What's with this 'new' retro-look...
Sep 21, 2023 13:31:43 #
OldCADuser wrote:
I just saw an advert for the new Nikon Zf series o... (show quote)
Late last year I replaced all of my Nikon DX cameras and lenses with a full frame system. I decided that I would treat myself to a new FF system before I got too old to use it, am 82 years old. I wanted to continue using a Nikon and really liked the looks and feel of the retro Nikon Zfc that reminded me of the first camera that I owned, a Canon Ftb that I bought in 1976. However, the Zfc is a DX camera. Given my limited budget and upon advice of my nephew (teaches photography and manages a media center for a county school system) I bought a Canon RP and four RF lenses to go with it. It takes excellent images and has all of the features that I want. However, at a recent family reunion I was talking with my nephew and found myself telling him that while the Canon RP is an excellent camera, I wasn't happy using it. It just didn't feel right in my hands and I didn't enjoy using it. I have now decided that when the new Nikon Zf becomes available, I will find out how it feels in my hands and if it feels good I will trade in the Canon camera and lenses for the new Nikon. Yes, I know switching systems is costing me money but at my age I think that how a camera feels in my hands is more important than having all the latest bells and whistles.
Sep 21, 2023 13:32:13 #
OldCADuser wrote:
Sorry about the mix-up with the Zf and Zfc. I didn't drill-down far enough to realize that the 'c' probably stood for 'cropped' and not 'chrome', but you have to admit, they look nearly identical (but the 28mm lens should have been a hint since that's a bit odd for a full-frame prime lens):
To clarify, the Zfc the "c" stands for compact. And it is NOT full frame. It has the same internal characteristics as a Z50, but with retro controls. I traded my D500 for a Z50 and 3 days later returned it for the Zfc. I really like the brushed chrome look. More professional than plastic. The Zfc reminds me of my first Nikon, an FTN in 1970.
The Zf, while pictured here by someone, is not yet released and will be full frame. Speculation is Jan or Feb '24. I also believe the body will be bigger. By the way, the Zfc is easier to use than the Z50. Controls make more sense. The Zfc comes with a kit semi-wide zoom (16-50... also chrome) and I added a full-frame semi telephoto in anticipation of trading to the the Zf someday.
Sep 21, 2023 13:51:11 #
camerapapi wrote:
For many years, more than I can count, I used film cameras. My first experience with them, back in the 50's was a totally mechanical camera (manual) a Japanese Petri that I used with a Weston Master exposure meter. I look at it today and I can see the technologically advance of the new cameras that are making photography more and more easy for all of us.
The first camera that I had that was more than a Kodak 'box camera' was an Agfa Silette (see image below).
I had this camera when I was in high school and used it when, for our senior class trip, we went to New York City and attended the 1964/65 Worlds Fair (I'm from Northern Michigan). And despite not having a 'light meter', I managed to take some great pictures at the Worlds Fair, as seen below.
During my Sophomore year in college I acquired my first 35mm SLR, a Minolta SR-1. That was replaced in 1969 when my brother got me a Minolta SRT-101 at the PX when he was in the Army.
The 'Unisphere', the symbol of 1964/65 New York Worlds Fair, taken from a 'Sky Ride' gondola - May 1965 - Agfa Silette
Sep 21, 2023 13:51:29 #
BurghByrd
Loc: Pittsburgh
OldCADuser wrote:
I just saw an advert for the new Nikon Zf series o... (show quote)
Fuji film owns a slice of the market with products that cater to this form factor. Apparently Nikon wants some of that business. If you don't like the Zfc they have plenty in the standard menu/button driven form factor available in other models. I will say that this approach makes the primary variables of shutter speed, ISO, f stop etc. easy to quickly find.
Sep 21, 2023 13:59:08 #
I might be wrong here but it looks as though a larger lens such as the Z70-200 2.8 would not balance well on this body apart from probably messing up the vintage "look".
Sep 21, 2023 14:04:33 #
leftj
Loc: Texas
OldCADuser wrote:
Geez, I make one misstatement and I admit it and apologize for the error, yet people are still calling me out on it. Didn't anyone read my apology or are you simply failing to acknowledge it. I guess next time, I'll just keep my mouth shut as showing remorse is just a waste of time for this crowd...
The violin is playing. You just trashed a new camera model that you knew next to nothing about. What did you expect - butterfly kisses?
Sep 21, 2023 14:07:34 #
SueScott wrote:
I might be wrong here but it looks as though a larger lens such as the Z70-200 2.8 would not balance well on this body apart from probably messing up the vintage "look".
People keep complaining about ‘balance’. The retro ‘look’ went with two-handed operation, with the left hand bearing the weight of the lens. The T-90 ‘look’ went with one-handed operation, with users grabbing onto that handle and really holding on, while the camera ‘balanced’.
Sep 21, 2023 14:21:54 #
josquin1
Loc: Massachusetts
They're just trying to do what all companies try to do: make money from anybody they can.
Sep 21, 2023 14:25:05 #
OldCADuser wrote:
I just saw an advert for the new Nikon Zf series of full-frame mirrorless cameras and they're really pushing this 'retro-look'. I don't know, but first off, one of the reasons, at least this is how I see it, in going mirrorless was so that camera designers would no longer be locked into a configuration dictated by the optical path of a mirror and viewfinder.
As I already said, even in the {film} days of the T-90, designers didn’t feel ‘locked into’ a design dictated by the optical path of the mirror and viewfinder; the T-90 had ‘pleasing’ curves and a handle dictated by ‘ergo dynamics’.
Sep 21, 2023 14:26:48 #
leftj
Loc: Texas
josquin1 wrote:
They're just trying to do what all companies try to do: make money from anybody they can.
Hmmm, I guess companies should not want to make a profit. Socialism here we come.
Sep 21, 2023 14:43:42 #
BebuLamar wrote:
What you call the dials I call it counting wheels. And I must credit Canon for being first with the counting wheel and every other manufacturers are using it now.
I have never heard of a counting dial nor ever in any review seen it referred to as such.
It is a serrated wheel that spins exactly like a dial thus is by definition a dial for everyone.
Just like Nikon is making a huge deal about B&W on the Zf. Guess what? My R7 has B&W of several types and if I were so inclined could set C1 etc. to do it no different than the Zf. Also like other Nikon terms like "Matrix metering" is nothing different than Canon evaluative metering. But Canon doesn't make it sound like some holy unique feature
Sep 21, 2023 14:52:23 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
If high heels were so wonderful, men would be wearing them.
At one time, long ago, they did.
With plumed hats!
Sep 21, 2023 14:55:10 #
Architect1776 wrote:
I have never heard of a counting dial nor ever in ... (show quote)
You can't set the shutter speed with the power off. The counting wheel is an encoder which sends out 2 pulses per click to indicate 1 increment or decrement. The position of the wheel is irrelevant until you turn it with the power on. The dial has one position for each setting and you can set it before turning on the camera. When the camera is turned on it will read the position of the dial and know which setting has been chosen.
Sep 21, 2023 15:06:37 #
Architect1776 wrote:
I have never heard of a counting dial nor ever in ... (show quote)
Which ‘R’ camera has a retro “look”?????
{small grip and squared off viewfinder}
That is what is special about the ‘f’ series. {The Nikon ‘Zf’ continues what the Nikon ‘Df’ started}
Sep 21, 2023 15:11:44 #
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