Watching this review was like having a coffee with my favorite photographer friend. Down to the very detailed explanation of settings and the rationale for them. While your style of use couldn’t be any more different than mine, I found many of your tips useful. Simply because you have so deliberately adjusted the default user settings of the body. The one point you made that resonated most with me, people react differently to this camera. As do I. It’s simply pleasurable to look at and touch and despite that it’s less comfortable to carry than my Z6, I much prefer the Zf. By the way, the image of the kids with what looks like northern lights on the trees was incredible. Awesome video. Thank you.
So basically, you sold this camera to me a year ago with your Denmark trip photos. I think it was some of your best work to date. I also ordered the Wotancraft strap and everything. I found your channel after I moved to Germany and was so happy to find someone who made me want to get into photography again after moving here. So, I applaud what you're doing. For what it's worth.
Your reviews are so well done; so thought out, with many details and thoughts clearly derived from many months working and shooting with the gear. Thank you so much, Samuel!
little unknown fact about both the 28mm and 40mm Nikon Z lenses : they are both weather sealed ! It's on the product page with a diagram of all the sealed, but somehow very little people know this. There is no rubber gasket at the mount, but the design of the plastic mount of the lens is made so that it doesn't need it (basically the mount has two little rails, one on the outside circle and one on the inside circle. If the water gets through the outside circle, it gets trapped in a textured part in the middle of the mount that does not make contact with the camera's lens mount, and the water does not get through) So they are not only optically decent and cheap : they are also sealed and can withstand serious abuse ! Really underrated lenses in my opinion, especially the 28mm f/2.8 which people tend to diss out since the 40mm f/2 released
I understand the plastic mount has some natural weather resistance, but I wouldn't take my Zf out in the rain beyond a light sprinkle with the current 28mm Z and 40mm Z like I would my weather-sealed S-Line lenses with rubber gaskets. I really think we can use a G2 of the 28mm Z and 40mm Z with the gasket (and improved autofocus too). Don't get me wrong, the current versions are my daily drivers for street photography, but I can have my wishlist too, right? 😊
@@GeoChild You wouldn't... but hey I was curious about it, so I tested it ! At my work we have an IPX2 test bench to test out water resistance for products. The equipment wasn't in use for several weeks, so I brought in my camera (a Nikon Z6 first gen) with the 40mm f/2, put it in the box and let water fall onto it for about 2/3 hours. Brought the camera home : no moisture in the lens, the lens mount had kept all the water out... I'm no longer concerned about using them in the rain ! Sometimes percieved effectiveness of a product (like having a metal mount + rubber gasket) is giving us more confidence in our equipment than anything else. Lenses like the Sigma DC primes and zooms all have rubber gaskets... but are not weather sealed anywhere else, yet I've seen people argue that they would go better in the rain than those small Nikkor muffin lenses ! I can honestly appreciate the Nikon's effort to keep the cost down. If that means I'm paying less, and it's just as effective? Yes sir !
So glad to see a more competent review of the ZF that’s not riddled with goofy nitpicks and weird use cases it’s not suited for. I’ve already decided I’m going to opt for one over a Leica M body as the tech is more reliable and the system gives you more options for different shooting occasions. I look forward to making a review and open up the discussion about the need for more analog bodies in the market. Excellent review!
Some really great snaps. Thanks for showing this off. The Zf is one of the only 2 cameras I still look over at fondly and think, "Maybe if I had THAT."
Wow, what a great video! Well, done, Samuel! Honestly, your photo show so much talent today. Hats off to you! Michael Neumann One World Productions. Ps I totally love the Voigtlander 40 mm 1.2 as well.!
I have the zf and the voigtlander 40mm 2.8 heliar on a voigtlander close adapter. It’s the funnest setup I’ve had in a long time. I also have the 24-120 nikkor for a workhorse. Your other videos were a big influence on my decision to jump from Fujifilm to Nikon. Fujifilm makes fun cameras but I was always missing the full frame look. Thanks for the great videos and information. Your street photography videos are some of my favorites to watch on RUclips.
With the Z6III coming out, these are dropping in price both new and 2nd hand. 1900 brand new, 1500-1600 on ebay or refurb. And the amazing Z f4 S Kit Glass has always been comedically affordable on ebay, right now I think the Zf is one of the best entries into the Nikon system, or tbh even mirrorless as a whole because it hits a great sweetspot of IQ, speed and glass affordability and quality. Only thing I really wish was that the command ring on the Z lenses had clicks
100% agree on clicks with the command ring! That is the only reason I don't bother using it because it's so easy to accidentally move it. But yes, overall it is a very well rounded camera!
If Nikon sold an all black version that is also de-badged, that might just sell the best out of all the colors. It's seems like a lot of people like to de-badge the camera themselves like you have. Regarding the Fuji X-T5 you mention in the beginning, IMO, I believe the Zf shows more character in the photos and I believe that is in large part because of the full frame sensor.
Hehe yes cool idea! It looks so much better to me without the logo... And yes, full frame can show more character especially when used with bright lenses but crop sensors are also very beneficial for street photography. Easier to take photos with a lot of foreground and background layers in the frame.
Great vid as usual! Im thinking of replacing my x-t2, does the punched in zoom image in the view finder look sharper for manual focus lenses than say the xt5? Cheers
I picked up a Z7 at MPB in their best rated condition for USD1,100 with tax - what a bargain. The Z7 is one of the most underrated bargains at the moment. But people are catching on. With the 24-120 S it makes for an amazing, portable landscape setup for the backcountry.
Really enjoyed the review! I've been waiting for my Simera 28mm with Lightlens Lab adapter to arrive. So I will survive Hamburg's gloomy dark winter too :))
I’m really looking forward to seeing the piece on the Scheutzen club. Shooters are generally pretty friendly, and we are certainly “gear” oriented, so I can see why they are interested in your cameras. We love precision machinery. I hope we get to see some of the pics of the shooters gear as well, I would really be interested to see what’s used in Germany, especially done I. Your style which is very interesting and artistic
You recommended this Tenba backpack in one of your videos. I recently purchased it. It was the best photography purchase of the year for me. It's really great for street photography, so thanks for the tip!
Nice that is great to hear! I was influenced by Dan Milnor when he reviewed it on his channel and had to get one after that. Same result for me, best bag purchase I've done haha :)
I've really loved mine. My main gripe is the screen for shooting video. If I need to have a low angle and have a cage with handles on I can't tilt the screen properly to see without it being in the way of my handle grip.
hi sam. now that you mentioned that you no longer use the manual subject detection focus feature on the zf, do you think buying a thypoc 28mm for the z mount is now more practical since that feature would only work for m mount w/ an adapter? as far as i know, thypoc has no electronic contacts that's why it doesn't support the said feature. sorry if i butcher my english.
I would consider this camera, but the market for manual focus lenses here in Norway is just ass. The Voigtländer selection is such a joke, importing them or Thypoch lenses becomes so expensive and so on. I should take a trip home and pick up a lens or two there. Might do that one day :) much appreciated that you took your time to make this update! These updates are worth gold and it is exciting to hear your one year update :)
14:27 😂😂 nice review. After F2, FM2, D700, ZF will be my first DSLR mirrorless.But i don't want to leave my voigtlander 40/2 Fmount. Will the feature underexpose work with adapter and my ultron?
Great job on this video Samuel! :) Can we call you a Nikon shooter now, since you own three of them? :D As a ZF owner myself I'm still curious, what Nikon will do with these retro line up. Social media / RUclips has celebrated the ZF since it has been released and people continue to adore this camera, specifically for the retro design. But now for a whole year we don't see any native lens from Nikon to complement this retro design language (besides these 28+40mm SE lenses). Looks like they are kinda relying on third party lenses. I personally wish for prime lenses with aperture ring like Fuji. What's your thoughts on this? Would there be a lens you wish Nikon would release for the Zf? I recently got myself the Nikon FM2 and therefore have the vintage lenses also to adapt on the Zf via the ZTF adaptor. They look quite nice on the Zf despite the adapter. Only the rotation of focusing confuses me, since I'm used to the other way around on the M-lenses :). Guess you have tried Nikon vintage lenses on the Zf, but didn't like the experience compared to Voigtländer glas? PS: Thank you for the grip tip!! I will definitely check that out! Looks like it would solve my ergonomics issues :D
Ok, I’m definitely gonna steal the highlight metering button idea. I recently got a Zf but haven’t had the chance to use it too much due to work and my schedule. So I haven’t had a chance to fully set things up and get used to the ergonomics. I shoot on my D850 for freelance work and too got reliant on cropping. Hoping my Zf will help me show more restraint
Loving this camera with my z mount simera. I used to love the Neewer grip with the red taped over but now I rock it raw in a wotancraft pilot or black rapid sling so the weight is less hassle. Who needs to use it one handed anyway?
Samuel! Have you tried the Rayqual or Shoten adapters? You didn’t mention them but I heard the Rayqual one is amazing for infinity performance. Not sure about the Novoflex one.
I never heard about Rayqual. Will look them up, thanks! I bought a Shoten adapter and it was not accurate unfortunately... Someone said that the Novoflex adapter is accurate. Which is good news if that is true.
There is a E to Z mount adapter, which make the camera think, that there is lens which is transmitting information attached. Some people use a M to E-mount adapter on top of the E to Z-mount adapter to get focus confirmation. Maybe this trick works with the expose for highlights function as well?
Long comment warning! A few things… I have a shoe mounted thumb grip, the one that butts against the camera body thus avoiding excessive torque on the shoe. Pretty good and definitely worth considering. I also just got the TTArtisans M-Z 6 bit adapter. Definitely useful for accurate focusing, but the build quality is poor. Mounts to the body with a nice reassuring click, but is very stiff when mounting lenses and they don’t always click into place. I prefer the Voigtlander close focusing adapter. Like you I have the 28mm Simera, but find it too big for an EDC lens. I have the 50mm Eureka which is amazing particularly in combination with the Voigtlander adapter which overcomes the MFD issue of 90cm. You can get as close as 30cm! Prefer it to the Fuji 35mm f1.4, but only just, two very different shooting experiences. I will probably get a Voigtlander 28mm Color Skopar to solve the 28mm EDC issue. Type 1 cos I want to look cool. 😎 I am also a Fuji X-T5 owner. My main issue with the Zf is the size and weight…why did it have to be so big and heavy? And the screen! Oh dear…not flush to the body and mine wiggles when set in the outward looking position…super annoying. The X-T5 murders the Zf in terms of ergonomics and build. But the Zf wins with the MF experience. Even though the viewfinders have the same resolution, the Nikon is brighter, clearer and much easier to focus with. Also, the options you have with FF lenses are vast and superior. APS-C third party lenses just don’t deliver the same magic. I agree that a mk ii version may be a ways off, but in terms of future wants… 1. Shave a few millimetres off the size. 2. Reduce the weight by about 100g (does it really need brass dials?). 3. Make the screen flush to the rest of the body. 4. 45mp sensor. 5. B&W version. Sermon ends…
Friend of mine bought one and uses the small rig grip and it made all the difference my my hands when I got to borrow it. It is a great walk around camera and I would pick one up if I didn’t already have a walk around camera (I’d do it anyway but the wife said no) The menu was a little weird for me but I’ve always shot canon so it was just a learning curve
Thinking about the Nikon 35 mm f1.8. Does it have good character? Currently using the Nikkor 40 mm f2.0, not sure if I should upgrade to the 35 from Nikon or the Voigtländer 40 mm 1.2 on my z7. I like my 40 mm, but wish more micro contrast and corner sharpness.
I can't speak for the 35mm 1.8 S because I never used it. I heard that it is a bit different than the 50mm 1.8 S but also very sharp and "clinical" feeling in terms of image rendering (that is why the 35mm 1.4 Z now exists). The Voigtländer 40mm 1.2 definitely has more micro contrast than the 40mm F2 Z and is also sharper in the corners when you stop it down to F4 or further. But the weakness of the Voigtländer is that the Bokeh or the out of focus elements look less pleasing the moment you stop the aperture down to even 1.4. It has nice and round bokeh balls wide open at 1.2 but stop the lens down and it becomes "edgy". So I use it wide open most of the time or stop it down so much that everything is sharp (it's a lens that has two characters). In the end it is also a question of workflow (AF or MF).
Someone asked for a alternative to the xf 35 1.4 from fuji for the zf. I loved the xf 35 1.4. now i use the new z 35 1.4 and it has some character and a fast af. The newer z 50 1.4 should be a good choice for a try!!! The Voigtlander 50 1.5 II with the 6bit-tt-artisan is also tempting me…😅
one thing i maybe miss but annoys me is that after manual "focus enlarging" and hitting the shutterbutton the screen does not "pop" back to "normal" view. my fuji does that not problemos. what gives? or maybe i'm slow
The Light Lens Lab adaptor for M-L is exquisite. I somehow got one before it was released. I don't know if they make other mounts, but if you use an fp or S-series sometime you should try the Thypoch on that. btw your description has really piqued my interest in the Thypoch for the first time, despite having seen many rave about them. Back to the video
Interesting! What makes the light lens lab adapter so good? For me the adapter needs to create the right distance to the sensor so that the focus scale on lenses is accurate. Unfortunately the ones I tried all fell short. And most adapters rattle a bit but the Voigtländer one fits very tight and nothing moves which I like.
Sure! www.cobalt-image.com/product/cobalt-ricoh-gr-for-adobe/ you need to buy a base profile for your camera model from them first though. That's how they work. Hope it helps.
I'm still not a fan of the articulated screen, but I adapted to the way you use it - just shutting it. I think my main annoyance with it is that it latching mechanism is too tight. I'll sometimes lose a precious second or two trying to pry it open when I want a low or high angle shot. Maybe it'll get a bit looser with time, but it's been almost a year and it's still the same. I recently picked up the TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 lens to shoot on it with an M42 adapter. That lens is super fun and for a different portrait look I highly recommend it. It's got the old Zeiss/Helios swirl and softness, but it's well controlled and the moment you stop down to 2.8 it's just a super sharp lens.
Sometimes I like shooting from the hip while watching the screen. I don't like that it stands out to the side, it's awkward to handle. That's why this camera is not for me. Other than that it's a great camera.
I have a Df, and the Zf is very tempting to trade it in for… I have my F100 and FM2N for F mount fun, and I feel like the Zf might be more usable than the Df…
Yes the Z5 is a great alternative! My first time I tried adapting Leica M mount on a Nikon Z body, I used a Z5 because that's what they had in the store for me to try out. Image quality should basically be the same as the ZF because the sensor is the same. I just checked prices for the Z5 and I think I personally would search for some good second hand Z6 or Z7 deals. Or maybe even a second hand Z5. But regardless of that, Z5 is a solid option for manual focus lenses.
@@jakobsoegaard1886 It's a few hundred euros more expensive but you also get a fantastic sensor and more "pro" features. But all depends on what you really need and what deals you can find.
Seems like a briljant camera. Only thing i would absolutely hate is the vlog style lcd screen. When you shoot down horizonaly with the screen flipped it makes the camera twice as wide. No clue why they went for that. But this must be the best camera to use with manual lenses these days. Even better than Leica sl
In order to keep it compact, it'll probably need to just be SD cards. I also don't think Nikon is that interested in developing a new version any time soon. It is a small crowd of people that this body is intended towards. I own one, and I bought it for that reason, because I know it'll be some time before Nikon releases another version, or if they ever. It'll sit on my shelf as history. Who knows, 10, 20 years from now, it'll be something the kids would want. To anyone out there, keep this body, don't trade it.
@@SamuelStreetlife Absolutely. I realized you used the Voigtlander 40 1.2 on it as well! I use mine in M mount and it was already lovely. Would expect the Z mount version to be better.
@@SuperChonk It was my first lens I bought for the ZF :-) I heard the M mount version is almost the same. The Z version might just be a tiny bit better at the edges but that doesn't matter when you use it wide open.
great review! i m interesting about medium format and when i saw image with voightlander 40mm 1.2 waw!!! is it real good combo than an MF? Jerome from France ;)
I've never shot digital for over 35 years. I believe we are close in age, but I've never taken that leap. I have all the things to adapt I guess. So, Samuel, for a person like me, to adapt, if I was going to go in the digital world, ZF or ACII? I don't quite think I will jump, but I think we are at the point where I am tempted to see what my leica and nikon glass would look like on a digital sensor. Of course it would be nice to afford a digital back for my hasselblad, but that is not possible in my lifetime. Thoughts? It makes me very sad that there is no way for a complete generation that we can experience certain things. Like a 17 or 20 year old person cannot take an image on a 50-100mp sensor, or afford anything more than a disposable shit film box with a trash flash. It depresses me.
I personally would prefer the ZF over the Sony A7CII. If you come from an analog background you probably want the same user experience but just with a digital outcome. In this case the Zf is much closer to that than the Sony. The A7CII also has a very small viewfinder. And if adapting old manual lenses to a digital camera is the goal, you also won't benefit from the better autofocus the Sony has. You profit more from the manual focus experience the Zf has to offer. I also heard that the Nikon Z mount is amongst the best (if not the best) platform for adapting lenses (old & new!) because it has a very short flange distance (distance between sensor and lens). What that means is that for example Leica lenses work much better on a Nikon Z mount than Sony E mount. With the E mount you can get color cast or vignetting in the corners (especially wide angle lenses). Hope that helps a little!
The only reason i don't go with nikon is the size. If Nikon can make a camera small like a XT4 or XT30 i would go with nikon no doubt. Still tempting because the full frame sensor, I'm always watching Nikon and Sony to try FF...
![YoungBoy Never Broke Again - Sneaking [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1ILUps2zDFU/mqdefault.jpg)
Watching this review was like having a coffee with my favorite photographer friend. Down to the very detailed explanation of settings and the rationale for them. While your style of use couldn’t be any more different than mine, I found many of your tips useful. Simply because you have so deliberately adjusted the default user settings of the body.
The one point you made that resonated most with me, people react differently to this camera. As do I. It’s simply pleasurable to look at and touch and despite that it’s less comfortable to carry than my Z6, I much prefer the Zf.
By the way, the image of the kids with what looks like northern lights on the trees was incredible.
Awesome video. Thank you.
So basically, you sold this camera to me a year ago with your Denmark trip photos. I think it was some of your best work to date. I also ordered the Wotancraft strap and everything. I found your channel after I moved to Germany and was so happy to find someone who made me want to get into photography again after moving here. So, I applaud what you're doing. For what it's worth.
Your reviews are so well done; so thought out, with many details and thoughts clearly derived from many months working and shooting with the gear. Thank you so much, Samuel!
Best reviewa on YT by far, your work is just incredible!!
little unknown fact about both the 28mm and 40mm Nikon Z lenses : they are both weather sealed !
It's on the product page with a diagram of all the sealed, but somehow very little people know this. There is no rubber gasket at the mount, but the design of the plastic mount of the lens is made so that it doesn't need it (basically the mount has two little rails, one on the outside circle and one on the inside circle. If the water gets through the outside circle, it gets trapped in a textured part in the middle of the mount that does not make contact with the camera's lens mount, and the water does not get through)
So they are not only optically decent and cheap : they are also sealed and can withstand serious abuse ! Really underrated lenses in my opinion, especially the 28mm f/2.8 which people tend to diss out since the 40mm f/2 released
I understand the plastic mount has some natural weather resistance, but I wouldn't take my Zf out in the rain beyond a light sprinkle with the current 28mm Z and 40mm Z like I would my weather-sealed S-Line lenses with rubber gaskets. I really think we can use a G2 of the 28mm Z and 40mm Z with the gasket (and improved autofocus too). Don't get me wrong, the current versions are my daily drivers for street photography, but I can have my wishlist too, right? 😊
@@GeoChild You wouldn't... but hey I was curious about it, so I tested it !
At my work we have an IPX2 test bench to test out water resistance for products. The equipment wasn't in use for several weeks, so I brought in my camera (a Nikon Z6 first gen) with the 40mm f/2, put it in the box and let water fall onto it for about 2/3 hours.
Brought the camera home : no moisture in the lens, the lens mount had kept all the water out... I'm no longer concerned about using them in the rain !
Sometimes percieved effectiveness of a product (like having a metal mount + rubber gasket) is giving us more confidence in our equipment than anything else. Lenses like the Sigma DC primes and zooms all have rubber gaskets... but are not weather sealed anywhere else, yet I've seen people argue that they would go better in the rain than those small Nikkor muffin lenses !
I can honestly appreciate the Nikon's effort to keep the cost down. If that means I'm paying less, and it's just as effective? Yes sir !
So glad to see a more competent review of the ZF that’s not riddled with goofy nitpicks and weird use cases it’s not suited for. I’ve already decided I’m going to opt for one over a Leica M body as the tech is more reliable and the system gives you more options for different shooting occasions. I look forward to making a review and open up the discussion about the need for more analog bodies in the market. Excellent review!
Some really great snaps. Thanks for showing this off. The Zf is one of the only 2 cameras I still look over at fondly and think, "Maybe if I had THAT."
Wow, what a great video! Well, done, Samuel! Honestly, your photo show so much talent today. Hats off to you! Michael Neumann One World Productions. Ps I totally love the Voigtlander 40 mm 1.2 as well.!
I have the zf and the voigtlander 40mm 2.8 heliar on a voigtlander close adapter. It’s the funnest setup I’ve had in a long time. I also have the 24-120 nikkor for a workhorse. Your other videos were a big influence on my decision to jump from Fujifilm to Nikon. Fujifilm makes fun cameras but I was always missing the full frame look. Thanks for the great videos and information. Your street photography videos are some of my favorites to watch on RUclips.
With the Z6III coming out, these are dropping in price both new and 2nd hand. 1900 brand new, 1500-1600 on ebay or refurb. And the amazing Z f4 S Kit Glass has always been comedically affordable on ebay, right now I think the Zf is one of the best entries into the Nikon system, or tbh even mirrorless as a whole because it hits a great sweetspot of IQ, speed and glass affordability and quality. Only thing I really wish was that the command ring on the Z lenses had clicks
100% agree on clicks with the command ring! That is the only reason I don't bother using it because it's so easy to accidentally move it. But yes, overall it is a very well rounded camera!
This is really great video, extremely informative and so much fun to watch! Thanks man!
Thank you! Put in a lot of work so I'm glad to hear that.
I just love listening to you! 👍🏾 My Z8 feels like work time, my Zf feels like play time! ❤️ Maybe the new Z 50mm 1.4 for less “boring” photos? 😅
Congrats on the GR4, great review of the Zf
😆 thanks👍
I just ordered mine today thanks to u Samuel!
Cool! Congrats and enjoy!!
😂Thank you for the " Nice Guy, nice Camera" and sorry for interrupting you on your Video shoot . Love your Videos 👍👍👍
If Nikon sold an all black version that is also de-badged, that might just sell the best out of all the colors. It's seems like a lot of people like to de-badge the camera themselves like you have. Regarding the Fuji X-T5 you mention in the beginning, IMO, I believe the Zf shows more character in the photos and I believe that is in large part because of the full frame sensor.
Hehe yes cool idea! It looks so much better to me without the logo... And yes, full frame can show more character especially when used with bright lenses but crop sensors are also very beneficial for street photography. Easier to take photos with a lot of foreground and background layers in the frame.
great 1 year review Samuel, awesome photos of yours with voigtlander and simrera lens. 😁
Leaking the GR4 while talking about focus points?
Great vid as usual! Im thinking of replacing my x-t2, does the punched in zoom image in the view finder look sharper for manual focus lenses than say the xt5? Cheers
I picked up a Z7 at MPB in their best rated condition for USD1,100 with tax - what a bargain. The Z7 is one of the most underrated bargains at the moment. But people are catching on. With the 24-120 S it makes for an amazing, portable landscape setup for the backcountry.
A good and informative review. Thank you 👍😊
Really enjoyed the review! I've been waiting for my Simera 28mm with Lightlens Lab adapter to arrive. So I will survive Hamburg's gloomy dark winter too :))
I’m really looking forward to seeing the piece on the Scheutzen club. Shooters are generally pretty friendly, and we are certainly “gear” oriented, so I can see why they are interested in your cameras. We love precision machinery. I hope we get to see some of the pics of the shooters gear as well, I would really be interested to see what’s used in Germany, especially done I. Your style which is very interesting and artistic
It really is a beautiful camera, and I'm excited to see some competition with Fuji's hold on the retro style mirrorless cameras.
Regarding manual focus confirmation and highlight metering for Leica adapted lenses, have you tried the TTArtisan m-z 6 bit adapter?
You recommended this Tenba backpack in one of your videos. I recently purchased it. It was the best photography purchase of the year for me. It's really great for street photography, so thanks for the tip!
Nice that is great to hear! I was influenced by Dan Milnor when he reviewed it on his channel and had to get one after that. Same result for me, best bag purchase I've done haha :)
I've really loved mine. My main gripe is the screen for shooting video. If I need to have a low angle and have a cage with handles on I can't tilt the screen properly to see without it being in the way of my handle grip.
hi sam. now that you mentioned that you no longer use the manual subject detection focus feature on the zf, do you think buying a thypoc 28mm for the z mount is now more practical since that feature would only work for m mount w/ an adapter? as far as i know, thypoc has no electronic contacts that's why it doesn't support the said feature. sorry if i butcher my english.
I would consider this camera, but the market for manual focus lenses here in Norway is just ass. The Voigtländer selection is such a joke, importing them or Thypoch lenses becomes so expensive and so on. I should take a trip home and pick up a lens or two there. Might do that one day :) much appreciated that you took your time to make this update! These updates are worth gold and it is exciting to hear your one year update :)
14:27 😂😂 nice review. After F2, FM2, D700, ZF will be my first DSLR mirrorless.But i don't want to leave my voigtlander 40/2 Fmount. Will the feature underexpose work with adapter and my ultron?
hi Samuel, how does the cobalt profile work. Do you need to buy base pack for each of your camera and 1 time for the film emulation?
Great job on this video Samuel! :)
Can we call you a Nikon shooter now, since you own three of them? :D
As a ZF owner myself I'm still curious, what Nikon will do with these retro line up. Social media / RUclips has celebrated the ZF since it has been released and people continue to adore this camera, specifically for the retro design. But now for a whole year we don't see any native lens from Nikon to complement this retro design language (besides these 28+40mm SE lenses). Looks like they are kinda relying on third party lenses. I personally wish for prime lenses with aperture ring like Fuji. What's your thoughts on this? Would there be a lens you wish Nikon would release for the Zf?
I recently got myself the Nikon FM2 and therefore have the vintage lenses also to adapt on the Zf via the ZTF adaptor. They look quite nice on the Zf despite the adapter.
Only the rotation of focusing confuses me, since I'm used to the other way around on the M-lenses :). Guess you have tried Nikon vintage lenses on the Zf, but didn't like the experience compared to Voigtländer glas?
PS: Thank you for the grip tip!! I will definitely check that out! Looks like it would solve my ergonomics issues :D
Ok, I’m definitely gonna steal the highlight metering button idea. I recently got a Zf but haven’t had the chance to use it too much due to work and my schedule. So I haven’t had a chance to fully set things up and get used to the ergonomics.
I shoot on my D850 for freelance work and too got reliant on cropping. Hoping my Zf will help me show more restraint
Loving this camera with my z mount simera. I used to love the Neewer grip with the red taped over but now I rock it raw in a wotancraft pilot or black rapid sling so the weight is less hassle.
Who needs to use it one handed anyway?
Is Zf with 28-400mm too big for everyday camera? What do you think of camcorder like Panasonic HC-X1500 with 25-600mm?
Samuel! Have you tried the Rayqual or Shoten adapters? You didn’t mention them but I heard the Rayqual one is amazing for infinity performance. Not sure about the Novoflex one.
I never heard about Rayqual. Will look them up, thanks! I bought a Shoten adapter and it was not accurate unfortunately... Someone said that the Novoflex adapter is accurate. Which is good news if that is true.
I so needed this...
Oh, and I have the X-T5, so your disclaimer was helpful. I'll keep my MPB links hushed for now. ;)
I also have it for a year already. I'm an amateur, but I love this camera. I had a D5600 before.
I really love this video. I've just ordered a Nikon ZF, I hope I'll like it... 😂
There is a E to Z mount adapter, which make the camera think, that there is lens which is transmitting information attached. Some people use a M to E-mount adapter on top of the E to Z-mount adapter to get focus confirmation. Maybe this trick works with the expose for highlights function as well?
Long comment warning! A few things…
I have a shoe mounted thumb grip, the one that butts against the camera body thus avoiding excessive torque on the shoe. Pretty good and definitely worth considering.
I also just got the TTArtisans M-Z 6 bit adapter. Definitely useful for accurate focusing, but the build quality is poor. Mounts to the body with a nice reassuring click, but is very stiff when mounting lenses and they don’t always click into place. I prefer the Voigtlander close focusing adapter.
Like you I have the 28mm Simera, but find it too big for an EDC lens. I have the 50mm Eureka which is amazing particularly in combination with the Voigtlander adapter which overcomes the MFD issue of 90cm. You can get as close as 30cm! Prefer it to the Fuji 35mm f1.4, but only just, two very different shooting experiences. I will probably get a Voigtlander 28mm Color Skopar to solve the 28mm EDC issue. Type 1 cos I want to look cool. 😎
I am also a Fuji X-T5 owner. My main issue with the Zf is the size and weight…why did it have to be so big and heavy? And the screen! Oh dear…not flush to the body and mine wiggles when set in the outward looking position…super annoying. The X-T5 murders the Zf in terms of ergonomics and build. But the Zf wins with the MF experience. Even though the viewfinders have the same resolution, the Nikon is brighter, clearer and much easier to focus with. Also, the options you have with FF lenses are vast and superior. APS-C third party lenses just don’t deliver the same magic.
I agree that a mk ii version may be a ways off, but in terms of future wants…
1. Shave a few millimetres off the size.
2. Reduce the weight by about 100g (does it really need brass dials?).
3. Make the screen flush to the rest of the body.
4. 45mp sensor.
5. B&W version.
Sermon ends…
Friend of mine bought one and uses the small rig grip and it made all the difference my my hands when I got to borrow it. It is a great walk around camera and I would pick one up if I didn’t already have a walk around camera (I’d do it anyway but the wife said no)
The menu was a little weird for me but I’ve always shot canon so it was just a learning curve
Thinking about the Nikon 35 mm f1.8. Does it have good character? Currently using the Nikkor 40 mm f2.0, not sure if I should upgrade to the 35 from Nikon or the Voigtländer 40 mm 1.2 on my z7.
I like my 40 mm, but wish more micro contrast and corner sharpness.
I can't speak for the 35mm 1.8 S because I never used it. I heard that it is a bit different than the 50mm 1.8 S but also very sharp and "clinical" feeling in terms of image rendering (that is why the 35mm 1.4 Z now exists). The Voigtländer 40mm 1.2 definitely has more micro contrast than the 40mm F2 Z and is also sharper in the corners when you stop it down to F4 or further. But the weakness of the Voigtländer is that the Bokeh or the out of focus elements look less pleasing the moment you stop the aperture down to even 1.4. It has nice and round bokeh balls wide open at 1.2 but stop the lens down and it becomes "edgy". So I use it wide open most of the time or stop it down so much that everything is sharp (it's a lens that has two characters). In the end it is also a question of workflow (AF or MF).
good review, thanks for your thoughts. And, the 50 z 1.8 S is so boring ?
It is just a very well corrected, sharp lens. But the images look "lifeless" to me. It's just how clean everything looks : ) Personal preference.
Yeah I understand, you like manual lenses so it is quite logical !
What about the 24-70 ? Isn’t it too sharp as well ?
Does the voigtlander adapter have electronic contact points ?
Someone asked for a alternative to the xf 35 1.4 from fuji for the zf. I loved the xf 35 1.4. now i use the new z 35 1.4 and it has some character and a fast af. The newer z 50 1.4 should be a good choice for a try!!! The Voigtlander 50 1.5 II with the 6bit-tt-artisan is also tempting me…😅
Helpful tips. Thanks
one thing i maybe miss but annoys me is that after manual "focus enlarging" and hitting the shutterbutton the screen does not "pop" back to "normal" view. my fuji does that not problemos. what gives? or maybe i'm slow
The Light Lens Lab adaptor for M-L is exquisite. I somehow got one before it was released. I don't know if they make other mounts, but if you use an fp or S-series sometime you should try the Thypoch on that.
btw your description has really piqued my interest in the Thypoch for the first time, despite having seen many rave about them.
Back to the video
Interesting! What makes the light lens lab adapter so good? For me the adapter needs to create the right distance to the sensor so that the focus scale on lenses is accurate. Unfortunately the ones I tried all fell short. And most adapters rattle a bit but the Voigtländer one fits very tight and nothing moves which I like.
Can you share where you got those Ricoh lightroom profiles?
Sure! www.cobalt-image.com/product/cobalt-ricoh-gr-for-adobe/ you need to buy a base profile for your camera model from them first though. That's how they work. Hope it helps.
I'm still not a fan of the articulated screen, but I adapted to the way you use it - just shutting it. I think my main annoyance with it is that it latching mechanism is too tight. I'll sometimes lose a precious second or two trying to pry it open when I want a low or high angle shot. Maybe it'll get a bit looser with time, but it's been almost a year and it's still the same. I recently picked up the TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 lens to shoot on it with an M42 adapter. That lens is super fun and for a different portrait look I highly recommend it. It's got the old Zeiss/Helios swirl and softness, but it's well controlled and the moment you stop down to 2.8 it's just a super sharp lens.
Sometimes I like shooting from the hip while watching the screen. I don't like that it stands out to the side, it's awkward to handle. That's why this camera is not for me. Other than that it's a great camera.
The Novoflex M adapter gets infinity right as well, and is like 1/3 the cost of the Voigtlander.
comment avoir cette option qui montre l'exposition pour le hautes lumières ?
good review!! I'm used voigr~ classic 50mm nokton ~~ 1.5 / and neewer ca709 haha!!!
I have a Df, and the Zf is very tempting to trade it in for… I have my F100 and FM2N for F mount fun, and I feel like the Zf might be more usable than the Df…
The "red" line on the grip comes from the Nikon F3 HP ... which is a nicer camera 😜
Still an incredible camera, I’m not so happy with the new screen and viewfinder of the NZ63 Samuel
With the z5 on offer and used with manual lenses might be an alternative ?
Yes the Z5 is a great alternative! My first time I tried adapting Leica M mount on a Nikon Z body, I used a Z5 because that's what they had in the store for me to try out. Image quality should basically be the same as the ZF because the sensor is the same. I just checked prices for the Z5 and I think I personally would search for some good second hand Z6 or Z7 deals. Or maybe even a second hand Z5. But regardless of that, Z5 is a solid option for manual focus lenses.
@ I have not considered z7 …thx will check that out and used prices..thx for your suggestions
@@jakobsoegaard1886 It's a few hundred euros more expensive but you also get a fantastic sensor and more "pro" features. But all depends on what you really need and what deals you can find.
Seems like a briljant camera. Only thing i would absolutely hate is the vlog style lcd screen. When you shoot down horizonaly with the screen flipped it makes the camera twice as wide. No clue why they went for that. But this must be the best camera to use with manual lenses these days. Even better than Leica sl
Zf❤
samuel has to have amazing neck strength carrying 3 full frame cameras...
In order to keep it compact, it'll probably need to just be SD cards. I also don't think Nikon is that interested in developing a new version any time soon. It is a small crowd of people that this body is intended towards. I own one, and I bought it for that reason, because I know it'll be some time before Nikon releases another version, or if they ever. It'll sit on my shelf as history. Who knows, 10, 20 years from now, it'll be something the kids would want. To anyone out there, keep this body, don't trade it.
My Nikon Z8’s manual focus confirmation is the most accurate I’ve used in the mirrorless world. Sounds like the Zf is similar.
I think it should be the same. Yes very accurate indeed 🙌
FIRST! I love my ZF perfect for mounting my M lenses!
Yes it's almost like it was made for it 🙌😊
@@SamuelStreetlife Absolutely. I realized you used the Voigtlander 40 1.2 on it as well! I use mine in M mount and it was already lovely. Would expect the Z mount version to be better.
@@SuperChonk It was my first lens I bought for the ZF :-) I heard the M mount version is almost the same. The Z version might just be a tiny bit better at the edges but that doesn't matter when you use it wide open.
great review!
i m interesting about medium format and when i saw image with voightlander 40mm 1.2 waw!!!
is it real good combo than an MF?
Jerome from France ;)
At minute 14:28 the first leaked Picture of the Ricoh GR4😃
Perfect camera apart from that damn side hinged flippy, flappy, obtrusive, conspicuous take forever rear screen.
I've never shot digital for over 35 years. I believe we are close in age, but I've never taken that leap. I have all the things to adapt I guess. So, Samuel, for a person like me, to adapt, if I was going to go in the digital world, ZF or ACII? I don't quite think I will jump, but I think we are at the point where I am tempted to see what my leica and nikon glass would look like on a digital sensor. Of course it would be nice to afford a digital back for my hasselblad, but that is not possible in my lifetime. Thoughts? It makes me very sad that there is no way for a complete generation that we can experience certain things. Like a 17 or 20 year old person cannot take an image on a 50-100mp sensor, or afford anything more than a disposable shit film box with a trash flash. It depresses me.
I personally would prefer the ZF over the Sony A7CII. If you come from an analog background you probably want the same user experience but just with a digital outcome. In this case the Zf is much closer to that than the Sony. The A7CII also has a very small viewfinder. And if adapting old manual lenses to a digital camera is the goal, you also won't benefit from the better autofocus the Sony has. You profit more from the manual focus experience the Zf has to offer. I also heard that the Nikon Z mount is amongst the best (if not the best) platform for adapting lenses (old & new!) because it has a very short flange distance (distance between sensor and lens). What that means is that for example Leica lenses work much better on a Nikon Z mount than Sony E mount. With the E mount you can get color cast or vignetting in the corners (especially wide angle lenses). Hope that helps a little!
👍🏻
The only reason i don't go with nikon is the size. If Nikon can make a camera small like a XT4 or XT30 i would go with nikon no doubt. Still tempting because the full frame sensor, I'm always watching Nikon and Sony to try FF...
Bro has the GR4 🙈
Or maybe I am just trolling... 😛
@ 😄😄😄
No because it seems to be sloghtly different. the body is a bit different.
Not a great camera. That's all.
Holy crap I made it into a Sam video. Let’s go
Haha! Lets gooo
Great....just not a Fuji - it lacks 'soul.' 🙂
Debatable :-D