I don’t usually comment on videos but I had to here: thank you so much for this video. I’m a pro photographer as well and the funny thing is that I too used to shoot Nikon since way back and have been shooting professionally with the Leica M system for the past 10 years (and loving it). I was recently looking for a second camera to do the part of my work for which the Leica M is not ideal. I went to B&H in New York for an entire afternoon and pretty much tried every mirrorless from every brand. The Zf immediately stood out as the camera I was looking for. I now use the Zf for some commercial assignments as well as on workshops when I teach travel photography. Since I don’t do any studio work, I went with the 28-75mm f/2.8 zoom, which is perfect weight/size wise and delivers the image quality I need. I completely agree with your assessment of TH-camrs / wannabe photographers who nitpick and pixel peep constantly without ever actually using the equipment for any real work. What gives them away every time though is when they start sharing their images 😂😂😂. I wish there were more real photographers like yourself providing their opinion on photo gear.
I consider myself a professional photographer myself. I am for all intensive purposes a canon shooter. It was the first camera system I started with (10D, 20D, 7D, and up) I have tried out other systems over the years. Always fell back into canon's. As we all do I wanted to improve my photography skills. I also wanted something SUPER lightweight, and when I am doing personal shooting, didn't want to have to carry around a brick with me (R3, R6II, R5's Paired with 24-105 2.8, 70-200's etc) If i wanted to go hiking or street photography, I wanted the camera to be an extension of my eye. I also decided to not want a zoom lense, and go with the 40mm kit lense. Your points are well taken, and I agree with them. If I had listened to many TH-camrs about this camera, I probably would not have bought it. I am glad I did, its forcing me to work outside my comfort zone, and get more in touch with photography. It's a great camera, and nikon has come a long way with their menu system. It's not as good as Canon's IMO, but its close and makes sense . I like the retro styling of the ZF and it makes me wish canon would do something similar. It was enough that I purchased the camera from B&H (Used with the 40mm f2 lense for $1700 and change) I am paying way closer attention to settings now than ever before and the prime 40mm is forcing me look for better compositions in my images and not rely on zoom.
I agree with you on the Canon - my all time favorite “modern” camera to this day is the R5. And I would probably still be shooting it today if it wasn’t for their big heavy RF lenses
I just came across your video and appreciated your opinions. I am an amateur photographer who learned how to shoot on an old Canon A1. I have been using Nikon for about the last 16 or so years now. I bought a ZF about 6 months ago and love it. Once you spend enough time with it and get used to it, you realize just how easy it is to get great results with.
Sooo good 😁👍 Especially the distinction between youtubers and photographers, batteries, lens looks and problems getting used to a new camera. Also pro photog here. I'm a Nikon shooter normally. But give me an hour with a different brand and you get same results. Last year a client had a network set up for instant upload to a web shop that worked only with Canon. So I shot with Canon DSLRs instead of my Nikon DSLMs. Sometimes I wonder how the rest of the world took great pictures 10 years ago.
Well, I’ve been shooting professionally for 40 years and I can tell you emphatically that according to TH-camr, we didn’t take a single good picture because it was impossible with our gear. Until they came onto the scene, of course.
Love your video and agree with your comments. After watching so many youtubers I often wondered how past photogrphers took photos with all the previous old crappy flawed cameras😅
I traded in my first mirrorless camera, the Nikon z5, for the Zf last week. Used it for a portrait shoot and some general photography, and I agree with you: a great camera. The autofocus is even better than hoped. My lenses are similar to yours, but I also have used my Voigtlander 50mm 1.2 via the m to z adapter, and then the Zf really shines. No regrets so far about this camera.
I did the same thing, Z5 to Zf and I am so happy I did. My only wish is that it had at least one more custom button and custom modes (Fine if it was via a menu option and not on the dial).
@@kaskoPhoto to me perfect: various degrees of soft but sharp blurriness from 1.2-1.6, and starting from f2 sharp as can be, but most of all: it renders so beautifully - faces really get nice dimensionality. Colors are to my taste (not too vibrant, but a distinctive look). The size is not too large, and focus is smooth. Love it.
I appreciate your thoughts. Thanks for sharing them. I am considering this camera with a couple of Voigtlander lanthar lenses. I am also intrigued by having black and white on a switch under my finger. B&W helps me find the composition, without being distracted by color. This would be really coinvent
Great video. I'm a hobbyist who mostly does landscape and nightscape photography so most of the complaints about this camera were simply redundant. The real drawback of this camera is the lack of a remote shutter connection port, which I was quite bummed about but learned to accept.
I can understand that completely. This is more of a question, cause I honestly don’t know. Does the camera offer any kind of Bluetooth remote firing? or is it cumbersome option of opening the app on the phone? And I do honestly think that would be more cumbersome than just a remote cord from the old days.
@@kaskoPhoto Yes, there is a Bluetooth remote by Nikon and other third parties, but the problem is that it only provides a shutter release button, and doesn’t offer the same level of customisation like a Hahnel remote does, for example.
So let’s cover the bazooka first… I would def make an exception to my large lens bitching for the 135! 😂 that is really a special lens and I will be trying one soon.
First thank you for the continued updates on the Zf. I recently bought one and I'm really loving it the more I get to know it. Here's my 2 part serious question. I'd spent years in professional studios as a still art director in pre/post digital days, even the middle where Leaf digital camera backs were used. Why are so many TH-camrs saying that they wouldn't use the Zf for professional use? It's a full frame 24mp sensor, so size shouldn't matter unless you are cropping considerably (and the majority of the professionals that I know and work with don't crop all that much, they shoot to the frame). Why do TH-cam professional photographers usually profess they only shoot in Manual? Is it a badge of honor or something? I shoot in A priority a lot because to me, Aperture is most important on a lot of my shots. Why wouldn't you use the tools to get a better shot? There are many times that the camera better understands its capabilities than the mind. A good shot is a good shot.
Me personally, I use manual because I want complete control of the scene 100% of the time when shooting for a client or for my own projects. When I am out just having fun I shoot in all sorts of auto modes (the one that best fits my situation).
@@kaskoPhoto Thanks for the response! Completely understandable, especially when you want consistency in studio lighting situations. I just wonder why someone would say they only shoot in Manual (not referring to you) and would also say that they wouldn't use a Zf for professional applications.
many people don't know it yet, but ZF has a big problem with image lag (EVF and LCD) at 1/200s or longer, with AFC - single point turned on. when you hold the shutter button halfway, the image starts to shake a lot. There are a lot of people talking about this problem on the forums.
@@bsc001I have the same problem. The camera is not suitable for taking photos at exposure times of 1/200 and longer in AFC modes with single-point (dynamic) fields; when working at events and weddings where lamps are also used, the image is constantly shaken. I don't have this problem with the much cheaper Z5 and the first Z6 I have been exchanging e-mails with Nikon for two weeks, the service was not aware of this problem. They wrote to me that software 1.20 will fix this problem. I loaded software 1.20 and unfortunately it didn't help. I have been waiting for several months for them to repair the camera with software, but I am increasingly afraid that it is a technological fault and the camera is broken. I have 5 friends from ZF and they are all upset because the same thing happens to them. I don't understand why no one says this in the reviews, it was based on these reviews that I bought the camera, today knowing this problem, I wouldn't buy the ZF.
@@bsc001 I reported it a long time ago, all my friends with Nikon ZF also report it and so far nothing. It turns out that the problem is global. I was going to buy another ZF, but I'll refrain for now I don't know if it's just a short😢 inconvenience, I've had the Nikon ZF since its launch and it's been a few months now😢
I was out the other day with the ZF and small rig grip. My lens was the 135mm Plena. I found co-incidentally during the time that I was holding this combo with the old 2 or 3 fingers only around the grip. It was very easy to carry. The Plena is not a huge superzoom but they are hard to handle on any camera body. If the smallrig grip was just a little deeper it would be perfect.
I can't afford a Leica so I got a Zf instead. Everything manual, spot metering. I can't put it down. So much fun. I agree that this camera will be a huge success and the foundation for a great new line for Nikon. Do you think they will bring out a rangefinder style one day?
:) thank you so much for your feedback . 100% agree with you. I got a ZF 2 months ago and I enjoy it a lot. I'm an old amattor. I have these plastic lenses too and they are good. I used as well my 45 years old Rolleinar/Zeiss planar F1.8 50 mm ( that you can buy for 50 $ ) and believe me : it is fantastic.
Really appreciate your being tactful and honest at the same time. Enjoying your videos, always. Photography is a hobby for me, been with Nikon for about 12 years, but got my hands on a tiny m4/3 Olympus and it revived my interest and passion and actually taught me a few things about my larger Nikon bodies and lenses, which I rarely take out these days, but Im so much more aware of what Im doing when I do, all because of a lightweight compact camera and lenses which are always in my car these days.
I seriously am dying to try one of the Olympus OM 1s or OM System now. I don’t mind the M4/3 format at all - I think the lenses that they have are spectacular in both quality and size.
Im thinking in buying another Zf, still building portfolio and investing slowly into photography. For events I need a second body (just in case), and think rocking 2 Zf's is more than enough both in quality and style. Love mine, but still think the yellow/green cast on people skin in portraits is still something I need to learn to go around. Maybe adjusting hue and WB colours.
Maybe do a factory reset just in case. I’m not seeing this in skin tones. But I think two of these bodies would be great for your use. And yes, a backup is imperative for paid jobs.
@@kaskoPhoto that is actually a great idea. Let me try resetting it. From what I have been reading it seems Nikon pulls yellow and green overall while canon does reds and orange, but again it may be the environment where I have been shooting
I usually shoot with the back screen on my z6ii because the viewfinder doesn't show shadows correctly, they seem brighter than they should. And about custom buttons, I use a lot of functions like the subject tracking box, changing the AF mode with a button press and dial turn, switching from mechanical shutter to electronic shutter, and I actually ran out of function buttons and would like to use the depth of field preview as a function button because it actually lets you preview the active d lighting which is useful if you shoot jpegs because for some reason the camera doesn't show the effects of active d lighting in live view unless you use the depth of field preview, I love function buttons because they make things more convenient and I don't have to go in menus as much.
100% These days I'm a 'TH-camr', but I spent about 16 years as a working photographer. When you look at it as a tool, it is an incredibly capable one. I bought it despite the aesthetics, I would rather have had modern ergonomics but the internals for the price are very good and with several bags full of Nikon Lenses this was the best option. But I do laugh when people say autofocus is too slow on this or that, particularly as I started shooting weddings on a Minolta 7000i just using the 1 focus point in the middle. I think you can make just about any modern camera from the last 10 years or so work professionally and still be good enough today.
Such valid points - thank you. And yes, I shot professional work with a Pentax K1000 and film/manual focus paid my bills for many years / 15 + to be exact
Try and use the TECHART TZM-02 New Version Auto Focus Adapter Compatible for Leica M Lens to NIK0N Z Mount and you will be able to use all of your M mount lines on it with auto focus! I am currently saving up for it right now. What I am using today on my Zf is the AkIROOD LM-Z-S adapter. With this adapter I can mount all of my voigtlander lenses. And I love it! This particular adapter allows me to focus extremely close as well. Thus making my wedding kit extremely lightweight. Hope this helps.
Got the Zf in late 2023, thinking I’d just return it when the FOMO wore off after unboxing. Here it is late May and it doesn’t leave my side. Now if Nikon would just make a matching retro battery grip… 🤗
Size and weight is the big thing for me as a non professional. I had the Lumix S5 and as amazing as it is, it’s still too big for my use cases. How does the ZF feel compared to a Leica M as I have an M8/M9M so very accustomed to those (and yes - the 24MP is way more than enough for me when I’m regularly making “keepers” from 10MP and 18MP)
I like mine. The only gripe I have using it to take several thousand exposures in just a few months is the auto iso interaction with the dial. I just want the dial to override it. I know I know, but probably my most used lens after the 28 is the 105 VR macro and while I love it, I find auto-iso really useful for out in the world handheld macro. Re lenses I have the 28, 40, 50/1.8 and 105. All are great in their own way I feel. But I do want an improved 28mm that isn't plastic. A 28/2.0 in a reasonable size that checks all those S boxes would have me throwing down my credit card in seconds.
Love my ZF, I use it with my S 1.8 primes and zooms when I want autofocus or I put my Voigtlanders on and manual focus is a breeze. I will say that the handling is better on my Z8 but when I'm using either I don't really pay any attention to what I'm using.
I have the Z-mount 28mm, 50mm, and 85mm. When I ordered the 28mm, I actually looked into switching it to a metal lens mount, and found that the one for the 50mm f1,8 will fit. However, after using the 28mm for a while, I figured that I would probably never wear out that plastic lens mount. Also, I have used Leica M lenses through a Z2M adapter, and they work quite well, especially the 90mm f2,8 Elmarit.
I do love the adapted M glass on the ZF but I really wanted to try the Voigtlander Z glass - as they say it is optimized for the sensor. I’ll be trying the 50mm f/1 and the 40mm f/1.2 this week.
I think there's hardly any need to use more than 24Mp unsless you need to crop a lot. Also for professional work. I know fashion photographer that does almost everything on a Z6II.
I agree with this. Been using the Zf alongside my M cameras and my older Nikon film bodies. It is the camera I most go for when I have the choice. If this is the modern Df, then I hope Nikon does an update more frequently, LOL The autofocus is literally MORE than is necessary. I long for a line of small Z lenses with apertures. I was considering the Voigtlander APO 50 for Z mount, as I prefer the smallest possible M lenses for my M camera. I’d be interested if you get your hands on a tester of that lens to see how it performs natively on the Z rather than adapted from M to Z. Thanks for the straight talk!
I can’t seem to decide on the ZF Or the on sale Z7II. I do mostly family photography and couples. Maybe a 2nd shooter wedding. I enjoy the higher resolution too from the Z7II. What do you think? Should I buy the ZF instead?
The Z7 II is an absolutely amazing camera. And I’m perfectly good with the focus speed on that body. And if you are shooting it for a long wedding, it is very comfortable to hold. You will not be sorry with the Z7 II
The Fuji is super fun to use. But the hype is bad now. I don’t trust AF in my X3. I shot a wedding once and it failed miserably. Or I failed or both! 🤔
I've been a Nikon photographer for 40 years and own both, the Z 7II for a year and a half, the Z f for 2 months. Emotionally, the Z f is my absolute favorite. It's as solidly built as the cameras were back then and it's just fun to use and experiment with, especially with my beautiful old Nikkors from the eighties and the new, small Voigtländer lenses for the M mount. I also prefer the Z f when photographing people, because of the much better eye autofocus, then with the great Z lenses. I use the Z 7II for architecture, landscape and travel, because of the higher resolution and the ability to remove falling lines with less loss. It is lighter and smaller, feels better in the hand than the Z f with grip. But to be honest, I've already thought about selling the Z 7II and perhaps buying one or two other lens treasures. - That's the beauty of being an amateur photographer, you don't have to act logically. 😉
I think it's an exciting camera that takes great pictures. I am glad it's serving you and many others very well. I am not a pro at all. However, the latter means I don't live in this world and if I go from shooting a few of the family to wandering around to action then a couple of presets are nice. I could make it work but I am lazy and with so many choices out there I find other offerings easier to live with (from the reviews I have seen).........My stance and I fully understand yours.
Have you thought about trying Sony lenses on it? I use only Sony lenses on mine for professional work and they work as good as native (aside from if there's more than one button on the lens, all the buttons do the same thing). I'm using the 24 2.8 G, the 40 2.5 G, and the Sigma 90 2.8 DCDN and they look great, have aperture rings (!), and are sharp, gorgeous and Capture One corrects them just fine.
I agree with your take on this camera but I love the tilting screen because I take pictures close to the ground and nealing is better than liying on the ground. I don't care if my lens doesn't match the camera it's all about the pic's.😀
i really like my Zf but as compared to my D850 the lack of accessible functions slows me down which is why I wanted the Zf. These two cameras compliment each other very well for this reason. I like the Zf for studio work and walk around/travel. For fast action, BIF and sports I absolutely pick up my D850. Slowly but surely my Zf is replacing my F2, F3 and F5 and it's saving me money in the long run. I picked up the Voigtlander 40mm 1.2Z and it's awesome on the Zf!
@@kaskoPhoto Which adapter are you using? Been using the ttartisan `6 bit`, to at least get a little exif data. Been pretty decent so far. As for native z, thinking of trying that voigtlander 75 1.5 that is coming out next week. Don't have it on m, and the size might be a really good match for the zf.
I'm a pro photographer, I have 4 Nikon Z5 (I had also a Z6II but I sold it when the last firmware update of the Z5 came out). The only thing it lacks is a very reliable AF. But I still could'nt do without a very good grip (like a Z5 with the Smallrig grip) to hold something like the 24-120 f4 Z. Super happy with the 24-120, 50 1.8 Z and the 26 mm 2.8 pancake as a base kit.
@@kaskoPhoto at first I bought the 28 mm 2.8 Z, but I found that little 26mm was way better optically. The AF is louder and a bit slower but for photos it's fine
John - do you still use your 6ii? Because of the crappy flip around screen on the ZF, I never considered it. I know Nikon have a new 6iii coming soon, and whispers have it that it still has that crappy screen. With the Z 8 and 9 being far too huge and expensive, I have resigned myself to the fact that I will be using my two 6ii's for a long time. I shot a huge professional event recently, (National Dragon Boat races here in Perth, Australia). There were over a thousand people there and there were moving boats, lots of images of people etc moving, I took over 2K images for the day and there would have only been around ten where I missed focus. The company I contracted to for the day were delighted with the images and are still raving about them. It is a shame that many people have written off the 6ii as too old, or the focus too terrible - but as you say, if you know your camera very well and get used to it, you can really make it work. The 6ii is now on run out discounted prices and I think is very good value. What is your take on all of this John?
Had a Zf and sold it. Still have the 28mm and 40mm, need to unload those too. I never got along with it not having an aperture dial. Not all the cameras fault, but the systems fault I guess, and didn't want to put on an adapter to make it work. But it can take nice images.
We are so spoiled with photography these days. We have lots of choices and cameras have been good since 2010 ish (at least for photography, can't speak for video).
Honestly yes, there are only a handful of my corporate clients that are requesting high resolution for large print sizes. But the other 99% are perfectly fine with the 24mp headshot
I've shot several hundred headshots, (D1, D2, D3, D300 Df, Z6, Z6II, and now Zf)and never had a problem...I bought a D1 when they first came out for $5,000., because I couldn't afford a Kodak at $30,000...One of my clients was a LOCAL TV Station, who needed some portraits for billboards in the area. They were perfectly fine. If 1.7mb if good enough for billboards, 24mb should be great! I never had a client say anything about file size.
@@markswindler1431 excellent point. A bit off topic but I also discovered, being a night sky shooter, that higher resolution equals lower quantum efficiency. So I typically don’t go for cameras that have a resolution higher than 24mp.
Well said, many of these influencers are just making comments to boost views, they are not necessarily subject matter experts in photography. I have 3 Leica Ms and I have the ZF as well, at times you just want a good autofocus in a small package.
The Nikon Z f is just great. I know it’s subjective, but I just “feel” this camera. Just a couple of seconds and I forget I have a camera in my hands. If you do BIF or have another need for telephoto lenses, then this is not the body for you. Otherwise it’s just like every other pro body. Funny thing, I also use it when I can’t use the M11 / MP, mostly when I need AF. I also don’t get the internet drama about the Z f 😉
The popular youtubers are typically a waste of time on here. They have to generate clicks out of making something out of nothing I have had their channels marked as not interested for years now. I have switched to a ZF also and i just enjoy using it with a couple lenses i have all the S 1.8 lenses, but i just use it with the Voigtlander Z 50mm F/1.0 which is my favorite lenses right now and the nikon 28mm F/2.8 SE. I am likely going to grab the voigtlander 75mm F/1.5 when releases for Z mount later this month simply because i enjoy the 50mm so much.
It's an awesome camera in daylight. But in low light, it lags, when focusing. I encounterd this problem at my first event with it, at the venue. It is very annoying if you use it as the main camera. More exactly, in af-c, with any settings and energy saving off, original battery. For z9 you have the d22 setting, for zf you don't. I updated to 1.2 and the problem continues.
The f1.8 Z-primes are fantastic. The may look a bit plasticy, but the IQ is great. I’m not a typical ‘zoom-guy’, but the 24-120 Z is simply the best in class imo. At 20% of the price it is 95% of the 24-90 SL. I’ve used the Z-system, before moving to the SL2 and now SL3. Mostly for studio work, so I didn’t mind the size of the APO-SLs. From all the mirrorless systems, the Z is right up there with the SL and to me far more appealing than Canon or Sony. Just personal preference.
I promised myself not to start the "plastic" lens argument! LOL I love my 28 and 40... I am hoping some day either Nikon or Viltrox will make a 12 or 14 or 16 similar to the lower cost Nikons. And I am ever hopeful for a 85mm in a similar build. When I got into the Z system I came from Olympus. I got very used to the Olympus small form factor. I went into the Z5's and heavy zooms. I have since downgraded to APS-C Z50 and Z30. For my portrait and model work which is mostly for the net, the Z50's are awesome. But I would like a native 85mm (127.5mm). So I use a adapted 85mm G F1.8 and the results are great. I think one of things that Nikon has really gotten right is the lens mount and focusing system. I enjoy the way you "talk" photography, even when I don't agree! LOL!
Most youtubers only do reviews. It's really rare to see them talk about art. After a while any reviewer become a nitpicker. Especially when most cameras got killer specs but they still need to create content.
8:46 I was so confused at first, because it sounds like you said R8, but I am guessing you meant Z8. But once you started talking about weight, I knew what you meant. 😉
The camera has an undervalued aspect. Durability. It passes the clunk against the table by accident test. This is not negligeable for everday carry around and being tough in the field. Most cameras are plastic and fragile electronics today. It's a problem. The only real issue I see with the ZF is related to video work. Rolling shutter is bad, like 10 years behind bad. Which is a shame.
The thing that blows me away about My Zf is the low light sensitivity. Far better than any other camera I have ever used. ISO 32,000 is very useable, 64,000 is not (huge difference). If I could change it I would have a tilt screen and not a flippy screen. Number one irritation by far. And I would like to have the dirlled and tapped shutter button actually work with a retro cable release. In what world do you need bluetooth to operate a retro camera? I am waiting to see if the Z6iii is bigger, has a flippy screen, requires bluetooth for remote shutter release. I suspect I will keep the Zf. The Z6ii might be 33 MP and lose the low light sensitivity that makes the Zf special.
I understand that TH-camrs like to recommend cameras and scoff at amateurs and semi-professionals who don't possess the latest gear, but however good the Zf is it requires a set of new lenses that I couldn't afford and don't need. My D800 still takes great photos using all my F lenses and I have other camera systems that work fine despite not having the latest gizmos, just manual controls that let me decide how I want an image to look. And yes, some are still film cameras.
Get a FTZ II adapter, and run most of your f-GLWS on the Zf. That’s what I do, it works wonderfully well. Ok, old AF-D’s are MF only on the Zf, but still a wonderful experience.
When people talk about retro they sometimes conflate the styling aspect of it and the user interface aspect of it. The frustration at least some of us have with the Zf is *not* that the lenses dom't have retro styling, but they lack aperture control on the lens. I have no nostalgia for that era, I simply find the PASM-less UI to be more understandable and efficient. When Sony, Panasonic and Sigma have lenses with aperture rings on them it's clear it's not about retro. (If anything I personally think the Nikon SE lenes look much worse than they non SE counter parts). Why do I like this user interface? Many reasons, but among them is that I can my pointing finger for the trigger, my thumb for the compensation wheel and my left hand for aperture. That said, allowing you to customize the lens ring for aperture does bring you pretty close to my ideal setup. I'm not a pro so my main barrier is price (not that it's expensive for what it is). If I was a pro the Zf would be top of my list of cameras to consider. To me it seems like the clear winner as the best autofocusing full frame camera. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, always interesting to hear from a true photo pro. You also explain things really well!
There is a channel that called you out for your views regarding “Professional Photographer” and “TH-camr”. Honestly, I understand your points and I know where you are coming from. I see a lot of TH-camrs pushing products to their viewers like the product is the must all end all and I find that irresponsible.
@@kaskoPhoto his video is slightly out of taste. What you said about TH-camrs did really strike a cord in my opinion. I suggest you watch it and do a response to clear up what might have been understood and also to somehow clear your name
I love my Zf too. But it took me some time to used for the manual focus routine. Before Zf I had fujifilm xt4. Zf doesn’t have a joystick for manual focus (you can use the buttons but it’s not an ideal option) but I can use the touchscreen as a ‘touchpad’ so I did that. And I set one button for zoom in for focusing and there was that only one thing I was little sad. When you want to manually focus on something, you choose the point and zoom in, there is not the horizontal check mark (in zoom in view), so I had to zoom out after focusing to see if I’m ok, now I know the routine and do that automatically but it took me some time. I love this camera with 50 mm f1.8 and it is a joy to manually shoot with it.
I like this no nonsense video... and TH-camrs sound dumb, vias, and are annoying with all the nit picking they do. Thank you for this video and I love my ZF and Z8 :) cheers.
@@kaskoPhoto stunning lens on it, was great for the time. But maybe a tad too small, hard to hold. But with this copout viewfinder quite inventive. I heard that Sony is thinking about a new fixed lens full frame... lets see :D
This has the same attractive qualities and following like Fujifilm had with their "dial" cameras but lost after they went all in on PASM dial cameras. Nikon has stepped up filling that void.
I don’t disagree much with the thoughts expressed. But this is not an update about the camera and your experience. The majority of the time and energy spent here was on TH-camrs and their reviews. I take no issue with you making a video about your perspective on what other YT content creators are doing (from where I sit, you too are a TH-camr). Please just title your video appropriately. I kept waiting for you to talk about the camera.
I have this camera but I hate Nikon Z lenses..way too big. I bought a megadap adapter just so I can use sony lenses because sony has some smaller lenses
Great insights here but really not a fan of the divide you put between TH-camrs and photographers. There’s a huge amount of extremely talented ones out there.
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I don’t usually comment on videos but I had to here: thank you so much for this video. I’m a pro photographer as well and the funny thing is that I too used to shoot Nikon since way back and have been shooting professionally with the Leica M system for the past 10 years (and loving it). I was recently looking for a second camera to do the part of my work for which the Leica M is not ideal. I went to B&H in New York for an entire afternoon and pretty much tried every mirrorless from every brand. The Zf immediately stood out as the camera I was looking for. I now use the Zf for some commercial assignments as well as on workshops when I teach travel photography. Since I don’t do any studio work, I went with the 28-75mm f/2.8 zoom, which is perfect weight/size wise and delivers the image quality I need. I completely agree with your assessment of TH-camrs / wannabe photographers who nitpick and pixel peep constantly without ever actually using the equipment for any real work. What gives them away every time though is when they start sharing their images 😂😂😂. I wish there were more real photographers like yourself providing their opinion on photo gear.
I consider myself a professional photographer myself. I am for all intensive purposes a canon shooter. It was the first camera system I started with (10D, 20D, 7D, and up) I have tried out other systems over the years. Always fell back into canon's. As we all do I wanted to improve my photography skills. I also wanted something SUPER lightweight, and when I am doing personal shooting, didn't want to have to carry around a brick with me (R3, R6II, R5's Paired with 24-105 2.8, 70-200's etc) If i wanted to go hiking or street photography, I wanted the camera to be an extension of my eye. I also decided to not want a zoom lense, and go with the 40mm kit lense. Your points are well taken, and I agree with them. If I had listened to many TH-camrs about this camera, I probably would not have bought it. I am glad I did, its forcing me to work outside my comfort zone, and get more in touch with photography. It's a great camera, and nikon has come a long way with their menu system. It's not as good as Canon's IMO, but its close and makes sense . I like the retro styling of the ZF and it makes me wish canon would do something similar. It was enough that I purchased the camera from B&H (Used with the 40mm f2 lense for $1700 and change) I am paying way closer attention to settings now than ever before and the prime 40mm is forcing me look for better compositions in my images and not rely on zoom.
I agree with you on the Canon - my all time favorite “modern” camera to this day is the R5. And I would probably still be shooting it today if it wasn’t for their big heavy RF lenses
I just came across your video and appreciated your opinions. I am an amateur photographer who learned how to shoot on an old Canon A1. I have been using Nikon for about the last 16 or so years now. I bought a ZF about 6 months ago and love it. Once you spend enough time with it and get used to it, you realize just how easy it is to get great results with.
Sooo good 😁👍
Especially the distinction between youtubers and photographers, batteries, lens looks and problems getting used to a new camera.
Also pro photog here.
I'm a Nikon shooter normally. But give me an hour with a different brand and you get same results.
Last year a client had a network set up for instant upload to a web shop that worked only with Canon. So I shot with Canon DSLRs instead of my Nikon DSLMs.
Sometimes I wonder how the rest of the world took great pictures 10 years ago.
Well, I’ve been shooting professionally for 40 years and I can tell you emphatically that according to TH-camr, we didn’t take a single good picture because it was impossible with our gear. Until they came onto the scene, of course.
Some took great photos 100 or 150 years ago.
@@rolleicanon come on Ken, you’re not that old! 😂
@@kaskoPhoto Oh Yes I am.
@@kaskoPhoto But thank you anyway. Good to hear.
Love your video and agree with your comments. After watching so many youtubers I often wondered how past photogrphers took photos with all the previous old crappy flawed cameras😅
I traded in my first mirrorless camera, the Nikon z5, for the Zf last week. Used it for a portrait shoot and some general photography, and I agree with you: a great camera. The autofocus is even better than hoped. My lenses are similar to yours, but I also have used my Voigtlander 50mm 1.2 via the m to z adapter, and then the Zf really shines. No regrets so far about this camera.
How is the 50 1.2 in general? I really want to try it.
I did the same thing, Z5 to Zf and I am so happy I did. My only wish is that it had at least one more custom button and custom modes (Fine if it was via a menu option and not on the dial).
@@kaskoPhoto to me perfect: various degrees of soft but sharp blurriness from 1.2-1.6, and starting from f2 sharp as can be, but most of all: it renders so beautifully - faces really get nice dimensionality. Colors are to my taste (not too vibrant, but a distinctive look). The size is not too large, and focus is smooth. Love it.
@@rickmower1136 my dslr is a nikon df, so maybe I am more used to the dial buttons, but also I am still learning the zf. Congrats with your zf!
How is battery life?
Great video. What a breath of fresh air and real talk. The Zf and 40mm are so tempting…
Borrow or rent one to give it a try. As good as it is, some just aren’t sold on it after use.
I appreciate your thoughts. Thanks for sharing them. I am considering this camera with a couple of Voigtlander lanthar lenses. I am also intrigued by having black and white on a switch under my finger. B&W helps me find the composition, without being distracted by color. This would be really coinvent
That really is an amazing feature we never knew we needed
Great video. I'm a hobbyist who mostly does landscape and nightscape photography so most of the complaints about this camera were simply redundant.
The real drawback of this camera is the lack of a remote shutter connection port, which I was quite bummed about but learned to accept.
I can understand that completely. This is more of a question, cause I honestly don’t know. Does the camera offer any kind of Bluetooth remote firing? or is it cumbersome option of opening the app on the phone? And I do honestly think that would be more cumbersome than just a remote cord from the old days.
@@kaskoPhoto Yes, there is a Bluetooth remote by Nikon and other third parties, but the problem is that it only provides a shutter release button, and doesn’t offer the same level of customisation like a Hahnel remote does, for example.
@@quincylee2276 thank you for the info. That is one of those hurdles that makes it tough
@@kaskoPhoto cheers, it’s still an excellent camera for everything else though, as you would know. Thanks for the chat!
`if you can't make beautiful images with this, find another job`
So let’s cover the bazooka first… I would def make an exception to my large lens bitching for the 135! 😂 that is really a special lens and I will be trying one soon.
I have rearranged multiple bags to carry that tank around. Hope you like it.
First thank you for the continued updates on the Zf. I recently bought one and I'm really loving it the more I get to know it.
Here's my 2 part serious question.
I'd spent years in professional studios as a still art director in pre/post digital days, even the middle where Leaf digital camera backs were used. Why are so many TH-camrs saying that they wouldn't use the Zf for professional use? It's a full frame 24mp sensor, so size shouldn't matter unless you are cropping considerably (and the majority of the professionals that I know and work with don't crop all that much, they shoot to the frame).
Why do TH-cam professional photographers usually profess they only shoot in Manual? Is it a badge of honor or something? I shoot in A priority a lot because to me, Aperture is most important on a lot of my shots. Why wouldn't you use the tools to get a better shot? There are many times that the camera better understands its capabilities than the mind. A good shot is a good shot.
Me personally, I use manual because I want complete control of the scene 100% of the time when shooting for a client or for my own projects. When I am out just having fun I shoot in all sorts of auto modes (the one that best fits my situation).
@@kaskoPhoto Thanks for the response! Completely understandable, especially when you want consistency in studio lighting situations. I just wonder why someone would say they only shoot in Manual (not referring to you) and would also say that they wouldn't use a Zf for professional applications.
many people don't know it yet, but ZF has a big problem with image lag (EVF and LCD) at 1/200s or longer, with AFC - single point turned on.
when you hold the shutter button halfway, the image starts to shake a lot. There are a lot of people talking about this problem on the forums.
th-cam.com/users/shorts5L_bjT1JdEI?si=Rrz--ppkxZthII5Q
th-cam.com/video/2h4pHEURqNw/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Z9jck0O4nyReuw74
Good then that Nikon is very proactive in rolling out firmware for their cameras. Just a short-term inconvenience.
@@bsc001I have the same problem. The camera is not suitable for taking photos at exposure times of 1/200 and longer in AFC modes with single-point (dynamic) fields; when working at events and weddings where lamps are also used, the image is constantly shaken. I don't have this problem with the much cheaper Z5 and the first Z6 I have been exchanging e-mails with Nikon for two weeks, the service was not aware of this problem. They wrote to me that software 1.20 will fix this problem. I loaded software 1.20 and unfortunately it didn't help. I have been waiting for several months for them to repair the camera with software, but I am increasingly afraid that it is a technological fault and the camera is broken. I have 5 friends from ZF and they are all upset because the same thing happens to them. I don't understand why no one says this in the reviews, it was based on these reviews that I bought the camera, today knowing this problem, I wouldn't buy the ZF.
@@bsc001 I reported it a long time ago, all my friends with Nikon ZF also report it and so far nothing. It turns out that the problem is global. I was going to buy another ZF, but I'll refrain for now
I don't know if it's just a short😢 inconvenience, I've had the Nikon ZF since its launch and it's been a few months now😢
I was out the other day with the ZF and small rig grip. My lens was the 135mm Plena. I found co-incidentally during the time that I was holding this combo with the old 2 or 3 fingers only around the grip. It was very easy to carry. The Plena is not a huge superzoom but they are hard to handle on any camera body. If the smallrig grip was just a little deeper it would be perfect.
Love this video! Finally, some common sense! Well done.
Thank you
Great video, just subbed. I am also really enjoying ZF, I like the 26, with metal mount. Also looking at that new 16 from Viltrox
I just saw that 26! That looks very interesting to me
I can't afford a Leica so I got a Zf instead. Everything manual, spot metering. I can't put it down. So much fun. I agree that this camera will be a huge success and the foundation for a great new line for Nikon. Do you think they will bring out a rangefinder style one day?
I don’t think that will happen as much as I would like it to. But then they have surprised us before.
Nice video. I am also an M and Nikon shooter. Really wish Nikon would make a retro SP body.
:) thank you so much for your feedback . 100% agree with you. I got a ZF 2 months ago and I enjoy it a lot. I'm an old amattor. I have these plastic lenses too and they are good. I used as well my 45 years old Rolleinar/Zeiss planar F1.8 50 mm ( that you can buy for 50 $ ) and believe me : it is fantastic.
Have you tried any old AI-S lenses on the ZF? I have an old 105 f2.5 that I use on my z6ii. IBIS and focus peeking give new life to old classics...
I have not. I am using my M glass on it all the time though.
Thank you, Sir
Really appreciate your being tactful and honest at the same time. Enjoying your videos, always. Photography is a hobby for me, been with Nikon for about 12 years, but got my hands on a tiny m4/3 Olympus and it revived my interest and passion and actually taught me a few things about my larger Nikon bodies and lenses, which I rarely take out these days, but Im so much more aware of what Im doing when I do, all because of a lightweight compact camera and lenses which are always in my car these days.
I seriously am dying to try one of the Olympus OM 1s or OM System now. I don’t mind the M4/3 format at all - I think the lenses that they have are spectacular in both quality and size.
Im thinking in buying another Zf, still building portfolio and investing slowly into photography. For events I need a second body (just in case), and think rocking 2 Zf's is more than enough both in quality and style. Love mine, but still think the yellow/green cast on people skin in portraits is still something I need to learn to go around. Maybe adjusting hue and WB colours.
Maybe do a factory reset just in case. I’m not seeing this in skin tones. But I think two of these bodies would be great for your use. And yes, a backup is imperative for paid jobs.
@@kaskoPhoto that is actually a great idea. Let me try resetting it. From what I have been reading it seems Nikon pulls yellow and green overall while canon does reds and orange, but again it may be the environment where I have been shooting
Enjoyed the video. Refreshing to hear what you said as an (amateur) Zf user.
The Zf is too expensive for me currently. I still really like my D3s & D3x - they were pretty cheap, but despite that, they are great. 😀
Shot all my pro sports on the D3s and they are amazing
I usually shoot with the back screen on my z6ii because the viewfinder doesn't show shadows correctly, they seem brighter than they should. And about custom buttons, I use a lot of functions like the subject tracking box, changing the AF mode with a button press and dial turn, switching from mechanical shutter to electronic shutter, and I actually ran out of function buttons and would like to use the depth of field preview as a function button because it actually lets you preview the active d lighting which is useful if you shoot jpegs because for some reason the camera doesn't show the effects of active d lighting in live view unless you use the depth of field preview, I love function buttons because they make things more convenient and I don't have to go in menus as much.
Thanks for your input. I will actually try that with active D since I never have.
100% These days I'm a 'TH-camr', but I spent about 16 years as a working photographer. When you look at it as a tool, it is an incredibly capable one. I bought it despite the aesthetics, I would rather have had modern ergonomics but the internals for the price are very good and with several bags full of Nikon Lenses this was the best option. But I do laugh when people say autofocus is too slow on this or that, particularly as I started shooting weddings on a Minolta 7000i just using the 1 focus point in the middle. I think you can make just about any modern camera from the last 10 years or so work professionally and still be good enough today.
Such valid points - thank you. And yes, I shot professional work with a Pentax K1000 and film/manual focus paid my bills for many years / 15 + to be exact
Try and use the TECHART TZM-02 New Version Auto Focus Adapter Compatible for Leica M Lens to NIK0N Z Mount and you will be able to use all of your M mount lines on it with auto focus! I am currently saving up for it right now. What I am using today on my Zf is the AkIROOD LM-Z-S adapter. With this adapter I can mount all of my voigtlander lenses. And I love it! This particular adapter allows me to focus extremely close as well. Thus making my wedding kit extremely lightweight. Hope this helps.
Well the techart is ok… not that it doesn’t work, but I can manually focus faster. So I have a shinny new one for sale 😂
Got the Zf in late 2023, thinking I’d just return it when the FOMO wore off after unboxing. Here it is late May and it doesn’t leave my side.
Now if Nikon would just make a matching retro battery grip… 🤗
Size and weight is the big thing for me as a non professional. I had the Lumix S5 and as amazing as it is, it’s still too big for my use cases. How does the ZF feel compared to a Leica M as I have an M8/M9M so very accustomed to those (and yes - the 24MP is way more than enough for me when I’m regularly making “keepers” from 10MP and 18MP)
I like mine. The only gripe I have using it to take several thousand exposures in just a few months is the auto iso interaction with the dial. I just want the dial to override it. I know I know, but probably my most used lens after the 28 is the 105 VR macro and while I love it, I find auto-iso really useful for out in the world handheld macro. Re lenses I have the 28, 40, 50/1.8 and 105. All are great in their own way I feel. But I do want an improved 28mm that isn't plastic. A 28/2.0 in a reasonable size that checks all those S boxes would have me throwing down my credit card in seconds.
Love my ZF, I use it with my S 1.8 primes and zooms when I want autofocus or I put my Voigtlanders on and manual focus is a breeze. I will say that the handling is better on my Z8 but when I'm using either I don't really pay any attention to what I'm using.
I have the Z-mount 28mm, 50mm, and 85mm. When I ordered the 28mm, I actually looked into switching it to a metal lens mount, and found that the one for the 50mm f1,8 will fit. However, after using the 28mm for a while, I figured that I would probably never wear out that plastic lens mount. Also, I have used Leica M lenses through a Z2M adapter, and they work quite well, especially the 90mm f2,8 Elmarit.
I do love the adapted M glass on the ZF but I really wanted to try the Voigtlander Z glass - as they say it is optimized for the sensor. I’ll be trying the 50mm f/1 and the 40mm f/1.2 this week.
I think there's hardly any need to use more than 24Mp unsless you need to crop a lot. Also for professional work. I know fashion photographer that does almost everything on a Z6II.
I agree with this. Been using the Zf alongside my M cameras and my older Nikon film bodies. It is the camera I most go for when I have the choice. If this is the modern Df, then I hope Nikon does an update more frequently, LOL The autofocus is literally MORE than is necessary. I long for a line of small Z lenses with apertures. I was considering the Voigtlander APO 50 for Z mount, as I prefer the smallest possible M lenses for my M camera. I’d be interested if you get your hands on a tester of that lens to see how it performs natively on the Z rather than adapted from M to Z. Thanks for the straight talk!
I would love a line of new Z lenses with apertures
I can’t seem to decide on the ZF Or the on sale Z7II. I do mostly family photography and couples. Maybe a 2nd shooter wedding. I enjoy the higher resolution too from the Z7II. What do you think? Should I buy the ZF instead?
The Z7 II is an absolutely amazing camera. And I’m perfectly good with the focus speed on that body. And if you are shooting it for a long wedding, it is very comfortable to hold. You will not be sorry with the Z7 II
@@kaskoPhoto Thank you. I value your opinion greatly. Im thinking the same. I luv my XT3....But the AF is just ok.
The Fuji is super fun to use. But the hype is bad now. I don’t trust AF in my X3. I shot a wedding once and it failed miserably. Or I failed or both! 🤔
I've been a Nikon photographer for 40 years and own both, the Z 7II for a year and a half, the Z f for 2 months. Emotionally, the Z f is my absolute favorite. It's as solidly built as the cameras were back then and it's just fun to use and experiment with, especially with my beautiful old Nikkors from the eighties and the new, small Voigtländer lenses for the M mount. I also prefer the Z f when photographing people, because of the much better eye autofocus, then with the great Z lenses. I use the Z 7II for architecture, landscape and travel, because of the higher resolution and the ability to remove falling lines with less loss. It is lighter and smaller, feels better in the hand than the Z f with grip. But to be honest, I've already thought about selling the Z 7II and perhaps buying one or two other lens treasures. - That's the beauty of being an amateur photographer, you don't have to act logically. 😉
@@alebo62 well if you haven’t tried it yet, may I suggest the Nikon 105 f/2.5 ai - such a beautiful rendering lens.
I think it's an exciting camera that takes great pictures. I am glad it's serving you and many others very well. I am not a pro at all. However, the latter means I don't live in this world and if I go from shooting a few of the family to wandering around to action then a couple of presets are nice. I could make it work but I am lazy and with so many choices out there I find other offerings easier to live with (from the reviews I have seen).........My stance and I fully understand yours.
Rentals are the best for testing and finding the best body for you.
The 20 1.8 S is superb. Get that one.
Great vid thanks! Subbed.
Thank you for watching!
Have you thought about trying Sony lenses on it? I use only Sony lenses on mine for professional work and they work as good as native (aside from if there's more than one button on the lens, all the buttons do the same thing). I'm using the 24 2.8 G, the 40 2.5 G, and the Sigma 90 2.8 DCDN and they look great, have aperture rings (!), and are sharp, gorgeous and Capture One corrects them just fine.
I just did a commercial job for Gibson guitars and used my Fujifilm GFX100/2 with a GF110T/S came out amazing. For other work I use my Nikon Zf ❤
If you don’t mind commenting on the plastic lenses, what is the quality of the glass, did they compromise there also? Thank you👍
Honestly they aren’t bad at all. I mean it’s not the quality of the S line but without major pixel peeping you probably can’t tell a difference
I agree with your take on this camera but I love the tilting screen because I take pictures close to the ground and nealing is better than liying on the ground. I don't care if my lens doesn't match the camera it's all about the pic's.😀
Thanks for a great and honest review.
i really like my Zf but as compared to my D850 the lack of accessible functions slows me down which is why I wanted the Zf. These two cameras compliment each other very well for this reason. I like the Zf for studio work and walk around/travel. For fast action, BIF and sports I absolutely pick up my D850. Slowly but surely my Zf is replacing my F2, F3 and F5 and it's saving me money in the long run. I picked up the Voigtlander 40mm 1.2Z and it's awesome on the Zf!
I do want to try at least one Native Z mount Voigtlander lens. But really do love the adapted M lenses on it.
@@kaskoPhoto Which adapter are you using? Been using the ttartisan `6 bit`, to at least get a little exif data. Been pretty decent so far.
As for native z, thinking of trying that voigtlander 75 1.5 that is coming out next week. Don't have it on m, and the size might be a really good match for the zf.
I am using the Urth dumb adapter and that TechArt autofocus (for fun)
I'm a pro photographer, I have 4 Nikon Z5 (I had also a Z6II but I sold it when the last firmware update of the Z5 came out). The only thing it lacks is a very reliable AF. But I still could'nt do without a very good grip (like a Z5 with the Smallrig grip) to hold something like the 24-120 f4 Z. Super happy with the 24-120, 50 1.8 Z and the 26 mm 2.8 pancake as a base kit.
I will definitely be trying that 26 mm soon
@@kaskoPhoto at first I bought the 28 mm 2.8 Z, but I found that little 26mm was way better optically. The AF is louder and a bit slower but for photos it's fine
@@bobjohnson9354 thank you. I’ll be trying it for sure.
John - do you still use your 6ii? Because of the crappy flip around screen on the ZF, I never considered it. I know Nikon have a new 6iii coming soon, and whispers have it that it still has that crappy screen. With the Z 8 and 9 being far too huge and expensive, I have resigned myself to the fact that I will be using my two 6ii's for a long time. I shot a huge professional event recently, (National Dragon Boat races here in Perth, Australia). There were over a thousand people there and there were moving boats, lots of images of people etc moving, I took over 2K images for the day and there would have only been around ten where I missed focus. The company I contracted to for the day were delighted with the images and are still raving about them. It is a shame that many people have written off the 6ii as too old, or the focus too terrible - but as you say, if you know your camera very well and get used to it, you can really make it work. The 6ii is now on run out discounted prices and I think is very good value. What is your take on all of this John?
Had a Zf and sold it. Still have the 28mm and 40mm, need to unload those too. I never got along with it not having an aperture dial. Not all the cameras fault, but the systems fault I guess, and didn't want to put on an adapter to make it work. But it can take nice images.
Voigtländer has native z-mount MF lenses with an aperture ring.
We are so spoiled with photography these days. We have lots of choices and cameras have been good since 2010 ish (at least for photography, can't speak for video).
Have the same issue with lag in VF/screen while taking longer exposures! Nothing like that happened with Z6, other than that camera is great
Just curious, are 24 megapixels sufficient to the clients for portrait work?
Honestly yes, there are only a handful of my corporate clients that are requesting high resolution for large print sizes. But the other 99% are perfectly fine with the 24mp headshot
I've shot several hundred headshots, (D1, D2, D3, D300 Df, Z6, Z6II, and now Zf)and never had a problem...I bought a D1 when they first came out for $5,000., because I couldn't afford a Kodak at $30,000...One of my clients was a LOCAL TV Station, who needed some portraits for billboards in the area. They were perfectly fine. If 1.7mb if good enough for billboards, 24mb should be great! I never had a client say anything about file size.
@@markswindler1431 excellent point. A bit off topic but I also discovered, being a night sky shooter, that higher resolution equals lower quantum efficiency. So I typically don’t go for cameras that have a resolution higher than 24mp.
Well said, many of these influencers are just making comments to boost views, they are not necessarily subject matter experts in photography. I have 3 Leica Ms and I have the ZF as well, at times you just want a good autofocus in a small package.
So many M users are using the ZF. It really does have a nice following across all brands.
The Nikon Z f is just great. I know it’s subjective, but I just “feel” this camera. Just a couple of seconds and I forget I have a camera in my hands. If you do BIF or have another need for telephoto lenses, then this is not the body for you. Otherwise it’s just like every other pro body.
Funny thing, I also use it when I can’t use the M11 / MP, mostly when I need AF.
I also don’t get the internet drama about the Z f 😉
It’s a great companion to the M11 system
The popular youtubers are typically a waste of time on here. They have to generate clicks out of making something out of nothing I have had their channels marked as not interested for years now.
I have switched to a ZF also and i just enjoy using it with a couple lenses i have all the S 1.8 lenses, but i just use it with the Voigtlander Z 50mm F/1.0 which is my favorite lenses right now and the nikon 28mm F/2.8 SE. I am likely going to grab the voigtlander 75mm F/1.5 when releases for Z mount later this month simply because i enjoy the 50mm so much.
It's an awesome camera in daylight. But in low light, it lags, when focusing. I encounterd this problem at my first event with it, at the venue. It is very annoying if you use it as the main camera. More exactly, in af-c, with any settings and energy saving off, original battery. For z9 you have the d22 setting, for zf you don't. I updated to 1.2 and the problem continues.
I don’t think anyone has expectations of this keeping up with the Z9 or the Z8 for that matter- definitely two separate leagues of cameras.
@@kaskoPhoto Not keeping up, but not to lag. Two different things. I said that Z8/Z9 have an option to get rid of this problem.
The f1.8 Z-primes are fantastic. The may look a bit plasticy, but the IQ is great. I’m not a typical ‘zoom-guy’, but the 24-120 Z is simply the best in class imo. At 20% of the price it is 95% of the 24-90 SL. I’ve used the Z-system, before moving to the SL2 and now SL3. Mostly for studio work, so I didn’t mind the size of the APO-SLs. From all the mirrorless systems, the Z is right up there with the SL and to me far more appealing than Canon or Sony. Just personal preference.
I promised myself not to start the "plastic" lens argument! LOL I love my 28 and 40... I am hoping some day either Nikon or Viltrox will make a 12 or 14 or 16 similar to the lower cost Nikons. And I am ever hopeful for a 85mm in a similar build. When I got into the Z system I came from Olympus. I got very used to the Olympus small form factor. I went into the Z5's and heavy zooms. I have since downgraded to APS-C Z50 and Z30. For my portrait and model work which is mostly for the net, the Z50's are awesome. But I would like a native 85mm (127.5mm). So I use a adapted 85mm G F1.8 and the results are great. I think one of things that Nikon has really gotten right is the lens mount and focusing system. I enjoy the way you "talk" photography, even when I don't agree! LOL!
Most youtubers only do reviews. It's really rare to see them talk about art.
After a while any reviewer become a nitpicker. Especially when most cameras got killer specs but they still need to create content.
Fair point
8:46 I was so confused at first, because it sounds like you said R8, but I am guessing you meant Z8. But once you started talking about weight, I knew what you meant. 😉
Yes I mumble! 😂 since I was 5.
The camera has an undervalued aspect. Durability. It passes the clunk against the table by accident test. This is not negligeable for everday carry around and being tough in the field. Most cameras are plastic and fragile electronics today. It's a problem. The only real issue I see with the ZF is related to video work. Rolling shutter is bad, like 10 years behind bad. Which is a shame.
The thing that blows me away about My Zf is the low light sensitivity. Far better than any other camera I have ever used. ISO 32,000 is very useable, 64,000 is not (huge difference). If I could change it I would have a tilt screen and not a flippy screen. Number one irritation by far. And I would like to have the dirlled and tapped shutter button actually work with a retro cable release. In what world do you need bluetooth to operate a retro camera? I am waiting to see if the Z6iii is bigger, has a flippy screen, requires bluetooth for remote shutter release. I suspect I will
keep the Zf. The Z6ii might be 33 MP and lose the low light sensitivity that makes the Zf special.
Try the Fuji XT-5…
I‘d be interested if it had F mount.
Use the FTZ II. That’s what it’s for. Works wonderfully on the Zf with F-glass.
I understand that TH-camrs like to recommend cameras and scoff at amateurs and semi-professionals who don't possess the latest gear, but however good the Zf is it requires a set of new lenses that I couldn't afford and don't need. My D800 still takes great photos using all my F lenses and I have other camera systems that work fine despite not having the latest gizmos, just manual controls that let me decide how I want an image to look. And yes, some are still film cameras.
Get a FTZ II adapter, and run most of your f-GLWS on the Zf. That’s what I do, it works wonderfully well. Ok, old AF-D’s are MF only on the Zf, but still a wonderful experience.
When people talk about retro they sometimes conflate the styling aspect of it and the user interface aspect of it. The frustration at least some of us have with the Zf is *not* that the lenses dom't have retro styling, but they lack aperture control on the lens. I have no nostalgia for that era, I simply find the PASM-less UI to be more understandable and efficient. When Sony, Panasonic and Sigma have lenses with aperture rings on them it's clear it's not about retro. (If anything I personally think the Nikon SE lenes look much worse than they non SE counter parts).
Why do I like this user interface? Many reasons, but among them is that I can my pointing finger for the trigger, my thumb for the compensation wheel and my left hand for aperture. That said, allowing you to customize the lens ring for aperture does bring you pretty close to my ideal setup.
I'm not a pro so my main barrier is price (not that it's expensive for what it is). If I was a pro the Zf would be top of my list of cameras to consider. To me it seems like the clear winner as the best autofocusing full frame camera.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, always interesting to hear from a true photo pro. You also explain things really well!
Thank you, and thank you for your perspective as well.
There is a channel that called you out for your views regarding “Professional Photographer” and “TH-camr”. Honestly, I understand your points and I know where you are coming from. I see a lot of TH-camrs pushing products to their viewers like the product is the must all end all and I find that irresponsible.
I hope they did a good job calling me out 😂. Must have hit a nerve.
@@kaskoPhoto his video is slightly out of taste. What you said about TH-camrs did really strike a cord in my opinion. I suggest you watch it and do a response to clear up what might have been understood and also to somehow clear your name
@@iamalexchua email me the link john@kasko.photo
Quite a while means over a month? 😊
Was that sarcasm or a question?
@@kaskoPhoto A question. How long have you had it? It hasn't been too long since it's official release.
I love my Zf too. But it took me some time to used for the manual focus routine. Before Zf I had fujifilm xt4. Zf doesn’t have a joystick for manual focus (you can use the buttons but it’s not an ideal option) but I can use the touchscreen as a ‘touchpad’ so I did that. And I set one button for zoom in for focusing and there was that only one thing I was little sad. When you want to manually focus on something, you choose the point and zoom in, there is not the horizontal check mark (in zoom in view), so I had to zoom out after focusing to see if I’m ok, now I know the routine and do that automatically but it took me some time. I love this camera with 50 mm f1.8 and it is a joy to manually shoot with it.
I actually really enjoy using the touchscreen for moving my focus point. I got used to it with the Hasselblad X1D
I like this no nonsense video... and TH-camrs sound dumb, vias, and are annoying with all the nit picking they do. Thank you for this video and I love my ZF and Z8 :) cheers.
I'm using my Z50 for events with no problem. ZF is also good for work. Dayum other Yoo Too Bers.
Who complains about battery life should go to a shoot with the old Sony RX1RMk2 :D On a evening walk I needed 4 batteries :D :D The ZF is really nice
You know I never got to shoot that camera! Always wondered about it.
@@kaskoPhoto stunning lens on it, was great for the time. But maybe a tad too small, hard to hold. But with this copout viewfinder quite inventive. I heard that Sony is thinking about a new fixed lens full frame... lets see :D
Is Ken Rockwell a youtuber or pro? He made a video about this camera and he didn't like it. He said he couldn't get his photos in focus. 😂😂😂
Maybe he forgot to charge the battery. I think it’s more impossible to get a photo out of focus than it is to get one in.
This has the same attractive qualities and following like Fujifilm had with their "dial" cameras but lost after they went all in on PASM dial cameras. Nikon has stepped up filling that void.
I don’t disagree much with the thoughts expressed. But this is not an update about the camera and your experience. The majority of the time and energy spent here was on TH-camrs and their reviews. I take no issue with you making a video about your perspective on what other YT content creators are doing (from where I sit, you too are a TH-camr). Please just title your video appropriately. I kept waiting for you to talk about the camera.
Noted
At 2.45 you got a new sub for speaking the truth 🤘
Hopefully that’s all I will do on this channel. But I know if I sway you and others will call me out- and it will be appreciated
I have this camera but I hate Nikon Z lenses..way too big. I bought a megadap adapter just so I can use sony lenses because sony has some smaller lenses
How did the Sony lenses work on ZF?
Me too! I am rocking the 40mm g for the aputure ring and 28-60mm and they fit the camera so well!
@@kaskoPhoto actually works pretty good. The autofocus feels like native glass with the megadap adapter.
@@chronocross85 thank you. I would like to try the Sony 50 1.2 on the ZF - love the lens and the size.
@@kaskoPhoto Yea the adapter is so thin that you can't even tell there is an adapter attached to the camera.
Great insights here but really not a fan of the divide you put between TH-camrs and photographers. There’s a huge amount of extremely talented ones out there.
Correct, like I said in my video, there are some real working photographers that have TH-cam channels.
He's just talking about full time TH-camrs that criticize and collect gear - as the sole point of their channels.
Need higher mg count . That is about it .
Bro forgot he was a TH-camr
Clever, but I’m 60… I can’t remember my name half the time. Keep spreading the love.
Well, TH-camrs are just voicing their opinions, and you what they say about opinions...
This camera was literally not made for professionals ….
I’m ok with using it professionally