Nikon Z dilemma: So I purchased the Nikon Z9 about 4 weeks ago. I did it for the silent shutter and eye detection for people and animals. Yes this works to my satisfaction. The image...

keywest305 Loc: Baltimore Md.

So I purchased the Nikon Z9 about 4 weeks ago. I did it for the silent shutter and eye detection for people and animals. Yes this works to my satisfaction. The image quality is the same as my D850 I would say. I sold 15 or 16 of my lens to scale down but with hard choice kept my Tamron 15-30 24-70 70-200 all in G2 series. Also kept my Nikon 200-500 and for portrait the Nikon 105 1.4e oh and the nifty 50 1.8. My dilemma is I read articles where people say you must use Z lenses to get full quality out of the camera. So I think about selling these lenses. Today since it was nice out I took these lenses outside and tested each one on the camera and ( yes it came with a free ftz2 adapter ) they all were spot on with quick AF and picked up my dogs eye immediately as he ran around the yard. I also bought the Z 24-70s and the f mounts were just as quick in my opinion. So I'm torn whether it's worth the sale of the Fmount to go Zmount. If Z is quicker to focus its milliseconds I would say.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

It seems these days so much is about 'Speed of Focusing' and 'Eye Detection' and what we read/watch are opinions only based on an individual's experience with their use/testing with their specific scenarios.

I wonder if one day we will see a 'standardized test protocol' with results so we can see exactly which lens focuses faster than another on whatever camera?

PaulW128 Loc: Long Island, NY

keywest305 wrote:

So I purchased the Nikon Z9 about 4 weeks ago. I d... (show quote)

Congrats on your Z9. It sounds like you're enjoying it! I just can't get over the fact that you sold 15 or 16 lenses and kept 6. If my math is correct, that's 21 or 22 lenses! I cannot imagine owning and using that many lenses. This is in no way a criticism. I think it's great that you can pick and choose what you sell and what you hold onto now that you have the Z9.

I own a Z50 and the 2 kit lenses. A full frame Z camera is just not in my budget right now. I've heard great things regarding the "S" line of Z lenses compared to their F mount counterparts. It's nice that you're not really seeing a difference between your F mount and Z mount lenses.

Please keep us posted and best of luck to you with your Z9!

Paul

User ID

keywest305 wrote:

So I purchased the Nikon Z9 about 4 weeks ago. I d... (show quote)

Not seeing any dilemma there. Just give up reading all that click bait and keep on keepin on. It would also help if you just remind yourself that most of the "expert arguments" youve read on UHH are just amateur comedy routines. This place is primarily an entertainment venue. Enjoy it for what it really is.

keywest305 Loc: Baltimore Md.

PaulW128 wrote:

Congrats on your Z9. It sounds like you're enjoyin... (show quote)

Thanks Paul, I didn't go and buy them all at once that's for sure. My wife opens the door to my room with my photo equipment and computer and says that is ridiculous. So I did some brain searching and sold most of my specialty lenses and stuck with what I'm really goingvto use the most. I can see my Z9 taking me to the grave. I may sell my 24-70 since I have it in f and z mount.

User ID

keywest305 wrote:

Thanks Paul, I didn't go and buy them all at once that's for sure. My wife opens the door to my room with my photo equipment and computer and says that is ridiculous. So I did some brain searching and sold most of my specialty lenses and stuck with what I'm really goingvto use the most. I can see my Z9 taking me to the grave. I may sell my 24-70 since I have it in f and z mount.

Too much thinking.

PaulW128 Loc: Long Island, NY

keywest305 wrote:

Thanks Paul, I didn't go and buy them all at once that's for sure. My wife opens the door to my room with my photo equipment and computer and says that is ridiculous. So I did some brain searching and sold most of my specialty lenses and stuck with what I'm really goingvto use the most. I can see my Z9 taking me to the grave. I may sell my 24-70 since I have it in f and z mount.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

Had my Z9 since a year ago February. I've bought a few Z lenses, but am still using a lot of f mount glass including Tamron G2, Sigma A, and, of course, Nikon. You are not missing a thing. Good photos start with subject, light, composition, story and the emotions they invoke. You can take award winning photos with the newer smartphone cameras that have tiny sensors and plastic lenses. I was shooting a D850 before the Z9, which I still have and use, and what the Z9 brings me is a higher keeper rate for anything in motion like BIF, dogs running in the back yard, the grand kids soccer games, ... . IBIS and the higher frame rates are a big plus. I use the D850 for everything else. The small difference in quality between the better f mount glass and Z S glass is swamped out by the art of photography, not the science.

keywest305 Loc: Baltimore Md.

Strodav wrote:

Had my Z9 since a year ago February. I've bought ... (show quote)

The higher end Z glass is really expensive. Couple years you will see the used Z glass start to hit the market

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

keywest305 wrote:

The higher end Z glass is really expensive. Couple years you will see the used Z glass start to hit the market

Good observation. The lens I use(d) most with the D850 is the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 G2. I wanted to have at least one piece of Z glass when I bought the Z9, so I got the Z 70-200mm f/2.8 S. I did a side by side comparison and yes, the Z glass is a little better than the G2, but you have to go to 200% and look in the corners to see it. Since then I picked up the Z 85mm f/1.8 S, Z 50mm f/1.8 S and Z 35mm f/1.8 S. All of which are “reasonably” priced. I will continue to use my f mount glass until I can pick up the rest of the trinity used. I’m in no hurry as IQ is not the “be all and end all” to taking good photos.

So, I love birding and have been using the Nikon 200-500mm f/5,6 with the Z9 waiting for the announced Z 200-600mm f/6.3. I got tired of waiting and picked up a Megadap211 E to Z adapter and a Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3. The Sony lens has been performing beautifully on the Z9 and it is an amazing piece of glass, so now I have the option of using Sony E mount glass.

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

keywest305 wrote:

So I purchased the Nikon Z9 about 4 weeks ago. I d... (show quote)

I bought the Z6 when it first came out. I’ve since sold off most of my f-mount lenses (and other gear) and replaced them with only a handful of Z lenses. My primary goal was to downsize / minimize my camera gear.
As an enthusiastic amateur, I do not see (nor go looking for) a significant difference in quality in photos or video. My remaining f-mount lenses work well and I see no reason to switch to their Z equivalent.
I shoot everything from food to sports.

The difference between an okay photo and an excellent photo has less to do with the gear, but a lot to do with the person behind the camera.
Enjoy your Z9. Change lenses when you feel it’ll make your photographic experience more enjoyable.
Have a great week.

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

keywest305 wrote:

So I purchased the Nikon Z9 about 4 weeks ago. I d... (show quote)

. The advantage of the Z lenses are the sharpness in the corners and ability to handle the 45mp resolution. If you’re happy with the F mount lenses, ignore the articles. Those are usually opinions not set in stone facts.

Walkabout08

I have the Z7ii and keep the number of lenses I own to 3, all which are S models. If I have a need for something I don’t own I rent. This has served me, an amateur quite well.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

keywest305 wrote:

So I purchased the Nikon Z9 about 4 weeks ago. I d... (show quote)

The only one who needs to be satisfied with the results is you. If what you are doing now with the lenses you have meets your needs, don’t fret over what others may think. Over time, you could rent the comparable Z lens and compare it to it’s F mount counterpart and determine if there is a noticeable difference and then make a decision about whether or not to purchase something new.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

User ID wrote:

Not seeing any dilemma there. Just give up reading all that click bait and keep on keepin on. It would also help if you just remind yourself that most of the "expert arguments" youve read on UHH are just amateur comedy routines. This place is primarily an entertainment venue. Enjoy it for what it really is.

Completely agree..

The new Z lenses are a bit smaller and lighter. Some may even be a bit sharper or AF faster than their F mount counterparts, And, in addition, an FTZ adapter must be used which adds a little more to the size and weight of F mount lenses. But, unless the small difference in weight and size is a serious issue for some shooters, there is absolutely no compelling reason to replace them with Z versions unless the goal is the acquisition of new toys.