After 7 years of happy using of FUJI stuff, I ditch to NIKON with the Zf 3 month ago. For now, I’m very happy with it and I have no problem to transfer pictures from Zf to my iPhone 15 PM. I have several Z S lenses, 14_30 F4, 24_120 F4, 50 F1.8 + the 2 ‘’little’’ 28 F2.8 and 40 F2 as ‘’modern’’ lenses and the stunning Thypoch Simera 28 F1.4, TTArtisan 50 F1.4 and Voigtlander Nokton 75 F1.5 for manual focus that are crazy good.
I agree. No problem transferring files. When I turn on camera it syncs with a phone, after turn off disconnects. It happens when Nikon app is opened on background while phone is in sleep mode in my pocket. All files are automatically synced with Google Photos cloud. (Google pixel 7)
Try this for a filmic look.. Color profile: PURE Decrease the effect level to 50% ( you can do that and I dont think a lot of people know about it ) Now shift the white balance to taste .. for me personally I shift all the way to the right and half way down to increase the temperature to warm and tint to magenta. The pure profile tends to look way green and blue which can sometimes look nice depending on what you want to achieve but thats how I do it and it looks amazing SOOC. Hope this helps
I went from Nikon (D700) to Fuji in 2017. 7 years later I bought the Zf and use only 1 AF lens, being the 28mm 2.8 SE 40mm 1.2 Voigtländer and all my old AiS lenses. I enjoy shooting with the Zf a lot. My only gripe i have is that the Zf doesn't have an electronic shutter higher than 1/8000. Even my Fuji Xe4 has that feature!
I love the Micro SD card on it as I treat it like an internal memory and rarely take it off. The only time I take it off is when I offload photos after a wedding or event shoot. On most days, it doesn't come off.
I mean, I hear you. I've even said something similar in a previous video. But then, what's the difference between that and any other memory card? Why remove memory cards at all ever?
@@AndrewGoodCamera You mentioned in the video that it was hard to work out which way the micro sd card goes in with the battery in. I don't have one (yet) but isn't that a diagram on the battery door that shows the orientation of the micro sd?
Thank you for your honest review. For someone who was considering this camera for video, that part about overheating was a dealbreaker. Jared Polin also mentioned the overheating issue (even just taking photos on a hot day). I appreciate your honesty, not afraid to tell the truth despite the Nikon corporation probably not being very happy about this video.
I actually got 2 ZFs for my workflow! The Z8 is too pro and unnecessary for what I do: paid events and portraits. The Z6II was lacking auto-focus and the Z6III had not major improvements but video (which I do not need). The Zf has everything: great quality, Z8 auto-focus, beautiful, dual slots and amazing price. Got each at 1600€ (tax exclusive) in Spain.
The auto-focus of zf camera works very well, so the focusing ring of 40mm SE can be customized and modified into an aperture ring. Although the mechanical touch is a little bit poor, it is much better than using the front wave wheel of the camera body.
The flip-out screen rather than a flip-up (like the Z6/Z6II) or flip-down (like the X-Pro3) on a photo-centric camera has been the number one thing preventing me from pulling the trigger on the Zf to this point. The lack of in-house aperture ring lenses is another, but at least there are 3rd-party options to resolve that issue. The screen is just such a huge miss that takes away so much from the intended feel and use case that I keep finding myself looking at used X-Pro3 instead (although those have their own bag of issues, price being the biggest one). Really, I just want Nikon to release a "Z3" based on the Z30 but with a full-frame sensor, proper manual controls like the Zf, a rangefinder-style viewfinder on the side, and a flip up/down screen. A full-frame Nikon "X-Pro" if you will. That'd be the dream.
I think the complain for "lack of film simulations" will be gone as soon as the Nikon Imaging Cloud gets available for the Zf which shares some film recipes and looks that include color grading. But there are a lot of picture control styles in the camera already available which you can customize to your taste. Retro lenses are available from Voigtländer for Z-Mount.
Absolutely spot on . To add something I would prefer a better resolution viewfinder and of course I hate the rear screen, but I don't make videos. Zero. So I'll wait for version two and stick to my Fuji material in the meantime.
I’m getting out of Fuji and will be grabbing this camera. I don’t understand why they make a high quality tank body with the ZF but cheap out on the build on the 40 and 28 se. Make it 400-450$ and do it right. I don’t think it would drastically impact sales.
@@chromaticvisuelle I actually just received my ZF/ 40 kit yesterday and the build on the 40 wasn’t as “cheap” as some budget lenses I’ve had in the past. Seems fairly well put together, AF is good, IQ also good enough for any casual or street/travel shooting. Tbh I don’t think even a paid shoot would complain about the IQ especially for portrait type stuff.
Micro SD are pretty close in speed and you don't really need to remove it just keep it in for backup easy peasy you can also upload picture profiles from nX studios. You can create your own film simulations
Sony A7RV shooter here. I bought 2 ZFC's and traded those for a zf as my daily camera. My wish is for the Zf is to go with the ZFC size, full brass top plate but smaller to match the size of my FM, F3, AE-1 etc. I've owned the X100V, XPro3, and XE5 and none of them made me as happy as the Zf. Now nikon needs to add film sims and make a rangefinder style version. And yes. joystick and APERTURE RINGS!!!! My fave lens is the Voigtlander 50mm f1 nokton.
As a stills shooter my only complaint is the screen flipping aside. Don't like that at all. About the micro-SD: I always let my no 2 card stay in the camera as it only serves as backup for no 1.
The flip out screen is the biggest reason I haven't bought the Zf yet. I hate it so much on a photo-oriented camera. The Z6 and Z6II have a proper screen, but not the Zf? What the actual hell, Nikon?
@@ironmonkey1512 Having the screen hanging off the side of the camera is the opposite of protection in my eyes. An X-Pro3 style screen would be far better if you're going for the retro hideaway look.
@@ironmonkey1512 if you don't use it, then how is it "amazing"? The X-Pro3 solution would be far better for your (and my) use case than a cumbersome flip-out screen.
And that reason is for vie... I mean to help them improve it *snerks* With regards to the MicroSD card slot, it also looks like it has that "feature" that ejects the card across the room at Mach 6, where it then hides behind the least convenient to move piece of furniture that's baked into so many MicroSD card holders. Point six about the lenses not having aperture rings is kind of why I went from originally interested to "guess I'll just look at the X100 line from Fuji" if I were to spend money on such a device (I'd be looking as an everyday carry kind of camera, that can be easily packed in with our backpacks whenever we go out). It's also why I'm absolutely in LOVE with the Olympus Pro lenses for micro four thirds, as oh boy do I loooooooove the manual focus clutch that's baked into their design (and WORKS with Panasonic Lumix cameras too!!!)
All great points. I don’t understand the grip people either. I have the same reaction, like why did you buy this camera if you’re super picky about ergonomics??? My only guess is that was the impatient people who wanted the Z6iii but couldn’t wait and hoped the Zf would somehow be that camera if they used it with the traditional PASM setup. I shoot mine to SD and use the micro sd as a storage drive in camera with a 1 TB card. I just copy over the fast card shots to that when it fills and it basically never leaves the camera. I use the USB cable to offload it rather than pull that thing. To Nikon’s credit I dont think there’s room unless they make it wider to add another. I think we all want to AI-S remake Z lenses, I’m fine if they’re manual lenses in Z mount. I have the 28/40 but bought the non-SE versions because what’s the difference without an actual aperture ring and they were 30% less on the spring sale than the SE models. Great lenses though. The Artralab 35 1.4 and 50 1.2 Nonnikkor’s are interesting in that respect.
I started with Nikon SLRs then DSLRs to Fuji, and back to Nikon. The two things that are keeping me from the Zf/Zfc in what I call my possible "digital" FE and FM replacements are what you mentioned; the lack of native aperture control lens design. The other is the lack of top plate Auto ISO settings, Both items of which Fuji has gotten right. I was ready to sell off ALL my Fujis to jump into these retro bodies but these issues are what confuses me from a 100 year old camera company... Oh and also not a fan of the fulll articulating screen being that this is a photo centric design camera I would prefer an "in-line" 3-way tilt scree. Oh and battery life which is a mirrorless issue I guess.
You made me realize I forgot my number one, biggest complaint. Not sure how it got lost in my script. I HATE the mode dial and not having the ability to go auto on the dials also.
@@AndrewGoodCamera I hope Nikon realizes that PSAM switches makes it very limiting to photographers on retro control cameras. It doesn't make sense to me especially when Auto ISO is also a useful thing that requires menu diving right now. Lots of times I like to shoot A priority with Auto ISO... Again Fuji got it right in this case.
People complaining about pasm and auto iso should really take a minute to think about it and realize that pasm is necessary for nikon because there are no aperture rings in all lenses. And also that there is no such thing as auto iso on nikon because the concept is different from fuji. In nikon iso is always set manually even if auto iso is turned on. You have to forget the fuji implementation before you understand nikon's. People move from fuji to Nikon because they want that full frame and the plethora of lens choices. Now complaining that the very restrictions that you are trying to get away from should be lifted without compromising the very things that create these restrictions seems irrational to me. PASM is necessary so that you have the ability to use the lenses you want. It's as simple as that :)
@@artsilva I did. I have no problems with either the nikon or the fujifilm implementation. I understand both of them and can use either with no problems. Maybe you should give this another thought. I am sure you will find that what you are looking for is not technically feasible. :)
Hi Andrew. Completely agree that usability issues are too common with camera brands. Your comment about 2012 tech in 2023 is spot on. That is why so many are using their smartphones as everyday cameras. I’m constantly trying to convince myself that I **NEED** to use my camera vs iPhone because the effort would be worth it. Too many times, I end up missing the opportunity. On menus, please - I’m still searching on a regular basis for settings on my X-T5 that I know exist but can’t remember where it is. The list goes on….
I take pictures with my iphone too and when the lighting is difficult the results are so bad it makes me laugh. These cameras are complicated because taking good pictures is complicated.
My comments on your list : 1 Micro SD, not OK / 2 SnapBride OK / 3 Color profiles 50/50 / 4 Menu System Yes, it could be better / 5 Mic port, OK / 6 SE lenses OH YES / 7 Ergonomics, Not that bad / 8 Joystick, don't miss it / 9 Crop factor in 60p, OK / 10 overheating, never happening to me. Anyway thanks for your vidéo.
Thanks. With me it is a matter of preference, I would prefered the rear screen to be like on Z8 and 9. If I want to see the screen from the front, lets face it (pun) it would be a lot clearer to see on a phone (remote). Agree with you, inspite of the 10+ dislikes, love the camera. Full frame, I have Zf and D850 (gave my Z6 to my nephew.) Use Lumix G9 for micro 43. Have a bunch of lenses for each system. Inspite of the erganomics, love using the Zf.. I might go for the Z8 version 2, maybe.
I shot Nikon film cameras back in the 1970s and '80s, then DSLR's after that (D90, D7100), until 2018 when I pre-ordered a Fuji X-Pro2. That got me hooked on Fuji and I now have the X-T2, X-T3, X-T4, X-T5 and X-H2 in addition to the X-Pro2. Then Nikon launched the Zf. I fell back in love with Nikon and bought 2 Zfs. I love them, even with the very quirks you mention. I have a SmallRig grip on one and a Neewer grip on the other and that solves the physical handling issue. The SOOC colours are great on the Zf and it is such a nice, and easy camera to use. The Zf has become my daily 'Go-To' camera for street photography and although I have a number of lenses, I really like the two SE ones and swap between them constantly. Loved your video, Andrew, and look forward to the next one.
Hi Andrew, agree with all except the video because I don't shoot video. I too plan never to sell it. I adore looking at it, using it (especially with older SLR lenses, non-AI,) and the photos I make with it. Thanks for the video.
As a previous Fuji shooter too, now with Nikon the last 3 years, I agree with many of your negative points of the ZF but none of those really effect me and wouldn’t stop me buying again….ive owned every Fuji and many Nikons too….for me the ZF is the best camera I’ve ever owned. There is something very special about its output, the files are beautiful and also you never mentioned the build quality? Or did I miss that 😊😅 for a camera that will soon be under 2K it’s mainly metal! And really weighty! In a world of light, cheap plastic the build is beautiful!! I’ll definitely be adding a second body when funds allow in the future….
Its manual mode setting and auto setting are very smartly designed for the photographers who started with Nikon FM2, F3HP and other film cameras for creative photography. Most importantly, it’s in-body image stabilization is outstanding. One can take tack sharp picture hand held w/o tripod in low light condition. Additionally, one can use any manual focus old Nikkor Ais and Zeiss lenses. So, positive points of the camera are way more than insignificant negative points. These are my two-penny comments.
They put the letters and numbers in the custom settings menus mostly because (there are more settings here then other menus), and you do after a while remember a few of them. And if someone needs help you can say right change setting D7 (etc), makes it a bit faster. I agree about the aperture ring, that's an obvious misfire from Nikon.
In the film days the presence of the self timer lever acted as sort of a grip or at least a place where your fingers could grasp to support the camera so the lack of a grip was less of an issue. But as pointed out most of the Z lenses are not compact and the weight of the Zf exacerbates the absence of a grip. In comparison the Zfc being a lighter camera is less bothered by the absence of a grip and the few DX lenses that exist are fairly light and compact.
Hey! What I'd like to see, before maybe buying one, is real life focusing situations with adapted lenses, in full manual mode. More details on how it reacts with different aperture, etc... But also with z mount third party, such as voigtlander.. Thanks
You are the first one that does not complain about auto ISO 😂 Good job! My 2 cents: if I wanted to complain about one thing it would be manual focus confirmation for non-cpu lenses. It is technically possible and provably so. So, where is it? 🙂 This should be doable with a firmware update. For the rest: a) Video features are welcome but the Zf is not made for video so video shooters look elsewhere. b) AF is welcome but with zero decent AF lenses on the market made for the Zf, I don't care about AF either. What I wish Nikon would make is a vintage looking Leica M to Nikon Z AF adapter. Something that does not look foreign if you put it in the Zf and allows you to use and autofocus any Leica glass plus any other vintage lens like my Minolta and Nikkor lenses using a second dummy adapter to Leica M. So two things in my wish list: a) LM-Z AF adapter for the Zf + b) focus confirmation for non-cpu lenses.
1. I just wirelessly transfer and leave the cards in place. And it works great. You don’t even need the camera on with this camera and I come from Olympus. So not sure about that complaint? 2. Coming from Olympus and still an Olympus user I found the menus super easy to learn. 3. I never do video with this camera so can’t complain. 4. The Voigtlander 40mm 1.2 is magical with the zf. 5. I love the ergonomics. The original ergonomics of the cameras from the 70 and 80s is the best. 6. I hate joysticks and this was a huge selling point for me and when I buy any camera. 7. Putting video in this camera is just wrong!
Menu issue, its not. In a book there are chapters and then subdivisions of those chapters. Menu A = chapter A. then you go to point 6 in that chapter for example. Its easier to find things, plus the color codes are also helpful in grouping all that. If I compare the Nikon menu organization to the fuji, its day and night. I wanted to throw the Fuji X100VI from the window when I started getting into their menu. Then I realized that selling that damn thing would be better (sold after 30 minutes from posting it for sale)
The SnapBridge difficulties are the same for all of the Nikon Z cameras (as far as I can tell). Certainly, I have the same difficulties with SnapBridge oin iPhone 15 with the Nikon Zfc, Z6ii and Z30. When SnapBridge works, it's great but it fails much too often.
Also, I must add, I feel like Fuji film profiles are overcooked. The Nikon colors really look closer to what I get from a roll of Portra with my Nikon F6 than anything my Fuji camera can do.
Excellent and well balanced thoughts! Especially points 2 5 & 6 for me. But my favourite was point number 7. People who buy this camera and complain about the ergonomics must clearly be using larger lenses. It’s like Leica M users complaining about the ergonomics because they are using adapted zoom Leica R mount lenses… (I’ve owned multiple Leica cameras so I get this)
obviously the ISO dial should be able to override auto iso when you deviate away from the C setting., effectively giving you instant auto iso when you need or any fixed setting at the twist of a dial. Whoever decided it shouldn't work this way at nikon needs to be fired.
Really helpful review. I'm a little stuck between Zf and the 6-iii; I love the retro aspect and how it could influence the psychology of my shooting, but the 6-iii fixes several of the shortcomings. Ideally, part of me wants to wait for the Zf-ii, but what would Nikon's likely timetable be for that - any guesses?
To be fair to the Zf, I understand all the Nikon Z cameras have a similar problem with the phone app. And I leave the micro sd in there all the time. Good back up for when you forget to put an sd card in😅
Interesting. None of those 10 things are my #1 beef with the camera after using it for 8 months. I still hate the articulating screen. This is clearly designed as a photo-centric camera, regardless of its video features, so an X-T style flip was the obvious choice and yet Nikon biffed it. I love basically everything else about the camera and all of the issues you mentioned above I could not care less about, but the screen still irritates me to this day. More often than not, I just shoot it like a film camera, with the LCD closed and my eye up to the EVF. I feel like people who complain about it not working well in high speed, demanding scenarios are missing the point of this camera. Nikon makes the Z8/Z9 for this. As someone else in the comments mentioned, this is a classic car you take out because you enjoy the experience, not for the performance. Also, in a mild defense of camera companies, Apple and Google have as much to do with there not being a good communication protocol for transferring images from cameras to phones. Those two companies have an incentive for making it a pain so that people just use their phone cameras instead. As a mobile software developer, I can say first hand there are real limits to what 3rd-parties can do on those platforms.
You are definitely not the only one that hates the articulating screen. But I can't complain about it, because I'm a weirdo UA-camr. ;) And as far as protocols, I hear you, but the information architecture / UX and error handling all still sucks, and that's on the camera companies.
I assume the Zf has a mymenu list like other Nikon's, if so you can place a limited number of menu items in that menu and then sort them in alphabetical order making them more obvious to find.
Hmm, you could get 100+ film simulation recipes (aka picture color profile) as custom profiles in the Internet and transfer your beloved ones to the memory banks in your zf? You could makes with the Nikon Freeware Software also your own film simulations? Maybe you could get not the 100% look of Acros, and so on, but you could get many many looks incl. Kodak, Agfa, Ilford, and other DSLR Color Looks, like Nikon DSLR or Canon, and so on. I thought you knows al this already? btw.: great video.
Those are useless. I have done side by side experiments with real film (other than Kodachrome, for obvious reasons) and they don't look anything like the film they claim to be emulating.
I really hate SD cards, but it is not a problem since I never remove them from my Z cameras. They are simply backup. Color profiles on ZF, isn’t it possible to install custom profiles as you can do on atleast Z8/9?
It is a lovely camera, a high performer with latest features dressed in tasteful retro garb. I love to look at mine and I appreciate the results. BUT it is a very heavy camera, and, after an hour or so, it hurts my degraded cervicals, whether I carry it sling or front, whatever lens I use (those cute Voigtlanders are not light either). Way heavier than a FM2 (which I can carry for 3-4 hours with common prime lenses) , more like a F3, which I never enjoyed handling. And, if i want to ease the discomfort and carry it in hand for a while, it absolutely requires a slippery cramp-inducing accessory grip that adds another 100 grs. So, at the end, the Zf becomes nearly as heavy as a Z8 but without the modern ergonomics that ease handling. If I had to choose now, I'd opt for the Z6III without hesitation and forget about retro chic.
Still married to it, but it’s wide and heavy. Wish it were F3 sized. Even heavier with the Voigtlander 40 mm for Z, but I like the combo. A good strap has been the fix for me. Thanks for the wisdom.
If nikon would have the Fuji style color profiles / film simulations, I would run and buy it (I am a Nikon user). But without it i feel like the Z6ii is a better buy (or Z8), or if I want the retro style, the way to go is Fuji to have the complete package.
The menu and poor phone connectivity are common issues with any brand. I doubt we will see huge improvement until DJI enters the market with their camera. Japanese companies just aren't competitive with software development. Specific to the Zf, I think Nikon was afraid that this camera won't sell so they tried to appeal everyone. This should have been a photography centric camera but they had the conflicting choice beween analog dials and PASM and the articulating screen. The poor ergonomics are a personal preference. Fuji didn't have a good grip until X-T4. A bigger grip would not fit the retro look anyway. Shooters were expected to shoot with both hands on the analog bodies.
There's LITERALLY a diagram on the battery door showing you how the Micro SD card is supposed to be inserted while you're telling us that there's no way to know how it's supposed to be inserted....(I paused the video there, so If you're about to tell us about the diagram... my apologies - 2:15'ish in the video)
The Zf just isnt a pro video camera! Or a pro sports camera. I just dont understand why people always complain about ever new camera and how it wont shoot birds or pro 4k video or whatever. Nikon makes several amazing mirrorless cameras for shooting pro stuff. Im a pro shooter and i own a z9, z72 and a z62. Im looking to buy a Zf as a dual purpose personal vacation camera and street photo shooter because thats what it excells at and what it seems to be designed for. I think the flippy screen was a mistake, not because its flippy but because it gives the wrong impression to some buyers that it can be used for a run and gun video outfit or similar but there are better bodys for that. Anyway i stopped watching most camera reviews because most reviewers seem to constantly complain abputthe lack of certain features which they for sure think was a huge mistake, instead of looking at the pros and judging based on how it fits in an eco system instead of thinking that every camera needs to he a jack of all trades.
Welcome to the age of hyper-consumers. I just got mine.... it's not that big or heavy. I don't have any problems gripping it unless I am black out drunk.
I would alsp say that is enormous and the lens collection for nikon is too big. So this ecosystem is not for this camera... Missing lenses to justify my change from fuji to this ff camera
If it was 36 megapixels if buy it .....lack of cropping is delayed breaker for me. And unless you've used 40 and 50 megapixel cameras you won't understand
@@jorgepinogarciadelasbayonas Think about it what megapixel gives you is more ability to crop in and carry less lenses you can carry a 28 mm lens that can easily become a 40 and even 60 mm lens and not lose too much resolution you pretty much need a lens for every focal length on this camera, so that means you're gonna have to buy more lenses that is not smart. You have not thought it through very well megapixels equals less lenses. Am I making myself clear clearly not?
Hi Shuan. Thanks for your feedback. I'm not sure how to change that, as I definitely don't feel entitled. Especially after years of trying to make this channel work and always screwing up 😂. But I appreciate any and all feedback and I hope you know I don't have any hard feelings toward you, in spite of the lack of kindness. Cheers
If I had some hope that sigma would release the i series lenses for the Z mount sometime soon I would probably buy the Zf. As it stands Sony makes the most sense as I switch from canon dslrs simply because of the lens selection. Even with all of the amazing gear available there is still no perfect system.🫤
Totally agree about the ergonomics, people who buy a 60' vintage sports car do not expect it to be comfortable like a modern luxury car
After 7 years of happy using of FUJI stuff, I ditch to NIKON with the Zf 3 month ago. For now, I’m very happy with it and I have no problem to transfer pictures from Zf to my iPhone 15 PM. I have several Z S lenses, 14_30 F4, 24_120 F4, 50 F1.8 + the 2 ‘’little’’ 28 F2.8 and 40 F2 as ‘’modern’’ lenses and the stunning Thypoch Simera 28 F1.4, TTArtisan 50 F1.4 and Voigtlander Nokton 75 F1.5 for manual focus that are crazy good.
I agree. No problem transferring files. When I turn on camera it syncs with a phone, after turn off disconnects. It happens when Nikon app is opened on background while phone is in sleep mode in my pocket. All files are automatically synced with Google Photos cloud. (Google pixel 7)
I have been really thinking hard about the Nokton. Is it as rewarding as it seems from reviews?:)
Try this for a filmic look..
Color profile: PURE
Decrease the effect level to 50% ( you can do that and I dont think a lot of people know about it )
Now shift the white balance to taste .. for me personally I shift all the way to the right and half way down to increase the temperature to warm and tint to magenta.
The pure profile tends to look way green and blue which can sometimes look nice depending on what you want to achieve but thats how I do it and it looks amazing SOOC.
Hope this helps
I went from Nikon (D700) to Fuji in 2017. 7 years later I bought the Zf and use only 1 AF lens, being the 28mm 2.8 SE 40mm 1.2 Voigtländer and all my old AiS lenses. I enjoy shooting with the Zf a lot.
My only gripe i have is that the Zf doesn't have an electronic shutter higher than 1/8000. Even my Fuji Xe4 has that feature!
I love the Micro SD card on it as I treat it like an internal memory and rarely take it off. The only time I take it off is when I offload photos after a wedding or event shoot. On most days, it doesn't come off.
I mean, I hear you. I've even said something similar in a previous video. But then, what's the difference between that and any other memory card? Why remove memory cards at all ever?
@@AndrewGoodCamera It's serves as a backup? I mean, you don't have to use it but it's there....as a backup.
@@AndrewGoodCamera You mentioned in the video that it was hard to work out which way the micro sd card goes in with the battery in. I don't have one (yet) but isn't that a diagram on the battery door that shows the orientation of the micro sd?
Thank you for your honest review. For someone who was considering this camera for video, that part about overheating was a dealbreaker. Jared Polin also mentioned the overheating issue (even just taking photos on a hot day). I appreciate your honesty, not afraid to tell the truth despite the Nikon corporation probably not being very happy about this video.
I'm a Fujifilm owner and fan but that Nikon is beautiful!
With dual sd card, film sim, aperture ring, Nikon would finally make a perfect camera, ala D850! 🥰
Would have been better with a single CF card slot.
I actually got 2 ZFs for my workflow! The Z8 is too pro and unnecessary for what I do: paid events and portraits. The Z6II was lacking auto-focus and the Z6III had not major improvements but video (which I do not need). The Zf has everything: great quality, Z8 auto-focus, beautiful, dual slots and amazing price. Got each at 1600€ (tax exclusive) in Spain.
The auto-focus of zf camera works very well, so the focusing ring of 40mm SE can be customized and modified into an aperture ring. Although the mechanical touch is a little bit poor, it is much better than using the front wave wheel of the camera body.
The flip-out screen rather than a flip-up (like the Z6/Z6II) or flip-down (like the X-Pro3) on a photo-centric camera has been the number one thing preventing me from pulling the trigger on the Zf to this point. The lack of in-house aperture ring lenses is another, but at least there are 3rd-party options to resolve that issue. The screen is just such a huge miss that takes away so much from the intended feel and use case that I keep finding myself looking at used X-Pro3 instead (although those have their own bag of issues, price being the biggest one).
Really, I just want Nikon to release a "Z3" based on the Z30 but with a full-frame sensor, proper manual controls like the Zf, a rangefinder-style viewfinder on the side, and a flip up/down screen. A full-frame Nikon "X-Pro" if you will. That'd be the dream.
I think the complain for "lack of film simulations" will be gone as soon as the Nikon Imaging Cloud gets available for the Zf which shares some film recipes and looks that include color grading. But there are a lot of picture control styles in the camera already available which you can customize to your taste. Retro lenses are available from Voigtländer for Z-Mount.
Absolutely spot on . To add something I would prefer a better resolution viewfinder and of course I hate the rear screen, but I don't make videos. Zero. So I'll wait for version two and stick to my Fuji material in the meantime.
I’m getting out of Fuji and will be grabbing this camera. I don’t understand why they make a high quality tank body with the ZF but cheap out on the build on the 40 and 28 se. Make it 400-450$ and do it right. I don’t think it would drastically impact sales.
I agree but to be honest, at the end of the day, the image quality is the most important. Images are gorgeous!
@@chromaticvisuelle I actually just received my ZF/ 40 kit yesterday and the build on the 40 wasn’t as “cheap” as some budget lenses I’ve had in the past. Seems fairly well put together, AF is good, IQ also good enough for any casual or street/travel shooting. Tbh I don’t think even a paid shoot would complain about the IQ especially for portrait type stuff.
Micro SD are pretty close in speed and you don't really need to remove it just keep it in for backup easy peasy you can also upload picture profiles from nX studios. You can create your own film simulations
Sony A7RV shooter here. I bought 2 ZFC's and traded those for a zf as my daily camera. My wish is for the Zf is to go with the ZFC size, full brass top plate but smaller to match the size of my FM, F3, AE-1 etc. I've owned the X100V, XPro3, and XE5 and none of them made me as happy as the Zf. Now nikon needs to add film sims and make a rangefinder style version. And yes. joystick and
APERTURE RINGS!!!! My fave lens is the Voigtlander 50mm f1 nokton.
I use it for bird and wildlife photography along with D850 and D500. Its focusing is immaculate, no complain.
As a stills shooter my only complaint is the screen flipping aside. Don't like that at all. About the micro-SD: I always let my no 2 card stay in the camera as it only serves as backup for no 1.
The flip out screen is the biggest reason I haven't bought the Zf yet. I hate it so much on a photo-oriented camera. The Z6 and Z6II have a proper screen, but not the Zf? What the actual hell, Nikon?
It works amazing and being able to protect the screen is huge.
@@ironmonkey1512 Having the screen hanging off the side of the camera is the opposite of protection in my eyes. An X-Pro3 style screen would be far better if you're going for the retro hideaway look.
@@nickthaskater obviously I am talking about when I'm not using it, which is most of the time. I use the EVF almost exclusively.
@@ironmonkey1512 if you don't use it, then how is it "amazing"? The X-Pro3 solution would be far better for your (and my) use case than a cumbersome flip-out screen.
With the good will be some bad. That’s life. No reason to avoid it. Great video brother.
Now this is something we all need to hear more often. Not even just with cameras, thanks for the reminder.
This video is amazing! The tips are super helpful and the presentation is clear and engaging. I can't wait to put it all into practice!
I’ve owned my Zf since launch, I honestly don’t think I’ve ever removed the sad or micro sd. I just usb-c the thing to my iPad.
And that reason is for vie... I mean to help them improve it *snerks*
With regards to the MicroSD card slot, it also looks like it has that "feature" that ejects the card across the room at Mach 6, where it then hides behind the least convenient to move piece of furniture that's baked into so many MicroSD card holders.
Point six about the lenses not having aperture rings is kind of why I went from originally interested to "guess I'll just look at the X100 line from Fuji" if I were to spend money on such a device (I'd be looking as an everyday carry kind of camera, that can be easily packed in with our backpacks whenever we go out). It's also why I'm absolutely in LOVE with the Olympus Pro lenses for micro four thirds, as oh boy do I loooooooove the manual focus clutch that's baked into their design (and WORKS with Panasonic Lumix cameras too!!!)
Haha. Exactly!
Yeah the manual focus clutch is very nice. Something I miss about the few Fuji lenses that have that.
All great points. I don’t understand the grip people either. I have the same reaction, like why did you buy this camera if you’re super picky about ergonomics??? My only guess is that was the impatient people who wanted the Z6iii but couldn’t wait and hoped the Zf would somehow be that camera if they used it with the traditional PASM setup.
I shoot mine to SD and use the micro sd as a storage drive in camera with a 1 TB card. I just copy over the fast card shots to that when it fills and it basically never leaves the camera. I use the USB cable to offload it rather than pull that thing. To Nikon’s credit I dont think there’s room unless they make it wider to add another.
I think we all want to AI-S remake Z lenses, I’m fine if they’re manual lenses in Z mount. I have the 28/40 but bought the non-SE versions because what’s the difference without an actual aperture ring and they were 30% less on the spring sale than the SE models. Great lenses though.
The Artralab 35 1.4 and 50 1.2 Nonnikkor’s are interesting in that respect.
I started with Nikon SLRs then DSLRs to Fuji, and back to Nikon. The two things that are keeping me from the Zf/Zfc in what I call my possible "digital" FE and FM replacements are what you mentioned; the lack of native aperture control lens design. The other is the lack of top plate Auto ISO settings, Both items of which Fuji has gotten right. I was ready to sell off ALL my Fujis to jump into these retro bodies but these issues are what confuses me from a 100 year old camera company... Oh and also not a fan of the fulll articulating screen being that this is a photo centric design camera I would prefer an "in-line" 3-way tilt scree. Oh and battery life which is a mirrorless issue I guess.
You made me realize I forgot my number one, biggest complaint. Not sure how it got lost in my script. I HATE the mode dial and not having the ability to go auto on the dials also.
@@AndrewGoodCamera I hope Nikon realizes that PSAM switches makes it very limiting to photographers on retro control cameras. It doesn't make sense to me especially when Auto ISO is also a useful thing that requires menu diving right now. Lots of times I like to shoot A priority with Auto ISO... Again Fuji got it right in this case.
People complaining about pasm and auto iso should really take a minute to think about it and realize that pasm is necessary for nikon because there are no aperture rings in all lenses. And also that there is no such thing as auto iso on nikon because the concept is different from fuji. In nikon iso is always set manually even if auto iso is turned on. You have to forget the fuji implementation before you understand nikon's.
People move from fuji to Nikon because they want that full frame and the plethora of lens choices. Now complaining that the very restrictions that you are trying to get away from should be lifted without compromising the very things that create these restrictions seems irrational to me. PASM is necessary so that you have the ability to use the lenses you want. It's as simple as that :)
@@y.rousso You didn't read my breakdown didn't you?
@@artsilva I did. I have no problems with either the nikon or the fujifilm implementation. I understand both of them and can use either with no problems. Maybe you should give this another thought. I am sure you will find that what you are looking for is not technically feasible. :)
Hi Andrew. Completely agree that usability issues are too common with camera brands. Your comment about 2012 tech in 2023 is spot on. That is why so many are using their smartphones as everyday cameras. I’m constantly trying to convince myself that I **NEED** to use my camera vs iPhone because the effort would be worth it. Too many times, I end up missing the opportunity. On menus, please - I’m still searching on a regular basis for settings on my X-T5 that I know exist but can’t remember where it is. The list goes on….
I take pictures with my iphone too and when the lighting is difficult the results are so bad it makes me laugh. These cameras are complicated because taking good pictures is complicated.
My comments on your list : 1 Micro SD, not OK / 2 SnapBride OK / 3 Color profiles 50/50 / 4 Menu System Yes, it could be better / 5 Mic port, OK / 6 SE lenses OH YES / 7 Ergonomics, Not that bad / 8 Joystick, don't miss it / 9 Crop factor in 60p, OK / 10 overheating, never happening to me.
Anyway thanks for your vidéo.
I have heard that some cards overheat... I wonder if it his card that is overheating, and not the camera???
Thanks.
With me it is a matter of preference, I would prefered the rear screen to be like on Z8 and 9. If I want to see the screen from the front, lets face it (pun) it would be a lot clearer to see on a phone (remote). Agree with you, inspite of the 10+ dislikes, love the camera.
Full frame, I have Zf and D850 (gave my Z6 to my nephew.) Use Lumix G9 for micro 43. Have a bunch of lenses for each system. Inspite of the erganomics, love using the Zf.. I might go for the Z8 version 2, maybe.
The voigtlander 50 f1 is the god tier lens to put on the zf. I know it’s quirks but love it. Love it in a different way than I love my d850
I shot Nikon film cameras back in the 1970s and '80s, then DSLR's after that (D90, D7100), until 2018 when I pre-ordered a Fuji X-Pro2. That got me hooked on Fuji and I now have the X-T2, X-T3, X-T4, X-T5 and X-H2 in addition to the X-Pro2. Then Nikon launched the Zf. I fell back in love with Nikon and bought 2 Zfs. I love them, even with the very quirks you mention. I have a SmallRig grip on one and a Neewer grip on the other and that solves the physical handling issue. The SOOC colours are great on the Zf and it is such a nice, and easy camera to use. The Zf has become my daily 'Go-To' camera for street photography and although I have a number of lenses, I really like the two SE ones and swap between them constantly. Loved your video, Andrew, and look forward to the next one.
Thanks!
Which grip do you prefer? I have yet to try either.
The Hoage grip is great
Glad to see someone else too who bought 2 Zf bodies.
Do you prefer SOOC from Fuji or Nikon? I've heard Zf has a similar option to Fuji recipies is that correct?
Hi Andrew, agree with all except the video because I don't shoot video. I too plan never to sell it. I adore looking at it, using it (especially with older SLR lenses, non-AI,) and the photos I make with it. Thanks for the video.
#7 is absolute GOLD!!! 😂👍📸
😂
As a previous Fuji shooter too, now with Nikon the last 3 years, I agree with many of your negative points of the ZF but none of those really effect me and wouldn’t stop me buying again….ive owned every Fuji and many Nikons too….for me the ZF is the best camera I’ve ever owned. There is something very special about its output, the files are beautiful and also you never mentioned the build quality? Or did I miss that 😊😅 for a camera that will soon be under 2K it’s mainly metal! And really weighty! In a world of light, cheap plastic the build is beautiful!! I’ll definitely be adding a second body when funds allow in the future….
Its manual mode setting and auto setting are very smartly designed for the photographers who started with Nikon FM2, F3HP and other film cameras for creative photography. Most importantly, it’s in-body image stabilization is outstanding. One can take tack sharp picture hand held w/o tripod in low light condition. Additionally, one can use any manual focus old Nikkor Ais and Zeiss lenses. So, positive points of the camera are way more than insignificant negative points. These are my two-penny comments.
They put the letters and numbers in the custom settings menus mostly because (there are more settings here then other menus), and you do after a while remember a few of them. And if someone needs help you can say right change setting D7 (etc), makes it a bit faster. I agree about the aperture ring, that's an obvious misfire from Nikon.
In the film days the presence of the self timer lever acted as sort of a grip or at least a place where your fingers could grasp to support the camera so the lack of a grip was less of an issue. But as pointed out most of the Z lenses are not compact and the weight of the Zf exacerbates the absence of a grip. In comparison the Zfc being a lighter camera is less bothered by the absence of a grip and the few DX lenses that exist are fairly light and compact.
Hey!
What I'd like to see, before maybe buying one,
is real life focusing situations with adapted lenses, in full manual mode.
More details on how it reacts with different aperture, etc...
But also with z mount third party, such as voigtlander..
Thanks
You are the first one that does not complain about auto ISO 😂
Good job!
My 2 cents: if I wanted to complain about one thing it would be manual focus confirmation for non-cpu lenses. It is technically possible and provably so. So, where is it? 🙂 This should be doable with a firmware update.
For the rest: a) Video features are welcome but the Zf is not made for video so video shooters look elsewhere. b) AF is welcome but with zero decent AF lenses on the market made for the Zf, I don't care about AF either. What I wish Nikon would make is a vintage looking Leica M to Nikon Z AF adapter. Something that does not look foreign if you put it in the Zf and allows you to use and autofocus any Leica glass plus any other vintage lens like my Minolta and Nikkor lenses using a second dummy adapter to Leica M.
So two things in my wish list: a) LM-Z AF adapter for the Zf + b) focus confirmation for non-cpu lenses.
1. I just wirelessly transfer and leave the cards in place. And it works great. You don’t even need the camera on with this camera and I come from Olympus. So not sure about that complaint?
2. Coming from Olympus and still an Olympus user I found the menus super easy to learn.
3. I never do video with this camera so can’t complain.
4. The Voigtlander 40mm 1.2 is magical with the zf.
5. I love the ergonomics. The original ergonomics of the cameras from the 70 and 80s is the best.
6. I hate joysticks and this was a huge selling point for me and when I buy any camera.
7. Putting video in this camera is just wrong!
if you can keep only one, do you prefer X-t4/t5 or Nikon Zf ?
... Just put a big microSD card in and use like internal storage.
Menu issue, its not. In a book there are chapters and then subdivisions of those chapters. Menu A = chapter A. then you go to point 6 in that chapter for example. Its easier to find things, plus the color codes are also helpful in grouping all that. If I compare the Nikon menu organization to the fuji, its day and night. I wanted to throw the Fuji X100VI from the window when I started getting into their menu. Then I realized that selling that damn thing would be better (sold after 30 minutes from posting it for sale)
The SnapBridge difficulties are the same for all of the Nikon Z cameras (as far as I can tell). Certainly, I have the same difficulties with SnapBridge oin iPhone 15 with the Nikon Zfc, Z6ii and Z30. When SnapBridge works, it's great but it fails much too often.
Also, I must add, I feel like Fuji film profiles are overcooked. The Nikon colors really look closer to what I get from a roll of Portra with my Nikon F6 than anything my Fuji camera can do.
Excellent and well balanced thoughts! Especially points 2 5 & 6 for me. But my favourite was point number 7. People who buy this camera and complain about the ergonomics must clearly be using larger lenses. It’s like Leica M users complaining about the ergonomics because they are using adapted zoom Leica R mount lenses… (I’ve owned multiple Leica cameras so I get this)
obviously the ISO dial should be able to override auto iso when you deviate away from the C setting., effectively giving you instant auto iso when you need or any fixed setting at the twist of a dial. Whoever decided it shouldn't work this way at nikon needs to be fired.
Really helpful review. I'm a little stuck between Zf and the 6-iii; I love the retro aspect and how it could influence the psychology of my shooting, but the 6-iii fixes several of the shortcomings. Ideally, part of me wants to wait for the Zf-ii, but what would Nikon's likely timetable be for that - any guesses?
No idea, sorry. :)
At least 5 years, probably when the expeed 8 trickles down. It was ten between the Df and Zf release.
@@kalimarus Got it - thanks much, that helps. No reason to wait!
Have the Zf and still thinking about the 6-iii, Black Friday is coming up, nice to have both!
To be fair to the Zf, I understand all the Nikon Z cameras have a similar problem with the phone app. And I leave the micro sd in there all the time. Good back up for when you forget to put an sd card in😅
Interesting. None of those 10 things are my #1 beef with the camera after using it for 8 months. I still hate the articulating screen. This is clearly designed as a photo-centric camera, regardless of its video features, so an X-T style flip was the obvious choice and yet Nikon biffed it. I love basically everything else about the camera and all of the issues you mentioned above I could not care less about, but the screen still irritates me to this day. More often than not, I just shoot it like a film camera, with the LCD closed and my eye up to the EVF.
I feel like people who complain about it not working well in high speed, demanding scenarios are missing the point of this camera. Nikon makes the Z8/Z9 for this. As someone else in the comments mentioned, this is a classic car you take out because you enjoy the experience, not for the performance.
Also, in a mild defense of camera companies, Apple and Google have as much to do with there not being a good communication protocol for transferring images from cameras to phones. Those two companies have an incentive for making it a pain so that people just use their phone cameras instead. As a mobile software developer, I can say first hand there are real limits to what 3rd-parties can do on those platforms.
You are definitely not the only one that hates the articulating screen. But I can't complain about it, because I'm a weirdo UA-camr. ;)
And as far as protocols, I hear you, but the information architecture / UX and error handling all still sucks, and that's on the camera companies.
I assume the Zf has a mymenu list like other Nikon's, if so you can place a limited number of menu items in that menu and then sort them in alphabetical order making them more obvious to find.
I figured I was missing something. Still weird though ;)
It helps when describing for someone a setting to change, like go to d3 and set whatever.
Glad to see another video in less than a week! Cheers!
Hmm, you could get 100+ film simulation recipes (aka picture color profile) as custom profiles in the Internet and transfer your beloved ones to the memory banks in your zf? You could makes with the Nikon Freeware Software also your own film simulations? Maybe you could get not the 100% look of Acros, and so on, but you could get many many looks incl. Kodak, Agfa, Ilford, and other DSLR Color Looks, like Nikon DSLR or Canon, and so on. I thought you knows al this already? btw.: great video.
Those are useless. I have done side by side experiments with real film (other than Kodachrome, for obvious reasons) and they don't look anything like the film they claim to be emulating.
I really hate SD cards, but it is not a problem since I never remove them from my Z cameras. They are simply backup.
Color profiles on ZF, isn’t it possible to install custom profiles as you can do on atleast Z8/9?
It is a lovely camera, a high performer with latest features dressed in tasteful retro garb. I love to look at mine and I appreciate the results. BUT it is a very heavy camera, and, after an hour or so, it hurts my degraded cervicals, whether I carry it sling or front, whatever lens I use (those cute Voigtlanders are not light either). Way heavier than a FM2 (which I can carry for 3-4 hours with common prime lenses) , more like a F3, which I never enjoyed handling. And, if i want to ease the discomfort and carry it in hand for a while, it absolutely requires a slippery cramp-inducing accessory grip that adds another 100 grs. So, at the end, the Zf becomes nearly as heavy as a Z8 but without the modern ergonomics that ease handling. If I had to choose now, I'd opt for the Z6III without hesitation and forget about retro chic.
Still married to it, but it’s wide and heavy. Wish it were F3 sized. Even heavier with the Voigtlander 40 mm for Z, but I like the combo. A good strap has been the fix for me. Thanks for the wisdom.
Is it much bigger than the F3 ?
My only gripe with the ZF is the brass dials. I plan to use this for many years, but I find it hard to imagine these dials wearing out naturally.
If nikon would have the Fuji style color profiles / film simulations, I would run and buy it (I am a Nikon user). But without it i feel like the Z6ii is a better buy (or Z8), or if I want the retro style, the way to go is Fuji to have the complete package.
There are a lot of picture control presets which you can modify to your own taste.
The menu and poor phone connectivity are common issues with any brand. I doubt we will see huge improvement until DJI enters the market with their camera. Japanese companies just aren't competitive with software development. Specific to the Zf, I think Nikon was afraid that this camera won't sell so they tried to appeal everyone. This should have been a photography centric camera but they had the conflicting choice beween analog dials and PASM and the articulating screen. The poor ergonomics are a personal preference. Fuji didn't have a good grip until X-T4. A bigger grip would not fit the retro look anyway. Shooters were expected to shoot with both hands on the analog bodies.
There's LITERALLY a diagram on the battery door showing you how the Micro SD card is supposed to be inserted while you're telling us that there's no way to know how it's supposed to be inserted....(I paused the video there, so If you're about to tell us about the diagram... my apologies - 2:15'ish in the video)
Great video - thoughtful, informative and entertaining. I’m very tempted by the Zf
My favorite video of yours to date!
The Zf just isnt a pro video camera! Or a pro sports camera. I just dont understand why people always complain about ever new camera and how it wont shoot birds or pro 4k video or whatever. Nikon makes several amazing mirrorless cameras for shooting pro stuff. Im a pro shooter and i own a z9, z72 and a z62. Im looking to buy a Zf as a dual purpose personal vacation camera and street photo shooter because thats what it excells at and what it seems to be designed for. I think the flippy screen was a mistake, not because its flippy but because it gives the wrong impression to some buyers that it can be used for a run and gun video outfit or similar but there are better bodys for that. Anyway i stopped watching most camera reviews because most reviewers seem to constantly complain abputthe lack of certain features which they for sure think was a huge mistake, instead of looking at the pros and judging based on how it fits in an eco system instead of thinking that every camera needs to he a jack of all trades.
I wonder why youtube stopped puttingnyour videos on my feed since you rebranded?!
I just have a giant micro sd card and treat it like a camera with internal memory. Just transfer images with cable if I need backups.
Welcome to the age of hyper-consumers. I just got mine.... it's not that big or heavy. I don't have any problems gripping it unless I am black out drunk.
I would alsp say that is enormous and the lens collection for nikon is too big. So this ecosystem is not for this camera... Missing lenses to justify my change from fuji to this ff camera
If it was 36 megapixels if buy it .....lack of cropping is delayed breaker for me. And unless you've used 40 and 50 megapixel cameras you won't understand
Yeah no
Not needed. Perfectly fine with 24 MP. If you crop a lot you have the wrong lens.
@@jorgepinogarciadelasbayonas I can take an image with a GFX and get 6 images
@@jorgepinogarciadelasbayonas Think about it what megapixel gives you is more ability to crop in and carry less lenses you can carry a 28 mm lens that can easily become a 40 and even 60 mm lens and not lose too much resolution you pretty much need a lens for every focal length on this camera, so that means you're gonna have to buy more lenses that is not smart. You have not thought it through very well megapixels equals less lenses. Am I making myself clear clearly not?
How loud is the shutter compar3d to a Z5 or Z6 please?
😂i also bought a usb to SD card cable for transferring photos to my iphone after getting frustrated about snapbridge connection
Perhaps I'll wait for the Nikon Zfii
Why not for Zfiii? It will be even better.
@@StellarPhotography😂
Good one, Andrew!
Thanks!
I am ok to purchase a ZF without the video function for USD200 cheaper 😂
I love it . :)
What is so big deal about micro SD Cade? How often you have to use it, if you 256gb SD card? Your logic makes no sense.
Complaining about ergonomics. Is like me going out in the rain And complaining about the water
I think it’s a “poor man’s camera”.😂on this budget point you won’t get any better camera than this
WIRE CABLE USB-C
I would get rid of the video and also that ridiculous articulating screen. Tilt YES - Articulating NO
I'll keep my Fuji's (which two of them weigh as much as a ZF). I'll keep my Fujicrons , flip screen, or as the kids say, the OG.
Nothin' wrong with that!
You sound way to entitle that i stop listening 3 minute in.
Hi Shuan. Thanks for your feedback. I'm not sure how to change that, as I definitely don't feel entitled. Especially after years of trying to make this channel work and always screwing up 😂. But I appreciate any and all feedback and I hope you know I don't have any hard feelings toward you, in spite of the lack of kindness. Cheers
This lighting does you no favors. Strong light from one side with shadows is accentuating skin issues.
If I had some hope that sigma would release the i series lenses for the Z mount sometime soon I would probably buy the Zf. As it stands Sony makes the most sense as I switch from canon dslrs simply because of the lens selection. Even with all of the amazing gear available there is still no perfect system.🫤
There are tons of third parties lenses for z mount? Why you prefer Sigma? I’m curious