Early Dec 2022, I was on a trip to Delhi. Kishore had just ordered his Z9 and a 100-400Z lens. He was already using the old 80-400mm F lens so that was there to compare too. And I had landed up with my Z50 and my FTZ adapter quite by chance ! While we tried to make a trip to Sultanpur but that was not to be. So we ended up trying out the new gear and doing a few quick comparisons.
I had been wondering if the 100-400Z on the Nikon Z50 would be a nice handy small light birding setup. And it is ! Yes the focus is not super quick as the Z9 but with a bit of prefocusing nudge to the focus ring( which I any case usually do) I found the setup very workable. It is light and get you to 200-600mm thanks to the DX crop. By no means an extensive shoot but what shots I was able to take from the balcony of the birds available, its a joy to use ! And it will male for a great tiger safari kit too !
I also tried the old 80-400 with the FTZ on my Z50 and that seems heavier and definitely more “solid & planted” by feel. That too worked surprisingly well but, with some prefocus nudge. Handling wise both are close and I didnt find much difference especially with the pre focus nudge that I do. AF wise yes the Z100-400 is definitely a tad snappier.
Nikon Z50 (395gm) + Nikon Z100-400mm (1435gm)= 1830 gm
Nikon Z50 (395gm) + FTZ (140gm) + Nikon F 80-400mm (1570gm) = 2105gm
Nikon Z50 + Nikon Z 100-400mm
Nikon Z50 + FTZ + Nikon F 80-400mm
And there was some delectable coffee of course !
Excellent ! Also I suppose the cropped sensor gives it more reach. Nobody (as of now) had addressed this camera-lens combination on YouTube. Good Job !
I am a beginner and I own the Z50 +FTZII + 80-400. I found your article very interesting. I was just wondering the 100 -400 would cost a lot!
Thank you Michael. The Nikon Z 100-400 is a recent lens should be in the INR 2L range. But that said I did find the combo with the 80-400 very workable. Just get into the habit of nudging the focus ring manually to get focus in the range of the subject and then let the AF do the final “nailing”. I suggest you turn on back button focus and use the thumb to engage focus.Check this link > https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/tutorials/how-to-enable-back-button-focus-nikon-cameras-and-why-you-should-use-it
Hi thanks for your wonderful and informative article.
I’m planning to buy a AF 200- 500 Nikor lens with a FTZ 2 adaptor for my Z50. I do have the kit lens also which came along as a bundle with the camera. I’m more into wildlife , sport and aviation photography. What’s your suggestion on the same. Thank you.
Thank you Benison. 200-500 works but dont expect instant AF. I would suggest you could practice nudging the AF ring manually in the focus region and then jamming the focus button. Makes for less lens travel and helps the AF to grab the subject without too much lens raking. I prefer to set back button focus on my cameras and you can set that up on the Z50 too.
I am birding with Nikon z 50 with 55 -250 z lens for birding for more than one year and it’s very convenient for , photography as well as taking videos as the weight is less and so the tremor associated without using a tripod ,is comparatively less than DSLR
Yes I love this combo too ! Very light and easy to operate setp