Nikon Z questions (Page 2): Of course there is "loss of light" to any teleconverter. A 2X makes the effective aperture of the lens two stops smaller. So if you are using an f/4 lens...

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Cwilson341 wrote:

Do any of the Z cameras offer focus bracketing for stacking like the D850 does. I did a quick scan of Nikon’s website and did not find an answer.

Has anyone used the Z mount teleconverter 2.0. Nikon says there is no loss of image quality. I assume it does cut down on light. Also, does anyone make extension tubes for Z cameras. I do not use the ZTF converter.

Of course there is "loss of light" to any teleconverter. A 2X makes the effective aperture of the lens two stops smaller. So if you are using an f/4 lens, it will act like f/8.... f/5.6 will act like f/11... etc.

Yes, there are extension tubes for Nikon Z-mount cameras and lenses: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/products/Extension-Tubes/ci/276/N/4077634539?filters=fct_camera-body-mount_65%3Anikon-z

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

IDguy wrote:

If you are happy with manual focus you can get $15 FTZs that you can leave on the lens. Or buy used from KEH or MPB for half Nikon’s price.

Focus peaking makes manual focus accurate and easy.

Thank you for some valuable info. I really enjoy using focus peaking when I am working on flowers in a studio setting.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

RightOnPhotography wrote:

Yes, Z6 and Z7, both versions, have focus stacking. Z mount 2x teleconverter can be used only on Z 70-200 f2.8. There are various extension tubes available for Z mount. Check the Amazon website.

I usually check B&H and Amazon first thing but I hadn’t noticed anyone mentioning the TC or tubes here. Iam really glad both camera support focus stacking. I don’t use it a lot but when I do, the D850 made it a lot easier. Now I know the Zs will do it too!

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

SuperflyTNT wrote:

I’ve used the focus shift on the Z7 and it’s great. Haven’t tried a Z mount TC. I’ve thought about using the 1.4 with the 200-500 but I really just keep that lens on my D500 without the TC. As for extension tubes, there are several out there in Z mount. I’ve only used them with manual focus lenses, but if they’re decent, full function tubes they should work with focus shift.

Thank you for a lot of good info. There is so much to consider.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

DavidPine wrote:

Yes to focus shift shooting. The FTZ adaptor works as advertised (I have 3). I have not used my tubes but I can't see why they wouldn't work. I won't use a teleconverter.

Thank you, David. The main reason I am considering moving to Z is weight. If I add an FTZ to one of my F Mount lenses on a Z camera, I doubt that the weight will be much better than what I have now. The only TC I use is the 1.4 on my 200-500. I have been very pleased with that combination. I am mostly curious because if the 2.0 Z worked with a lot of the Z lenses it might be worthwhile. The extension tubes ar not a big deal but if I had an FTZ it would make sense to just use the auto tubes that I have.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Miquel99 wrote:

Hello,
With the 2x Z teleconverter you will loose 2 steps of light.
As RightOnPhotograaphy said, today it only works with the Z 70-200 2.8.
Regards,
Miquel

Thank you, Miguel. If it only works on that one lens I’m probably going to pass.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Jack 13088 wrote:

The reason there is no ZTF converter is that Z cameras have a shorter flange to sensor distance and is is impossible to have an adaptor of negative thickness. If there were it would probably wreck the mirror.

Thank you, Jack. I was just having a dyslexic moment.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Brucej67 wrote:

MEIKE MK-Z-AF1 makes an 18mm and 11mm extension tube, they contain all the electronics and work well.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1502603-REG/meike_mk_z_af1_a_for_nikon_z_mount.html

Thank you, Bruce. I’ll take a look at those on B&H.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

amfoto1 wrote:

Of course there is "loss of light" to any teleconverter. A 2X makes the effective aperture of the lens two stops smaller. So if you are using an f/4 lens, it will act like f/8.... f/5.6 will act like f/11... etc.

Yes, there are extension tubes for Nikon Z-mount cameras and lenses: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/products/Extension-Tubes/ci/276/N/4077634539?filters=fct_camera-body-mount_65%3Anikon-z

Thank you, Alan. There is so much to consider I may never make up my mind.

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

IDguy wrote:

Although some would like it there is no ZTF converter. There are various FTZs.

This would require additional optics in the hypothetical ZTF converter as the Z lenses are designed for a short (mirrorless) flange distance (16mm for Z, 46.5mm for F). These additional lens elements would more than likely degrade IQ and would probably not be worth it but would be interesting. An FTZ adapter does not require optics.

Jack 13088 Loc: Central NY

Cwilson341 wrote:

Thank you, Jack. I was just having a dyslexic moment.

ZTZ converters are very inexpensive and light. Furthermore, they degrade the optics even less.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

chrisg-optical wrote:

This would require additional optics in the hypothetical ZTF converter as the Z lenses are designed for a short (mirrorless) flange distance (16mm for Z, 46.5mm for F). These additional lens elements would more than likely degrade IQ and would probably not be worth it but would be interesting. An FTZ adapter does not require optics.

Thank you for the explanation. It is sort of a moot point. I was just have a dyslexic moment when I posted it backwards.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Jack 13088 wrote:

ZTZ converters are very inexpensive and light. Furthermore, they degrade the optics even less.

Thank you, Jack. I'll look into it if I go FF Z. For now I have the Z50 and I'm happy with the two lens kit.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Jack 13088 wrote:

The reason there is no ZTF converter is that Z cameras have a shorter flange to sensor distance and is is impossible to have an adaptor of negative thickness. If there were it would probably wreck the mirror.

Not really impossible...it would just require optical manipulation...at least one lens element. And if done well...to the same level of design and engineering as other modern optics, it could be done with little or no image degradation. But that would take away the illusion of obsolescence of DSLRs, so I doubt that the marketing departments would ever allow it.

User ID

Cwilson341 wrote:

Either way, I don’t want to use one although I might consider it if I get a FF Z camera. I have a couple of F lenses I wouldn’t want to have to replace. I just want to use native Z lenses for the most part.

RE: TCs for use on Z. Not knowing which F-mount lenses you’ll be keeping, but if they are the long lenses for use with TCs then you should use F-mount TCs.

A TC should always be close as possible to the main lens (notice that all the dedicated TCs have protruding front elements to accomplish this).