I also got rid of my Q2 for the Nikon ZF and I have zero regrets. This camera has been so much fun to use. I also plan to get an adapter so I can use my Sigma glass on this camera. Great video as always brother!
I’ve owned a Nikon for years. Dabbled a bit with Fuji when I considered mirrorless but stuck with Nikon for the ergonomics and colors. It’s a little funny to me that it took Nikon making a retro camera with modern guts to get folks that have never considered Nikon to give them a shot. I really admire your work and appreciate your journey to this camera and how you shoot with it. One thing you forgot to mention irt manual lens shooting is the facial and eye recognition you still get even with adapted lenses. I don’t have first hand experience but have seen other RUclipsrs show it off. A real game changer for manual focus portrait shooters. As much as I love the ZF I ended up getting a Z6III as my do everything camera and I’m getting a GR III for more everyday stuff. I would love to add a ZF down the road.
What can I say, I am a sucker for nostalgia lol from my understanding is that you only get eye confirmation if the adapter has the electronic contacts. I’m super curious on the Z6III!
Captured it in the title - this camera is kind of stealthy, don't expect much, then next you know you keep picking it up, even with many great choices. The mf experience in this camera rekindled my appreciation for mf - especially appreciate how subject detection continues to work in mf - between that and zooming in on the current focus point, it's just fun and effective. Plus surprisingly good IQ. If you get a chance try either the new z 35 (and the 50 1.4 when it ships) - nikon nailed the 35 for portraiture etc, and looks ike the 50 1.4 may be just as good. Produces images full of character, but with modern AF and pretty bright as well.
I’ve been a m4/3 shooter since 2005 and decided to add this one to my collection. And I bought several Nikon lenses with it. But when I got the Voigtlander 40mm 1.2 lens with it then I truly enjoyed this camera and haven’t used any other lens in 6 months since.
First time I picked it up in store I genuinely disliked it. Gave it another shot a few weeks later and then went all in. Much happier with it than I ever was with the X-T5.
Love my Zf and have kept my Voigtlander 50mm f/1 and 35mm f/2 APO on it 99.9% of the time. The system slows me down to once again enjoy the process of photography. Great review! Thanks.
Excellent, well written and produced review. The Zf opens so many exciting options to experiment with great MF and vintage lenses. I appreciate your sharing your experiences so far and hope you will post regular updates describing other lenses and adapters you've found interesting on this wonderful camera. I'd love to hear more about how well the Megadap or Neewer Sony FE to Z adapters work with the compact Sigma DG-DN i-series FE lenses on the Zf (losing auto distortion corrections in camera) , since Nikon appears not to want to bring back classic clicky aperture rings on their new native Z glass. I don't have the Zf yet but its tactile retro design seems to enhance engagement and fun factor that can inspire one to get out and shoot more often, while also being very versatile. New subscriber.
Thanks for the kind words! I do want to try sigma compact lenses on this system since i love having an aperture ring. Manually focusing on all manual glass has been so fun.
There is a newer Neewer handgrip which has a thumbrest. I have that one and the Smallrig and while the Smallrig is fine I like the thumbrest of the Neewer a lot especially with larger lenses like the Tamron 35-150. Thanks for sharing the video!
Its a beautiful camera. I believe it will go down as a classic. I sold my to get a sl2 s, which is a nice camera ti shoot with but i really miss the Nikon. The manual foce with the TTartisan adapter make it a pure joy to use. I dont think I'll go back but the next gen zf is something im very looking forward to.
The SL line of Leica cameras are so beautiful and great to use. Had one for about a year! Yeah, I hope Nikon continues to invest in this like. Thanks for watching!
@@luischavezphoto you're welcome! This channel Bokeh Therapy by Jack Wang covered the manual focus options quite well. I'm saving for the ZF to use with manual lenses. Until then, the techart on my Sony will scratch the itch.
I do own that adapter and it has been so much fun! It especially is just easier to focus because the box will turn green if you nail focus. The adapter is not perfect as focusing to infinity doesn't work perfectly, but the adapter can help you pretty well in overcoming that problem. Next to that the aperture in camera doesn't close down further than /5.6 (no idea why) so it will expose a bit weird sometimes if you try to compensate for that. I use it with the Voigtlander Color Skopar 50mm f/2.2 and I really enjoy the combo. Just waiting for the one adapter that has electronic contacts and also works well for infinity focus!
@@artsilva that's maybe the fact if you are using Lightroom, but Capture One for example really implements grain to the different areas of an image. Darks/shadows have a different amount of grain compared to bright or overexposed areas! It looks much more realistic. Even different kinds of grain are available (soft/harsh/etc.)
Hey great video brother ! Just curious what were your minor tweaks to the rich tone portrait color setting ? Have the same camera and loved your pictures thanks
At the beginning of this year, I also bought a Zf and have been looking at Techart Pro TZM-02 AF Adapter Leica M Nikon Z version II, but have not bought it yet. It would be great if you could do a more detailed review of that.
What do you want to know? I have one on my Z6 (using it with my M-mount glass). What you should know is that it is not a quiet focus mechanism and it tends to hunt a little before hitting focus. So not the best for video. Sometimes it won't focus at all.. my solution is to adjust the manual focus on the lens to near focus.. focus on something close.. then back to infinity and it usually works. It's not foolproof, so I wouldn't use it for critical applications/paid work. I think it's best to compare it to medium format autofocus lenses in speed. I do think it will work a little bit better on the Zf, since that camera is so much better at hitting critical focus than the Z6. In any case, even with the Z6, my recommendation would be to get one if you have more than one or two (not too heavy) manual focus lenses that you want to pair it with. Also make sure not to hold your camera by the lens, since the whole lens moves and you don't want to over-exert the motors in the adapter. As long as you are fine with that, it's really cool experience. Oh and buy from somewhere that offers some kind of warranty.. some people have reported adapters breaking, but mine has been solid (knock on wood).
@@Renzsu thank you for your insights! I would like to use the adapter with the Voigtlander 75mmF1.5 for protraits, will have to take the plunge I think 🙂
I also got rid of my Q2 for the Nikon ZF and I have zero regrets. This camera has been so much fun to use. I also plan to get an adapter so I can use my Sigma glass on this camera. Great video as always brother!
I definitely recommend the adapter. It’s super useful! Thanks for watching David!
@@luischavezphoto which adapter are you using?
@@dlovisualsthe megadap adapter!
I’ve owned a Nikon for years. Dabbled a bit with Fuji when I considered mirrorless but stuck with Nikon for the ergonomics and colors. It’s a little funny to me that it took Nikon making a retro camera with modern guts to get folks that have never considered Nikon to give them a shot.
I really admire your work and appreciate your journey to this camera and how you shoot with it. One thing you forgot to mention irt manual lens shooting is the facial and eye recognition you still get even with adapted lenses. I don’t have first hand experience but have seen other RUclipsrs show it off. A real game changer for manual focus portrait shooters.
As much as I love the ZF I ended up getting a Z6III as my do everything camera and I’m getting a GR III for more everyday stuff. I would love to add a ZF down the road.
What can I say, I am a sucker for nostalgia lol from my understanding is that you only get eye confirmation if the adapter has the electronic contacts. I’m super curious on the Z6III!
I sold an X-Pro 2, Xe-1, a handful of XF lenses and a Leica Q (116) for this beauty recently. Zero regrets with Voigtlander manual focus lenses 🙂
Nice! I still have the Leica Q2 for sentimental reasons but the ZF is so good.
Captured it in the title - this camera is kind of stealthy, don't expect much, then next you know you keep picking it up, even with many great choices. The mf experience in this camera rekindled my appreciation for mf - especially appreciate how subject detection continues to work in mf - between that and zooming in on the current focus point, it's just fun and effective. Plus surprisingly good IQ.
If you get a chance try either the new z 35 (and the 50 1.4 when it ships) - nikon nailed the 35 for portraiture etc, and looks ike the 50 1.4 may be just as good. Produces images full of character, but with modern AF and pretty bright as well.
I expected to like the camera but the ZF single-handedly changed my outlook on Nikon. The ZF has a permanent spot in my kit. Thanks for watching!
I’ve been a m4/3 shooter since 2005 and decided to add this one to my collection. And I bought several Nikon lenses with it. But when I got the Voigtlander 40mm 1.2 lens with it then I truly enjoyed this camera and haven’t used any other lens in 6 months since.
Adapting lenses to the system has been a joy with this camera
First time I picked it up in store I genuinely disliked it. Gave it another shot a few weeks later and then went all in. Much happier with it than I ever was with the X-T5.
For this size body, I much prefer the ZF since I love the full frame sensor.
Love my Zf and have kept my Voigtlander 50mm f/1 and 35mm f/2 APO on it 99.9% of the time. The system slows me down to once again enjoy the process of photography. Great review! Thanks.
I want to eventually try voigtlander with this system. Thank you for watching and sharing your experience!
I’m a Sony/Fuji user who has also converted to Nikon ZF. Love it
Excellent, well written and produced review. The Zf opens so many exciting options to experiment with great MF and vintage lenses. I appreciate your sharing your experiences so far and hope you will post regular updates describing other lenses and adapters you've found interesting on this wonderful camera. I'd love to hear more about how well the Megadap or Neewer Sony FE to Z adapters work with the compact Sigma DG-DN i-series FE lenses on the Zf (losing auto distortion corrections in camera) , since Nikon appears not to want to bring back classic clicky aperture rings on their new native Z glass. I don't have the Zf yet but its tactile retro design seems to enhance engagement and fun factor that can inspire one to get out and shoot more often, while also being very versatile. New subscriber.
Thanks for the kind words! I do want to try sigma compact lenses on this system since i love having an aperture ring. Manually focusing on all manual glass has been so fun.
There is a newer Neewer handgrip which has a thumbrest. I have that one and the Smallrig and while the Smallrig is fine I like the thumbrest of the Neewer a lot especially with larger lenses like the Tamron 35-150.
Thanks for sharing the video!
Fully agree Luis!!
i have had my Zf for 2 weeks and im hooked
Thanks for watching!
if only it came in silver 😅😅😅
great video tho dude, was worth the wait and that A roll looking sooo nice 😮💨
You should make a petition to Nikon! 😂And thanks for watching.
Its a beautiful camera. I believe it will go down as a classic. I sold my to get a sl2 s, which is a nice camera ti shoot with but i really miss the Nikon. The manual foce with the TTartisan adapter make it a pure joy to use. I dont think I'll go back but the next gen zf is something im very looking forward to.
The SL line of Leica cameras are so beautiful and great to use. Had one for about a year! Yeah, I hope Nikon continues to invest in this like. Thanks for watching!
The TTArtisan 6-bit adapter for M lenses will allow for focus confirmation, making the ZF behave like a “rangefinder”. Dumb adapters wont do it though
I heard about that! I don’t have that adapter so I didn’t really get to cover it. I might pick it up. Thanks for the insight!
@@luischavezphoto you're welcome! This channel Bokeh Therapy by Jack Wang covered the manual focus options quite well. I'm saving for the ZF to use with manual lenses. Until then, the techart on my Sony will scratch the itch.
I do own that adapter and it has been so much fun! It especially is just easier to focus because the box will turn green if you nail focus. The adapter is not perfect as focusing to infinity doesn't work perfectly, but the adapter can help you pretty well in overcoming that problem. Next to that the aperture in camera doesn't close down further than /5.6 (no idea why) so it will expose a bit weird sometimes if you try to compensate for that. I use it with the Voigtlander Color Skopar 50mm f/2.2 and I really enjoy the combo. Just waiting for the one adapter that has electronic contacts and also works well for infinity focus!
@@larsingrainthat new 50mm skopar looks great. Do you have any pics hosted somewhere? Would also love to see how it looks mounted to the Zf.
on the B&W switch, it will use the latest B&W profile you used (Built in) I think you can edit and the values will go.
Yep! I love the black and white profile just wish I could add grain to it in camera but it’s a very minor grievance. Haha
You CAN add grain in post to your photos.
Yep! I do it all the time. Would be great to do it in camera but it’s a minor thing.
@@luischavezphoto In the end it's all the same; artificial grain overlay of sorts.
@@artsilva that's maybe the fact if you are using Lightroom, but Capture One for example really implements grain to the different areas of an image. Darks/shadows have a different amount of grain compared to bright or overexposed areas! It looks much more realistic. Even different kinds of grain are available (soft/harsh/etc.)
@@WorldinFastForward Like I said, you can do it in post, regardless of what editor you use, some different than others obviously
damm boi! always killing the reviews!
Always appreciate you man!
Hey great video brother ! Just curious what were your minor tweaks to the rich tone portrait color setting ? Have the same camera and loved your pictures thanks
I’m going to make a tutorial soon!
amazing and informative video
Thanks for watching!
Great video
Thank you for watching!
At the beginning of this year, I also bought a Zf and have been looking at Techart Pro TZM-02 AF Adapter Leica M Nikon Z version II, but have not bought it yet. It would be great if you could do a more detailed review of that.
What do you want to know? I have one on my Z6 (using it with my M-mount glass). What you should know is that it is not a quiet focus mechanism and it tends to hunt a little before hitting focus. So not the best for video.
Sometimes it won't focus at all.. my solution is to adjust the manual focus on the lens to near focus.. focus on something close.. then back to infinity and it usually works. It's not foolproof, so I wouldn't use it for critical applications/paid work.
I think it's best to compare it to medium format autofocus lenses in speed. I do think it will work a little bit better on the Zf, since that camera is so much better at hitting critical focus than the Z6.
In any case, even with the Z6, my recommendation would be to get one if you have more than one or two (not too heavy) manual focus lenses that you want to pair it with. Also make sure not to hold your camera by the lens, since the whole lens moves and you don't want to over-exert the motors in the adapter. As long as you are fine with that, it's really cool experience.
Oh and buy from somewhere that offers some kind of warranty.. some people have reported adapters breaking, but mine has been solid (knock on wood).
Great tips!
I definitely want to do a more detailed video about my experience with this particular adapter. Thanks for watching!
@@luischavezphoto looking forward to it
@@Renzsu thank you for your insights! I would like to use the adapter with the Voigtlander 75mmF1.5 for protraits, will have to take the plunge I think 🙂
Third!