Photography News Issue 59

Photography News | Issue 59 | photographynews.co.uk

News

Nikon’s tiny long telephoto

Although the Z system was the main launch for Nikon back in August, the company also introduced a super compact long telephoto lens, the AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR with a guide price of £3699. The use of a Phase Fresnel (PF) lens element has enabled the designers to produce a really compact lens for its focal length. This 500mm weighs 1460g which is roughly the same weight as Nikon’s 70- 200mm f/2.8 and half the weight of a typical 500mm lens. The lens also features a Vibration Reduction system with a 4EV benefit.

Above Nikon has worked hard on the ergonomics of the Z system so the initial impressions of handling are very positive.

Nikon to feature a body-integral VR system that works in five-axes and gives a claimed 5EV benefit. The Z system is based on the new Z lens mount which is wider (it has a 55mm inner diameter) than the existing Nikon F mount and can thus allow faster maximum aperture lenses. A 58mm f/0.95 S Noct is already in development. For the legions of existing Nikon owners the accessory FTZ lens adapter, which is in effect a posh extension tube, allows their existing lenses to be fitted to Z cameras with AE or full AF/AE compatibility

I really loved how the Z 7 felt and handled. I have a D850 and the Z 7 has the same solid feel. The handgrips and control layout are not a million miles apart and I think I could happily use them side-by-side and not struggle finding the right control or menu item. The EVF is excellent, truly impressive. I did direct side-by- side comparisons with a couple of high-end mirrorless cameras and the Nikon Z 7's EVF was clearly superior to my eyes. I know some people will still bemoan the fact that it is not an optical finder, but they really need to get over themselves. In the less than perfect lighting of the launch venue the AF was slick, responsive and accurate. Fitting an 85mm f/1.8 and FTZ adapter showed no obvious deterioration in AF performance. Promising signs here, and it is great to have a Nikon with a focusing area that almost fills the full-frame format. The single XQD card slot is a – obviously this depends on the specific lens. With the FTZ, lenses without Nikon’s Vibration Reduction system will benefit from the VR system within the camera; those with it will get both lens and camera VR working together. So far, we haven’t mentioned video capabilities and yes, the Z system is well endowed here too. The Z 6 and Z 7 allow 4K UHD (3840x2160) 30p movies as well as Full HD/120p movies. Movie shooting is possible with electronic VR, Active D-lighting and focus peaking, plus there is

timecode support and N-Log with 10-bit HDMI output (to an external memory device). The Z 7 will be on sale first from late September onwards. The body only costs £3399, with the 24-70mm f/4 £3999 and the kit with the 24- 70mm and FTZ adapter £4099. The Z 6willbeonsalelaterintheautumn, again in various packages. The body only price is £2099, with 24-70mm f/4 £2699, with 24-70mm f/4 and FTZ adapter £2799. The Z lens prices are: 50mm f/1.8 £599, 35mm f/1.8 £849, 24-70mm f/4 £999 and FTZ adapter £269.

Hands onwithWill Cheung

I’ve proffered the view to anyone who cared to listen that I thought Canon and Nikon were making a mistake in not going for full-frame mirrorless earlier, but then who knew Sony would do such a great job with its products? So good, in fact, that many long-term Canikon devotees are defecting to the

electronics giant. Consequently, Canikon are playing catch-up. However, as a Nikon owner, I have to say that first impressions are that it has done a great job with the Z system. I am not saying the Z 6 or Z 7 are Sony killers, but they could keep Nikon owners who are keen to go mirrorless, loyal.

slight concern. I do like the belts and braces of two card slots, but the XQD card design is physically more robust than SD which might help mitigate any concerns. Maybe. XQD card prices coming down would be nice, though. Of course, what is important is image quality and this is something I can’t comment on. At the press launch, we could take shots but not on our own cards so we were

left to check our shots on camera monitors which really tell us little. We were shown projected images shot on the Z 7, the D850 and some unnamed rivals, and the Z 7 shots were – surprise, surprise – clearly superior. But then you don’t spend millions on a new product (be it a camera or a cola) and show it being inferior to the opposition at launch, do you? So, we’ll see – and I for one, can’t wait!