot, to other modes with a quick switch of a dial. You simple cannot do that with the Zf.
I didn't say the Zf dials are equivalent to the Z5 II user mode dial, that was a misread on your part. The Zf just doesn't have that function because it's built around a different set of priorities. It's subjective, and it's great that Nikon offers different control styles for different shooters. One isn't more advanced than the other because of that, it just means the Z5 II layout suits your shooting style better.
p.64 #16 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
With Techart 02 Adapter and Mandler 35/2.0 on Z5II @f2.0. It's amazing to me that the Mandler cost the same as the Techart Adapter. With camera it's a $2200 AF including follow focus kit.
p.64 #17 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
bcaslis wrote:
I disagree about the Zf it has dials and a mode switch. If you put in aperture mode for example, the shutter dial has no effect. If the Zf was similar to Fujifilm cameras it would better.
I am not sure exactly where you are going with this line of thought. I can assure you that when you put the Fujis in aperture priority mode, their shutter speed dials also do nothing (if they have one). In fact, all cameras are built like that, if they have shutter speed dials and aperture priority mode. Or do you just mean that you want an A on the shutter speed dial? That is personal preference.
p.64 #18 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
Did anyone ever figure out why 'focus trap' doesn't work with the native Voigtlander Z-mount lenses, or even with the Voigtlander E-mount versions adapted to Z?
p.64 #19 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
carstenw wrote:
I am not sure exactly where you are going with this line of thought. I can assure you that when you put the Fujis in aperture priority mode, their shutter speed dials also do nothing (if they have one). In fact, all cameras are built like that, if they have shutter speed dials and aperture priority mode. Or do you just mean that you want an A on the shutter speed dial? That is personal preference.
To put a Fuji in aperture priority (at least the X-T and X-Pro lines, the X-H is different), you need to set the shutter dial to A. On the Zf you move a different switch to aperture priority and the setting on the shutter dial is completely ignored. While some don't mind this, it drives me crazy since you are using two completely different methods to set the mode. However, the internal functions of the Zf and Z5II are basically the same.
p.64 #20 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
Fred Miranda wrote:
Did anyone ever figure out why 'focus trap' doesn't work with the native Voigtlander Z-mount lenses, or even with the Voigtlander E-mount versions adapted to Z?
Not really a technical answer just my observations. It's a limitation set by Nikon that disables af-c when chiped Voigtlander lenses are used so they are seen as MF lenses primarily. To add to that I am 100% sure Nikon is gatekeeping all this features and if they wanted we would have green box focus assist and focus trap with all the non chiped z mount lenses, dumb adapters etc.
