@@KenRockwellTV Question: If you adapt a lens and add length to it, doesn't that change its characteristics? Is an adapted 50mm f/1.4 still f/1.4 if you make the barrel longer? If so, won't that affect things like its bokeh?
@@hatpeach1 only if you modify the adapter, otherwise it should work exactly as it was made for - since the adapter is made to the lenses specific sensor distance. it is called 'adapter' (to adapt to that house)
Man, Nikon owes you so much. I may have switched to another brand if it wasn't for your vast knowledge and love of Nikon stuff. And I know I'm not alone.
I've been read your website since 2014, then finally you have a youtube channel with pure information rather than fancy style cinematic that any other influencer did
Welcome to TH-cam Ken, finally..Thanks for sharing your thorough knowledge of all things Nikon. Your reviews are balanced , informative and very helpful. Keep up the good work.
GREAT TEST thank you Ken ! Despite all the jalous comments on dpreview, I follow your website and amazing reviews since many years and find them extremely well done and usefull for the photography community.
Hi Ken, thanks for this video! After a few weeks with my Fringer adapter on the Nikon Z6 I‘m intrigued about this adapter and how well it works with the old Canon EF mount lenses! But with another adapter I now can adapt my vintage Minolta lenses on a Nikon full frame camera. I remember back in 1985, when the Minolta AF system came out, my French teacher, also an owner of Minolta Non-AF equipment, told me: “Ralf, in a few years one can only sell the old Non-AF lenses on the flea marked. Happily times have changed and now they can be used on the latest full frame mirrorless cameras such as the Canon RP and the Nikon Z6. And they deliver stunning results! Best wishes, Ralf
Oh god, the king of SEO has hit TH-cam! Very helpful demonstration. The Z mount is wonderful, just waiting for some better bodies. You can also adapt Sony e mount and someone’s even currently developing a canon rf adapter. As the Z is so wide and shallow, theoretically anything can be adapted
I will buy myself a Nikon Z50 sometime between this year and beginning of 2022, I will buy it with the Nikon F adaptor, but you've given me a whole new world of ideas of what to buy and why, very good video, and I get that you're a Canon person, but we Nikon people thank you profusely
Forget adapters. The Z50 just happens to have the only two perfect lenses you need, available often as a kit for cheap when you get your Z50, which are the 16-50 and 50-250mm lenses. More at www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/mirrorless/z50.htm and www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/z/16-50mm.htm and www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/z/50-250mm.htm
@@KenRockwellTV yes, I saw your blog about the Z50 last week, it convince me of my camera decision, I intend to buy the complete bundle with lenses and adapters, mainly because I still own my old Nikon DSLR, also because with the Z50 I decided to be more adventurous with my photography and be more creative
Have been a fan of your website for quite some time. You are so knowledgeable about what you are passionated. Please do more videos on other lenses other than Nikon if that's possible. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
One thing that was probably not mentioned is you must set the camera to shoot without a lens. I can't remember if on the Nikons if this is set (ON) by default or not, but I think it is set to OFF forcing you to attach a lens before you can release the shutter.
Agreed, but that wasn’t part of the video. Adapted lenses rarely work as well as native lenses. I need to do an article on why adapted lenses suck. Even if the optics work well, the usually lack of data communication makes it a pain. Thanks!
Not putting a focus motor in the FTZ was a HUGE mistake. The biggest advantage that Nikon has is legacy F mount lenses and not begin able to focus old (and still current) AF and AF-D lenses just lost them half of this advantage.
@@annquach6613 Sony already make the LA-EA4 adapter with a focus motor in it. Maybe it wouldn't be that hard to make a similar unit to take old AF and AF-D lenses.
I bought one of those Russian bullet proof things I think has Leica M mount. Will check all this out. I was actually looking for ways to 3D print adapters but now with this video I don't need to worry. I have a Z61 and just a beast of a camera. Image quality for photo & video straight from camera just brilliant.
AI lenses are a pain on any Mirrorless camera because there is no good adapter to couple diaphragm control. Stick with native Z or AF-S lenses on the FTZ, otherwise you have a science experiment in your hands. Know they while you can adapt anything to a Mirrorless camera, it’s usually not very convenient and done just for fun rather than practical shooting.
Passive ones from China about $15 www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Nikon%20Z%20Adapter%20(AI,AIS,AI-S,F)%20-(FTZ,NEX,M42,Pentax)&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5336071501&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1 but these have no AF or data communication.
Mr. Rockwell: I am intrigued by this video because I have been stymied in mounting my ancient Nikon lenses onto my Z 50. I am 74 years old and have been shooting until recently an F I bought in 1967. I bought the Z 50 two lens kit with the FTZ about a month ago. I missed the boat on getting my lenses AI’d when Nikon was doing that kind of thing back in the day but I’m not at all sure that is the solution. You mentioned other adaptors for these lenses but I didn’t get which one or how to get it. I have: 50mm 1.4 NIKKOR-S Auto 55mm 3.5 Micro NIKKOR 28mm 3.5 NIKKOR-H Auto 105mm 2.5 NIKKOR-P Auto and 200mm 4 NIKKOR - This is the only one with the AI since I purchased it in Japan in the 1980s. If you could please steer me to an adaptor that would allow me to shoot these lenses on the Z body I would certainly be grateful. I know I would not get any autofocus or electronic exposure info but I’m pretty accustomed to manual functions with over 50 years on my F.
Hi! FTZ works, but any $15 Chinese adapter works as well, which isn’t that well, but at least you can take pictures. rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=9&pub=5574731834&toolid=10001&campid=5336071501&customid=&icep_uq=Nikon%20Z%20Adapter%20(AI,AIS,AI-S,F)%20-(FTZ,NEX,M42,Pentax)&icep_sellerId=&icep_ex_kw=&icep_sortBy=12&icep_catId=&icep_minPrice=&icep_maxPrice=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg
One can argue that ff glass actually performs better on a crop sensor. The smaller sensor uses more of the center of the glass which is the sharpest part. Giving you sharper images edge to edge with less vignette. I've used ff glass on dx bodies for years never had any performance issues.
Nope. Those were marketing lies from the early 2000s. They fail to remember that even if the lens might be sharper there (they aren’t always), you’re still throwing away over half of the image so it would have to be a lot sharper (which it isn’t) just to make up for the crop! Sorry about that. Thanks!
@@KenRockwellTV I'm not sure what you mean by marketing lies this is just something I've noticed. I own a z50 and a d750. before the z50 a d500, using all full frame glass on both and I love to peep me some pixes. I've noticed no difference in image sharpness at all the images were very similar in fact. i did notice less vignette on the crop sensor tho.
If they are front of lens adapters, it’s best to turn them in at a local police station. If not, get a filter thread adapter to let them screw into the front of the 16-50mm. Good luck, you’ll need it. Thanks!
Thank you Ken - subscribed! Tons of interesting and useful info far away from typical mainstream here on y. I actually know you from your website, now I'm glad to see you here.
Hi Ken, salutation from the chilean patagonia. The question is that my Nikon 80 400 vr, old version zoom lens, does not work in my Nikon z5 with the viltrox adapter, but it. work with my 150-600 Tamron perfectly. Which is the reason for that ?
Reason is FTZ and viltrox adapters are all defective in design and lack the internal motor required to focus the original 80-400. See www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/mirrorless/lenses/ftz.htm the FTZ only works with lenses that have internal autofocus motors, which are nikon AF-S and AF-P lenses, not AF or AF-D. See also www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikortek.htm to figure out the different kinds of lenses. This is why I upgraded to Canon; all their stuff works fine rather than Nikon’s boneyard of incompatibility. You’ll have to try third party lenses yourself. They usually work if they have an internal focus motor - but not always. Thanks for asking, sorry nikon dropped the ball on us.
I am new to mirrorless. Bought a Z7 II and is does not recognize lenses when using the FTZ II adapter. Where in the menu can I make the shutter independent to use my other lenses?
Yes. Even A-mode anto exposure works, but there’s about it. I never recommend using those primitive manual lensss on anything digital, even though you can do it Thanks!
FX Lens on DX adds magnification of 1.5x & has the advantage of using only the sharpest centre portion of the FX lens, which is great for Wildlife or Portaits.
That “sharpest center” claim was just a marketing lie from the earliest days of digital before full frame became common. Even if a lens was sharper in the center (usually they’re equally sharp all over full frame today), that lens would have to be 1.5x sharper than a full frame lens just to break even on sharpness over full frame. Thanks!
Wow. I followed your website for years. I didn't realise you had a TH-cam channel too! This is the second video I've watched and I'm really enjoying it.
I think there is now (or soon) also an electronic adaptor for Sony mirrorless lens, fully electronic. Nikon was genius to offer the widest mount and shallowest flange distance!
I can use every lens on a Z camera but I lose on most of them autofocus and aperture control with these adapters... I don’t know if it is a good deal but thank you for letting me know I can do stuff like this
Ken Rockwell is on TH-cam?! A little late to the party, but I always liked your reviews. The FTZ adapter doesn't support AF-D autofocus. I remember Nikon have had compatibility issues that some Nikon lenses won't meter on some Nikon cameras that you had a compatibility chart on your website.
Exactly. FTZ does not work properly with F, AI, AF, or AF-D lenses. So sad that I can get an adapter and use more and better Canon lenses than I can use my nikon lenses with autofocus!! Thanks!
You don’t! Nikon just won’t come out and tell you that; that’s why I went Canon and you should, too. This adapter can do it, but it works horribly poorly www.kenrockwell.com/tech/megadap/mtz11.htm thanks!
It’s not that a lens has to be G; a lens has to be afs or maybe afp or maybe afi to focus. Simple screw-focus af and afd won’t focus due to a design shortcoming of the FTZ. Full list of ftz capabilities ~ and flaws ~ at www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/mirrorless/lenses/ftz.htm thanks!
I just found this video, and I know it's very old, but you did not talk about Minolta mount lenses. I have some very good Minolta lenses that I would love to use on my Z50, is there an adapter for that? Search as I might, I can't find an adapter that *might* work. Do you have some insight? Does such an adapter even exist?
Sure! It’s a waste of time, but just for fun with manual focus MD Rokkors they’re at www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Nikon%20Z%20Adapter%20(Minolta,md,rokkor)%20-(FTZ,NEX,M42,Pentax)&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5336071501&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1
For autofocus Maxxum lenses (same mount as Sony A) they’re at: www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Nikon%20Z%20Adapter%20(maxxum,sony%20a)%20-(FTZ,NEX,M42,Pentax)&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5336071501&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1 but they don’t work: no autofocus and not much of any functions at all; a waste of time. Maxxum lenses do work well with all features on Sony Mirrorless with an LA-EA4 www.kenrockwell.com/sony/la-ea4.htm
@@KenRockwellTV Thank you! I was hoping I would not have to break down and buy an LA-EA4 and a Sony Mirrorless body just to use my old lenses. It seems that even with all the technology advances there isn't enough interest for someone to develop a usable adapter for the Minolta / Sony A mounts lenses.
So glad Nikon finally planned for adaptability. So many lenses I would have loved to have used from EF, M42 and other mount that are just too difficult/not possible. Between that and IBIS it might get me over from the D850
Watch it; Nikon's own AF, AF-D, AI-s, AI and F lenses don't adapt very well to the Z system with any adapter today. Canon's EF lenses adapt better than most of Nikon's!www.kenrockwell.com/tech/fringer/ef-nz.htm
I wish we could use DX lenses on FF Z’s, because there are shoots where I’d really like to shoot the entire image circle on the big 45mp sensor, 1:1 sq A.R., and crop later. If only there were some pins to tape over to stop the body from switching to crop mode.
I doubt it’s pins; it’s most likely code. Check with hackers to see who’s decompiled the code to modify it. It’s not my thing, but someone may have done this. Thanks!
Hi Ken and Spuzzmacher, I'm wondering if you can use a dx to fx adapter and then mount on a ftz adapter in order for the FF Z cameras to use the full sensor without loosing megapixel. I've looked online but can't find an answer, do you know if this would allow the Z Cameras to use the full portion of the sensor? Many thanks in advance
nowadays you can adapt even mirorless lenses from other manufacturer to the nikon z .... like sony e and fuji x lenses i only dont know about canon rf lenses
Hi Ken, thank you for the informative video. I'm wondering if any of the older lenses from Leica or Voigtlander would cause vignetting on the Nikon Z full frame cameras?
No vignetting. Just silly to use those old lenses as they don’t work as well and aren’t as sharp as the newest dedicated Z lenses when used on Z cameras. Thanks!
Thank you. What an eye opener . I have a Nikon 24-85 F 2.8 D lens works great on my on my Nikon D 7100. I shop mostly refurbished from Adorama, B&H and ebay.
One issue i have is the slow upgrade process. I spend about €800 per year on equipment in total, which mean that I can't go all in on full frame and have to take it bit by bit. I'm buying FF lenses first and once i have a full set of FF glass I'll buy an FF body. It's a bit of a pain in the ass but i think this is still far better than the crop lenses, FF body scenario.
Thanks Ken! Anybody figured out how to force the Z6 to use the entire sensor with an APS-C lens? I have a Tokina 11-16 DX lens that worked beautifully on my Nikon DSLR cameras at 16m with no vignetting. The mirrorless Z6 senses the DX lens (APS- c) and FORCES you into ‘crop sensor’ mode. About my only complaint with the wonderful z6. Any workarounds out there?
The image behind the lens fits inside a circle. In many cases, the image circle for an APS-c lens will not contain the 24x36 rectangle of the full-frame sensor. Would that bother you?
Peeb62 I found that my Tokina 11-16 DX lens does not communicate its cropped identity to the Z6 and I can use it in FX mode at 16mm, albeit in manual focus only due to the screw-drive focus system. Wonder why you’re having a different experience? I know Nikon/Nikkor DX lenses automatically switch the camera into DX mode, however.
I still use F2 lenses on my D 70 in manual and would like to use them on my Z 30. How to order correctly the adaptor to fit both the old lenses and the Z 30 ring. Thanks in advance for any guidance. Jack in Switzerland
Forget it. The FTZ or other adapters lack the basic mechanical feelers to detect aperture settings, and the diaphragm control is inferior. Manual lenses do not work well or properly on Z; they can take pictures but the experience is inferior to what we get on FX DSLRs, on which they work quite well as FX DSLRs have all the electromechanical interfaces needed to use them properly. Maybe you are OK with manual uncoupled meters, if so, any cheap Chinese adapter from eBay works as well with manual lenses on Z as the more advanced FTZ and FTZ II as neither of the Nikon adapters has any technology to communicate with manual lenses - same as the passive Chinese adapters.
Like some other comments here - you were one of the original independent reviewers for years, and now finally you're on YT. Welcome! Subscribing to help drive some traffic up!
No A-mount adapter with contacts yet :( I have a gorgeous Zeiss piece of glass from my SLT A-99 days just laying around waiting for the right adapter to come up (if they ever will). I found very cheap plastic bayonet adapters but the lens is heavy and I'm not in favor of using something this fragile with it. Moreover, I'll get not control over my aperture. I just hope some company will make that adapter one day, although I can already see an adapter for almost everything else which means there isn't enough demand for one... Shame...
Easy! Use the existing Sony A to E adapter www.kenrockwell.com/sony/la-ea4.htm and then use the new Sony E to Nikon Z adapter and you’re good! amzn.to/3BzGD75 I haven’t tried this combo and it probably will give autofocus and full data and exposure control with every Sony A and Minolta Maxxum lens back to 1986.
@@KenRockwellTV Thanks, I have been considering this for a couple of weeks since I first found the Megadap adapter online. I guess I was just a bit hesitant about what result I should expect with an adapter over another adapter and the overall performance in such a setup. I guess in theory it should work no problem. Thanks again!
hi sorry, for clarification - the only real drawback of ftz is the motor. no loss of quality, incorrect exposure reading, vignetting etc? - so if i have lenses that has built-in focus motor on it, then i could upgrade to a, lets say a z7ii, use my existing lenses with focus motor on it and it be a seamless transition? thanks for future answer ^_^ (i still cant believe how camera prices sky rocketed like that...)
FTZ is hollow; no glass or optics, so nothing changes about optical quality. It's purely mechanical (to get the lens on the camera) and electronic to communicate. It lacks the mechanical communication needed for full use of older lenses. Thanks!
Not really. This works but works poorly: www.kenrockwell.com/tech/megadap/mtz11.htm use an F to M adapter then the auto focusing M to Z adapter and it works!
Hi, I have read IBIS support is only given to Z lenses or lenses connected via the FTZ adapter. I am wondering if the IBIS support via the FTZ adapter will work when connected to a lens using an adapter to F mount (say m42 to F) which will then be connected to the FTZ. I am hoping Nikon will enable IBIS for all lenses connected to the Z, regardless of the FTZ.
Works fine in the old Z6, for example. See www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/mirrorless/z6.htm#stabilizer for how well it works with manual lenses from 1946! I doubt Nikon turned it off in the Z7 II, but you do need to enter a manual lens’ focal length in the menu system for it to work.
Every lens that isn’t Nikon mount with electronic contacts is ‘non CPU’ hint: the FTZ adapter doesn’t do anything more than a $10 passive adapter with non CPU lenses.
@@KenRockwellTV Thanks Ken! If possible, would be great to see a video on how to input the number for stabilization when using these non cpu lenses. Thanks again for all your help.
I know you're not a great fan of adapting vintage lenses on non native modern cameras but if I wanted a full frame mirrorless just for this job do you reckon a z5/z6 could be the best option or I could try to go for a cheaper solution like an old a7 MK1? I normally shoot with Fujifilm but I recently got some full frame legacy glass and I was wondering if it was worth to get a full frame for them instead of sticking with aps-c
Of course use a full frame with full frame lensss. All brands work about the same with ancient lenses; make your choice based on the colors you prefer.
It’s a bad match. The FTZ and FTZ II have many design omissions and do not work well if you mean with manual focus AI and AI-s lenses. Those lenses are best used on FX DSLRs. See kenrockwell.com/nikon/mirrorless/lenses/ftz.htm for what works or not on the FTZs.
Thanks again! Is there a reason why Nikon still didn’t released a 1.4 lens for the Nikon Z series? Is the quality of their 1.8 Z mount that good, it is competing with their 1.4 F mount lenses? Or are coming the next couple of years?
Nikon hasn’t released much for the Z mount because they just don’t have the funding they used to back in their glory days. They’re fading as Canon and Sony blast ahead. All the Z lenses are optically superb - that’s why some are so big - but they’re all very plasticy. They don’t feel like they’ll still be working in 20 years. Thanks!
Remembering comments I've left on other videos. Many people didn't get what I was saying about why the Z mount is greater than the F-mount and why putting it on the Z 50, 6 and 7 was the best thing Nikon has done in years. Adapting 99% of all lenses can't be of any use to anyone right lmao. The purpose of the Z7 I think was to exceed the lens optics of any lens mounted onto it. Mirrorless in general is better than DSLR. Practically it varies on the higher end.
so basically if I buy a Nikon Mirrorless camera and FTZ adapter now they have FTZ version II so I can use old Nikon lenses and no problem,? no focus hunting? no focus picking? also, I can buy any other manufacturer's lens made for Nikon F mount for example Sigma Art lenses or Tamron?
Lots of problems. Half of the lenses Nikon has made won’t even autofocus. See all the details of what works or not at www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/mirrorless/lenses/ftz.htm
First you need to figure out to what camera it attaches originally. “49mm” usually refers to the front filter thread rather than the rear camera mount. Then you either buy an X to Z adapter, or if it was a really weird lens, it could be easier to get an X to LEICA M adapter and then a common LEICA M to Z adapter, and use both at the same time - sort of like connecting through a big city to get between smaller towns.
@@KenRockwellTV well..!! But 49mm is mount size..!! This 49 mount size lens attached with Pentax K1000 … and now i want to this lens attach with my nikon Z6 camera.. so what mount adopter should I buy?
If that means it’s a Pentax k mount lens, simply search eBay for a Pentax K to Nikon Z adapter. Should be about $15 USD direct from China from numerous sources.
Nikon by far. Better shooting ergonomics and menus and better color. Peaking about the same. See also www.kenrockwell.com/tech/comparisons/nikon-vs-canon-vs-sony-full-frame.htm Thanks!
Even Sony gave us the LA-EA5 screw driven adapter so i can use my classic Minolta A glass from as far back as the 80’s on my latest and greatest E mount cameras, Nikon never fail to kick an own goal.
Thanks Ken for the information, can I get the list of adapters from your web site, especially the Leica screws mount, as I have the Summitar, 50mm, 1:2 (f2) and Elmar 90mm 1:4 (f4) from my 3c Leica. I would love to try out these lenses. Thank again for a great video.
What about 3rd party lens, which aren't named brand. I have a Samyang 85mm and Rokinon 35mm they are manual focus but capable of metering. Will they work will I still get metering?
Now, when Megadap M to Z is out, is it possible to adopt Nikon D lenses to Z cameras and keep autofocus? What F to M adapter to do that would you recommend, if any?
The Megadap M to Z is out and will autofocus any F or other mount lens on Z www.kenrockwell.com/tech/megadap/mtz11.htm and it’s in stock at www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1604791-REG/venus_optics_mtz11_megadap_leica_m_lens.html?BI=287&KBID=1037 however it’s a Sceince experiment at best. Be sure to get an adapter from F or whatever lens you have to M. I wouldn’t recommend it, but you certainly can order it, try it, and if you hate it, just send it back. I use static $15 adapters from China at Ebay. Thanks!
@@KenRockwellTV Thanks. So just to be clear, I can use an F to M adapter with Megadap M to Z and that setup in theory should allow autofocusing Nikon D lenses on the Z camera?
Yes. It works. See the review, especially this section on what adapts www.kenrockwell.com/tech/megadap/mtz11.htm#any and of course read the whole review. It doesn’t work as well as I’d like, but it does work.
excellent video! actually I was looking for ideas to find pancake lenses for Z mount, maybe thats an idea for another video. mirrorless should be small and lenses tend to become bigger and bigger....
You could actually go for an old rangefinder film camera body with a good manual focus lens, and use the lens from it. Many such lenses are perfectly possible to adapt to Nikon Z mount, or other mirrorless mounts. A simple Chinese aluminium lens mount ring and a 3D-printer would come to good use in the work.
Pentax, Contax, and various other camera manufacturers made manual focus pancake lenses and just like other SLR lenses, there are various (x)mount to Nikon z mechanical adapters available It would almost certainly be manual only: manual focus and manual aperture, but I'd be surprised if the Nikon Z cameras couldn't do aperture priority auto-exposure (every other interchangeable lens digital camera seems to have that exposure mode)
Hey Ken, great video here I'm moving to the Z7ii from years with DSLR Nikon's and cannot wait to give it a go. I wanted to ask you a question regarding this video. Years ago I sold my Contax 139 quartz kit and would love to buy a used 50mm 1.7 plannar and use the Leica adapter mount you mention here, is this a good idea?
No. I’d upgrade to the Canon EOS-R system and not Z7. Z7 wins no prizes and won’t autofocus with many of my favorite lenses on FTZ. I’d stick with Nikon dslr, but for Mirrorless step up to Canon. I did just get an adapter for Z that will adapt old lenses and add autofocus to Manila lenses! Unsure if it will also be available for cankn, but ultimately Mirrorless is a new universe and you’re best served by getting the Nee lenses dedicated to it. Lenses adapt poorly to Nikon, while CanonEF adapt flawlessly to EOS-R.
There is an adapter for that. Check out the Techart TZE01. Nikon Z mount has the shortest flange of any camera mounts. Theoretically it can use every single other lenses made for other mounts.
They should be. I never recommend using different brands of lensss other than the same brand as the camera , even if you can do it. Cross-brand adaptations never work as the original manufacturer’s lenses.
Hi Ken, I have been using my medium format (Mamiya 654) lenses with my Nikon D810 for years now, with great results... and can't wait to try them out with the next mirrorless Nikon model, who knows maybe they'll put a medium format sensor in the Z mount. What do you think?
Ugg! I was hoping for a solution to the Nikon giant lens tendency. Why can’t Nikon make a decent AF prime pancake lens??? Every time I look at the Z lens roadmap I want to cry.
Simple: the FTZ has a design flaw where Nikon didn’t include the autofocus motor required to make that lens, and half of Nikon’s other autofocus lenses, autofocus. See www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/mirrorless/lenses/ftz.htm . The only way around this is to upgrade to Canon; their EF to RF adapter works with ALL Canon lenses, not just half of them. Sorry about that; the FTZ is a crummy product.
Not easily. There is only one millimeter clearance (16mm vs 17mm) between the. So o doubt it can be done without relay optics. I don’t see any at eBay.
@@KenRockwellTV Thanks. I feared as much. I have two Nikon 1 v3 bodies and all of the better Nikon 1 lenses. I've been very happy with them, but recently I started doing a bunch of video, and it turns out that there are issues. Like the V2 bodies I once had, one of the V3 bodies has a built-in heat protection shutoff after 10 minutes of runtime. The other one doesn't, but also suffers from a slight red bias in its sensor array, which I never noticed until I started doing video editing.
Fantastic video. Very interesting, informative and clear. When you shoot Z camera on aperture priority, as you stop aperture down and finder becomes darker, will the Z camera light meter adjust the shutter speed and ISO automatically to get the correct exposure ? (This is what the Sony a6000 does and results are excellent. Sony A6000 also has no idea what aperture I set on the manual Nikon AI lens). Thanks !!
Yes, all with auto finder brightness control will make the finder dimmer as one stops-down an uncoupled manual focus lens. Captured image exposure will be fine.
Thanks Ken, quick question do you think the Canon EF 100mm MACRO lens would focus faster on close subjects on the Z7II with the EF-NZ converter than the native Z 105mm MICRO lens (even taking into account for the close range focus limiter on the Z lens)? Really looking for a fast focusing macro lens for this camera.
No idea; you will have to try it yourself. If you want great autofocus, the problem is endemic to Nikon. I’d look to Canon rather than trying to beat it into Nikon. Hint: all my macro work is manual focus, much quicker than trying to move AF areas manually. Hint: pass on any $300 adapter when you can get a real Canon R50 for not that much more www.kenrockwell.com/canon/eos-r/r50.htm overall however native lenses are almost always the fastest rather than adapting other ones. If you decide to stay in Z, I’d get the Z lens. Thanks!
Hi Nancy, that’s right. Nikon’s FTZ and FTZ II are defective in design and lack the internal motor present in every FX DSLR to focus your lens. Therefore adapted to Mirrorless it becomes manual focus. I believe Nikon did this to feign an aura of compatibility to get you to buy their system rather than just upgrade to Canon, and they know on a year when you get frustrated with all our lenses that don’t focus that you’ll wind up buying new Nikon lenses - wondering why you just didn’t go Canon in the first place since you a wound up replacing everything. Good luck! My 1989 Canon EF 309/2.8L works flawless on my Canon Mirrorless.
Haha. Ken sounds so much nicer over audio than in text. A lot of people who ignored all his good advice because he seemed very harsh in text are going to be very confused.
Hi Ken and all. Does anyone know about adapting vintage Voightlander lens adapters? I have 3 DKL that work fine for Kodak/Retina but the Voightlander lenses won't seat and engage with the bayonet being about 1/8 inch shy of the flange. It isn't that issue with the locking mechansim to prevent lenses from on manufacturer from working on the other. Any help is appreciated.
@@KenRockwellTV Thanks Ken! Since that post I've found that I'll need to remove the lens aperture shroud allowing the lens to further seat into the adapter. Looks like adapters claiming to adapt Voightlander lenses shouldn't make such a claim. Shalom!
Really well delivered and clear on a subject that has a lot of people confused. Thanks!
Thanks!
@@KenRockwellTV Question: If you adapt a lens and add length to it, doesn't that change its characteristics? Is an adapted 50mm f/1.4 still f/1.4 if you make the barrel longer? If so, won't that affect things like its bokeh?
@@hatpeach1 only if you modify the adapter, otherwise it should work exactly as it was made for - since the adapter is made to the lenses specific sensor distance. it is called 'adapter' (to adapt to that house)
@@helder4u great answer and a lot of help.
Agreed.
Whoever started the LENS ADAPTER game, BLESS YOU!
Ouch. Drove me crazy, and we have loads of choices. Thanks!
Man, Nikon owes you so much. I may have switched to another brand if it wasn't for your vast knowledge and love of Nikon stuff. And I know I'm not alone.
Thanks! Strangely Nikon has never done anything for me, even though I've sold millions and millions and millions of dollars of their gear for them.
@ they should at least listen to you and make a decent FTZ adapter with a focus motor
I've been read your website since 2014, then finally you have a youtube channel with pure information rather than fancy style cinematic that any other influencer did
Thanks for catching this: like my site, 105% hard facts from the wisdom of real experience, and -5% fluff.
Best Nikon lens video I've seen in a long time. Subscribed.
Thank you!
Welcome to TH-cam Ken, finally..Thanks for sharing your thorough knowledge of all things Nikon. Your reviews are balanced , informative and very helpful. Keep up the good work.
You are too kind. Thanks!
Good to see you here Ken :) I always check your reviews before buying anything from camera to the lens. You are doing a great job, thanks very much !!
Thanks!
GREAT TEST thank you Ken ! Despite all the jalous comments on dpreview, I follow your website and amazing reviews since many years and find them extremely well done and usefull for the photography community.
Thank you. just telling it like it is.
ID EST QUOD ID EST! Raymond
@@raymondpayne7597 et lux semper sit ibi videntibus
Hi Ken, thanks for this video! After a few weeks with my Fringer adapter on the Nikon Z6 I‘m intrigued about this adapter and how well it works with the old Canon EF mount lenses! But with another adapter I now can adapt my vintage Minolta lenses on a Nikon full frame camera. I remember back in 1985, when the Minolta AF system came out, my French teacher, also an owner of Minolta Non-AF equipment, told me: “Ralf, in a few years one can only sell the old Non-AF lenses on the flea marked. Happily times have changed and now they can be used on the latest full frame mirrorless cameras such as the Canon RP and the Nikon Z6. And they deliver stunning results! Best wishes, Ralf
Thanks!
Oh god, the king of SEO has hit TH-cam!
Very helpful demonstration. The Z mount is wonderful, just waiting for some better bodies. You can also adapt Sony e mount and someone’s even currently developing a canon rf adapter. As the Z is so wide and shallow, theoretically anything can be adapted
King of SEO? Nah, never done any SEO; just try to share useful information as clearly and as to-the-point as possible. The rest just follows. Thanks!
@@KenRockwellTV That's the true SEO masterwork. useful information for so many years :)
I will buy myself a Nikon Z50 sometime between this year and beginning of 2022, I will buy it with the Nikon F adaptor, but you've given me a whole new world of ideas of what to buy and why, very good video, and I get that you're a Canon person, but we Nikon people thank you profusely
Forget adapters. The Z50 just happens to have the only two perfect lenses you need, available often as a kit for cheap when you get your Z50, which are the 16-50 and 50-250mm lenses. More at www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/mirrorless/z50.htm and www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/z/16-50mm.htm and www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/z/50-250mm.htm
@@KenRockwellTV yes, I saw your blog about the Z50 last week, it convince me of my camera decision, I intend to buy the complete bundle with lenses and adapters, mainly because I still own my old Nikon DSLR, also because with the Z50 I decided to be more adventurous with my photography and be more creative
Long life nikon, great presentation!
Thanks!
Wow! This post is the real deal. First class education.
Thanks Ed!
I’ve been reading the website for years. Glad to see you on the tube.
Thanks!
Great job Ken 👍👍👍
Certainly opens up a whole world of options.
Thanks JP!
Have been a fan of your website for quite some time. You are so knowledgeable about what you are passionated. Please do more videos on other lenses other than Nikon if that's possible. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Thanks! Just did an in depth video review of the Sony 20/1.8 th-cam.com/video/cjWsqLtVkHo/w-d-xo.html
One thing that was probably not mentioned is you must set the camera to shoot without a lens. I can't remember if on the Nikons if this is set (ON) by default or not, but I think it is set to OFF forcing you to attach a lens before you can release the shutter.
Agreed, but that wasn’t part of the video. Adapted lenses rarely work as well as native lenses. I need to do an article on why adapted lenses suck. Even if the optics work well, the usually lack of data communication makes it a pain. Thanks!
Ken is a wizard! Full stop!
Thank you!
Not putting a focus motor in the FTZ was a HUGE mistake. The biggest advantage that Nikon has is legacy F mount lenses and not begin able to focus old (and still current) AF and AF-D lenses just lost them half of this advantage.
no Sir, Nikon want to sell Z mount lenses.
@@dmt99vn they won't sell Z mount glass to folks that moved to Sony.
Just manual focus it. It’s not hard. Especially not with the focus peaking.
I wouldn't be surprised if a third party adapter with a focus motor comes out
@@annquach6613 Sony already make the LA-EA4 adapter with a focus motor in it. Maybe it wouldn't be that hard to make a similar unit to take old AF and AF-D lenses.
Great video Ken! That's what great about mirrorless over DSLR - the ability to adapt almost any lens ever made.
Thanks!!!
I bought one of those Russian bullet proof things I think has Leica M mount. Will check all this out. I was actually looking for ways to 3D print adapters but now with this video I don't need to worry. I have a Z61 and just a beast of a camera. Image quality for photo & video straight from camera just brilliant.
Thanks!
Hi Ken, would the adaptor work fine for an APS-C camera such as the Nikon Z fc? Would Ai lens be problematic for crop sensor cameras?
AI lenses are a pain on any Mirrorless camera because there is no good adapter to couple diaphragm control. Stick with native Z or AF-S lenses on the FTZ, otherwise you have a science experiment in your hands. Know they while you can adapt anything to a Mirrorless camera, it’s usually not very convenient and done just for fun rather than practical shooting.
@@KenRockwellTV Thank you sir; I appreciate your answer and time. You’re advice is taken, and a nice 24-75mm z lens would be much better.
Ken, Thank you for sharing your expertise with us 👍🏼 Nice to see you on YT 😊
Thanks!
Please what's the cheapest f to z adapter I can get for my Nikon
Passive ones from China about $15 www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Nikon%20Z%20Adapter%20(AI,AIS,AI-S,F)%20-(FTZ,NEX,M42,Pentax)&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5336071501&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1 but these have no AF or data communication.
Mr. Rockwell:
I am intrigued by this video because I have been stymied in mounting my ancient Nikon lenses onto my Z 50.
I am 74 years old and have been shooting until recently an F I bought in 1967. I bought the Z 50 two lens kit with the FTZ about a month ago.
I missed the boat on getting my lenses AI’d when Nikon was doing that kind of thing back in the day but I’m not at all sure that is the solution.
You mentioned other adaptors for these lenses but I didn’t get which one or how to get it. I have:
50mm 1.4 NIKKOR-S Auto
55mm 3.5 Micro NIKKOR
28mm 3.5 NIKKOR-H Auto
105mm 2.5 NIKKOR-P Auto and
200mm 4 NIKKOR - This is the only one with the AI since I purchased it in Japan in the 1980s.
If you could please steer me to an adaptor that would allow me to shoot these lenses on the Z body I would certainly be grateful. I know I would not get any autofocus or electronic exposure info but I’m pretty accustomed to manual functions with over 50 years on my F.
Hi! FTZ works, but any $15 Chinese adapter works as well, which isn’t that well, but at least you can take pictures. rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=9&pub=5574731834&toolid=10001&campid=5336071501&customid=&icep_uq=Nikon%20Z%20Adapter%20(AI,AIS,AI-S,F)%20-(FTZ,NEX,M42,Pentax)&icep_sellerId=&icep_ex_kw=&icep_sortBy=12&icep_catId=&icep_minPrice=&icep_maxPrice=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg
One can argue that ff glass actually performs better on a crop sensor. The smaller sensor uses more of the center of the glass which is the sharpest part. Giving you sharper images edge to edge with less vignette. I've used ff glass on dx bodies for years never had any performance issues.
Nope. Those were marketing lies from the early 2000s. They fail to remember that even if the lens might be sharper there (they aren’t always), you’re still throwing away over half of the image so it would have to be a lot sharper (which it isn’t) just to make up for the crop! Sorry about that. Thanks!
@@KenRockwellTV I'm not sure what you mean by marketing lies this is just something I've noticed. I own a z50 and a d750. before the z50 a d500, using all full frame glass on both and I love to peep me some pixes. I've noticed no difference in image sharpness at all the images were very similar in fact. i did notice less vignette on the crop sensor tho.
@@natedagreat90 I use Sony a6000 ( crop cam.) with Nikon AI FF Manual lens. Excellent results.
@@natedagreat90 My personal experience supports your claim. He obviously doesn't know what he's talking about.
I had no idea all these adapters existed, I'm waiting for my Z50 to arrive and I'm gonna have fun with all my old lenses.
Have fun, but the best lenses are the 16-50 and 50-250 hopefully you ordered with the Z50. Thanks!
I have auxiliary wide angle and telephoto lens , how can I screw them on to my 16-50 lens please help
If they are front of lens adapters, it’s best to turn them in at a local police station. If not, get a filter thread adapter to let them screw into the front of the 16-50mm. Good luck, you’ll need it. Thanks!
Wow! This was insane. Very very cool.
Thanks!
Thank you Ken - subscribed! Tons of interesting and useful info far away from typical mainstream here on y. I actually know you from your website, now I'm glad to see you here.
Hint: my website is still the definitive and most up to date and freshest source of information. What’s here is simply abridged from the site. Thanks!
Hi Ken, salutation from the chilean patagonia. The question is that my Nikon 80 400 vr, old version zoom lens, does not work in my Nikon z5 with the viltrox adapter, but it. work with my 150-600 Tamron perfectly. Which is the reason for that ?
Reason is FTZ and viltrox adapters are all defective in design and lack the internal motor required to focus the original 80-400. See www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/mirrorless/lenses/ftz.htm the FTZ only works with lenses that have internal autofocus motors, which are nikon AF-S and AF-P lenses, not AF or AF-D. See also www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikortek.htm to figure out the different kinds of lenses. This is why I upgraded to Canon; all their stuff works fine rather than Nikon’s boneyard of incompatibility. You’ll have to try third party lenses yourself. They usually work if they have an internal focus motor - but not always. Thanks for asking, sorry nikon dropped the ball on us.
This video deserve more than a comments and a like; Thank you for those informations
Thank you!
What about the Nikon one lenses?
Forget them ; they can’t even cover APS-C and they use a very different mount. www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikon-1/index.htm
I am new to mirrorless. Bought a Z7 II and is does not recognize lenses when using the FTZ II adapter. Where in the menu can I make the shutter independent to use my other lenses?
Maybe. The FTZ only works properly with about half of Nikons lenses. See the details at www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/mirrorless/lenses/ftz.htm
Hi..if we use non cpu lens like laowa on Nikon z50 then could we able to utilize in-camera exposure meter and histogram display in viewfinder
Yes. Even A-mode anto exposure works, but there’s about it. I never recommend using those primitive manual lensss on anything digital, even though you can do it Thanks!
FX Lens on DX adds magnification of 1.5x & has the advantage of using only the sharpest centre portion of the FX lens, which is great for Wildlife or Portaits.
That “sharpest center” claim was just a marketing lie from the earliest days of digital before full frame became common. Even if a lens was sharper in the center (usually they’re equally sharp all over full frame today), that lens would have to be 1.5x sharper than a full frame lens just to break even on sharpness over full frame. Thanks!
@Ken Rockwell
Happy New Year Ken.
Surely the Sharpest area being central & DX being smaller area to cover = more sharpness afforded
Wow. I followed your website for years. I didn't realise you had a TH-cam channel too! This is the second video I've watched and I'm really enjoying it.
Thanks Chris! Only had good stuff here about a month.
What is the Nikon camera, ca. 40's - 60's which is featured at 7:30, Nikon
SP Rangefinder Camera? Does this differ from the Nikon S?
Nikons first cameras were the S series of rangefinder cameras sold 1946-1963: www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/rangefinder/index.htm
I think there is now (or soon) also an electronic adaptor for Sony mirrorless lens, fully electronic. Nikon was genius to offer the widest mount and shallowest flange distance!
Thanks!
I can use every lens on a Z camera but I lose on most of them autofocus and aperture control with these adapters... I don’t know if it is a good deal but thank you for letting me know I can do stuff like this
I agree: you can sort of get them to work, but most of the time, why bother? It’s a weird hobby for some people. Thanks!
Ken Rockwell is on TH-cam?! A little late to the party, but I always liked your reviews.
The FTZ adapter doesn't support AF-D autofocus. I remember Nikon have had compatibility issues that some Nikon lenses won't meter on some Nikon cameras that you had a compatibility chart on your website.
Exactly. FTZ does not work properly with F, AI, AF, or AF-D lenses. So sad that I can get an adapter and use more and better Canon lenses than I can use my nikon lenses with autofocus!! Thanks!
How do I adapter Nikon screw drive autofocus to my Z6ii?
You don’t! Nikon just won’t come out and tell you that; that’s why I went Canon and you should, too. This adapter can do it, but it works horribly poorly www.kenrockwell.com/tech/megadap/mtz11.htm thanks!
The Nikon D lens will not autofocus on the current FTZ adaptor, they only manual focus. You can only use the newer Nikon G lens to get autofocus,
It’s not that a lens has to be G; a lens has to be afs or maybe afp or maybe afi to focus. Simple screw-focus af and afd won’t focus due to a design shortcoming of the FTZ. Full list of ftz capabilities ~ and flaws ~ at www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/mirrorless/lenses/ftz.htm thanks!
The main reason I'd consider mounting Canon to a Z6 would be for the IBIS. I wish Canon had included IBIS! 🙁 Thanks for this great presentation.
Greg Sullivan Nikon IBIS works GREAT with my Canon lenses. Thanks!
Canon FD lenses would work also.
I just found this video, and I know it's very old, but you did not talk about Minolta mount lenses. I have some very good Minolta lenses that I would love to use on my Z50, is there an adapter for that? Search as I might, I can't find an adapter that *might* work. Do you have some insight? Does such an adapter even exist?
Sure! It’s a waste of time, but just for fun with manual focus MD Rokkors they’re at www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Nikon%20Z%20Adapter%20(Minolta,md,rokkor)%20-(FTZ,NEX,M42,Pentax)&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5336071501&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1
For autofocus Maxxum lenses (same mount as Sony A) they’re at:
www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Nikon%20Z%20Adapter%20(maxxum,sony%20a)%20-(FTZ,NEX,M42,Pentax)&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5336071501&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1 but they don’t work: no autofocus and not much of any functions at all; a waste of time. Maxxum lenses do work well with all features on Sony Mirrorless with an LA-EA4 www.kenrockwell.com/sony/la-ea4.htm
@@KenRockwellTV Thank you! I was hoping I would not have to break down and buy an LA-EA4 and a Sony Mirrorless body just to use my old lenses. It seems that even with all the technology advances there isn't enough interest for someone to develop a usable adapter for the Minolta / Sony A mounts lenses.
So glad Nikon finally planned for adaptability. So many lenses I would have loved to have used from EF, M42 and other mount that are just too difficult/not possible. Between that and IBIS it might get me over from the D850
Watch it; Nikon's own AF, AF-D, AI-s, AI and F lenses don't adapt very well to the Z system with any adapter today. Canon's EF lenses adapt better than most of Nikon's!www.kenrockwell.com/tech/fringer/ef-nz.htm
you did not watch the video, did you?
I wish we could use DX lenses on FF Z’s, because there are shoots where I’d really like to shoot the entire image circle on the big 45mp sensor, 1:1 sq A.R., and crop later. If only there were some pins to tape over to stop the body from switching to crop mode.
I doubt it’s pins; it’s most likely code. Check with hackers to see who’s decompiled the code to modify it. It’s not my thing, but someone may have done this. Thanks!
Hi Ken and Spuzzmacher, I'm wondering if you can use a dx to fx adapter and then mount on a ftz adapter in order for the FF Z cameras to use the full sensor without loosing megapixel. I've looked online but can't find an answer, do you know if this would allow the Z Cameras to use the full portion of the sensor? Many thanks in advance
nowadays you can adapt even mirorless lenses from other manufacturer to the nikon z .... like sony e and fuji x lenses
i only dont know about canon rf lenses
Thanks!
Please be advised the latest firmware version 3.70 for the Z7 is buggy. You no longer can see non-cpu information with either the FTZ and FTZii adapte
Oops! Thanks!!
Hi Ken, thank you for the informative video. I'm wondering if any of the older lenses from Leica or Voigtlander would cause vignetting on the Nikon Z full frame cameras?
No vignetting. Just silly to use those old lenses as they don’t work as well and aren’t as sharp as the newest dedicated Z lenses when used on Z cameras. Thanks!
@@KenRockwellTV Thank you for replying, Ken!
Thank you. What an eye opener . I have a Nikon 24-85 F 2.8 D lens works great on my on my Nikon D 7100. I shop mostly refurbished from Adorama, B&H and ebay.
D lenses don’t autofocus on any adapter to Z. Yours would become manual-focus only adapted to Z. THankS!
One issue i have is the slow upgrade process.
I spend about €800 per year on equipment in total, which mean that I can't go all in on full frame and have to take it bit by bit.
I'm buying FF lenses first and once i have a full set of FF glass I'll buy an FF body.
It's a bit of a pain in the ass but i think this is still far better than the crop lenses, FF body scenario.
I’d get an Canon EOS RP instead. Better camera for most things and so much less expensive. Thanks!
Thanks Ken!
Anybody figured out how to force the Z6 to use the entire sensor with an APS-C lens? I have a Tokina 11-16 DX lens that worked beautifully on my Nikon DSLR cameras at 16m with no vignetting. The mirrorless Z6 senses the DX lens (APS- c) and FORCES you into ‘crop sensor’ mode. About my only complaint with the wonderful z6. Any workarounds out there?
The image behind the lens fits inside a circle. In many cases, the image circle for an APS-c lens will not contain the 24x36 rectangle of the full-frame sensor. Would that bother you?
Peeb62 I found that my Tokina 11-16 DX lens does not communicate its cropped identity to the Z6 and I can use it in FX mode at 16mm, albeit in manual focus only due to the screw-drive focus system. Wonder why you’re having a different experience? I know Nikon/Nikkor DX lenses automatically switch the camera into DX mode, however.
You mean like a Speed Booster Adapter, but the other way round?
I've not seen such adapters for sale yet, though.
Just use any "dumb" adapter without electronics (or autofocus) and the Z will never lock you into DX.
What Nikon Fisheye lens is that???
I think you’re asking about the 8mm f/8 www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/8mm-f8.htm
This video works like a champ. Love it!
Thanks!
Simply WOW !!! Want to see your camera & lens collection in future episode.
Thanks. I borrow all this.
I still use F2 lenses on my D 70 in manual and would like to use them on my Z 30. How to order correctly the adaptor to fit both the old lenses and the Z 30 ring. Thanks in advance for any guidance.
Jack in Switzerland
Forget it. The FTZ or other adapters lack the basic mechanical feelers to detect aperture settings, and the diaphragm control is inferior. Manual lenses do not work well or properly on Z; they can take pictures but the experience is inferior to what we get on FX DSLRs, on which they work quite well as FX DSLRs have all the electromechanical interfaces needed to use them properly. Maybe you are OK with manual uncoupled meters, if so, any cheap Chinese adapter from eBay works as well with manual lenses on Z as the more advanced FTZ and FTZ II as neither of the Nikon adapters has any technology to communicate with manual lenses - same as the passive Chinese adapters.
Thanks a lot for the advice.
Jack
Wahhh, awesome kenrockwell. I love your cameras n adapters. Nice video. Thank you.
Thank YOU!
Like some other comments here - you were one of the original independent reviewers for years, and now finally you're on YT. Welcome! Subscribing to help drive some traffic up!
Thank you!!
No A-mount adapter with contacts yet :( I have a gorgeous Zeiss piece of glass from my SLT A-99 days just laying around waiting for the right adapter to come up (if they ever will). I found very cheap plastic bayonet adapters but the lens is heavy and I'm not in favor of using something this fragile with it. Moreover, I'll get not control over my aperture. I just hope some company will make that adapter one day, although I can already see an adapter for almost everything else which means there isn't enough demand for one... Shame...
Easy! Use the existing Sony A to E adapter www.kenrockwell.com/sony/la-ea4.htm and then use the new Sony E to Nikon Z adapter and you’re good! amzn.to/3BzGD75 I haven’t tried this combo and it probably will give autofocus and full data and exposure control with every Sony A and Minolta Maxxum lens back to 1986.
@@KenRockwellTV Thanks, I have been considering this for a couple of weeks since I first found the Megadap adapter online. I guess I was just a bit hesitant about what result I should expect with an adapter over another adapter and the overall performance in such a setup. I guess in theory it should work no problem. Thanks again!
I’d look at the price of the two adapters and then just upgrade to Sony lenses. Sony’s GM generally are superior optically to the older Zeiss.
hi sorry, for clarification
- the only real drawback of ftz is the motor. no loss of quality, incorrect exposure reading, vignetting etc?
- so if i have lenses that has built-in focus motor on it, then i could upgrade to a, lets say a z7ii, use my existing lenses with focus motor on it and it be a seamless transition?
thanks for future answer ^_^
(i still cant believe how camera prices sky rocketed like that...)
FTZ is hollow; no glass or optics, so nothing changes about optical quality. It's purely mechanical (to get the lens on the camera) and electronic to communicate. It lacks the mechanical communication needed for full use of older lenses. Thanks!
Hi Ken, Looking for a 2021 update. Is there now an adaptor so i can use AF Nikon lens' with auto-focus? All the best, Simon
Not really. This works but works poorly: www.kenrockwell.com/tech/megadap/mtz11.htm use an F to M adapter then the auto focusing M to Z adapter and it works!
Hi, I have read IBIS support is only given to Z lenses or lenses connected via the FTZ adapter. I am wondering if the IBIS support via the FTZ adapter will work when connected to a lens using an adapter to F mount (say m42 to F) which will then be connected to the FTZ. I am hoping Nikon will enable IBIS for all lenses connected to the Z, regardless of the FTZ.
Works fine in the old Z6, for example. See www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/mirrorless/z6.htm#stabilizer for how well it works with manual lenses from 1946! I doubt Nikon turned it off in the Z7 II, but you do need to enter a manual lens’ focal length in the menu system for it to work.
@@KenRockwellTV Thanks! Would none Nikon lenses, even with an F mount, be considered Non-CPU lenses?
Every lens that isn’t Nikon mount with electronic contacts is ‘non CPU’ hint: the FTZ adapter doesn’t do anything more than a $10 passive adapter with non CPU lenses.
@@KenRockwellTV Thanks Ken! If possible, would be great to see a video on how to input the number for stabilization when using these non cpu lenses. Thanks again for all your help.
No need for a video; it’s simply somewhere like MENU > Setup > go just about to the bottom to NON CPU LENS DATA and enter focal length and aperture.
I know you're not a great fan of adapting vintage lenses on non native modern cameras but if I wanted a full frame mirrorless just for this job do you reckon a z5/z6 could be the best option or I could try to go for a cheaper solution like an old a7 MK1? I normally shoot with Fujifilm but I recently got some full frame legacy glass and I was wondering if it was worth to get a full frame for them instead of sticking with aps-c
Of course use a full frame with full frame lensss. All brands work about the same with ancient lenses; make your choice based on the colors you prefer.
@@KenRockwellTV cheers!
aperture not working with this adapter F mount - what can be wrong?
It’s a bad match. The FTZ and FTZ II have many design omissions and do not work well if you mean with manual focus AI and AI-s lenses. Those lenses are best used on FX DSLRs. See kenrockwell.com/nikon/mirrorless/lenses/ftz.htm for what works or not on the FTZs.
Thanks again!
Is there a reason why Nikon still didn’t released a 1.4 lens for the Nikon Z series?
Is the quality of their 1.8 Z mount that good, it is competing with their 1.4 F mount lenses? Or are coming the next couple of years?
Nikon hasn’t released much for the Z mount because they just don’t have the funding they used to back in their glory days. They’re fading as Canon and Sony blast ahead. All the Z lenses are optically superb - that’s why some are so big - but they’re all very plasticy. They don’t feel like they’ll still be working in 20 years. Thanks!
Thank you so much for those precise informations!
You are welcome!!
Remembering comments I've left on other videos. Many people didn't get what I was saying about why the Z mount is greater than the F-mount and why putting it on the Z 50, 6 and 7 was the best thing Nikon has done in years. Adapting 99% of all lenses can't be of any use to anyone right lmao.
The purpose of the Z7 I think was to exceed the lens optics of any lens mounted onto it. Mirrorless in general is better than DSLR. Practically it varies on the higher end.
Thanks!
Great video. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Thank you!
Can you adapt canon rf lenses to a nikon Z mount? Say someone wants to get a Z9 but had some high end RF lenses 😀
No. Stick with the R3. Full reviews at www.kenrockwell.com/canon/eos-r/r3.htm and at www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/z/z9.htm
so basically if I buy a Nikon Mirrorless camera and FTZ adapter now they have FTZ version II so I can use old Nikon lenses and no problem,? no focus hunting? no focus picking? also, I can buy any other manufacturer's lens made for Nikon F mount for example Sigma Art lenses or Tamron?
Lots of problems. Half of the lenses Nikon has made won’t even autofocus. See all the details of what works or not at www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/mirrorless/lenses/ftz.htm
Heyy.. I have vintage lens which mount size is 49mm...can i attach to Nikon Z6? if it will attach with Z6 then which mount adopter will need?
First you need to figure out to what camera it attaches originally. “49mm” usually refers to the front filter thread rather than the rear camera mount. Then you either buy an X to Z adapter, or if it was a really weird lens, it could be easier to get an X to LEICA M adapter and then a common LEICA M to Z adapter, and use both at the same time - sort of like connecting through a big city to get between smaller towns.
@@KenRockwellTV well..!! But 49mm is mount size..!! This 49 mount size lens attached with Pentax K1000 … and now i want to this lens attach with my nikon Z6 camera.. so what mount adopter should I buy?
If that means it’s a Pentax k mount lens, simply search eBay for a Pentax K to Nikon Z adapter. Should be about $15 USD direct from China from numerous sources.
@@KenRockwellTV thank u❤️
There is also URTH adapter for mount Minolta Rokkor Lenses to Z Cameras !
Yip, there all out there for people who want them. Personally I only use the camera brand lenses. Tha ks!
Do you prefer Sony or Nikon to use old manual focus lenses? Which has better focus peaking?
Nikon by far. Better shooting ergonomics and menus and better color. Peaking about the same. See also www.kenrockwell.com/tech/comparisons/nikon-vs-canon-vs-sony-full-frame.htm Thanks!
Even Sony gave us the LA-EA5 screw driven adapter so i can use my classic Minolta A glass from as far back as the 80’s on my latest and greatest E mount cameras, Nikon never fail to kick an own goal.
Exactly. The FTZ is so bad it’s one of many reasons I moved to Canon Mirrorless where it all works properly.
Thank you so much Ken, You're awesome! I always learn a lot from your website, this video was very informative too! God bless you and good luck!
Thank YOU!!!
Thanks Ken for the information, can I get the list of adapters from your web site, especially the Leica screws mount, as I have the Summitar, 50mm, 1:2 (f2) and Elmar 90mm 1:4 (f4) from my 3c Leica. I would love to try out these lenses. Thank again for a great video.
Thank you! Hint: adapted lenses never work as well as Real Nikon Z. This is mostly for people who like playing around with Sceince experiments.
What about 3rd party lens, which aren't named brand. I have a Samyang 85mm and Rokinon 35mm they are manual focus but capable of metering. Will they work will I still get metering?
You’ll get the same metering s you do with Nikons mamual lenses. Adapted lenses are a bad idea. You can get a picture but it’s so extra work.
Auto iso is working with lens without eletronic contacts?
Yes, in aperture priority and manual modes.
Ken, you seem like you really enjoyed making this video lol. Thanks for the content.
And thank YOU for checking it out!
Now, when Megadap M to Z is out, is it possible to adopt Nikon D lenses to Z cameras and keep autofocus? What F to M adapter to do that would you recommend, if any?
The Megadap M to Z is out and will autofocus any F or other mount lens on Z www.kenrockwell.com/tech/megadap/mtz11.htm and it’s in stock at www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1604791-REG/venus_optics_mtz11_megadap_leica_m_lens.html?BI=287&KBID=1037 however it’s a Sceince experiment at best. Be sure to get an adapter from F or whatever lens you have to M. I wouldn’t recommend it, but you certainly can order it, try it, and if you hate it, just send it back. I use static $15 adapters from China at Ebay. Thanks!
@@KenRockwellTV Thanks. So just to be clear, I can use an F to M adapter with Megadap M to Z and that setup in theory should allow autofocusing Nikon D lenses on the Z camera?
Yes. It works. See the review, especially this section on what adapts www.kenrockwell.com/tech/megadap/mtz11.htm#any and of course read the whole review. It doesn’t work as well as I’d like, but it does work.
Good stuff. Hope you continue sharing your camera know how.
Will do. Thanks!
excellent video! actually I was looking for ideas to find pancake lenses for Z mount, maybe thats an idea for another video. mirrorless should be small and lenses tend to become bigger and bigger....
You could actually go for an old rangefinder film camera body with a good manual focus lens, and use the lens from it. Many such lenses are perfectly possible to adapt to Nikon Z mount, or other mirrorless mounts. A simple Chinese aluminium lens mount ring and a 3D-printer would come to good use in the work.
Thanks!
I agree but Nikon has a 28mm and 40mm Z pancake lens on the roadmap that shouldn't be far away. Will be interesting to see how they perform.
Pentax, Contax, and various other camera manufacturers made manual focus pancake lenses and just like other SLR lenses, there are various (x)mount to Nikon z mechanical adapters available
It would almost certainly be manual only: manual focus and manual aperture, but I'd be surprised if the Nikon Z cameras couldn't do aperture priority auto-exposure (every other interchangeable lens digital camera seems to have that exposure mode)
karlthetrader use this Nikon pancake on the FTZ for the best results www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/45.htm
Hey Ken, great video here I'm moving to the Z7ii from years with DSLR Nikon's and cannot wait to give it a go. I wanted to ask you a question regarding this video. Years ago I sold my Contax 139 quartz kit and would love to buy a used 50mm 1.7 plannar and use the Leica adapter mount you mention here, is this a good idea?
No. I’d upgrade to the Canon EOS-R system and not Z7. Z7 wins no prizes and won’t autofocus with many of my favorite lenses on FTZ. I’d stick with Nikon dslr, but for Mirrorless step up to Canon. I did just get an adapter for Z that will adapt old lenses and add autofocus to Manila lenses! Unsure if it will also be available for cankn, but ultimately Mirrorless is a new universe and you’re best served by getting the Nee lenses dedicated to it. Lenses adapt poorly to Nikon, while CanonEF adapt flawlessly to EOS-R.
Didn't see a way to adapt Sony E or A mount lenses to a Nikon Z...
Sony A mount (same as MAXXUM) mount to Z: if no direct adapter, adapt to Leica and then to Z. Forget autofocus. Thanks!
There is an adapter for that. Check out the Techart TZE01.
Nikon Z mount has the shortest flange of any camera mounts. Theoretically it can use every single other lenses made for other mounts.
Are the lens mounts on all Z cameras the same?
I want a lens adapter to fit my Sony Alfa lenses to my Z50?
They should be. I never recommend using different brands of lensss other than the same brand as the camera , even if you can do it. Cross-brand adaptations never work as the original manufacturer’s lenses.
Hi Ken, I have been using my medium format (Mamiya 654) lenses with my Nikon D810 for years now, with great results... and can't wait to try them out with the next mirrorless Nikon model, who knows maybe they'll put a medium format sensor in the Z mount. What do you think?
I sure hope so. Nikon cancelled the MX medium format system the day before it was announced. See it at www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/mx.htm
Interesting video! Would love to see some photos shot with these old lenses on Nikon Z ...
See www.kenrockwell.com/trips/2015-02-route-66/index.htm all shot with lenses designed over 40 years ago.
Great video! Any chance of adapting a little Nikon 1 lens to a Z50 Camera?
Forget it. Even if you could attach it mechanically, they cannot cover the 24x36mm sensor.
Ugg! I was hoping for a solution to the Nikon giant lens tendency. Why can’t Nikon make a decent AF prime pancake lens??? Every time I look at the Z lens roadmap I want to cry.
I have the z50 and the FTZ adapter. I tried putting my tokina 100 f 2.8 pro lens and it does not work. WHY?
Simple: the FTZ has a design flaw where Nikon didn’t include the autofocus motor required to make that lens, and half of Nikon’s other autofocus lenses, autofocus. See www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/mirrorless/lenses/ftz.htm . The only way around this is to upgrade to Canon; their EF to RF adapter works with ALL Canon lenses, not just half of them. Sorry about that; the FTZ is a crummy product.
Not exactly. Can the Nikon 1 lenses be used on Nikon Z bodies?
Not easily. There is only one millimeter clearance (16mm vs 17mm) between the. So o doubt it can be done without relay optics. I don’t see any at eBay.
@@KenRockwellTV Thanks. I feared as much. I have two Nikon 1 v3 bodies and all of the better Nikon 1 lenses. I've been very happy with them, but recently I started doing a bunch of video, and it turns out that there are issues. Like the V2 bodies I once had, one of the V3 bodies has a built-in heat protection shutoff after 10 minutes of runtime. The other one doesn't, but also suffers from a slight red bias in its sensor array, which I never noticed until I started doing video editing.
Fantastic video. Very interesting, informative and clear.
When you shoot Z camera on aperture priority, as you stop aperture down and finder becomes darker, will the Z camera light meter adjust the shutter speed and ISO automatically to get the correct exposure ? (This is what the Sony a6000 does and results are excellent. Sony A6000 also has no idea what aperture I set on the manual Nikon AI lens). Thanks !!
Yes, all with auto finder brightness control will make the finder dimmer as one stops-down an uncoupled manual focus lens. Captured image exposure will be fine.
@@KenRockwellTV Ken, thank you for your kind reply and thank you for the your great - great Landmark video : Adapt ANY Lens to Nikon Z.
Thanks Ken, quick question do you think the Canon EF 100mm MACRO lens would focus faster on close subjects on the Z7II with the EF-NZ converter than the native Z 105mm MICRO lens (even taking into account for the close range focus limiter on the Z lens)? Really looking for a fast focusing macro lens for this camera.
No idea; you will have to try it yourself. If you want great autofocus, the problem is endemic to Nikon. I’d look to Canon rather than trying to beat it into Nikon. Hint: all my macro work is manual focus, much quicker than trying to move AF areas manually. Hint: pass on any $300 adapter when you can get a real Canon R50 for not that much more www.kenrockwell.com/canon/eos-r/r50.htm overall however native lenses are almost always the fastest rather than adapting other ones. If you decide to stay in Z, I’d get the Z lens. Thanks!
Hint: all lenses take a long time to autofocus from far to macro distances. .
Thanks! I'm thinking of getting a z-50 , and learned a lot here :)
Awesome. See my Z50 materials at www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/mirrorless/z50.htm
My lens is the AF NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8 IF-ED. It doesn't work on my Z9...
Hi Nancy, that’s right. Nikon’s FTZ and FTZ II are defective in design and lack the internal motor present in every FX DSLR to focus your lens. Therefore adapted to Mirrorless it becomes manual focus. I believe Nikon did this to feign an aura of compatibility to get you to buy their system rather than just upgrade to Canon, and they know on a year when you get frustrated with all our lenses that don’t focus that you’ll wind up buying new Nikon lenses - wondering why you just didn’t go Canon in the first place since you a wound up replacing everything. Good luck! My 1989 Canon EF 309/2.8L works flawless on my Canon Mirrorless.
Which adapter works for Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4 SL II S Ai-S Lens on my nikon z7ii?
Any generic Nikon F to Z adapter. The FTZ works as well but costs more.
What about pentax lenses????? I have the Pentax SMC 50mm f/1.4 PK? Will it work and if so, which adapter should I use????
Works the same. Never autofocus or data, but “dumb” adapters will let the Pentax lenses work as well as nikon manual focus do on the Z. Thanks!
Haha. Ken sounds so much nicer over audio than in text. A lot of people who ignored all his good advice because he seemed very harsh in text are going to be very confused.
Heh heh. When people meet me, they're like, wow, Ken's actually a great guy! Thanks!
Hi Ken and all. Does anyone know about adapting vintage Voightlander lens adapters? I have 3 DKL that work fine for Kodak/Retina but the Voightlander lenses won't seat and engage with the bayonet being about 1/8 inch shy of the flange. It isn't that issue with the locking mechansim to prevent lenses from on manufacturer from working on the other. Any help is appreciated.
Beats me! I’ve adapted old CONTAX to Nikon and not familiar with old VT. Thanks!
To adapt to nikon Z, find a VT to LEICA M or LTM adapter, then it’s easy to get a LEICA tons adapter if you can’t find one direct from VT to Z
@@KenRockwellTV Thanks Ken! Since that post I've found that I'll need to remove the lens aperture shroud allowing the lens to further seat into the adapter. Looks like adapters claiming to adapt Voightlander lenses shouldn't make such a claim. Shalom!
@@intentionally-blank Wow, you're way ahead of me then; I've never tried that combo.
I got my Nikon Z6 with the adapter today, unfortunaly one of the sides doesnt open. I wonder if I have to press the small hole with something?
If have to see it. Thanks!