Nikon Z6 compatibility: Hello everybody, I'm a new kid on the block and my question concerns the Nikon Z6 which I am contemplating buying in the next few months. I have been using a...

John Huw Loc: Originally, Bromley, Kent, UK.

Hello everybody, I'm a new kid on the block and my question concerns the Nikon Z6 which I am contemplating buying in the next few months. I have been using a Nikon D3100 for many years now
for travel photography all over the world. I use a Nikkor AF-S DX 18-300 ED VR so that I'm not carrying too much gear and am happy with it's results. I will purchase the Z6 24-70 lens, but I would like to use my !8-300 on this camera with an adapter ring. Has anybody had any experience, plus or minus with this set up?

Looking forward to your input.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

John Huw wrote:

Hello everybody, I'm a new kid on the block and my... (show quote)

John, Why not stick with what you have? Welcome to the forum. Your attached image is perfect. Sounds like you have GAS
..Gear Acquisition Syndrome.

John Huw Loc: Originally, Bromley, Kent, UK.

Thank you, Maybe I do, but I have had the same wife for 54 years, the same car for 15 years etc. etc. I think this change is the least expensive of the other two! (yuk). The size and weight are a factor plus I am interested in finding out if the image quality is noticeably different. I read an article that said the detail in the highlights is better which has been a minor issue for me.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Consider renting the camera for a long weekend or week, along the the lens(es) and adaptor. The image quality will be obvious, but handling the camera for a multi-day rental period will help you assess the other intended consequences of the change, including file sizes and processing those image files as well as the size / weight of the different body. Planning to use your DX lens on a full-frame sensor seems like a mistake in approach and purpose of making such an expensive upgrade in body where maybe a new DX body is the better approach.

John Huw Loc: Originally, Bromley, Kent, UK.

Good advice, thank you.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

John Huw wrote:

Hello everybody, I'm a new kid on the block and my... (show quote)

Nikon only guarantees compatibility with their lenses, not 3rd party product, your 18-300 should be fine.
Matt Granger's video dives pretty deeply into lens compatibility with the Z7; the Z6 is identical in this respect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMIAV-exl_o&t=31s

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

You'll get 10.3 megabyte files in DX mode with the Z6.
While you can bypass that mode and shoot full frame with your 18-300, it will vignette at the wider focal lengths.
At the longer lengths, you will most likely see softer edge sharpness than normal.
You will be doing the opposite of using the "Sweet Spot" ( I hate that term) ie: using the sharpest center portion of a FX lens on a DX body. Doing it the other way is ass-backwards.
The new Z lenses are pretty small and designed for that camera. It’s a sweet camera to hold with an amazing viewfinder.

CO

I've rented the Z6 from LensRentals.com twice now - once with the 24-70mm Z f/4 S lens and once with the 50mm Z f/1.8 S lens. The 24-70mm has pretty significant vignetting at f/4 at all focal lengths. They're supposed to be releasing a 24-70mm Z f/2.8 S lens this year. I would get the 50mm f/1.8 and wait for the 24-70mm f/2.8. See this review on Photography Life.
https://photographylife.com/nikon-z-24-70mm-f-4-s-performance-overview

Here's a tip. If you plan on doing any studio photography with strobes look at menu item d8: Apply Settings to Live View. If menu item d8 is on, you'll have a very dark viewfinder in the studio because the exposure is set for when the strobe(s) fire. Turn d8 off in that situation or other situations where you want a brighter viewfinder in dim light.

(Download)

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

My thinking on your DX lenses is different from most folks'. You can go ahead and get the camera and use those lenses. Learn the camera and its features. Then gradually purchase the full frame lenses as you determine what you need and want.

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

John Huw wrote:

Thank you, Maybe I do, but I have had the same wife for 54 years, the same car for 15 years etc. etc. I think this change is the least expensive of the other two! (yuk). The size and weight are a factor plus I am interested in finding out if the image quality is noticeably different. I read an article that said the detail in the highlights is better which has been a minor issue for me.

Size and weight are not significant considering your camera which, might actually weight less than the Z6. Certainly not much significant difference in actual weight.
The weight of your 3100 is 455 grams, the weight of the Z6 is 585 grams. SO, your camera is lighter and smaller than the Z6. So there.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

The Z6 and FTZ work well. You will like the Z6's low light sensor capability. I try always to shoot with a low ISO. I have made images with the Z6 at 10,000 ISO that were quite acceptable. That's as high as I have gone.

1963mca

John Huw wrote:

but I have had the same wife for 54 years, the same car for 15 years

Marriage wise you have me beat, we've only been married 49 years, but have had the same car for 54 years, a 1957 AC Ace, and in fact it is the same car I proposed to her in, following an SCCA road rally in 1967. A match made in sports car heaven, I had my 1957 AC Ace, she had her 1956 AC Aceca Bristol and we still have both ourselves and the cars.

mymike Loc: Tucson, AZ

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. I have the Z6 and it is heavier than my D5500. I use a 28-300 FX lens on it for reach and it is heavier than my D5500 with my Tamron 16-300. If weight is an issue, stay with a DX body and lenses. If you want something new, try a D7200/D7500/D500 and use your DX lenses. If you want FF, the Z6 is sweet but not perfect yet.

Bill_de Loc: US

John Huw wrote:

Hello everybody, I'm a new kid on the block and my... (show quote)

Yes, the Nikkor DX lense will work with the Z cameras using the FTZ adapter. By default the camera will go into DX mode. You will be gaining some advantages of a mirrorless camera, but you will not be benefitting from the full frame sensor when using the 18-300 DX

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mymike Loc: Tucson, AZ

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mymike wrote:

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. I have the Z6 and it is heavier than my D5500. I use a 28-300 FX lens on it for reach and it is heavier than my D5500 with my Tamron 16-300. If weight is an issue, stay with a DX body and lenses. If you want something new, try a D7200/D7500/D500 and use your DX lenses. If you want FF, the Z6 is sweet but not perfect yet.

I will only add this, as other’s have suggested, try renting it first withbthe 24-70 lens and FTZ adapter. I used lensrentals.com Borrowlenses.com is another source. Shoot withbit and then if it is to your liking the. Buy it. I did it that way and I have no regrets. My wife knows I am a cameraholic. We have been married 47 years and our car is 12 years old. My camera’s range in age from 5 years old to brand new!