At the time I made this video you could pick up the FTZ for 46 at most retailers if you bundled it with a Z series camera. Unfortunately, that no longer seems to be the case. I still think the FTZ adaptor is a good purchase even at the full retail price of $249. I do think that Nikon should just include the FTZ for free with all Z series cameras. That said, get the FTZ at whatever price you can find it. You won't be sorry in my opinion.

I have the z 50 with kit lens, but don't think for one second that its a slouch you will be so very wrong lol. I also have Voigtlander 40mm and 58mm that i adapt to this camera. But I bought the new Z 24-70mm |f 2.8S and shot a wedding with it. Due to Covid19 the Z 24-70 |2.8 S (36-105mm) full frame equivalent performed flawlessly on the z50! Daylight photography with the z 50 has some special sauce when it comes to balancing daylight. The images are sharp af! But then I saw the low light photos and was gobsmacked. I know the Z 6 is a sweet camera but this z 50 for its price is a stellar little camera that punches above its weight. I have yet seen any images from z6 or z7 that really warrant me purchasing full frame at this moment. I will continue to build the Z Holy Trinity around this little camera. Next up will be the Z 14-24mm |f2.8s. Viva la Nikon!

Just purchased a Z50 dual lens setup today- have put this on my wishlist for my next purchase. Thank you.

I agree 100% with your lens recommendation. The 16-50 lens is great to walk around with but not as sharp for long distance scenery shots. The 35mm G lens is short enough not to create a shadow when using the pop up flash. My 18-55 F mount lens does create a shadow when the pop up flash is used.

Nice video Phil. Also nice to see someone keeping us updated on the lesser “hyped” 15 minutes of fame cameras and lenses.

The 35mm f1.8 DX is one of my favorite lenses and i don’t even have a DX model as of right now. It was last used with a D5500 for a lying around, pick up for anything at the moment setup which was with me all the time. Many of my fav shots of my pets were taken that setup and even though I have since given the 5500 to my niece, I still have the lens. At some point I can see using the Z50 with it for the same use and I bet the quality of the images will be even better.

Totally agree. After purchasing my D5500 with a great 18-140mm kit zoom, a 35mm 1.8 was the only other DX lens ever purchased. And in the right place at the right time, it's a great lens. Great for low-light scenes, and the bokeh is great!

Phil I enjoy watching your vidio's and am the owner of the z50 two lens kit. This vidio prompted me to purchase the 35mm DX lens and it arrived today .All I can say is thank you, tack sharp and very light. My D4s and D850 have been sitting in their cases since I got the z50,what a little gem. Thanks again for the recommendation.

Big help for me. Been looking at this camera for several weeks trying to decide if it would fit the bill as a high quality budget “do everything well” unit. Some call it’s landscape performance just so-so but you really made it shine in your waterfall video. Others sneered at the idea of using a non Z mount lens. Sure the Z mount is probably a higher quality lens but you show here that the average shooter can get excellent images with an F mount lens like this, and not have to spend a small fortune to do so. Thank you so much for your helpful tips and for generously sharing your knowledge

You are spot on with everything that you said Phil..I have that exact same set up along with my D7100 and a few other lenses, but heard about the 35mm from Ken Wheeler ( Angry Photographer ), who surprisingly said that the inexpensive 35mm was a must buy..he , once again was correct..thanks for the vid and the good advice to anyone who doesn't have this little gem

Bought my Z50 with kit lenses and FTZ adapter as a pre order. If you don’t mind a grey import you can pick that set up for a lot less. I shoot mainly sports and although I have bigger more expensive lenses I find they are still sharp...and so light makes a great holiday camera or when you don’t want to carry much kit.

Great video. Thank you so much. I just got the Nikon Z fc last week. New to photography. Love from Ireland 🇮🇪

Great video Phil! I was going to do some night time outdoor Christmas lights photography with the Z50. I have both the 35 and 50mm 1.8G lenses. I’m going to give them both a whirl with the Z50 and see how they do.

Hit the nail on the head. F-mount lenses for the Z50 are perfect. My 50mm F1.4 was great with my Z50 and being cropped it made the corners less spherical and less coma.

I really enjoy your channel Phil! A year ago I bought my Nikon Z50 with the 2 lens kit! I don't want to be too much of a fan boy, but I love my Z50! It's compact, light, and a perfect travel camera for me! I shoot RAW, but it automatically loads small jpegs on my phone using SnapBridge for immediate use on social media. My phone can also add GPS info to the file in the camera. I have a collection of Nikon F lenses including the DX 35mm f/1.8G f-mount prime lens, I can use on the Z50 using the FTZ adapter. It has a smallish battery, but I can charge it in the field using an external battery pack.

Love your videos! I just got this same kit...and I’ve had the 35mm 1.8f so I got the adapter and love it

I've been using that 35mm for 10 years since I got my first DSLR. Fantastic portrait lens with nice bokeh, Really thin focal plane which makes close up subjects a (fun) challenge. Works great with my Nikon Z FC.

Well done... after 6 years searching i didn't find any camera as good as Z50,,maybe someone not agree with me..,but i think the pic profile &dinamic range& amazing colors you can get from this camera or any Nikon Z cameras can't you get it from anywhere else... absolutely ammmmaizing

Just ordered the 2 lens kit refurbished from Nikon. Picked up the Z 40 f2 on sale so I wouldn't have to have the adapter plus the dx lens. Good video. Thanks!

I got the Z50 with the two lens kit (and without the ftz adapter) back in May and have been looking to get a new lens before the end of this year. While I like both the lenses the biggest thing I've been looking for is more reach when shooting wildlife and birds, but I may wait and see what price the Z mount 100-400mm and 200-600mm lenses come in at whenever they're announced, and then decide between them or the Nikkor F mount 200-500mm or a third party 150-600mm. More realistically I'll probably be looking at getting a "do everything" superzoom with the ftz first, like the Nikkor 28-300mm or the Tamron 18-400mm. Then something like this, or some other lens with a faster aperture later on.

Great advice Phil the DX 35mm would be awesome. Yes absolutely buy the lenses with the Z50, much cheaper that way AND getting the FTZ what a great bargain. I'm so impressed by the video and the images out of the Z50 that you get. Thanks for sharing the video Phil 👍🙏

Very good!!! Thanks🎉

that was quite helpful. Thanks!

Funny, I just bought the kit with 16-50 & 50-250. Already have the 35mm 1.8D and I'm buying a used FTZ II for $150. There were no deals to get the FTZ for cheap when I bought the kit, where I live. This was my plan immediately when I was shopping for a Z mount camera. To use the 35mm 1.8D right away. It's a great lens and a no brainer for the price.

My starting kit was Z50 + Nikon Z 16-50 3.5-6.3 + FTZ + Nikon F 70-300 4.5-5.6 VR AF-S. I know that 70-300 is for FF. But i think that lenses are more important and later can be used on FF body easily. FTZ is a great way to wide choice of lenses from Nikon, Tamron, Sigma, Tokina. Must have.

Great great video really helped me out sir!

another great one.. I kinda just like to watch and hear from you :)

Thanks Phil....great comments... I wish lenses were that cheap in Australia... Will Heather be taking any more pics with her D7100 as I own one & enjoy her photos... Thanks again...

Btw agree with you the camera and the lens are incredible

I would recommend the Nikon 17-55mm f2.8 G. As an all rounder lens.

Great video... , useful suggestions,... using 24mm f1. 8 with ftz adapter, i experienced some autofocus indecision... ???

Couldn't agree more. Great lens. When I went to the z6 I sold that lense, took me about 10 minutes

Great video! I’m taking notes. I want to buy my first camera beyond a point and shoot. I have iPhone 12 Pro Max, but I’m going to Alaska in 2023 to see bears at brooks falls. I have a year and a half to learn. I’ve narrowed it to the Nikon z50 and the canon m50 mark ii. I like that the z50 is weather sealed but somethings about the canon m50 seem easier for a beginner. How easy is the z50 for a total newbie? And for wildlife at beginner level any thoughts? Also I was thinking mirrorless because of travel and I have arthritis in my hands. Thanks for any input, such a hard decision!

This 35mm is a beautiful lens, the image quality it delivers is quite disproportional to its price. I have this and i absolutely love this.

Hi Phil I enjoyed your video and I wished I had seen it before I purchased my Z50. A year ago when I bought my Z50 I only bought the 16-50 kit lens. My thinking at the time was since I had a Tamron 18-400, Nikon 18-200 and a 70-300 I wouldnt need it. But then I started reading where the Z lenses (even the kit lenses) are made specifically for the Z cameras and is good to have (maybe a sales gimmick) I started looking for the Z50-250 lens and if you can find them to purchase separately its about $200 more than if you buy it in a kit. It sells separately for almost $400. When I bought my Z50 Nikon at the time took $75 off the adapter and I had to pay $175. Nikon gave the adapter free with the Z6 and Z7. I think Nikon messed up they should have provided the adapter with the Z50 (loss leader) as more people might have switched to mirrorless. Best wishes Duane

I am thinking about a Z50 and an FTZ adaptor. After watching some of your videos I am thinking that the Z50 and the Tamron 18-400 would be a really good all round choice

Hey Phil, great video thanks mate. Is this still your suggestion? Or would you say the z 40mm f/2 is the way to go now? Thanks in advance

While I like the recommendation due to its price and practicality, I would personally advise any APS-C serious shooters to get a used full-frame lens instead for a few more bucks if needed just for future proofing in case you will ever decide to move to a full frame body later on. And here I am emphasizing the word "SERIOUS", meaning, if you think you might want to upgrade later for any reason to a full frame as it will give you better prospects. Furthermore, if you get a lens that performs well in the center (cheaper lenses tend to be soft in the center at lower apertures in general), when using it on an APS-C body, you benefit from getting most of your frame in that sharp center sweet spot, and skip some of the undesirable effects of lens effects/distortion in the corners (ghosting/flare, color fringing/chromatic aberration, blur, barrel distortion, pincushion distortion, vignetting...etc.). Otherwise, if you know you are not going there, then honestly you save tons of cash by buying APS-C specific glass and you get very good results anyway.

Nice video and recommendation. I just wonder whether the 50 mm 1.8 would be a better choice because it’s more versatile and you can stand back a little farther to take your shot. That said, do you think the 50 mm is every bit as sharp as the 35?

tamron 35mm f1.8 Nikon for z50 nice

Good recommendation...I have the 35mm and the 50mm and they are both razor sharp..I was skeptical at first because of the price but I was proven wrong..I can't say anything really about reliability since the 200-500mm is glued to my camera most of the time but I have used both several times for family get together's, landscape and some astrophotography and they have both been subjected to the damp night air and I think I have had them both for 4 years maybe 5 and they have given me zero trouble...The 50mm on a dx body makes a decent portait lens since your only 10mm away from the preferred ( im told 85mm ) and it can produce some bokehfied (TM Phil Thach Photography ) images :)

I bought the Z50, but only with the 16-50 lens since the dual kit was much more expensive here in Australia and just outside of my budget. The alternative was an a6000, which is now discontinued (and consequently more expensive), which for the price, wasn't the best value for money. At the very least, I got a new camera with newer software and a free f to z adapter that will allow me to expand my lens collection and learn more without spending thousands.

I wonder could you do a video on using the Z fc. How you have it set up. I mainly use it for taking pictures of cows ? What would be my best auto focus setting for moving animals. Andrew

La Z50 ya es un clásico!!!!!

I have two issues!, I’m preparing for my Z50 but it doesn’t the commander mode for speedlights and I’ll like use it with flashes. Other issue, (like fuji) I’ll like use it with the Z 23 mm 1.8 S for it speed, I already have waiting 50 mm 1.4 G getting closer to 85mm although is a little slowly and any Z hasn’t a F1.4. And...70-200 Z 2.8, here suppose all we can dream!!. And As it should be...my 35mm 1.8 DX G is waiting too.

I keep trying to justify a Z50 , when I have a Z6 and a D500. I know you have the same, so what do you gain with Z50. Very informative video.

Thank you. What dx or fx fmount lense could you recommend that has VR and a fast aperture

Hello,id like to ask your opinion,should i buy a z50,or a D7500 For wildlife photography, I Have the sigma 150-600 sports,and 100-400 mm Tamron G2, and i have also the Z6 with FTZ adapter,but i really miss the extra reach of an APS-C (my z6 autofocusing with the adapted lenses is a litle bit slover that with d7200.So i-m a bit confused if i should get a teleconverter,or the D7500,or the Z50 (sincerly im a bit afraid that the z50 will slow even more the autofous (than the z6 ) ,on F lenses...SO please give me an advice . Thank you.

Hey Phil, have you use the DX 35mm for low light video? And if have how did it do?

Hi Phil..! I just bought the Nikon Z50 and I wanted to know if there are any prime lens that I can buy with the Z mount without using the FTZ adapter. If not I wanted to know does the FTZ adapter distort the quality of the image compared to using the lens directly on the mount?

How well does the older F mount lens from a D3300 work on the Z50? I find the 18-55mm AF-S Nikkor lens from my D3300 to be razor sharp. Would this work well on a Z50?

Do you find yourself still using both the 35mm and the kit 16-50mm? A used 35mm is on sale near me recently but I fear that the 2 lens might overlap too much in their usage. Additionally, how good is it for astrophotography?

Looking to purchase a Z50. If I already own the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm, f4.5-5.6, would you still recommend getting the 50-250 Z mount lens? I realize that I'd be missing 51-69mm. Otherwise I don't see why I'd need it. Thoughts?

I hear that if you adapt f lens to z mount It's not really sharp Can you do a video that you adapt f lens to z mount and test the sharpness Btw what lens should you recommend? Nikon 35mm 1.8g Or Sigma 17-50 f2.8

What are your thoughts on the Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR lens?

So I purchased my z50 at Best Buy, should the ftz should the have still came with it for 40 bucks? Or is that only a Nikon website promotion?

that little adapter is #329 here !!! 😮 I don't know what money tree you have but that ain't no budget

Which lens would you recommend for z50, if I want to astrophotography or taking a picture of the moon?

I am planning to get Nikkor 50mm 1.8s for my z50, is it a good option with z50 or 35mm z mount? I do mostly portraits, street photography.

Phil ciao, what about autofocus response speed unsing 35mm dx with ftz adapter? Thanks

Hey Phil, I just bought a Z50! which macro lens will you recommend for it?

I like the z50 but it seems that lens doesn't have vr. The body does not offer stabilisation so is this really a viable option to consider?

The Z50 with F-mount glass is the best kept secret around.

Will the Sigma for Nikon 18-35mm f/1.8 work with FTZ adapter?

Is there a Panorama mode on the Z50? I don't see one. Thank you.

Thank you. FTZ adapter is now $146

Where you find the ftz on $46? The price in adorama is $246.95

I have the z50 and want the 50mm 1.8 lenses to blur the back, but the z50 it’s so expensive , but the DSRL lens it’s half the price will I need an adapter? For my camera

How's 35mm f1.8 g lens with z50 in video ? Does auto focus works and motor makes any noise ?

Sir d7500 or z50 for photography? Image quality and focusing is the main priority

Hi mate with this 50mm dx on a z50 it won’t have any image stabilisation as none in camera and lens

I'm looking for a fast zoom lens for astrophotography and on a budget. Any ideas?

$46 ftz adapter, did I hear that right?.. Isn't it around $200? Expensive as hell :/

Is this lens better then the 16mm-50mm lens kit? Do some lens create better looking pictures?

Another often overlooked lens that is a bit more pricey but worth every penny is the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR ...It has a medium build quality but not Swamp Water Proof ( TM ) excellent image quality as well.. So its " Good Enough " 😂😂

Actually now it is perfect to buy a first lens, dx z 18-140

Bought one several years ago now. Had to have it but have never really used it. To be honest zooms are far more versatile. Have a 60mm D lens also which is equivalent to 90mm on APSC. Brilliant for portraits which I never really shoot 😂👍

what's the best longest focal length lens that goes well with Z50?

Where do I find the zoom ring on the 35mm lens? 😜🤪😂

Nikon FTZ should be free! And Nikon needs faster kit lenses like Fuji.

Only buy fast lenses, like 2.8 or faster ! Otherwise you will regret it some day when you have to buy again a lens, this time a faster. So buy a faster right away and your done forever...

ftz adapetr dede vro