It’s funny you are holding a digital camera and talking about how you love film and I only shoot film and am looking at film-like older digital gear. I have like 30 refurbished by me film cameras of all formats and I want film like quality in low light with digital without spending $6K for modern gear. 😊 Enjoying your videos.

What's wrong with using this camera with flashes or bigger lenses? (My biggest lens is Tamron Z 35-150 f/2-2.8).

Video starts at 2:40

I have 3 D700s and a D4. I love these cameras and I got them in mint condition cheap with a low SC. I have a D850 but love using my older Nikons! It is all about the light and composition. Love your videos!

yes! I have the same lens and camera and the 28-300 and the 105 f2.8 micro are my favorite and most used lenses

@TheMonochromeMemoirs how do you still feel about the D700 in 2024? I build my wedding and portraits portfolio on them for about 8 years starting in 2012 and man I have such fond memories and an emotional draw back to the D700, but I picked up a used D700 and after using the Z system it's really feeling dated, though the files are of course still incredible.

Not sure if you will see this comment but do you think Z6 would be good for motion stop photography (shoot in burst mode) paired with a Continuous led for in club? I’m wondering if the hit rate will be better since there is always continuous light as opposed to using a flash? My friend uses the Sony A7iii he’s been successful and I know the Z6 is in that same line. Your thoughts would be really appreciated! I really love the Nikon files. They feels so nostalgic and true to life.

You need to stop dropping a Great camera....get your hands checked.....lol

Amazing Video. Like your way of explaining photography very much!!!

I am really trying hard to push through wedding season this year with Z6ii and Z5 backup and keep myself from buying more gear, but will probably sell and upgrade bodies for 2025. This year was about glass and have a 50mm 1.2 on the way!

Does not work on my ZF. I can't get this Cross in the middle of the display or the finder.

I have a 1.2 on the way to kick off my first wedding this season. Been practicing with my 1.8 to dial in that focal range and man I’m loving it but cannot wait to see how much more artistic and sharp the 1.2 is! I just have to remember to stop down for groups or use my 24-70 for those.

50 mm is always my go to, great tips!

If the Z 50 is the only camera that you had, would you use it to do paid work, is it good enough?

You have no idea how happy I am to have found this video and to read some of the comments. I shot professionally for about 7 years and my first professional camera was the Nikon D700. I'm getting back in the business after a long 7 year hiatus. I had still done some shoots for close friends and for some of our High School sports teams here and there still shot and have my D700, which only has about 53,000 clicks. It's the only pro camera I've ever used. I thought I needed to upgrade my equipment to be up to speed since it's been almost 7 years since I want to get back into things professionally, but I just couldn't afford the upgrade right out the gate. In my research of seeing what was going on now days with photography I came across so many videos of photographers still loving the D700 even today. I'm so glad to see why it is such a loved camera, I'm going to stick with it. Might try and get my hands on another one. Thank you for posting. Can'ts wait to get back out there. I have my first "real" shoot this Friday.

Thank you so much! Exactly what I was looking for!

Amazing...you just said everything I was always thought about the d700.

Great, thanks

I WILL agree with you that the 40mm focal length is absolutely a charm……. BUT that plastic mount on the Nikon version is THE FLY IN THE OINTMENT The Nikon Zf is the most beautiful retro style vintage looking camera on the market today, even prettier than the Fuji XT-30 or XT - 5 ….. BUT Nikon could have hit a home run IF ONLY the megapixel count was higher…… ALL of Leila’s cameras are now 60 MP monsters that are a dream for those who like/need to crop, even the Fuji X cameras are high megapixel cameras. You CAN have everything if you are willing to spend the money….. but if the product doesn’t exist then the search ends elsewhere…….. which is why IF I decide to buy the Nikon Zf I’ll attach a Voigtlander Nocton to it. I currently have the Nikon Z9…… but damn that Zf looks so nice EXCEPT the low megapixel count is holding me back. I may end up getting the Leica SL3 with the Summicron 35mm f2 for an ultra vintage look…….. but the wait list……

Do you think this camera could be used for weddings as a primary camera?

Thank you. I got a used camera with a finger print on the sensor. I was afraid it was scratched. I followed your instructions and all is great now. Thank you again.

Came here 4 years later and got my feelings hurt over eye AF. I feel so triggered right now. haha! Always appreciate your videos! Man, I tried going back to a D700 after shooting Z6/Z6ii/Z5, and I just could not. I will always have love for the D700 but it feels so old now in actual use. :(

A sensible review.

When you talked about the style of the camera this is what people that use a smartphone don't seem to understand what it is like to use a real camera, their is nothing inspiring about using a phone to take photos. I drive over 5 hours from my home in the Hudson valley of NEW YORK STATE to Bombay Hook National wildlife refuge in Delaware to photograph wildlife and birds and another 3 hours to Asatique island on the Eastern shores of Virginia to photograph the wild ponies and the countless shore birds, I have taken countless of photos over the years that I not been able to get with a phone.

I now use a Sony A9 & A7Riv for my serious/professional work. I sold all my Nikon bodies including D300 & D810, along with all my pro glass. But I could not sell my D700, too attached to it's feel in the hand, robustness and quality. I still use it with the 50mm f/1.8G and 24-120mm f/4G for pleasure shoots and monochromatic work in 2024.

I know I'm late here, but I came to the Z8, after having set up my Z6 AF as you demonstrated ages ago. It was fantastic. This is the front FN button toggling between "sticky box" and Eye AF. I *think* this is the issue you're mentioning around 16:10. Here's how I've programmed it on the Z8: disable global eye AF; then, use 3d Tracking as your default mode (this is "sticky box"); then, assign your FN button to "recall shooting function (hold)", and within the RSFH settings, *enable* eye/face tracking. Done!

Great vid thanks! Subbed.

We have to mention here another very important advantage of shooting With a 12mp camera like D700 You don’t need a 2.000$ lens to get good results ,even a 100$ lens shines with that beast.

A cant agree more on the point you mentioned abt over emphasising on camera brands , most amateur photographers waste thier time in tge beggining running behind the best canera brand

youre the freaking man!

Where is the other video

I got my 58mm F1.4 out again for the first time in a while and it really made me appreciate how good this lens is. The colour and rendering is fantastic and it has an almost ethereal look.

get the small rig grip its the best designed one it has a thinner plate so it doesnt screw up the size and it has the best materials based on like matching the camera

This Video looks amazing, I can’t tell what settings you’re using; All I know it’s pleasing to my eyes

What's the point of talking about a lens if you don't bother showing a single image taken with it?

Thanks!

Just bought one 28-300 for my D610. For wider, a 16mm F2.8. For high quality, bokeh and low light, a trio of 35, 50 and 85mm F1.8 primes if needed

Why i everybody saying how great the D700 is? It's not bad, for being from 2007, I have one, sometimes I take it along a M43, a GH5 more exactly and each time I can make the GH5's image look better. EACH TIME. The D700 is just a bad case of misplaced nostalgia and will end up as a paper weight. My S5 just destroy it at all levels and in every ways.

Older lenses from 60’s have single coating which flares and softens skin tones. I dont like newer lenses because they dont have character. They’re too sharp.

this has been so usefull thanks!

Using a 50mm is the best avenue to lear photography composition.

Although if use for wedding all day it get heavy and tiring

I'm having trouble getting the high speed sync get to work with the godox trigger to with the ad200 when I turn thr setting both on camera and trigger on the z8 n godox . Once I set 1/320 black screen n white line. If I use the ad600 I see strip's pass 1/1000

cool!

The absence of any User Presets was a deal breaker for me because I use only one camera at events. You use 2, so the 2nd can be set differently, and your other body has presets anyway. I really don't understand why they left that off.

They completely messed up this body with this type of screen.

First of all thank you for your real “real world” review from a wedding photographer perspective. However, I wonder your thoughts now especially after firmware 2.0 as this video was before this firmware release. Is this only me who is waiting for a second round? :) thx

“Think of yourself as a landscape photographer first, and then place your subject there…” my brother, you have single-handedly with that line alone solved my biggest obstacle with photography. Such a logical statement in hindsight, but never did I look at photography this way until I heard you say it. Beautiful explanation

I feel the same about the D750 and I so much regret selling it

A very useful review. Looking to replace my old D800, and trying to decide between Zf, Z8 or a theoretically upcoming Z6iii. My gut has told me to wait for the Z6iii, and your comments confirm that.