p.69 #1 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
RoamingScott wrote:
Depends on what body you are using. Many Expeed 7 can fake the EXIF just like the adapters with the added bonus of letting you record aperture, in which case you don't need anything but the FTZ II for all adapting needs.
Do you get the green box focus confirmation on the FTZ II adapter with non CPU lenses? I think that's the main draw of this adapter.
p.69 #2 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
bigtractor wrote:
Do you get the green box focus confirmation on the FTZ II adapter with non CPU lenses? I think that's the main draw of this adapter.
That part is true (no green box on dumb lenses with FTZ II) but my comments were about "no exif" which is false on the newest updates to the firmwares.
p.69 #3 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
Has anyone else noticed that the Nikon Zf focus confirmation seems to be much more reliable with lenses that are well corrected for spherical aberration (SA)?
When I adapt lenses with more residual SA, the green focus confirmation still works, but it doesn't seem to be as accurate or consistent. Because of that, I still find myself preferring the Leica rangefinder patch for these types of lenses, while reserving the Zf's focus confirmation for lenses with better SA correction.
It makes sense in theory since the on-sensor AF system (used for the MF confirmation) relies on image contrast and resolution, both of which are reduced by SA. Has anyone else experienced the same thing, or is there another explanation?
p.69 #4 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
Fred Miranda wrote:
Has anyone else noticed that the Nikon Zf focus confirmation seems to be much more reliable with lenses that are well corrected for spherical aberration (SA)?
When I adapt lenses with more residual SA, the green focus confirmation still works, but it doesn't seem to be as accurate or consistent. Because of that, I still find myself preferring the Leica rangefinder patch for these types of lenses, while reserving the Zf's focus confirmation for lenses with better SA correction.
It makes sense in theory since the on-sensor AF system (used for the MF confirmation) relies on image contrast and resolution, both of which are reduced by SA. Has anyone else experienced the same thing, or is there another explanation?...Show more →
I did notice it a while ago when testing the SP II and some other lenses(a few members of the forum helped me realize it), most of the lenses I own have some serious SA. So I went back using some other adapters (giving me more choice) and focusing with magnification and minimum focus peaking, I prefer do it that way after all, I bought the Zf for its unique manual aids and ended up not liking them that much at the end of the day, oddly enough.
Maybe if they were to evolve the thing for a new camera and embracing the manual experience more, I surely could change my mind, but it’s still timid, their approach is with the Zf anyway.
p.69 #5 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
Sonnar-7 wrote:
I did notice it a while ago when testing the SP II and some other lenses(a few members of the forum helped me realize it), most of the lenses I own have some serious SA. So I went back using some other adapters (giving me more choice) and focusing with magnification and minimum focus peaking, I prefer do it that way after all, I bought the Zf for its unique manual aids and ended up not liking them that much at the end of the day, oddly enough.
Maybe if they were to evolve the thing for a new camera and embracing the manual experience more, I surely could change my mind, but it’s still timid, their approach is with the Zf anyway....Show more →
SA is definitely the enemy of on-sensor PDAF, which is one reason modern AF lens designs minimize it as much as possible. A good example is the Sigma 45mm f/2.8 C, a lens famous for its residual spherical aberration. It's a great look but the residual SA contributes to less consistent AF behavior in continuous focusing (phase detect), and this has been reported by many as a weakness of the lens. The same ill-effect can also be seen on cameras like the Zf when on-sensor PDAF is used to assist focus confirmation with MF lenses, where higher levels of SA can make focus confirmation less precise and in many cases completely inaccurate.
It’s a different case with a rangefinder patch: if the lens is properly calibrated to the rangefinder, it will always focus optimally because the RF system does not "see" SA.
p.69 #6 · Nikon Zf as a platform for adapted/native manual focus lenses
Fred Miranda wrote:
Has anyone else noticed that the Nikon Zf focus confirmation seems to be much more reliable with lenses that are well corrected for spherical aberration (SA)?
When I adapt lenses with more residual SA, the green focus confirmation still works, but it doesn't seem to be as accurate or consistent. Because of that, I still find myself preferring the Leica rangefinder patch for these types of lenses, while reserving the Zf's focus confirmation for lenses with better SA correction.
It makes sense in theory since the on-sensor AF system (used for the MF confirmation) relies on image contrast and resolution, both of which are reduced by SA. Has anyone else experienced the same thing, or is there another explanation?...Show more →
I think I'm seeing the same thing, my main experience being the 28 Nokton.
I go back and forth between thinking MF confirmation is great one day to another coming back home with misfocused shots due to MF confirmation not being completely accurate. I found that my bad days where when I was shooting outdoors where the 28 has a bit of glow wide open. Took the 28 nokton to disneyland with the ZF and did not use MF confirmation at all after the first day because I found it wasn't super accurate so went back to using focus peaking for the rest of the trip. Shooting indoors, I find that the MF confirmation is great.
I'm about a month into the rangefinder focus and my keeper rate is pretty good but not great, but at least if I miss via the focus patch its a skill thing and there is no one to blame by myself lol.
Nikon MF assist seems to rely on the phase detect system right? Hence the green box confirmation and the MF system being able to tell you if you're front or back focused?
