• Members 65 posts
    April 18, 2023, 6:18 a.m.
  • Members 28 posts
    April 18, 2023, 12:16 p.m.

    While I don't care for how its power zoom is apparently video inspired (I'm not into video and consider that a "separate world" from stills), nonetheless it looks like a good addition for we APS-C shooters (I have the Z50) who might otherwise use an FTZ adapted 10-20. Nikon just needs to wake up and also introduce an updated body.

  • Members 16 posts
    April 18, 2023, 4:28 p.m.

    I'll wait for reviews. I just picked up a mint used 10-20mm that is really nice. Even with the FTZ it's light weight

  • Members 2 posts
    April 18, 2023, 4:43 p.m.

    Question, I know the Z30 can control the zoom from the camera as well as from Snapbridge, and the accessory handle. Can any other body control it as well?

  • Members 39 posts
    April 18, 2023, 6:25 p.m.

    This is better than I feared from the leaked specs. Dust and drip resistance is handy, and given it's an internal zoom with a linear motor then startup should be instant. I was worried it would just be a typical collapsible zoom with a motor added so nikon could claim it's video focussed, but a wide internal zoom lens is genuinely useful for video (internal zoom = less change in CoG with zoom = easy to use on a gimbal). The PZ tax is also less than I expected.

    I still want more detail on how it handles on a camera before pulling the trigger on an order. If bodies are updated to show the FL on screen then I'll get it, but without that I can see an easily jogged zoom control wheel being very frustrating to use.

    Nikon also call out the Zfc, but no mention of any FX bodies. Hopefully nikon plans to also update the Z50

  • Members 457 posts
    April 18, 2023, 7:47 p.m.

    This is a great addition to Nikon's DX line (small and with VR).
    Rather than new bodies, I wish for more DX primes with built-in VR. Apparently, there is a DX 24mm in the pipeline.

  • Members 39 posts
    April 18, 2023, 8:43 p.m.

    I noticed something:
    youtu.be/lmhq6M3xNfA?t=31
    at 0:31, I can just see a little "12mm" under the touch AF widget on the rear screen. It looks like the Z30 should show the FL on the rear screen, which allays my main concern with the lens. I wonder if we could get that enabled on all Z mount zooms?

  • Members 9 posts
    April 18, 2023, 8:51 p.m.

    As one who has the decade-plus old 10-24 F3.5-4.5 and the 10-20 AF-P lens, I won't be rushing out to buy one of these for my wife'w Zfc, but I must say the specs and the price are decent. I am awaiting a Z50 upgrade with improved AF (near Z8 quality) and IBIS before I totally ditch F-mount DX photography, which is still working for me.

  • Members 16 posts
    April 18, 2023, 9:09 p.m.

    Well, knucklehead me. I pre ordered the lens through Adorama . Free shipping ( Nikon USA wasn't free ship) and $10.00 off coupon. When it shows up it shows up, I have the 10-20 mm to cover. But I'll bet it's optically a good lens .

  • Members 6 posts
    April 18, 2023, 11:26 p.m.

    I've pre-ordered one. It will be handy to have.

    We can wait for Nikon to release an "updated" APS-C camera - though I think the current cameras are pretty darn good at what they do - or we can go out and make photographs.

    I don't think any "improved" Z50 or Z70 or Z90 or whatever will significantly improve on what is already out there. 26MP vs 20? Not really a big deal, and smaller pixels introduce issues of their own. IBIS? OK, it's fine for some instances, but at what cost to battery life?
    Any improvements will be incremental at best. Not worth the wait, at least for me.

  • Members 457 posts
    April 18, 2023, 11:36 p.m.

    Me too. I read somewhere that they will be shipping in May, hopefully in the beginning.

    +1

    Agreed there is not much difference in 26 vs. 20 MP (12% linear resolution difference). Smaller pixels do not add any relevant issues (same noise at the output level).

  • Members 16 posts
    April 19, 2023, 4:43 a.m.

    According to Ricci's video, the answe is no. Not yet.

  • Members 39 posts
    April 19, 2023, 3:25 p.m.

    Nikon support got back to me about whether the Z50 will show the focal length on the rear screen:

    I'll hold off preordering it then

  • Members 243 posts
    April 19, 2023, 3:59 p.m.

    I think many looking for a Z70 or Z90 or whatever are looking for a Z version of the D500, which would be quite a bit different than what exists right now. Many have stated that the VR in the present lenses makes up for lack of ibis, so unless adapting older lenses or FX Z lenses, probably not as much of an issue.

  • Members 27 posts
    April 20, 2023, 2:54 a.m.

    It's interesting that Nikon does not offer this feature for any of its DSLR or mirrorless cameras, yet this feature is available in the point and shoot NIkon A1000. To me it seems kind of obvious that this would be a desirable feature for people.

  • Members 39 posts
    April 22, 2023, 1:59 a.m.

    Interestingly, Pentax had power zoom lenses back in the late film days with a number of their full frame lenses for their K mount. I had the FA28-70 f2.8 and FA70-200 f2.8 when I shot Pentax APS C DSLR's early on in the DSLR days, switched to Nikon in 2010 when the D700 came out as I wanted to go FF DSLR and Pentax didn't look like they were going down that route any time soon. As good as the Pentax lenses etc were, it was the best move I ever made.

    I actually quite liked the power zoom function. It had a 3 stage motor speed, meaning slow, medium and fast zooming depending on how far you twisted the zoom ring. You could then disengage the motor by pulling the zoom ring towards you (or away, I can't remember exactly) and use it like a normal manual zoom. In the world of ML and video, I can see the benefit, but I still think it would be beneficial for zooms in general for tracking birds etc as it means keeping your hand in one place and just tweak the ring or tweak the focus if required. The fact your hand stays in one place rather than twisting it around the lens barrel means for a much steadier and quicker response to the subject being tracked. The issue will be battery life in some situations.