Regarding what #1 said about the Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD, I unfortunately found its AF quite sluggish. Try the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR adapted. Tip: use a monopod!

Honestly, just go for the Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD and dont look back. I have been super satisfied with how it performs on my Z camera. You really dont want to be messing with that FTZ adapter and a heavy DSLR lens while you are hiking in Yellowstone. The VXD linear motor in this lens is actually quite snappy for animal tracking, and it works well even for faster moving targets. Here is why it fits your specific situation:

• Native Z mount means zero communication lag or extra bulk.
• Fits comfortably under your $1300 budget right now.
• The 1:3.1 magnification at the wide end is a nice bonus for detail shots. The difference between 500mm and 600mm reach is pretty negligible tbh, you can just crop slightly in post. I have no complaints about the build quality or the autofocus speed. Just pull the trigger by Monday so you can get some practice sessions in.

@Reply #5 - good point! The pricing gap between F and Z mount stuff is pretty annoying, ngl. Just found this thread and figure I can share what I learned. I spent weeks comparing these for my Z6ii before a trip last year. People love the 600mm reach but the technical reality of using the Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD is much better for actual field work, especially for fast animal tracking.

• The VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) is a linear motor. It moves the internal glass way faster than the older rotating USD motor in the G2 ever could.
• Adapters like the FTZ add distance and can sometimes introduce tiny amounts of flex that mess with AF precision on a heavy lens... kinda risky for sharp shots.
• You can DIY your own firmware updates via the USB-C port. Tamron has been pushing updates that actually improve the Z mount communication. Last summer, I was tracking hawks and the short 75-degree zoom throw on the 150-500mm was a lifesaver. It lets you go from wide to long in one quick flick without losing your subject. If you are capping at $1300, its the most solid choice. You wont regret the native performance tho.

Same here!

> I need something that can track moving animals fast because I dont want to miss a shot Unfortunately, that lens hasnt performed as well as I'd hoped in high-speed scenarios. Its a total bummer. Are you prioritizing a lightweight setup for hiking or is raw reach more important? Also, does that $1300 need to cover accessories like a gimbal head or batteries? Just trying to help you not waste money before the trip.

TL;DR: The mirrorless telephoto market is a mess of overpriced glass and compromises that makes picking a lens a nightmare. Honestly its ridiculous how much of a headache this has become. Just catching up on the thread and the whole situation drives me crazy. We are stuck in this weird gap where native Z mount stuff is priced like luxury items while the performance often feels like a step back from the old heavy-duty glass. Its such a scam that you can drop over a grand and still have to worry if the AF can even track a slow-moving animal. Companies just dont care about making quality accessible anymore. They know we need the reach for trips like Yellowstone and they exploit that with these mediocre options. Whether its Tamron or Nikon, the native tax is getting out of hand and it makes me miss the days when gear just worked without needing a spreadsheet to compare compromises. It is frustrating as hell trying to gear up for a big trip when every option feels like a massive trade-off.