Nikon Nikon Introduces the Z5, lower cost entry into full-frame mirrorless.

Brian

Product of the Fifties

Quick Take: biggest downgrade is the use of standard CMOS sensor rather than BSI CMOS. The latter accommodates legacy lenses made for short flange distance, like RF lenses.

$1400 MSRP for the Body, 3.7MDot EVF, 24Mpixel. This is a good price for a full-frame, about the same as a D610. On the latter- Nikon sells refusbished D610 bodies at $900.
 
Quick Take: biggest downgrade is the use of standard CMOS sensor rather than BSI CMOS. The latter accommodates legacy lenses made for short flange distance, like RF lenses.

The Z6 would be better than the Z5 for shooting with RF lenses due to the BSI CMOS sensor. Plus I think the bigger Z mount and thinner sensor stack would result in better RF lens performance over other mounts. The only thing I don't like on Nikon Z bodies for manual lenses is the choppy magnify view. Sony bodies have always been smooth when using magnify.

The A7RII is probably the cheapest Sony BSI sensor camera that you can perform a thin sensor glass mod. Either that or an A7III, if you prefer 24mp instead:
Sony A7, Nikon Z, Canon R, and Panasonic S1 Series Thin Filter Legacy Lens Upgrade - Kolari Vision
 
What's the theory behind this assertion?

BSI sensor handle wide angle corners much better with short flange lenses such as Leica-M mount glass. For example non-BSI sensors with RF glass might have color shifting in the corners, whereas the BSI sensor won't have that issue. Sensor stack thickness will also affect corner performance with RF lenses. Both Nikon and Canon have thinner stacks than Sony, plus I think the wider mounts in both those systems are more accommodating versus Sony's small mount diameter.
 
You get color shift with m lenses on non-BSI sensors. That is why Laowa doesn't make a Canon R version for their new Laowa 9mm.

Kolari Mod also changes camera colors, which can be corrected in raw processing. I think Leica has more corrections for corners than just BSI Sony sensor also. Jim Kasson has a lot of tests on his blog, eg Kolari Mod A7R vs SL. Maybe some of it is coming from Leica M lens corrections that Leica codes into their cameras. That is why a used Leica SL might be a better option (although size is same as CaNikon dslrs)... It doesn't have IBIS, but the 4.4M evf is above others and it has the joystick/touch screen for mf that Sony A7/A7R I/II are missing... I see as low as $1850 for a used SL. Also Nikon Z6 used is around $1300 which cheaper than Z5, but eventually Z5 will be discounted...
 
Leica uses offset microlenses, rather than a uniform array.

CCD sensors are best for collecting light coming in at angles. BSI sensors are better than front illuminated sensors.

In short, the photo-sensitive layer of the BSI sensor is closer to the surface receiving light. Like a CCD.
 
That is why a used Leica SL might be a better option (although size is same as CaNikon dslrs)... It doesn't have IBIS, but the 4.4M evf is above others and it has the joystick/touch screen for mf that Sony A7/A7R I/II are missing...
Yeah I've always considered SL to be the ultimate host for adapted foreign glass. In addition to high-rez EVF, Leica always made the smartest focus peaking algorithms.

At the same time, I am taken aback because there's always someone on the forums who says it isn't the same or won't be as perfect with M lenses.
 
But say, quite a good majority of people who adapt old lenses on cameras probably are satisfied with the selection even if they had to leave rangefinder lenses out. In this sense Z5 is a decent option.


BTW these days it gets confusing to talk about the latest CaNikon mirrorless cameras and RF lenses because "RF" is the Canon's new name for their new lenses.
 
But say, quite a good majority of people who adapt old lenses on cameras probably are satisfied with the selection even if they had to leave rangefinder lenses out. In this sense Z5 is a decent option.


BTW these days it gets confusing to talk about the latest CaNikon mirrorless cameras and RF lenses because "RF" is the Canon's new name for their new lenses.

Don't forget there's also Canon-M and Leica M! ;)
 
Canon has no memory of its past. The people that come up with "new" names have no idea that they are recycling names already used.

Canon EF is a camera body.

Canon RF is a series of REAL cameras made from the 1940s through to about 1970.

Nikon is not perfect. Look up a Nikon S4, you can get hits on a FIlm RF and a Coolpix.
 
I'm not a Nikon guy nor do I use much old non-AF glass. How would the Z5 be with the Nikon adapter and non-Z Nikon AF lenses, in terms of the sensor problems cited above?
 
SL might be better for adapted non-M lenses and good enough for M... M is best for M lenses, but again it depends on the lens, eg newer CV 15mm/21mm work great even with Sony sensors...

Jono has a test for Leica 28mm Summicron Asph which shows the differences:
Leica M resolution
" The new 28 Summicron shows considerable improvement over the old model, especially wide open, and especially with the Leica SL and the the Sony A7 mkii. The M240 also shows a noticeable improvement, but it’s micro-lens design and the thin sensor accommodate the older lens better, so the improvement isn’t nearly so obvious. I think it also shows that if you want to use this (and other) M lenses for landscape work, then the SL does a much better job than the Sony, but if you want the very best performance, then the Leica M is still the best camera to use with M lenses."

Yeah I've always considered SL to be the ultimate host for adapted foreign glass. In addition to high-rez EVF, Leica always made the smartest focus peaking algorithms.

At the same time, I am taken aback because there's always someone on the forums who says it isn't the same or won't be as perfect with M lenses.
 
I'm not a Nikon guy nor do I use much old non-AF glass. How would the Z5 be with the Nikon adapter and non-Z Nikon AF lenses, in terms of the sensor problems cited above?
The "Special Adapter" allows AF functions with Nikon AF-S type lenses with built in motors.
AF-D and original AF lenses will work on Manual only.

Optically: it will be fine, the F-Mount is a long flange distance. The only lens I own that will not work well is the 2.1cm F4 F-Mount lens of 1959, required the mirror to be locked-up for use.
 
Nikon Z does have the ability to mount AF Canon glass and many Sony E-mount lenses. If someone wants a cheap universal body, the Nikon with it's 5-axis IBIS, big EVF and easy to find SD cards should be the new go-to body for adapting lenses. Hopefully Nikon improved magnify view with the Z5!
 
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Mixed user reviews at B&H:

Are there converters that allow the Canon and Sony lenses to autofocus on the Nikon Z-Mount? That would be a fun project.
 
Very interesting adapter- I suspect took a lot of looking at a logic analyzer to figure out.

Would be interesting to see how they deal with camera/lens firmware updates.
 
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