Lens for Nikon Z50: I'm interested in people's views on the relative advantages/disadvantages of the Z mount 50-250mm lens on the Z50 camera vs. using the 55-200mm VR II with an FTZ...

adrianpd

I'm interested in people's views on the relative advantages/disadvantages of the Z mount 50-250mm lens on the Z50 camera vs. using the 55-200mm VR II with an FTZ adaptor on the Z50. Also same question for the Z 16-50 mm lens vs the 18-55mm-AF-P lens.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

I think the adapter is mainly for people who already own an AF-S or AF-P lens who now have the 50Z. Buying from scratch you may as well by the Z lenses. Remember, the AF-Z adapter only autofocuses with Nikon lenses that have a focusing motor.

Bill_de Loc: US

Small/light body + small/light lens = light weight combo.

I have tried the 16-50 and it's pretty good. I'll try the 50-250 soon.

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rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

adrianpd wrote:

I'm interested in people's views on the relative advantages/disadvantages of the Z mount 50-250mm lens on the Z50 camera vs. using the 55-200mm VR II with an FTZ adaptor on the Z50. Also same question for the Z 16-50 mm lens vs the 18-55mm-AF-P lens.

According to a recent Matt Granger video, adding the Z2F adapter really slows down focusing. To the point where the system is not usable for wildlife shots.

Bill_de Loc: US

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

According to a recent Matt Granger video, adding the Z2F adapter really slows down focusing. To the point where the system is not usable for wildlife shots.

He did say that, specifically for the 500mm f/5.6 PF with the FTZ adapter.

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MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Bill_de wrote:

He did say that, specifically for the 500mm f/5.6 PF with the FTZ adapter.

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Yes he did, and I found that statement to be false. I get the same focus speed with the 500mm F5.6 PF lens on the Z7 with FTZ as I do on my D850. That lens is amazing in either case. I believe Grangers statement was made prior to the 2.0 firmware update for the Z7 that vastly increases its focus speed with the FTZ.

toxdoc42

The adapter serves no purpose other than adding distance between the camera body and the lensmount, since the optics are so different. The lens designed for the camera is thus shorter and balance better. Since it is "feel" try it and see. Also since it is a cropped sensor remember both really convert up as to angle of vision.

Skate Loc: Kilgore, TX

I purchased the z50 and two lens kit because of its small body and light weight. The clarity of its pictures and ease of use is well worth it. I hope Nikon will come out with a compact light weight single walk-around 16-250 mm lens - that would make the z50 perfect....

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

adrianpd wrote:

I'm interested in people's views on the relative advantages/disadvantages of the Z mount 50-250mm lens on the Z50 camera vs. using the 55-200mm VR II with an FTZ adaptor on the Z50. Also same question for the Z 16-50 mm lens vs the 18-55mm-AF-P lens.

If it was me, not that I am partial to Nikon (see my name) I would go with the kit, it includes both at a special price. No adapter needed.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1511295-REG/nikon_1632_z_50_mirrorless_digital.html

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I dislike adapters in general, and even more so when they are attached to lenses. Still, someone who has a collection of "old" Nikon lenses might not want to start fresh with all new Z lenses.

Starting fresh or converting to the new system, Z lenses would be the way to go. eBay can bring in money for those wishing to switch from traditional to Z.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Nikon is going to have play catchup on Z lenses, like Sony did on their FE lenses. Both Sony and Nikon now have a two mount system. Nikon has the F and Z mounts, and Sony has the A and E mounts. Both have adapters to use a different mount lens to another different mount camera. I checked the price on the Nikon FTZ adapter. $250. That's so you can use your F mount lenses on your Nikon Z mirrorless camera. I suppose, Nikon wanted to come out with a crop sensor mirrorless camera, mainly because Sony has many in the a6000 series? A successful selling series they are.

bkwaters

A few days ago I went to Butterfly World with my new Z50 with kit 50-250. The focusing was very fast and the pictures very sharp. Love it.

RGG

Best advice so far: Don't buy F-mount lenses for a Z camera. If you already have F-mount lenses by all means get the FTZ adapter. If not, buy Z lenses.

FWIW, I can tell no difference in focus speed between my "D" bodies and my "Z" body using the F-mount 70-200 f/2.8 or 80-400 f/4.5-5.6. YMMV

Bill_de Loc: US

Skate wrote:

I purchased the z50 and two lens kit because of its small body and light weight. The clarity of its pictures and ease of use is well worth it. I hope Nikon will come out with a compact light weight single walk-around 16-250 mm lens - that would make the z50 perfect....

There is a 'rumored' Z 18-140 DX. Also a Z 24 -200 (non DX)

I tried the 50 -250mm on some bird's today.

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-620670-1.html
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