>>Most Nikon DSLRs happily accept the older Nikon manual focus lenses.

Yep. but be careful using the pre-AI lenses on modern DSLRs as a few of those lenses had the rear element far enough into the box that they were in the path of the mirror.

That said, in a lot of ways, I prefer Nikon's film-era D series lenses over the current offerings. Those are screw-drive AF, so if you want AF, make sure the body you have can drive them (as of now, all FFs have this, the 90, some 75xxx series). You give up stabilization (IMO a nonissue under 100mm) and 'modern' coatings (so keep point source lights out of frame and make sure the front element is shaded).

No reason all pre-AI lenses wouldn't work on the Z (mirrorless) Nikons with the adapter. I'm holding off on a Z because 1) retired = not much extra cash and 2) I have a lot of D glass.

The Zs seem fine, and that larger box opening makes me suspect they'll eventually put a MF sensor in one...