I have a Nikon Zf and Z8 and use the Zf for everything outside the fastest action with telephotos. I honestly think the Zf has a better sensor that delivers nicer photos between the two. Plus I much prefer the dials and SLR experience over the modern PASM cameras, having learned on a Nikon SLR many years ago, which still works today, the N2000.
This is a good distillation of your earlier, longer video about the Zf. The Zf was my upgrade from a D7500 APS-C DSLR; I picked it to get the new Nikon focus system, and to get better low-light performance (I shoot a lot of indoor church events where flash is out of the question). It gives me those parts of the Z6III goodness that I wanted, for several hundred dollars less. You can get used to the quirky ergonomics, but for that reason, I wouldn't recommend it to a sports or wildlife photographer. It works for me, though.
To be fair, I wouldn't rec the Z6iii for sports or wildlife either...those are firmly the realm of the actual flagships. If you're interested in the guts of the Z6iii, most of those are present in the ZF at a really nice savings, especially refurbed. Thanks for watching!
Something about it wants me want to go out and shoot with it. I have been an amateur, semi-pro and full time pro, but I am 30 years into photography and something about this camera excites me. It's not just a tool, it calls to be used.
@@scotttuckerphotography I don't have many Z mount lenses yet, the 24-70 F4s, the 40mm F2 and 50mm 1.8s. I LOVE the 50mm 1.8S, that thing is incredible. But I think the 40mm F2 is overrated. It's impressive for the price and weight, but I didn't buy or carry a full-frame mirrorless to go and compromise on the lens, that doesn't make sense to me. I've been using my 85mm 1.8G on it adapted a lot, and I think the Nikon 85mm 1.8S will be my next purchase. I do love how older lenses get an upgrade through mirrorless focussing (no more calibration sessions) and camera IBIS.
I feel that way too. Check out the neewer E to Z stacked with an F/E dumb adapter to enable autofocus assists like a chipped voigtlander on the AI-S lenses as well. I use a AI-S 50mm 1.2 on mine more than anything else.
I’m pretty tempted by this camera, but unsure. Do you use 1/2/3 (aka u1/u2/u3) modes on other cameras? If so, do you miss them here? I’ve come to love them on a Sony APS-C camera, and worry I might regret giving them up.
I used to use them more, especially on Fuji, until they completely broke them for my use (too many settings now no longer flow between each U profile, down to aspect ratio...makes it hard to flip between them quickly). I would say that my ZF shooting is usually pretty intentional...I'm out shooting street for the day, or portraits, and not really diving back and forth between use cases. That said, the camera mostly lives on M with Auto ISO, and I have quick access to shutter speed, which is usually the main differentiator between main modes in my experience.
I was quite dismissive of it when I first played with it in store (despite having spent a lot of time with an FM2) due to the ergonomics but I fell into a similar perspective as you after biting the bullet on it. It’s genuinely one of my favorite cameras for a variety of reasons, despite some of the drawbacks you listed, ones which I agree with. Ironically though, I was seeking a new camera due to disappointment with the AF system performance of my previous camera but after getting the Nikon in big part due to its fantastic AF, I actually ended up using manual focus Voigtlander lenses for most of my shooting.
@@from.memories it’s nice that it has AF chops AND a really great manual focus assist/confirmation system, a combo that leads to me feeling confident in picking it up over “better” cameras. Still on the hunt for the perfect grip!
In future videos, as you pursue your 365 challenge, please update us on ways you have set up the camera to work best for you. I'd love to see how you map all your function buttons and top My Menu slots, to deal with the dearth of custom function buttons for general landscapes and your EDC walks. And it would be interesting to hear how you deal with the lack of a joy stick nib for changing the focus point. Do you use back button focus with AE-L/AF-L buttons or do you half press shutter to lock both and re compose? And does having a manual lens affect your focus and recompose method ? Like you, I prefer to keep the LCD screen closed to simulate film camera shooting without chimping,, so I do not use the touch screen for changing the focus point, but i wonder if you use this method at all. Keep your Zf content coming!
You might be sorely disappointed with that video when you learn how little I have tweaked the settings, but it would be an interesting walkthrough nonetheless. So far, the D-Pad is fine for AF point movement, but to my point in the video, if it was where my thumb naturally fell (and where most joysticks are) that would make it all the better. I'll add that video to the list! Thanks for watching, Robert.
What are your thoughts on the Nonikkor? I've heard (disappointingly) that they don't report EXIF data, but other than that most of comments I've read make it out to sound like real nice lenses for the money.
You’re correct, it does not have contacts, but focus peaking works pretty well. I have a full video on it coming soon! It’s an interesting little lens with lots of character.
I have a Nikon Zf and Z8 and use the Zf for everything outside the fastest action with telephotos. I honestly think the Zf has a better sensor that delivers nicer photos between the two. Plus I much prefer the dials and SLR experience over the modern PASM cameras, having learned on a Nikon SLR many years ago, which still works today, the N2000.
This is a good distillation of your earlier, longer video about the Zf. The Zf was my upgrade from a D7500 APS-C DSLR; I picked it to get the new Nikon focus system, and to get better low-light performance (I shoot a lot of indoor church events where flash is out of the question). It gives me those parts of the Z6III goodness that I wanted, for several hundred dollars less. You can get used to the quirky ergonomics, but for that reason, I wouldn't recommend it to a sports or wildlife photographer. It works for me, though.
To be fair, I wouldn't rec the Z6iii for sports or wildlife either...those are firmly the realm of the actual flagships. If you're interested in the guts of the Z6iii, most of those are present in the ZF at a really nice savings, especially refurbed. Thanks for watching!
Something about it wants me want to go out and shoot with it. I have been an amateur, semi-pro and full time pro, but I am 30 years into photography and something about this camera excites me. It's not just a tool, it calls to be used.
@@BrianParkes glad I’m not the only one that feels that way! What’s your favorite lens on it?
@@scotttuckerphotography I don't have many Z mount lenses yet, the 24-70 F4s, the 40mm F2 and 50mm 1.8s.
I LOVE the 50mm 1.8S, that thing is incredible. But I think the 40mm F2 is overrated. It's impressive for the price and weight, but I didn't buy or carry a full-frame mirrorless to go and compromise on the lens, that doesn't make sense to me.
I've been using my 85mm 1.8G on it adapted a lot, and I think the Nikon 85mm 1.8S will be my next purchase. I do love how older lenses get an upgrade through mirrorless focussing (no more calibration sessions) and camera IBIS.
I feel that way too. Check out the neewer E to Z stacked with an F/E dumb adapter to enable autofocus assists like a chipped voigtlander on the AI-S lenses as well. I use a AI-S 50mm 1.2 on mine more than anything else.
I also continue to shoot film with my FM2n and coming from that, I find nothing wrong with my Zf's ergonomics which the internet seems to whine over.
@@adzbasslines268 indeed, those are very similar experiences. I always wish my FM3a was a little less brick like but value the small size.
I have a 50mm f1 voigt basically glued to mine. But will have to remove the glue for the forthcoming 28 1.5 voigt
@@DSG0805 the 28 is looking like a fun lens!
I’m pretty tempted by this camera, but unsure. Do you use 1/2/3 (aka u1/u2/u3) modes on other cameras? If so, do you miss them here? I’ve come to love them on a Sony APS-C camera, and worry I might regret giving them up.
I used to use them more, especially on Fuji, until they completely broke them for my use (too many settings now no longer flow between each U profile, down to aspect ratio...makes it hard to flip between them quickly). I would say that my ZF shooting is usually pretty intentional...I'm out shooting street for the day, or portraits, and not really diving back and forth between use cases. That said, the camera mostly lives on M with Auto ISO, and I have quick access to shutter speed, which is usually the main differentiator between main modes in my experience.
@ interesting perspective. Thanks for detailing that!
I was quite dismissive of it when I first played with it in store (despite having spent a lot of time with an FM2) due to the ergonomics but I fell into a similar perspective as you after biting the bullet on it.
It’s genuinely one of my favorite cameras for a variety of reasons, despite some of the drawbacks you listed, ones which I agree with.
Ironically though, I was seeking a new camera due to disappointment with the AF system performance of my previous camera but after getting the Nikon in big part due to its fantastic AF, I actually ended up using manual focus Voigtlander lenses for most of my shooting.
@@from.memories it’s nice that it has AF chops AND a really great manual focus assist/confirmation system, a combo that leads to me feeling confident in picking it up over “better” cameras. Still on the hunt for the perfect grip!
In future videos, as you pursue your 365 challenge, please update us on ways you have set up the camera to work best for you. I'd love to see how you map all your function buttons and top My Menu slots, to deal with the dearth of custom function buttons for general landscapes and your EDC walks. And it would be interesting to hear how you deal with the lack of a joy stick nib for changing the focus point. Do you use back button focus with AE-L/AF-L buttons or do you half press shutter to lock both and re compose? And does having a manual lens affect your focus and recompose method ? Like you, I prefer to keep the LCD screen closed to simulate film camera shooting without chimping,, so I do not use the touch screen for changing the focus point, but i wonder if you use this method at all. Keep your Zf content coming!
You might be sorely disappointed with that video when you learn how little I have tweaked the settings, but it would be an interesting walkthrough nonetheless. So far, the D-Pad is fine for AF point movement, but to my point in the video, if it was where my thumb naturally fell (and where most joysticks are) that would make it all the better. I'll add that video to the list! Thanks for watching, Robert.
I use a Zemlin eyecup on my Blue Zf.
What are your thoughts on the Nonikkor? I've heard (disappointingly) that they don't report EXIF data, but other than that most of comments I've read make it out to sound like real nice lenses for the money.
You’re correct, it does not have contacts, but focus peaking works pretty well. I have a full video on it coming soon! It’s an interesting little lens with lots of character.