Hey Everybody! Iv had such a good time shooting the Zf and there’s lots of other stuff to show you about this camera soon. What do you think about the Zf Let me know Thanks again ❤
I really like the subject detection options. And the touch screen for the AF POINTS...freaking wooow. Oh yeah, finally, the flip screen is SUPER nice! It's definitely an incredible camera, especially for what's packed in it for what it's worth too.
I'll admit the more I think about it the more intrigued I am by the Z f. I am a sucker for retro design in any case, and part of what I am using the U1-3 modes on the Z 6 for is almost superfluous considering the physical dials for almost, well, everything. But as I switch around a lot between different styles of photography, could you perhaps confirm one thing for me: the "C" setting on the ISO dial means I can then set ISO and especially enable/disable ISO-A by command dial? That would be great, as this is one of the few things Nikon didn't get right with the Z fc in my book.
Another ideal use case for this Zf - the classroom. It’s a perfect camera to learn the basics of photography - tactile dials, and puts the user in a more thoughtful mindset I believe. The advanced options are there when the photographer is ready. Additionally, teaching composition skills in black & white mode is a big advantage and could be very useful.
Unfortunately I'd disagree. I think the Zfc and Zf are *bad* tools for learning the basics because of the PSAM dial. Unlike Fujifilm X-series cameras, the Zfc and Zf have a PSAM dial that can contradict the settings of any given other dial. It'll be confusing even for people who know their non-retro cameras inside and out. I think Nikon does it because they expect most users to be "converts" from regular cameras (with front and back dials and PSAM and maybe auto ISO) but I think it's more likely to confuse than to reassure.
@@efevisuals_ The local college has set two parameters for their photography students on the first year of their course, the camera must be able to use film and must have a manual mode. The college has a fully equipped darkroom and students will be able to D&P their films then print them via an enlarger. Working digitally comes towards the end of year one and most of year two. The logic behind the first year is to get students to slow down and think about their composition, lighting etc etc. Seems to work as the course is full with kids on a waiting list in case anyone drops out.
@@gyozakeynsianism Perhaps the instructor can krazy glue the mode switch then. Or, simply set settings constraints for each assignment, and trust that students will abide by them. It's not that difficult.
Great review with lots of useful info! As a Nikon shooter since 1980 (starting with an F2AS and then an FM), I can tell this is going to be a huge success. Currently use a Z9 & Z5 Walkaround combo and a pair of pristine F2AS film cameras so I have all the “retro” I really need for now but when it comes time to upgrade the Z5, this Zf will definitely be on the list. Really chuffed about the brass dials- they look amazing!
As far as I'm concerned the F2AS was legend. I owned one with all the lenses including a fantastic 55mm macro, but lost it under dubious circumstances. I miss it every single day, 40 years later.
I'm definitely replacing my Z6II with probably 2 of these. I don't need the extra MP from Z8, and not bothered by the micro SD as it'll just be a backup and probably never even leave the camera. Throw a grip on there and it's just as comfortable to use for longer periods of time.
Ricci, the way you present all this stuff is awesome. I love it. That openness and honesty combined with the thoroughness and obviously the type of gear access you have is nowhere else to be found.
His videos are excellent, but he knows more of forthcoming products and keeps things quieter than Area 51. We need clues on what "Plena" means!!! Is it the 35mm or 135mm??? Anything Ricci, a hint, a morsel, a crumb... we can't take the pressure and uncertainty much longer 😳😳😳
Looks great but many little questions that will take time and documentation to answer. Obviously there will be speculation about what of the new featured on the Zf could be added to the Z8/Z9 - Focus Point VR and HighRes being just 2 - but if course you cannot speculate. Specific questions -- how customisable are the buttons on the Zf -- can the AE-L button be used as AF Mode+AF-ON like the Z8/Z9 allows on their programmable buttons. The Touch AF "pad" is something I go used to on the X2D-100C and it is fine. Does Subject Detection include Aviation or is it the same as the Z9? How to use High Res Shooting - 4, 8, 16, 32 shots -- but a maximum 96MP RAW file out from NX Raw What is the difference when using each option particularly 16 or 32 shots -- are there frame averaging benefits as well. DOWN SIDES -- micro HDMI port and micro SD -- but at least they are there. Questions -- rolling shutter with this "slower" sensor -- ok not the same sensor as the Z6ii but .... how will it perform in video or Electronic Shutter? Power consumption - battery life - I could not see a CIPA measurement for stills.
I'm an OG Z6 owner, and this looks like something I'd get for myself this Christmas. Enough new features to warrant an upgrade, good value for the specs and yes, the aesthetics of my camera is important to me. If I am able to sell my Z6 then I would be able to have this for not a lot of money.
Grew up with analog dials, Contax system, mastered it. Then Canon 5D2, Sony 7iii, excellent. but missed the wholesome appearance, control and feel. This Nikon blew me away and almost had an instant love affair with it. I hope it has an optional hand grip to mount out front because that is so good, safe, handling is better. But WOW, WELL DONE.
As a hapyy zFc owner (hobbyist who mostly takes pictures for fun and sometimes for my work) it seems like the Zf has all the upgrades that I put on my wishlist when I first used the zFc : built-in slight grip with option for bigger grip , more metallic chassis , double memory card , faster shutter speed (though 1/16 000 electronic shutter would’ve been nice) , full frame , IBIS etc. It has all of them EXCEPT 30+ megapixels , which is a shame because that was my main gripe . I like being able to crop my shots (especially the few I take for work) and to simply have that lattitude when editing or when taking low light pictures . So now I’m torn . All the upgrades it has are great but are quality-of-life and build-quality and it’s hard to justify a 2000$ purchase when the image quality is going to remain essentially identical . EDIT: actuvely trying not to get instantly won over by the brass dials and currently failing .
Me, being a non-pro shooter who has honestly become increasingly casual over shooting in the last few years since COVID, will likely use this as the camera for everything moving forward. I love the retro aesthetics, 24 MP is plenty for me, and I have the backup slot I desire for the rare times I do paid work anymore. Improved IBIS, improved AF over the Z6/7 II, and enhanced low light AF ability are all things that are a benefit. The Zfc also pleased me, I just wish it had IBIS.
I'm really considering it. My Z6 has been a workhorse for the past 4 years and the Zf looks like one that would be much more "casual" for the work I do. Loving the the specs of Zf, now that the real specs are out. Great video overview Ricci! Anxious to see your review on a real Zf production model!
I wish I didn't already have two perfectly good Z bodies, then I'd have a reason to get this one. Beautiful! That cable shutter release - I never thought I'd see one of those on a modern camera!
@@kevrosas1 and how many aren't APS-C? How many have IBIS? How many shoot 4k 60? How many have focus point based IBIS? How many have machine learning focusing?
This is the first camera video I have seen in 3 months, for some reason they do not show up, but it does not matter, where I live none of the cameras are available. Not lusting after new models actually has been nice, since I shoot a lot every day and 80% of my income comes from portrait, studio, events and more and more video. The street photography both for fun and for clients has been fun. Still shoot 90% with a Z6 and the remainder D850 or D800 and the results from all of them are very pleasing. I have not felt it was essential to move to a higher pixel count sensor, I think I would like a Z8 or Z73 and then sell the DSLRs. I have never sold a camera, they are too much a part of me, nor would I see my dog for the same reason. I have given some away to beginners who showed enough interest in developing their skills by using simpler gear. The Z6 despite it not being cool anymore to most, is still all I need, or anyone actually needs. I do not see improvement from friends who are always getting the newest models. One friend has had 8 new cameras since I got the Z6 and he still has not developed a style or perspective in his images to see them as any more than snapshots. All that said, the ZF looks good, with great features and the new AF functions so a lot of people will be interested, but with so few missed focus frame AF would not be high priority for me, 2 in 500 frames is typically my missed focus rate with the Z6 so if it goes to 1 in 500 it would be hard to justify switching The Z8 is probably the addition that would make the biggest difference due to pixel count, if it plays nicely with strobe without a mechanical shutter. A Z7III would keep muscle memory retention from the Z6, will probably be my next addition so I hope it comes out before my next return visit to my native USA. I would be there 2 weeks, so I will need to wait for the initial rush by the camera switchers to settle down so they are on shelves. Your videos are the ones that I pay attention to, you are most informed, have the best balance of priorities and offer the most reliable insights so I hope to see your episodes about final release firmware performance of the ZF.
Why did I watch this, lol. The Z f is on my list but this makes me want to get it sooner than later. I love the Z fc for street and snapshots but the dials are a bit underwhelming, brass dials are a welcome addition. I keep my Z fc in B&W mode just to differentiate it from my other cameras and to entice me to use it more, having the flexibility to change that with a dial is even more tempting. Always appreciate your videos and thanks for keeping the community informed and for being the voice Nikon needs to supplement their marketing.
Hey, you got the idea of sandpaper from the Aussie cricketers.They sanded to ball for an old effect!...lol...LOOKS GREAT, I think Nikon made an error to not have silver along with black...but they may be a "special" model that brings $$$...I'll follow the sandpaper path!
Personally, if i'm doing portraiture or otherwise using LED or strobe lighting, I almost prefer the mechanical shutter whenever possible . While I haven't necessarily run into any issues with the Z8 and it's electronic-only "shutter" I have heard stories about people getting banding in some cases in shadow areas when shooting in certain conditions with electronic shutters versus mechanical. I do have to say the 8-stops of IBIS is impressive, especailly considering this exceeds the rating of the Z8 (which is 6-stops). Hopefully the addition of 3D AF improves AF though and tracking. I wonder if the increased flexibility in the customization of the AF-C areas will come to the Z8 and Z9 through firmware (maybe v2.0 for the Z8 and v4.x for the Z9). At least they gave the Zf dual card slots, and in some respects, I'd glad they went with SD + micro SD because both of those cards be found quite cheap these days. CFE's are still a bit on the expensive side (per GB) but they are coming down in price, but it's nice that we do get dual card slots on the Zf, despite on being micro SD, but at 24MP, I doubt your RAW images are going to be huge and even a 512GB card will give you a lot of storage. I too have steered towards the higher MP cameras myself, although I do have a Z5 that got converted to an IR camera (got it when the Z5 went to $999 and I wasn't ready to invest $3000 into a camera I may not keep long term, so the Z5 at $999 was perfect for this task). I've had the Z6 and Z6 II but ultimately sold them to get the Z8 and really most of my photography is with my Z7 II or Z8 as I do prefer the high res sensors (doing mostly landscape, some portraiture, and travel photography, all of which I think can benefit from higher MP sensors for detail, and in the case of travel ,some cropping to crop things out that you can't "crop out" in camera so I can still end up with a decent sized image I could still print large with the Z7 II and Z8 even after some cropping).
Man, it IS really pretty. The more I see it, the better it looks. I love it. About the sensor not being locked in place when the camera is turned off: Pentax is known for producing some pretty rugged cameras, which also have IBIS, and they don't lock it in place either. I used to have Pentax DSLRs and if I shook the camera quickly from side to side, I could hear the sensor assembly moving around. But it was never a problem, and I don't know of anyone who had a problem with a Pentax DSLR because of this. 20:10 Been there last Sunday. :)
For years I used a pair of Nikon FM2s, after beginning with Minoltas (SRT-201, XK, XD11). Then, I put my Nikons aside and took up bridge, as a hobby. When I, recently, decided to return to photography, I decided to go digital and sold my manual gear and bought a Z6, after flirting with the Z50, which I have since passed on to my daughter. Now, I have the Zf which reminds me, aesthetically, of my old FM2s. I couple it with the 24-70 f/4, despite having a few primes, and am a happy camper.
My first Nikon was a well used black body Nikkormat. The dials didn't wear like that, but the edges and corners of the camera had the brassing that you talk about. Wish I'd never sold it.
my comment isn't so much for the new Nikon Zf camera but for Nikon ibis in the Z9. I'm a sport photographer and while at a baseball game at a major league game here in south Florida, my Z9 fell from about 4.5 feet onto the concrete seating area. The camera somehow detached itself from the FTZ adapter while attached to a Nikon 400mm 2.8 lens while resting over my shoulder on a monopod. I am sure it was locked on the adapter. So.......this was a sickening feeling but I picked it up, reattached it to the lens and fired at high fps rate and it worked just fine but I sent it to Nikon for an examination and to check the ibis specifically. It hit the concrete so hard that there were indentions into the frame top near the aperture dial. the report form Nikon was no damage to report. That was an amazing fall for the Z9 to come through without damage and I checked the ibis when I got it back and yes it worked fine, I wonder if it locks when turned off. Nikon makes a tough camera. I've used it for many games since and it performs just fine. Don't drop your camera......
Two questions please…… Surely to complete the retro look you need retro looking lenses. But, correct me if I’m wrong, there’s only two available… a 28 and 40mm, neither of which are fast. If you put a normal Z lens on this camera it will spoil the retro look, do you agree? And secondly….regarding the braising, which I agree looks cool, would the body brass too or just the dials? As you don’t make it clear. If the body brassed it would be great. Thanks.
Ricci, can you answer: are all the buttons customisable? As in the AE.L button, the information button, the front bottom near the lens. Also, do the front and rear control dials click in as a button as well as being wheels (like Fuji buttons?). I love the camera but coming from Fuji where I don’t have to ever open the menu because of the number of customisable buttons, understanding exactly what we can customise on this body would be a great help. Thank you.
Thank Ricci for you video. I'm a wild life photographer, mostly birds and and I hesitate switching from my D500 to Zf. Do you think Zf is as good as the D500 in term of af c? Thank you.
Great video, Ricci! Just wondering if you can use the Dpad for changing the focus point? Not sure if I can adjust to just a touch screen for this purpose. Also, what is the 1/3 stop setting on the shutter speed dial? Thanks so much!
Brilliant review Ricci. A very interesting release from Nikon. Proof they are a fantastic camera brand. Now they can get to work on the mark iii 6 & 7 and a few more primes 😂
Thanks for an amazing review Ricci, love it! No IBS lock... I can live without that. The Brass rubbing- It makes it look like a proper, well used and much loved camera. I've used Nikon for over 40 years now and would admire Nikon even more if they pick up on that and maybe just start with the rims of the knobs unpainted. That face-on view at 15:24... ok not for everyone... Me? I love it. Good move with the cards and the EN-EL15c battery, again not for everyone but, life would get very boring if we were all the same. As for the 24mp's, I still have and use a D5100 which is 16mp and lives in the car. My first one died after about 10 years and was un-economical to repair, I liked that camera so much I bought a refurb one for less than the cost of a repair. If I see something and jump out of the car camera in hand, I'm not counting pixels I'm grabbing a lucky shot. And if some thieving sod snatches it out of the car it's no big loss. I'm looking forward to any updated reviews when you get the time to produce something.
Great review! As usual your reviews are always the first on my list. Thank you!
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IMMEDIATELY WANT IT. That's is coming from a guy who was immensely passionate for cameras, but have completely lost interest for the last (almost) 10 years. Nikon scored big this time.
Very appealing camera -- however, I saw that the IBIS-mechanics will not be locked in a fixed position, when powered-off. Wouldn't this be a problem to damage the IBIS mechanics e.g. on hiking tours? How to clean the sensor, when the IBIS is not in a fixed position (or is there a certain "sensor cleaning function" to lock the IBIS for cleaning?). Thanks for your opinion ...
Hey Ricci, what does the C position on the ISO dial do? Can it be used to enable auto-iso? That was the biggest control issue with the Zfc for me as I like to be in auto-iso a lot but then sometimes override.
"One small but welcome update is that the ISO dial now only locks into its new C position, which should make it much easier to use. When it’s set to C, you can change the ISO setting using onscreen controls, or use Auto ISO without having to dive into the menus (which was an irritation with the Z fc)" Taken from the Amateur Photographer's initial look review.
The videos from Ricci are always my first source of information to decide on which lens or camera to buy... thanks for the very factual and thorough reviews! Hopefully we will continue to see videos on the latest Nikon releases. I would have very much liked a comparison between the Z 70-180 2.8 and the Z 70-200 2.8 ...
That thing looks beautiful. Though I have been hoping for a Z6 III actually, as I‘m still on Z6 and the II just wasn‘t enough of an upgrade for me to bother. And the Zf looks almost perfect. One gripe I’d probably have is the shallow hand grip, I very much like the deeper grip on other cameras. I have been shooting 400+ mm handheld recently, with my trusty Sigma 150-600 C no less, and it’s _almost_ as light as the Nikkor Z 180-600 but I don’t think either would be much fun on the Zf. That one looks like it is made for the city. The lack of an IBIS lock also is testament to that in my book. So TL;DR I hope there will be a shutterless Z6 III with similar specs soon …
One addendum, one question. Firstly, I expect there will be a version of the GR-1 grip for the Zf, forgot about that existing. Meaning one can then just put a deeper grip on the Zf as an accessory for e.g. shooting handheld with heavier lenses. Secondly Nikon mentions VR lock as a new feature only in Z9 and Z8 actually. Could it be IBIS in older Z models just allowed for less sensor movement, thus making an explicit locking mechanism unnecessary? I.e. maybe it possibly became an issue only in newer models with their beefed up IBIS systems? I expect a heavy FF sensor with a lot of leeway to be most prone against shock damage at least. It still means one probably has to take some care with the Zf abroad.
Finally we have what we have been waiting for, Ricci thank you very much for the good news and this video, I will be waiting for a detailed video from you about setting up Nikon Zf.
Been longing for 10-bit/N-Log for so long in my Z6ii along with a fully articulating screen & AF improvements, so this is a very welcome addition to the lineup! The retro styling looks really cool, but I do wonder if I would still feel the same after a four hour shooting session & my hand cramping up on that tiny grip 😑 I appreciate you mentioning the weathering on the dials too. That's a really nice touch that I haven't seen mentioned anywhere, including Nikons own marketing and is a really groovy little feature that I could see myself really loving over time & feeling that satisfaction every time I look at it
10-bit/N log in Zf body is reassuring that next Nikon full frame mid level camera might have this feature. Love the retro design aesthetics of Zf but for practical day to day use will wait for Z6/Z6ii type body. Hope they launch something like Z6iii soon.
@@prashantpatil8396 it's sad that for so many years Nikon users had the choice of 12-bit raw in the super expensive flagship or 8-bit in everything else. Very glad to be seeing 10-bit reaching the mid level bodies, N-Log is really underrated
Thanks Ricci. Is the top plate brass too? I notice the iso dial has a “c” setting, I assume this enables auto iso on the Zf thankfully. I’d love to see the Zfc have this option for the H1 and H2 position of the same dial as it would reduce the amount of menu diving on a retro camera…
Thank you for the great info and first look as always! Do you think Nikon will implement a monochrome raw output like the Pixii rangefinder camera via software that can be linked to the B/W switch on the camera? That would be an incredible feature without having a dedicated monochrome sensor.
I upgraded from a D5600 to a Z6ii last year, really don't need to upgrade already but l love the brass dials and retro look and improved AF and stabilization are always welcome. Only concern is that i won't like the lack of grip on this body style. Anyone have any comments on how comfortable this body style is to hold compared to a Z6?
I think Nikon has a Winner here, for those who like the older SLR look. This one resembles a FM. I wonder if they will release one that is like the F3HP?
Ricci, if you have the ability to do so, can you request a 5:4 aspect ratio mode from Nikon? I shoot portraits way better when I can compose it in camera
Love the brassing of the dials, it’s an art to weather them just enough to look natural but also stylish. Is the top plate brass? That would look good with a bit of careful brassing.
I could really like this camera with all its dials instead of menu or button to push. Love the brass parts and how that will age, this camera reminds me of my film cameras from Nikon. Thanks for the great review.
I can't imagine another reviewer getting away with abrading a review camera to see how the patina will look. I also had no idea I was really interested in that "feature". Huge props. :^)
15:25 👏👏👏this is why I watch your video .This is what review should be all about. Giving the viewers an idea of what the product is .... as predicted. 😃
What a treat of a camera. Cant wait to add it to my (every agnostic) kit as a fun EDC kind of like a Leica Q3 but with the 40mm prime. Great video as always
What's the C setting on the ISO dial? And do the knobs lock in place at all settings or similar to Zfc where the shutter dial only locks in certain positions?
A very tempting Walk-about camera - Will certainly consider maybe early next year or 12 moths down the road. Till then will have to endure the weight of my Z9 :) Great video Ricci
Good overview Ricci. Now that the Zf has finally been released it is what everyone was expecting with a couple of surprises. You can order it with various leather skin colors including Moss Green (the top and bottom sections are still black)....thankfully Minty Green is not an option as with the Zfc. Now many Nikon fans are awaiting the Z6iii but that could be months away.
It would have been nice if nikon made lenses for this kind of model camera. Imagnie using the nikon z85mm f1.2 it defeats the purpose of being small and lightweight.
Lovely looking retro style camera which I’m sure Nikon will sell with. However I own both a Z9 & Z8 so it’s not for me. But watching Jared Polins video I see it still suffers the problem of the tracking box locking onto the eye/subject but after downloading the images it’s actually missed the focus. And since I’ve updated my Z9 & Z8 I’ve not been as happy with the focusing and it’s as though something isn’t quite right. Maybe I was having an “off day” but I’ll be back out this weekend doing motorsport photography to see what’s going on.
Thank you for your last quick response, one more question, does ZF have extended shutter speeds for long exposure? I will preorder if yes, I want one in green, thank you!
Hi, just a quick question in between: How good do you think the Eye AF (for stills) of these cameras is in comparison??? >> Nikon Zf Nikon Z7 II (with LATEST firmware) Sony A7R III (with LATEST firmware) Thanks!
I gave in and pre-ordered mine. I'll be reselling my Z6 ii along with other lenses to make up the difference and I'm pretty much getting this for free. Once Nikon releases the Z6 iii (which BTW, I think it would probably be bumped to a high MP range), I'll purchase that as my main body.
Thanks Ricci, what are your thoughts on 40 f2.0 ? I am a Sony user with A7iii and A7iv. Was looking to get a travel cam and looked at Fuji XS20, A6700, A7Cii but Nikon Zf looks like a good option for casual use. At the same time wondering if the weight would be hinderance. So the 40 f2 becomes important to keep the overall package down. But heard some bad reviews of it when shot wide open. Would be great to listen to your thoughts on it. thanks.
Do you have to press the top button on the locking dials everytime, or can you have the dials in fully open mode all the time? Personally I feel that is a dealbreaker if you have to push that button down everytime you want to make an adjustment. Then I'd rather be completely without the locking feature.
thx for the informative video! one question: do you really need to press the center button of the speed wheel all the time when you want to change the speed? also im with you: why did nikon not shipped the camera with the brass shown on the sides? :)
Hello Ricci, This is to me looks a very interesting camera. I think there are a lot of DSLR/film photographers who will love all the manual controls on this camera. As some one who only this year upgraded my last DSLR to the Z system I know there is a learning curve, that no one talks about ie all of the focusing modes and the I menu. Yes the Z system is lovely, but I find so many Nikon shooter come up to my and say they are sticking with the D850/D5 I just say these are both amazing cameras and as they are happy why change. This new Nikon Zf does not look as intimidating as some of the other Z cameras but offers all of the features and more under the hood. I think this camera will do very well for Nikon. Keep well, keep safe and alway find time for a smile. :)
I use my Zf for everything, and recently I ‘discovered’ Nikon’s software: NX Tether in combination with NX Studio. In the past I didn’t even consider these, but must say it works great, especially after I learned that the ‘Apply Edits to Transferred Pictures’ in NX Studio is the ‘copy from last’ command I could not find in the help file😅. Anyway- picture quality of the Zf in Nikon software is really awesome, highly recommended.
I love the idea and it truly looks beautiful, but after one experience with a retro style camera, I know that when I look at the camera, I love the retro looks, when I look through the viewfinder, I love the handling of a modern body. Wish both had matched in this body. Would have loved to have bought this as a second body to my Z9. I am looking forward to the next software update to my Z9
Thanks for the advice @@RicciTalks ; I would not expect it to have the ergonomics or adjustability of the Z9; it is just that I need a light, portable back up body that can be my primary travel camera. I am not sure if the ergonomics would allow for DSLR type of handling. That is what concerns me. I suppose I need to wait for the Z6III and then decide if I need a ZF, Z6III or Z8 to satisfy that role
Something that must be mentinoed about the batteries is that yes the Zf can use older EN-EL15 batteries like the EN-EL15a, EN-EL15b, EN-EL15c, and the EN-EL15 (Li-ion 20), but it cannot use the EN-EL15 (Li-ion 01). I have 2 of the EN-EL15 (li-ion 01) 's and when I try to use them the camera says "Shutter release disabled. Recharge Battery." You can see if your EN-EL15's are one that can work by checking it's label to the right of the recycle symbol.
As a owner of the Z50 (and hobbyist photographer) and critic of Nikon for not having affordable mid-range and APSC cameras with similar AF to the Z8/Z9. The new ZF is great new affordable FF camera. Unfortunately for me Nikon still hasn't introduce an APSC camera with great AF (D500 replacement). Also the new ZF is a RETRO camera which I simply hate (I may be in the minority), but if Nikon would have introduce this camera in the Z6II body, I may have switch a FF camera. I think the new ZF features (except for the 24.5 megapixel; prefer maybe 33 megapixel) and specification are awesome, again the Retro body is just not for me.
Hey Everybody!
Iv had such a good time shooting the Zf and there’s lots of other stuff to show you about this camera soon.
What do you think about the Zf
Let me know
Thanks again ❤
I really like the subject detection options. And the touch screen for the AF POINTS...freaking wooow. Oh yeah, finally, the flip screen is SUPER nice! It's definitely an incredible camera, especially for what's packed in it for what it's worth too.
I love the orange color one
Lovely review! Do you anticipate using the Smallrig grip for the Zf,?
Thank you
I'll admit the more I think about it the more intrigued I am by the Z f. I am a sucker for retro design in any case, and part of what I am using the U1-3 modes on the Z 6 for is almost superfluous considering the physical dials for almost, well, everything. But as I switch around a lot between different styles of photography, could you perhaps confirm one thing for me: the "C" setting on the ISO dial means I can then set ISO and especially enable/disable ISO-A by command dial? That would be great, as this is one of the few things Nikon didn't get right with the Z fc in my book.
Another ideal use case for this Zf - the classroom. It’s a perfect camera to learn the basics of photography - tactile dials, and puts the user in a more thoughtful mindset I believe. The advanced options are there when the photographer is ready. Additionally, teaching composition skills in black & white mode is a big advantage and could be very useful.
Unfortunately I'd disagree. I think the Zfc and Zf are *bad* tools for learning the basics because of the PSAM dial. Unlike Fujifilm X-series cameras, the Zfc and Zf have a PSAM dial that can contradict the settings of any given other dial. It'll be confusing even for people who know their non-retro cameras inside and out. I think Nikon does it because they expect most users to be "converts" from regular cameras (with front and back dials and PSAM and maybe auto ISO) but I think it's more likely to confuse than to reassure.
WTF? Normal students use cameras like 1200D or 90D, not a 2700€ camera.
@@efevisuals_ The local college has set two parameters for their photography students on the first year of their course, the camera must be able to use film and must have a manual mode. The college has a fully equipped darkroom and students will be able to D&P their films then print them via an enlarger. Working digitally comes towards the end of year one and most of year two. The logic behind the first year is to get students to slow down and think about their composition, lighting etc etc. Seems to work as the course is full with kids on a waiting list in case anyone drops out.
@@gyozakeynsianism Perhaps the instructor can krazy glue the mode switch then. Or, simply set settings constraints for each assignment, and trust that students will abide by them. It's not that difficult.
Other reviewers got Zf for an hour with chaperone. Rici got it for longer, no chaperone and he was able to sand off paint from dials. Priceless. :)
Great review with lots of useful info! As a Nikon shooter since 1980 (starting with an F2AS and then an FM), I can tell this is going to be a huge success. Currently use a Z9 & Z5 Walkaround combo and a pair of pristine F2AS film cameras so I have all the “retro” I really need for now but when it comes time to upgrade the Z5, this Zf will definitely be on the list. Really chuffed about the brass dials- they look amazing!
As far as I'm concerned the F2AS was legend. I owned one with all the lenses including a fantastic 55mm macro, but lost it under dubious circumstances. I miss it every single day, 40 years later.
I'm definitely replacing my Z6II with probably 2 of these. I don't need the extra MP from Z8, and not bothered by the micro SD as it'll just be a backup and probably never even leave the camera. Throw a grip on there and it's just as comfortable to use for longer periods of time.
That's my thinking. The only downgrade is the back ae-l button. But like...whatever. give your thumb a workout
Ricci, the way you present all this stuff is awesome. I love it. That openness and honesty combined with the thoroughness and obviously the type of gear access you have is nowhere else to be found.
His videos are excellent, but he knows more of forthcoming products and keeps things quieter than Area 51.
We need clues on what "Plena" means!!! Is it the 35mm or 135mm??? Anything Ricci, a hint, a morsel, a crumb... we can't take the pressure and uncertainty much longer 😳😳😳
Who knows 😂😂
Looks great but many little questions that will take time and documentation to answer.
Obviously there will be speculation about what of the new featured on the Zf could be added to the Z8/Z9 - Focus Point VR and HighRes being just 2 - but if course you cannot speculate.
Specific questions -- how customisable are the buttons on the Zf -- can the AE-L button be used as AF Mode+AF-ON like the Z8/Z9 allows on their programmable buttons.
The Touch AF "pad" is something I go used to on the X2D-100C and it is fine.
Does Subject Detection include Aviation or is it the same as the Z9?
How to use High Res Shooting - 4, 8, 16, 32 shots -- but a maximum 96MP RAW file out from NX Raw
What is the difference when using each option particularly 16 or 32 shots -- are there frame averaging benefits as well.
DOWN SIDES -- micro HDMI port and micro SD -- but at least they are there.
Questions -- rolling shutter with this "slower" sensor -- ok not the same sensor as the Z6ii but .... how will it perform in video or Electronic Shutter?
Power consumption - battery life - I could not see a CIPA measurement for stills.
I'm an OG Z6 owner, and this looks like something I'd get for myself this Christmas. Enough new features to warrant an upgrade, good value for the specs and yes, the aesthetics of my camera is important to me. If I am able to sell my Z6 then I would be able to have this for not a lot of money.
Grew up with analog dials, Contax system, mastered it. Then Canon 5D2, Sony 7iii, excellent. but missed the wholesome appearance, control and feel.
This Nikon blew me away and almost had an instant love affair with it. I hope it has an optional hand grip to mount out front because that is so good, safe, handling is better. But WOW, WELL DONE.
This is the most in-depth review I've seen today. Thank you!
As a hapyy zFc owner (hobbyist who mostly takes pictures for fun and sometimes for my work) it seems like the Zf has all the upgrades that I put on my wishlist when I first used the zFc : built-in slight grip with option for bigger grip , more metallic chassis , double memory card , faster shutter speed (though 1/16 000 electronic shutter would’ve been nice) , full frame , IBIS etc.
It has all of them EXCEPT 30+ megapixels , which is a shame because that was my main gripe . I like being able to crop my shots (especially the few I take for work) and to simply have that lattitude when editing or when taking low light pictures .
So now I’m torn . All the upgrades it has are great but are quality-of-life and build-quality and it’s hard to justify a 2000$ purchase when the image quality is going to remain essentially identical .
EDIT: actuvely trying not to get instantly won over by the brass dials and currently failing .
Me, being a non-pro shooter who has honestly become increasingly casual over shooting in the last few years since COVID, will likely use this as the camera for everything moving forward. I love the retro aesthetics, 24 MP is plenty for me, and I have the backup slot I desire for the rare times I do paid work anymore. Improved IBIS, improved AF over the Z6/7 II, and enhanced low light AF ability are all things that are a benefit.
The Zfc also pleased me, I just wish it had IBIS.
I'm really considering it. My Z6 has been a workhorse for the past 4 years and the Zf looks like one that would be much more "casual" for the work I do. Loving the the specs of Zf, now that the real specs are out. Great video overview Ricci! Anxious to see your review on a real Zf production model!
I have my order in
Iv been really impressed with it it’s picture quality does just feel different.
Thanks for watching!
I wish I didn't already have two perfectly good Z bodies, then I'd have a reason to get this one.
Beautiful!
That cable shutter release - I never thought I'd see one of those on a modern camera!
Majority of the fujifilms have the cable release.
@@kevrosas1 and how many aren't APS-C? How many have IBIS? How many shoot 4k 60? How many have focus point based IBIS? How many have machine learning focusing?
Wtf does that have to do with what he said? His statement was accurate. Modern Fuji cameras have them. @@toddysurcharge771
This is the first camera video I have seen in 3 months, for some reason they do not show up, but it does not matter, where I live none of the cameras are available. Not lusting after new models actually has been nice, since I shoot a lot every day and 80% of my income comes from portrait, studio, events and more and more video. The street photography both for fun and for clients has been fun. Still shoot 90% with a Z6 and the remainder D850 or D800 and the results from all of them are very pleasing.
I have not felt it was essential to move to a higher pixel count sensor, I think I would like a Z8 or Z73 and then sell the DSLRs. I have never sold a camera, they are too much a part of me, nor would I see my dog for the same reason. I have given some away to beginners who showed enough interest in developing their skills by using simpler gear.
The Z6 despite it not being cool anymore to most, is still all I need, or anyone actually needs. I do not see improvement from friends who are always getting the newest models. One friend has had 8 new cameras since I got the Z6 and he still has not developed a style or perspective in his images to see them as any more than snapshots.
All that said, the ZF looks good, with great features and the new AF functions so a lot of people will be interested, but with so few missed focus frame AF would not be high priority for me, 2 in 500 frames is typically my missed focus rate with the Z6 so if it goes to 1 in 500 it would be hard to justify switching
The Z8 is probably the addition that would make the biggest difference due to pixel count, if it plays nicely with strobe without a mechanical shutter. A Z7III would keep muscle memory retention from the Z6, will probably be my next addition so I hope it comes out before my next return visit to my native USA. I would be there 2 weeks, so I will need to wait for the initial rush by the camera switchers to settle down so they are on shelves.
Your videos are the ones that I pay attention to, you are most informed, have the best balance of priorities and offer the most reliable insights so I hope to see your episodes about final release firmware performance of the ZF.
Why did I watch this, lol. The Z f is on my list but this makes me want to get it sooner than later. I love the Z fc for street and snapshots but the dials are a bit underwhelming, brass dials are a welcome addition. I keep my Z fc in B&W mode just to differentiate it from my other cameras and to entice me to use it more, having the flexibility to change that with a dial is even more tempting. Always appreciate your videos and thanks for keeping the community informed and for being the voice Nikon needs to supplement their marketing.
Hey, you got the idea of sandpaper from the Aussie cricketers.They sanded to ball for an old effect!...lol...LOOKS GREAT, I think Nikon made an error to not have silver along with black...but they may be a "special" model that brings $$$...I'll follow the sandpaper path!
Do you think a silver and black one will be produced? Or one with the 45MP sensor? The latter would be the icing on the cake for me.
Personally, if i'm doing portraiture or otherwise using LED or strobe lighting, I almost prefer the mechanical shutter whenever possible . While I haven't necessarily run into any issues with the Z8 and it's electronic-only "shutter" I have heard stories about people getting banding in some cases in shadow areas when shooting in certain conditions with electronic shutters versus mechanical. I do have to say the 8-stops of IBIS is impressive, especailly considering this exceeds the rating of the Z8 (which is 6-stops). Hopefully the addition of 3D AF improves AF though and tracking.
I wonder if the increased flexibility in the customization of the AF-C areas will come to the Z8 and Z9 through firmware (maybe v2.0 for the Z8 and v4.x for the Z9).
At least they gave the Zf dual card slots, and in some respects, I'd glad they went with SD + micro SD because both of those cards be found quite cheap these days. CFE's are still a bit on the expensive side (per GB) but they are coming down in price, but it's nice that we do get dual card slots on the Zf, despite on being micro SD, but at 24MP, I doubt your RAW images are going to be huge and even a 512GB card will give you a lot of storage.
I too have steered towards the higher MP cameras myself, although I do have a Z5 that got converted to an IR camera (got it when the Z5 went to $999 and I wasn't ready to invest $3000 into a camera I may not keep long term, so the Z5 at $999 was perfect for this task). I've had the Z6 and Z6 II but ultimately sold them to get the Z8 and really most of my photography is with my Z7 II or Z8 as I do prefer the high res sensors (doing mostly landscape, some portraiture, and travel photography, all of which I think can benefit from higher MP sensors for detail, and in the case of travel ,some cropping to crop things out that you can't "crop out" in camera so I can still end up with a decent sized image I could still print large with the Z7 II and Z8 even after some cropping).
Man, it IS really pretty. The more I see it, the better it looks. I love it.
About the sensor not being locked in place when the camera is turned off: Pentax is known for producing some pretty rugged cameras, which also have IBIS, and they don't lock it in place either. I used to have Pentax DSLRs and if I shook the camera quickly from side to side, I could hear the sensor assembly moving around. But it was never a problem, and I don't know of anyone who had a problem with a Pentax DSLR because of this.
20:10 Been there last Sunday. :)
For years I used a pair of Nikon FM2s, after beginning with Minoltas (SRT-201, XK, XD11). Then, I put my Nikons aside and took up bridge, as a hobby. When I, recently, decided to return to photography, I decided to go digital and sold my manual gear and bought a Z6, after flirting with the Z50, which I have since passed on to my daughter. Now, I have the Zf which reminds me, aesthetically, of my old FM2s. I couple it with the 24-70 f/4, despite having a few primes, and am a happy camper.
My first Nikon was a well used black body Nikkormat. The dials didn't wear like that, but the edges and corners of the camera had the brassing that you talk about. Wish I'd never sold it.
Love the brass dials, thank you so much for doing this 👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏👌👌👌
Fantastic review, yeah I’m surprised too by this release, didn’t think they would do it. This camera will bring me back to Nikon again.
Another incredibly informative video - and the brass looks so good!!! I love it.
Looking forward to purchasing this camera! 🎉
my comment isn't so much for the new Nikon Zf camera but for Nikon ibis in the Z9. I'm a sport photographer and while at a baseball game at a major league game here in south Florida, my Z9 fell from about 4.5 feet onto the concrete seating area. The camera somehow detached itself from the FTZ adapter while attached to a Nikon 400mm 2.8 lens while resting over my shoulder on a monopod. I am sure it was locked on the adapter. So.......this was a sickening feeling but I picked it up, reattached it to the lens and fired at high fps rate and it worked just fine but I sent it to Nikon for an examination and to check the ibis specifically. It hit the concrete so hard that there were indentions into the frame top near the aperture dial. the report form Nikon was no damage to report. That was an amazing fall for the Z9 to come through without damage and I checked the ibis when I got it back and yes it worked fine, I wonder if it locks when turned off. Nikon makes a tough camera. I've used it for many games since and it performs just fine. Don't drop your camera......
I think those brass dials are a genius marketing move. Those dials will sell lots of these cameras I hope.
Stunning image quality! Full frame glory at its best!
Brass Dial 👍
I love them !
The dials look incredible
In addition to different color edition, hope Nikon would give us different dial painting option~~ It looks great on ZF.
Two questions please……
Surely to complete the retro look you need retro looking lenses. But, correct me if I’m wrong, there’s only two available… a 28 and 40mm, neither of which are fast. If you put a normal Z lens on this camera it will spoil the retro look, do you agree?
And secondly….regarding the braising, which I agree looks cool, would the body brass too or just the dials? As you don’t make it clear. If the body brassed it would be great.
Thanks.
Ricci, can you answer: are all the buttons customisable? As in the AE.L button, the information button, the front bottom near the lens. Also, do the front and rear control dials click in as a button as well as being wheels (like Fuji buttons?). I love the camera but coming from Fuji where I don’t have to ever open the menu because of the number of customisable buttons, understanding exactly what we can customise on this body would be a great help. Thank you.
Nice to see that soon your smiling face I knew it !congratulations Nikon !
Thank Ricci for you video. I'm a wild life photographer, mostly birds and and I hesitate switching from my D500 to Zf. Do you think Zf is as good as the D500 in term of af c? Thank you.
Great video, Ricci! Just wondering if you can use the Dpad for changing the focus point? Not sure if I can adjust to just a touch screen for this purpose. Also, what is the 1/3 stop setting on the shutter speed dial? Thanks so much!
Brilliant review Ricci. A very interesting release from Nikon. Proof they are a fantastic camera brand. Now they can get to work on the mark iii 6 & 7 and a few more primes 😂
Thanks for an amazing review Ricci, love it! No IBS lock... I can live without that. The Brass rubbing- It makes it look like a proper, well used and much loved camera. I've used Nikon for over 40 years now and would admire Nikon even more if they pick up on that and maybe just start with the rims of the knobs unpainted. That face-on view at 15:24... ok not for everyone... Me? I love it. Good move with the cards and the EN-EL15c battery, again not for everyone but, life would get very boring if we were all the same. As for the 24mp's, I still have and use a D5100 which is 16mp and lives in the car. My first one died after about 10 years and was un-economical to repair, I liked that camera so much I bought a refurb one for less than the cost of a repair. If I see something and jump out of the car camera in hand, I'm not counting pixels I'm grabbing a lucky shot. And if some thieving sod snatches it out of the car it's no big loss. I'm looking forward to any updated reviews when you get the time to produce something.
Just seen you on Nigel Dansons video, just subscribed, this could be the camera to tempt me back to Nikon. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks a lot ! Great to have you here too
Great review! As usual your reviews are always the first on my list. Thank you!
IMMEDIATELY WANT IT. That's is coming from a guy who was immensely passionate for cameras, but have completely lost interest for the last (almost) 10 years. Nikon scored big this time.
Very appealing camera -- however, I saw that the IBIS-mechanics will not be locked in a fixed position, when powered-off.
Wouldn't this be a problem to damage the IBIS mechanics e.g. on hiking tours?
How to clean the sensor, when the IBIS is not in a fixed position (or is there a certain "sensor cleaning function" to lock the IBIS for cleaning?).
Thanks for your opinion ...
Hey Ricci, what does the C position on the ISO dial do? Can it be used to enable auto-iso? That was the biggest control issue with the Zfc for me as I like to be in auto-iso a lot but then sometimes override.
"One small but welcome update is that the ISO dial now only locks into its new C position, which should make it much easier to use. When it’s set to C, you can change the ISO setting using onscreen controls, or use Auto ISO without having to dive into the menus (which was an irritation with the Z fc)"
Taken from the Amateur Photographer's initial look review.
The videos from Ricci are always my first source of information to decide on which lens or camera to buy... thanks for the very factual and thorough reviews! Hopefully we will continue to see videos on the latest Nikon releases. I would have very much liked a comparison between the Z 70-180 2.8 and the Z 70-200 2.8 ...
Great film, thanks Ricci and yes we really didn't see this coming! Loving the "Worn" look dials that you've created!
Glad you liked it!
Great video, thanks! You are so right about the brass looking fab 👏👏
That thing looks beautiful. Though I have been hoping for a Z6 III actually, as I‘m still on Z6 and the II just wasn‘t enough of an upgrade for me to bother. And the Zf looks almost perfect. One gripe I’d probably have is the shallow hand grip, I very much like the deeper grip on other cameras. I have been shooting 400+ mm handheld recently, with my trusty Sigma 150-600 C no less, and it’s _almost_ as light as the Nikkor Z 180-600 but I don’t think either would be much fun on the Zf. That one looks like it is made for the city. The lack of an IBIS lock also is testament to that in my book. So TL;DR I hope there will be a shutterless Z6 III with similar specs soon …
One addendum, one question. Firstly, I expect there will be a version of the GR-1 grip for the Zf, forgot about that existing. Meaning one can then just put a deeper grip on the Zf as an accessory for e.g. shooting handheld with heavier lenses. Secondly Nikon mentions VR lock as a new feature only in Z9 and Z8 actually. Could it be IBIS in older Z models just allowed for less sensor movement, thus making an explicit locking mechanism unnecessary? I.e. maybe it possibly became an issue only in newer models with their beefed up IBIS systems? I expect a heavy FF sensor with a lot of leeway to be most prone against shock damage at least. It still means one probably has to take some care with the Zf abroad.
I'm in the same situation. Skipped Z6II, waiting for further improvements. Instead we've got Zf. I'd rather upgrade to Z8.
Don't know if you're in the UK, but from WexPhotoVideo you can get a SmallRig grip that's built for the Zf.
How good is it at manual focusing with vintage lenses? Like how much can it zoom in EVF, Rangefinder style?, focus highlights?
Finally we have what we have been waiting for, Ricci thank you very much for the good news and this video, I will be waiting for a detailed video from you about setting up Nikon Zf.
Been longing for 10-bit/N-Log for so long in my Z6ii along with a fully articulating screen & AF improvements, so this is a very welcome addition to the lineup! The retro styling looks really cool, but I do wonder if I would still feel the same after a four hour shooting session & my hand cramping up on that tiny grip 😑 I appreciate you mentioning the weathering on the dials too. That's a really nice touch that I haven't seen mentioned anywhere, including Nikons own marketing and is a really groovy little feature that I could see myself really loving over time & feeling that satisfaction every time I look at it
10-bit/N log in Zf body is reassuring that next Nikon full frame mid level camera might have this feature. Love the retro design aesthetics of Zf but for practical day to day use will wait for Z6/Z6ii type body. Hope they launch something like Z6iii soon.
@@prashantpatil8396 it's sad that for so many years Nikon users had the choice of 12-bit raw in the super expensive flagship or 8-bit in everything else. Very glad to be seeing 10-bit reaching the mid level bodies, N-Log is really underrated
Like your sanding. Nice introduction to this new camera. Thank you.
What’s the refresh rate on the evf? Is it essentially blackout free (like Z9) or does it go into ‘slideshow’ mode at high fps?
that brass is so amazing. love it
A great talk about this camera right out of the gate. Groovin' on it too.. 😀
Thanks for watching 😊
Thanks Ricci. Is the top plate brass too?
I notice the iso dial has a “c” setting, I assume this enables auto iso on the Zf thankfully.
I’d love to see the Zfc have this option for the H1 and H2 position of the same dial as it would reduce the amount of menu diving on a retro camera…
Fabulous review.....thank you Ricci. Can the shutter be extended to 900 seconds like the Z6ii and Z7ii?
Yes, absolutely
Thank you!
Because the IBIS does not turn off does that make it dangerous to do a wet swab sensor clean?
I have 2 D750 and love them should I upgrade to Zf?
How do you go about changing aperture? I was expecting to hear about that along with iso/speed dials...
Thank you for the great info and first look as always! Do you think Nikon will implement a monochrome raw output like the Pixii rangefinder camera via software that can be linked to the B/W switch on the camera? That would be an incredible feature without having a dedicated monochrome sensor.
I’m so sold , hopefully they will be available soon! Great job on making a Leica killer ❤
A very good review. Are its AF accuracy and speed on bar with that of the Z9? Thanks.
Great to see the big names catching up to Fuji.
I upgraded from a D5600 to a Z6ii last year, really don't need to upgrade already but l love the brass dials and retro look and improved AF and stabilization are always welcome. Only concern is that i won't like the lack of grip on this body style. Anyone have any comments on how comfortable this body style is to hold compared to a Z6?
I think Nikon has a Winner here, for those who like the older SLR look. This one resembles a FM. I wonder if they will release one that is like the F3HP?
Ricci, if you have the ability to do so, can you request a 5:4 aspect ratio mode from Nikon? I shoot portraits way better when I can compose it in camera
Love the brassing of the dials, it’s an art to weather them just enough to look natural but also stylish. Is the top plate brass? That would look good with a bit of careful brassing.
Can u comment plz on the dots of the monitor versus the Z8 or Z9
Thank you !
Considering the Zf !!!
I could really like this camera with all its dials instead of menu or button to push. Love the brass parts and how that will age, this camera reminds me of my film cameras from Nikon. Thanks for the great review.
Thanks for the first look at the Zf. If the sensor moves even when you shut down the camera, how can you clean the sensor? Regards
I can't imagine another reviewer getting away with abrading a review camera to see how the patina will look. I also had no idea I was really interested in that "feature". Huge props. :^)
15:25 👏👏👏this is why I watch your video .This is what review should be all about. Giving the viewers an idea of what the product is .... as predicted. 😃
Oh man, 100% sold on this camera. Just hoping on a chrome version... any chance of that being realised?
What a treat of a camera. Cant wait to add it to my (every agnostic) kit as a fun EDC kind of like a Leica Q3 but with the 40mm prime. Great video as always
What's the C setting on the ISO dial? And do the knobs lock in place at all settings or similar to Zfc where the shutter dial only locks in certain positions?
A very tempting Walk-about camera - Will certainly consider maybe early next year or 12 moths down the road. Till then will have to endure the weight of my Z9 :) Great video Ricci
An excellent summary of this new camera, thanks!
Good overview Ricci. Now that the Zf has finally been released it is what everyone was expecting with a couple of surprises. You can order it with various leather skin colors including Moss Green (the top and bottom sections are still black)....thankfully Minty Green is not an option as with the Zfc. Now many Nikon fans are awaiting the Z6iii but that could be months away.
Thank you so much for this amazing video 👌👌👌, I am in love with new Nikon Zf 💞
It would have been nice if nikon made lenses for this kind of model camera. Imagnie using the nikon z85mm f1.2 it defeats the purpose of being small and lightweight.
Lovely looking retro style camera which I’m sure Nikon will sell with. However I own both a Z9 & Z8 so it’s not for me. But watching Jared Polins video I see it still suffers the problem of the tracking box locking onto the eye/subject but after downloading the images it’s actually missed the focus. And since I’ve updated my Z9 & Z8 I’ve not been as happy with the focusing and it’s as though something isn’t quite right. Maybe I was having an “off day” but I’ll be back out this weekend doing motorsport photography to see what’s going on.
❤
Thank you for your last quick response, one more question, does ZF have extended shutter speeds for long exposure? I will preorder if yes, I want one in green, thank you!
Hi, just a quick question in between:
How good do you think the Eye AF (for stills) of these cameras is in comparison??? >>
Nikon Zf
Nikon Z7 II (with LATEST firmware)
Sony A7R III (with LATEST firmware)
Thanks!
How does Auto ISo, Shutter Prio, Ap Prio work with the dials. Looks to be an intriguing camera...
I gave in and pre-ordered mine. I'll be reselling my Z6 ii along with other lenses to make up the difference and I'm pretty much getting this for free. Once Nikon releases the Z6 iii (which BTW, I think it would probably be bumped to a high MP range), I'll purchase that as my main body.
Thanks Ricci, what are your thoughts on 40 f2.0 ? I am a Sony user with A7iii and A7iv. Was looking to get a travel cam and looked at Fuji XS20, A6700, A7Cii but Nikon Zf looks like a good option for casual use. At the same time wondering if the weight would be hinderance. So the 40 f2 becomes important to keep the overall package down. But heard some bad reviews of it when shot wide open. Would be great to listen to your thoughts on it. thanks.
Is the EVF experience like the Z8/Z9 or like the Z6 II? Blackout wise.
Do you have to press the top button on the locking dials everytime, or can you have the dials in fully open mode all the time?
Personally I feel that is a dealbreaker if you have to push that button down everytime you want to make an adjustment. Then I'd rather be completely without the locking feature.
Ricci, great reivew!! Any idea how to set Back Button Focus up?
thx for the informative video! one question: do you really need to press the center button of the speed wheel all the time when you want to change the speed? also im with you: why did nikon not shipped the camera with the brass shown on the sides? :)
very nice review and also helpfull, but how did you sand the buttons
Hello Ricci, This is to me looks a very interesting camera. I think there are a lot of DSLR/film photographers who will love all the manual controls on this camera. As some one who only this year upgraded my last DSLR to the Z system I know there is a learning curve, that no one talks about ie all of the focusing modes and the I menu. Yes the Z system is lovely, but I find so many Nikon shooter come up to my and say they are sticking with the D850/D5 I just say these are both amazing cameras and as they are happy why change. This new Nikon Zf does not look as intimidating as some of the other Z cameras but offers all of the features and more under the hood. I think this camera will do very well for Nikon. Keep well, keep safe and alway find time for a smile. :)
Very interested in getting one but definitely want a silver/black body so I’ll hold off and wait to see what Nikon have in the pipeline.
I use my Zf for everything, and recently I ‘discovered’ Nikon’s software: NX Tether in combination with NX Studio. In the past I didn’t even consider these, but must say it works great, especially after I learned that the ‘Apply Edits to Transferred Pictures’ in NX Studio is the ‘copy from last’ command I could not find in the help file😅. Anyway- picture quality of the Zf in Nikon software is really awesome, highly recommended.
I really like the highlight priority exposure on my D810 and Z9. Is that feature available on the ZF?
I love the idea and it truly looks beautiful, but after one experience with a retro style camera, I know that when I look at the camera, I love the retro looks, when I look through the viewfinder, I love the handling of a modern body. Wish both had matched in this body. Would have loved to have bought this as a second body to my Z9. I am looking forward to the next software update to my Z9
There are grips available but I guess they will never be as big as a Z9 grip
Thanks for the advice @@RicciTalks ; I would not expect it to have the ergonomics or adjustability of the Z9; it is just that I need a light, portable back up body that can be my primary travel camera. I am not sure if the ergonomics would allow for DSLR type of handling. That is what concerns me. I suppose I need to wait for the Z6III and then decide if I need a ZF, Z6III or Z8 to satisfy that role
Something that must be mentinoed about the batteries is that yes the Zf can use older EN-EL15 batteries like the EN-EL15a, EN-EL15b, EN-EL15c, and the EN-EL15 (Li-ion 20), but it cannot use the EN-EL15 (Li-ion 01). I have 2 of the EN-EL15 (li-ion 01) 's and when I try to use them the camera says "Shutter release disabled. Recharge Battery." You can see if your EN-EL15's are one that can work by checking it's label to the right of the recycle symbol.
I'm still waiting for the Z50II or any small new camera body for the street. replacing my M43
Yes this over 700g camera is too heavy !!! Sony has just released a 514g (with battery) full frame camera .....
What grit sand paper did you use to "patina" your dials? Thinking about doing mine
The Df/Zf are the most handsome cameras. I own a a couple of M cameras too. I’m a fan and want to add a Zf for the experience. Still have my Df too. 😊
As a owner of the Z50 (and hobbyist photographer) and critic of Nikon for not having affordable mid-range and APSC cameras with similar AF to the Z8/Z9. The new ZF is great new affordable FF camera. Unfortunately for me Nikon still hasn't introduce an APSC camera with great AF (D500 replacement). Also the new ZF is a RETRO camera which I simply hate (I may be in the minority), but if Nikon would have introduce this camera in the Z6II body, I may have switch a FF camera. I think the new ZF features (except for the 24.5 megapixel; prefer maybe 33 megapixel) and specification are awesome, again the Retro body is just not for me.