Nikon Zf review - What is it really like? Performance, Handling, Pros and Cons
2024 ж. 22 Мам.
25 629 Рет қаралды
We hit the beach with the Nikon Zf to see how it performs out and about on the streets of Worthing. This was our first true outing with a production unit of the camera (Kon's own!) so here we are customising it from scratch and telling you exactly what we think, as usual!
Order yours here:
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#nikon #nikonzf #photography
love my blue Zf, it's lowlight capability and ibis are amazing
Oh man that blue is nice! I opted for Moss Green and I love it
Hi. I've added my own B&W profiles . for example PAN 400. After switching the button to B&W you can choose from all the B&W profiles even from those you added yourself.
Can we get MOAR of Rebecca singing? She has a lovely voice.
As a Fuji/Nikon user, the Zf gives the experience that I love with Fuji Xt models with good Nikon technology from Z8. Love the retro style, improved subject detection and 3D tracking as well as the b&w switch, so easy when doing walkabouts. Will be fun camera to take out, while Z7II remains favourite for landscapes/seascapes.
Love it ❤ I love the ZF; it has become my primary camera for casual outings. I've carried it with me everywhere since the day I got it, as it essentially fulfills all my photography needs. However, I do have other cameras specifically for my work assignments.
It’s my new favorite camera
Love it. Just wish they offered it with higher resolution.
Any more pixels is pointless for 99% of photographers. Takes up too much storage. How big a print would you need ?
@runawaybride2765 It's not about need, it's about want. Many things in life are overkill, besides, I like pixel peeping. At the end of the day, 24 MP has been around since about 2012. Where's the progress?
The more I see the closer I am to buying one. Thank you and have a lovely Sunday. 😁👍
Lol, i just did, couldn’t resist!!!!!!!!!
@@berniestang2616 me too. 📸👍😁
Thanks for another fun and helpful review. I got to hold a Zf at my local dealer yesterday because a Nikon USA rep brought one for show & tell. My name is now on the list to get one. I hope you’ll do more videos exploring the many features of this special camera.
Loving my Zf. Hardest adjustment is figuring out how I want to set up the controls with less customizable buttons but I am glad they didn’t put more. For me, the small rig grip was an excellent addition. As a Fuji user I had to get used to how the dials work but now that I am used to it, I love it. As a die hard Fuji user I feel like Nikon out-Fuji’d Fuji. I am still hoping Fuji releases an xpro4 next year with Ibis and not 40mp, but something tells me they are going to blow it somehow or it will just be impossible to get.
Nikon Cheapskate bargain-hunter here. The Zf appeals as I really adored the FE2 which I had back in the day. I want a Zf, but it's going to be over twice my maximum budget for a camera body for some time to come. In the mean time I have bought a used Z6-1, and I'm super impressed with how it manual focuses with the chipped screw-drive lenses using the red/green square. I was blown away at how easy & quick it was to manual focus my old 35mm f2 AF-D on the Z6, so I borrowed my buddy's 105 f2.8 AF-D Micro and found that (despite the extra focal length), it is also easy to manual focus wide-open for headshots on the Z6. I will have a Zf some day, but for now, it's a question of wait for the next thing to come along & grab all then attention LOL.
can't wait to see your video on the z6 my friend. Hope you are well!
I love the Zf so much I bought another one. Cheers! 😊
Excellent video. Just got a Zf . Love it !!!
I am probably going to get one this week. The more I see it the more I am impressed with it. I have the Pergear 35mm which will look like it belongs on there. I’ll look for another ais lens for it also. Have a great Sunday both of you. 📷☕️
I don’t want to want this Zf… but I really want this Zf 🤔😆 Very interesting point about the Fn1 button getting inadvertently pressed without the grip. Would have been super cool for Nikon to release retro style battery grip as well 😎
The problem with a battery grip is that it would be even more difficult to remove the single SD card or micro as card due them being accessed through the bottom door, hence you would need to remove the grip to access the cards.
Love this camera! Just need more compact lenses
My voigtlander 40mm 1.2 Z is awesome on my Zf! If you want AF then there is always the 26, 28 and 40. But I completely agree that Nikon should be making smaller lenses to fit their smaller bodies. Also, wasn't a mirrorless rig supposed to be smaller than a DSLR? That was the argument years ago. I like a 50mm focal length and I like fast glass but I can't believe the price and the SIZE of the 50 1.2. 50s used to be so compact! Take the 1.4g...not a great lens but in order to get 1/3 of a stop more light, cleaner optics and faster focusing they needed to go 10 times larger?
@@scottw5791 yeah I've been eyeing that 40mm. Thanks
Better attempt than Zfc however the price not competitive considering cheaper Fuji XT-5 offers wider range of lenses.
@@scottw5791that is the exact combo I will be getting the ZF with the 40 1.2 Voigtlander. How are you liking it?
@@bbasleigh6149I was thinking Fuji x-E series.
Great video guys! Please try and test the Zf with the Voitlander Nokton 50mm 1.0, these two seem they were made for each other. Thank you!
Allow me to second that. 👍
We tested it’s great, we will have a video covering all voigtlander lenses on zf in a few weeks.
Great review! This is all the camera I need/want as far as specs go, but I really want the modern form factor. I am hoping that if the Z6III is 33 or 36 mp. As rumors say, that perhaps there will be a Z5II that will be a modern version of the Zf. Until then, my Z6 is good enough for me.
Very helpful
If they give us the Recall Shooting Functions option in a firmware update this camera will be almost perfect.
Thanks for the great review- love your work! I wonder whether you can use the function button to set up a user profile for example for wildlife and keep the dials on setting for landscape. Then could you switch from one profile to the other quickly? I do like the U1-U3 on the Z5, 6 and 7. That's my biggest concern with moving to the ZF. Thoughts?
Cool review! I was surprised, you did not test it with the Nokton 50/1.0. For me this is the perfect combo (especially with the Zf's added MF support). The 50/1.0 was the reason for me to get a Zf as my secondary body. I like the Smallrig grip, so I don't have a Fn button issue. I changed the Video-Button to ISO (for AutoISO on/off+base-ISO, even though the Zf has this idiocy of disabling the ISO button once you move the dial out of "C", and not automatically turning off AutoISO with it), Fn to magnify (which nicely centers on the detected subject), Focus to AF-C/people + AE-L/AF-L for switching to 3d-tracking if needed. P.S. I don't understand the hype about it being a retro-cam and especially with cheap/adapted retro-lenses. Yes it's designed to entice you to slow-down and enjoy. But it is really fun and rewarding to combine it with similar modern technology like the Z-Voigtländers. I also thought mounting the 135Plena on it would be totally crazy, but I found me doing and enjoying it.
The 50mm F/1.0 is simply a joy to use and it is what sold me on the ZF combo with it. So sharp at 1.0 you can use it all day and when you nail focus it is so rewarding that I like the challenge and enjoy shooting again.
It's in the works!
Still awaiting my Zf (NPS membership notwithstanding); hoping to see it before Christmas. I keep reading that the camera is shorted in most regions right now. What that suggests to me is that it's a runaway success. I hope Nikon recognizes this and seizes the opportunity to release a higher-spec retro camera in 18 months, perhaps with something like a 60MP triple resolution sensor (a la the Leica M11), and designed to look more like the F3. I think that, too, would be a big hit for them.
informative content
Thanks. After fully reviewing the ZF, what would you like to see brought in a Z Fc II in the future? IBIS -in a Z DX body- The B&W switch A more tough body like the Z F Internal memory and/or Micro SD slot Separate battery and SD/Micro SD memory slots like the Leica Q3 Headphones jack ... Z F & Z Fc are a great combo.
I had the Nikon Df, the Zf is really beast compared to the binned Df
Thank you for the review! D850 shooter here. I also pick up my F3 when my wallet allows. The F3 has the most ideal feel for my photographic process while NOT being the most ergonomic, NOT as fast as my D850, and obviously NOT digital. The reason I'm holding off on the Z system completely is the lack of a (more) compact body in the z8 and the lack of megapixels in the zf. The D850's image quality is still superb. A 40+ MP zf with the exact same autofocus as the z8 would be heavenly. In regard to the size of the zf, are there any concerns about the stability and durability of the lens mount with larger z or adapted F-mount lenses? How about more testing with those outstanding voigtlander z primes? Thanks again!!!
My D850 remains my A camera and the Zf as my B. I have an F, F2, F3, F5, FG, and some Nikkormats that I've been using since the 90s and my reason for the Zf was so I could get the feel and compact size of my 35mm cameras but avoid the ever increasing costs of film and chemicals. I bought the Voigtlander 40m 1.2 Z and it is everything i wanted in a fast prime for my Zf! Optically better than the older f-mount Voigtlander lenses but the same beautiful build quality and the size is perfect and nicely balanced on the Zf. The 40 has a heavy vignette wide open up to about 2.8/4 but it's not soft and it is contrasty wide open! The best part is that when I need to travel light, the Zf + 40 1.2 fits the bill and when I need more but space is a concern, I can just adapt my 70-200 2.8e fl ed and my 24mm 1.8g for an awesome 3 lens kit. The 70-200, 24 1.8, 35 1.4, 85 1.4 and even 60 2.8 AF superbly when adapted on the Zf and the 135 f2 dc is awesome considering the MF assist the Zf offers. The 50 1.4g is still a slug on the Zf but it performs the same as on the D850. I'm going to keep relying on my D850 for all of the heavy lifting but now I have an option when it comes to a smaller kit with the Zf +40. If the Zf was 45mp I would have a harder time keeping my D850 however, for me there' s still nothing like shooting with an optical viewfinder. Maybe when the EVFs are 20 million dots and can replicate the dynamic range of the human eye I'll reconsider HAHA!
Can you use the Z mount trinity's Zoom lens's command ring to control ISO, F-Stop etc?
The camera is what it is and is fantastic. Manual controls, sophisticated features, fantastic autofocus , some really new advanced functions and it looks like, well, a camera! How about a video on some of the more unusual features, for example, pixel shift, focus shift, bracketing and multi exposure? Great video, many thanks. How do I contribute to the coffee fund? I can't find a link!
Already have one great camera with my 24:70 f4 Z 😊
Hi, I noticed the Zf has the same removable eyepiece as the Z8. Do you know if Nikon makes or plans to make different eyepieces, with maybe dioptre correction?
Great video. Though you have made me nostalgic for the sophistication of the English cafe scene...Everything but the Brown Sauce.
Just purchased my Z F and sold my Z fc which I use to use more then my Z6 . I would like to see more videos like this . I would like to see a Video using its new feature such as the precapture shooting mode and the pixel shift against the z6/7 . For things like is the ZF a better landscape camera now it has 96 mp senor shift then the Z7ii 45 mp ?camera . Could you do one using the jpeg 30fps against the Z9 and see if then can both get the same photo like a bird flying or someone kicking a ball.
I think you are under valueing the ZF. I have been using it for 5000 clicks on mostly event and some American football games and it has been special. I will say the balance is off when you mount a zoom larger than 24-70, but the Small Rig grips helps imensely. I was waiting for Z6iii but the initial reviews made me feel there is no need to wait, the auto focus I have been waiting for is here. With sports and events a quick lockon is critical and I am getting it with the ZF. Now the ZF has replaced my Z6 and D850. This camera is a bargain at its price and don't think the retro sytle is a gimmick to sell cameras. With any style body this is a big winner.
I personally LOVE my Z f, hasn't left my side since it arrived on day one
My retro move was to purchase the venerable F5 film monster, I’m ver happy
Maybe some grid lines in the viewfinder may help in obtaining level horizons particularly when the sea is in shot ? I would like to have a leisurely try out of this camera once they are readily available that a shop has a demo unit, no shops where i live will have stock only special order items.
Which adapter for old manual lenses? Thanks.
I do not need a Zf (I am very happy with my Nikon Z6) but I really want it. I personally think that this Zf is the quintessence of the pleasure of photography. I am glad I still own the Z 24-70 S, probably the best zoom lens it could be coupled with.
Any review for the Video? I am thinking of getting this while waiting for the Z6 iii to come out. I want the 10-bit recording from this camera without getting the Z8/Z9
You mention "try before you buy". Does Grays now offer this? Rented a Z6ii before making the jump from D810. Some chaps in Vauxhall had rental available. Loved the Z6ii and they kindly took the rental amount off of the price of a new one. Would rather have stayed with Grays, but you do not do loans? Has this changed?
I have heard that the sensor doesn't lock in place on the Zf when it is off. So if I were to use it for travel where I am on my motorycle on rough roads, might the constant vibrations hamper the sensor?
Buy the L- shaped handle for Nikon Zf. I find it the only way to handle this camera. It increases the comfort level dramatically. I have the Leica Q2’s both color and black and white but it’s a fixed lens. I’ve been looking for something from Nikon that could replace those, so so far I am very happy with the ZF.
Its a great looking and very capable camera would love to have seen Nikon, go the whole hog and produce a battery pack in the style of the original MD12 , this would have improved handling and control with some of the larger lenses , but well done Nikon . oh and some lenses with an aperture ring, 😁
I still love my F3 with the MD-4 and I had a similar thought about a vertical/battery grip on the Zf. It would be very cool and I imagine it could hold at least 2 more en-el 15s. Almost certainly a pipe dream but it would be awesome! Looking at my Zf's battery door it doesn't look like it was designed to be removed or at least done so more than once. It looks like the "hinge pins" just snap into the body. Not sure how many times that could be removed and successfully snapped back into place unfortunately.
I love my Zf except for how the ISO dial and Auto ISO interact. I wish you could set Auto ISO to disable when you move off C instead of just setting a new baseline iso. Also, while I mostly use MF lenses on the camera, I am now a former back button AF guy. However, with Expeed7 AF I now let AF exist on the shutter release and set the back button to AF ON+AF Mode so I can override AF type immediately… like on a D500.
I far prefer the look of the Z fc camera
What I don't like though is how they implemented the shutter and iso knob locks. Why do they only lock at C and 1/3 Step? It would have been better if the knobs can freely turn when the button is depressed and locked on whatever value when pressed in.
Beautiful camera , but I hate the flip out screen , lack of joystick , no thumb grip on the back . It’s a great camera performance wise , but not the best to hold . I had the ZF two weeks but decided to return it . I’ll wait for the Z6III. Bottom line the ZF is nice but I feel it’s a bit overhyped .
“Overhyped” compared to what??
Having heard it pointed out many times that ZF is hard to grip and the FN button gets in the way, I chuckle because I realize the DSLR Generation is used to always having a hefty grip to wrap the right hand about. I see you insist in carrying the ZF in one hand, and it just doesn’t work. And the wrist leashes of course only work for camera that do have those hefty grips. I too often carry the other Z camera in my right hand. However, the “retro” camera body like the ZF relies on muscle memory that I, as an old person have, but the (younger) DSLR Generation does not. One, the camera hangs across body (gasp!) on a strap; two, when shooting, the left palm supports the camera with fingers wrapped around the lens (for additional support and maybe even focusing?), and three, this frees up the tight hand to adjust shutter speed and squeeze the shutter. So, I love the ZF because its pretty face reminds me of the Nikon F2 days, I appreciate the awesome technology inside it, and I never ever attempt to swing it about in my right hand. I also happen to think adding grips and tripod mounting plates just takes away from its design intent. I use the heavier S lenses on the camera with a grip ;) but I love walking around with ZF and the 40 mm f2 lens. Just my opinion of course. Happy shooting!
Cheap or non cheap lenses? Please clarify. Thanks
I thing the Z f is being undersold as just a retro camera or a street camera. The insides are all Next Gen. It's even got features the Z 8/9 doesn't have. I think it's a preview of the Z 6III. Unless I'm shooting sports, wildlife, or macro where I want to have lots of cropping, the Z f is my preferred camera for just about every other genre.
How do you feel about (or lack of) the grip? I have seen a lot of addtional grips to put on.
I bought mine with the Smallrig grip and it is quick to fit and comes with an Arca Swiss base built in. It really helps with holding the camera when fitted with a larger lens. The only issue is that it’s a bit tricky to remove the SD card from its slot with the grip in place. Not a big deal but I find I have to remove the grip to get a good hold on the SD card.
I had the Z fc and didn’t use a grip . But now I have the Z F and the grip comes with it free then yes it does make a slight difference when you have it on . But that doesn’t mean the Z F can’t be used without one .
It was uncomfortable without the small rig grip but now it’s so much better since the grip arrive yesterday. Now I need to sell my Z7 II or should I sell my Z50 ?
I think it's all about preference. If you're used to the F2, F3, FM, 2, 3a, FG, FE, FA then the Zf feels just fine. But if you are used to the grip of a DSLR or other mirrorless you'll probably want a grip. Cameras without a grip are just held differently. With my Zf and old film cameras, my middle, ring and pinky fingers tend to point downward along the front of the body and my palm pinches the body. On my D850 my middle, ring and pinky fingers sit in a much more horizontal. Without a grip my left hand tends to do the lifting and stabilizing even with small lenses while my right runs the controls. With my D850 it's basically the same but my right hand can more comfortably hold some weight while running the controls and my left is picking up where my right left off. Hard to describe without pictures but I tried.
I bought the small rig grip , but honestly I almost never use it. I will only use it with the larger lenses. Most often I will choose the smallest lenses possible, I'm using all Leica M mount glass , except for the 50mm F1 Voigtlander.
I recently bought a ZF and today I took it out to take a few photos of my dog a local park that I take her to every morning. In single shot with auto focus set up for a stationary subject the red square turns green to let me know that the camera has acquired focus, in continuous auto focus set in burst mode the focus square starts red snd as i press the shutter to take the photos i can see that the subject is in focus but the focus square stays red.why does this happen. Thank's.
Depends on the type of lens you are using , if your lens / adapter has no electrical contacts you don't get focus confirmation aka square turns green.
The box turns green only in AF-S mode, but stays red in AF-C mode, in most Nikon cameras, not just the Zf. I wish it was different, but it's how it is.
@@SkandaTejasw That's not true .. if you half press on the shutter in AFC it will turn green also, as long as the lens has electrical contacts. Just tried it with Techart adapter and Voigtlander Nokton 50mm 1.5 II.
Love the MF eye detection. Do we reckon this'll be a firmware upgrade for Z8/Z9?
Two questions: If you are shooting in RAW plus jpeg and switch it to BW mode, will the Raw files still be in color and the jpegs in BW? That is how it works with my Z6. 2nd question-will my old screw-in cable releases work with the Zf? Thanks!
Yes and yes.
You mention 14fps in RAW. Should this not be in jpeg? (Mechanical shutter).
I can verify it shoots that fast in full RAW. Just used it for shooting birds in flight yesterday 😊
To me, the Deep Monochrome picture style looks darker but more tonally flat than the regular Monochrome. Editing the regular Monochrome style to add the Red filter simulation looks more like b&w film with a red filter than Deep Monochrome does. Deep Monochrome should be called something else, maybe Grunge Monochrome :)
Thanks for this assessment. I have one question: how is the handheld video performance compared with the Z6? I find I can't seriously use the Z6 handheld for video, as the stabilisation isn't really very good. Is the Zf, with its extra stabilisation credibly usable for handheld video? Anyone got any thoughts, please?
Funnily enough this entire video was shot with the Z6 handheld, and the little bits and pieces you see here of Kon testing it out with his Zf. We'll definitely be shooting more video with the Zf in the future!
Ah, interesting, thanks,@@graysofwestminster! It looks like I might be coming in for a purchase, then 🙂
Alright, “out and about!”
The big hinge on the back that sticks out takes away from the retro look.
This is an excellent camera, but not on my shopping list. I need another Nikon camera beside my Z8 with a stacked sensor. I shot a dance performance last night with very challenging lighting with every color and bandwidth. Mixed lighting with Fluorescent, LED, you name it. The Z8 did a pretty good job, but my Z6II in mechanical shutter could not handle the flickering and banding, in spite of having flicker reduction on. I am hoping that the Z6III has a stacked sensor, but it is unlikely.
Similar experience, my Z9 does well in LED lighting with slow shutter speeds, my Zf is shockingly bad on electronic shutter. With the improved IS meaning slower shutter speeds are possible it’s not much use. Lack of a direct cable for release isn’t good either. Otherwise I love it.
@RecordProduction You are correct about slower shutter speeds with LED lights. I am changing my approach from aperture priority to shutter priority, and I will attempt to keep my shutter below 1/1000th of a second. I can't wait for the global shutter to become more universally available.
@@RecordProduction I agree. Does the Zf have a reasonably quiet mechanical shutter?
@@stanobert3475 it’s not very loud but roll on the day the next Zf gets a stacked sensor I guess. 🙂
@RecordProduction I checked the shutter sound of the Zfc at my local camera store today. It is quieter than my Z6II. It should work in the theater if there is enough ambient music to block it out. I definitely won't be using the electronic shutter. This camera feels good in the hands, especially with a Small Rig grip.
Doesn’t the Zf have the same sensor as the Z6ii? You said Z8 and Z9.
It has expeed 7 processor from z8 & z9.
great "review."
The back button focus doesn't work very well for lefties, due to the placement of the AE-L button being so far in from the right side (unless you like your right thumb in your face pushing your eye away from the viewfinder). Just like the FM2, FM3-A, F3 etc, Nikon have no regard for left eyed shooters (the film advance lever has to be half-cocked to meter and shoot and this sticks right into your face). It's really disappointing that Nikon haven't learned anything about inclusive ergonomics over the years. I guess I'll just shoot mine with MF lenses :(
Are there people who are seriously into photography and not use Back button focusing? 😮Once I went BBF, I could never go back to using the shutter for focus and capturing.
Started back button in 2004 with a Canon 10D, I can’t ever go back. Using Nikon now though. 😊
Back button focus is a preference for some, but in this day and age, it’s obsolete. If you ever use the latest Sony cameras, back button focus will only ever slow you down.
Yes, I agree. I get the purist rationale, but often with the right camera (say, my Z9) shooting very fast sports, BBF can cause me to miss that millisecond when the shot is perfect. @@robiulahmed
In the dSLR days BBF made a lot of sense. These days, it doesn’t make much sense to me anymore.
Why? I'd guess 99% of sport shooters still use it, Steve Perry who shoots wildlife almost exclusively still uses it. I'll never stop using it. I shoot motorsports, IndyCar and IMSA, I don't know any of my fellow photographers who don't use it, and many are shooting mirrorless and DLSR at the same time.@@thisisbenji90 He explains it here, kzhead.info/sun/gqpqhdZpqWSvdX0/bejne.html I will decide when the camera needs to focus.
i fon' t like the use of the flipscreen. To take a picture I must look besides the camera instead of looking in the axe
The Zf looks great - I'll decide after the Z6iii comes out ... 🦘
You will get one anyway! Cheers!😉
@@randallbrander8157 I'm trying very hard not to get one .. 🦘
I finally received my ZF. I'm using it with the 24-120 f 4 Z lens . I love the camera but I have a big problem holding the camera with my hands , the left wrist is killing me, I just held it for a couple of shots and I can't deal with ergonomics, I have the grip though. I don't think I'm going to keep it 😢.
Except for the noisy music the voices sound somewhat muffled so it requires an effort to catch the words. Bad mikes or mikes in a wrond location?
Good content, but please stop that inane dire in the background. Just say no. Silence is better than terrible vile and horrible horror.
That artificial filler muzak…🤮
agreed
Exactly what I came to say after 5 seconds of it.
The castrated cat singing in the background is kind of dreadful
I need to know why the pixel shift function switches off the hot shoe so no studio photography with pixel shift????????