Nikon FtZ vs FtZ II: Which One Is Best for You?

The FTZ mount adapter by Nikon was built for the Z series. They were designed to recreate the flange distance and mount diameter of a Nikon F-mount DSLR. Later down the line, Nikon manufactured the FTZ II adapter. So, what are the differences between the first and second versions of the adapter? 

Visually, these adapters appear to be identical, save for the tripod hump present on the original FTZ. This explains why the FTZ II is a bit lighter and smaller compared to its counterpart. A noticeable tradeoff with the FTZ II, however, is that it is motor-less and hence, it cannot support autofocus of the older AF-D lenses. It is only limited to AF-S and AF-P lenses. 

This article delves deep into the same to give you a comprehensive comparative review of the two adapters by Nikon. 

Nikon FtZ vs FtZ II

With the newer Ftz II, it loses the typical FtZ tripod mount. This explains why it appears smaller around the waist and is lighter. Moreover, since the FtZ II lacks the hump, it is consistently shaped to be suited for landscape and portrait shooting orientations. 

Visually, these two adapters are almost identical. It is only the tripod hump on the original FtZ that sets them apart. Moreover, the two are in the same price range. 

Comparison Table 

Nikon FtZ Overview 

The FTZ adapter by Nikon made it possible to mount the traditional F-mount DSLR lenses to a Z-series mirrorless camera. It was carefully designed to act as the Nikon F-mount DSLR’s flange distance as well as mount diameter.

This way, you can be assured that the autofocusing feature of any compatible F-mount lens will work optimally. It weighs approximately 140g with a tripod foot. There is usually no glass inside the adapter hence you need not worry about loss of image quality.

The connection between the lens and camera mount is made such that it is precisely parallel to guarantee sharpness outside the center of the image.   

Pros 

• It comes with an inbuilt autofocus motor.
• The autofocusing feature is compatible with all F-mount lenses.

Cons 

• It is relatively heavier 

Nikon FtZ II Overview

The Nikon FTZ II follows in the footsteps of the original FtZ adapter. It is designed to pair the F-mount glass with the Z-mount cameras like Z5, Z6, and Z7. This adapter makes a really good fit if you are transitioning from Nikon DSLRs to Nikon mirrorless and you are hoping to still make use of your glass.

The FTZ II adapter does not come with a tripod foot and is hence easier to use with the Z9 and with a larger grip. It comes in handy if you wish to utilize exotic glass such as F-mount telephoto lenses to appear on the Z-mount.  

There is, however, one major downside with the FTZ II adapter. It may run the newer Nikon F-mount lenses like the AF-S, AF-P, and AF, but it lacks an inbuilt autofocus motor that is required to drive the older AF-D glass. In retrospect, many of the classic and affordable AF lenses are rendered manual-focus only. 

Pros 

• It lacks the tripod foot and hence easier to use with the Z9 
• It has a larger grip 
• It is relatively smaller and lighter 

Cons 

• It lacks the inbuilt autofocus motor that is required to drive the older AF-D lenses

Features Compared 

Size and weight

The FTZ II adapter is lighter in weight and slightly smaller than the original FTZ. The slightly more weight in the original Ftz is contributed by the tripod hump. 

Appearance 

These two adapters appear to be almost identical with each other. However, there is a slight variation. The original FTZ features a hump that facilitates its mounting onto a tripod foot. The FTZ II has no tripod foot and has a larger grip. 

Price

Both the FTZ and the FTZ II are in the same price range. You only get to decide if you want to go for a tripod mount or not. 

Our Verdict 

Arguably, the Nikon FTZ II happened to be the best news to come from Nikon. Compared to the original version, the FTZ II saves on weight and size. It is a slimmer version of the FTZ adapter, so unless you prefer FTZ’s tripod mount, the FTZ II is your best option.

Unfortunately, the FTZ II is motorless, which means that it lacks the screw drive that is required to autofocus the older AF-D lenses. But if you are only dealing with the newer AF-S and AF-P lenses, you are good to go. 

FAQs

Conclusion 

The FTZ adapters have made it possible for photographers to make use of F-mount lenses on Z-mount cameras. The FTZ II is the smaller and lighter version of the original Ftz adapter. That is the main dissimilarity.

With the FTZ II, however, you may not be able to use the AF-D lenses. This article helps you differentiate between the two so you can decide which one best suits your needs. 

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• Can You use Nikon Lenses on Canon
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Javed Ahmad

My name is Javed. I'm passionate about photography and I want to help people capture their memories in the best possible way. When I started this site, I wanted to create a resource that would make it easy for people to learn about photography and find the right gear for their needs.

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