What to replace these please?

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texaslimo

Senior Member
I have to learn lenses all over again as well as the camera. I just ordered my Z8 and am casually looking around for Z lenses to replace the F ones. It used to be that I could tell you that this or that was a particularly good lens , but with these new lenses, I know nothing. What would be a good replacement for the following pair of lenses from a quality perspective please?

200mm f4/D IF ED D (used for macro)
24-70mm f2.8 IF ED (used for quite alot of things)
 
Clovishound

Clovishound

Senior Member
Well, if you are happy with the 24-70 F2.8, then the obvious answer would be the Z 24-70 F2.8. I have the 24-70 F4, and it's a great lens. It's very sharp, very fast AF and well built. The F 2.8 version should have and edge in AF because of the larger max aperture, and is reputed to be a little sharper than the F4 version. The only issue I have with it is that I would like a little more reach. I don't have a 70-200, and don't have enough need for it to justify the expense, so every now and then I would like a little more reach with it.

As to the macro, the Z 105 micro is an excellent macro lens. Yes, it's shorter than the 200, but there isn't a direct Z mount replacement. To be honest, for macro work, I would have no issue using the lens you have with the FTZ. I shoot 98% of my macro work in manual focus and don't really think there would be much to be gained with a native mount macro. I have tried autofocus for macro work using the Z8, and found that it is much better at it than any previous camera I've used. I still haven't been convinced it would be a good idea to switch to AF for macro. Besides, the autofocus will work fine using the adapter, although being F4, the 105 micro will have an advantage.
 
BF Hammer

BF Hammer

Senior Member
Z24-70mm f/2.8 is the best there is for that focal range. But if the price makes you balk, a Z24-70mm f/4 is the next one to consider. Shop used and the price can be as low as $500. They go up or down according to supply..

I also use the Z MC 105mm f/2.8 for macro. But if you prefer the 200mm range, use the current lens with the FTZ.
 
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texaslimo

Senior Member
I originally bought the 200mm because of its reputation with macro work. I have never been disappointed with it. I do like the working distance that I can get with it an of course how sharp it is.
 
T

texaslimo

Senior Member
Is it still true that you lose image quality when you go up in range? Would a 24-70 be sharper than a 24-120 in principle?

I had originally thought that the older lenses would not work as well with the new format camera. I just knew in the back of my head that I would need to replace them. I am glad to find out that I am wrong about some of them. Those two that I listed were my big worries. I wouldn't mind using the new lens, but if my current one will work then I do not need to spend the dollars on that. Also, I just bought my niece her first camera, so I will be handing down to her my F mount lenses that I do not keep for myself (over time that is)
 
Clovishound

Clovishound

Senior Member
In general, image quality goes down when the zoom ratio increases. Of course a lot depends on the quality of the lens.

I will say that, in general, the Z mount lenses are better optically than the F mount lenses. Some of that is due to progress in the design and manufacturing process of lenses over time. Remember, Nikon has not been designing new F mount lenses for a while. Some is due to the larger mount giving the designers more options in their designs. And some may be due to the fact that designers know that now a full frame lens may well be used on a 45 MP sensor camera.

Having said that, an F mount lens should work at least as well on your Z8 than it did on your previous camera. Like I said before, I am extremely happy with how my F mount 200-500 F5.6 performs on my Z8. At some point I my spring for a long Z mount tele, but not today, and probably not tomorrow.

My advice, for what it's worth, is to use your 24-70 and 200mm with the FTZ and see how it works for you. I wouldn't run right out and spend the $$$ on a Z replacement, unless you have money to burn. Use the camera for a while and you will likely come to a conclusion of where to go from here.
 
BF Hammer

BF Hammer

Senior Member
When I bought my Z5, I bought the FTZ adapter knowing full well I would have to use my older F-mount lenses during a slow transition period. I did buy the 24-70mm f/4 right away (used, about $550 at that time) as I decided that was the right starting point. The Z24-120mm f/4 was not quite available at that time, so it was not something I considered. I already had the F-mount version that came with my D750 before.

So yes, I watch the used Z lenses available at my local camera shop, compare to the online used prices, and I then buy if I can swing the payment and the price is right. That is not going to happen again for months in my case. Right now I am adapting my longest lenses as those are the lowest priority to upgrade. It is possible when I have fully changed to Z lenses I will try to complete the f/2.8 set with a 24-70mm and then trade my f/4 lens in for the 24-120mm f/4. It's all things I think about during idle time. The reviews on the Z24-120mm f/4 are very positive and it compares nearly as good as the 24-70mm f/4 optically.
 
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