Is Z-mount any different? Nikon Z vs F-mount: 6 top of the line lenses comparison (feat. Z5)

[@darkest0warfare]

Took out my D700 the other day, with the 24-70. Fast, reliable and accurate. Wish I could say I am ready to switch to a mirrorless, I'll probably just end up getting the D850 when it goes down in price! Great video Lok! Love your content!

[@lunho1429]

rtggggtttguvv b. 366 s. Nlvcve 66ee6665e56v55v55. Eez

[@Smoothblue90]

I am still using a d500 d750.

[@Chrismzeller]

I have the D850 and it’s pretty awesome no need to switch. That 24-70 is pretty sweet though. Loc should have emphasized the controls on that one.

[@mesembsgardenmalaysia891]

I would say go for D780..

[@makimoko]

I still enjoy my D3. Have the 24-70 f2.8 (non IS) and 70-200 f2.8 ii. I regret not getting the 14-24 f2.8 back in 2012 when it was 1600$ CAD lol.

[@1028ysm]

Thank you for choosing such an iconic background for this review! 🇭🇰

[@Testarossazxc]

From DRTV to his current channel, Lok never fails to produce excellent reviews 👍

[@jtes1442]

Yes , the Z mount sure makes a difference . Especially with those amazing 1.8s !

[@FrankTaeger2021]

Considering how ridiculously sharp the 70-200 f2.8 FEL ED is, that additional level of sharpness around 2.8 is kind of ridiculous. Everyone may have been fine if it were "Kind of the same" but they actually got better...

[@sloppy-1-1]

Yeah, you can comfortably add a 2x TC to the new S 70-200 and still have exceptional sharpness

[@Mikri90]

I don't know, if I had to guess, might be that this particular unit of the 2.8 FEL ED was a poor one. It looks so smeared and without detail even in the center. This should not be the case, this looks like 70-200/2.8 VR mark I version.

[@dp5383]

Anyone else get anxious when Lok was waving the lenses so close to the railing @ 4:50? 😬

[@vickun]

As a photo hobbyist, I was thinking of just getting out of SLR altogether. I have my D750, and a lens for every need...then here comes mirrorless...I thought why should I stay in the game. This review kind of got me re-interested in the Nikon Z lineup. Thanks for the review!

[@drdeankos2356]

Finally someone who has agreed to my findings also thank you for your time in doing such a comprehensive comparison

[@mcunner]

They've only made the 24-70 on z smaller because it extends when zooming where the f mount is internal but both still basically zoom over the same distance/size.

[@minhnguyenle5230]

and theold Lens have Vr.

[@airruner]

Old also extends.

[@Smoothblue90]

Thank you. Good review. I'm still using the D500 and the D750. And F and D lenses.

[@bigmillsy10]

Good comparison. I take delivery of my 70-200 z next week. I have always felt that the most recent 70-200 f isn’t as good as the previous generation 70-200. I wondered if I was simply unlucky and even after calibration, it seemed to lack an edge. Your comparison suggests it is the lens design. In any event the arrival of the z 70-200 means that a lot of my f mount equipment is going up for sale. I suspect I’ll hold onto my D850, my D5 and my 1.4 primes, but think I’ll be saying goodbye to the rest.

[@timothyduvernet2711]

Too bad you ordered the old Z 70-200. The new one is SOO much better! If only Robert Capa had had Nikon Z lenses. Then he would have taken really good photos.

[@kalef1234]

Hard to know whether it's the mount that they're taking advantage of yet, or just having the re-design done in 2018+ to yield a simply better lens. But I tend to think their large mount is a good future direction for them to go!

[@chanjeff4406]

I believe this does help when they make the 14-30 f4 with filter thread.

[@DixonLu]

Would the F mount lenses perform better on DSLR? I ask because the F lenses were designed to hit the DSLR's sensor at a certain angle and distance, so would be interested to compare them on D850 v S mount on Z7.

[@LeesChannel]

The angle and distance are the same, the adapter holds the lens exactly where it would be on an F series camera, if it didn't it wouldn't be able to focus properly. The lens would either only be able to focus very closely, or the focus range would be beyond infinity, meaning that it would be impossible for anything to ever be in focus, the light rays would never converge.

[@bamboojled8919]

Hi @DavidLiulsSick, please see my response to Raymond on this very question above.

[@Jon.666]

Thank you Lok for this excellent review!

[@SimonStreuffViolinEducation]

What is wrong with the water around 5:10-5:20? Is it the electronic stabilizer bugging out? Also in the pan 1:35 around the lenses there is some stuttering going on. Probably the stabilization bugging out!?

[@willsfrantz]

It's worth noting the 24-70 F , the entire lens zooms within the hood and frame, no extension of the body... so while the Z is smaller in size, once extended, not really. I just posted a review of the F mount 24-70 VR ! check it out

[@timothyduvernet2711]

Tamron's 28-70 is a great bargain and provides as much real service in either case. Check it out.

[@katesavage2001]

Thank you. This is the explaination I have been looking for.

[@Rtd2870]

Thanks Lok! As a Nikon shooter I've found this to be really helpful in knowing how my F mount glass will perform on a Zcam. I can't justify selling off the old glass and dropping 10k on zed glass just yet but now I know what I'm missing.

[@timothyduvernet2711]

Don't think about it and you won't be missing anything. Have fun using the gear you know rather than dreaming of gear you might want!

[@JimAtHome]

True for sure the Z mount lenses are better but are they that much better that they deserve to be triple the price ? I can see a maybe up to 20% improvement but unless you're a kinky pixel peeper I seriously doubt you would notice any difference and with an FTZ adaptor you can still use all that fab Nikon glass you already own on your Z6 II camera

[@lukibuki7651]

I'm using FTZ on Nikon Z50. F lenses are much much cheaper.

[@solo8827]

can you suggest a Camera store in Hong Kong that is not black market and sells camera online?

[@twoblink]

Unfortunately; NONE of my currently most used 4 lenses from NIkon exists in the mirrorless world. 28mm F1.8G; 105mmf2DC, 180mm F2.8D; 70-300mm So I'd love to move to mirrorless but since none of the lenses I currently use are natively reproduced on the Zmount; I will wait..

[@IustinPop]

I'm surprised at the difference between the 70-200mm lenses. Yes, the MTF forecasted differences, but this big? The F-mount one was one of the sharpest 70-200 when it was launched… A bit surprised.

[@TheLokCheung]

I was surprised too! But I’ve took a few shots each time and refocus each time too, especially they gave the same conclusion in different spot and time of day, so I’m pretty confident it is the right result

[@IustinPop]

@@TheLokCheung Oh, I didn't think it was an error on your part. Just… I thought the difference will be much smaller, especially in the image centre. This makes the decision of when to move from F to Z mount even harder, given that the Z6/Z7 bodies are now a bit long in the tooth…

[@TheLokCheung]

No worries! I know you don't mean that, I just take the opportunity to make it clear as other may doubt about the result.

[@Raevenswood]

I've tried both the Z and F mount versions and I currently own the 70-200 E I just didn't think spending 2500 bucks on the Z mount version was worth it when the 2.8 E version is still so good. The 70-200 E is ridiculously sharp so there must have been something out of whack with the test example from this video. I'm consistently impressed with the results it gives.

[@Mikri90]

@@Raevenswood You're right, and it could be that this particular lens unit is just bad. This happens, especially if it's a used lens with some mileage on it. It's not clear from the video if these are actually new F mount lenses or some samples they send around for testing. Even if new, it could be a lemon.

[@exploringtogether7907]

Z cameras and lenses are 🔥, and it is getting better and better

[@timothyduvernet2711]

The gear doesn't take the pictures! You as the photographer do. If you have a nice F mount lens, it will always be a good lens. If you took great photos with your older or current F lenses, what is stopping you from continuing to do so? Sure, having the latest and greatest is appealing, especially if you are in the business of selling gear. I have a 50mm f/2 Minolta MD lens that gives me more pleasure adapted to my Sony than anything current. It costs $65 maybe, is indestructible and humble. Would I take a better picture with a lens worth 20X as much? Doubt it.

[@FelixCervantes]

So if you have a full set of F mount lenses, which would be your first choice of a Z lens?

[@SpaklesDr]

I am probably going to jump in to the Z mount this year. I took the superior mount bait.

[@boostedmaniac]

Awesome review. I’m waiting for a Nikon version of the Sony A7r4 if they do make one to see how it competes. That will determine if I dump Nikon and switch to Sony when going mirrorless.

[@timothyduvernet2711]

Hey, I have the a7R4. I love it btw. I tried a Z7ii and the Sony cameras smoke Nikon for autofocus. But who really needs 60mp? I got it for the improved viewfinder and some other features. Otherwise, get yourself an a7riii and just take photos. Sony doesn't have the legacy of F hanging around its head has way more resources. BTW, Sigma lenses are made in Japan, unlike just about every other lens or camera Co.

[@GlennMariano]

I thought the 2.8 FL was sharp, but geez, the new one resolves a lot more detail!

[@mindcave]

Seems something was not right with his copy. It clearly was under performing.

[@GrablifeCO]

I have the Z50, Z6, and Z6 with many of the latest lenses (14-70mm f:2.8, 70-200mm, 16. My only native F lens is the 16mm f1.8. Great results. I love the Z series.

[@airruner]

16mm f1.8 does not exist.

[@Boz1211111]

wow thanks for a proper review and great choice of gear to compare

[@marendradika]

so, if you had to choose 1 lens, to do potrait which would it be?

[@Noksus]

Damn that difference between the 70-200s is amazing. I still have the VR II model which weighs over 1.5kg.... haha. Maybe worth it to upgrade at some point.

[@roybixby6135]

Best video on the new Z lenses i've seen yet. BTW - you shouldn't extend your tripod centre column so much...

[@mindcave]

Something must have not been right with your 70-200mm E. The norm for this lens is absolute tack sharpness even wide open.

[@airruner]

Same thought. Probably factory issue.

[@Mikri90]

Yep, that lens was seriously out of alignment. I doubt even the original 70-200/2.8 VR would be this bad.

[@ospre4006]

Informative with an awesome backdrop. Thank you

[@Raevenswood]

I just traded a bunch of my S line Z mount lenses for a lot more top end F mount lenses and I have zero regrets about it. I can use them on my D850's and I can also adapt them to the Z6ii I have as well. If it's not the "best" clinical performance available I don't personally care because I think the rendering from the F mount lenses like the 35mm or 85mm 1.4 G's or the 70-200 E is amazing and it has a look that the Z mount doesn't have. the Z mount solved some aberration problems but most of if not all of that is easily corrected in post. The other thing that is better about F mount lenses is they are not focus by wire so I can use them with video rigs too for pulling focus etc... the Z mount focus by wire absolutely sucks for video even though the Z cameras are good for video...such an oxymoron to make a mirrorless camera line that is actually great for video but then compromise the whole thing with focus by wire lenses.

[@timothyduvernet2711]

Why is an old F2 such a popular film camera? Because it is pure in its simplicity. The more cameras decide for us, the less appealing they are in mho. The D850 is a great camera and always will be. You can actually look through the camera with it turned off! It starts up immediately and the battery lasts forever. Most of the "improvements" in lens quality will never be seen anyway. Between hand shakes and the scale of enlargement, chasing perfect sharpness is dream with no end.

[@paulurban2]

Impressive results from the Z mount lenses. Thanks.

[@RiposteThis]

How are you liking the Z5?

[@rx7dreyko]

Disappointed in Nikon giving you the 24mm 1.4g to compare to the 24mm 1.8s. The newer 24mm 1.8g is possibly the best of the f mount 1.8s and would be a much more fair comparison. Honestly the age of the glass is a significant factor that is often overlooked in these comparisons. the newer 28mm and 105mm 1.4e lenses are stunning and compare very well to their closest z mount alternatives. Love the z6, and the 50mm 1.8 s is finally the top shelf 50mm the f mount was always missing. But believe me I would pick up the d850 first almost every time.

[@Mikri90]

Yes, this is a great point (yes I know I am 3 years late but it still stands). None of my lenses perform as good as when they were newer, some even got decentered. Any lens with significant mileage could perform noticeably worse than a new unit. I would like to know if the F mount lenses were new units or not. That 70-200/2.8 FEL seems to be performing rather poorly. It should not be this big of a difference.

[@Chrismzeller]

Thank you for doing this Loc!

[@cryptoalchemist10minutes44]

is there an English version of this?

[@aaroiseverything]

worried if you dropped the lenses at the edge of the water

[@duncanwallace7760]

I also think the new Z 24-70 is easier hold on the Z cameras than the old one with the adaptor. Not sure about the 70-200 though, I don't have that one.

[@BitDani]

Hi Lok, you might wanna change the title to "Does Z-mount make any difference?" from "Does Z-mount makes any different?"😊 or maybe "Is Z-mount any different?"

[@TheLokCheung]

Thank you! I struggled a lot with this title, keep thinking it doesn't sounds right!

[@BitDani]

@@TheLokCheung Happy to help! Also, great wideo as always

[@lamwp8634]

Consider this title "Is Z-mount better than F-mount?" It is direct to the point for most viewers.

[@Olivyay]

Hi Lok, thanks for the interesting video. Would you know by any chance the story about that kind of 'pixel'(tiles)-based characters like you shot at 7:48 ? When I visited Hong Kong (thanks to your videos from DRTV times!), I've spotted many of those on the walls of buildings and I wonder if it's a local cultural thing, or if it's the same artist who is doing them all or something. Do you know more about this? Thank you, cheers.

[@HappyHubris]

It looks like pixelated mascots like from old video games (think Atari).

[@addielg8734]

Look up Invader, a French street artist who did this a lot. Since then, there’s been a few copy cats of his work, no offense to them, just saying www.google.com/amp/s/theculturetrip.com/europe/france/paris/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-street-artist-invader/%3famp=1

[@Gachayoutuberslayyy]

Great review! thank you

[@ziginox]

If anything, the switch to mirrorless reduced the size of the model names! This really doesn't prove anything, though. Especially the 70-200mm. It was softer in the center, exactly where you're least likely to see the purported benefits of the shallower and wider lens mount. We're really just seeing a new lens vs old lens review. Sorry, Nikon. We didn't buy it when the Z6/7 came out, and we still don't buy it now.

[@sloppy-1-1]

The 70-200 Z is sharper than the FL. Not sure what you mean.

[@ziginox]

@@sloppy-1-1 Sorry, I should have specified. I meant the F-mount was softer. What I'm implying is that the benefits we're seeing are simply due to the Z-mount version being a more modern design, as most of the improvement in IQ was in the center. We did see improvement in the corners, of course, but it seems to be fairly consistent across the frame. Nikon seems to be claiming that the corners will reap the most benefit of the Z-mount dimensions.

[@sloppy-1-1]

@@ziginox I think the Z mount just makes designing these lenses easier, and you shouldn't really see a noticable improvement from the mount alone untill you get to the really wide apertures. and the short flange distance is most uselfull for wideangle lenses, so there isn't really a benefit for longer glass

[@photoeducationbydaniel]

Shame you didnt compare focusing speeds

[@peterxyz3541]

That Z5, does it have 2 card slots? Any...ANY cam body at 1,000.00, I expect 2 card slots.

[@TheLokCheung]

Yes it does

[@peterxyz3541]

Lok Cheung Thanks! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@zr1607]

yes 2 slots of SD cards... amazing

[@LeesChannel]

Looked to me like the F-mount 24-70 was sharper.

[@neddriscoll4450]

amazing video

[@fliedrebello5878]

24 S, 24_70 S and 70_200 FL ED VR would be better choice

[@markshirley01]

Lok are you saying the Z lenses AF faster.

[@jamshaidjamal255]

Can G lense Use with Z6ii recently bought

[@RagingBubuli]

Nikon Z Glass is better.

[@haifangshi]

Been waiting long time for your new video, short but nice comparison between those lens. I am shooting Canon, thou.

[@chuchonmc]

Comparing a 24mm from 2010 with a 24mm from 2021 is stupid. Specially when you have the Nikon 24mm f1.8 released in 2016 for F mount. Attach the 24mm Z mount to Z camera and the 24mm F mount with the adaptor is more stupid even. Specially when you have an F mount camera with the sensor of the Z7: the D850. And if this is sponsored by Nikon is even more stupid.

[@shailendraRawat007]

Nice

[@cactustweeter2890]

I have 3 of the S-line lenses. I'm waiting for my fourth. They are all amazing and improvements over the F-mount.

[@demonhunter20]

PRICE!!!!

[@Digmen1]

The F mount was too small and did not have enough electronic contacts to do good auto focus! They had to change, I am glad they did. Lets hope they keep bringing out more Z lenses.

[@gary7851]

The most important is wearing a musk while there is no one around you 😏

[@TheLokCheung]

It is Hong Kong, there's ALWAYS someone around you 😆

[@badegg1997]

my D750 still very work fine...

[@johnhjic2]

Hi Lok, Sorry but you are now doing a very nice test but you are using a Z series camera with Z lenses (Supper) but the F sergers lens need to be on a DSLR, may be the D780 or the D850. for me that would be a better test. But I do love what Nikon is doing. Thank you and Keep save.

[@ared18t]

The Tamron 70-200mm has almost zero focus breathing too. For the price that thing is fricken legendary man.

[@nh-ss5pw]

Thumbs up

[@dct124]

The difference is Point Light and how it controls light blooming from say a neon light or artificial window light.

[@thomassiegers3007]

Sony 70 200 2.8 vs Nikon z 70 200

[@zr1607]

i hawe a nikon D5300 crop... now i get nikon z5..amazing camera:)) all my lenses 50mm1.8f 85mm 1.8f and sigma 18-35mm 1.8f zoom.. is working well with nikon Z5..with FTZ adapter... amazing:)))

[@Tom_YouTube_stole_my_handle]

Given that the advances appear very small I wonder what the result would have been if Minolta had simply redesigned the F mount lenses for Nikon? The Z lenses are a generation on, it makes sense that they'd be 'one' better, but there doesn't appear to be the giant leap which would justify swapping an existing F mount inventory. Maybe wait for gen 2 when the handling quirks of the all rotating barrel on the primes has been eliminated (bring back the silver ring) and the service centres have gathered information on what breaks down in the field (extending front I am looking at you). Nice film, Lok.

[@harryramsay457]

Support!

[@edwardpang7659]

It’s round 🤣

[@markroxas7104]

Where in the bloody hell were you, Lok?

[@kuaqimai]

Well I still have my d700 and a d3s which I got it few year back

[@kalef1234]

gonna wait a few minutes for 4K to be available 😅

[@LeesChannel]

That's going to be a looooong wait

[@calebwhite681]

@@LeesChannel yeah looks like it wasn't uploaded in 4K but 1440p. probably assumed it was 4K but just not processed yet haha

[@stevenzimmerman5751]

My wife, she only shoots Nikon. She's getting the lense.

[@andretim75]

What the hell is the "French distance" ???

[@dezdevious]

Why all the Z mount glass have to look like to go coffee mugs though 😑

[@NotnaRed]

Nikon: makes bigger flange. Also Nikon: makes smaller aperture lenses.

[@silverdusssst]

If you're shooting f lenses you need a dslr, the adapter causes the distamce from sensor to lens t9 vary enough to create a softer image. Would have been better the test each lens on the appropriate system.

[@haydennettleton3272]

Test these lenses on a Z7 and the differences would be even greater.

[@Raymond-xn6wl]

Nice video. I only do wonder why you should compare F- mount to Z-mount on Z series cameras as F-mount lenses are not engineered for Z-mount and are only to use with Z-mount by using an adapter. No wonder that there will be image quality differences.

[@parnilsson322]

The F-mount lenses are used with the FTZ adapter and therefore behave exactly as if you had used an F-mount camera for example a D750.

[@bamboojled8919]

@Raymond, that is a common misconception (using f mount lenses will degrade if used on Z mount with adapter), the reality is that f mount lenses perform as well and in fact sometimes better than they do on an f mount (native Nikon DSLR) cameras. The reason that they perform better is because you no longer have the potential for front focus or back focus, which is present on most DSLRs; add to this that they are no longer focusing on a mirror but are focusing on the sensor, which adds to the accuracy. The Z adapter has breathed life into many of my existing f mount lenses because of the accuracy of focus...my 105 1.4G has never been so sharp as I never realized that it was potentially slightly back focusing on my D850.

[@oneeyedphotographer]

I don't know about Nikon's lineup, but Canon EF lenses perform better adapted to RF. It's partly due to the bodies, but I would not expect the Nikon adaptor to make F mount lenses worse.

[@鹿目まどか-d5s]

Very good test Video but a little bad pronunciation 😂

[@darrelladrian5744]

The Z lenses look cheap and plasticky compared to the F lenses, the plastic is shiny and looks like the dashboard of a 1980s Toyota

[@romanpul]

Most of this plastic is actually coated aluminum

[@darrelladrian5744]

@@romanpul thats cool but they still look cheap and horrible

[@romanpul]

Darrell Adrian I guess it‘s a matter of taste. To me F-Mount glas looks like outdated stuff from the nineties

[@harshpatel4158]

Lens IQ should be tested on high res cameras, S lenses will shine more on Z7. Also I like the S zooms but my need is all in primes & I am having love hate relationship with S primes not for performance but because of size,weight & price. Nikon & most other Nikon users keep comparing S series with their own G series but no one can recognize the fact that sony also has a G series which is delivering similar performing & built primes at significantly low size,weight & price. Nikon S vs Sony G 20 F1.8, 35 F1.8, 85 F1.8 & Nikon 24S vs Sony 24 1.4 GM. I think larger mount is rather becoming a disadvantage for Nikon, I wish they can control size,weight & price in future.

[@stefhendrik6977]

Lok, i wish you'd improve your English. I find this really hard to follow especially with you wearing a mask.

[@lamwp8634]

Lok's spoken English is fine for me. I heard every word clearly. It's a lot better many photography YT of native English.

[@ravi1916]

I can easily understand every word

[@InfectedChris]

I understood every single word.

[@Angrywelder]

Nikon dumped on their customers by following the Apple business model, create a problem and then sell the solution to the fan base. If I am going to buy a new camera and be pushed into buying a new lens set then I am going with Sony or Fuji, you know, the camera guys that are actually leading the technology advancement.

[@bamboojled8919]

1st, Sony are not camera guys, they are a Consumer Electronics company first and foremost. Nikon is an optics manufacturer first and foremost and is why they are focusing on the future of optical design by going with a largest mount and shortest back flange distance...you know, technological advances :) 2nd, what problem did Nikon create? You mean keeping a mount for over 60 years and still making it competitive with all of the newer lenses and cameras from other manufacturers. Or that they finally had to update that 60 year old mount because they wanted to maintain competitiveness and take advantage of technological advances, the very thing you are saying they are not doing. 3rd, technological advances and Fuji are generally not used in the same sentence, they make very nice cameras if you're into the retro look and want APS-C, lower resolution, lower dynamic range, worse high ISO. But really until the XT4, their cameras were not very competitive with regards to AF, and are still not competitive with respects to the other things I mentioned above.

[@woodnymph7393]

angry photographer is that you? lol.. fuji is not even making new tech, its mostly sony who is selling the tech to fuji.. The Apple business model works. You cannibalize your own product before other companies do..

[@Smoothblue90]

You don't have to buy new lenses. You could buy a Z camera with the F-mount to Z-mount adapter and all the F-mount lenses will work.

[@adammalcom4650]

Dear friend, I really like your movies, just an small advise, if you are recording the videos for English language people, then please practice a bit more on your accent to make it more undrestanable . Cheers

[@Tom_YouTube_stole_my_handle]

Lok's accent is part of the charm.

[@KandiKlover]

Yes, it makes more difference for Nikon wallet. Rehash old stuff, advertise it under gimmicks to make the fad generation buy it, and profit while further ruining yet another product line merely for the sake of "le new".

[@bamboojled8919]

Did you actually watch the video? You know, where the new Z lenses outperformed their f mount brothers by a fair margin? What an odd post.

[@dylanzchen]

Lmao get with the times, Z mount crushes the F Mount in all aspects. People just can't accept change

[@shot2death876]

Not a very good test. In fact it was crap.❤

[@arunashamal]

It is pretty easy.. F mount lenses are suprior.. Z mount don't even come close.. the reason..F lenses have the gold ring... Why would the even think of getting rid of it..?