Feedback on Nikon Zf camera (Page 2): Read it yourself: https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/z/zf.htm...

BurghByrd Loc: Pittsburgh

Mac wrote:

Can you be more specific?

Read it yourself:

https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/z/zf.htm

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

I got my Zf to pair with my Df. I will use the Zf mainly with all my manual AI/AIs and Pre AI Nikon mount prime lenses. Manual focusing is not a problem for me. I won't use it with heavy tele/zoom lenses. It is not a problem to hold on the camera that with no grip, I added a half body leather cover for more better hold, I use only short prime lenses for street/portrait shooting. I like it that fits my style. Just like the Df, they are not for every body, you love them or hate them!

BebuLamar

wingclui44 wrote:

I got my Zf to pair with my Df. I will use the Zf mainly with all my manual AI/AIs and Pre AI Nikon mount prime lenses. Manual focusing is not a problem for me. I won't use it with heavy tele/zoom lenses. It is not a problem to hold on the camera that with no grip, I added a half body leather cover for more better hold, I use only short prime lenses for street/portrait shooting. I like it that fits my style. Just like the Df, they are not for every body, you love them or hate them!

I sure glad I didn't get the case for my Df. It looks quite bad. It looks like someone wearing pants that coming down too low.

kelso007 Loc: Circle Pines Minnesota

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 like mine. It is a nice blend of analog and digital. I do not use it as my primary camera but I use it as my “fun” camera. For more “fun” the ZF is paired with a Voigtlander 50mm f/2 manual lens.

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

BurghByrd wrote:

Read it yourself:

https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/z/zf.htm

I posted that link two days ago. Read the thread.

sanhuberto Loc: Miami

I thank you all for your comments. Having read Ken Rockwell's review, as suggested, it answered many of the questions I had about the camera. I will continue my search for a camera that ticks all the buttons, maybe even widen my horizon and look into medium format.
Regards
Claude

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

BebuLamar wrote:

I sure glad I didn't get the case for my Df. It looks quite bad. It looks like someone wearing pants that coming down too low.

Ha..Ha.. That's fun! anyway, it holds up, it doesn't drop, it works for me!

neillaubenthal

bikinkawboy wrote:

Looks like most of Ken’s complaints are user related ergonomics

Enfield motorcycle...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.

I'm with Ken on this one…the whole retro look thing and limited buttons just seems way harder to use than the non retro Z bodies. And while I'm sure that corset aren't comfortable…and new ones my bride tells me are just as uncomfortable for long periods as older designs…but most women that wear them aren't wearing them for comfort, knowwhaddImean.

User ID

sanhuberto wrote:

I thank you all for your comments. Having read Ken Rockwell's review, as suggested, it answered many of the questions I had about the camera. I will continue my search for a camera that ticks all the buttons, maybe even widen my horizon and look into medium format.
Regards
Claude

Funny how if you want some clarity you need to look outsde the forum. Not "funny ha ha".

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

CHG_CANON wrote:

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

And Thom Hogan’s opinion isn’t too high either. The biggest issue is that inside it’s a modern camera, with many of the advanced features of the Z8 or Z9, but to get that retro vibe it lacks in the flexibility to set up external controls to access those features, making them a PITA to use.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

SuperflyTNT wrote:

And Thom Hogan’s opinion isn’t too high either. The biggest issue is that inside it’s a modern camera, with many of the advanced features of the Z8 or Z9, but to get that retro vibe it lacks in the flexibility to set up external controls to access those features, making them a PITA to use.

Let's keep a few things in perspective. It's a mirrorless camera, making it better than any DSLR / SLR ever created.

But, I can appreciate the comments about having large external dials controlling silly things, and small misplaced buttons controlling important things. Worse is the problem of the already problematic FTZ adapters. Maybe, if Nikon thinks these retro designs are important -- it would seem they do, they keep making them -- they'll consider a slimmed down, maybe even more functionally reduced, FTZ for F-mount lenses on these bodies? Or, a 3rd-party adapter will achieve the same limited functionality in a better, smaller sized format.

If you're really going to go 'retro', an MF-era lens on a simple metal donut using manual aperture control gives that small 'legacy' package. Alas, the design limitations of this digital body will just become more obvious and cumbersome.

User ID

neillaubenthal wrote:

I'm with Ken on this one…the whole retro look thing and limited buttons just seems way harder to use than the non retro Z bodies.

Nikons intentional retro models copy 1970s style. I like 1950s retro. Cameras then were weird and unique. By the 1970s things were rather homogenized. Im verrrry pleased with the 1950s look of the Z6&7. It greatly derives from the distictive round sculpting around the body flange and also the funky way the finder looks like an after thought.

Acoarst fitting retro lenses makes the retro look of the Z6&7 more obvious. Im not at all bothered by lack of old school dials. I joined the AF parade with the Maxxum 9000. The 9000 looks like classic 1970s but with all the typical dials removed. It just happened that way. It was no attempt at style.

Likewise, Z6&7 is no attempt at style. But I remember the weird 1950s cameras, cuz I couldnt buy new cameras in the late 1960s. And I see those weird oldies in the Z6&7.

Apo Lanthar is icing on the retro cake.

(Download)

Still 1950s weird even with new lens.

(Download)

Bonus weirdness. Tres retro !
Bonus weirdness. Tres retro !...

(Download)

What the young me could never afford.

(Download)

Bill_de Loc: US

User ID wrote:

Funny how if you want some clarity you need to look outsde the forum. Not "funny ha ha".

--

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

CHG_CANON wrote:

Let's keep a few things in perspective. It's a mir... (show quote)

That's what I am doing, I use all my MF F mount prime lenses with a cheaper third party adapter and stop-down aperture on manual mode for metering. It is fine for me!

rangel28

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

Here is a very detailed review from dpreview.com. At this point, the Zf is the third best Nikon mirrorless, behind the much more expensive Z9 and Z8. This may be my next camera, depending on what the Z6III looks like, so I have been reading lots of reviews. One of my dislikes of the Zf is the lack of a grip, but a number of third party grips are available that will make it much easier to hold, especially with larger lenses.

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikon-zf-full-frame-mirrorless-camera-review