In my experience, just get Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S.

• Zero hunting
• Perfectly balanced The Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 is cheaper, but the reach is way too short.

Building on the earlier suggestion, I actually have a slightly different perspective if youre specifically doing greenhouse orchids. While the native Z 105mm is a total beast, youre gonna hit the diffraction limit so fast trying to get those deep orchid centers in focus! I spent months struggling with this exact issue until I switched my technical approach. Honestly, if you want to stay under that $950 cap and get mind-blowing results, look at the TTArtisan 100mm f/2.8 2X Tilt-Shift Macro. Its native Z-mount so no adapter junk. Here is why it wins for orchids:

• The tilt function lets you align the plane of focus with the flowers shape, which is a total game changer for depth of field.
• 2x magnification means you can get details that the standard 1:1 lenses simply miss.
• Its fully manual, which sounds scary, but for stationary orchids, it actually stops the hunting thats making you crazy! I used this lens for a series on Cattleya orchids last month and the level of control is just amazing. You can literally tilt the focus to cover the lip and the petals simultaneously without needing a 50-shot focus stack. It is a bit of a learning curve, but for a technical shooter, its so much more rewarding than just fighting an AF motor that doesnt know what its looking at. Plus, it leaves you with like $500 extra in your pocket for a killer tripod or some high-end LED panels! It feels way more professional than just praying the AF hits. Definitely worth a look if you love the technical side of macro work!

Ugh, the adapter life is honestly such a letdown sometimes. I really wanted to love using my old F-mount glass on the Z system, but the weight balance is just awkward and the AF hunting is pathetic compared to the D850. Unfortunately, those older motors just dont play nice with mirrorless tech when things get close up. If you're shooting orchids, you need that precision or you're gonna lose your mind. Here is what I'd look at:

• Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S is the absolute king. It sits right at your $950 budget and the native AF is night and day compared to the adapted G lens.
• Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO Nikon Z is a great manual alternative if you want to save cash, though you lose the AF obviously. Honestly, just bite the bullet on the native Nikon. The focus peaking actually behaves itself with the S-line glass and it wont feel like you're holding a dumbbell...

Late to the thread but I totally feel your pain with the FTZ clunkiness! Before I dive into my pick, quick question: what kind of light are you working with in your greenhouse? Are you using natural light or do you have a dedicated macro flash? That makes a massive difference for AF reliability. If you want something that just works every single time without the adapter drama, you should really check out the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD. It just hit the Z mount and its a total game changer for a few reasons:

• The VXD linear motor is built for mirrorless AF, so it communicates way faster with your Z7 II than any adapted lens.
• It is super lightweight compared to the old 105mm G, so your hands wont get tired while you're hunting for those orchid details.
• The weather sealing is fantastic, which is perfect if your greenhouse gets humid. Its right under your $950 cap too! I honestly love this lens because it feels so snappy and reliable, which sounds like exactly what you're missing right now.