| Joined: | Mon Apr 2nd, 2012 |
| Location: | South Lakeland, UK |
| Posts: | 4066 |
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However I guess you already knew that.
Perhaps the question should be 'What are the advantages and disadvantages of the new Z mount and why was it changed from the long standing F mount so radically'?
I am not a lens designer either but I can see several advantages of having a larger hole in the front of the camera body. It reduces the stress on the mount due to handling because a wider base to any connection is inherently stronger, it also makes it more stable, F mounts do tend to come loose due to the high stress the mount screws experience in normal use.
A larger, thinner wall tube is lighter and stronger than a small thick wall tube, allowing more room for better focus motors?
It allows more room for better electrical contacts, on some lenses, especially on the fast ones, there is very little room for the contacts.
Nikon seem to be pushing fly by wire focusing, a larger mount will be helpful for that.
Nikon seem to be set to provide faster lenses for a very limited market, it probably makes it easier and cheaper to make the fast lenses if you are able to have large rear elements, which may help reduce vignetting or the need to resort to trickery to avoid/correct vignetting.
It ensures users who want to use very specialised lenses have the room to accommodate adaptors for almost anything, which makes the Z mount more attractive to a greater user base. There is a greater tendency to use DSLR's for video work and that can often involve using specialised lenses.
The extra depth is also available to incorporate a better X1.4 or X2 tele extender instead of the FTZ adaptor, nothing yet but maybe...
I don't see this as a VHS/Betamax situation, most of the camera manufactures have tried to make their mounts individual, in a way it doesn't matter to the user, provided it works. The change to the Z mount was inevitable with the adoption of mirrorless, it provided Nikon with the opportunity to get radical. The FTZ provides a partial solution except for the screwdriver lenses.
I am sure there are a wagon load of very good reasons why Nikon chose the size and register depth for the Z's, I am content to look on and admire, use occasionally and leave the real design strategy to those who have devoted their lives to camera and lens design and invested heavily in it. In a way it's fundamental, corporate strategy comes into play, that's way beyond me. I don't see much point in speculating, just get on and enjoy it!
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Robert.