I do agree. Get the general look that you want out of camera. Trying to recreate in post is not the type of photography that many of us want to do or have the time for. The one thing I remember when meeting PTO photographer Moose Peterson was to strive to get the photo correct from the camera to minimize your time in front of the computer. Looking forward to more info on your adaptor testing journey. Will certainly save me some time when I search. Keep up the good work.
Roger Deakins is also a big fan of getting it right in camera - think he casually insulted a lot of colorists once because he said they’re not necessary if the shot is right from the start (lol)
Hi Jack! This is a really good video. I am happy to see that you’re using some vintage glass now. I have that same pre-AI lens. I love the character. I tend to use it and the 51.8 exclusively. The pre-AI lenses feel more like a slower walkout versus The 1.8 S. I’m curious to understand your rationale behind using multiple adapters. I have the FTZ but not really clear on what the advantage is of using several at once. Maybe this could be a topic for a future video? Thanks!
You are killing it with all these Nikon lens reviews my friend! :) Your growth since you started your channel is just incredible and I'm sure you'll close this year with 10k :)
It is great to see you using an AI-s lens! They really are a joy to use; their build quality is fantastic. This far, I have spent more time with them on the film cameras they were designed for, but finding an adaptor system like you have to get the focus assists would be great. I really do love the 50mm 1.8s. For how inexpensive it is, I can't really imagine seriously considering any other 50mm for regular use!
There are so many great options… the next few months videos will be filled with AI-S glass decisions haha… hope it’s not boring for everyone else because it’s super fun to me!
@BokehTherapy there are so many options! I have been using a 180mm AI-s on my Zf, as it is one of the longest lenses I have currently, and I have been pretty amazed at how sharp it is. It is great they can get new life in this modern era.
As much as I want to edit, it's to get even better results from the sooc, not to fix. Hence why I think I agree again with majority here, optical sooc is just different than the hassle of lightroom/photoshop tweaks.
Markers line up OK for me, but infinity alignment on longer lenses is always tricky? It varies lens to lens I think, part of the reason adapters are so tricky to find. That’s the next video!
@@BokehTherapy Yeah when I put it on the infinity mark it stops but it has actually gone out of focus, so I have to back off a hair for it to be in focus. Same for my Shoten and the FTZII adapter.
I am trying to track down an old DSLR to test out these F mount lenses with too. Maybe a Df if I can track one down. Let’s me gauge the lens in its natural habitat lol
@@casaminothat is absolutely normal and not any different on a DSLR . Yet, not every AI/AI-S lens has identical infinity points. If you want perfectly resolved infinity pictures I strongly advise against setting the lens to the infinity hard stop. On some lenses it works (28mm 2.8 AI-S e.g), but on the majority you will have to adjust. And then, on DSLRs, lets not forget about focus shift… on a Z thankfully no issue.
My issue with the F to Z adapters is their size, they always look silly... I wish there was a metal adapter very shallow in size with additional lens maybe to compensate for the flange focal distance difference...
Not sure what it is, maybe the distance is to optimise for performance? M mount lenses on the other hand are much smaller, but not authentically Nikon. Will be testing out lots of adapters in the next video!
@@BokehTherapy it is the flange focusing distance that the adapter needs to compensate because there is no mirror box in the camera anymore... only additional optics could compensate for it, or we would increase the minimal focusing distance (reverse what marco extension tubes do)
Go with the Megadap ETZPro21. Expensive but better than anything else right now for Sony lenses with autofocus? My video will test the Megadap too but it’s not great with manual lenses for some reason
I have a lot of AIS lenses and I would love to get that green box. I really don't understand why Nikon has hamstrung the FTZ and FTZII. It's bad enough that they refuse to put a focusing motor in the adapters and the least they could do is add the firmware for focus confirmation.
Totally agree. After testing all the options for the adapter video (coming up next), there still isn't a perfect solution. FTZiii is the only sensible hope, but don't think it's in the cards sadly
@@BokehTherapy I have also been looking to adapt a Sony Zeiss FE 55mm f1.8, but read multiple horror stories regarding the adapters, all from battery drain, malfunctioning adapters to firmware bricking the adapters until firmware lenses or lenses not working after firmware updates. Have you experienced this or have any thoughts? Megadap seems like the best, but it is quite expensive.
Megadap is better than Neewer for autofocus. It works quite well, the ETZPro21 does at least. It doesn't work for manual focus subject detection though for some reason, but the Neewer does. Go figure, we can't have it all apparently
I have difficulty choosing between the f/1.8 and f/1.4. I hear a lot of great things about both, and I thought I settled on the f/1.4 because of the character it provides (also I like the extra light gathering and the extra control ring), but after this video I am doubting again... Doesn't help that the f/1.8 can be bought for cheaper on the used market! I always tell myself I don't need the best performance out of a lens, but it is tempting to go for the f/1.8 s and know that you have a lens that just produces very good images
Yes I would! But I already own some of this lenses in M mount, doesn’t make sense (or maybe it does lol) to buy them again for Z. There are lots of vintage Nikita out there too so a good F mount solution is handy to have
@ ah I see! I have the 35 and 75 Ultron, and a 50mm zeiss planar in M mount but am on the fence about selling and picking up the 40mm f1.2 - I can’t see myself buying a leica M again.
Heyyy prof. , i am looking for some info about this 50ish lens at this moment. Thanks. Btw, Nikkn AF-S 58mm f1.2 G is one of the good lens you may like. For MF fan like me, Voigtlander 58mm f1.4 SL for Nikon is the lens I love too. ❤
How about the AF-D primes as (nor weather sealed but probably more weather resistant) manual focus lenses with the af contacts giving them eye focus confirmation, with character...
@I look forward to it.. I've been a Nikon dslr shooter for years, about to get a ZF.... or a used R5... or a ZF.... maybe. Probably. Almost maybe definitely. So thinking about lenses.... I already have 50 1.4 and 105 2.5 ais manual lenses.... but like everyone else wish the ftz both looked and worked better. The AF-D 1.4 50 always had lovely character on dslr (I believe it's basivdlky the same optics as the ai-s 1.4), still looks metal and retro, in an 80s rather than 70s way, but is more like the 40 in terms of its more weather sealed than 70s manual rinds.... and it has the contacts! On frz which is also weather sealed (however ugly section of drain pipe it is!) So I'm very much looking forward to your adapter rings video too...
@@japandrew Hope Nikon has an FTZiii in the works but no money to be made from vintage lenses. Unless they start doing a vintage reissue manual focus series...
DO NOT BUY THE NEEWER ADAPTER. I tested it out and it is awful. Real bad quality. I was in fear to damage the bayonett of my GM lens when putting it on the adapter. It felt really bad and then the autofocus was all over the place, very very bad hit rate. I would rate it as unusable.
You’re right, it’s not great for autofocus at all. It is the only one that works for manual focus subject detection? Megadap is better quality but doesn’t allow manual focus assist tools for some reason
@@flol3266 Getting the right fit is tricky, an extra part of the adapter is there to read the chip on the E mount lenses so it's not quite an open mount? I leave an F to E adapter on it, so I'm not playing with the Neewer too much. But... I only want it for manual focus. Hopefully FTZiii is the best of both worlds!
The first 500 people to use my link skl.sh/bokehtherapywithjackwang11241 will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare premium!
I do agree. Get the general look that you want out of camera. Trying to recreate in post is not the type of photography that many of us want to do or have the time for. The one thing I remember when meeting PTO photographer Moose Peterson was to strive to get the photo correct from the camera to minimize your time in front of the computer.
Looking forward to more info on your adaptor testing journey. Will certainly save me some time when I search. Keep up the good work.
Roger Deakins is also a big fan of getting it right in camera - think he casually insulted a lot of colorists once because he said they’re not necessary if the shot is right from the start (lol)
Hi Jack! This is a really good video. I am happy to see that you’re using some vintage glass now. I have that same pre-AI lens. I love the character. I tend to use it and the 51.8 exclusively. The pre-AI lenses feel more like a slower walkout versus The 1.8 S. I’m curious to understand your rationale behind using multiple adapters. I have the FTZ but not really clear on what the advantage is of using several at once. Maybe this could be a topic for a future video? Thanks!
You are killing it with all these Nikon lens reviews my friend! :)
Your growth since you started your channel is just incredible and I'm sure you'll close this year with 10k :)
Thanks Phil! 10K is just a number, connecting with the community has been the best part!
It is great to see you using an AI-s lens! They really are a joy to use; their build quality is fantastic. This far, I have spent more time with them on the film cameras they were designed for, but finding an adaptor system like you have to get the focus assists would be great.
I really do love the 50mm 1.8s. For how inexpensive it is, I can't really imagine seriously considering any other 50mm for regular use!
There are so many great options… the next few months videos will be filled with AI-S glass decisions haha… hope it’s not boring for everyone else because it’s super fun to me!
@BokehTherapy there are so many options! I have been using a 180mm AI-s on my Zf, as it is one of the longest lenses I have currently, and I have been pretty amazed at how sharp it is. It is great they can get new life in this modern era.
Another one to add to the list! I am testing the 105mm f1.8 at the moment, it is beautiful…
I literally just bought a 50 1.2 off ebay for my Z7specifically for the vintage look, great minds think alike
Yes! I am loving my 50mm f1.2 Nikkor!
As much as I want to edit, it's to get even better results from the sooc, not to fix. Hence why I think I agree again with majority here, optical sooc is just different than the hassle of lightroom/photoshop tweaks.
I spend enough time editing videos, just want the photography edit to be light and breezy. Hope you’re well!
Awesome video as always! There's really something about those all-metal Nikon vintage lenses that just screams for you to use them.
Yes and they are for the most part quite affordable I’ve found. Fantastic for enthusiasts. Thanks for watching!
Jack, have you had any issues focusing to infinity with the AIS lens? I found that I have to back off a hair for both my 50 f1.4 and 85 f2 AI lenses.
Markers line up OK for me, but infinity alignment on longer lenses is always tricky? It varies lens to lens I think, part of the reason adapters are so tricky to find. That’s the next video!
@@BokehTherapy Yeah when I put it on the infinity mark it stops but it has actually gone out of focus, so I have to back off a hair for it to be in focus. Same for my Shoten and the FTZII adapter.
I am trying to track down an old DSLR to test out these F mount lenses with too. Maybe a Df if I can track one down. Let’s me gauge the lens in its natural habitat lol
@@casaminothat is absolutely normal and not any different on a DSLR . Yet, not every AI/AI-S lens has identical infinity points. If you want perfectly resolved infinity pictures I strongly advise against setting the lens to the infinity hard stop. On some lenses it works (28mm 2.8 AI-S e.g), but on the majority you will have to adjust.
And then, on DSLRs, lets not forget about focus shift… on a Z thankfully no issue.
My issue with the F to Z adapters is their size, they always look silly... I wish there was a metal adapter very shallow in size with additional lens maybe to compensate for the flange focal distance difference...
Not sure what it is, maybe the distance is to optimise for performance? M mount lenses on the other hand are much smaller, but not authentically Nikon. Will be testing out lots of adapters in the next video!
@@BokehTherapy it is the flange focusing distance that the adapter needs to compensate because there is no mirror box in the camera anymore... only additional optics could compensate for it, or we would increase the minimal focusing distance (reverse what marco extension tubes do)
Have you tried out the Shoten adapters? Look visually consistent with the AI-S nikkors, quite nice aesthetically
@@BokehTherapy look really nice, can't wait for your adapter video :)
Thanks so much!
Please do the review on Sony e mount adapters I want to adapt my 50 mm GM to the zf
Go with the Megadap ETZPro21. Expensive but better than anything else right now for Sony lenses with autofocus? My video will test the Megadap too but it’s not great with manual lenses for some reason
Why don't you get a techart adapter and you can autofocus the old Nikkor?
Great idea! Rather than sub par AF though I tend to opt for manual focus only. It’s more fun to me that way
i love my zf + 50mm f1.8S combo 🤤
Me too. Its fantastic!
I have a lot of AIS lenses and I would love to get that green box. I really don't understand why Nikon has hamstrung the FTZ and FTZII. It's bad enough that they refuse to put a focusing motor in the adapters and the least they could do is add the firmware for focus confirmation.
Totally agree. After testing all the options for the adapter video (coming up next), there still isn't a perfect solution. FTZiii is the only sensible hope, but don't think it's in the cards sadly
Are you in my mind? I have been researching this topic the last couple of days.
Great minds think alike! Glad the video is helpful and thanks for watching!
@@BokehTherapy I have also been looking to adapt a Sony Zeiss FE 55mm f1.8, but read multiple horror stories regarding the adapters, all from battery drain, malfunctioning adapters to firmware bricking the adapters until firmware lenses or lenses not working after firmware updates. Have you experienced this or have any thoughts? Megadap seems like the best, but it is quite expensive.
Megadap is better than Neewer for autofocus. It works quite well, the ETZPro21 does at least. It doesn't work for manual focus subject detection though for some reason, but the Neewer does. Go figure, we can't have it all apparently
7Artisans 50/1.1 is the real fast one for the Zf. :) And Zeiss 55mm 1.8 for autofocus.
Mmm yes the Megadap adapter opens up all the e mount options. Haven’t tried the 7artisans one yet!
I have difficulty choosing between the f/1.8 and f/1.4. I hear a lot of great things about both, and I thought I settled on the f/1.4 because of the character it provides (also I like the extra light gathering and the extra control ring), but after this video I am doubting again... Doesn't help that the f/1.8 can be bought for cheaper on the used market! I always tell myself I don't need the best performance out of a lens, but it is tempting to go for the f/1.8 s and know that you have a lens that just produces very good images
Congrats on the f1.4 - it’s great! Get as much use out of it as you can, you can pick up a used f1.8 S any time down the road. Both great options
I'm in the same boat. I'm honestly leaning 1.8 because I like the bokeh much better. Maybe I'll do that and use actual vintage glass for character?
Would you not consider a Z mount voightlander?
Yes I would! But I already own some of this lenses in M mount, doesn’t make sense (or maybe it does lol) to buy them again for Z. There are lots of vintage Nikita out there too so a good F mount solution is handy to have
@ ah I see! I have the 35 and 75 Ultron, and a 50mm zeiss planar in M mount but am on the fence about selling and picking up the 40mm f1.2 - I can’t see myself buying a leica M again.
Heyyy prof. , i am looking for some info about this 50ish lens at this moment. Thanks.
Btw, Nikkn AF-S 58mm f1.2 G is one of the good lens you may like.
For MF fan like me, Voigtlander 58mm f1.4 SL for Nikon is the lens I love too. ❤
I will be on the hunt for a 58mm in Tokyo! The old school f1.2 is so expensive lol... Thanks for watching!
How about the AF-D primes as (nor weather sealed but probably more weather resistant) manual focus lenses with the af contacts giving them eye focus confirmation, with character...
Mmm I have to do more research - down the AI-S rabbit hole for now. Thanks for the tip!
@I look forward to it.. I've been a Nikon dslr shooter for years, about to get a ZF.... or a used R5... or a ZF.... maybe. Probably. Almost maybe definitely.
So thinking about lenses.... I already have 50 1.4 and 105 2.5 ais manual lenses.... but like everyone else wish the ftz both looked and worked better.
The AF-D 1.4 50 always had lovely character on dslr (I believe it's basivdlky the same optics as the ai-s 1.4), still looks metal and retro, in an 80s rather than 70s way, but is more like the 40 in terms of its more weather sealed than 70s manual rinds.... and it has the contacts! On frz which is also weather sealed (however ugly section of drain pipe it is!)
So I'm very much looking forward to your adapter rings video too...
@@japandrew Hope Nikon has an FTZiii in the works but no money to be made from vintage lenses. Unless they start doing a vintage reissue manual focus series...
Voigtlander 50 F1 with Z mount. Sometimes you really just need to pay to play 😅
You’re right of course, there’s just too much good vintage glass to try. I love my voigtlanders on M mount!
I chose the 1.8 over the 1.4 as I want to maintain the same look and consistency with my other Z 1.8 primes.
Me too! The f1.4 lineup is a little different lens to lens, how you tune for character seems to be anyone’s guess. I’m sure there will be fans!
DO NOT BUY THE NEEWER ADAPTER. I tested it out and it is awful. Real bad quality. I was in fear to damage the bayonett of my GM lens when putting it on the adapter. It felt really bad and then the autofocus was all over the place, very very bad hit rate. I would rate it as unusable.
You’re right, it’s not great for autofocus at all. It is the only one that works for manual focus subject detection? Megadap is better quality but doesn’t allow manual focus assist tools for some reason
@ aahh I get it. But still the problem with built quality. Is yours also super hard to screw on lenses?
@@flol3266 Getting the right fit is tricky, an extra part of the adapter is there to read the chip on the E mount lenses so it's not quite an open mount? I leave an F to E adapter on it, so I'm not playing with the Neewer too much. But... I only want it for manual focus. Hopefully FTZiii is the best of both worlds!