Nice review, I agree with you as it relates to the ergonomics of the camera but it’s easily fixed with a handgrip. I prefer the Neewer handgrip over the Small Rig one. The Neewer grip feels better in the hand and matches the aesthetics of the camera with the red stripe on it. That said, I’m a long-time Fujifilm shooter and this camera in every way reminds me of the X-T line of cameras from Fujifilm only better. I have three kits consisting of the Leica M10-R, LUMIX S5II, and the Nikon Zf. I own the Fujifilm X-Pro3 as well but my love for that camera is an addiction so I don’t shoot it much anymore because if I pick it up I won’t pick up any other cameras for street, travel, and photojournalism. 😅 That said, I’m 99.9% a photographer first and I added the Zf to my kit as a photography camera. I didn’t and don’t care at all about the video features. I wish Nikon had left them out and made this camera strictly a photo centric camera. If I want video, the LUMIX S5II is the best in the game for the price point which is why it’s a part of my kit. Until the Zf, I never shot a Nikon camera especially not one of the mirrorless cameras. I’m beyond impressed with what they accomplished with this first Zf out the gate. Like you, I use vintage lenses on the Zf. My lenses of choice are the Minolta ROKKOR line of lenses, the 28mm f2.8, 45mm f2, 50mm f2, and the 50mm f1.7. The ability to use face and eye detect with manual focusing lenses is a cheat code to the highest order and no other camera manufacturer has that ability to date. Along with my Minolta lenses, I use Voigtlander M glass which I share on all of my kits. Namely, the 28mm f2 Ultron ASPH MkII, 35mm f2 APO, 50mm f2 APO, and the 90mm f2.8 APO. The only autofocus NIKKOR lenses I own is the 24-120mm f4 S, which is a fantastic lens for this camera. I use it for events all the time and even some portrait work when I’m not shooting with a manual lens. I can only see this camera getting better with firmware updates and look forward to seeing what Nikon does with the Mark II of this camera. It is my hope they make it more photo centric and less of a hybrid camera. Every camera doesn’t have to include video, Leica understands that and I’m hoping Nikon gets the memo as well. Keep shooting mate.
Nikon has already released a photo-centric camera - Nikon Df and was a complete failure. It’s good that the company’s marketers analyzed the needs of the market and the company’s management worked on the mistakes and released Nikon Z F with amazing photos and decent video capabilities.
With the IBIS, and low-light sensitivity, if you set into B&W mode, you can practically use this camera as a night vision scope. It's amazing, just the tiniest bit of ambient light, and you can see all sorts of wildlife late at night.
I've been using the Zf professionally since Oct'23 (6 months) taking architectural and portrait photos. I have had good results with it. Great quality images, no complaints! For my work, if it had a little more resolution, it would be welcome. I also would like the camera screen to be tiltable (like on the Sony A9 - 4-Axis Tilting). I know that you can program buttons in this camera, but I would appreciate, if it had some dedicated buttons on camera body for quick adjustments, e.g.: Bracketing button, Button to change the AF type, Camera settings U1, U2. In any case, the camera is excellent and worth every penny!
Love to see Nikon finally smashing it out of the park. I've used them since 2008. I have wanted to switch soooo many times but the Z system showed promise so I stayed. With the Z8 I'm now all-in Nikon and the Zf really got the best of the Z8 and is an incredible offering. If the Z6iii is announced and is a re-skinned Zf I'll be adding one of these to the kit!
Same I've been a Nikon user since a kid. Had SLR, DSLR and now mirror less cameras. The Z8 is an amazing camera. Enjoy. Hopefully we will hear something soon about the Z6III
Re the grip, I don't personally agree the camera is bad in general. I do agree it's bad with big Z lenses or larger/heavier adapted lenses (which messes with the balance and probably requires you to grip it harder due to lenses having some nose dive which torques your hand). This was also true of cameras like the F3/FM2. For those situations, absolutely put a grip on if you need to have the camera in your hands all the time. Using the 26/28/40 lenses you can just drape it around your neck and it's light enough to just carry around like that and bring up when you need it. I think the camera has been bought by a lot of professionals because of how good the value proposition is at 2K, but I don't think that was really the target market. Hopefully Nikon releases some more small lenses. FWIW I have been enjoying the 105 macro on the Zf, which is quite a large lens and I tend to carry it by the lens, not the body.
Great review! I disagree about the AF since this is not a camera that most people will or would use for birding, other than that, great review. I love mines too, and wow, can you imagine how good the next iteration would be? Exciting times. For now, we should enjoy the present and not worry about the future, cheers.
If you like the retro look and you are using old manual focus lenses, I’d advise using an adapter that suits the retro styling. There are some nice and affordable adapters that blend in with the retro styling. Of course Cosina Voigtlander produces nice Z mount lenses - the 40mm/1.2 is somewhat affordable and a nice standard prime. Of course there are also various Chinese manufacturers like TTArtisan who make nice full frame manual focus lenses for Z mount.
Thanks for the tip! I recently found an adaptor that matches the retro look and old retro lens as well. Voitlander lens are great but hard to get in stock in the USA.
The Nikon Z5 is another great camera designed for the street. . For $996 (best sale price) and with the almost for free 40mp f2 lens ($277), I am 100% impressed. Nikon is back!!!
It's a slight pity that the ‘f’ didn't stand for ‘F’ lenses. While the ‘z’ lenses are absolutely crackerjack wonderful - I wish I could use my old FM2 glass (particularly the 55mm and the 105mm flat field macros). Yes, you can get an adaptor with or without the contacts, but it adds extra length and shifts weight forward. Still, it is a gorgeous camera. I have to agree with you that the grip and the glass option could perhaps be more user-friendly in the next version. Oh! I meant to mention I think the Voigtlander glass and tiny adaptor might solve the ‘z’ lens dilemma.
Voightlander makes native Z mount (no adaptor needed) manual focus lenses with aperture rings that pair perfectly with this camera and fully support EXIF and IBIS. -PD
I originally had the Z6 and the Z fc before selling and moving to the zf . The only thing I didn’t like is it didn’t have a XQD slot, so now have XQD card I cannot use . My Godox flashes worked fine in ITTL and manual on my old mirrorless cameras , but now I have the zf they will not work in ITTL only manual. Some of my non Nikon branded batteries that worked fine and I had no trouble with , the camera comes up with a warning and refuses to let me use them. Just give me a yes/no option Nikon . I would have also would have liked a bbf button and an extra programmable button on the front . Apart from those little Nigel’s I love my ZF and is one of the best cameras I have had from Nikon .
There’s two key points you got wrong. 1. You are supposed to hold the camera like a SLR camera not like a DSLR or Mirrorless camera (while using without the grip). * I’m actually using the camera without the grip and once you get the hang of it’s comfortable and you can shoot a long time too. 2. I agree, a joystick would have been nice but ZF offers something different witch matches the asthmatic of the camera. While shooting, look through the View Finder (not the lcd display) and when you do toggle your thumb on the display, you’ll see that the display is now your joystick and it’s way smoother. ** please try these two points and you will see the difference yourself. By the way, here’s an spoiler, it will make the shooting process more fun.
I agree that is a workaround but I don't like that it is the solution. I personally almost never have the LCD screen flipped out and don't want my grubby nose and face running all over the LCD lol.
@@derekdaniel9839 absolutely. I love that there is the option to use the LCD as a sort of focus joystick, but the screen being out like that gives me anxiety lol. Everytime I flip it out, the way I handle the camera changes to be much more cognizant of the screen. Idk if that is good or bad though. Probably destroy the screen when it's closed against the body due to this false sense of confidence that it is completely fine as a swing it around my body lol
Regarding #2 - Where in the menu can I set up this functionality? Mine does not do this although I am also wondering does this work with every focusing mode that has a point or just single, wide s/l?
I wish there is a cover for the sensor when it's not powered on. It gets dirty too often. Nikon should make a F to Z adapter with screw drive focusing motor and all the AF and AF-D lens owners will be very happy. Crop in 4K/60 is probably sensor px count limitation.
Tried the ZF-C didn't like it. It's feels like plastic and the grip is terrible. The ZF did fix a lot of issues. Still didn't expect them to release a camera like this.
I want zf, but i need to invest money in tools for work. Ergonomic of nikon zf looks not so friendly. Big professional lens on this camera not sitting well, also with grip. I don't now... Nikon image quality is great, but i have a Fuji setup and better think is upgrade to X-H2s. More functionality, less price on market in our country. I didn't get the right choice, bouth is great...
I have a Zf, a Z8 & a Z9. They do everything, Except, the Zf needs a Firmware upgrade for Bird Subject Detection!!! It’s a wonderful Travel Camera and has many other uses. BUT! I hate to drag around a Z8 or Z9 when traveling or to trade off the Zf for a Z6III just to have Bird Detection! Please Nikon??!!
I don't get why every reviewer is bitching about the grip of the Zf (facepalm) Just get the f..n accessory and let the rest of us enjoy the camera as is ;P
B&W is definitely the rage these days; it was a very smart move for the dedicated B&W toggle.
I love it. My go to picture mode now!
Nice review, I agree with you as it relates to the ergonomics of the camera but it’s easily fixed with a handgrip. I prefer the Neewer handgrip over the Small Rig one. The Neewer grip feels better in the hand and matches the aesthetics of the camera with the red stripe on it. That said, I’m a long-time Fujifilm shooter and this camera in every way reminds me of the X-T line of cameras from Fujifilm only better.
I have three kits consisting of the Leica M10-R, LUMIX S5II, and the Nikon Zf. I own the Fujifilm X-Pro3 as well but my love for that camera is an addiction so I don’t shoot it much anymore because if I pick it up I won’t pick up any other cameras for street, travel, and photojournalism. 😅 That said, I’m 99.9% a photographer first and I added the Zf to my kit as a photography camera. I didn’t and don’t care at all about the video features. I wish Nikon had left them out and made this camera strictly a photo centric camera. If I want video, the LUMIX S5II is the best in the game for the price point which is why it’s a part of my kit.
Until the Zf, I never shot a Nikon camera especially not one of the mirrorless cameras. I’m beyond impressed with what they accomplished with this first Zf out the gate. Like you, I use vintage lenses on the Zf. My lenses of choice are the Minolta ROKKOR line of lenses, the 28mm f2.8, 45mm f2, 50mm f2, and the 50mm f1.7. The ability to use face and eye detect with manual focusing lenses is a cheat code to the highest order and no other camera manufacturer has that ability to date.
Along with my Minolta lenses, I use Voigtlander M glass which I share on all of my kits. Namely, the 28mm f2 Ultron ASPH MkII, 35mm f2 APO, 50mm f2 APO, and the 90mm f2.8 APO. The only autofocus NIKKOR lenses I own is the 24-120mm f4 S, which is a fantastic lens for this camera. I use it for events all the time and even some portrait work when I’m not shooting with a manual lens.
I can only see this camera getting better with firmware updates and look forward to seeing what Nikon does with the Mark II of this camera. It is my hope they make it more photo centric and less of a hybrid camera. Every camera doesn’t have to include video, Leica understands that and I’m hoping Nikon gets the memo as well.
Keep shooting mate.
I will have to try the Neewer grip. Still learning how to hold this camera. I'd like to try the wooden custom grips as well.
Nikon has already released a photo-centric camera - Nikon Df and was a complete failure. It’s good that the company’s marketers analyzed the needs of the market and the company’s management worked on the mistakes and released Nikon Z F with amazing photos and decent video capabilities.
Own the Zf for 2 months now. The feature I love most is the ibis.
And low light capability
The ibis on this camera is really good. I don't feel like I need a gimbal.
With the IBIS, and low-light sensitivity, if you set into B&W mode, you can practically use this camera as a night vision scope.
It's amazing, just the tiniest bit of ambient light, and you can see all sorts of wildlife late at night.
Thank you very much for your efforts and honest review. We wish you well for your channel and photography.
Thanks for watching!
As I listened to you 3 minutes into your video, I glanced at your subscribers and thought I'd fine 100k+. You are a real pro - subscribed!
I've been using the Zf professionally since Oct'23 (6 months) taking architectural and portrait photos. I have had good results with it. Great quality images, no complaints! For my work, if it had a little more resolution, it would be welcome. I also would like the camera screen to be tiltable (like on the Sony A9 - 4-Axis Tilting). I know that you can program buttons in this camera, but I would appreciate, if it had some dedicated buttons on camera body for quick adjustments, e.g.: Bracketing button, Button to change the AF type, Camera settings U1, U2. In any case, the camera is excellent and worth every penny!
Not a perfect camera but the first version it has so much good stuff. Maybe V2 will have an updated design and better software.
I also like that the Zf is not too small.
I like the size it has and the build.
Solid camera overall!
Love my Zf and the Autofocus is incredible. I’ve used it alongside my z8 for a league football at night and it tracks incredibly well.
A ZF and a Z8 is a crazy combo. I use this ZF as my everyday camera and Z9 for professional work.
Love to see Nikon finally smashing it out of the park. I've used them since 2008. I have wanted to switch soooo many times but the Z system showed promise so I stayed. With the Z8 I'm now all-in Nikon and the Zf really got the best of the Z8 and is an incredible offering. If the Z6iii is announced and is a re-skinned Zf I'll be adding one of these to the kit!
Same I've been a Nikon user since a kid. Had SLR, DSLR and now mirror less cameras. The Z8 is an amazing camera. Enjoy. Hopefully we will hear something soon about the Z6III
Great vid thanks! Subbed.
Thanks for the sub! More Nikon content coming soon!
Re the grip, I don't personally agree the camera is bad in general. I do agree it's bad with big Z lenses or larger/heavier adapted lenses (which messes with the balance and probably requires you to grip it harder due to lenses having some nose dive which torques your hand). This was also true of cameras like the F3/FM2. For those situations, absolutely put a grip on if you need to have the camera in your hands all the time. Using the 26/28/40 lenses you can just drape it around your neck and it's light enough to just carry around like that and bring up when you need it. I think the camera has been bought by a lot of professionals because of how good the value proposition is at 2K, but I don't think that was really the target market. Hopefully Nikon releases some more small lenses. FWIW I have been enjoying the 105 macro on the Zf, which is quite a large lens and I tend to carry it by the lens, not the body.
Me too. I hope nikon does design a few lens for this camera. Or maybe 3rd party lens will created.
Great review! I disagree about the AF since this is not a camera that most people will or would use for birding, other than that, great review. I love mines too, and wow, can you imagine how good the next iteration would be? Exciting times. For now, we should enjoy the present and not worry about the future, cheers.
True. But it's already in the Z8/Z9. Maybe it's a simple fix in firmware update.
I have two z9s and I’m using Zf most of my time. It’s incredible camera for video and stills
Definitely agree. Z9 is for high end pro productions. The z F is an everyday use camera.
If you like the retro look and you are using old manual focus lenses, I’d advise using an adapter that suits the retro styling. There are some nice and affordable adapters that blend in with the retro styling. Of course Cosina Voigtlander produces nice Z mount lenses - the 40mm/1.2 is somewhat affordable and a nice standard prime. Of course there are also various Chinese manufacturers like TTArtisan who make nice full frame manual focus lenses for Z mount.
Thanks for the tip! I recently found an adaptor that matches the retro look and old retro lens as well. Voitlander lens are great but hard to get in stock in the USA.
The Nikon Z5 is another great camera designed for the street. . For $996 (best sale price) and with the almost for free 40mp f2 lens ($277), I am 100% impressed. Nikon is back!!!
That it is. Haven't tried that camera just yet.
It's a slight pity that the ‘f’ didn't stand for ‘F’ lenses. While the ‘z’ lenses are absolutely crackerjack wonderful - I wish I could use my old FM2 glass (particularly the 55mm and the 105mm flat field macros). Yes, you can get an adaptor with or without the contacts, but it adds extra length and shifts weight forward. Still, it is a gorgeous camera. I have to agree with you that the grip and the glass option could perhaps be more user-friendly in the next version. Oh! I meant to mention I think the Voigtlander glass and tiny adaptor might solve the ‘z’ lens dilemma.
Voightlander makes native Z mount (no adaptor needed) manual focus lenses with aperture rings that pair perfectly with this camera and fully support EXIF and IBIS.
-PD
I am looking to try out some Voigtlander again. I tried the Voigtlander 50mm f/1.0 and loved it. Might buy one and review it later.
I originally had the Z6 and the Z fc before selling and moving to the zf . The only thing I didn’t like is it didn’t have a XQD slot, so now have XQD card I cannot use . My Godox flashes worked fine in ITTL and manual on my old mirrorless cameras , but now I have the zf they will not work in ITTL only manual. Some of my non Nikon branded batteries that worked fine and I had no trouble with , the camera comes up with a warning and refuses to let me use them. Just give me a yes/no option Nikon . I would have also would have liked a bbf button and an extra programmable button on the front . Apart from those little Nigel’s I love my ZF and is one of the best cameras I have had from Nikon .
You probably just need a firmware update for your Godox lights and/or trigger - if not the new Nano transmitter definitely works with the Zf.
-PD
It's a great camera. It makes me hopeful for what the Z6III/z7III will be in the future.
There’s two key points you got wrong.
1. You are supposed to hold the camera like a SLR camera not like a DSLR or Mirrorless camera (while using without the grip).
* I’m actually using the camera without the grip and once you get the hang of it’s comfortable and you can shoot a long time too.
2. I agree, a joystick would have been nice but ZF offers something different witch matches the asthmatic of the camera. While shooting, look through the View Finder (not the lcd display) and when you do toggle your thumb on the display, you’ll see that the display is now your joystick and it’s way smoother.
** please try these two points and you will see the difference yourself. By the way, here’s an spoiler, it will make the shooting process more fun.
I agree that is a workaround but I don't like that it is the solution. I personally almost never have the LCD screen flipped out and don't want my grubby nose and face running all over the LCD lol.
@@just_A_Hack honestly speaking I 100% agree with you, I feel way better without LCD screen flipped out
@@derekdaniel9839 absolutely. I love that there is the option to use the LCD as a sort of focus joystick, but the screen being out like that gives me anxiety lol. Everytime I flip it out, the way I handle the camera changes to be much more cognizant of the screen. Idk if that is good or bad though. Probably destroy the screen when it's closed against the body due to this false sense of confidence that it is completely fine as a swing it around my body lol
Regarding #2 - Where in the menu can I set up this functionality? Mine does not do this although I am also wondering does this work with every focusing mode that has a point or just single, wide s/l?
I've tried without the grip. It probably me, I like to hold me camera too tightly. Hopefully a better design in V2 will come in the future.
I wish there is a cover for the sensor when it's not powered on. It gets dirty too often.
Nikon should make a F to Z adapter with screw drive focusing motor and all the AF and AF-D lens owners will be very happy.
Crop in 4K/60 is probably sensor px count limitation.
I do also wish a sensor shield was on the ZF. Thankfully it's a good sensor and not as sensitive as the z6.
Word is there's a rangefinder style in the works by Nikon as well! The Nikon ZS :)
That would be cool. I'm hoping for the Z6 mark III
Mayle, I am wrong. I see bird detection @14:20?
That was aZ9
That was my Z9 i think i forgot to add the subtitle in that scene.
This is the Fujifilm retro camera killer.
For sure. Maybe we can see more body designs like the ZF in the future.
Do you mean quirks? Lol great video just ordered myself a Zf
After a while it's not quirks. Congrats on the Z F.
errr, yeah they did expect it; they were hankering after it even before the ZF-c
Tried the ZF-C didn't like it. It's feels like plastic and the grip is terrible. The ZF did fix a lot of issues. Still didn't expect them to release a camera like this.
“96 Megapixels! That’s almost 100 Megapixels!” 🤣 (I mocked, but I also liked this video.)
Having looked at 96 mega pixels its so much over kill.
I want zf, but i need to invest money in tools for work. Ergonomic of nikon zf looks not so friendly. Big professional lens on this camera not sitting well, also with grip. I don't now... Nikon image quality is great, but i have a Fuji setup and better think is upgrade to X-H2s. More functionality, less price on market in our country. I didn't get the right choice, bouth is great...
Fuji cameras are amazing. But I like the full frame feel. This is why I didn't like the ZF-c (Aps-c) camera. I am jealous of Fuji's preset colors.
I have a Zf, a Z8 & a Z9. They do everything, Except, the Zf needs a Firmware upgrade for Bird Subject Detection!!! It’s a wonderful Travel Camera and has many other uses. BUT! I hate to drag around a Z8 or Z9 when traveling or to trade off the Zf for a Z6III just to have Bird Detection! Please Nikon??!!
My guess is z6III/z7III will probably have a similar detection system to z8 but smaller bodies.
Your channel is underrated.
Thanks! Well I am just getting started. Better content to come.
Nice video. Please stop saying "this camera"😂
I'll do my best next time! Thanks for watching.
Retro lenses look horrible with that FTZ adapter.
Any lens with the adapter looks pretty ugly. The viogtlander manual lens are a dream on this lens.
Naekon no...Neekon yes
I think it's probably my American accent your hearing there 😉
I don't get why every reviewer is bitching about the grip of the Zf (facepalm)
Just get the f..n accessory and let the rest of us enjoy the camera as is ;P
I agree ! or they can get the Nikon Z6ii, Z8 or Z9. So many choices.
No camera is perfect, this one just hurts my hands after. Still needed to be honest about the review.
Why do American say N-eye-con. It’s Nikon!!!
Why do you call it "zed" mount? Its "zee" mount!!!
It's two hundred years of mixed language? History books are great🙂
At this point Nikon themselves have stated that "Nye-kon", "Nic-on", and "Nee-kon" are all correct so this is really a non-issue anymore.
-PD
We need accent marks on our "America" English. Either wise we will say it how we wish.
Sorry but it costs almost 3000 euros / dollars with a lens....
Ok?
With pricing of camera it's under $2000 at the moment. You can get a Sony AS1 for under $1500 used but that is a very old camera at this point.
A Sony a9 MK I is 1500$ used and is a load better camera still in 2024..
If you really want to compare apples to oranges.
Yes and no. A a9 mk I is good but it doesn't fit many people's need. This is more action users then everyday users.
@eddiecarrascojr I believe the camera has WaveForms for video
It has. The other thing is it takes a good amount of effort to turn it on. Not the easiest menu to understand
It does but I never figured it out on the ZF. Not as easy to turn it on as the Z9/Z8.
Quality content, hope you get maaany more subs in the near future! 👍 And about Zf: great merge of Nikon feel & Fuji retro design.
Thanks more videos to come.