Head-to-head · Nikon F → Nikon Z
Nikon FTZ vs FTZ II — should I upgrade my F-mount adapter to the slim one?
Optically and electronically identical for AF-S / AF-P lens behaviour. The visible difference is a removable Arca-style tripod foot on the original FTZ that the FTZ II drops to slim the profile. For most Z-mount kits the choice is ergonomic, not optical.
Side-by-side specifications
| Spec | Nikon FTZ (original) Nikon · 2018 | Nikon FTZ II Nikon · 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Lens side | Nikon F | Nikon F |
| Body side | Nikon Z | Nikon Z |
| Release year | 2018 | 2021 |
| Body-side contacts | 11 pins | 11 pins |
| Firmware-updatable | Yes | No |
| Weather-sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Has glass (focal reducer) | No | No |
Differences that matter
Tripod foot is the headline change. Original FTZ (2018) ships with a removable Arca-style foot on the underside that offloads heavy AF-S super-telephoto (200-500 f/5.6, 500 f/5.6 PF, 600 f/4 FL) weight from the Z body's mount onto a tripod plate. FTZ II (2021) drops the foot to slim the adapter's profile and improve hood / grip clearance — Nikon's expectation is that long lenses mount via their own tripod collar.
Both share the same 11-pin Z-protocol electronics, the same flange depth, the same lack of an internal screw-drive motor. AF-S and AF-P G/E-type F-mount lenses behave identically on either adapter — full PDAF, Eye-AF, Animal-AF on Z6 II / Z7 II / Z8 / Z9 / Zf with current body firmware.
Screw-drive AF-D and earlier Nikkors fall back to manual focus on both — neither adapter has a screw-drive motor. Rangefinder focus confirm works through Nikon's Z body focus-peaking / magnify aids on either.
Weather sealing: both have it. Firmware: both update through the Nikon Z body's firmware-update flow over the Z protocol (no separate USB port on either) — keeping the Z body on the latest firmware keeps the FTZ in sync regardless of generation.
When to pick which
Pick the
Nikon FTZ (original) when
- You shoot heavy AF-S super-telephotos (200-500 f/5.6, 500 PF, 600 f/4 FL) and want the tripod foot taking the lens-tail weight off the Z body's mount.
- You already own the original FTZ from a Z6 / Z7 launch-window purchase. There is no AF or IQ reason to upgrade.
- You sometimes shoot off-body on a slider / gimbal where the Arca foot doubles as a quick-mount plate.
Pick the
Nikon FTZ II when
- You're buying your first F→Z adapter and your F-mount kit is lighter (24-70 f/2.8E VR, 70-200 f/2.8E FL VR, primes). The slimmer profile clears bigger Z-body hand grips more naturally.
- You shoot with a gripped Z body (Z8 / Z9 / vertical grip on Z6 II / Z7 II) and the original FTZ's foot fouls the grip on certain orientations.
- You want the simplest, lightest adapter that still preserves AF on every AF-S / AF-P Nikkor — FTZ II is ~30 g lighter than FTZ with the foot fitted.
Common questions
- Is there any AF or image-quality difference between FTZ and FTZ II?
- No — both share identical Z-protocol electronics, the same flange depth, and the same internal optical path (none, since neither has glass). Every AF-S and AF-P Nikkor behaves identically on either adapter. The difference is purely the tripod foot.
- Do AF-D screw-drive Nikkor lenses autofocus on either FTZ?
- No — neither FTZ has an internal screw-drive motor, so AF-D and earlier screw-drive Nikkors become manual focus on every Z body. Only AF-S, AF-P (in-lens motor), and G / E-type electronic Nikkors retain autofocus.
- Should I sell my original FTZ to fund the FTZ II?
- Probably not — the resale spread between the two is small, and the original FTZ's tripod foot is genuinely useful for heavy super-telephotos. Only upgrade if the foot conflicts with your gripped Z body's ergonomics or you actively prefer the slimmer profile.
- Will third-party Sigma or Tamron F-mount lenses work on both?
- Yes when the lens has its own AF motor (Sigma HSM, Tamron USD / VC USD). Most Sigma EX / Art and Tamron G2 F-mount lenses retain full AF through either FTZ; older screw-drive third-party lenses do not, same as Nikon's own AF-D limitation.
Open the individual adapter pages
- Nikon FTZ (original) — full spec, firmware history, per-lens compat notes
- Nikon FTZ II — full spec, firmware history, per-lens compat notes
- Nikon F to Nikon Z adapter page — every adapter for this mount pair, verdict, format notes
Keep exploring
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