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.

And to make this 'retro-look' even more pronounced, it appears that they're moving more of the controls back to dedicated knobs on the top of the camera. All they're missing is a faux film-advance and hinge on the side of the body.

Now I'll be the first to acknowledge that the LCD screen-based menu systems on many digital cameras can be frustrating (after all, I own Sony cameras ;-) but things have gotten better and with the introduction of customizable buttons (my Sony a6500 has three), you can at least program the most common option settings that you need quick access to.

Anyway, what do others think of this effort...

Disclaimer: I've never owned a Nikon, film-based or otherwise, and have been mirrorless since 2013 when I bought a Sony NEX-3N. My current mainline camera is a Sony a6500, but I've still got an a6000 and a A65 DSLR, which are occasionally called into service.

To see what I mean about this Nikon 'retro-look', here's what the new Zf looks like. Note that it's also available in all-black so at least they're not going all the way back into camera history to get this new look:

Actually, it's only available in black, with various colors of leatherette available.

The funny thing to me is that the target market is young folks from 25-35 or so, but they are getting gobbled up by older folks who already have much better cameras. I took a stroll thrugh the detailed information on the NikonUSA website this morning, and while there are a couple of features and specifications that are interesting, for the most part, this camera is operationally pretty unremarkable. Some of the most interesting and eye-catching specs, on closer examination, are applicable only in very limited situations or in ery particular circumstances. And while the video capabilities seem very impressive, the camera uses only an SD and a Micro SD card, none of the more modern, more capable options.

I do own and use Nikon cameras. I would prefer that they focus on designing and making more useful mainstream cameras, or that they would focus this energy and money on supporting the millions of F mount cameras that are still in service and will remain so for many years. This is not a camera that I will buy.

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.

And to make this 'retro-look' even more pronounced, it appears that they're moving more of the controls back to dedicated knobs on the top of the camera. All they're missing is a faux film-advance and hinge on the side of the body.

Now I'll be the first to acknowledge that the LCD screen-based menu systems on many digital cameras can be frustrating (after all, I own Sony cameras ;-) but things have gotten better and with the introduction of customizable buttons (my Sony a6500 has three), you can at least program the most common option settings that you need quick access to.

Anyway, what do others think of this effort...

Disclaimer: I've never owned a Nikon, film-based or otherwise, and have been mirrorless since 2013 when I bought a Sony NEX-3N. My current mainline camera is a Sony a6500, but I've still got an a6000 and a A65 DSLR, which are occasionally called into service.

To see what I mean about this Nikon 'retro-look', here's what the new Zf looks like. Note that it's also available in all-black so at least they're not going all the way back into camera history to get this new look: