I’ve been a professional photographer since 1980 using 2 Nikon FM’s and an F3 and Nikon all the way through film and digital. The ZF is absolutely incredible! In this little fellow not much bigger than an FM you have a system camera that is as capable as the Nikon Z8 or even the flagship Z9! You have the ability to use it manually changing speeds with a manual dial or you can use the wheel dials as with non ‘retro’ models. So say the ergonomics are not good with larger lenses but fitted with a grip I can use my 400mm without even thinking about it left hand under the lens barrel right hand on the grip and shutter just like I did all those years ago with the FM’s! I absolutely love this little marvel of a camera especially when paired with Voigtlander lenses you get that ‘back to the future’ pleasure which affords my love of photography to flow. Sorry you didn’t like it but everyone to their own, but it is truly a professional camera because I make my living using it.
I had a Leica m240 and I sold it. I just bought a Nikon Zf with the money I got from m240. To be honest the image quality is better with Zf, Af works perfect plus it is also fun to use manual lenses. The PSAM mode selector I think better than Fuji's way. It is much quicker when you need to get another mode. I think you are not used to as you said.
I got back into photography after seeing an advertisement for the Zfc. It put out great photos, but after a while I felt so many of the things you talked about. Even if I could look past the flaws of the camera, the lack of available lens for this type of camera pushed me over the edge. I left for Fujifilm and never looked back. I aspire to a Leica M but Fujifilm has kept me satisfied for now. Thank you for the video and your honest opinion!
Thank you! Fujifilm perfected the "digital analogue" experience while Leica M models stayed analogue, even though they have a digital sensor inside. I don't think that Leica is necessarily "the next step" as a Fuji Shooter - the X system is the most "completed" one right now with great cameras and lenses for a reasonable price and awesome quality. Little do I regret selling nearly all my Fuji stuff.
100% agree with your thoughts. The Zf felt cheap and flimsy to me when I held it, even compared to a more modern Nikon d700 (which is built like a tank). The reviews that say the build quality is good, apparently don't know what good build quality is anymore. I still might get one bc it's a good deal for more modern tech, but I would have paid more for all metal construction and better tactile buttons.
@@dromokratis It's not your style but there are multiple grips for the Zf. I think you would have like it more with some "vintage" modern lenses like voigtlander. And also I think you misunderstood the brand, Nikon/Sony/Canon are all about doing the job faster and easier for the photographer, that's why modern Z lenses don't have aperture rings. I liked your review, very honest! :)
Σ'ευχαριστώ φίλε μου, να'σαι καλά! Η Zf δυστυχώς για 'μένα δεν κάνει, αλλά αξίζει μία δοκιμή! Σε λίγο καιρό θα έχω και μερικά βίντεο από Ελλάδα στο κανάλι!
Well, you are so used to the build quality of $10000 camera that it is hard for you not to notice some shortcomings of $2000 camera. But for us, mere mortals, the build quality is enough. But I do miss aperture ring on lenses, this is why I’m going Voigtlander route.
Aus der Perspektive eines Leica Fotografen gebe ich dir mit den Einschränkungen recht, die Nikon ist keine Leica M und wird es auch nie werden. Was die Kamera in meine n Augen ist, eine Verbindung von alt zu neu, ein Maschine für beide Welten. Ich bediene sie genau anders als du es beschreibst, nur mit dem Monitor, eher wie ein Handy mit besseren Einstellmöglichkeiten. Die Kamera spricht auch jung e Menschen an die nicht sofort das ganze Fotografenwissen der alten analogen Fotografen ihr eigen nennen. Ich habe sie mir gekauft und war sofort verliebt, die Bedienung ist einfach, die Bildqualität ist sehr gut und die Videofunktionen sind fast auf einer Ebene mit der Z8. Du fragst für wen die Kamera etwas ist? Für alle die eine Retro Kamera mit modernen Möglichkeiten benutzen wollen und für die eine Leica zu teuer, zu schwer und umständlich in der Bedienung ist. Ich für meinen Teil würde nie eine Leica benutzen, eine Nikon ZF aber andauernd. Jeder hat da so seine Meinungen. 🙂
Wenn man einmal der Haptik der Leica M verfallen ist, dann tut sich jede andere Kamera schwer dagegen anzustinken. Hasselblad und Fuji (hier vor allem das Bedienkonzept) schlagen sich da noch gut.
With no hand grip, total deal breaker, I hold my camera for 2-3 hours shooting an event. What was Nikon thinking with that non-hand grip in a $2000 camera?
Hi. I use Sony cameras for work. For fun I have a Leica M3 and M10P. I'm thinking about selling the M10p and my Summiluxes because I need the money. I was thinking about ZF and Voigtlander 40mm 1.2 Z. But after your review, I don't know if this is the camera for me.
Try the combo in a store. The Zf & Voigt 40F1.2 Z is my favourite combo ever and I have been shooting for nearly 50 years. Also have the 40SE, 35F1.8Z & 24-70 F4Z. It really is well built, awesome B&W. Try it out for yourself and don’t base your decision on one review..
I'm really confused as to why you even considered buying this camera. The Nikon Zf is not even in the save league as any Leica and shouldn't have been compared. The Zf is a great camera, but, if you don't like holding it you won't use it. Sell it and save for another Leica that you'll be happy with.
Thank you for the review. I do not understand why you are comparing this to a Leica build quality. The leica cost 3 to 4 times more than this camera. You went and bought this one in a completely wrong mindset. Just FYI, you can use your Leica lenses on you Nikon ZF aswell.
@@dromokratis Good review. As nice as Nikon. ZF is, they just are not Leicas. As a Leica user you already leapfrogged Nikon. Dissapointment was inevitable. The reason Z lenses are so large is because they have a ton of elements in them, even the primes. Great for accuntancy and chart numbers, but lack the magic of M mount lenses of many variations. Not just Leica glass, but many other M mount lenses will bring you things into view that others just won't, and I use, and have used all of them at one point or another. Even against GFX glass, I will take Leica mount stuff every single time. M mount adaptor on GFX, especially on wide and superwides don't well work either. Leica body with M mount glass is unbeatable.
I’ve been a professional photographer since 1980 using 2 Nikon FM’s and an F3 and Nikon all the way through film and digital. The ZF is absolutely incredible! In this little fellow not much bigger than an FM you have a system camera that is as capable as the Nikon Z8 or even the flagship Z9! You have the ability to use it manually changing speeds with a manual dial or you can use the wheel dials as with non ‘retro’ models. So say the ergonomics are not good with larger lenses but fitted with a grip I can use my 400mm without even thinking about it left hand under the lens barrel right hand on the grip and shutter just like I did all those years ago with the FM’s! I absolutely love this little marvel of a camera especially when paired with Voigtlander lenses you get that ‘back to the future’ pleasure which affords my love of photography to flow. Sorry you didn’t like it but everyone to their own, but it is truly a professional camera because I make my living using it.
Voigtlander Z-F adapter & lenses combination does the trick. Complete with functional aperture ring. A decent grip is quite inexpensive.
Gratulation zum ersten Video! Bin gespannt auf weitere Erfahrungsberichte über die Nikon! Und ganz klar.. FD rockt!
Vielen Dank! Es ist einiges an neuem Filmmaterial geplant, auch mit mehr Action als Sofatalk! :)
...und ganz klar, FD ist ganz vorn!
I had a Leica m240 and I sold it. I just bought a Nikon Zf with the money I got from m240. To be honest the image quality is better with Zf, Af works perfect plus it is also fun to use manual lenses. The PSAM mode selector I think better than Fuji's way. It is much quicker when you need to get another mode. I think you are not used to as you said.
have you tried using a 6bit M mount adapter on your ZF? Theyre a lot smaller.
I got back into photography after seeing an advertisement for the Zfc. It put out great photos, but after a while I felt so many of the things you talked about. Even if I could look past the flaws of the camera, the lack of available lens for this type of camera pushed me over the edge. I left for Fujifilm and never looked back. I aspire to a Leica M but Fujifilm has kept me satisfied for now. Thank you for the video and your honest opinion!
Thank you!
Fujifilm perfected the "digital analogue" experience while Leica M models stayed analogue, even though they have a digital sensor inside. I don't think that Leica is necessarily "the next step" as a Fuji Shooter - the X system is the most "completed" one right now with great cameras and lenses for a reasonable price and awesome quality. Little do I regret selling nearly all my Fuji stuff.
100% agree with your thoughts. The Zf felt cheap and flimsy to me when I held it, even compared to a more modern Nikon d700 (which is built like a tank). The reviews that say the build quality is good, apparently don't know what good build quality is anymore. I still might get one bc it's a good deal for more modern tech, but I would have paid more for all metal construction and better tactile buttons.
First one I've heard the camera is too light!
It definitely looks heavier and would be more balanced with vintage lenses with only a few grams more.
@@dromokratis It's not your style but there are multiple grips for the Zf. I think you would have like it more with some "vintage" modern lenses like voigtlander.
And also I think you misunderstood the brand, Nikon/Sony/Canon are all about doing the job faster and easier for the photographer, that's why modern Z lenses don't have aperture rings.
I liked your review, very honest! :)
Ωραία τα λες παικταρά μου ! Fuji boy εδώ αλλά κοιτάω την Zf... καλή επιτυχία στο κανάλι !!
Σ'ευχαριστώ φίλε μου, να'σαι καλά! Η Zf δυστυχώς για 'μένα δεν κάνει, αλλά αξίζει μία δοκιμή!
Σε λίγο καιρό θα έχω και μερικά βίντεο από Ελλάδα στο κανάλι!
@@dromokratis μετά χαράς θα τα παρακολουθήσω!
Well, you are so used to the build quality of $10000 camera that it is hard for you not to notice some shortcomings of $2000 camera. But for us, mere mortals, the build quality is enough. But I do miss aperture ring on lenses, this is why I’m going Voigtlander route.
I’m using 4 Voigtlanders and the magic happens with the ZF but also with Z series lenses
Interesting observations re. build quality. Every other review I watched claim build quality as a forte. And a cut above Fuji.
100%, I've owned Fujis and now I have a Nikon, build quality is superb on the zf
love it! looking forward to the next video already 🖤
Thanks mate, I appreciate that! ♥️
Aus der Perspektive eines Leica Fotografen gebe ich dir mit den Einschränkungen recht, die Nikon ist keine Leica M und wird es auch nie werden. Was die Kamera in meine n Augen ist, eine Verbindung von alt zu neu, ein Maschine für beide Welten. Ich bediene sie genau anders als du es beschreibst, nur mit dem Monitor, eher wie ein Handy mit besseren Einstellmöglichkeiten. Die Kamera spricht auch jung e Menschen an die nicht sofort das ganze Fotografenwissen der alten analogen Fotografen ihr eigen nennen. Ich habe sie mir gekauft und war sofort verliebt, die Bedienung ist einfach, die Bildqualität ist sehr gut und die Videofunktionen sind fast auf einer Ebene mit der Z8.
Du fragst für wen die Kamera etwas ist? Für alle die eine Retro Kamera mit modernen Möglichkeiten benutzen wollen und für die eine Leica zu teuer, zu schwer und umständlich in der Bedienung ist. Ich für meinen Teil würde nie eine Leica benutzen, eine Nikon ZF aber andauernd.
Jeder hat da so seine Meinungen. 🙂
Wenn man einmal der Haptik der Leica M verfallen ist, dann tut sich jede andere Kamera schwer dagegen anzustinken. Hasselblad und Fuji (hier vor allem das Bedienkonzept) schlagen sich da noch gut.
Du hast es auf den Punkt gebracht!
With no hand grip, total deal breaker, I hold my camera for 2-3 hours shooting an event. What was Nikon thinking with that non-hand grip in a $2000 camera?
Hi. I use Sony cameras for work. For fun I have a Leica M3 and M10P. I'm thinking about selling the M10p and my Summiluxes because I need the money. I was thinking about ZF and Voigtlander 40mm 1.2 Z. But after your review, I don't know if this is the camera for me.
Try the combo in a store. The Zf & Voigt 40F1.2 Z is my favourite combo ever and I have been shooting for nearly 50 years. Also have the 40SE, 35F1.8Z & 24-70 F4Z. It really is well built, awesome B&W. Try it out for yourself and don’t base your decision on one review..
@@MickVee thanks
Besorg die den Nikon Handgriff und die Unterseite ist aus Metall. Dann noch ein Voigtländer für Z-Mount und alles passt.
I'm really confused as to why you even considered buying this camera. The Nikon Zf is not even in the save league as any Leica and shouldn't have been compared.
The Zf is a great camera, but, if you don't like holding it you won't use it. Sell it and save for another Leica that you'll be happy with.
What can a Leica camera do over a Nikon Zf for $2,000?
@@WidePhotographsEver used a Leica?
@@Burritosarebetterthantacos never used a Leica. What experience am I missing out on?
@@WidePhotographs Pictures wise you can likely get the same results with some post editing
Thank you for the review. I do not understand why you are comparing this to a Leica build quality. The leica cost 3 to 4 times more than this camera. You went and bought this one in a completely wrong mindset. Just FYI, you can use your Leica lenses on you Nikon ZF aswell.
Großartiges Video!! 😊✌🏻❤️🧿
Dankeschön 🤗
Nice work, that was tough being surrounded by land mines. ❤😂🎉
Great comments. 👍🏻
Thank you! 😊
I agree. It has some great features and versatility but it’s plasticky. Not like a Fuji or actual vintage. I’d rather not have vintage styling.
Geeeeez, photographers complain a lot lol, SMH
The body is magnesium, not plastic. Most photographers these days don't seek heavy cameras on purpose.
Very honest review but you can only get so much for the price!
I dont think you know about nikon ecosystem. You should stay with Leica and Fuji. Dont waste your time with Nikon.
You're absolutely right! I gave it a half-hearted try, but it's not for me.
@@dromokratis Good review. As nice as Nikon. ZF is, they just are not Leicas. As a Leica user you already leapfrogged Nikon. Dissapointment was inevitable. The reason Z lenses are so large is because they have a ton of elements in them, even the primes. Great for accuntancy and chart numbers, but lack the magic of M mount lenses of many variations. Not just Leica glass, but many other M mount lenses will bring you things into view that others just won't, and I use, and have used all of them at one point or another. Even against GFX glass, I will take Leica mount stuff every single time. M mount adaptor on GFX, especially on wide and superwides don't well work either. Leica body with M mount glass is unbeatable.