Now we need a Z version of the PS-4

This discussion puzzles me. I've searched it from the start, found one mention of the ES-2 slide holder, in post #3 above. I don't understand why it or the earlier ES-1, either one mounted on a 55 or 60 mm MicroNikkor on an FTZ adapter, won't do. I also don't understand why the PB-4 PS-4 combination won't take an FTZ.

 

What have I missed?

This discussion puzzles me. I've searched it from the start, found one mention of the ES-2 slide holder, in post #3 above. I don't understand why it or the earlier ES-1, either one mounted on a 55 or 60 mm MicroNikkor on an FTZ adapter, won't do. I also don't understand why the PB-4 PS-4 combination won't take an FTZ.

 

What have I missed?

You missed me asking the same last friday and Conrad answering that he wanted to see how the Z lens performs in comparison.

Edited December 22, 2021 by q.g._de_bakker

PB-4 PS-4 combination won't take an FTZ.

AFAIK, the new Nikkor 105m Z macro won't work via anything other than with a completely electronically connected FTZ i or ii to a Z body. No comms, no work, I'm not even sure there's a way to stop-down the aperture, never-mind the AF, it's focus by wire.

 

Equally, to get it to work as a slide digitiser beyond 1:1, you need to put some e-connected space, AKA an extension tube, between body and lens. I've been very happy with the set by Commlite 26mm and 36mm, and Viltrox 10mm and 16mm.

Edited December 22, 2021 by mike_halliwell

AFAIK, the new Nikkor 105m Z macro won't work via anything other than with a completely electronically connected FTZ i or ii to a Z body. No comms, no work, I'm not even sure there's a way to stop-down the aperture, never-mind the AF, it's focus by wire.

 

Equally, to get it to work as a slide digitiser beyond 1:1, you need to put some e-connected space, AKA an extension tube, between body and lens. I've been very happy with the set by Commlite 26mm and 36mm, and Viltrox 10mm and 16mm.

Mike, a 105 mm lens is too long for slide copying with a PB4 + PS4. At 1:1 sensor to subject distance will be ~ 420 mm.

The 105mm Z's min. working distance is ~ 134mm for 1:1.... so that's from, more or less, the filter threads to the slide.

 

I think the PB4 bellows can be 'short' enough to hold the PS4 in the right place...no?

 

The important bit is that all this 'stuff' is in-front of the lens!

Edited December 22, 2021 by mike_halliwell

All the "buzz" was that the new 105 mm was probably the sharpest micro/macro lens Nikon had ever made. True? Not a clue, but I wanted to try it for slide/neg copy work.

 

I may have said this before but it bears repeating. The new Z lenses are designed to work at a specific distance from the sensor. Bellows and extension tubes would destroy their excellent optical properties and are probably a thing of the past. My guess is you'd be far better off to use a screw-in close-up lens, if such existed, to get beyond 1:1.

 

As for the FTZ, PB series bellows, plus whatever, yes, that combination works just fine and I use it frequently. I've yet to find anything I was doing with previous dSLRs that the Z6 can't do just fine, usually far better.

Bellows and extension tubes would destroy their excellent optical properties and are probably a thing of the past. My guess is you'd be far better off to use a screw-in close-up lens, if such existed, to get beyond 1:1.

They don't have too. Remember the 55mm macro that only went to 1:2? It had a tube to get to life size, and no one complained about that!

 

I would have thought a screw on lens is going to be horrid compared to a tube? When, and if, my 105mm Z turns up, I'll try it....:cool:

AFAIK, the new Nikkor 105m Z macro won't work via anything other than with a completely electronically connected FTZ i or ii to a Z body. No comms, no work, I'm not even sure there's a way to stop-down the aperture, never-mind the AF, it's focus by wire.

 

 

Automatic Bellows for Nikon Z-Mount (novoflex.de)

Automatic Bellows for Nikon Z-Mount (novoflex.de)

Whoa, it would even autofocus, that's huge.

I will try it for sure. Funny B&H has it in stock for $999 and Adorama does not have it in stock but selling it for about US200 more.

Just because you can doesn't mean you should. I'd want to see some images from that bellows using the lens I intended to use, before shelling out big bucks. Might work great with some lenses and terrible with others. Lenses are not designed the way they used to be. One reference point I use is that the new teleconverters from Nikon only work with the specific lenses they were designed for. What do you suppose would happen if they could be used with the lower end zooms? Less lens profits for Nikon or bad optical performance? Not a clue.

B&H shipping is crazy fast. I may be receiving the Novoflex bellows tomorrow. But don't think I would have the time and assign the priority to use it until perhaps after this year.

 

At this stage of my life, I have lost the patience to tinker. My preferences are simple procedures toward effective results. Thus PB4, extension tubes, close up filters, reverse rings... are things of the past - though some remnants still remain. The combination of Z7ii + Z MC 105 + Z auto-bellows appears appealing with the least encumbrance and worthy of trial. Let's hope there's no rude surprise. ;)

C.P.M.... That's just a set of tubes with an accordian between them...

 

You could make your own for £50..., what is that, a 12 wire ribbon cable?

 

I'm surprised people aren't doing PB4 conversions....

C.P.M.... That's just a set of tubes with an accordian between them...

 

You could make your own for £50..., what is that, a 12 wire ribbon cable?

 

I'm surprised people aren't doing PB4 conversions....

How about you convert one, or build one 'from scratch', and show us the result?

C.P.M.... That's just a set of tubes with an accordian between them...

 

You could make your own for £50..., what is that, a 12 wire ribbon cable?

 

I'm surprised people aren't doing PB4 conversions....

Tell that to novoflex, it's their product, i'm just trying to help so don't shoot the messenger...

C.P.M.... That's just a set of tubes with an accordian between them...

 

You could make your own for £50..., what is that, a 12 wire ribbon cable?

 

I'm surprised people aren't doing PB4 conversions....

 

I don't think I can build one from scratch for 50 pounds and the PB4 is expensive used. But I do think the price of the Novolfex is high but perhaps they can't sell a lot. In fact if they cay sell in the millions I think some manufacturers can actually make and sell them for $50 and making a profit.

Well, this link was posted on another site and it confirms what I suspected- Image Degradation when using Extension Tubes with Nikkor Z MC 105mm Macro lens - Part 1 - WildLight Photography

 

Note however that the combination is still usable with some cropping.

Edited December 24, 2021 by conrad_hoffman

A set of 2 short tubes for Z mount is about £30. They provide all the connectivity you need. Join the 11 pins together with a ribbon cable. Focusing rails vary a huge amount in size, quality and cost and I gotta say the Novaflex set look splendid.

 

Regarding image degradation, is is better to use, say the 50mm Z macro, with 50mm of extension or the 100mm Z macro with 100mm of extension?

Modern lenses are 'made to measure' over a wide range, and i doubt the 100 mm would perform best set to infinity plus 100 mm of extra extension. It probably changes focal length too when focussing in from infinity (so the amount of extension needed to achieve magnification x is less), and will be over 1:1 magnification when set to 1:1 on 100 mm of extension.