reverendray

and I am now using the D810. I had a Pentax k-1 that I traded in for that Nikon after finding that the camera upgrade to K1 II meant artifacts in pictures that were hurting pictures starting at about ASA800. Went to the Nikon but frankly miss the in camera stabilization which was much better. I do a fair amount of restricted light shooting and night photography. The mirrorless camera did give me several stops of stabilization beyond what I get out of the VR lenses. So....I am not wealthy so will use the adapter on the Z series for my FX series lenses. One concern in thinking this all out is not getting full function or the stabilization without Z lenses. How does this work for real? I am wondering about bulk and front end drop with all that hanging out there by the looks of things. I am open to any opinion for any reason. I am way too old to not know I don't know it all. Age is 77 but still very active physically. BTW I also note that the Z lenses are faster and sharper than the FX lenses I have used.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Have you thought about which F-mount lenses to 'trade in' for the corresponding Z version? They're sharper, and as noted, pick-up the IBIS of the body.

But, if you really want to 'save weight', you need to step away from full-frame equipment. That's where the tangible size and weight change occurs.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

If weight and price are concerns I recommend the Z50 with two lens kit: 16-50 and 50-250. The kit was cheaper than either of the Z 24-200 or the Z 14-30 I bought for my Z6. It does not have IBIS but its lenses have VR. The sensor and processor are very good but the DX sensor doesn’t do as well in low light as the Z6.

The FTZ works fine but, as you note, adds size and weight. The Z 14-30 is smaller and weighs about 1/2 the F mount 16-35 plus FTZ it replaces for me. The 14-30 does not have VR like the 16-35 but the IBIS makes up for it on the Z6. The FTZ also adds fussing.

reverendray

Wow thanks that is the sort of thing I would not have known until after buying. Really big help.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

I don't see any dropoff at all using the FTZ and my F-mount lenses, the camera's IBIS works with anything you can get in front of it and is pretty amazing. AFA full frame vs crop, well, you only have the Z50 in the crop-sensor catagory; it is a fine *little* camera and I use mine alot...the kit lenses that come with that body are pretty dang decent, too. You're still dealing with a one-card system, if that rattles your tree you're in the full frame realm with all the other Z offerings...at least at this point. I sold my Z6 to get into a Z6II, but that 6 was a fine camera and never let me down...you can pick up a Z6 for a G or under. However, I *really* like the improvements in the Z6II. I do own a Z7 and use it whenever I think I'll need the extra resolution and it's right in line with the other Z's I've had close contact with...bitchin'. Like I said, I'm using the Z50 quite a bit, usually in tandem with another body hooked to different lensing, but I recently got the expensive s70-200 f2.8 so with the 14-30 f4 and the 24-70 f4 I have a "trinity" of sorts and, considering the cost and weight of getting more f2.8 lensing, I'm passing on more for now. I really like the 24-70 f4, it's a GREAT walk-around lens and just fine for restricted light shooting, especially with the IBIS of the body (of which the Z50 does not have, however, those two kit lenses *do* have VR, mitigating that scene a bit).

IDguy Loc: Idaho

While the IBIS attracted me initially it has one significant drawback somewhat abetted by another Z feature. When you change lenses on the Zs the shutter is open. This allows more dust to get on the sensor. Nikon exacerbates the problem by pressuring you to not wet clean the sensor because the IBIS is very delicate.

So far I have been able to keep up with it by manually activating the sensor clean from time to time, using a rocket blower, and using Arctic Butterfly. Which leads to another issue: I do not believe the menu choice to self clean on shutdown works. The camera does not go through the machinations it does when you activate manually. I haven’t been able to get other users to weigh in on this.

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

Interesting, the Z6 gives 5 stops of image stabilization with it's IBIS system. The Nikon 200-500 5.6 lens delivers 4.5 stops of image stabilization with it's VR system.
So, your picking up .5 stops with the Z. Is that worth it?

Bill_de Loc: US

I wonder if working with "F" mount lenses is a plus when it comes to keeping the sensor clean. Leaving the FTZ adapter on camera should keep dirt at some distance.

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yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

My primary cameras have been a D3S and a D800E. I've been interested in mirrorless cameras for some time, and picked up a Z50 with the 16-50 kit lens to test the waters. No IBIS in the Z50, but the kit lens is stabilized and so is the 24-120 I use with the FTZ adaptor. I like this little camera so much more than I expected, and will be purchasing the 24-200 in the future. Although I'm not selling my DSLR's, they haven't gotten much use since the Z50 arrived. No issues with autofocus whatsoever; highly recommend.

n4jee Loc: New Bern, NC

I too have a D810 and was thinking of going mirrorless with a Z7. I find myself grabbing my Sony A6300 with 18-135 lens more than the Nikon. After realizing that only one of my Nikkor lenses was new enough to work with the FTZ adapter I added up the cost of replacing lenses. I even considered abandoning my over 50 year association with Nikon equipment in favor of a Sony A7Riv. Then I realized that at 79 I didn't have enough time left to justify the expense and the GAS passed.

Bill_de Loc: US

I was also pleasantly surprised by the Z50. With the 2 kit lenses the (Equivalent) range is from 36 to 375mm.
And it's nice and light.

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SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I have a Z7 and my favorite lens on it is the Z mount 24-70 f/4 but it works great with my F mount lenses too. The IBIS is great and the really nice thing is that if you’re using a VR lens with the FTZ adapter you benefit from both IBIS and VR. Another bug advantage to my Z7 is using manual focus lenses. It’s so much easier and accurate than trying to focus manually with a DSLR.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I have all the Z's with the exception of the Z7ii. I use the FTZ adaptor with great success. Because you do a lot of restricted light shooting I will recommend the Z6ii. I find it to be excellent in low light. I am also 77 but not as active.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

Good point...however, what better time of life than now, to enjoy the fruits of your life-long labours?

Cheers!