Nikon Z50 - Why use F mount lenses

In this short video I explain why I use F mount lenses on my Z50 and show examples of why these lenses are so good and are very reasonably priced.

[@michaelbezoski3096]

This was the only review I've missed, all caught up now. Great reviews as always. Thanks

[@nealeware9163]

Thank you for all the information you have given me with this mate. I really enjoyed watch your show.

[@lukibuki7651]

Thank you very much. For now I have 35mm 1.8 and 70-300 4.6-6.3 and it works for me perfectly on Z50

[@brucegreaves3204]

Thanks for sharing. I use all my full frame FX lenses on the Z mount. Works a treat. I even use them on the discontinued 1V2 with adapters. Of course

[@SpaceXplorer13]

You look like my uncle.. he passed away almost 2 years ago due to the virus. Photography was not particularly his cup of tea, but seeing someone that looks like him just as interested in photography as I am put a smile on my face. Thanks and have a nice day. Almost forgot about the video! I have the Z50 too, albeit with the Z mount kit lens, 16-50 and 50-250 mm. Been loving it, although I am new to cameras a whole and have much to learn.

[@kukkapurkkiteam]

Thats wild. Was he british?

[@PaperCorpse]

You my friend are the David Attenborough of photography.

[@richardhenson3028]

I use AF Nikkor, AF-S Nikkor and the Z kit lenses with my Z 50. The FTZ adapter does as advertise, so depending on what I’m photographing, I may go with the F mount or the Z mounts. Both mounts work extremely well on the Z 50.

[@fortyseven7789]

That’s awesome ! I just recently got a z50 really excited to get a FTZ adaptor soon

[@dalinaengineers]

Thanks for the critical commentary and expertise on the Nikon brand!

[@the_bong_traveller3319]

You are awesome.... your videos have a homely feel...you are honest and candid...watched till the end 👍👍👍

[@josh3326]

A lot of reviewers are knocking Nikon like crazy now. Fro and Ken Rockwell are just a couple of them. I am sticking with Nikon for as long as possible. Ive been with them since a teen in 1988. Great cameras and optics. Never failed me, except when the D200 focusing stopped in the middle of a shoot...... due to a bad soldering on the board.

[@ugisjersuns8074]

Thanks for suggestions at the moment I'm using an adapter with an old 18/55mm lens I took off my old nikon d3100. It works brilliant. Might give a go to a sigma lens later on this year

[@lorriedabdoub9731]

Thanks for all the info in this video.

[@bncprado]

Thank you for such huge content and information. Cheers

[@rotvonrat]

I am a Nikon shooter and the Z's are great, the only negative I find with the adapter is that it is a bit heavy and bulky, so I don't like it when the form factor here is small.

[@nikonmark37814]

Now that I know from your review that my F mount Fx and Dx VR and VRII lenses will provide VR with the ZEE 50 + FT-ZEE adapter I will consider it over the ZEE 6 because to me the ZEE 50 is more affordable + VR works. The one feature I want in a mirrorless camera is IBIS but until I can afford a full frame camera I could get by with a crop sensor. I also use a D800, D600, D7200 and D7100 but I'm wanting a camera with a flip up mirror for macro photography. I do have a question, I own the older HSM Sigma 300 f/2.8 and 500 f/4.5 + Sigma 1.4x and 2.0x TC's. I realize they won't auto focus with the ZEE mount but could the lenses be used as manual focus lenses?

[@whentaniatalks]

Thank you for this really helpful video. I've decided to upgrade my D5300, as the live view is too sluggish for what I need. I need to use live view at times because of my disabilities. Saying this, I also enjoy using the OVF and don't know if I'll be able to manage the EVF on the Z50 (because of my visual processing disorder). I've decided to go for the Z50 with FTZ mount and continue to invest in F mount lenses, so I can use them with both my D5300 and Z50 to get the best of both worlds and create a kit that meets my needs.

[@thefantasyfootballhub]

I pray that you may get well. I'm also thinking of getting this camera, the sony cameras are about the same price, but the the lenses are way to expensive. So nikon is the way to go

[@kariossyr6018]

I have the same camera with two zoom autofocus lenses, but lately I bought a 85mm F1.4 manual focus lens with FF coverage, so I have to use the live view to adjust the focus when the lens is wide open. As I started to lay on that, I found the same limitation, it is really slow and not easy to manage shooting parameters as I'm used to on the OVF. What I'm thinking, is to wait till I can get the Z5, it is a better choice. Wish you much blessings and joy, together with this gentleman, Karl. Please remember me also in your prayers.

[@amermeleitor]

Today, end of January 2023 there are more and more cheap third party autofocus lenses for Z mount. The 32mm f2.8 from TTartisan, the zoom from Tamron, the 85 f1.8, 35 f2 and 50 f1.4 from Yongnuo, the Viltrox ones (lot of Viltrox primes). And Sigma soon will announce Z lenses. I will stay with Z mount, without AF adapters because now there are more options. I have a collection of manual vintage lenses that works with adapter too and I will replace them with manual native manual Z lenses (TTartisan, 7artisan, Pergear, Meike, Samyang, etc). Maybe I only will keep some long telephoto or long zooms and some special lenses with manual adapters.

[@YoonLeeKok]

I bought the Z50 for going on holidays with. It fits into my fanny pack with its kit lens, and with its FTZ adaptor, most of my existing F-mount lenses works. I am very disappointed that my beloved Tamron 17-50/2.8 that I use with my D5100 takes forever to auto-focus making it impractical. :-(. I would love to have a Z-mount DX pancake to go with the kit for holidays. Perhaps a 24mm or 35mm/1.8. I just spent a few hours taking > 300 portrait shots with the Nikon DX 35mm/1.8 and is very pleased with the results, so much so I will not be buying the Nikon 50mm/1.8G I was considering.

[@Nooker878]

I have the same problem on my Z50 with my 17-50 2.8 Tamron, I've seen the 17-50 2.8 from Sigma and it works excellent with the ftz adapter, You can get it new on Amazon or eBay for around 350 USD I might get one myself because It used to be my go to lens for wedding and social event photography

[@McCawPhotography]

Z6ii is the camera to have in my opinion. I have the z50 and as I do like it, it's not full frame. That is why I have a z6 mark II along with my D850. For a Nikon setup, I think that this is the best grouping.

[@youriefavre9003]

Question: How much is AF affected by F mount lenses? Does an adapter affect the weather seal of the camera? These are my main worries concerning the Z50, I'm new to photography and that's the only reason why I remain undecided

[@lweleven3423]

Useful info thanks 👍👍👍 I’ve not found a affordable equivalent 24mm fixed yet , Any tips 👍?

[@davidescott-new1194]

I never thought I would buy another crop Nikon but I loved how it handled and the modern features. I bought it with an adaptor to use my existing glass and the 35mm dx 1.8 became my regular lens, with the 50mm 1.4 g lens for portraits. A great Christmas price on a 50mm z 1.8 led me to try the new lens and I was taken aback by the quality. I have some nice glass but this lens was up with the very best if not better. This led to a 14-30 and that is it . For an ordinary photographer this set up is all I need for pics of the family and my new grandson. It is so easy to switch between stills and video. With these lenses I am not bothered about the lack of ibis. If I move to a Z6 I have the lenses in place. Great that you call out the fact that 3rd party lenses don,t always work well with the adaptor, this has happened to me with older Sigma and Tokina lenses but I can still use them manually although the Z50 focusing is so good it makes me lazy. This camera is a gem and against all the odds is my favourite digital. All the best, Charles.

[@AlyshaAdele]

David, I hope you do not mind me asking, seeing as this comment is a year old, so I’m not sure I’ll hear from you, but I would like to ask you which prime lens you might recommend if I already ordered the 16-50mm kit lens with my Nikon D50, and already have an af-s nikkor 55-200mm to use via the FTZ adapter, but want to primarily take portraits of my fast-moving toddler? I am interested in trying out a prime lens primarily for the lower f-stop & bokeh effect. My current options are between the 23mm, 33mm, or 56mm (all f/1.4 Z-mounts by Viltrox). Trying to avoid redundancy seeing as I already have kit zooms and concerned 23mm may cause distortion for close-up face portraits? Congratulations on your grandson! You seemed the perfect person to ask since you’ll also be shooting a fast moving little one!

[@davidescott-new1194]

Alysha greetings, my comments still stand. The z 50 1.8 is outstanding and gives the classic portrait lens on the z50 of 75mm. Because it is an fx lens you capture the sweet spot on a dx body. Value for money the dx mount 35mm 1.8 cannot be beaten and you already ha e the adaptor so af is fast, essential for photographing little ones. Second hand these lenses are cheap and an effective 50mm is fine. The classic 75 to 90 range is the most flattering but our younsters are already beautiful are they not? All the best from Hampshire.

[@noleenturner2283]

Thank you. Will it be compatible with a Sigma 150-600mm contemporary lens? If I get the FTZ

[@ralphy4813]

Next time mate, drop amazon links with your referral when discussing lenses. It's a win-win for you along with the people looking for lens recommendations.

[@krranjit]

Fuji xt3 and Nikon z50 are amazing crop sensor cameras with fantastic lens options in the market right now👍

[@gstrummer]

@Ranjit KR, have you thought of buying any of them? What about Fuji color science? Better? Have you shot with z50?

[@MrNYCman530]

I'm intrigued by the camera, but right now there are only 2 APSC lenses designed for it. Having to add an adapter defeats the purpose of the fairly small size Z50, too bulky. Any idea when Nikon will introduce more APSC Z mount lenses?

[@brianjamesgallery]

Yeah, I'm also looking forward to small DX-Z lenses, but in the meantime the adapter let's you access ALL NIKON GLASS on this small powerhouse.

[@MrRuffino89]

Hello. I have the z50 with FTZ II adapter. It's really not bulky at all!

[@franciscocarneiro181]

Hi! Did you try the Tokina 11-16 (nikon mount), with the FTZ ? Thank you very much !

[@Pomdaddy]

Hi Thanks for your review. I have been shooting Nikon DSLR's since my D100. I have many DX and FX lenses. I was not going to go to mirrorless until the Z50 caught my attention. After using it I absolutely love it! However I was not loving the lineup of Z lenses especially for the ZDX mount. So I am using all my glass and probably will continue to do so. I am considering selling my D7200 and my D750 and upgrading to the Z7. Still not sure about that though.

[@Robertoguigou]

Hi frank! I'm exactly at the same point than you. Should I upgrade to the z50 from my d7200? I'm worried about my fx and dx lenses performance in autofocus speed.

[@alannorthdevonuk763]

Hi, I'm in exactly the same place. I have ha a D7200for 8 months - love it and it only has 1572 shutter count. But, I am very tempted to go mirrorless and the Z50 with adapter has caught my eye. What are the advantages? So difficult.

[@shanmugamanand6845]

thankyou sar

[@okinawapunter]

I want to try Z50 with Z 28mm pancake.

[@christophehanon8396]

Good advice video ... I think indeed putting a small list of references below the video and indeed link to images would improve the channel. Thanks a lot for your sharing !

[@pabloyanez2235]

Nice review and recommendations... on the first lens you mention 17-70mm f2.8-4... is it a Tamron or maybe a Sigma lens?

[@AvpStudios]

Sigma

[@TheGlashare]

How is video AF with the AF-P lenses? Is it quiet? (as opposed to the ticking sound of the AF-S lenses). Are they affected by the settings for AF speed and sensitivity?

[@trini938]

I have an AF-P 70-300. It is relatively quieter and focuses quickly on my Z50 than on my D7100

[@sdhute]

You can also save money by using the more recent apsc viltrox lenses for z mount

[@lawrose4]

Great video and reassuring to those coming from the Nikon DX world and who have accumulated lots of lenses. But why would new DX folks, and eventually all Z50 shooters, not just go with the two Z DX kit lenses for this camera? They are cheap, lightweight and good quality. No adaptor needed. That’s the point of the Z50, right?

[@NatalieZii]

Depends on how picky shooters are about lenses. I'm in the same situation of considering buying the z50 with a z lens or the ftz adapter. The average shooter doesn't do telephoto stuff so that's one lens out. The 16-50mm only lets you shoot f/4+ which means none of that pretty bokeh that's so popular and it'll be worse in low light despite the camera's iso capabilities. Having a 16-50 is personally to me just as good as a 30mm prime. The zoom doesn't do much there. I'd much prefer the F 16-80mm or similar which you can find on eBay for 100$. So I can buy camera with lens (300$ Cad on top of the camera body) and have no other reasonably priced Z lens options for years to come with very limited lens capabilities. Or I could spend 400$ for the adapter and a lens with wider aperture and more zoom capacity, and have reasonably priced options to expand in future. I think the adapter, though a bit more expensive, is the better investment for the hobbyist.

[@Bardamu3000]

the problem is absence of stabilization in the body. you can't put (for instance) an 85mm FX on a Z50, which would be around 130mm field of view, WITHOUT a VR. This means that you can only use prime lenses up to a 50mm, 75mm equivalent, hand held. And even then, you need steady hands.

[@maeu59]

And what did you do before stabilization?

[@Bardamu3000]

@@maeu59 i explained what the problem is with longer lenses and absence of vr. If you're happy, go for it. Later thoug, once you'll notice the problem, come back here. :)

[@maeu59]

@@Bardamu3000 and I still ask what did you do before? There always been heavy lenses that unbalanced things, everyone is getting spoiled nowadays.

[@jnd2415]

@@maeu59 I agree! So many people complain about no VR or Ibis. DSLRs didn’t have Ibis.

[@kennyiklei]

Hi, thank you for sharing your tips and experience. I bought a Nikon d5100 to learn taking picture some years ago. I also bought DX 35mm F1.8, DX 18-200mm, and some Tamron lenses. They worked well for me. Yesterday, I noticed a problem with the camera. I took picture of a bridge far away, the right side appeared curving down slightly regardless what Lens I used ( it was straight and horizontal when looking through the viewfinder). I am thinking to buy a d5600 or z50 because I think the repair cost will high. Which one would you recommend? If I buy the z50, should I also buy a adapter so that I can continue to use my old F mount lenses? Any advice for me ?

[@AvpStudios]

The Z50 is a eally good camera, great handling as well. Definitely get the FTZ adaptor, I use it all the time with great results.

[@outcast1er385]

Thank you!!!

[@AvpStudios]

You're welcome!

[@richardb8317]

post a simple list of your F lenses

[@Mr09260]

The Z Mount is THE BEST available ..I shoot S Lenses on my Z7

[@FRANKWHITE1996]

Subscribed ❤

[@IkeCantle]

Thanks for this informative video. I have a lot of F-mount glass. I also use Godox flashes for Nikon, will they work on the Z50?

[@mizachs]

Flickr would be good choice

[@55whiplash]

My favorite cheap F mount is a DX 18-140, it's not that fast but extremely sharp and excellent AF.

[@trini938]

I would not trade my 18-140 either. Quick focus and it is lightweight.

[@trisportsphotos3679]

Bought my Z50 with the two kit lenses and FTZ adapter when it was on pre order. Great lenses and super light making the set up great for travel or when you don’t want to carry heavy lenses. Most of my Sigma F mount lenses work on FTZ including 70-200 and 150-600....must say the camera looks tiny with those lenses on.

[@neelmehta1479]

How is your autofocus experience with sigma 150-600?

[@trisportsphotos3679]

@@neelmehta1479 I shot a hockey match on Saturday using the 150-600 and focusing was sharp, couldn’t tell any difference between that and the 70-200 sport lens I started the shoot with. Sun was an issue but all sorted in lightroom. I hadn’t used the lens for a while due to covid and what I was shooting when I could. The lens is the contemporary model.

[@neelmehta1479]

@@trisportsphotos3679 Thank you so much for your reply. I just bought Z50 with ftz adapter. I am using D3200 with 200-500 f5.6 right now for some bird photography but hoping new set-up will be better. 🍻

[@trisportsphotos3679]

@@neelmehta1479 I used the D3400 but mainly use my D500 now. The Z50 is a great camera check out set up guides on KZbin by Jared Polin. When I use D500 and Z50 on same event I can tell the difference between images when I upload. Make sure you buy a spare battery as well.

[@TheSlackassCrew]

In your opinion what's better, Z6 or Z50?

[@patricklindahl868]

Obviously the Z6 is better, FF compared to crop, better low light performance and many more functions than the Z50. But the price tag is also much higher. Wether you buy the Z6 or the Z50 depends on use and how deep pockets you have.

[@Valhalla.Studio]

Cheers

[@TaipeiGeek]

I have a D810 and I have to say I'm really being spoiled by the image quality and the ability of ISO 64. Not sure I would be willing to go back to this kind of grain.

[@brianjamesgallery]

I thought the same thing. I shoot the D810 for my professional work, but I picked up this Z50 and honestly it has me passionate about photography again! It's so small and portable... plus FOCUS PEAKING #sold

[@LydiaAshford]

Very helpful, thanks. Sub🙂

[@HeroShotz]

I was going to go the f mount prime lens route but i found a used 50mm 1.8s for 400 and tried it out and WOW its amazing. Id rather have this 50 1.8s than the 4 1.8g primes i could have gotten lol

[@patrick.771]

The price fot the 50mm Z would be okay. You get it for under 400 at cashback sale. But the 24 and 35 are too expensive in my opinion and those would be the lenses I need for the Z50. I hope that at least the 40 and 28mm compact prime lenses that are on Nikon's roadmap will be "affordable" and perfect also for Z50. Nikon has to release some DX lenses and a wide angle... why should someone change to Nikon at the moment. Go for Sony or Fuji if you need a whole new system ...

[@brianjamesgallery]

If the lenses you want are too expensive, why don't you pick up an used/old version of them and mount it with the FTZ adapter? You can put almost ANY NIKON LENS on this Z50. This camera also has "focus peaking" and I'm loving that. I use OLD manual focus lenses w/ focus peaking and it's awesome.

[@patrick.771]

@@brianjamesgallery I know, but I didn't want to always have to use the adapter. I bought a Fuji instead and I'm happy so far. But the Z50 is a great camera too!

[@MuhammadKilany]

i would love to see the video autofocus with older lenses .. thats why i would be buying the z50 otherwise any one is better with xt30 or a6500 at the same price.

[@QuickTechReviews]

Check out my review - just published it testing a few f mount lenses for video autofocus 👍

[@sandeepgovande8377]

Can we use z Mount of lenses to this

[@AvpStudios]

You can use all the Z mount lenses on the Z50 but there would be a 1.5 crop. For example the excellent Z 24-70 on a full frame Z camera would be 24-70, on the Z50 it would be a 36-105.

[@carioca45]

I miss to understand the argument. If Nikon designed the Z50 with a "little Z mount" shouldn't Nikon have designed the D3000, D5000, D7000 series cameras with a "little F mount"? By now Nikon would have: The, discontinued c Mount (Nikon 1 series) The little F mount The F mount The little Z mount The Z mount How many lens copies with different mounts would need to exist. What is the problem with mounting a full frame lens to a "cheaper" crop sensor body? My two cents

[@Mike-dm5ut]

so true! the whole beauty of Nikon was the f mount and now the z mount. the crying is counter to what has made Nikon the life of the F mount!

[@brianjamesgallery]

Don't be mistaken, this isn't a "little Z mount". This is the same Z mount as the Z6 and Z7. Just a smaller sensor on the Z50 (dx size). Yes, this is something Nikon should have done with the DX cameras (using the F mount instead of developing a new mount/lens line), but Nikon's first digital SLR's were all DX sensor size.

[@maeu59]

It’s all about the money, new mount now you need lenses….simple.

[@neilcole3406]

You know!!

[@sh1209macro]

So do you like the z50 better than the Fuji xt3?

[@ralphy4813]

Because Sony and Fuji started this no IBIS for under $1k trend. Now Canon, Nikkon, Olympus are followers to the mirrorless game and they are following on what's already the players of this budget category.

[@jnd2415]

Only people that say using F Mount with Z cameras are KZbinrs.

[@DaffaEnzed]

you know

[@lynelljansen8057]

🤣

[@oktofio9690]

I'm gonna buy the z50 but will no longer using f mount lenses.. most of the f mount lenses were produced before 2013 means the quality of its optics are inferior compared to modern lenses right now especially the S lenses... even viltrox has already announced the Z lenses for nikon Mirrorless apsc with f1.4 apperture pricing start from 299 us dollars...

[@markshirley01]

It have been a very compelling camera fitted with IBIS in such are large mount. Again I think Nikon missed the mark.

[@ezer0923]

If only they didn't holdback.

[@madphotographer762]

I went into my local camera store to look at a Z50 and the salesman steered me toward FUJI... lol.

[@intrinsicimagery]

The kit lenses for the Z50 awe inexpensive, light and cheap.

[@landorulz]

I'm really impressed with their performance too

[@p8ryot]

@@landorulz I concur, the optics and colors seem to "pop" much better than my previous D3500 though it was a great starter camera. I'm loving my Z50

[@bernhardwinkelmann8046]

Don't listen to this. Z lenses are far superior!