Nikon Z* mirrorless

Yes it was my initial test bed for Z cameras .. my original idea was to keep the 200-500 and buy a Z body which I did with the Z6ii but that was a non starter , down to the camera not the lens ..
My initial tests with the z8 with it on b.i.f with gave a close to 100% hit rate . I would keep it but the 180-600 is a better choice for me due to my age and health
 
the black fox said:
Yes it was my initial test bed for Z cameras .. my original idea was to keep the 200-500 and buy a Z body which I did with the Z6ii but that was a non starter , down to the camera not the lens ..
My initial tests with the z8 with it on b.i.f with gave a close to 100% hit rate . I would keep it but the 180-600 is a better choice for me due to my age and health
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I did not realise that the Z 180-600 is lighter than the F 200-500.

I must test the 200-500 plus F2Z on my Z8, I have been using the TCx1.4 and 100-400 on my Z9.
 
jknights said:
I did not realise that the Z 180-600 is lighter than the F 200-500.

I must test the 200-500 plus F2Z on my Z8, I have been using the TCx1.4 and 100-400 on my Z9.
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yea around a kilo JK its also far better balanced as the 200-500 has the extending zoom
 
I've ordered a Z6iii with the 180-600mm (primarily for bird photography) - I would appreciate any recommendations for CFexpress cards.
Delkin look to be reasonably priced, but I don't know if there's any problems reported with them.
Any help would be appreciated, thanks.
 
Malfis said:
I've ordered a Z6iii with the 180-600mm (primarily for bird photography) - I would appreciate any recommendations for CFexpress cards.
Delkin look to be reasonably priced, but I don't know if there's any problems reported with them.
Any help would be appreciated, thanks.
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I've had Delkin Power since I bought the Z8. No problems at all. Delkin Black are more expensive but for amateur use Power are just fine.

Just to say, I don't do video.
 
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jknights said:
I can say that the Nikon refurbished items are like new, with full warranty but the price is reduced. I purchased my 14-30mm f4 from them via the refurbished section and it is flawless.
Refurbished may also mean it has gone to a dealer stock but been returned due to overstocking!
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Yep, I can confirm, received the lens today - it looks like new to be honest. Clean, no signs of use, original box, documentation, caps, hood. It was packed like untouched.
 
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nandbytes said:
Apparently Nikon is taking Viltrox to court:
www.mirrorlessrumors.com

Nikon and Viltrox Head to Court - mirrorlessrumors

Nikon has filed a lawsuit against Viltrox in China. The exact details of the dispute have not been disclosed, but court proceedings are scheduled to begin in March. UPDATE: According to information from multiple sources, the Nikon litigation regarding the patent issue primarily targets the...
www.mirrorlessrumors.com www.mirrorlessrumors.com

I really hope Nikon isn't doing a canon :(
Click to expand...
Petapixel have just discussed this on a video. (its at 37:28)

It seems that the Nikon Z mount has just had its Patent agreed; until now it was "patent pending".

Unlike Tamron and Voigtlander who have been paying royalties to Nikon to use the Z mount, Viltrox and others, have been reverse-engineering the mount and not paying any royalties.

During this patent-pending period, Nikon didn't have a strong legal position to go for people using the mount without a license, but this has changed now that the patent has been granted.

The suggestion is that Nikon are concerned about third party makers making lenses that directly compete with Nikon lenses e.g. Viltrox 135mm f1.8, and the legal case "might' be about Nikon demanding royalties for lenses that Viltrox have sold during the patent-pending period, as well as demanding ongoing royalties for future lens sales: but with Nikon controlling which lenses third parties can make.

My comment is that if only licensed lenses can be produced, this might reduce the range of third party lenses available, as well as increasing prices, but, it should also increase the compatability of third part lenses and reduce the risk of firmware updates breaking them.

You may remember that a recent Nikon Firmware update broke some Tamron lenses, and it was Nikon that released a firmware revision to get them working again

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6VUBftua5k
 
Chris_911 said:
14mm lens options for the Nikon Z?
I'm currently changing around a lot of lenses, primarily getting grid of all my 'f' mounts (almost - the 200 f/2 is staying!).
My Sigma 14-24 has gone. I've looked back over how I used that lens and the majority of the shots with it were at 14mm, then at circa 20mm.
I've also sold my Sigma 14mm f/1.8.
My dilemma is how to cover the 14mm focal range, ideally at f/1.8?
Given how I used my 14-24 I'm tending more towards a 14mm prime and a 20mm prime.
The 20mm is easy, but Nikon has nothing wider than 20mm.
Lots of Chinese 14mm lenses but these are all f/2.8 and above. I do dabble in astrophotography, so the max aperture compromise is one that I probably won't make.

One option is the Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM with an adaptor, but I am wary of the potential for the adapter to introduce alignment issues (perhaps unfounded?)
I'm looking particularly at the Megadap ETZ21 Pro+.
Anybody with experience of this combination??
And I suppose I ought to add to this the Sigma 14mm f/1.4 and f/1.8 lenses in Sony E mount (perhaps I should not have sold the 14mm I had!).

And then I can't get the Nikon Z 14-24 f/2.8S out of my head as a nice simple solution, albeit sacrificing maximum aperture....

I have been looking at the Viltrox 16mm f/1.8, but there's a focal length sacrifice that I'm not ecstatic about.

Any options I have missed?
Anybody with experience of the reliability/consistency/practicality of the Megadap?
TIA :)
Click to expand...
Answering my own question...
Have just ordered the Viltrox 16mm f/1.8. I would really have liked a 14mm prime but my only real option there is the Sony 14mm GM with an adapter. I have concerns about the variability that an adapter will introduce.
When funds allow I will likely buy the Nikon 20mm f/1.8S as well.
 
Chris_911 said:
Answering my own question...
Have just ordered the Viltrox 16mm f/1.8. I would really have liked a 14mm prime but my only real option there is the Sony 14mm GM with an adapter. I have concerns about the variability that an adapter will introduce.
When funds allow I will likely buy the Nikon 20mm f/1.8S as well.
Click to expand...
Did you consider the slower viltrox 14mm?
 
myotis said:
Petapixel have just discussed this on a video. (its at 37:28)

It seems that the Nikon Z mount has just had its Patent agreed; until now it was "patent pending".

Unlike Tamron and Voigtlander who have been paying royalties to Nikon to use the Z mount, Viltrox and others, have been reverse-engineering the mount and not paying any royalties.

During this patent-pending period, Nikon didn't have a strong legal position to go for people using the mount without a license, but this has changed now that the patent has been granted.

The suggestion is that Nikon are concerned about third party makers making lenses that directly compete with Nikon lenses e.g. Viltrox 135mm f1.8, and the legal case "might' be about Nikon demanding royalties for lenses that Viltrox have sold during the patent-pending period, as well as demanding ongoing royalties for future lens sales: but with Nikon controlling which lenses third parties can make.

My comment is that if only licensed lenses can be produced, this might reduce the range of third party lenses available, as well as increasing prices, but, it should also increase the compatability of third part lenses and reduce the risk of firmware updates breaking them.

You may remember that a recent Nikon Firmware update broke some Tamron lenses, and it was Nikon that released a firmware revision to get them working again

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6VUBftua5k
Click to expand...

Hmmm... part of the reason why likes of viltrox, Samyang are cheaper than sigma, Tamron etc is because they don't pay licencing royalties.

While this doesn't immidiately bother me too much, I wonder if this will put a stop to the ETZ adapters :(

Chris_911 said:
Answering my own question...
Have just ordered the Viltrox 16mm f/1.8. I would really have liked a 14mm prime but my only real option there is the Sony 14mm GM with an adapter. I have concerns about the variability that an adapter will introduce.
When funds allow I will likely buy the Nikon 20mm f/1.8S as well.
Click to expand...

Used to own the viltrox 16mm f1.8. It's a wonderful lens but my first one broke under warranty so had to return it for a full refund as LCE couldn't get it repaired within the country. Worth knowing.
I did get a second copy again and replaced it only because of the Sony 16mm f1.8 which is lot smaller and sharper.
If it were down to me I'd take the chance with ETZ adapter over viltrox lenses. But nothing beats the viltrox 16mm for price to performance ratio.
 
nandbytes said:
Hmmm... part of the reason why likes of viltrox, Samyang are cheaper than sigma, Tamron etc is because they don't pay licencing royalties.

While this doesn't immidiately bother me too much, I wonder if this will put a stop to the ETZ adapters :(
Click to expand...
I wonder how much it actually adds to the price? Though I guess given the low production costs (and government subsidies) in China, a royalty is likely to be a bigger proportional increase than it is with a Japanese lens. It might be a small price worth paying, it it improves long-term compatibility.
nandbytes said:
Used to own the viltrox 16mm f1.8. It's a wonderful lens but my first one broke under warranty so had to return it for a full refund as LCE couldn't get it repaired within the country. Worth knowing.
I did get a second copy again and replaced it only because of the Sony 16mm f1.8 which is lot smaller and sharper.
If it were down to me I'd take the chance with ETZ adapter over viltrox lenses. But nothing beats the viltrox 16mm for price to performance ratio.
Click to expand...
 
I know Nikon would not agree, but part of the success of firms like Viltrox is because Nikon have been slow to fill the gaps on their lens line-up.
Like many others, I bought the Viltrox 16mm because there is no Nikon Z prime wider than 20mm.
If and when they do replace the 14mm 2.8 AF-S I hope it is F2 or F1.8.
 
myotis said:
I wonder how much it actually adds to the price? Though I guess given the low production costs (and government subsidies) in China, a royalty is likely to be a bigger proportional increase than it is with a Japanese lens. It might be a small price worth paying, it it improves long-term compatibility.
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No idea but also I wonder how much of this is protectionism or political?

Japanese companies seem to play nicely with each other compared to non-Janapanese or Chinese companies.

Even on Sony the ones with the official licences that we know off are sigma, Tamron (part owned by Sony anyway), zeiss and Voigtlander.

Samyang, viltrox, laowa etc are all simply reverse engineering. Clearly shows in the AF performance but I'm not trying too shoot a cheetah running at me with a 16mm lens :p
 
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I bought lens form Nikon and got 10% discount voucher in the box, I can share it with someone here, let me know if anyone going to buy something from Nikon website, 10% off is 10% off :)
 
For those interested, Cameriz have the Nikon Z 180-600 for £1002 when you add it to the basket..
 
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addicknchips said:
Never heard of them. Do you have a link please?
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I’ve used them a few times and it’s always been good, they have decent reviews.

Though I haven’t spent that much before, the most expensive lens i have ordered was £400.

Nikon Z 180-600mm F/5.6-6.3 VR Lens

The NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR Lens from Nikon provides outstanding sharpness across the entire zoom range. Demanding needs of sports and wildlife photographers, this lens covers an expansive telephoto range allowing you to capture thrilling photos and videos in a relatively compact and...
cameriz.com cameriz.com
 
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mav said:
They seem very cheap compared to other gray importers maybe they a new kid on the block, heard the name mentioned a few times recently ,
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I've just had a quick look at their website - I can find no mention that Vat & Import Duty, if levied, will be paid by them. (Unlike suppliers like Cotswold or Panamoz).
There is a comment 'Risk in the goods passes to you upon delivery.'

I would be very uneasy about buying from them.
 
Malfis said:
I've just had a quick look at their website - I can find no mention that Vat & Import Duty, if levied, will be paid by them. (Unlike suppliers like Cotswold or Panamoz).
There is a comment 'Risk in the goods passes to you upon delivery.'

I would be very uneasy about buying from them.
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It was a while ago but I don’t remember paying any fees last time.

May give it a miss then.
 
Kieran_89 said:
It was a while ago but I don’t remember paying any fees last time.

May give it a miss then.
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FedEx are real rip off merchants. They charge customs fees way in excess of real amount plus a handling charge. There is never a breakdown of costs. I always try to stipulate with seller that courier MUST NOT BE FedEx.
I get stuff from HongKong and mainland China and if it is delivered by post e.g. SpeedPak China via Royal Mail there are never any customs charges.
 
As a FYI for UK members.

www.gov.uk

Tax and customs for goods sent from abroad

VAT, duty and customs declarations for goods received by post or courier - paying, collecting your goods, getting a refund and documents.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk

Notice there are two chargeable bands
<£39 (no charges what so ever) and self imported <£135 and over £135.
 
Adamcski said:
It is almost 50% cheaper from abroad isn't it.

Mental

You'd think that more would sell in the UK if prices were not as high.
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As I understand it, Nikon UK (Europe) prices are set by Nikon Japan, and part of this is to support the overheads of having an official Nikon presence within Europe.

You occasionally read on forums about people living in countries, without an official Nikon presence, discuss problems of buying Nikon equipment or getting Nikon equipment repaired because they (and dealers) don't have a formal route to Nikon.

And of course Nikon have no control over the VAT and duties that need to be paid on imported goods.

But I also assume, that like many things, the price has little to do with the costs of making the product, and a lot more to do with what they think the market will pay.
 
What I find as really weird is pricing structure , I’m currently looking at another Z lens . And it goes like this most of the currently available ones on e.bay are selling at prices way and above what can be bought from the likes of WEX . With 12 months warranty included… And even then Wex prices are currently within £20 of new prices on the grey market I.e Cotswolds cameras . .
I’m watching one on evil bay that’s sensibley priced on auction I’ll go for that if it doesn’t go silly ,if it does then I think buying grey is the best bet .
What this points to is sellers are not researching the market before listing items and/or e.bays current buyer protection fees are making high priced items to expensive ,
But it does show it’s a buyers market if you know what your doing
 
Well I've been playing around with the video on my OM1 and the 12-40 F2.8 pro.

So I'm thinking the Z6iii and a 24-70 F2.8 or Tamron type 28-70 F2.8. It will be on a tripod so not worried about lens ibis

Now the price of this in the UK at WeX is £3148 compared to say Cotswold at £1818, it is silly.
 
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