Nikon Zf - Full Frame Retro Camera is Even Better Than Expected!
Even though it has a tilty-flippy screen...
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Music:
"Sketch" by @Dyalla / dyallas
"5 Min Call" by @LAKEYINSPIRED (CC BY-SA 3.0) / 5-min-call
This Nikon caught my attention. Makes me want to switch back. Now only if Sony would dig through the Minolta/Konica archives to build an E mount retro style camera.
Just buy this camera and use a z mount to E mount adapter
That’d be amazing! Konica/Minolta styling!
So you just want Sony a7 without the bulging hand grip? Just to buy another grip after you find out, the handling is garbage,
Sony is TRASH - especially in comparison to any Nikon camera.
Or…just get Fujifilm X-T5
This is the very first mirrorless camera that triggers the “want to have” thing in me! 😊
I bought a Sony A7ii for video years ago. I haven't really touched my Nikon DSLR's since 😅 There's a few niche things where the DSLR feels better but in general mirrorless is just way more convenient 😶
@@SyntheticFuture Nikon is for picture taking, Sony is for tiktok videos.
@@frutt5k wauw... that has to be one of the dumbest things I have read today.
@@officialsnufkinhard working "
@@frutt5klol, stop it. Sony is 🏃♂️ things in the mirrorless 🌎
I've been watching you since the early Digitalrev TV days. I became a full fledged wedding videographer last year and I think your education probably helped quite a bit. Cheers from the USA!
8:42 So you have inherited some of their "Asian Genes".. LOL !
Just feel so happy watching this video. I haven’t touched my camera in a long time, it’s a long gone hobby though I still have my gear. But suddenly seeing this camera, and Kai and Lok just brings back wonderful memories of the DRTV days and reminds me of a time when things felt nicer and happier.
Nikon has NAILED IT! Didn't try to sell the camera on looks alone. Lots of great tech and performance in handsome and thought out package. Now they just need a Z SE 50mm (retro style, like the 40 and 28).
Maybe Z 50mm f/1.8 S SE?
I think I'll buy an a7iii for less than half the price
@@konnroi okay
Don't forget a 35mm 1.6 or 1.8... Would be a SOLD deal.
I am really considering this camera. It's got the 'power' of the Z8/Z9. The AF that looks like it's above the Z6/Z7ii bodies. AND, finally, a flip screen! Looks like a nice one.
- The AF is definitely above the Z6 II and Z7 II, and even has -10 AF sensitivity, which bests both the Z8 and Z9. It's going to be a low-light monster.
Has me kind of excited for the Z6/Z7 updates.
Another idiot who likes the flip screen
small improvements like the grip and full frame sensor are worth the extra dollars. this is the most excited time for mirrorless since the early olympus pen days
E-P1 user here 😃
EPL-1 user here ✌️
I tried the Fuji system for all the wonderful things the retro style camera offers. What I was missing is the full frame sensor. Bravo, Nikon!
in what way did you really miss a full frame sensor? I'm curious on what you feel like you're missing out on with an apsc on fuji system
@@will-wf5wthave been really happy with my x100v, but I do find myself wanting for more low light performance, shallower depth of field achievable by full frame (especially because it’s a fixed lens camera), lens options (I suppose this is also on me for getting a fixed lens camera), and image stabilization like the Zf offers
@@will-wf5wt They generally don't miss it in many ways. I shoot on a xh2, cheaper, more megapixels, and all around a better camera than this. Low light performance isn't that bad at all. They mope on and on about shallow depth of field, while shooting wide angle lenses (lol...), if you want shallow depth of field, slap on a telephoto, a 50 or 70mm on crop sensor will have just as much bokeh as a 50 or 70 on full frame, they just like lying to themselves that that extra bit makes their shitty photos any bit better.
Gotta love when a fuji fanboy insults someone for their personal choice. Here's some advice, Fujiboy, you stick to your APS-C sensor that has been overhyped & let other people buy FF if they so wish. Their money, their choice. There are reasons why people choose FF, but I'm not going to explain it to you, seeing as you don't grasp the concept of physics
@@alwynsmit3546 "Fuji fan boy"...Keep your full frame, pretending like it takes better photos. I'll stick to my crop sensor and 8x10. "you don't grasp the concept of physics", because someone told your goofy ass that full frame doesn't make a difference in a large portion of shooting situations? Oh no, noise in low light, oh no, my depth of field! Oh no, instead of shooting at iso 6400, I can only shoot at iso 3200! Woe is ME! Because I don't know how to use a flash to get additional light, so I say I only shoot with natural light. Jesus, you folks are insufferable. lol.
This camera might actually be my reason to finally go from d7200 to full frame mirrorless. Especially since around 50% of my shooting is analog with my F3 and FE and the film cost is starting to get ridiculous
I jumped from a D7000 to the Z6ii. This has all of the Z6ii and MORE. I think you might be making the right choice.
@@DeRose05 The only problem I still have with mirrorless is the evf... That will take a long while to get adjusted to. After hearing that the evf will be the same I tried the z6ii again and especially while panning the slow refresh rate is noticeable and also I'm not so fond of the "low" resolution... But all the features this camera bring to the table paired with the analog controls... damn
@@tolga1cool I was just at B&H in NYC and tried the EVF on the Z9 and it was pretty cool but definitely an adjustment from an optical viewfinder. I'm currently shooting the D850 which is still one of the best cameras ever made. If you don't want to have to get all new lenses or use the FTZ adapter, upgrade to the D850 and you'll be a happy lad.
@@DeRose05 how has your experience been with the Z6ii?
@@givvia6782 I love it. Really! I almost switched to Canon because I only had crop sensor lenses. I did a ton of over thinking and a ton of trips to the Camera store. I took it with me to Italy for two weeks and I love how well it does in low light and the Z mount glass is just sooooo sharp! I don't think you would be upset with it. Only thing I might add is that the Z6iii is "rumored" to be announced soonish. The ZF camera is an upgraded Z6ii. Better hardware and it seems like the autofocus has been upgraded. Same price as the Z6ii.
Nikon got so many things right with this! Looks great. Thanks for the quick look!
Finally Nikon comes out with a full frame retro camera!
Lenses matching this camera with aperture ring could be great. Doubt we will get them.
@kamilpotato3764 Hopefully, Voightlanders! Love them. 🥰
@@elram2649 Will they have autofocus? No.
@kamilpotato3764 Probably not. That's fine, though. Not everything needs to be automatic; think stickshift transmission. I use Voightlanders precisely because they're smaller and manual, which helps me slow down and contemplate composition. Glass quality is also superb as well, as it's well-known. Chef's kiss! 😚 📷
@@elram2649 For the same reason I use my few vintage pentax k mount lenses on my xt2 and xt4. Pity that there is no adapter with speed booster for them.
damn.. this kinda brings me back to the DRTV days when I was still into photography. Nice to see you both again. :)
I can’t wait to get this camera. This is the first camera I’ve been excited about in a long time.
This will do so so incredibly well and help put Nikon mirrorless on the MAP! I cannot wait to get my hands on two of these. They might even replace my X-T5. I always wanted the files of my fuji to look like my Nikon ones so it's like they FINALLY married all my favorite things into one body. If the grip bothers anyone - there is one you can attach from small rig. Doesn't even look bad at all due to the already retro design. LOVE IT!
i wish they produce a silver version of it. I do love the silver color from my old FE2
FINALLY!1!! I was so angry that the Df was image only, b&w, then the ZFC was a crop sensored mediocre dslr, but this, FINALLY!!! THIRD TIME IS THE CHARM THANK YOU NIKON!
Also the support for EN-EL15c battery, unlike the Df or Zfc which only accepted smaller batteries.
Saw an ad for the Z f, went straight to YT and looked up this channel and am immediately greeted by the best duo in the game. Great video as always!
What a fun take on a camera I like a whole lot more than I expected. And yes, I'm vain enough that the various body colors are very appealing to me.
Never been that much excited for a camera since the D500!!! Seems amazing!!!
D4
lol i was waiting for this and a d500 replacement, no idea if the d500 replacement will ever happen.
Yessss! Finally a full frame retro that’s not too out of budget 😅
Great to see you two working together
Great job covering the details of the photography experience on this model and how it differs from the Nikon Z fc.
Kai, I would've preferred a review similar to your review of the Df back in the days. That was a classic review!
What does ZF mean... Sad that this one won't get milked so hard as the DF joke...
Damn, bit jealous Canon hasn’t hopped on the retro train yet. It’s so lucrative given the increased interest in retro gear and styles.
canon holds like a 60% market share and it's showing no signs of losing that, lol, they don't give a shit. Nikon has worse sales in japan than even FUJI, so they're doing everything in their power. Too bad their cameras are over priced for what they are.
Fuji better get their shit together with this one. Defintely an attack. Very competitively priced as well. Definitely waiting for a launch here in the Philippines. My brother was considering the Z5 but I told to hold is resources for this.
Yep, with the mediocre offerings from Fuji as of late (and still crappy AF after 10 years), Nikon is smelling blood in the water. Fuji, Nikon has laid down the gauntlet, the ball is in your court. I don't want to leave ya, but if Nikon develops a line of retro gear that is reliable…I will…
I quit the photography hobby over eight years ago for health reasons - and it made me happy you guys are still around! Also, I used to agonize over my camera purchases for weeks, but I pulled the trigger on this camera after only two days of deliberation. 😊
Way back i was a Nikon D90 man but really wanted a smaller old style body and smaller lenses, all the Nikon glass that was any good was full-frame which kind of defeated the ASPC smaller body purpose. Frustrated I bought a Fuji X100 a year after it came out, fell in love, sold my Nikon, picked up the X-Pro1 and never looked back. If Nikon had this on the cards back then it would have taken a bit more saving up, but I don't think I would have jumped. It looks like they've hit it out the park in both style, function and as a homage to their old F series. All they lack is the excellent Fujifilm film simulations. I'm firmly an X-Pro3 shooter now, but if I ever left Fuji this would be what I'd pick up.
NIkon is killing it lately. They finally listen to us.
I pre-ordered mine in Bordeaux Red today with the 40mm f/2 SE. My first Nikon ever.
If NIKON had released something like this 1,5 years earlier, I'd probably never switched to Fujifilm (X-Pro3) as my second camera. I tried the NIKON Z fc first but was quickly convinced by the cheap feel and lightweight camera body not to buy it - felt like a toy and of course there is a significant price difference to the Fujifilm. But this new camera now fills in my opinion perfectly the niche.
Me with Sony A7 line of camera bodies. & the Fujifilm X-T3 I choose wasn't any bigger. But it didn't feel as much as a toy + filmsy in the hand. Ergonomics really do go a long way when you are considering a new camera.
@@eddyblanco7210 Totally agree! You don't want it to be a 1ton burden on your trip/journey/gig/you name it but you also don't want the fear of it flying away up into the sky because it's so lightweight or to break it by just looking at it. Idealy you spent as much time as possible using this camera, so ergonomics are essential to make the camera a part of your body.
@Duckyputz Try lugging around two pro model cameras, example: A pair of Canon 5D Mark IV, both with L line EF prime lenses. For a good 3 quarters of a whole day. Your body, and neck, will hate you the next day. 😵 I can carry my Fuji with a XF 50mm F/1.2 R WR prime & still be good. 👍🏽
@@eddyblanco7210 I feel you (and the weight you are carrying) XD Prime is a NIKON D850 with the additional Handgrip and my sidearm is the Fujifilm X-Pro 3. Normaly D850 on a heavy duty strap diagonal over my body and the X-Pro3 on a peakdesign quick release plate on the shoulder strap of my LOWPRO 450 AW II Backpack. Feels like a tank moving around.
Polycarbonaaaate….fiberglaaassss…..Char-Siu! 13 years and 2 days since that classic 60D video :)
Selling my pair of Z6 II bodies for a pair of ZF bodies. Nikon nailed this camera, and the price is fantastically perfect. :)
Great taste in watches Kai! Love the reverso
Kai you’re simply the man!
oh man, I'm a sucker for that vintage look
Thanks for covering such details
Kai, I’ve watched a ton of KZhead videos on the Nikon Zf . Enjoyed your take on the camera the best. Appreciate you buddy! Now off to Sammy’s Camera to get myself a new Zf !!!
Nicely done Kai, thanks for the preview. Cool looking venue too.
This camera marries the brain of the z9 and the heart of the z6ii. It also sheds some weight and has the best ibis and low light performance of any Nikon ever made. Just when I was about to switch to the canon eos r3, Nikon released this beauty. Can’t wait to pair it with the 800mm pf for the ultimate run and gun birding setup!
Not a Nikon fan or user but that is a lovely looking, and well equipped bit of kit!
wow its kai and lok! (i personally haven't seen a video of them since digitalrev days, and this just came up on the feed)
Shooting with Fuji, I never thought I'd go back to Nikon since my film days with my FE2. This is the camera I've always wanted since being introduced to Fuji
Same here.
I was waiting for this. Still bloody love my FM2… but I pulled the trigger on the Z6ii to keep up with my toddler. Thinking of selling it to get this now.
Do it!
Interesting. They have learned from the success of the Fuji X100V that for that small sliver of people out there who will buy a camera separate from their phones, retro is very attractive.
A very cool camera indeed. Very useable specification. It will probably make older Leica's less attractive to some and really it is the perfect accompaniment to vintage manual focus lenses.
Went from a canon 5d to fuji. I love my fuji cameras, but I really miss the full frame images. This camera is making me consider moving to Nikon if fuji doesn’t get with the program and release a full frame mirrorless camera soon.
Fuji has always said they were going APS-C and medium format only. I don't know why you even waited for a full frame with this brand.
@@DavidChurcheese I never said I’ve been waiting. Just hopeful they would as it seems like many people want that from Fuji.
Don’t fall for it. Nikon is not even close to fujis colors. 😂❤
@@isaacxvasquez that’s honestly what I keep telling my self. But I will admit, I shot with my 1st 5d a while back and the images were just so creamy! I miss that full frame look so much. If it wasn’t for the old tech lcd screen, I’d use it more for fun
What a gorgeous camera, very tempting lol
Bought my first Nikon, the FM3A when looking at the rumors of the ZF, now looking at the ZF and my FM3A , it will be great to have them both, been waiting to see the actually camera for a while. Thanks for showing us!!!!!
Finally, pixel shift! Also, nice JLC Reverso, Kai.
some of your best pics i see today and zf shines
The only thing that is missing is aperture markings on the lens. Also, instead of a second micro-sd card they could have given the camera internal storage instead. Like the Leica M11 have.
Love this. Although i am still hoping for an updated Zfc. Im a motorcycle traveller so any weight i can save is welcome but i might give tnis a try.
As a non Nikon user I do like the retro style and the dials on the top. Looks good to me.
Kai: Chassiu, as you once said. I understood that reference.
came for the camera stayed for the watch, nice choice Kai
I’m definitely tempted to pre order one.
Hold on, 10:28 he’s got his phone - crafty! 😂 Looks like a pretty good camera.
Wonderful Camera!
Looks really good, probably the thing every manufacturer will (have to) offer at some point.
This ZF is looking pretty close to a Z6III if you ask me, features shared with the Z8 and Z9, better processor, pixel shift, improved autofocus system, negative 11ev for shooting in the dark, burst mode and 10-bit recording in camera, looks like smells like.......Z6III in a different body.
The Z6iii could be priced 500-1000$ higher if it features raw 4k/120 video + dual CFexpress cards. All other features being the same as Zf
Brilliant Kai, no better person to review it. 🤓👍actually want one, on Panny though 😂
Amazing camera! What an awesome surprise! Also, when are we getting a video on your watches?
Excited!!
I'm currently scrimping and saving for a Z8 (hopefully will scrimped and saved enuff for one by Q2 2024), I think I'll get this one first (deng it look just like my broken down Nikon FM2!) THEN I'll scrimps and saves for a (hopefully) the new Nikon Z8 ii *grins*
Nice Reverso! Also cool video btw
this makes me so happy
I’m ready to go for this when they start selling the silver/black version.
Finally a camera I can save up for!!!
Hahahaha Kai working that shutter life.
What an adorable brick
Just like my 1990 FM2 :)
Finally. A Nikon that looks like a real Nikon - you know, the ones I drooled over in the camera shop window in my youth when Nikon was a premium brand and the shops that sold them were plush and hushed and reverential. I could almost be tempted - except for that flippy screen. Whyyyyyyyy???????
You can flip the screen back and have a plain back like a film camera and concentrate in taking pictures instead of chimping.
Because the market for this camera will be style conscious people. Instagramers, influencers and people who want to take a lot of photos and videos of themselves. I don't love flippy screens, but I've got to admit, if there was any camera where it made sense, it's this one.
As a long time owner of a FM2N, this is the first camera in the last 10 years that got me interested.
I was playing around with one in a Best Buy and I was wholeheartedly surprised that the camera felt way better to use than I was anticipating.
I love Fuji, but this Nikon is awesome!
My boyyyyyyyyy welcome back I missed you
Nice to see it's got a dedicated video mode, I assume each mode retains separate settings (a hybrid camera is pretty much useless without that). Not been mentioned by any of the previews I've seen!
Not sure about the Zf, but the Zfc has seperate video and photo settings. You can customise the i-menu seperately for each too.
Damn! I love this.
Nice, it has a flippy screen like your Reverso!
It looks like a great camera I have a zfc and I love it (except for the lack of Auto ISo on the knob) and Z z6ii I was waiting for the Z6iii But what will they be able to put on that to make people buy a Z6iii over a zf. That said, I will wait for the Z6iii (might be next year now)
Nice, supercool camera!
Too bad you had to leave HK glad to see you are doing well. Love your reviews
Looks good. Only one dissapointment is that the viewfinder is the same as Z6ii. And is the Z6ii not the same as the Z6? 😮
Whats the viewfinder like? The magic about the FM2 and its counterparts is the GIANT viewfinder. It's like shooting in IMAX. Sadly not a single digital camera has come close. Probably one of the most important features in SLR style bodies yet always overlooked.
I’m a concert photographer currently shooting on a D750, was looking at upgrading to a mirrorless soon, do I go for this, or the Z6 II (or wait for the rumoured Z6 III) 🤔
I love that staircase and the elevator shaft….too freaking cool.
I can turn the screen around forever, it has good enough magnification for your average glasses wearer and it's full frame!? Really looking forward to trying this out with M mount lenses.
So it's a Z6II with 4k60, a tilty-flippy screen and it looks cooler, for just £200 more. What's not to like? The only downside I can see is no contacts for a vertical grip and the micro-SD 2nd card slot, but honestly, as a 2nd pro body or a holiday/travel camera, this is just about all you could ever want. It'll sell like hotcakes.
comparatively to the z6 ii - newer and faster processor (Expeed 7), higher Max native ISO, Sensor Shifting, Pre-Shoot Bursting, Much better AF tracking (same as in z8 and z9), better low-light sensitivity, 10-bit internal video bit depth (z6 ii is 8), Fully Articulating Screen, etc...all at the same msrp (although you can get a z6 ii for much cheaper in street price now) in a retro form factor - Although ergonomically inferior it is better than the z6 II in many meaningful categories.
@@chrisddo Yeah it's very compelling. I don't like the 4k60 crop though. Kai didn't mention that, but they said it on Petapixel. That's a tad disappointing.
Probably wont sell like hotcakes, the fuji XT5 is cheaper, has a higher MP sensor. And looks just as vintage. Oh, and has better recording capabilities, higher burst rate for what it's worth. And "film sims"..Nikon is a day late and dollar short.
@@Adrian-wd4rn A full frame 24mp gives much better low light performance than a 40mp aps-c sensor. Film simulations are a gimmick at best, I always edited my Fuji files from raw anyway and I’ve had every single upgrade since the XT1. I switched from the XH2 and XH2s to the Leica SL2S which has a similar if not the same sensor as this camera and it’s far superior in every way.
@@jaychow94 "low light", who gives a shit, use a flash. Full frame means nada.
When I tried the Zfc for two weeks doing a bit of street photography, I always found it funny that it attracted more people to ask me if it was a film camera than my Z6 which nobody stopped and asked because they knew, so based on that, I'd say while the Zf/Zfc are great pieces, people WILL stop and talk to you, which is fine, but if you're looking for candid shots or perhaps want to fade in to the background, it may actually make it harder. Everyone is used to everyone using a regular "standard" digital camera (mirrorless or DSLR) like the Z6 or R6 or some Sony or whatever,but when you have a retro looking camera, I think it can draw MORE attention to you than you'd perhaps like as a street photographer, but again, it also does strike up some conversations too. I just found this is a bit odd though. I guess at least with either one, you do get a bit more of the street photographer look and feel though. I'm just trying to decide if I want to spend $2k on a Zf or just cheap out and get the Zfc (since I don't do a ton of street photography) and technically already have a Z5 (along with two of the higher end Z bodies) so the Zfc may be a bit duplication that I don't need. But the Zfc at $1000 might be a good compromise. (As for retro camras though, I think there was a rumor that Canon may be planning an AE-1 look-alike but perhaps something like an R6 or R8 internals, but in an AE/AE-1 style body).
'tis a work of art and I'm cut between that and the iphone 15 pro max......maybe I get both..
❤I have waiting this
This is going to sell insanely well.
Not in the UK at £2299 or $2841 at today's exchange rate
@@craiginthemud7086 Per the email I got this morning, it's starting at 2K US.
This is my dream Camera so far
Nikon takes a shot at A7C II here... Nice work Nikon!
what watch u wearing brother? looks amazing
Amazing
Will we finally have a F to Z adapter with built in focus motor and also an apperture ring reader?
@KaiManWong what is that fabulous looking time piece on your wrist?
Great Video
What a cool camera! Does it have something like film recipes? That would make it a great fuji competitor
Started with Nikon, then Canon now thinking whether to go for Fujifilm xt5 or Nikon Zf?