Nikon FTZ & FTZ II Lens Adapter Compatibility

Introduction   Compatible Lenses:

AF-P, AF-S & AF-I   DX   TC   AF-D   AF   AI-P   F, AI & AIs

Incompatible Lenses   Specifications

Z9   Z8   Z7 II   Z6 II   Zf   Z7   Z6   Z5   Z fc   Z50   Z30

Z System   Z Lenses   All Nikon Lenses   Flash

Nikon FTZ lens mount adapter

Nikon FTZ lens mount adapter

Front, Nikon FTZ Lens Mount Adapter. bigger.
Back, Nikon FTZ Lens Mount Adapter. bigger.

The Nikon FTZ adapts traditional Nikon F-Mount DSLR lenses to Z-series mirrorless cameras. It weighs 4.7 oz. (133g) and costs $247. I got my FTZ from Adorama. I'd also get it from Amazon, from B&H or at Crutchfield. They sell for about $180 used if you know How to Win at eBay.

The FTZ II is the same adapter as the FTZ in a smaller housing without the tripod foot. The FTZ II by comparison is just a ring, no foot. I'd get my FTZ II at Adorama, at B&H or at Crutchfeild.

This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally-approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Nikon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, non-USA, store demo or used adapter. Get yours only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken.

 

November 2021  Nikon   Mirrorless   Mirrorless Lenses   All Nikon Lenses   Nikon Flash   All Reviews

 

NEW: Fringer EF-NZ Adapter

Adapts Canon EF lenses with often better results on my Nikon Z cameras than Nikon's own lenses give on this crappy FTZ adapter! It also works with other brands of lenses in Canon EF mount, adapting them to Nikon Z.

 

Nikon Z6 and FTZ lens adapter

Nikon Z6 and FTZ Adapter. bigger.

Nikon FTZ lens mount adapter

Nikon FTZ lens mount adapter

Front, Nikon FTZ Lens Mount Adapter. bigger.
Back, Nikon FTZ Lens Mount Adapter. bigger.

Please help KenRockwell.com

Introduction

Top   Intro   Compatible Lenses

Incompatible Lenses   Specifications

The FTZ and FTZ II are the same, except that the FTZ II has no tripod foot so it's easier to use with the Z9 and it's large grip. Otherwise these are the same adapters and I won't mention any more about one versus the other; they each work exactly the same as the other.

The Nikon FTZ and FTZ II are lens mount adapters that let us use any F-Mount Nikon SLR or DSLR lens with varying extents of usefulness on Nikon's full-frame mirrorless cameras.

FTZ means F to Z, or Nikon F (SLR & DSLR) mount to Nikon's new mirrorless Z mount.

The adapter only works properly (autofocuses) with Nikon's newest lenses, which are those with built-in AF motors (AF-I, AF-S and AF-P). With all other lenses autofocus does not work. AF and AF‑D lenses become manual focus only.

Manual-focus F, AI converted, AI and AI‑s lenses on the FTZ or FTZ II have 1.) no automatic diaphragm control so you have to open and close the diaphragm manually for each shot for precise focus, and 2.) absolutely no communication between camera and lens so the camera, meter and EXIF data have no idea what aperture you're using, and 3.) the camera has no ability to set the taking aperture so there is no Program or Shutter-priority modes with these lenses. 1984's Nikon FA or any FX DSLR do all this and so much more with manual-focus lenses, but the FTZ and FTZ II are a zero and you may as well use a cheap passive Chinese adapter for manual-focus lenses — it will have the same functions and save you over $200.

The sad reality is that the longer-term Nikon shooter you are, the less you will want the FTZ or FTZ II because less and less works with older lenses. The FTZ and FTZ II are really only for people with recent lenses. It does not do Nikon's great legacy proud, but for most normal people with lenses introduced less than ten years old all should work great. Just don't fall for Nikon's deceptive marketing implying that older lenses work well — they don't.

In fact, with the announcemert of the FTZ II Nikon admitted that it only works properly with 90 lens models — but Nikon has made about 360 F-mount lens models. Thus the FTZ and FTZ II only have about a 25% sucess rate.

It should have a foot that slips into Arca-Swiss mounts, but neither does.

I got my Nikon FTZ mirrorless lens adapter from Adorama. I'd also get it from Amazon, from B&H or at Crutchfield, or used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay. I'd get the FTZ II at Adorama, at B&H or at Crutchfeild.

 

Compatible Lenses

Top   Intro   Compatible Lenses

Incompatible Lenses   Specifications

 

I got my Nikon FTZ mirrorless lens adapter from Adorama. I'd also get it from Amazon, from B&H or at Crutchfield, or used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay. I'd get the FTZ II at Adorama, at B&H or at Crutchfeild.

 

With AF‑S (1984 - today), AF‑I (1992 - 1998) and AF‑P Lenses (2017 - today)

Top

Nikon Z7, FTX and 8-15mm

Nikon Z7, FTZ Adapter and 8-15mm fisheye. bigger.

 

Nikon Z6, FTZ lens adapter and 28mm f/1.4

Nikon Z6, FTZ Adapter and 28mm f/1.4. bigger.

Everything works great with these newest lenses.

With AF‑S lenses like the new 20/1.8G, 16-35VR, 28-300mm VR and old 80-200/2.8 AF-S, as well as old AF‑I like my 1994 400/2.8 and the newest AF‑P lenses, everything is fully compatible with excellent full-frame autofocus, distortion corrections and full EXIF and exposure control.

Distortion corrections aren't always complete and some distortion may be left even with distortion correction turned on, for instance with the 28-300mm VR.

The diaphragm opens and closes automatically for each shot so it's open for precise focusing.

 

With DX Lenses (2003-today)

Top

The Z cameras automatically apply a DX crop and everything looks great as you shoot; unlike with a DSLR, the DX image always fills the finder.

The latest AF‑S (1984 - today) and AF‑P DX lenses work great. Older DX lenses, like the 10.5mm fisheye, become manual focus.

 

With Teleconverters

Top

Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-S, TC-20E, FTZ & Z7

Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-S, TC-20E, FTZ & Z7. scarier.

Teleconverters work GREAT!

Far better than DSLRs, using the TC-20E teleconverter (and newer -II and -III versions of the TC-E series), you still get full-frame autofocus and it's just as fast! With DSLRs AF got slow and buggy and only worked with the center sensor, while with mirrorless you don't lose anything.

 

With AF‑D Lenses (1992 - today)

Top

Nikon got cheap and didn't include an autofocus motor in the FTZ, so there is no autofocus with AF‑D (screw-type AF) lenses still sold new today like the 14/2.8D, 16/2.8D Fisheye, 35/2D, 50/1.4D, 80-200/2.8D, 105/2DC, 135/2DC and many more.

The diaphragm always stays at the shooting aperture. It does not open between shots so focusing, which is manual-only, isn't precise. If lighting changes, the aperture changes with it, but it doesn't open between shots as it does on DSLRs. This allows quieter shooting, but less precise focus.

Otherwise all else works reasonably well, with full EXIF communication, exposure control, and electronic manual focus aids.

There are three white ( < o > ) manual focus indicators at the lower left of the finder, and the selected focus sensor turns from red to green when in focus, which works pretty well — but nowhere near as well as if Nikon actually designed the FTZ properly to autofocus.

Distortion corrections aren't always complete and some distortion may be left even with distortion correction turned on, while with some lenses like the complex 14/2.8D it works great.

 

With AF Lenses (1986 - 1992)

Top

Nikon got cheap and didn't include an autofocus motor in the FTZ, so there is no autofocus with these oldest screw-type AF lenses from the 1980s like the 50mm f/1.8 AF. You get full EXIF communication and exposure control, but no electronic manual focus aids or distortion correction.

There is no distortion correction, even though you can turn it on in the menu.

There are no electronic manual focus aids other than Focus Peaking and Magnifiers. The selected focus area always stays red and there are no arrows or dots at the bottom of the finder.

 

With AI‑P Lenses (1988 - today)

Top

Manual-focus AI‑P lenses like the 45mm f/2.8 AI-P work about the same as old AF lenses from the 1980s: they are manual focus with full EXIF communication and exposure control.

The selected focus area turns green when in focus, which works quite well. There is focus peaking and magnification, but no arrows or dots at the bottom of the finder.

AI‑P lenses are probably the best lenses next to AF‑S and AF‑P to use with the FTZ as they don't lose any features and work even better on mirrorless than they ever did on film.

 

With Manual-Focus AI converted, AI, AI‑s & Series E Lenses (1977 - today)

Top

The FTZ lens mount adapter cannot automatically open and close lens diaphragms on manual focus lenses, so you manually have to open the diaphragm between shots for the most precise focus.

Nikon got cheap and didn't include an aperture-ring feeler in the FTZ as in every FX DSLR, so it can't read the actual set aperture and doesn't read it in the finder, and cannot control the aperture from the camera for Program or Shutter-priority auto exposure. You could do all this — and get better Matrix metering — in 1984's Nikon FA than with this FTZ.

Because it can't read the set aperture EXIF data only reads the maximum aperture set in Non-CPU Lens Data, never the actual aperture you used.

With fast manual-focus lenses like the NOCT 58mm f/1.2 AI-s on the FTZ, manual focus is easy because the finder accurately shows the very narrow depth of field at f/1.2, which DSLRs can't do with their modern laser-cut bright screens that replaced true ground glass back in the 1980s.

Focus peaking works great (MENU > CSM d10 Peaking highlights > ON).

There are no electronic focus aids: the AF areas don't change color and there are no electronic rangefinder dots at the bottom of the finder.

You can magnify the image for precise focus.

Weird is that you can set MENU > Camera > Auto distortion control > ON, but it doesn't do anything with manual focus lenses.

Any FX DSLR works much better with manual focus lenses, adding correct EXIF data and faster electronic focus aids absent with this adapter. Then again, use this adapter on mirrorless and you can shoot silently with VR and much better see the limited depth-of-field with lenses shot wider than f/2.5 than you can on DSLRs.

There is no communication with manual lenses on the FTZ. Yo may as well save over $200 and use a cheap passive Chinese adapter for manual-focus lenses — it will have the same functions and save you over $200. Because there is no comounication to manual lenses there is no benefit to using Nikon manual lenses; LEICA or any other manual lens will work the same, and likewise, you may as use your Nikon manaual lenses adapted to Sony or Canon or anything else; they will work the same.

Use any FX DSLR for best results with Nikon manual lenses.

 

With Manual-Focus F-mount (non-AI) Lenses (1959-1976)

Top

While there may be some mechanical interference with some lenses that prevent them from mounting on the adapter, if you safely can attach an ancient pre-AI lens, it works exactly the same as the manual focus AI converted, AI, AI‑s & Series E Lenses above.

 

Distortion Correction with Adapted Lenses

While my Canon EOS R expertly corrects distortion in all my old Canon EF lenses introduced since about 1990, and even shows me these corrections live in the viewfinder as I'm composing, my Nikon Z7 is inferior.

My Z7 does not show the effects of distortion correction as I'm composing as the EOS R does, and worse, the Z7 often only partially corrects the distortion of lenses on the FTZ adapter.

 

Lens Type

Autofocus? Electronic rangefinder for manual focus? (dots and arrows at the bottom of the finder?) Manual Focus Metering? VR? Exposure Modes

AF‑P, AF‑S & AF‑I

Modern lenses introduced in 1994

YES

YES

YES

YES

YES

P, S, A, M

AF‑D

"D" and "G" type screw-focus introduced in 1992

NO

YES

YES

YES

YES

P, S, A, M

AF

Original screw-type autofocus introduced in 1986

NO

NO

selected focus sensor is always red; it does nothing.

YES

YES

YES

P, S, A, M

Lens Type

Autofocus? Electronic rangefinder for manual focus? Manual Focus Metering? VR? Exposure Modes

AI‑P

Manual-focus with CPU contacts. Includes PC‑E lenses except the first 85mm PC-E at the bottom which only works in manual exposure

NO

NO,

but selected focus sensor turns green when in focus.

YES

YES

YES

P, S, A, M

AI, AI‑s & Series E

Manual focus introduced in 1977

NO

NO

YES

YES

YES

A, M

F-mount

Pre-AI manual-focus lenses introduced in 1959. These may or may not have mechanical interference problems so be careful mounting them the first time. See also the potentially incompatible list below.

NO

NO

YES

YES

YES

A, M
PC Micro 85mm f/2.8D

NO

NO

YES

YES

YES

Manual only

See also Nikon Lens Compatibility, especially the Mirrorless Compatibility section.

Here's the same information, organized differently:

Camera

Invasive Fisheyes

Pre-AI

AI Converted

AI, AI-s

AF, AF‑D (screw) and AI-P

AF‑S, AF‑I

VR**

AF‑P

Z7

OK*

A, M

OK*

A, M

OK*

A, M

OK

A, M

NO AF

otherwise OK

P, S, A, M

OK

P, S, A, M

VR OK

OK

P, S, A, M

Z6

OK*

A, M

OK*

A, M

OK

A, M

OK

A, M

NO AF

otherwise OK

P, S, A, M

OK

P, S, A, M

VR OK

OK

P, S, A, M

* Pre-AI (pre-1977) lenses may or may not have mechanical interference problems. Be very careful when you first try to mount these.

** VR is a stand-alone feature. All VR lenses are either traditional screw-type AF or AF-S, in which column you'll see how the other features work.

 

Potentially Incompatible Lenses

Top   Intro   Compatible Lenses

Incompatible Lenses   Specifications

I got my Nikon FTZ mirrorless lens adapter from Adorama. I'd also get it from Amazon, from B&H or at Crutchfield, or used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay. I'd get the FTZ II at Adorama, at B&H or at Crutchfeild.

These are 50-year-old lenses that Nikon warns may have mechanical interference and not be able to mount. Go ahead and try — carefully — and see what happens with them. If they mount, and most of them just might, you'll get VR, metering and A and M exposure modes:

  • F-mount (Non-AI) lenses.
  • IX-NIKKOR
  • TC-16A AF Teleconverter
  • Lenses that require the AU-1 focusing unit (400mm f/4.5, 600mm f/5.6, 800mm f/8, 1200mm f/11)
  • Fisheye (6mm f/5.6, 7.5mm f/5.6, 8mm f/8, OP 10mm f/5.6)
  • 2.1cm f/4
  • K2 Extension Ring
  • 180-600mm f/8 ED (serial numbers 174041-174180)
  • 360-1200mm f/11 ED (serial numbers 174031-174127)
  • 200-600mm f/9.5 (serial numbers 280001-300490)
  • AF lenses for the F3AF (AF 80mm f/2.8, AF 200mm f/3.5 ED, TC-16 AF Teleconverter)
  • PC 28mm f/4 (serial number 180900 or earlier)
  • PC 35mm f/2.8 (serial numbers 851001-906200)
  • PC 35mm f/3.5 (old type)
  • Reflex 1000mm f/6.3 (old type)
  • NIKKOR-H Auto 2.8cm f/3.5 (28mm f/3.5) lenses with serial numbers below 362000
  • NIKKOR-S Auto 3.5cm f/2.8 (35mm f/2.8) lenses with serial numbers below 928000
  • NIKKOR-S Auto 5cm f/2 (50mm f/2)
  • NIKKOR-Q Auto 13.5cm f/3.5 (135mm f/3.5) lenses with serial numbers below 753000
  • Micro-NIKKOR 5.5cm f/3.5
  • Medical-NIKKOR Auto 200mm f/5.6
  • Auto NIKKOR Telephoto-Zoom 85-250mm f/4-4.5
  • Auto NIKKOR Telephoto-Zoom 200-600mm f/9.5-10.5

 

Specifications

Top   Intro   Compatible Lenses

Incompatible Lenses   Specifications

 

I got my Nikon FTZ mirrorless lens adapter from Adorama. I'd also get it from Amazon, from B&H or at Crutchfield, or used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay. I'd get the FTZ II at Adorama, at B&H or at Crutchfeild.

 

Size

FTZ: Nikon specifies 70 mm diameter (excluding significant projections x 80mm long, but I suspect the correct length (thickness) is 30.5mm.

 

Weight, FTZ

4.700 oz. (133.3g) actual measured weight.

5.750 oz. (163.1g) with caps, measured.

Nikon specifies 4.8 oz. (135g).

 

Quality

It was Made in Japan when first introducced in 2018, starting with serial number 20,000,000:

Nikon FTZ lens mount adapter

Bottom, Nikon FTZ Lens Mount Adapter. bigger.

But as of about 2019 has been offshored to Thailand, with serial numbers starting at 30,000,000.

 

Included

BF-1B F-mount body cap

LF-N1 Z-mount rear cap.

 

Announced

FTZ: 12:09 AM, Thursday, 23 August 2018, NYC time.

FTZ II: 8:23 AM, 28 October 2021, NYC time.

 

Nikon Product Number

FTZ: 4185.

FTZ II: 4264.

 

Promised for

FTZ: 27 September 2018.

FTZ II: Late 2021.

 

Shipping Since

FTZ: 27 September 2018.

 

Price, USA

November 2021

FTZ: $247 at Adorama, at Amazon, at B&H and at Crutchfield. About $180 used if you know How to Win at eBay.

FTZ II: $247 at Adorama, at B&H and at Crutchfeild.

 

August 2018 ~ November 2020:

FTZ: $247.

 

Sometimes comes at a discount if bought as part of a kit with the Nikon Z7:

$3,547, kit with Z7 and FTZ adapter (promotional introductory rate).

$4,147, kit with Z7, 24-70mm f/4 and FTZ adapter promotional introductory rate).

 

Sometimes comes at a discount if bought as part of a kit with the Nikon Z6:

$2,147, kit with Z6 and FTZ adapter (promotional introductory rate).

$2,747, kit with Z6, 24-70mm f/4 and FTZ adapter (promotional introductory rate).

 

I got my Nikon FTZ mirrorless lens adapter from Adorama. I'd also get it from Amazon, from B&H or at Crutchfield, or used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay. I'd get the FTZ II at Adorama, at B&H or at Crutchfeild.

This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Nikon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, non-USA, store demo or used adapter. I use the stores I do because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new camera before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.

Thanks for helping me help you!

Ken Rockwell.

 

© Ken Rockwell. All rights reserved. Tous droits réservés. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

 

Help Me Help You

I support my growing family through this website, as crazy as it might seem.

The biggest help is when you use any of these links when you get anything. It costs you nothing, and is this site's, and thus my family's, biggest source of support. These places always have the best prices and service, which is why I've used them since before this website existed. I recommend them all personally.

If you find this page as helpful as a book you might have had to buy or a workshop you may have had to take, feel free to help me continue helping everyone.

If you've gotten your gear through one of my links or helped otherwise, you're family. It's great people like you who allow me to keep adding to this site full-time. Thanks!

If you haven't helped yet, please do, and consider helping me with a gift of $5.00.

As this page is copyrighted and formally registered, it is unlawful to make copies, especially in the form of printouts for personal use. If you wish to make a printout for personal use, you are granted one-time permission only if you PayPal me $5.00 per printout or part thereof. Thank you!

 

Thanks for reading!

 

 

Ken Rockwell.

 

 

 

06 November 2021, 12, 28 October 2021, 31 May 2021, 27 Feb 2021, 11 Nov 2020, 22 Jan 2020, 09 March 2019, 23 August 2018