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That looks very, very special. 👍
Who has moved to the Nikon ZF?
- Thread starter CameraQuest
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JohnGellings
Well-known
I moved back to Fuji X from the Zf.
David_Manning
Well-known
I've always loved Nikon film SLRs. My complaint about modern cameras is that most of them look nothing like the cameras I used to love.
I'm almost brand-agnostic, and shoot a bit of everything, used adapted lenses on lots of bodies, and I'll say this: I reach for my Zf more than anything right now.
I'm an old-school focus-and-reframe shooter. The Zf's AF is very sticky--in fact, stickier than my Canon R5. I use continuous single-box 3D autofocus, and when I grab focus and recompose, it feels like I'm shooting an old-school SLR. Every time I'm tempted to purchase a Voigtlander 40 or 50 Z mount manual focus lens for the Zf, I'm reminded of how nice this AF works for me and wonder why I'd spend so much money for lenses, only to work slower.
The size seems just right for me, and the retro looks hit me much more positively than Fuji X bodies.
I actually feel a bit guilty...everything else sits, and I have a LOT (too much) of kit.
Canon R3 and R5
Canon 1DX
Leica M10-P
Sony A7RII
Fuji X-T3
Ricoh GRIIIx
So...I haven't switched or sold anything...but I've added the Nikon Zf and 40/2 kit lens to the collection, and I reach for it more than anything. Cruising around London recently with just the Zf and a 40...I couldn't have been happier. I also think it looks terrific.
I don't prefer the small front lens elements on the two retro lenses from Nikon--and that's purely a cosmetic issue--but I bought an ND filter to screw on the front which mostly hides the lens front and I can shoot essentially wide open all day.
I'm almost brand-agnostic, and shoot a bit of everything, used adapted lenses on lots of bodies, and I'll say this: I reach for my Zf more than anything right now.
I'm an old-school focus-and-reframe shooter. The Zf's AF is very sticky--in fact, stickier than my Canon R5. I use continuous single-box 3D autofocus, and when I grab focus and recompose, it feels like I'm shooting an old-school SLR. Every time I'm tempted to purchase a Voigtlander 40 or 50 Z mount manual focus lens for the Zf, I'm reminded of how nice this AF works for me and wonder why I'd spend so much money for lenses, only to work slower.
The size seems just right for me, and the retro looks hit me much more positively than Fuji X bodies.
I actually feel a bit guilty...everything else sits, and I have a LOT (too much) of kit.
Canon R3 and R5
Canon 1DX
Leica M10-P
Sony A7RII
Fuji X-T3
Ricoh GRIIIx
So...I haven't switched or sold anything...but I've added the Nikon Zf and 40/2 kit lens to the collection, and I reach for it more than anything. Cruising around London recently with just the Zf and a 40...I couldn't have been happier. I also think it looks terrific.
I don't prefer the small front lens elements on the two retro lenses from Nikon--and that's purely a cosmetic issue--but I bought an ND filter to screw on the front which mostly hides the lens front and I can shoot essentially wide open all day.
maddoc
... likes film again.
Sold my Zf and kept the Z7_II, which also beautifully works with the Voigtlander 40/1.2. I programmed the record button of the Z7_II to magnified view and this helps a lot when focusing the f/1.2 lens. My to-go digital camera is now the OM Digital Solutions OM-5 II. Weather-sealed and very light weight and compact. I got the 9, 15, and 25mm Panasonic DG Leica primes lenses for this camera and the DG 12-60 Vario Elmarit. All lenses are protected against rain and dust, perfect for hiking and compared to the Zf much easier to carry.
Started my love affair with photography in the 1970's with a Canon TX (part of the Canon FD line). Loved the total mechanical aspect of setting shutter speed, aperture, ISO, etc.
Going back to that with the Nikon Zf and a bevy of Canon FD lenses and a Novaflex FD to Z adapter. Having a ball, and reliving the fun I had when first starting out.
Best,
-Tim
Going back to that with the Nikon Zf and a bevy of Canon FD lenses and a Novaflex FD to Z adapter. Having a ball, and reliving the fun I had when first starting out.
Best,
-Tim
JeffS7444
Well-known
After thinking about it for about 18 months, I purchased a new ZFc outfit with kit zoom lens in mid-2025. As hoped, it makes for a likeable slender and lightweight package.
Nikon's approach is more computational than expected, when said kit zoom is used: De-moire, de-distortion, de-aberration, all baked into both JPEG and raw images. For the most part, it's a good thing, giving that tiny zoom lens an "impossible" level of performance.
Power management is more aggressive than I'd like, but the payoff is killer battery life. Speaking of which, although Watson offers a battery plate for the EN-EL25 batteries, my Watson chargers (several years old) won't actually charge them.
I find the retro-style control dials occasionally useful, and appreciate having the option to use or disregard them. Wish that the ISO dial had an Auto position, rather than requiring me to change a menu setting, but I suppose that was done to avoid ID:10T-type errors.
Shutter noise: Although not the quietest that I've encountered, I find the sound of it's mechanical shutter somehow pleasing.
I'm tempted to add a Nikkor Z 26 mm or 28 mm lens at some point, though the former's smaller size comes at a hefty premium.
Nikon's approach is more computational than expected, when said kit zoom is used: De-moire, de-distortion, de-aberration, all baked into both JPEG and raw images. For the most part, it's a good thing, giving that tiny zoom lens an "impossible" level of performance.
Power management is more aggressive than I'd like, but the payoff is killer battery life. Speaking of which, although Watson offers a battery plate for the EN-EL25 batteries, my Watson chargers (several years old) won't actually charge them.
I find the retro-style control dials occasionally useful, and appreciate having the option to use or disregard them. Wish that the ISO dial had an Auto position, rather than requiring me to change a menu setting, but I suppose that was done to avoid ID:10T-type errors.
Shutter noise: Although not the quietest that I've encountered, I find the sound of it's mechanical shutter somehow pleasing.
I'm tempted to add a Nikkor Z 26 mm or 28 mm lens at some point, though the former's smaller size comes at a hefty premium.
JohnGellings
Well-known
I moved to the Zf for a a year and a half. I went back to Fuji recently.
Shab
Well-known
Hi!
Can you share your thoughts about your go back to Fuji? Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my Fuji cameras... I have never used the Zf, but I must admit it is a tempting camera, so your one year and half experience and your thoughts are welcome to me. Thanks in advance!
JohnGellings
Well-known
It´s a great camera actually. I just prefer Fuji and always go back to Fuji. Personally, I prefer more depth of field and APSC gives me that.
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