pcassity

Niels, I understand that the lens becomes a 6.3 with the TC. But my original understanding was as Ed described - "The diaphragm opening is the same, with or without a teleconverter." Which I take as meaning that the diaphragm continues to open at 4.5.

Thanks! What brought be to bring up the subject in the first place was how a teleconverter would affect this process. For example, my newly purchased z400mm is 4.5. With the 1.4x it becomes a maximum 6.3. Does the it still acquire focus at 4.5 or at 6.3 when using the TC?

I once an read an article explaining how a camera will always focus at the largest aperture of the lens that is attached to the camera, regardless of the f stop that is selected. . For example a 400 2.8 lens will focus at 2.8, even if a smaller aperture is selected. It went on to explain it is why a lens with a large aperture will always focus faster and more accurately than a lens with a slower, smaller aperture. I was trying to to explain this concept on another forum but wasn’t real successful in making my case. Does anyone have further information or maybe a different explanation? Thanks!

Posted the above back in March when I received my z9. As Joseph suggested, I posted my concern and suggestion for a focus memory / focus distance recall control function on Brad Hill’s blog. I was ecstatic to find out today that firmware version 2.0 for the z9 gives that exact function, and more! Focus distance recall can now be set to virtually any fn button on the camera or on a z lens within buttons. In fact, multiple focus distance recall points can be set to different fn buttons! Have no idea whether it was the result of It being on Brads blog or if Nikon already had it in the works, just very glad they did!

So, last week I took possession of the Nikon z9. After playing around with it for a few days, I have come to the realization that what I thought was a focusing issue with my z7 and z7II may in fact be, in fact, an overall weakness of mirrorless cameras. For example. I am shooting small birds with the new Nikon 100-400mm z lens at about 30 to 40 feet. All of a sudden a a hawk flies overhead at approximately a hundred feet. I lift the camera into the air but, because the camera is focused at 30’, it’s impossible to locate the hawk. To make matters worse, the 100-400 has an electronic information panel that indicates focal distance, aperture, exposure compensation, etc.. that is activated with the push of a button. So, there is no way to tell what distance one is focused at without activating the display. This isn’t a problem with my 500PF as it has a focus recall button which I have programmed to focus at infinity with the push of a fn button on the lens. As soon as I would see a subject at a further distance than what i was shooting I could immediately recall the focus at infinity. This was never a problem with the d500 and d850 since they don’t have electronic viewfinders. I would be interested to hear from those of you that have had similar issues and if you have found a workaround.

Just received my z9 a few days ago and I am trying to determine if it has the ability to recall a focal distance. I am finding that when I need to quickly shoot at infinity, such as in a BIF situation, often I am unable to locate the subject quickly enough to focus before the subject is out of range. Maybe there is another way to accomplish this? My 500pf lens has the focus recall feature which I find myself using very often in these types of situations. Your help is appreciated!

Recently, I came across an article from a popular online photographer and I’d like to hear other’s opinion of his statements. For whatever reason, after thinking I had nothing left to learn this pretty much amazes me. If true, how would this apply to a telephoto zoom lens with variable aperture. For example, a 100-400 4.5-5.6. Will the focus occur at 4.5, regardless of the focal length, since the aperture decreases to 5.6 at 400mm? Your thoughts are appreciated! “An f/2.8 lens like a 400mm f/2.8 is always going to focus faster and more accurately than a f/4 or f/5.6 or f/6.3 lens EVEN WHEN THE APERTURE SETTING IS THE SAME. What this means is if I am shooting with a 400 f/2.8 lens that is set to f/5.6, it is going to focus faster and produce sharper images than if I was using another lens such as a 500mm f/5.6 lens that is set at f/5.6. This part is important: Our cameras do not step down the aperture to the f/stop we have set until the moment the shutter button is actuated. This means that anytime you are walking around, looking through your viewfinder, or acquiring focus, your lens is actually set to its maximum aperture.”

Thanks Shun, I just checked the 100-400. It looks fine.

Update - After receiving and using the 1.4 TC on my 100-400mm Z lens for a couple of weeks, I returned it today. As I mentioned in my previous post, I was looking forward to how it would compare to my 500PF. I was initially disappointed in its sharpness at 400mm (560mm). I originally felt as if I just need to get used to it a bit more since I had only had the 100-400 for a short period of time. But I decided to return it when I discovered that it might actually be defective. The rubberband type of material that protects the lens housing. (see Shun's first picture above in which he compares the 1.4x F mount to the z mount) was torn in places which resulted in it not fitting tightly around the housing. I don't think this in itself was causing the softness. However, when I began to remove the TC from the 100-400 lens, I noticed that the piece of rubber was actually slightly sticking up over the top of the housing, I was able to re-fit it to the housing and reinstall to the lens. However, when I removed the TC, the rubber protector was again coming off the housing. I felt like it might possibly be interfering with the glass. So, I have returned and am waiting on a replacement. Hopefully, this is an isolated incident. I will update once I receive its replacement.

Ordered the 1.4x today for my 100-400 Z. Looking forward to seeing how it compares to the 500PF. The 100-400mm by itself is a real treat so far. Incredibly sharp and significantly faster focus compared to the 500PF on my z7ii. Miss not having a focus recall button.

I should know this since I once owned the 80-400 but, I wonder what focal length changes the new 100-400 to f5.6. Or, I guess asked in another way, what focal lengths will enjoy f4.5?

Thanks. I had read in different forums of CFx readers being incompatible with cards other than those by the same manufacturer. Good to know that its working ok with Lexar and ProGrade cards.

Shun, any idea if it is compatible with San Disk CFexpress cards?

Thanks Ilkka. I have asked the question in a few different forums. To be honest, after the photo is imported into Lightroom mobile, I don’t find it to really be a problem as I have no need to export as a original (nef) file. Since Lightroom mobile allows me to edit the nef and export as a jpeg, that’s all I really need. The issue is really with Snapbridge. I suspect that it hasn’t yet been updated to be compatible with the apples iOS. Or, apples iOS hasn’t yet been updated to be compatible with the z7II’s nef files.

As I mentioned above, the same issue occurs when importing straight to Lightroom mobile to the iPad or phone. And yes, I have tried using a card reader.

There appears to be an issue with the current version of SnapBridge when used with the new z7II. Specifically when downloading a raw file. Although, the photo displays correctly on my IPhone 7 and IPad Pro 11, it will not save correctly to the camera roll. The iphone/iPad camera roll shows that a photo has been imported but but no image information appears, just a blank white square. This is not an issue when downloading as a jpeg. In addition, a similar problem exists when importing to the latest version of Lightroom Mobile, on either device. In this case when exporting as an ‘original’ file the photo exports with an odd extension. For example dsc123_nef.tiff. When opening on my Mac pro and viewIng the file info., It’s actually being uploaded as a 160x120 pixel tiff image. Can’t really determine if this is a Apple, Lightroom or Snapbridge problem. Maybe a combination of all three? Would be interested to hear if there are any z6ii owners that are experiencing similar problems. No issues with z7 files.

Received the z7ii yesterday. Lightroom working perfectly!

The new 1.4 and 2.0 Z teleconverters are intriguing. Especially this statement in Nikon's description of both - "Optimized for the compact mirrorless Z system, it retains 100% resolution".

I have preordered the z7ii, as well. Just wondering, anyone have an idea why Nikon is waiting until mid December for it release?

Mary, why do you feel the 20mm s would be a good replacement for the non S version?

Have been waiting for the 20mm lens for the Z7 but I still have my 850 and don't plan on getting rid of it any time soon. Looks like the F mount 20mm may actually be smaller than the Z. Considering the $300 difference in price maybe the F mount with the FTZ adapter would be a better idea. Will be interesting to see the reviews. Especially how it handles distortion.

Sanford, prices in Texas are rising but still reasonable compared to many areas of the country.

So, I have been using the Z7 alongside my D850 for about 4 months now and I (almost) love the Z7 as much as I have always loved the 850. I love the size. I love the quality of S lenses. I love the fact that Adobe and Lightroom recognize the Picture Profile of the Z's. I have no issue with the fact that it has only 1 card slot, as I have been using San Disk cards in everything starting with the D70 years ago and have never had one fail, after literally hundreds of thousands of shots. I now, after getting used to it, even love the focus of the Z7. As far as I am concerned its just as accurate and fast as the 850. So, back to the 'almost' remark. I thought I really loved the z's EVF but I have come to realize that this may actually be the one weakness of this (and maybe all mirrorless) cameras. And then, for only action shots. When shooting birds in flight, in the 9 FPS burst mode, the EVF can't keep up! In fact, it can cause one to miss a great shot since what you are viewing is not live, but the resulting jpeg instead. You can choose not to see the jpgs but then the EVF goes black until the images are recorded to the card. I am hoping, that this may be corrected by using the new CFexpress cards but I doubt it will have any affect. Has anyone found a way to deal with this issue? Maybe there is a (I'm hoping) another setting I have missed? Thanks!

Also, why just a firmware update for the Z's and not all of the XQD cameras? Maybe the faster read /write speeds will only benefit video.

So, I upgraded my z7 with the new firmware this morning. When the compatible CFE card becomes available, what differences (if any) can I expect compared to the XQD card?