Maybe its time to think a Z system.: Nikon Z Mirrorless Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review (2025)

2

dog house riley wrote:

Hello; I'm not a Z system fan! but my age 79, and on going health issues. I don't want to just give it up? but carrying these f mounts. My biggest and oldest is the D800, and 24 120 vr.I'm getting where I don't want to carry it.

So what do I carry? I've taken to a ,D3400, and D5300, they are light, I enjoy going out with them. So where does this leave me? I'm not loaded with money, no ZF or Z8.

Acually I'm thinking a used Z50, and a FTZ II and use my 16 80 2.8 4.0 or my 10 20 WA.

I have several Nikon primes, G,and afd. My thinking is something light and very simple. The Z50 II, I'd never use all the things on the camera. Evan now I set my digitals like my film cameras, I have four, Nikons, and 2 have film.I just don't set all the features,I keep it as simple as I can and I do the work, I don't do MF, my "peepers" just don't keep up.

So! would a Z50 be a good choice? I don't use the moveable LCD, at all, just for sharpness and histogram. I don't do video, really, its a film camera like a FE2, only with modern guts.

If I stay where I am if I concentrate, I can hear the last shutter clicks, just over the hill.

The closest I have is the D3400, with the AF P 18 55 zoom, I think its a very good little kit, I may stay that way.

But some things of the Z has my attention. a little advice will help.

"dog house riley"

I think using a Z50 with FTZ + 16-80 is a contraption with no real advantage over using an F-mount body. The on sensor AF of the Z50 can be more accurate under the right circumstances, the DSLR can show better AF in low light. The AF-S 16-80 f/2.8-4 has the same view angle range as a 24-120 on FX. I find it has noticeably better IQ, border sharpness, than the D800 AF-S 24-85 FX combo.

I am still using my D7200 with the AF-S 16-80 . The D7200 provides the "D4" AF sensor, the DX cameras you mentioned provide less weight, all at 24 Mpix, I believe.

Zurich D7200 AF-S16-80mm f/2.8-4 at 16mm f/5.6

A step up to 45 Mpix and a 24-120mm lens that delivers is Z7 II with Z 24-120mm f/4, and only 90 g heavier than the previous combo. The Z7 II takes SD card and XQD/CFexpressB cards while the Z7 only the latter.

Z7 II with Z24-120mm f/4 at 24mm f/4

A step down to 12 Mpix can be provided by the Olympus TG-6 (believe current is TG-7) with 25-100mm equiv focal length, a waterproof small sensor camera with significantly less weight and bulk. I love it for taking images out of the Kayak.

You might also consider a Fujifilm X series body with the kit zoom. A used X-T20 or X-T30II with a used 18-55mm f/2.8-4 is a great every day shooter. The Fujifilm film sims are lovely, if you're a JPEG shooter who prefers a straight-out-of-camera look.

Good luck.

7

So many great plans? but I've decided to get the Z50 II, and the 18 140 lens and later the 12 28, and then work for a prime. I have the F mount 18 140, and I like it long enough for me.

Now to pay for this? my wife and i are both retired, and money is at the for front of everything. We don't use "plastic" for our hobbies, I'll sell several items, D800 D7500 and a couple lenses.

Thats how we do it even after 56 years, and it works I may have to wait a couple moths, but i can do that.

I'll be left with 2 film bodies, and 3 DX bodies, D200 D3400 D5300. The 16 80, 10 20,70 300VR, and 18 400 Tamron, plus about 5 primes.

I do thank so many who offered advice, I'll start selling tomorrow to KEH.

So many thanks, and once I get a "KIT" i'll be back.

"Dog House Riley"

dog house riley wrote:

So many great plans? but I've decided to get the Z50 II, and the 18 140 lens and later the 12 28, and then work for a prime. I have the F mount 18 140, and I like it long enough for me.

Now to pay for this? my wife and i are both retired, and money is at the for front of everything. We don't use "plastic" for our hobbies, I'll sell several items, D800 D7500 and a couple lenses.

Thats how we do it even after 56 years, and it works I may have to wait a couple moths, but i can do that.

I'll be left with 2 film bodies, and 3 DX bodies, D200 D3400 D5300. The 16 80, 10 20,70 300VR, and 18 400 Tamron, plus about 5 primes.

I do thank so many who offered advice, I'll start selling tomorrow to KEH.

So many thanks, and once I get a "KIT" i'll be back.

"Dog House Riley"

Solid choices!

Best of luck and enjoy!

Also check MPB for selling and trading.

Robert

1

dog house riley wrote:

So many great plans? but I've decided to get the Z50 II, and the 18 140 lens and later the 12 28, and then work for a prime. I have the F mount 18 140, and I like it long enough for me.

Now to pay for this? my wife and i are both retired, and money is at the for front of everything. We don't use "plastic" for our hobbies, I'll sell several items, D800 D7500 and a couple lenses.

Thats how we do it even after 56 years, and it works I may have to wait a couple moths, but i can do that.

I'll be left with 2 film bodies, and 3 DX bodies, D200 D3400 D5300. The 16 80, 10 20,70 300VR, and 18 400 Tamron, plus about 5 primes.

I do thank so many who offered advice, I'll start selling tomorrow to KEH.

So many thanks, and once I get a "KIT" i'll be back.

"Dog House Riley"

Yes! This is what I was going to suggest… the Z50 would have barely gotten you into mirrorless, but surely would have eventually disappointed you. Just the fact that you have and shoot action with a D7500 told me that the Z50II would be a much better fit. I’m 76 with osteoarthritis in my fingers (and mostly likely my lower back/hips as well) so your situation resonates with me. I also have a Z8 and big tele that I use for BIF, but hiking around with this heavy kit destroys my body for a few days afterwards. I just traded my old Z50 for a Z50II + 16-50 kit lens (not a fan of the 16-50 but local store didn’t have body-only). Instead, I’m happy with the 12-28 PZ zoom as my main walk-around lens. Enjoy your new camera!

1

Being 70+ myself with a growing list of physical limitations, I’ve come to accept more compromises in order to reduce weight and bulk for just about everything, not just camera gear.

Based on all you’ve written as well as your image samples, the choice of the Z50ii is a wise decision. It is amazingly capable as well as compact and affordable. I’ve shot more than a dozen Nikon bodies since 1977 and the Z50ii has been the most fun.

I wonder if the 18-140 Z is worth considering? You’ll get 28-200 mm and may never need to fumble with lens change lenses unless you want something that will fit in a coat pocket? In that case the sharp and tiny 16-50 might be your better first Z lens.

Whichever way you go, you may also want to keep your favorite large aperture F lens and older body for a few months until you are certain you are satisfied with the low light performance or subject isolation of your new kit. Best wishes with whatever you pick.

dog house riley wrote:

So many great plans? but I've decided to get the Z50 II, and the 18 140 lens and later the 12 28, and then work for a prime. I have the F mount 18 140, and I like it long enough for me.

Now to pay for this? my wife and i are both retired, and money is at the for front of everything. We don't use "plastic" for our hobbies, I'll sell several items, D800 D7500 and a couple lenses.

Thats how we do it even after 56 years, and it works I may have to wait a couple moths, but i can do that.

I'll be left with 2 film bodies, and 3 DX bodies, D200 D3400 D5300. The 16 80, 10 20,70 300VR, and 18 400 Tamron, plus about 5 primes.

I do thank so many who offered advice, I'll start selling tomorrow to KEH.

So many thanks, and once I get a "KIT" i'll be back.

"Dog House Riley"

I would at least sell the D3400 and maybe the D5300 as the Z50 II will replace both of those and that may pay for about half of the Z50 II based on used prices I saw recently for a D3400 and D5200 at least. Maybe throw in a kit lens with each to sweeten the deal. There is no rush as the Z50 II will be around and the price is not likely to change unless tariffs actually go into effect (that would be my biggest concern, because then the basic kit might go from $1050 to $1300 or so.)

p5freak wrote:

Both Z50 (II) kit lenses 16-50 and 50-250 are great lenses. They are light, sharp even wide open, and inexpensive.

. . . And they have VR, which is about as good as having IBIS in the body. Another super-nice thing (with the 16-50 at least, haven't had hands on the tele), it's a real manual zoom. Not the horrid electric lever, or fly-by-wire that is so annoying in many a "kit" lens these days. These lenses are very much worth having, especially the little standard zoom, even with all your spiffy DX F lenses.

UsherFellig wrote:

p5freak wrote:

Both Z50 (II) kit lenses 16-50 and 50-250 are great lenses. They are light, sharp even wide open, and inexpensive.

. . . And they have VR, which is about as good as having IBIS in the body. Another super-nice thing (with the 16-50 at least, haven't had hands on the tele), it's a real manual zoom. Not the horrid electric lever, or fly-by-wire that is so annoying in many a "kit" lens these days. These lenses are very much worth having, especially the little standard zoom, even with all your spiffy DX F lenses.

The only two lenses that I'm aware of in the Z line that are power zooms is the 12-28 and the 28-135 f/4. Nikon doesn't seem to be big on power zooms (and I think the reason the 12-28 is a PZ is because it's probably one that many vloggers will use and I believe it maybe can be controlled via remote through the camera). I don't think Nikon even used power zooms in the DSLR / F-mount days that I'm aware of (Sony and Fuji use them for some of their kit lenses like the 16-50 and 15-45 respecrtively).

2

Yes ,I'm doing lots of thinking; Low light p-hash, I don't do it any longer for me its 9am till 3:00 pm.

As I'm studying this brave change? I'll continue using my D3400, with the 16 80,backed up by my Nikon 10 20 w/angle ,and one of several Nikon G primes. This provides me a good working "kit", and don't forget my Nikon N80 film camera with the AF S 24 85 VR and T max,-I think.

The Z50 ii is best for me and to start I think the 12 28 zoom. then a longer zoom. My main concern right now is my balance, I fall down, and I'm going to lighter gear. Mostly I go out with one camera and one lens, I don't take the store room with me no longer.

Its been coming on for sometime, and taking the D800 and a couple lenses, I find myself saying "to heck with it, stay home" thats why I bought the D3400, hey! that's a little beast of a camera. 24 mg, so light I look forward to going out often.

Once I've bankrolled for the "Z", then I'll put it aside.

Lots of people giving their 2 cents thank so much, I hadn't thought much on a Z only since the Z50 II, came out, and yes i looked at the ZF, out way out of my budget .

dog house riley

2

You may want to reconsider your lens choices. Because those "cheap" 16-50 and 50-250 Kit lenses are actually excellent lenses in terms of quality. For Speed not so great but I don't think you'll find any f2.8 zoom lenses for the DX format and if they were/are made the weight, cost, and size will sort of kill the advantage the DX format provides. I will also point out that the Viltrox 35mm f1.7 cost just 200 dollars and the image quality is very good in the corners at f1.7 and becomes excellent at f2.8 and beyond. Note, central sharpness is excellent at any aperture under f11.

BTW, not really a fan of the 18-140 Z50 II kit option, it costs 50 dollars more than the 2 lens kit and while the range is extensive it's also rather bulky on the camera. That 16-50mm lens basically covers the meat and potatoes of what you will be shooting and collapsed it's nearly tiny. Which makes for a very easy camera to wonder around any area you find interesting. If you decide you want to shoot long that 50-250 really trumps that 18-140.

Point is that if you move outside of that no Kit or Off Brand lenses box you can have both great image quality and a lower cost. I will also point out that this week prices haven't been adjusted for Tariffs so you may want to consider hitting your savings reserve for this particular purchase. Doing this may save you as much as 300 dollars in the near term and long term more.

I'll also point out that those "excess" cameras you own are basically memento's of no value in your estate so you may want to consider selling them for whatever KEH will offer you. BTW, if you happen to have an FM series body those are currently quite popular and carry a rather high value for their age. The same holds true for the F3 and to a small extent the F2. The N series bodies are at best 40-100 dollar items.

Then there is the matter of the F mount DX lenses you are planning on retaining. Something to consider is the cost of the FTZ adapter. Because the FTZ II from Nikon is in the ball park of 250 dollars and used it's typically 150 dollars. As for the older FTZ or a 3rd party alternated most have an extension for a tripod mounting feature that may not fit nicely on the smaller Z50 II body. Basically that adapter may exceed the value you gain for that cost. For example you mentioned the 10-20mm DX zoom, it will cost you 250 to use that lens if you get a new FTZ II. If you decide to purchase the new 12-28mm zoom that is only 50 dollars more than the cost of the FTZ II. I suspect that you can get more than 50 dollars for that F mount 10-20 so what is the less expensive choice. Obviously purchasing a brand new 12-28mm zoom is the less expensive option.

2

Looking at your gear list I will say that there is no real advantage to going to a Z50 unless you are willing to get a few of the kit lenses. The FTZ + 16-80 will make the Z50 larger and bulkier than the D3400 and save very little, if any, weight. Then if you go with the tiny 16-50 kit lens, will you be happy with the speed deficit? I have a compliment of DSLRs as well as N1 gear and Z50 kit. I also have a FTZ but after trying all of my lenses with it, I have concluded that the DSLR lenses are best on a DSLR. Here is a screen shot from camera size comparison:

The main difference, besides features present on one camera not on the others, is either autofocus performance or resolution. I think that helps simplify choices.

24mp or 45mp? I opt for 45mp because it always makes the camera more flexible. I can always reduce size as needed in post, and if I need to crop, I have plenty of pixels left. Within the 45mp sensors, the performance is about the same. I shoot at ISO 64 anytime I can, mostly for the post-processing flexibility it gives me, much like having 45mp.

Fast or not-so-fast autofocus? Depends entirely on what you're shooting, but if action is slow or unmoving, a first generation Z7 gets the subject in exactly as good a focus as a Z8. But if you are shooting moving subjects, you probably want a camera with Expeed7.

I personally wonder what you cannot do with a cell phone that you are currently shooting? Or is it just the pleasure of shooting a camera with a real user interface including physical controls?

I don't know much about the lighter cameras. I've shot cameras with battery grips since 1994, so always had 'big' cameras. They are getting heavier though, especially when I got out with f1.2 primes. Likewise, I don't know much about the lightest Nikon lenses, save perhaps the 14-30.

I hear awfully good stuff about the Z50ii, for DX.

Hello Craig;

Good to hear from you. As you can see I'm making the change, although not like most folks, photography has now become just entertainment , I now walk most full time with a walking cane, helps with balance.

I've "snooped" around MLS, several times, where I'd like to be, out of my pay grade, so I give up some things for conveince. I'm selling most of my Nikon F mount, and the new Z50II, looks most like what I need. I tell you, if I concentrate, real hard I can hear the last shutter clicks very near the presant.

I could use a cell phone? but i never carry one, oh, I have one, its on the end table I play solitare, on it I hate a phone so i go out and shoot photos, never carrying one.

With my health, I stay within about 10 miles of my home and no more travel.

I think Nikon has a good set up, seems full of possible.

i guess your still doing under water photos? When I get a new system, I hope I can enjoy a while longer, but I can only stay out about 2 hours and I come home in pain.

Keep on shooting, you still have some top Nikon gear.

DHR

dog house riley wrote:

hink Nikon has a good set up, seems full of possible.

i guess your still doing under water photos?

And video a bit now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR7vUkbCutc&list=PLjzzDGGtHPrG6JqoVva0nm2J0frydtq6F

I'll be going to Bonaire in mid-June, with the Z9, 14-30 and 105s. Since I've gone almost 2 years without shooting macro, I think I will concentrate on that. I'm thinking of trying video macro, but that could mean another few thousand $$ for an underwater tripod. I can find the funds, but I'm so packed to the gills already. Air travel is getting difficult. I have my waist bag with Z9 and 2-3 lenses, plus a backpack with computer and batteries and stuff. I check two bags - big Pelican case with most of the underwater rig, and an overweight suitcase for the dive gear, the rest of the underwater photography stuff (maybe 3 strobes), and some clothing. It's a lot to drag to and from the airport. I only have two arms, and I can't really add anything.

I did take a few stills on my last trip before I switched to video. (I wanted to learn video, and I've got a lot of stills already.)

My roommate Peter in Little Cayman. This is the type of underwater rig most of the people had, though the cameras/housings varied in size.

I had to laugh when I download this. I forgot to turn off the camera before handing up onto the boat, and it took a selfie of me when I bumped it trying to turn it off when i sat down in front of it.

Cheers!

3

Well, I should reply to all that's happened? No! I've not purchased a Z camera. I had 7 pieces of F mount gear all set to sell to KEH, 1st at first they acted like too much gear for a transaction, then relented.

They gave me a fair offer, then they could not send me a shipping label from my E Mail address. Now I've been doing business with KEH, for the last 15 20 years, buying and selling.

Now why could they not get my E Mail correct? all I could think of was, they saw they were offering me to much for my gear, and the E Mail was a way to get out of the deal.

So after two tries to get it right I said no! I put my F mount gear away, and went back to shooting F mount.

Now they offered me enough to get either a new Z50 II or new Z5.

After my research, all I need is a Z50, kit. B&H has several new Z50's but I don't have enough money saved? I don't buy with "plastic" if I can't save enough, then I don't need it!

So! I'm saving my money to buy a new Z50 it, with the kit lens, then I'll purchase a couple extra lenses. I just enjoy goin out and shooting "street photo's" and unique items to me.

I can continue along with my F mount gear and get super photos for me, i don't plan on a world tour of photo's, just me having fun in my later years.

I'll get a Z50, but in time, I'm retired and no weekly income, both of us retired, each week we give each of us some money to put in our 'hobby accounts" I'd like to have a new Z50 kit, but a nice used will work just fine.

Now, I'm taking this time to thank all who passed along great info, on a good Z set up.

Here are a few of the type of photos I take, nothing earth shatering. believe me I'm no threat to any good photographer's.

I will shar a couple photos of what I like to do.

As you can see I'm no danger to you photographers.

"dog house riley"

1

Thank you for informing us.

You certainly take great pictures with your F mount gear and can can continue to do so for several years with the equipment you already have.

The Z system has advantages and in time a Z50II kit wil be a good entry move.

After reading your argumentation you took a wise decision to postpone your transition to the Z world IMO.

I wish you all the best !

2

dog house riley wrote:

Well, I should reply to all that's happened? No! I've not purchased a Z camera. I had 7 pieces of F mount gear all set to sell to KEH, 1st at first they acted like too much gear for a transaction, then relented.

....

I can continue along with my F mount gear and get super photos for me, i don't plan on a world tour of photo's, just me having fun in my later years.

I asked on the first page if you really needed any new gear. Your pics demonstrate that you quite clearly, don't. If it ain't broke...

Pretty much every single other poster recommended that you buy new gear. What you really have to ask yourself now, is 'is that really necessary?'. IMO, no. A new Z50ii or whatever won't improve your photography. It's very interesting to see just how powerful marketing is, and how it influences people so much. Nobody else even considered the option of sticking with what you have. Unless you are getting paid, or there are features on new cameras that you desperately need (doesn't look like that to me; you're doing fine with your current gear!), then there's no need for you to spend money that could go on something else, perhaps more important to you. Life's too short to go wasting money on stuff you don't need.

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