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Hi Allen, please don’t make it the last gear video. Your analysis of cameras is quite different from most of TH-cam precisely because you ground it in a real world practical experience. Your no-nonsense honest and practical approach to cameras and gear is a very important element of knowledge transfer and education for the new generation of photographers. Without you and other practitioners, the new generation will be left with learning from paid marketers masquerading as photographers. The world needs your sage advice. A quick stroll through a Z8 Facebook group with its ridiculousness, snobbery and pretentiousness is enough to underline the importance of your practical methodology and structured unpacking of golden nuggets of photographic knowledge. Many thanks for all your hard work and for all your wonderful videos. Cheers from Canada!

Allen what lens you using here?

I had that same feeling when using GFX 100sii compared to Nikon z6II. Nikon files are nowhere near to GFX , due probably to the optics in front of the sensor . Tried to replicate colors from my Nikon Z6II to that xtrans-1 sensor but it is not replicable due to Nikon magenda white balance

What is the story with your x100t as a fun and candid camera for wedding photography?

I'm so glad to see you holding the Z6III

I prefer the D 700 photos.. This is definitely amazing camera, especially for his age…!! I would buy another one of these did not understand how good of a camera it was and is until now and I’m still finding out more about it 2024

RED color technology?

Allen, would you say the IQ and colors of the Z6ii and the Z5 are similar?

You should test nikon z 24-70 f2.8 before you rule out that prime lenses are better.

Good to know the firmware update helped the focus! Is it as good as the Z6 ii?

Wow! Very impressive in low light. Thank you for this! I’m about to get a Z5 as a backup to my Zf and I was hoping the low light was ok, though honestly I rarely shoot in bad light. Even when I shoot at night, it’s city shots of bright city lights. I live in Los Angeles. Very useful info here. Thank you! Was this with the newer firmware? I heard that made it even better! Why is this camera so underrated? Seems brilliant! Especially for the price!

How can you tell what looks good on that terrible monitor serious question.

I love your thoughts about sensor and lens character! I have a Fuji X100, Nikon D3s and and a silver Nikon Df and I still have no plans on "upgrading" my gear. Wonderful cameras with G and old D-lenses, Ai and Pre-ai lenses. In fact, I might add a Nikon D200 or Fuji S5Pro to the list now. I really enjoy your videos!

I like being a photo- dinosaur !

I couldn't be bothered faffing around with all those old lenses, cameras and adapters and then manual focusing. The whole idea of the Z system is their good AFC, and their very sharp Z lenses. I do have the AFS 28mm 1.4E lens. It is a special lens and lauded by many as one of the best fast 28mm lenses out there (my favourite focal length). However, when I put on the FTZ to put it on my Z6ii, it is front forward and doesn't balance as well. I've tried it on some of my paid gigs and events, but after looking at all the images and comparing everything, I'm finding I'm better off just shooting everything on my 24-70 2.8s lens. It's a special lens and the images from it are gorgeous, and so sharp, I use it to test against any new primes. Also, the Z lenses are so sharp and lovely, that one really can't go wrong. However, like Allen said, and unlike my 24-70, the images from my three S lenses (24,35,50), are very clinical, and perfect, but without any special wow factor or secret sauce. The only Z prime that I use and love, and is different to the others is the Z35 1.8s. It was the first prime they made, so maybe it wasn't so perfect because it was the first lens. I also have the two plastic 28mm and 40mm, but they are pretty crappy and the images don't look so hot. I'm thinking of trying the new 26mm 2.8 - it has a metal mount, weather sealing and gets a good rap. However, here in Australia it is a ridiculous $900!!

Allen so pleased you love the 780. I just went to Paris for a week with my wife and only took the 780 and the 50 1.4G. It was fantastic and got some beautiful night shots as well a street photos. I also have the Z6-3 which is great and I do love it but it’s more complicated than the 780. Last piece of gear I don’t think you’ve discussed is flash units.

That was so interesting, thank you! The fact that lots of lenses don't have enough "resolution" (pardon me, I don't recall the exact term) for big sensors like the 45MP of D850 and z8 is not known well enough. I think that is one of the plusses of the z mount, especially the full frame (FX) z lenses. Please continue your gear reviews!!

panasonic better

Allen, what would be the scenario that you would take out the D700 instead of the Df? What can a D700 do that a Df can't?

I bought a D780 largely because of what you said, and couldn't be happier. As a hobbyist I just can't justify buying a bunch of Z mount lenses, and AF-D lenses are so small and cheap.

"this video is (i think) the last video about gear"; sorry but I just don't believe you.

Hey Allen, love your gear breakdown. The flip flopping between gear seems a little annoying, but it's well worth hearing your gear journey in search of the best image quality for your work. I recommend other people to your page, especially if the got one of the DC lenses. Your breakdown on the 105/135 DC lenses is incredible. Looking forward to more content. Cheers.

I had a D2X. Lovely skin colours. It was stolen but because it was so big I replaced it with a D700. Wish I’d bought another D2X.

Please don’t make it the last one about gear. I’ve loved them all and loved your reasons for chopping and changing.

Hi Allen. I have enjoyed following your photography gear journey and all the flip flopping you've done. I'm pretty sure this won't be the last gear video you make 😂

I have been following you for a long time and I’ve found it very interesting and informative how you changed gear and lenses every 6 months or so 😂 and maybe you’ll try out canon gear too one day? I use Fuji crop and medium format too plus I use canon too and I’m very tempted to add a Nikon zf to my collection too! Yes Sony is at the top for autofocus but it’s just don’t have any character and are boring just like canon and they both are working pros tools but I find Fuji and Nikon have the best colours for skin tones overall but canon is up there too for pleasing colours but the lack of third party lenses is terrible.

Hi Allen. I’m gonna miss your gear rambles, they are always interesting to listen to. Thanks for taking us along your journey ❤ Hope there’s more to come despite… 😊

First time watching your video because im in the market for a Nikon Zf, im going to subscribe, loved your enthusiasm and positivity!

I just got a Zf and it’s absolutely brilliant, but I want a smaller and lighter camera to back it up. Do you think the Z5 would be a good baby brother to the Zf? It’s like $995 now so I think it’s a great deal for such a great camera.

Is the Manual focus experience different on the ZF vs the Z6III or just easier to use? Does the Z6III offer all the same manual focus tools?

I've shot nikon since film days. I use a fuji xh2 for video work. I loved the way z6ii handled lowlight. Was going to grab a z6iii... but the specs seemed to lean heavily toward video, and I wished that nikon would make a new z6ii with photography at the forefront of all decisions... I picked up a zf expecting a retro body on a z6ii with some slight improvements... I love the zf. It's like nikon read my mind and made me the camera I wished existed. There's some magic in these ZFs.

at least 36.3mp as the d810, I'm on 24mp allerady, looking files from the z8 the differeence is huge for me, relying on a 40mm some crop comes in handy. If there was a 60+ mm f3.5 or f4 under 200gr maybe I could live on 24mp. So Voightlander should do a 65 apo 3.5 or nikon should do a ff +30mp

I want one, going to go over from Fuji, one question. Is it heavy? Or lighter than most modern mirrorless full frame cameras?

I need a more grounded comparison judge, for example skin tones, shadow information, scenery, fine detail etc. Other we are seeing what the D700 is quite good at doing most likely by accident.

I believe the 700 is the only camera with a non-sony sensor, it comes from panasonic I believe, all the later models have Sony sensors

Thanks for the advice.

When did you go back to Nikon??!!😂. I bought the D780 primarily on your love of it and was a little disappointed when you switched away from Nikon. I also bought the Z6 3 about six months ago. It’s an amazing camera. Let’s get you out there using it in the field so you can produce some TH-cam content about your experiences with it. Cheers

Apologies at the start not necessary. Cheers

I very nearly bought the Df when it came out because its files were just stunning.

Thanks so much for your review. Yiur opinion is really valuable as you are not a 'professional TH-camr'. Whilst I don't wish to criticise them, their assessments are mostly driven by their business needs rather than honest opinion.

7:25 this, i didn't know! if it's true, that's quite a big deal (as someone that has spent many hours trying to emulate HP5 and TRI-X)

Zf vs Z6III: after a year of using the Zf, I've come to the same conclusion as you, EXCEPT that the dial/knob top plate setup becomes an advantage in one case only: the full manual mode that you say you are increasingly using with the Z6III. In that use case only, the Zf procures a faster, more intuitive way of viewing the preset exposure triad. If you use lenses with a dedicated aperture ring, you do not even have to turn the camera on (same as on your M10). But that is the only scenario where the fake retro setup makes any sense. I am now finished with the whole hipster/fake vintage thing, and will probably waste money again and swap the Zf for a Z6III or even a Z8.

As far as manual focus, turn, turn back quick instead of lining up with an indicator. Feel it, and do it quickly. Your brain will figure out the sweet spot after regular use. Also if your manual lens has markings, you can do a tripod focus test. Once it lines up, look at the marking to see if it's more left or more right of an indicator. Usually it'll be consistent throughout the focus. I did this for a few weeks on my 50 2H and I don't even need to look at the indicator, like my brain just knows where to spin the lens even when distance changes.

I heard from guy's that they turn the Fn2. to AF/AF Area mode select. They swap between dynamic af and a af mode of choice then deselect the others they don't use.

I watch lots of your videos and you are an interesting person. You sure are having a hard time finding the right camera. You change cameras almost as often as the lighting from the sun coming in and out of your window. What ever happened to your Sony A9 setup which you purchased when you got rid of your Nikon gears. I am glad that I did not go far the D780 but this time you sold me on the Z6iii

do you btw puplish some of your work somewhere?

Since it looks like the Nikon D780 is going to be the last DSLR that Nikon is going to make I purchased one to shoot shots of the family. Sport events, and holidays. Can use it without a flash. Learned to shoot with a Nikon F2. Love the feel of the Nikon D780 in my hands.

The Z6ii autofocus is very good. Perhaps you need some training

Do you now that there is an option which allows you to not keep the ISO button pressed when scrolling the dial? You just have to enable F7.

Thank you for the nice video with real opinion and experience with Z6 III. But maybe I missed it: how are you going to use 135mm F2D DC? It does not sound like you are going to use it with manual focus during a wedding. In fact, any screw-drive AF lens left to use on Z mount. And if not, could you share what are the replacements? Thank you very much in advance!