Popularity of Nikon F Mount v Z Mount

Do you own an F Mount or Z Mount, select both if you own both.

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All of my kit is F Mount but I am thinking of getting a Z Mount mainly to act as a back up video body. I was just wondering how popular Z Mount is now.
 
No Z mount body and since I'm a Fuji mirrorless user, I'm unlikely to go Z mount. However, IF I do, I'll probably stick with adapted F mount lenses.
 
At present own a F mount body, but at some stage in the future do plan to move over to Z mount.
 
The Z mount lenses are very popular with people who have Z bodies; because they are generally extremely good. Plus they allow the full 5 axis IS and many have additional integration features (control rings, programmable function buttons). However, there aren't a lot of options in Z-mount lenses; and a lot are lacking in supply/availability.

I have a Z9, but no Z lenses yet... the only Z lens I'm pretty sure I'll buy is the planned 200-600.
As of now I am keeping my D850 and F-mount lenses. Besides the really high frame rate silent photography (for wildlife), the D850 does everything I need; plus I have some lenses that aren't available in Z and aren't planned anytime soon (PC-E, etc).

The Z mount bodies seem to be quite popular; but I'm not sure it's entirely justified. I would say if you want one for video a Z6II + FTZ would be a good choice.
 
If you already have F Mount lenses and they adapt well there isn’t much point replacing them with Z Mount equivalent lenses at present. If you’re buying a new lens that you haven’t got then it kind of makes sense to think about buying a Z lens as at some point in the future F Mount lenses won’t be able to be repaired. There will be at some point a natural decline in F Mount lenses as they become older and no longer supported with spares and repair.

It’s good that Nikon, and canon, have kept compatibility with their older lens mounts. It makes changing over much easier. It also shows a willingness from the manufacturer to ensure there isn’t a cliff edge drop like Sony did with their A Mount to mirrorless E Mount change.
 
Hi, I am happy with my F-mount NIKON D500 and D850, NIKON and ZEISS lenses. - I use Leica and SONY, too.

I do not see a NIKON Z for me ... ---
 
I have a Z6 and have a couple of z mount plus a couple from my previous set up. I love my 85mm Z mount and it’s my go to lens. Any further purchases will be the Z ones (unless there’s a cracking second-hand purchase on the cards).
 
Z5 and 14-30 and 24-200 z-mount lenses. That's it. 14-200 mm covered by fairly lightweight, weather sealed kit that didn't cost a fortune. The 14-30 is an excellent lens - sharp and compact, the 24-200 is capable enough for me and a very decent lens that covers a large range while being small and light.

I honestly don't see the need to buy anything else.
 
I sold all my F mount DSLR'S plus my little V1 and bought a Z5 and 14-30 f4 and 24-70 f4 lenses, plus a Z50 and 16-50 and 18-140 DX Z lenses, also purchased the FTZ2 so I can use my Sigma 105 and 150-600 lenses on my Z cameras.

I've plenty of F mount cameras in my collection but the only F mount cameras I use now are an F-601 & F-801.
 
I use all Z-mount now on my Z7II. I'm missing a few lenses like the 200-600 that's due sometime but most other bases are covered.
I've seen reports of noisy F-mount lenses on Z-mount cameras using the FTZ adapter.
The Z-mount lenses are better suited for video IMO.
 
Still use the F mount stuff. The last F mount 70-200 F2.8 FL ED and the 24-70 F2.8 VR are extremely good, and stopped down there is very little in it between them and the Z counter parts. From F5.6 and wider the Z mount stuff walks away, but if you shoot stopped down there isn't a lot in it.

The Z mount lens that would interest me is their 20mm F1.8 or 14-24 2.8 which are just superior to the F mount counterparts.

That said, I like DSLR's and won't change soon
 
Firmly wedded to the F-mount for the time being.

Z7 is too little and Z9 is too much feature wise - Z7ii isn't the D850 replacement it should be as far as I am concerned. But the 400mm f4.5 lens is quite seductive (why don't Nikon do a ZTF adaptor?), just the type of lens I want.... So a Z8ii (always to iron out niggles) will be on the horizon but considering I bought the D850 when the model was already 4-5 years old there is time yet.
 
ZTF is optically and physically impossible. Sad but the Z mount bodies are more flexible in this regard. In fact, due to the size of the mount, position of the sensor in the Z's you can adapt any lens to them, Sony E mount, Nikon F, Canon EF etc. It makes them the most adaptable camera on sale today.
 
Craikeybaby said:
Nikon have stopped making F now: Nikon closes book on six decades of SLR camera history - Nikkei Asia
Click to expand...
I don't think so

https://www.nikon.com/news/2022/0712_01.htm

Simply states the following:

"July 12, 2022

There was a media article regarding Nikon's withdrawal of SLR development. This media article is only speculation and Nikon has made no announcement in this regards. Nikon is continuing the production, sales and service of digital SLR. Nikon appreciate your continuous support."
 
I'm nearly all Z mount now. It's been as expensive process but the lighter weight body, mirrorless AF and superior lenses are worth it IMO.
For a general walk around lens I think the 24-120 Z is excellent.
However, there's still gaps in the line up (both body and lenses).
 
Peter123 said:
I don't think so

https://www.nikon.com/news/2022/0712_01.htm

Simply states the following:

"July 12, 2022

There was a media article regarding Nikon's withdrawal of SLR development. This media article is only speculation and Nikon has made no announcement in this regards. Nikon is continuing the production, sales and service of digital SLR. Nikon appreciate your continuous support."
Click to expand...

I read that yesterday - true it is speculation but we've not seen any new F mount releases for a while, both are the bottom or top end.

Re lack of Z mount options - not really, just buy an FTZ and adapt what you will to the Z camera. Say for instance you have a 12-300 F2.8 or lovely 180-400 F4 - you can use these big beauties no problem on a Z and given the five figure outlay for them - a lot will be working on Z9's for years to come. Same for the PCE lenses and F1.4 primes.
 
As a D850 owner I haven’t been tempted by the Z system but clearly F Mount is in decline and at some point maybe not for many years but at some point I’ll need to switch to mirrorless. I’m not a fan of adapting lenses so it would be a complete system swap and tbh I wouldn’t look twice at the Z system when compared to Sony.
 
I got the z6ii last year and use a combination of z (85mm and 24-200) and f mount (trinity sort of). Eventually I will fully shift over to z but I don’t feel like there’s a massive rush to do so because the f mount lenses work so well adapted. The one I would probably prioritise is my 24-70 f2.8, mine is the original version and Nikon have improved it massively with the z
 
I have 2 very rarely used F mount bodies (D4S & a hate relationship with a D750), 4 F mount primes plus 24-70mm & 70-200mm f/2.8 zooms.

I have no Z mount gear whatsoever as I don't feel it offers me anything that my current gear cannot do. A more pro bodied Z8 may interest me, as would a Z mount 135mm prime and if they released a Zfc with a full frame sensor then I'd immediately invest in the Z mount. The Z6ii & Z7ii just lack pro features I currently like and the Z9 would be perfect if it were in a smaller body (didn't have the grip). I don't doubt the Z glass is better optically than F mount, but it's not enough to make me switch over.

I also have/use Fuji X & GFX mount gear and for the past few years all my investments have been with Fuji as they seem more tailored to my needs these days.
 
Hi, I read in the German paper FAZ that NIKON will stop the development of F mount DSLRs. Nothing is said about end of production.

Which means (for me) NIKON DSLRs being extremely reliable and available for some time to come, F mount DSLRs will be aorund for many more years.

I cannot see any reason for giving up my D500 or my D850 ... ---
 
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Brazo said:
As a D850 owner I haven’t been tempted by the Z system but clearly F Mount is in decline and at some point maybe not for many years but at some point I’ll need to switch to mirrorless. I’m not a fan of adapting lenses so it would be a complete system swap and tbh I wouldn’t look twice at the Z system when compared to Sony.
Click to expand...

Pro's for Nikon

Layout, menu's and form factor (z9 anyway)
FTZ adapter lets you use newer F mount lenses exactly like how they were on an F mount adapter. I don't see the issue.
Sensor guard (Z9)
Z camera's are the most adaptable due to the mount, sensor position so you can use literally any lens ever made on one if there is an adapter made. There's folk running around with EF, E mount etc lenses on these things.
The few Z lenses are best in class
Colour rendering (subjective) -Nikon get this right.

Pro's for Sony
A1 and A7Riv offer more resolution.
Better EVF's
A1 frame rate/AF
More native lens's and some very good ones.
Fairly adaptable also.

I hate to admit, if Nikon bring out a 55 to 70mp Z8 with the features of the Z9 like sensor gaurd I will be very tempted. Or I will go to Fuji GFX100s system.
 
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Hi, a major advantage for NIKON Z is IS, which is very helpful for non-stabilized lenses.

For me, this is not so important, because I use SONYs A7R2 with IS (and OLYMPUS Pen EP-1 with IS on my dog-walks).
 
I made a decision to thin out some F mount I was not using and replace some others (70-200 f/2.8 105mm Macro & 24-70 f/2.8) with the Z mount as I was going fully mirrorless. I kept some because a) they were too expensive replace (400mm f/2.8) or b) they did not have a replacement available or even planned (300mm f/2.8) so it was sort of easy to make that choice. I could have kept the F mount but I believed with lenses like the new Z mount 70-200 and 105mm they would be better and obviously suited more to my Z9 and I will admit I've been more than over the moon with them, especially the 70-200. It's good to know though that the F mount are performing equally as well if not better on the Z cameras when adapted. My 500mm PF being one that seems quicker focusing and acquiring it's subject than when used on say my D850.
 
SFTPhotography said:
Pro's for Nikon

Layout, menu's and form factor (z9 anyway)
FTZ adapter lets you use newer F mount lenses exactly like how they were on an F mount adapter. I don't see the issue.
Sensor guard (Z9)
Z camera's are the most adaptable due to the mount, sensor position so you can use literally any lens ever made on one if there is an adapter made. There's folk running around with EF, E mount etc lenses on these things.
The few Z lenses are best in class
Colour rendering (subjective) -Nikon get this right.

Pro's for Sony
A1 and A7Riv offer more resolution.
Better EVF's
A1 frame rate/AF
More native lens's and some very good ones.
Fairly adaptable also.

I hate to admit, if Nikon bring out a 55 to 70mp Z8 with the features of the Z9 like sensor gaurd I will be very tempted. Or I will go to Fuji GFX100s system.
Click to expand...
As I won’t use adapted lenses I don’t feel tied into Nikon and of course if I wanted to use adapted lenses with Sony there’s a massive A Mount and Minolta back catalogue.

As I’m not tied in I would be choosing from fresh and I’m sorry but Nikon wouldn’t even be shortlisted. If people feel tied into Nikon they may opt for Nikon Z but without such constraints there are much better systems to choose from IMO.
 
Brazo said:
As I won’t use adapted lenses I don’t feel tied into Nikon and of course if I wanted to use adapted lenses with Sony there’s a massive A Mount and Minolta back catalogue.

As I’m not tied in I would be choosing from fresh and I’m sorry but Nikon wouldn’t even be shortlisted. If people feel tied into Nikon they may opt for Nikon Z but without such constraints there are much better systems to choose from IMO.
Click to expand...
I think that's short lived. The Z9 is up there with the A1 ( but cheaper ) and I think a few of the pros of the sony a1 above are slightly overblown now with the fully up to date Z9 FW. The only thing the Z line really lacks is moving the Z9 technology into the lower bodies. I suspect the Ziii bodies will have Expeed7 and then there will be no arguments that it's behind the other systems.
 
PeteStewardson said:
I think that's short lived. The Z9 is up there with the A1 ( but cheaper ) and I think a few of the pros of the sony a1 above are slightly overblown now with the fully up to date Z9 FW. The only thing the Z line really lacks is moving the Z9 technology into the lower bodies. I suspect the Ziii bodies will have Expeed7 and then there will be no arguments that it's behind the other systems.
Click to expand...
I’m not going to spend £6k on a body though. I also love the amount of 3rd party lenses on Sony but I’m not sure if the Z Mount is still a closed mount?
 
I was close to picking up z6ii or z7ii body for video and adapting EF lenses. But you need external recorder for these to get full spec and all other decent options become considerably better. Af with EF is likely to be unacceptable and I see no reason to buy a second set of currently very overpriced yet increasingly more plastic lenses. Vs f mount the big gains would be in the wideangles where f mount options were unacceptably poor so much so I stayed with canon. In this regard Sony will have more options available
 
Brazo said:
I’m not going to spend £6k on a body though. I also love the amount of 3rd party lenses on Sony but I’m not sure if the Z Mount is still a closed mount?
Click to expand...
That was the point of what I wrote though. Nikon will be flowing the Z9 tech down to the Z6/7 style bodies so you don't have to. Although the Z9 isn't 6k it's closer to 5 which is a big difference. :)
 
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