Feedback on Nikon Zf camera: Wanting to get back to my life time hobby, I have been repeatedly perusing the Nikon USA webpage and the Zf caught my eye. It takes me back to the days of...

sanhuberto Loc: Miami

Wanting to get back to my life time hobby, I have been repeatedly perusing the Nikon USA webpage and the Zf caught my eye. It takes me back to the days of the Nikkormat, the FE, the FM, when cameras were simpler. The Zf seems a little bit more more analog than digital, does anyone out there has any comments or feedback on this camera that wants to share?
Much appreciated.
Claude

BebuLamar

I don't own one but my these are what I think. Take it with a grain of salt as I don't own one.
1. I have the Df and I found it's much too big compared to a film camera like the FE or FM even the Nikkormat. The Zf is smaller but is still larger than those film cameras.
2. The Zf is a mirrorless and thus it has EVF. You may like it but it's sure what you see in the viewfinder isn't anywhere near what you would see thru the old SLR's of yours. For better or worse up to you.
3. The controls are there at the same old places except the aperture settings. Even the retro lookin 40mm lens doesn't have the aperture ring either.
4. It has a prominent exposure compensation dial while only the FE has the EC but in a place not meant to be used often. On the Zf it means to be used often as it's located conveniently at the right thumb.
5. It has the MASP-Auto setting which the film SLR's you mentioned didn't have.
6. This I guess nobody cares but as Ken Rockwell also said it's made in Thailand instead of Japan like the FE, FM or even the lowly Nikkormat.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

sanhuberto wrote:

Wanting to get back to my life time hobby, I have been repeatedly perusing the Nikon USA webpage and the Zf caught my eye. It takes me back to the days of the Nikkormat, the FE, the FM, when cameras were simpler. The Zf seems a little bit more more analog than digital, does anyone out there has any comments or feedback on this camera that wants to share?
Much appreciated.
Claude

I don’t own one either, but I don’t think it’s anything near analog other than its looks. Here is a link to Ken Rockwell’s review of the Zf. https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/z/zf.htm

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

A lot of red flags in the Rockwell review ...

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

CHG_CANON wrote:

A lot of red flags in the Rockwell review ...

Can you be more specific?

neillaubenthal

sanhuberto wrote:

Wanting to get back to my life time hobby, I have been repeatedly perusing the Nikon USA webpage and the Zf caught my eye. It takes me back to the days of the Nikkormat, the FE, the FM, when cameras were simpler. The Zf seems a little bit more more analog than digital, does anyone out there has any comments or feedback on this camera that wants to share?
Much appreciated.
Claude

The retro “looks like and has dials like an old film camera” make it a no go for me. Tech and controls have moved on…and while those old film bodies can still take good pictures…its a lot more hit and miss and EF and eye focus and 20FPS and 45MP will get you a lot more keepers. Going back for other than nostalgia to a less sophisticated tool makes about as much sense to me as ice boxes, dial phones, cars with a crank handle to start them and CRy monitors.

Bill_de Loc: US

sanhuberto wrote:

Wanting to get back to my life time hobby, I have been repeatedly perusing the Nikon USA webpage and the Zf caught my eye. It takes me back to the days of the Nikkormat, the FE, the FM, when cameras were simpler. The Zf seems a little bit more more analog than digital, does anyone out there has any comments or feedback on this camera that wants to share?
Much appreciated.
Claude

I still have my Nikon FM2, but don't use it much.

I also have a Zfc, which I use all the time. When I picked up the Zfc it was like coming home again. Of course it is not full frame, so it might not be for you. But as they said for years in the Alka-Seltzer ads, "Try it, You'll like it." .... Maybe!

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johnec Loc: Lancaster county, PA

sanhuberto wrote:

does anyone out there has any comments or feedback on this camera that wants to share?
Much appreciated.
Claude

Ordered mine yesterday from B&H. Delivered today! Got the 40mm kit lens with it. Took it out for a test spin. I like it so far.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

BebuLamar wrote:

I don't own one but my these are what I think. Tak... (show quote)

I believe that all the Nikon Z bodies are made in Thailand now, including the high end bodies like the Z9 and Z8.

BebuLamar

mwsilvers wrote:

I believe that all the Nikon Z bodies are made in Thailand now, including the high end bodies like the Z9 and Z8.

Yes. The only Z that were made in Japan were the Z7 and Z6. They cleared the production of the Df and F6 to make the two Z's but then they moved everything to Thailand.

bikinkawboy Loc: north central Missouri

CHG_CANON wrote:

A lot of red flags in the Rockwell review ...

Looks like most of Ken’s complaints are user related ergonomics and the inability to use older Nikon lenses. The ergonomic problem is something that can’t really be addressed. If they did, then it would no longer have the retro look.

Years ago an Indian motorcycle manufacturer acquired the rights to build an Enfield motorcycle, a defunct British bike. Other than a few modern ignition and fuel related improvements, the bikes looked really retro and really cool because physically they were copies of the old 50’s bikes. And guess what? Not only did the new bikes look old, they were just as uncomfortable as the old bikes were.

If some fashion designer made retro looking corsets, I suspect they would be just as uncomfortable as the old ones were. When you intentionally make something look uncomfortable, then most likely it’s going to be uncomfortable.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

bikinkawboy wrote:

Looks like most of Ken’s complaints are user relat... (show quote)

Retro cameras are not made for everyone. But many of us love the ergonomics. I don't have the Nikon Z f yet, but I do have the very similar Nikon Z fc. It is the most enjoyable digital camera I have every used and I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the Z f. I primarily use manual focus prime lenses with my Z fc, especially Voigtlander lenses designed specifically for the Z mount with electronic contacts.

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

I don't own a Zf, but read a lot of reviews on it, studied the specs, etc. since I considered it to replace my Z6ii.

It has largely received a lot of raves, with a few caveats.

It's basically a 24mp Z8, in a retro body, with slower memory cards (I don't care for the micro SD slot, but of course keeping the size down). It has the same expeed7 processor as in the Z8/9. AF performance is about on par with the Z8/9. The IBIS module doesn't lock down when camera is off - really don't like the idea of the IBIS module jostling around during transit. It makes a great stylish travel or street camera. With a vintage lens attached, people might think you are shooting with film. I've decided to wait for the Z6iii.

User ID

mwsilvers wrote:

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I primarily use manual focus prime lenses with my Z fc, especially Voigtlander lenses designed specifically for the Z mount with electronic contacts.

Acoarst ! Isnt that the normal use for a Z ?!?

Using the M-mount versions the same lenses are used on Nikon and Sony (no electronics).

(Download)

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

I have the Zf, my first mirrorless. I have the D810 and D850. Took the Zf with the 40mm f2 to the park and fell in love with it. I set it up using Henry Hudson’s advice. The EVF was amazingly bright with rich color and contrast. I love that while looking through the viewfinder, you can use your right thumb to move the focus point. The dials are intuitive and allow you to change settings in an instant. Compared to the D850, it is much lighter and smaller. I needed to buy an old school look half leather case to give me a proper grip.