p.43 #2 · Alt forum Nikon Z resource, discussion and image thread
zhangyue wrote:
I never used that lens and I didn't pay much attention for that lens either. I think if I am back to Sony on rumored 16bit global shutter A9ii, I will seriously look at it but I think it is hard to not consider their new 135GM if I want a 135. I personally don't think it has best rendering compare to 135art and 105E for intend usage but overall I think it is the crown mid-tele glass with best resolution and super fast and reliable focus and still have very nice rendering. However, same as you, I feel 135mm has very limited usage. The longest one I will use daily is 100mm but I still prefer 75~85mm lens to 135 I 'd say. For lot of stuff, 85-100 can create similar work of 135 with foot work, but not other way around. Out of all Sony GM, I still like their 85gm the best. 24 is great but again that is not my focal length.
From modern year, I personally think Nikon's 105f1.4E has the pinnacle rendering out of all latest glasses. (even include Leica ones) and 58G miss a little bit definition WO. I just realize that many of their old Nikon AF-D glasses have quite special rendering such as 135DC, 105DC, 28f1.4D and this 85D. though color seems always a little bit on mute side. For now I am good with 85D only. This kind of glasses will not be seen in the future.
p.43 #3 · Alt forum Nikon Z resource, discussion and image thread
joakim wrote:
Do we have any adapter available yet?
I think so but I’d like to see some photos as well as hear from someone having experienced it. The 50/1.2L is quite beefy and I’m concerned about putting it on an adapter in terms of size/weight as well. But it could potentially be a awesome image maker.
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p.43 #10 · Alt forum Nikon Z resource, discussion and image thread
Well I finally got mine setup and working well. I like the EVF a lot. There is a small bit of lag in magnification, but nothing too bad (and a lot less than my Fuji GFX 50s). I also like that I can shoot in a 4 X 5 aspect ratio if I want, and I basically like the buttons and menus, and the back LCD is very nice as well. All of that (except the EVF lag) is a nice improvement over the Sony cameras I have been shooting. Below are a few shots with a Contax C/Y mount 50 f/1.4. Photo credit for the shot of the dog goes to my wife.
p.43 #11 · Alt forum Nikon Z resource, discussion and image thread
Steve Spencer wrote:
Well I finally got mine setup and working well. I like the EVF a lot. There is a small bit of lag in magnification, but nothing too bad (and a lot less than my Fuji GFX 50s). I also like that I can shoot in a 4 X 5 aspect ratio if I want, and I basically like the buttons and menus, and the back LCD is very nice as well. All of that (except the EVF lag) is a nice improvement over the Sony cameras I have been shooting. Below are a few shots with a Contax C/Y mount 50 f/1.4. Photo credit for the shot of the dog goes to my wife....Show more →
Steve, congratulation for adding Z7. I hope more people can realize the power of Z with price now coming down. I still think this is the best body for Alt forum people overall. Sucks(adequate I should really say) on AF and shine on everything else...
I personally really wish Panasonic can work for me to replace Z as it seems share the mount with Leica and it apparently can adapt S glasses on it but to be honest, Nikon make it very difficult to leave Z system. There are so many things I value highly on this system such as real RAW format crop, different RAW size, superb 24-70 14-30 zoom glasses, adapting M lens and high quality body in such a small size....
And Canon's glasses, WOW, I love that 85f1.2PD they seems keep pulling rabbit from hat...No wonder they are #1. If R adapt M glasses as good as Z, this could be a platform for me as well I really love their R color and glasses and also their adapters make more sense than Nikon's IMHO. I hope that is Nikon's next upgrade: FTZ Adapter.
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p.43 #12 · Alt forum Nikon Z resource, discussion and image thread
Beautiful shot Michael! I am enjoying the Z7 so far and I really do think it will be the most versatile camera for adapted glass. Right now I am itching for Voigtlander to release their Sony E mount lens to Z7 camera adapter. I have the three new Zeiss Loxia lenses 21mm, 25mm, and 85mm that I think will be fantastic on the Z7. They all have entrance pupils of over 60mm, which is a lot longer than the entrance pupil for the Loxia 35 which is less than 18mm. Such a difference in entrance pupil suggest the new Loxia lenses have a lot longer exit pupil as well and should perform well even with the thinner sensor stack on the Z7.
They also help round out some really nice kits for the Z7. Here is a compelling kit for example:
Voigtlander M 15 f/4.5 III
Loxia 21 f/2.8
7 Artisans 28 f/1.4
Voigtlander M 50 f/1.2
Loxia 85 f/2.4
Leica M 135 f/3.4 APO
You could have a very similar kit with the same lenses on Sony and more would be native mount, but the lenses would be 187g heavier more than negating the slightly lighter Sony camera. You could also swap out the 7 Artisans 28 in this kit to save even more weight with something like the Leica M 28 f/2 Asph, which undoubtedly works better on the Nikon than the Sony.
Another compelling kit would be:
Milvus 18 f/2.8
Loxia 25 f/2.4
Voigtlander M 35 f/1.7
Voigtlander M 75 f/1.5
Leica M 135 f/3.4 APO
This kit wouldn't really be possible on a Sony as the very nice Voigtlander M 35 f/1.7 doesn't play well with the Sony sensor, and again if you are willing to sacrifice a little quality for weight saving you could swap out the Milvus 18 for the Leica M 18 SEM and although that lens isn't perfect on the Nikon it isn't useable on the Sony.
The real kicker for me in getting the Nikon, however, is thinking about even longer lenses. In time I am planning to get the Nikon 300 f/4 PF and there is nothing like that available for a non-Nikon platform. I am also going to get the Nikon 50 f/1.8S, which is quite the wonder of a little lens and clearly better than the Sony 55 f/1.8. When a do want a shorter AF lens that is a wonderful option. In addition, I will adapt Olympus OM, Canon FD, Leica R, Contax C/Y, Angenieux, and Hasselblad V making the Nikon Z mount super adaptable.
I do see very much the appeal of something like the Panasonic S1/S1R that could mount the new Leica L mount glass and the Leica S glass. It would be a wonderful combination. The Leica L 21,28, 50, & 90 sum microns together with the Leica S 120 f/2.5 APO macro seems very close to ideal. In the end, however, I decided my bigger camera is going to be medium format and if I go Leica I will move to Leica M instead of Leica L.
p.43 #15 · Alt forum Nikon Z resource, discussion and image thread
Steve Spencer wrote:
Thanks for pointing me to that. I knew Kipon was working on one too, but I hadn't realized it was out yet.
I will only be interested in adapter can keep EXIF information to document focal length and aperture. For that, I am even thinking about buying Panasonic S1/R and use MC21 for Canon glass and ZE.
Nikon Z released new firmware. I tried Eye AF. It seems work alright. The upgrade maybe sounds nice to many people but really close nothing for me. Eye-AF is never a must feature for me. There are many ways to get EYE in foucs. The Z problem is not eye AF but AF-C tracking speed and algorithm.
I just verified that focus confirmation is still not working with dumb adapter, and focal length is still not recorded on EXIF with dumb adapter. Nikon Z screw this up for so long for no reason given all their decent DSLR having this feature. A feature might worth big enough to buy Z or not for many people use old manual glasses. A feature can differentiate itself from other competitors
p.43 #17 · Alt forum Nikon Z resource, discussion and image thread
Great review on Eye AF
If you shoot people it’s obvious why you would want Eye AF.
zhangyue I understand your frustration regarding the green bulb confirmation but I recall this being specifically stated in the sales material that this was only available with Nikon glass. Maybe send support some feedback or post to one of their social media pages.
p.43 #18 · Alt forum Nikon Z resource, discussion and image thread
davewolfs wrote:
Great review on Eye AF
If you shoot people it’s obvious why you would want Eye AF.
zhangyue I understand your frustration regarding the green bulb confirmation but I recall this being specifically stated in the sales material that this was only available with Nikon glass. Maybe send support some feedback or post to one of their social media pages.
I understand that and I have no willing to persuade otherwise. In my opinion and only in my opinion this is one of most overrated feature that everyone make it looks like.
For example, in Nikon’s eye AF demo video and also earlier Sony’s demo, all the scenarios I see EYE AF make no difference than face detection because at that distance, the DOF even with f1.4 glass will cover eyes or any part of the face as long as you have face detection. Nikon’s D810 or D850’s face detection can nail that situation just fine. So will be the Z7. For any reasonable implemented face detection, it will have no problem pick eyes or lips that are high contrast part of face and everything need to be in DOF will be in DOF. I know that as fact from my own experience. I shoot way more family portraits than landscapes shots sharing here. I don't even need the convenience of face detection of D850 or Z7 if I am not tracking my son running toward me etc...All my good family pictures (Personal ) are not from fancy AF but understand the light and moment along with composition.
I will say for 90% of user case at reasonable shooting distance, there is almost zero difference between face detection or eye AF. Only thing Eye AF give you is it looks nice that AF point was on subject’s eye. It played bigger psychological part than usefulness IMHO.
In other 10% case that at close distance with wide aperture shooting, It is really the focus tracking speed (which Z is really lacking compare to BEST of industry no matter it is SLR or MILC) and subject, shooter’s body movement defined final results. Any minor movement require AF engine to follow in short shooting distance is a challenge for AF motor and control speed. It is highly depend on Lens used and how its AF motor implemented along with AF engine (algorithm) in body, and the last part is Nikon Z really lacking and need to be addressed in firmware IMHO. But here, in this 10%, I can give credit to EYE AF itself if implement correct. But again in this case, I personally would prefer manual focus or using slight body movement during shooting.
In my brief test, Z still has the tendency to focus at background and won’t be back even there is face or eye in front in auto area mode, which is the only mode you can use for EYE AF. This is way bigger problem need to be addressed than EYE AF itself. Both D850 and Sony latest camera allow you map eye AF (or face detection) with different button so whenever it failed, you can quickly use center or any other AF mode to continue shooting. This is more important update for Z than EYE AF IMO.
Having said that, I understand the importance of market need for this “EYE AF”, because everyone have been talking about it. As long as Nikon can make more money, I am happy for them.
p.43 #19 · Alt forum Nikon Z resource, discussion and image thread
zhangyue wrote:
I understand that and I have no willing to persuade otherwise. In my opinion and only in my opinion this is one of most overrated feature that everyone make it looks like.
For example, in Nikon’s eye AF demo video and also earlier Sony’s demo, all the scenarios I see EYE AF make no difference than face detection because at that distance, the DOF even with f1.4 glass will cover eyes or any part of the face as long as you have face detection. Nikon’s D810 or D850’s face detection can nail that situation just fine. So will be the Z7. For any reasonable implemented face detection, it will have no problem pick eyes or lips that are high contrast part of face and everything need to be in DOF will be in DOF. I know that as fact from my own experience. I shoot way more family portraits than landscapes shots sharing here. I don't even need the convenience of face detection of D850 or Z7 if I am not tracking my son running toward me etc...All my good family pictures (Personal ) are not from fancy AF but understand the light and moment along with composition.
I will say for 90% of user case at reasonable shooting distance, there is almost zero difference between face detection or eye AF. Only thing Eye AF give you is it looks nice that AF point was on subject’s eye. It played bigger psychological part than usefulness IMHO.
In other 10% case that at close distance with wide aperture shooting, It is really the focus tracking speed (which Z is really lacking compare to BEST of industry no matter it is SLR or MILC) and subject, shooter’s body movement defined final results. Any minor movement require AF engine to follow in short shooting distance is a challenge for AF motor and control speed. It is highly depend on Lens used and how its AF motor implemented along with AF engine (algorithm) in body, and the last part is Nikon Z really lacking and need to be addressed in firmware IMHO. But here, in this 10%, I can give credit to EYE AF itself if implement correct. But again in this case, I personally would prefer manual focus or using slight body movement during shooting.
In my brief test, Z still has the tendency to focus at background and won’t be back even there is face or eye in front in auto area mode, which is the only mode you can use for EYE AF. This is way bigger problem need to be addressed than EYE AF itself. Both D850 and Sony latest camera allow you map eye AF (or face detection) with different button so whenever it failed, you can quickly use center or any other AF mode to continue shooting. This is more important update for Z than EYE AF IMO.
Having said that, I understand the importance of market need for this “EYE AF”, because everyone have been talking about it. As long as Nikon can make more money, I am happy for them. ...Show more →
Likewise Eye AF is an excellent tool and feature and it is just that. The functionality differs between different models and for critical shoots I never use eye AF. It is often at a critical moment the eye AF is having difficulties or slow in low, complex or back lighting and it much faster using traditional techniques. For fun and family shots eye AF is wonderful tool.
p.43 #20 · Alt forum Nikon Z resource, discussion and image thread
EyeAF is useful for my case. I like it a lot. I hope Nikon will do Eye-detection on manual focus too ( move the AF point to when the eye is), better be enable by push a button.
I really love their R color and glasses and also their adapters make more sense than Nikon's IMHO. I hope that is Nikon's next upgrade: FTZ Adapter. 
) are not from fancy AF but understand the light and moment along with composition.