Let's try to spend my tax refund.

Normally I tend to make major camera gear purchases this time of year after filing my taxes and setting a budget based on the refund.

This year, I don't have specific anything in mind. I did buy some used lenses during 2021 and a replacement infrared converted D600. I am feeling like I have my gear needs mostly covered right now. Not to say I don't have a few ideas, but mostly they seem impractical.

In order of potential costs:

I kind of want 1 or 2 better options for camera bags. What I have all has mostly been acquired 2nd-hand and my option for lugging my long telephoto lenses into the field just are not great.

Upgrade my 2nd DSLR body option from my 11 year old D7000 to a used D7200. I like the idea of keeping an APS-C sensor around for astrophotography although I have trimmed the number of DX lenses down over time.

Instead of a D7200, pack off the D7000 and my remaining DX lenses and pick up a Nikon Df used. I have the lenses ready for this, and a strong interest in the vintage looks and control knobs. Even though I am not a dentist (just kidding).

This leads me to another option. Fuji X-series body and at least 1 zoom lens. Even used this can be more money than a Df body alone. Similar reasons with the vintage looks and control knobs. Of course the ExTrans sensor brings some extra interest. But yes, Fuji gear is expensive even when used. It is also a gateway into mirrorless.

Pie-in-the-sky option might be a full-spectrum astrophotography conversion on a D850. I've paid off my mortgage so I have plenty of home equity to finance with.

While Z-mount could be my future, I feel like it is too early for me to commit. I like my F-mount glass right now, and I would not rule out Canon R-mount as a future change. If I got a Z body today, I basically am making my choice now. It's too soon for me.

Somebody want to suggest a more fun way to spend money?

If you are looking for the vintage knobs and such you really might want to look at the Z bodies. The Nikon Zfc is all nostalgia DX and with the FTZ II adapter you could use all your AFS glass. It is ~$960 for the body. You can go to FX with the Z5 for $1300.

I like my Z6 because of the AF, WYSIWYG view finder, and IBIS. I love the native glass, but the F glass worked fine as I transitioned. I like mine for photographing family, my dog, and church activities. I just wanted to toss this out there. The initial Z’s are great cameras.

On the camera bag side, I'd suggest looking at something like the LowePro Slingshot bags - I have one of the AW 300 models. They're basically backpacks with a single shoulder strap, rather than the usual two. That means that you can shift the bag round so it's in front of you, so that you can open what was a zipped side flap and becomes a top flap, which you can open like a holster style case - Mine's deep enough to take a D300 with an 80-400mm AF-D lens attached. Great for easy access, and NOT having to put the bag down on muddy ground to get at the camera. Or you can put the bag down, undo a couple of clips, and then unzip further to open the whole lower front - there's room for more stuff either side, with the usual velcro dividers, and a separate top section. Best solution I've come across for midsize long lenses; other options are a deep holster style case, which I've tried in the past, but found more awkward, or cases specifically designed for the bigger-than-I-have hugely expensive lenses .

I've recently upgraded to add a Z7 II Mirrorless body. Apart from the In-body image stabilisation and the really good S series lenses, One of the less obvious nice changes is that while the F-Mount had one of the longest flange distances around - which meant that adapting other brand lenses required extra glass and associated quality issues, the Z-Mount is wider and has a very short flange distance - so it's much easier to adapt other brand lenses to, without needing extra glass. Only downside so far, is that Nikons FTZ F-mount adapter doesn't support the older screw drive AF lenses. I find the IBIS very useful - being able to use 500mm or 1000mm mirror lenses handheld was a pleasant surprise - so if you ever do go for a Z body, have a think about whether having IBIS or not would affect which one to go for.

jerryTheC said:

On the camera bag side, I'd suggest looking at something like the LowePro Slingshot bags - I have one of the AW 300 models. They're basically backpacks with a single shoulder strap, rather than the usual two. That means that you can shift the bag round so it's in front of you, so that you can open what was a zipped side flap and becomes a top flap, which you can open like a holster style case - Mine's deep enough to take a D300 with an 80-400mm AF-D lens attached. Great for easy access, and NOT having to put the bag down on muddy ground to get at the camera. Or you can put the bag down, undo a couple of clips, and then unzip further to open the whole lower front - there's room for more stuff either side, with the usual velcro dividers, and a separate top section. Best solution I've come across for midsize long lenses; other options are a deep holster style case, which I've tried in the past, but found more awkward, or cases specifically designed for the bigger-than-I-have hugely expensive lenses .

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As it happens to be, in 2007 I bought a Slingshot AW200, the medium-size of the series. That bag works best for somebody with a lean build. I am the opposite of that and the bag would just slide under the arm in short order no matter what I tried. I still have it but it just is the place were I park lenses and parts I never use or carry out of the house. I also have a LowePro backpack which is used the most, but it is a dated design that is cumbersome to remove and access the gear. Also there is a Crumpler 3-Million Dollar bag (a nice compact shoulder bag for 1 camera and a spare lens or 2) and a LowePro holster-style bag but it was purchased when I just had a medium-sized zoom lens. Really I kind of want a new backpack with space for my 70-200mm and my Sigma 150-600mm C lens. Plus easier access without dropping the pack to the ground and unzipping the entire thing out in the elements.

Danno said:

If you are looking for the vintage knobs and such you really might want to look at the Z bodies. The Nikon Zfc is all nostalgia DX and with the FTZ II adapter you could use all your AFS glass. It is ~$960 for the body.

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Dan, it may warm your heart to know I've been researching the Z-fc heavily the past couple of days. I'm starting to agree it may be a better fit for me than a Fuji X-series. But the cost of the F2Z adapter is 25% of the camera body! Is Nikon using rhino horn to manufacture them? For that coin there should be an AF servo motor and screw drive for the D series lenses.

Tax refund?? What's that?

BF Hammer said:

Dan, it may warm your heart to know I've been researching the Z-fc heavily the past couple of days. I'm starting to agree it may be a better fit for me than a Fuji X-series. But the cost of the F2Z adapter is 25% of the camera body! Is Nikon using rhino horn to manufacture them? For that coin there should be an AF servo motor and screw drive for the D series lenses.

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That adapter price is ridiculous, especially if you ever get to the point like me where you are going for all native glass. I still have the 200-500 f5.6 that I use the adapter for. I wish you well in the decision.

Danno said:

That adapter price is ridiculous, especially if you ever get to the point like me where you are going for all native glass. I still have the 200-500 f5.6 that I use the adapter for. I wish you well in the decision.

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I am coming to the idea that the Z-fc could be an astrophotography camera disguised as a street-photography rig. It has up to 900-seconds (15 minutes) long-exposure times in manual mode. Reviews acknowledge it has good high ISO noise performance. Still maintains the interval timer of most other Nikon bodies. The battery life is the holdback until we examine that the USB-C connector can power the camera and recharge. But I would be adapting my F-mount 70-200mm and 150-600mm lenses to use on this camera this way.

I've been home-bound with a rotten back this week so I'm spending a lot of time researching things.

BF Hammer said:

I am coming to the idea that the Z-fc could be an astrophotography camera disguised as a street-photography rig. It has up to 900-seconds (15 minutes) long-exposure times in manual mode. Reviews acknowledge it has good high ISO noise performance. Still maintains the interval timer of most other Nikon bodies. The battery life is the holdback until we examine that the USB-C connector can power the camera and recharge. But I would be adapting my F-mount 70-200mm and 150-600mm lenses to use on this camera this way.

I've been home-bound with a rotten back this week so I'm spending a lot of time researching things.

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I am interested to see which way you go on this decision. I had great success with the FTZ adapter with my Tamron 70-200 and my Nikon 200-500. I still use it with my 200-500.

I am curious what you will decide. I do hope that back straightens out for you. My Dad suffered with that his the part of his life I was around for. I know that is no fun. Best wishes on this decision.

I keep finding new twists to this simple shopping exercise.

The Z5 just got a $100 instant savings incentive starting today through April 3. If I turn-up my nose on the kit lens options to get the body only, $1299 + used Z-mount 24-70mm f/4 at $499 and I have a better starter kit well under $2000. Still need an FTZ adapter, but I would take my D7000 and all my remaining DX lenses to trade-in.

I lose the retro control knobs and the ability for 900 seconds long exposures that the Z fc has. The Z fc probably has a better sensor with lower noise, but the Z5 sensor should be more capable than my D750 in noise and dynamic range, and is still 24MP. Z5 has the same connector for a remote shutter release as the D750, my current intervalometer would work and give me even more long-exposure time. EN-EL15c battery, still with the same system there and no need for another charger cluttering my shelf. Lose out on the flip-out screen, but that is no deal-breaker. And deep-down inside, I think I would like to be all-in for full-frame.

But then I am infatuated with the retro style of the Z fc and thought of having a more compact option for a camera sometimes. I think I better get to my camera store soon and try holding both of these bodies before those used 24-70mm lenses sell.

That is what I did. Went to the store and kept putting down the D7200 in favor of the D500.
I have been reviewing a few cameras that have old style dials on top. I like them.

The deal has been made.

Out went my D7000 and 3 remaining DX lenses. A couple of associated D7000 accessories also. That gave me $455 credit.

In comes a new Z5 and a used 24-70mm f/4 S lens. I had 2 to choose from in the used cabinet. A FTZ-II adapter has to be transferred from the other store location, I can pick that up tomorrow after work.

I will take this opportunity build my lens kit the correct way. Next Z lens should be a 14-24mm wide, and then a 70-200mm lens. That telephoto lens could be a few years down the line as I already have a 70-200mm f/2.8 in F mount.

My boss' dog gets honor of being my first Z5 model. Turns out he is afraid of cameras and will try to hide around a corner. Nobody knew until today.

I just had to brighten the exposure some, I left the rest as-is and only cropped to pixel peep with the 3rd photo. Shot in A mode at f/4.



I believe the animal eye autofocus locked on an ear for the first photo. But I know it drew a rectangle around Sebastian's eyes for the 2nd photo and the crop-in sure looks like that was the focal point.