DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

[quote=Tote1940]Bough Z50 then Zfc just for its looks.
Buying a camera just for looks is probably no worse than 90% of the reasons we buy a new camera.

BebuLamar

[quote=DaveyDitzer]

If it looks good it is good.

Tote1940 Loc: Dallas

Thank you , will try

Randyfrieder Loc: Long Island, New York

Isn’t it ok to have pride in the kit we use??
I believe it is.
The end result, the image,
is paramount, without question.
It’s not the only part of the shooting scenario, though.
The equipment we use, does define us, in a certain way.
And indeed, absolutely influences our final image.
In my humble opinion, there is nothing wrong with enjoying the shooting experience with your personal choice of gear, while you are capturing your favorite subject/scene.
Remember:
“To each their own”

A low end car, will get you to the same place as a high end car. Which is its sole purpose. There is a big difference in the experience of getting there.

Why would you care if someone admires a photographer’s’ gear choice?
Or the fact that they took pleasure in the recognition of said kit??

Those questions and/or comments, from strangers, and onlookers, may be because the askers are interested in getting into photography.
If the choice of equipment is important to the questioner, and can push that person forward, into getting a good camera, and taking up the hobby or business, what is wrong with that?
IMHO
Ymmv
📸 Regards, Randy 📸

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Myths are wonderful tools, suggesting talent and effort can overcome the lack of superior cameras.

Tote1940 Loc: Dallas

Like an excercise done in some photo classes, use a fixed lens fixed focus camera “box” camera

Hamltnblue Loc: Springfield PA

shutter speed, iso, and exposure comp can be,dialed in with a physical dial, like the old film slr’s

imagextrordinair Loc: Halden, Norway

Adding in,
Some of the very best imagery can take on a special look or mood from yesterdays gear or lesser gear. Not everything needs to be tack sharp or 100 mpxl in detail. Fuji and others have in camera options to mimic the look of Kodac film, or you can add grain, or go B&W. Kind of backward thinking in a way...

In reality no one needs more than 20 mpxl for most applications. If you use a crop factor, that means you understand you may end up with sometimes less than 10 mplxl's. If you print for professional accuracy sure, big files and more data, but if you use the right lens and take the time to compose mpxls are less important.

On the other hand, control convenience and focus accuracy are very attractive. That may be why the Zf can compete with something like a Hasselblad X2D in real life captures when eye accuracy can make or break a keeper image.

Creative color, image mood, softness, high contrast or B&W can all be part the talent factors that trump's what is considered a superior camera advantage.

BebuLamar

You can dial in those setting on the Z50 too without going into menu.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

BebuLamar

A lot of people say that these retro cameras allow you to do setting without the menu. That is not true. Most other cameras can do the same settings without going into menu too. Of course there are settings you have to go into menu but those equally applied to both styles of cameras.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Agree, I do everything with my R7 from dials just like the Zfc and Zf.
Seldom if ever use menus while shooting except if some unique opportunity arises.
And C1- C3 allow for dial changes to anticipated possibilities.

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

Tote1940 Loc: Dallas

Z was fun! Had z260 nothing but trouble restarting until “Z Doctor” did full transplant Z240 carbs then it was a dream
Remarkable how much smaller and nimble cars were back then and of course no power steering and skinny tires

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

I own a Z fc and the top dials have absolutely nothing to do with avoiding using the menus. As you point out you can avoid using menus to the same degree with most other cameras. The only advantage of retro cameras with top dials like on the Nikon Z fc and Zf is that they provide a shooting experience that appeals to some people, like myself. It forces us to slow down and carefully consider each shot in a similar way to shooting with film. I find I take far fewer images than I use to with my DSLRs but I have a much higher percentage of keepers. Of course, the controls of the Z fc and Zf also allow you to completely bypass the top dials if you choose to, and you can use these bodies in the same way as other mirrorless or DSLR bodies. I take the experience to the next level and primarily use my Z fc with manual focus prime lenses. While this combination would not appeal to most people, for me it has renewed the joy of photography.