Informative and a pleasure to watch, as always! Thanks, Ray! I ordered my Zf two hours ago directly from Nikon, and I'm looking forward to decades of chronicling my kids' school and sports events, and plenty of family vacations.
Hello Ray - have enjoyed your channel over this past year, but first time commenting. I just received my Zf on Wed 12/13/23 (ordered it on 11/11/23) along with the Small Rig grip. The SmallRig grip is a good addition and fits well. It certainly makes the camera more comfortable to hold, but detracts a bit from the full retro look - although not bad on the black Zf that I have. The only issue that I've noticed is that because the memory cards are inserted from the bottom of the camera, when the grip is installed it makes it difficult to remove the SD card since the card is close to the edge of the wall of the grip. I've either had to remove the grip, or use a technique where you slide your finger quickly off the card after having pushed it in to allow the spring mechanism to shoot the card out of the slot. It takes a little practice and best done over a table, or your camera bag if you're out in the field, so that you have something to catch the card. A bit of a nuisance, but not the end of the world. As you mentioned, the grip will be use specific for me depending on the lens size and will have a Peak Design wrist strap on it, or a full neck strap as back up.
Hi Robert! Glad to hear from you. Thanks for the comment. Yes, I probably should have mentioned that it does make card ejection a bit fiddly. Not huge issue, but it does require a bit more dexterity ... or less pudgy fingers than mine!
The SD card slot is clearly it in a user-friendly location. But it’s not a deal breaker unless you have really big fingers. I don’t take mine out frequently, just after a shoot so i can be a little more patient with it.
I have a number of SmallRig items, and very good they are, including a grip for my Fuji X-T5. I think the company makes very good, and very practical products and have now bought SmallRig grips for both my new Nikon Zf bodies. Nice video Ray.
Great work Ray, very informative vid, and let's face it, we all need to a get a grip at times. Indeed even 4/5 stores in Japan, the Nikon grip seemed to be not shipping yet. The SmallRig version does nicely. Thanks Ray
The latest neewer grip has thumbrest built in and is an absolute game changer with this camera . The flat back on the zf gifts you no option other then to hold the camera with you and under it or down with the deathgrip . Thumb rest in the grip changes its big time
I’m waiting for my Zf in Bordeaux Red, it’s on backorder😢. I plan on getting the SmallRig grip when I get it so I really appreciate your review. Happiest of Holidays to you Ray!
Like it! That down jacket and your Zf are the perfect match, looks great! You're a real fashionista! Too bad I can't use fancy down jackets like yours here in...Bangkok. 😁 That said Bangkok climate does a job on silicone - the stickiness is a real issue and you don't have to wait long for it. Never mind, a few blemishes and scars add to the character of both, equipment and user - or so I tell myself...
Haha! Luckily I have Viking blood 😀 ; it's freezing in my studio! Just wait though, in a couple of months I'll be praying for summer. Yes, silicone kryptonite is heat+humidity, I think.
Thanks Ray. I have a Zf and I am looking for grips for the same reason. How do you find operating the front aperture dial with the grip? Does it give a nice support for your index finger?
The grip is offered with all Nikon Zfs in Europe. First time Nikon sells Arca-Swiss plate products somehow! I hope they realize soon it is the new standard and they start adding it to all lens collars.
Yes, I've been using (mostly) Arca-Swiss for years now. One day, I'll have all my gear converted. But I add plates to my lenses, rather than expensive third party feet.
The way it works with different colours in my market is that you order the black version, then you go to Nikon service center to change the leatherette. I want to change mine to grey, but I'm hesitant about what to expect. I'm just not comfortable with the thought that my new shiny body will have to undergo a surgery to install a different skin😕
My understanding of the color options is that they're a limited production run and when they run out, that's it. In fact, here in the US, Nikon USA already shows most of the Zfc colors as Out of Stock. White and Grey are the only two that you can order, and they show as back order so may not even be able to get those anymore. I was tempted by the Suset Orange Zf, but if I had a damaged leatherette/rubber trim that needed to be replaced in a couple years all they would be able to replace it with is black, so just went with that to start with. And I always liked the black/black Nikon film cameras anyway, such as my F2.
@@Robert-R it's very interesting to hear about the different market strategies for the same product. Even in the case of Z fc, they follow the same approach here; you buy the vanilla product then you take it to the main branch to change the leatherette. I guess one advantage of that approach is that there are no limited runs per se, and many more people get to choose the colours they like. I'm just not entertained by the thought of anyone else outside the factory tinkering with my new body!
Informative and a pleasure to watch, as always! Thanks, Ray! I ordered my Zf two hours ago directly from Nikon, and I'm looking forward to decades of chronicling my kids' school and sports events, and plenty of family vacations.
Glad you enjoyed it. I'm sure it'll serve you well. I love mine.
Hello Ray - have enjoyed your channel over this past year, but first time commenting. I just received my Zf on Wed 12/13/23 (ordered it on 11/11/23) along with the Small Rig grip. The SmallRig grip is a good addition and fits well. It certainly makes the camera more comfortable to hold, but detracts a bit from the full retro look - although not bad on the black Zf that I have. The only issue that I've noticed is that because the memory cards are inserted from the bottom of the camera, when the grip is installed it makes it difficult to remove the SD card since the card is close to the edge of the wall of the grip. I've either had to remove the grip, or use a technique where you slide your finger quickly off the card after having pushed it in to allow the spring mechanism to shoot the card out of the slot. It takes a little practice and best done over a table, or your camera bag if you're out in the field, so that you have something to catch the card. A bit of a nuisance, but not the end of the world. As you mentioned, the grip will be use specific for me depending on the lens size and will have a Peak Design wrist strap on it, or a full neck strap as back up.
Hi Robert! Glad to hear from you. Thanks for the comment. Yes, I probably should have mentioned that it does make card ejection a bit fiddly. Not huge issue, but it does require a bit more dexterity ... or less pudgy fingers than mine!
The SD card slot is clearly it in a user-friendly location. But it’s not a deal breaker unless you have really big fingers. I don’t take mine out frequently, just after a shoot so i can be a little more patient with it.
Interesting, I have other smallrig products, they are really excellent 👏😀👍, thanks for sharing your findings with us, much appreciated! 😀
Cheers! Yes, I'm happy with all my SmallRig accessories.
I have a number of SmallRig items, and very good they are, including a grip for my Fuji X-T5. I think the company makes very good, and very practical products and have now bought SmallRig grips for both my new Nikon Zf bodies. Nice video Ray.
Cheers!. Yep, no doubt SmallRig make some useful accessories.
Video was helpful with my buying decision. Purchased he SmallRig from Amazon.
Glad to help.
Great work Ray, very informative vid, and let's face it, we all need to a get a grip at times. Indeed even 4/5 stores in Japan, the Nikon grip seemed to be not shipping yet. The SmallRig version does nicely. Thanks Ray
Thanks Matt! Absolutely! Glad I ended up getting a grip. LOL!
The latest neewer grip has thumbrest built in and is an absolute game changer with this camera . The flat back on the zf gifts you no option other then to hold the camera with you and under it or down with the deathgrip . Thumb rest in the grip changes its big time
I’m waiting for my Zf in Bordeaux Red, it’s on backorder😢. I plan on getting the SmallRig grip when I get it so I really appreciate your review. Happiest of Holidays to you Ray!
The grip is black you know right?
@@jango71Yes, I know it’s black. That’s fine with me.
Thanks Patricia, same back to you. Hope your Zf arrives before Xmas!
Like it! That down jacket and your Zf are the perfect match, looks great! You're a real fashionista! Too bad I can't use fancy down jackets like yours here in...Bangkok. 😁
That said Bangkok climate does a job on silicone - the stickiness is a real issue and you don't have to wait long for it.
Never mind, a few blemishes and scars add to the character of both, equipment and user - or so I tell myself...
Haha! Luckily I have Viking blood 😀 ; it's freezing in my studio! Just wait though, in a couple of months I'll be praying for summer. Yes, silicone kryptonite is heat+humidity, I think.
Thanks Ray. I have a Zf and I am looking for grips for the same reason. How do you find operating the front aperture dial with the grip? Does it give a nice support for your index finger?
Easy. Only difference is better purchase on the camera. Definitely helps when using bigger lenses..
I finally found the people who love to drop cameras and hate grips. It's great to meet you guys.
I think the black grip looks good on the orange camera. On the other colors though, it’s just okay. Maybe SmallRig will eventually offer colors.
Agreed.
The grip is offered with all Nikon Zfs in Europe. First time Nikon sells Arca-Swiss plate products somehow! I hope they realize soon it is the new standard and they start adding it to all lens collars.
Yes, I've been using (mostly) Arca-Swiss for years now. One day, I'll have all my gear converted. But I add plates to my lenses, rather than expensive third party feet.
@@RaymondParkerPhoto They are not that expensive anymore…
The way it works with different colours in my market is that you order the black version, then you go to Nikon service center to change the leatherette. I want to change mine to grey, but I'm hesitant about what to expect. I'm just not comfortable with the thought that my new shiny body will have to undergo a surgery to install a different skin😕
Interesting. I'm not sure how it works here; maybe the same procedure, except you pick the colour on the Nikon website.
My understanding of the color options is that they're a limited production run and when they run out, that's it. In fact, here in the US, Nikon USA already shows most of the Zfc colors as Out of Stock. White and Grey are the only two that you can order, and they show as back order so may not even be able to get those anymore. I was tempted by the Suset Orange Zf, but if I had a damaged leatherette/rubber trim that needed to be replaced in a couple years all they would be able to replace it with is black, so just went with that to start with. And I always liked the black/black Nikon film cameras anyway, such as my F2.
@@Robert-R it's very interesting to hear about the different market strategies for the same product. Even in the case of Z fc, they follow the same approach here; you buy the vanilla product then you take it to the main branch to change the leatherette. I guess one advantage of that approach is that there are no limited runs per se, and many more people get to choose the colours they like. I'm just not entertained by the thought of anyone else outside the factory tinkering with my new body!
entertaining sure hell Raymond .
Peace ,
ZF is best Retro FF Camera....
too small for me 😢
I've heard that before.