My Nikon z7 w/ FTZ adapter just arrived! But what am I missing?

OK. I'm not going to try and review the camera here but just post a question about it's design.

 

The problem is how far forward the 1/4" tripod adapter is. If you mount even the smallest arca-swiss compatible plate to it the Z lens (24-70) will engage the Z mount. Good so far however since the plate sticks out by 3/16" beyond the camera you can't mount the FTZ without removing the plate from the Z7. To make maters worse even if you mount a plate to the FTZ you can't then engage it to the Z7 camera????? Do you have to remove all plates and re-screw them into each piece of the tripod quick release plates to the camera each time you change lens types??

 

Hopefully I'm missing something because this is a major problem for me. NONE of my plates or types will work.

The FT1 adapter for Nikon 1 had the same problem with the plates I have. I don't think Nikon knows about tripod plates.

The problem with both the FT1 and FTZ adapter is that they have a motor built-in to move the mechanical aperture diaphragm, and Nikon hides that motor inside the tripod mount on the adapter. That is why I hope there will be a version of the FTZ that only works with E lenses and therefore doesn't need that motor and the tripod mount on the adapter.

Thanks for the quick replies. I've taken some photos to illustrate.

 

The bottom of the camera:

 

With plate on FTZ you'll note that I can't mount it to the camera right (it's cocked since the plate is hitting the camera side) (and NO I didn't force it - it's only sitting gently on top).

 

 

If you are going to put the quick-release plate on the FTZ adapter, you need to put a small block on that tripod mount to raise it a bit. I would imagine that there will be a custom solution soon. The problem is that once you remove the adapter, the QR plate is gone.

 

If I ever get a Z camera, I prefer to use native Z-,mount lenses on it, but during the next few years, it will be a transition period where you have to use some F-mount lenses on it.

I've got to say the tripod socket on the body is a little farther forward than I assumed it was going to be. Kirk have a tiny generic plate which looks like it'll fit the FTZ (they suggest it as such). I hope they or RRS will have something to fit the camera, but the thickness of the plate is a bit limiting unless it's going to to stick out the back. I have a generic L plate which might allow the camera to mount far enough forward for the mount not to foul.

 

Arca would probably like you to use their "monoball fix" plates, which are thinner...

@Shun - Thanks for the suggestion however if you put a small block to raise the height the length becomes a issue as it runs into the camera's built in grip during mounting.

I have a similar problem with one of my tilt-shift lenses - it's basically square, and fouls on the grip (and prism) during mounting. I have to insert it square, then rotate the (fortunately rotatable) mount behind it until it clicks into place. Teach me not to buy cheap third-party stuff.

 

I've certainly seen generic plates with slots in them (like the Kirk one I mentioned) which don't require the tripod screw to be central in the plate; this means you can get one edge much closer to the front of the body. Of course, the other edge may then foul on the tilt screen if you want to tilt it down, but to fix that we're back to using the Monoball Fix system so your plates are thinner (and not using any third party's clamps).

 

I'm kind of surprised how large the "motor bump" on the adaptor has to be if it's only moving an aperture lever. Screw drive focus, yes, but surely the aperture lever mechanism inside the camera can't be that size?

Chris, could you take an 'edge-on' pic to show the relative heights of the FTZ and the Z7 body when attached together?

 

I suppose any lens that has a foot is going to be attached to a QR plate etc by that foot and not the FTZ (or body!!)

 

I guess the bump has a dual role of being big enough to house the aperture moving mechanism AND tall enough to providing sufficient clearance in relation to the body.

 

I guess the half answer is to make a single foot that screws into both 1/4 sockets (FTZ and body) and has either an Arca Swiss dovetail or/and an array of it's own sockets for a decent length. But this makes it a big hassle to remove if you want to switch to a native fit S lens.

 

Any rotation to portrait would have to be done via a rotating lens collar and couldn't be done with the FTZ.

OK. I'm not going to try and review the camera here but just post a question about it's design.

 

The problem is how far forward the 1/4" tripod adapter is. If you mount even the smallest arca-swiss compatible plate to it the Z lens (24-70) will engage the Z mount. Good so far however since the plate sticks out by 3/16" beyond the camera you can't mount the FTZ without removing the plate from the Z7. To make maters worse even if you mount a plate to the FTZ you can't then engage it to the Z7 camera????? Do you have to remove all plates and re-screw them into each piece of the tripod quick release plates to the camera each time you change lens types??

 

Hopefully I'm missing something because this is a major problem for me. NONE of my plates or types will work.

There are some really small Arca compatible plates that might work, including this one at just 28x38x5mm (no connection with or experience of this seller):

 

Quick Release Plate for Mirrorless Small Camera Compatible with Benro Arca Swiss

 

I did a search for "arca plate (small,micro,mini)", but a little more digging might find something even smaller if necessary.

I think the tripod mount on the FTZ is there for the motor. I don't see why using that tripod socket. If the lens is small then just use the camera socket. If the lens is big it would have a tripod socket. I can't see the reason for the tripod socket on the adapter.

I can't see the reason for the tripod socket on the adapter.

 

- I can.

MILCs are small and lightweight and very unbalanced with anything bigger than a standard (50mm) lens on them. I certainly wish my Sony/Nikon adapter had a tripod socket, if only to take a pistol grip.

 

Besides, it takes what - 10 to 15 seconds? - to screw a standard 1/4 whitworth bolt into a tripod socket. QR plates; who needs 'em?

 

Just noticed that the Z mount fits anti-clockwise, but with the release catch (?) stuck against the grip. Jeez! Couldn't Nikon have learned from Sony's cack-handed mistake?

Edited October 20, 2018 by rodeo_joe|1

- I can.

MILCs are small and lightweight and very unbalanced with anything bigger than a standard (50mm) lens on them. I certainly wish my Sony/Nikon adapter had a tripod socket, if only to take a pistol grip.

 

Besides, it takes what - 10 to 15 seconds? - to screw a standard 1/4 whitworth bolt into a tripod socket. QR plates; who needs 'em?

 

I can't stand the tripod mount on the adapter and I think it's very stupid design until Shun said that's for the motor then I accept that. The Canon EOS-R is about the same size and weight of the Z7 and Canon doesn't have the tripod socket on the adapter because they don't need a motor. So I accept the motor reason but not there is a need for a tripod socket 1" away from the camera body.

The plate shown has an extraordinary amount of overhang. I question the purpose, since the only feature that counts is the beveled section. None of my RRS plates overhang significantly beyond the V-block itself.

 

If you mount the plate parallel to the lens axis, it may work, since there is much less overhang in that orientation. Likewise if mounted on the camera itself, although the orientation would still be parallel to the lens rather than the focal plane. There is probably no need to mount the plate on the adapter. Any lens long enough and heavy enough to need support will have a lens foot already mounted, well out of the way.

 

Does the adapter extend below the bottom of the camera? If so, you would have difficulty mounting it on any tripod in which the head is wider than the camera base. However a suitable plate would add enough thickness to avoid this interference.

 

RRS is offering pre-ordering, but has not finalized the specifications. From the size of the Z mount, it is obvious that the shallow lip RRS uses to prevent rotation will have to be relieved in that area. That lip, and any overhang are typically only about 1 mm. Unlike the universal plate shown by the OP, the plate could (and should) stay on the camera, and be completely free from twisting. Although expensive, consider a fitted plate part of the cost of a new camera, for about the same price as a couple of filters.

 

In the past, RRS has been able to accommodate operational needs from similar cameras, including access to cable ports, the battery compartment, and the articulated rear display.

Interesting oversight from Nikon.

 

I suppose what will happen is that there will be custom plates that solve both problems.

Bit of an odd question, but I assume there's a custom dedicated chip in the FTZ?

 

Otherwise, just pass-through connections would work for E lenses.

 

Guess an 'extension tube' with a female F mount and male Z mount would be good

E lenses are such a small percentage of F mount Nikkors in existence (I doubt even 1% is E) that one really cannot sell an adapter that only supports them, for most F mount lens owners it would be close to useless. When Nikon started to launch (non-PC) E lenses, many people stopped buying Nikon lenses around those times, because of low perceived performance/price of the new lenses (with one exception) and poor LV AF, moving to Sony/Canon mounts and in Nikon mount, to the less expensive but high quality Sigma lenses which quickly outsold Nikkors. Of course the Sigmas are G, not E lenses. So there can really not be that many copies of E lenses out there, probably the 200-500 is the only one sold in large numbers. Such an adapter would be a non-starter.

OK, maybe G lenses is what I meant..

 

Those that don't need an aperture push..:)

OK, maybe G lenses is what I meant..

 

Those that don't need an aperture push..:)

Unfortunately, G lenses just don’t have an aperture ring. You still have a mechanical aperture diaphragm control via the body so that the FTZ needs to imitate that control.

 

Only E lenses and AF-P lenses use a fully electronic aperture control.

 

If I buy a Z body, I’ll try to add a few dedicated Z mount lenses quickly, but the selection is limited in the next 1 to 2 years. Meanwhile I try to buy all new E lenses, but today I still use s few G lenses regularly.

Chris, could you take an 'edge-on' pic to show the relative heights of the FTZ and the Z7 body when attached together?

- No plate on either camera or FTZ.

 

 

If you mount the plate parallel to the lens axis, it may work, since there is much less overhang in that orientation. Likewise if mounted on the camera itself, although the orientation would still be parallel to the lens rather than the focal plane. There is probably no need to mount the plate on the adapter. Any lens long enough and heavy enough to need support will have a lens foot already mounted, well out of the way.

 

Thanks Ed, but sorry still doesn't fit that way either.

 

Does the adapter extend below the bottom of the camera? If so, you would have difficulty mounting it on any tripod in which the head is wider than the camera base. However a suitable plate would add enough thickness to avoid this interference.

 

Yes, the FTZ does extend beyond the bottom of the camera.

 

Thanks everyone for replying.

Just some additional FYI for anyone wishing to retain use of older lenses the FTZ does NOT have a AI follower tab! The Non-CPU lens menu item is therefor a misnomer since non CPU (BUT AI) lenses do NOT work. Appears camera has no way of know the f-stop. Additionally, as you might already have guessed, you have to the subcommand dial to set the aperture on CPU lenses AI lenses too. Might introduce some compatibility issues.

Yes, the FTZ does extend beyond the bottom of the camera.

An Arca-style plate is at least 1/4" thick, so judging from your image, the adapter would not touch the clamp. You just need a plate that doesn't interfere with the adapter, preferably one custom designed for that camera, or by mounting your universal plate on the camera body and turning it 90 degrees (parallel with the lens axis).

Thanks for the pic Chris, that shows the offset nicely.

 

I'm guessing that from the stress point of view, it would be better to fit the tripod or QR plate to the FTZ rather than the body.

 

Something like a 14-24 2.8 mounted on the Z7 via ZTZ but with the QR plate on the body adds a lot more leverage weight to the Z7's body mount.

 

A simple stepped mount with Arca Swiss dovetails is the answer.

New camera type, things like this happen. And since Nikon has never been in the QR market, the onus has always been on 3rd party vendors to get it right which they will. I feel for those who want to start right away at using the Z on a tripod via QR's but I would venture to guess that solutions will be ready to go before the Z6 hits the shelves.

 

Since DSLRs are and will always remain my primary digital cameras, it's not likely I will be using my Z6 for tripod work so I can't say I am really bothered by it.

 

I do have a question though, I assume one can disable in camera stabilization when using a tripod with the Z?

I do have a question though, I assume one can disable in camera stabilization when using a tripod with the Z?

Yes, DB_Gallery that is a easy to access function.