As a NY Hustle dancer, love the disco background (Thanks for that). One unique thing (I don't own the camera, but felt it in hand this week) that you left off your list is the subject detection with manual focus lenses. I believe that's another Nikon first (where as the red box was in the Z9, then the Z8 for video). Now that's pretty cool.
Like the video a lot, just a point that any Fuji shooters who think Nikon might be mirroring their designs needs to look at Nikon FM and FE film cameras - it’s their own retro.
I love my Nikon Zf. This $2500 camera can do things that my $7000 Sony Alpha 1 cannot: focus bracketing, pre-capture, automatic subject detection (no need to select animal or human eye af), flip lcd screen and much more. I can also use a lot lenses on the camera: Nikon Z (of course), Nikon F (with FTZ II, love my 105mm f1.4) and Sony E (with the Megadap ETZ21 Sony E to Nikon Z adapter, works surprisingly well with the latest firmware).
@@raf_bw Honestly I don't know yet. Will wait, if there will be the promised firmware update for the Alpha 1 in spring, because the Alpha 1 hardware is very capable.
@@piyhaw Not sure about that. I also have a Sony Alpha 1, A7rV and A9. Which one are you talking about? In my opinion the image quality of the Zf is just great (color, dynamic range), but it's "only" 24MP. My A7rV would have more than 60MP. Is that "better"? Technically speaking yes. But I would say I love the Zf especially because of the look and the ergonomics.
@@stefan_becker thanks. I was mainly referring to the colors and feel. I have an A74 and was contemplating updating to A7RV or getting a Zf. The only thing that I don’t like with the A74 is the rear screen. I wanted to upgrade just for that. Nikon Zf is a contender as I had Nikon Dslr earlier and liked the color science. Need to spend time with my sony files to get that pleasant skin tones. What would you recommend? I have 4-5 sony lenses which I plan to use with ETZ if I get the Nikon.
Fuji copied the native Nikon's. The Zf looks like the native Nikon's. The Fuji's are also beautiful by the way. I'm from the urly Nikon FM,FE and F2 ara and I bought the Zf to have the old school feeling and go back in time. This camera is amazing!
Sono passato da Nikon Z8 a ZF e sono soddisfatto in tutto. Grazie Nikon per questa fotocamera fantastica in tutto e grazie a te per i tuoi commenti e video Bravo, Complimenti dall'Italia
Agree on all these points, especially the retro appeal (I used to have an FM in the early 80s, feels very similar) - one other fun aspect is the easy shift to b&w (another throwback feature I suppose) - I use it a lot and love the B&W look. Isn't it funny how emotions and nostalgia can come into our modern tech buying decisions!
I've had the Zf since mid October and so far I'm liking it. A bit heavier and bigger than I would have preferred but they certainly packed a lot of technology/features into this camera. I was also really surprised at the AF and the video quality. I usually use my Lumix cameras for video but will be grabbing the Zf more often for that.
Thanks for the review. Always great to hear your thoughts and experience. I just got my Nikon Zf and I love it. I have graduated from my Pentax K-01. Yes. I now see the value of a viewfinder. It is remarkable how large this view finder is to the point where after my initial set up was complete, I just turned the backscreen inward and no longer use it. It is EVF all the way. Although I am not a fan of their auto ISO implementation, I have found a couple of work arounds. I miss the FUJI film simulation but found a site that has a lot of custom color profiles that work for me.. The auto focus is very good and only occasionally hunting or missing if your eyes are in between branches etc. I find the camera to be have a good heft and not light at all. I also use the fantastic 40mm f2 retro. Perfect fit for this camera. Considering the sigma 85mm f1.4 in the future . Cheers !!
I have Z9,Z8, Zfc and now the Zf and I pick up my Zf every time I love it.I love the feel the looks of an old FM3 the solidness and it just makes me wanna take pictures! I pair it with my Plena and its sublime like you said.
I was torn between this retro looking Zf and the state-of-the-art global shutter a9iii. The Zf has been seriously backordered so I went for the a9iii but I am really envious of people like you who have this camera. So many people are shooting with it and it's also very difficult to find one in the used market, they get instantly bought by others when they appear. I want this camera much more over the current Fujifilm and Leica cameras.
Hi Darren. Awesome video. Just placed an order for the ZF. Just curious: Is there a custom function that makes it easy to switch to a “real estate setting” say f8, 500 iso, 5 bracketed photos? Not a deal breaker but this does make it easy to switch on the fly.
I hope there will be a real, true and functional rangefinder OVF FF with EVF hybrid camera that come with Sony A7RV 4 ways screen and the design isn't retro but forward modern and futuristic looking yet tactile and fun! If Sony want to go into the retro train, I hope this is what they do instead sell it for the nostalgia! Zeiss ZX1 has the classic dials and ring but isn't retro design which is nice! By the way if I want to shoot with all these manual tilt shift lens,, should I get them with Sony A7RV with the practical 4 ways screen or Nikon ZF for the classic dial experiences? I shoot video with Panasonic HC-X1500 camcorder mainly but when I want low light or specialised video scenes, I do want to shoot with the camera?
Hi Darren - nice video - just in case you didn't know the red box around the screen in video is also on the Z8/9 and has been added to the Z6II through firmware as well - so this is not unique to this camera - but is a great feature :) -PD
Thanks for this great info! Would you recommend which gimbal to use with the Zf. Just got mine and still playing with it, but, did a corporate portrait session with it and so far, very impressed- even comparing to my Z9!
This is a great question - not necessarily - I don't need more megapixels in my images, I need more dynamic range - more megapixel images slow down post processing.
As a NY Hustle dancer, love the disco background (Thanks for that). One unique thing (I don't own the camera, but felt it in hand this week) that you left off your list is the subject detection with manual focus lenses. I believe that's another Nikon first (where as the red box was in the Z9, then the Z8 for video). Now that's pretty cool.
Like the video a lot, just a point that any Fuji shooters who think Nikon might be mirroring their designs needs to look at Nikon FM and FE film cameras - it’s their own retro.
Hi Darren! Yes I agree I also have the Nikon ZF. Just a tip have a try to shoot the ZF with the old Nikon 180mm f/2.8 AF/D it’s pure magic!
I love my Nikon Zf. This $2500 camera can do things that my $7000 Sony Alpha 1 cannot: focus bracketing, pre-capture, automatic subject detection (no need to select animal or human eye af), flip lcd screen and much more. I can also use a lot lenses on the camera: Nikon Z (of course), Nikon F (with FTZ II, love my 105mm f1.4) and Sony E (with the Megadap ETZ21 Sony E to Nikon Z adapter, works surprisingly well with the latest firmware).
I have a Sony A1 and Z8 but this ZF is tempting as a “everyday camera”. Do you still use your A1 after this purchase? Will you keep both systems?
@@raf_bw Honestly I don't know yet. Will wait, if there will be the promised firmware update for the Alpha 1 in spring, because the Alpha 1 hardware is very capable.
Do you prefer the image quality of Zf over your Sony?
@@piyhaw Not sure about that. I also have a Sony Alpha 1, A7rV and A9. Which one are you talking about? In my opinion the image quality of the Zf is just great (color, dynamic range), but it's "only" 24MP. My A7rV would have more than 60MP. Is that "better"? Technically speaking yes. But I would say I love the Zf especially because of the look and the ergonomics.
@@stefan_becker thanks. I was mainly referring to the colors and feel. I have an A74 and was contemplating updating to A7RV or getting a Zf. The only thing that I don’t like with the A74 is the rear screen. I wanted to upgrade just for that. Nikon Zf is a contender as I had Nikon Dslr earlier and liked the color science. Need to spend time with my sony files to get that pleasant skin tones. What would you recommend? I have 4-5 sony lenses which I plan to use with ETZ if I get the Nikon.
Fuji copied the native Nikon's. The Zf looks like the native Nikon's. The Fuji's are also beautiful by the way. I'm from the urly Nikon FM,FE and F2 ara and I bought the Zf to have the old school feeling and go back in time. This camera is amazing!
No, Fuji copied Fujica cameras - eg the STX line - they had their own heritage to copy.
Sono passato da Nikon Z8 a ZF e sono soddisfatto in tutto. Grazie Nikon per questa fotocamera fantastica in tutto e grazie a te per i tuoi commenti e video Bravo, Complimenti dall'Italia
Agree on all these points, especially the retro appeal (I used to have an FM in the early 80s, feels very similar) - one other fun aspect is the easy shift to b&w (another throwback feature I suppose) - I use it a lot and love the B&W look. Isn't it funny how emotions and nostalgia can come into our modern tech buying decisions!
I LOVE LOVE my ZF as well! It's like 10x better than my NIKON D5
Is that true ? Better than your D5 ?
I've had the Zf since mid October and so far I'm liking it. A bit heavier and bigger than I would have preferred but they certainly packed a lot of technology/features into this camera. I was also really surprised at the AF and the video quality. I usually use my Lumix cameras for video but will be grabbing the Zf more often for that.
Thanks for the review. Always great to hear your thoughts and experience. I just got my Nikon Zf and I love it. I have graduated from my Pentax K-01. Yes. I now see the value of a viewfinder. It is remarkable how large this view finder is to the point where after my initial set up was complete, I just turned the backscreen inward and no longer use it. It is EVF all the way. Although I am not a fan of their auto ISO implementation, I have found a couple of work arounds. I miss the FUJI film simulation but found a site that has a lot of custom color profiles that work for me.. The auto focus is very good and only occasionally hunting or missing if your eyes are in between branches etc. I find the camera to be have a good heft and not light at all. I also use the fantastic 40mm f2 retro. Perfect fit for this camera. Considering the sigma 85mm f1.4 in the future . Cheers !!
How did you get the Fuji film simulations on your Pentax K-01?
Great perspective on the camera
Have a great Christmas and prosperous, happy and healthy New Year ahead
I have Z9,Z8, Zfc and now the Zf and I pick up my Zf every time I love it.I love the feel the looks of an old FM3 the solidness and it just makes me wanna take pictures! I pair it with my Plena and its sublime like you said.
Very nice presentation . . Thank You !
Glad you liked it!
build quality is amazing
Hi Darren, nice video on ZF.
Happy Christmas, Darren. Have a good one.
Great review! You have fantastic videos.
Great video, thanks!!
A7IV and FX3 have had the red around the screen when recording forever.
I was torn between this retro looking Zf and the state-of-the-art global shutter a9iii. The Zf has been seriously backordered so I went for the a9iii but I am really envious of people like you who have this camera. So many people are shooting with it and it's also very difficult to find one in the used market, they get instantly bought by others when they appear. I want this camera much more over the current Fujifilm and Leica cameras.
Darren, most recent cameras from Fuji, Panasonic and Canon have the red square when you record video.
Hi Darren. Awesome video. Just placed an order for the ZF.
Just curious: Is there a custom function that makes it easy to switch to a “real estate setting” say f8, 500 iso, 5 bracketed photos? Not a deal breaker but this does make it easy to switch on the fly.
Not really sure as I just stick to manual and fire off one shot at a time... Haven't looked into it...
It looks quite a bit bigger and heavier than the Z6 and Z7 cameras. That worries me a bit.
I totally agree!
I hope there will be a real, true and functional rangefinder OVF FF with EVF hybrid camera that come with Sony A7RV 4 ways screen and the design isn't retro but forward modern and futuristic looking yet tactile and fun! If Sony want to go into the retro train, I hope this is what they do instead sell it for the nostalgia! Zeiss ZX1 has the classic dials and ring but isn't retro design which is nice!
By the way if I want to shoot with all these manual tilt shift lens,, should I get them with Sony A7RV with the practical 4 ways screen or Nikon ZF for the classic dial experiences? I shoot video with Panasonic HC-X1500 camcorder mainly but when I want low light or specialised video scenes, I do want to shoot with the camera?
Happy Holidays Darren
Hi Darren - nice video - just in case you didn't know the red box around the screen in video is also on the Z8/9 and has been added to the Z6II through firmware as well - so this is not unique to this camera - but is a great feature :)
-PD
Also on Sony camera’s as well - Sony A7siii had it first for Sony and that was released in Oct 2020, been on the main bodies ever since.
Thanks for this great info! Would you recommend which gimbal to use with the Zf. Just got mine and still playing with it, but, did a corporate portrait session with it and so far, very impressed- even comparing to my Z9!
Ronin RSC or Zhiyun weebil - I use the ZF on a gimbal all the time - in fact, I love the ZF for my real estate videos!
Which lens u used tnx
So, as a real estate photographer, the pixel shift function is not top 5?
This is a great question - not necessarily - I don't need more megapixels in my images, I need more dynamic range - more megapixel images slow down post processing.
@@DarrenMiles True, but the stacking also reduces the noise in the shadows...maybe do a little test?
All the new Sony's have the red box...
No talk about the IBIS? How does it compare to Olympus?
Nikon says about 8 stops. I think it's pretty good.
Great question! For my real estate work, IBIS isn't a factor, now for weddings - different animal, I haven't used it in that scenario yet, but I will.
@@DarrenMilesthank you. As you are an ex Olympus user, I can’t think of a better person to comment on IBiS.
Once again I'm the naysayer, its not sunny this week.
Final thoughts are not actually a thoughts
Good camera but the control buttons are not fast to use on a battlefield situation such as weddings.
No good grip.
I use it. No problems. Get a smallrig grip if that is also an issue
@@carlosandreviana9448 I use a Z 6 if you catch my drift
🥳🎉🎂