My Minimal Nikon Camera Setup for 2025

[@RanftEvan]

To everyone who saw the last video about this topic and said my setup was too complicated... You were right.

[@rf.photographs]

Sheeeesh! That Plena bokeh is butter. But 14 years and going Nikon user. Recently upgraded to the Z6III and pivoting heavy into video (while still photog'ing), love the N-RAW files.

[@roboHare73]

Great video, ZF and that 26 pair beautifully if you’re looking for a Nikon daily. Replaced my Q2 with that combo.

[@gentlewolf1279]

The Z8 is such a monster camera. Welcome to the party dude.

[@gojkodjurkovic]

Hi Evan, Plena is my dream lens! I love your set up! Great video as I am kind of use to with you. :) Keep it up with what you're doing. Wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy new year. Big greetings from Croatia.

[@WahidFayumzadah]

You should get the Nikon Zf, I think you'd really enjoy it! Also very good b cam with video. I love it with my 40mm f2 with a pro mist.

[@devilangel4655]

26mm f2.8 Street photography (small) 14-30m f4s Landscape 50mm 1.8s Portrait (small, easy, light) 85mm 1.2s Portrait environment 105mm 1.4e Portrait environment I like to buy 2 lenses later, the 24-120mm f4s for landscape. And the 24mm 1.8 or 1.4 because I like the look of the photo, the front pops out and at the same time the background is a bit softly blurred.

[@t87h21]

I also only shoot with a fixed focal length and I love it. Currently: Sony a7IV 24mm1.4GM, 35mm 1.4GM, 50mm 1.4GM, 85mm 1.8 and Leica Q3. The setup covers almost everything I need.

[@sonderbass]

I’m using the Z6III with the 20mm 1.8, 50 1.8, and the Tamron 35-150mm 2-2.8. Love that trio for concerts and travel.

[@Jessehermansonphotography]

Those photos from the 135 look incredible.

[@chromegator482]

It’s easier to be creative with less options. Good call

[@DominereEvansMusic]

I simplified my gear as well. Nikon Z8, 35mm 1.8, and 85mm 1.8.

[@tim_biller]

Df, 20 f1.8. 35 f1.8, 85 f1.8 That's been my working baseline for 40 years (started with FM, but same focal length lenses). I have a 300 f4 too but that's not an everyday lens.

[@Narsuitus]

Thanks for sharing your three-lens Nikon setup with us. I use a variety of three lens camera setups. I hope my setups are not too complicated. My favorite Nikon full-frame prime lens setup is 35mm f/1.4, 85mmf/1.4, 180mm f/2.8. My favorite Nikon full-frame zoom lens setup is 14-24mm, 28-70mm, 80-200mm. All f/2.8 My favorite Leica rangefinder lens setup is 21mm f/1.4, 35mm f/1.4, 90mm f/2. My favorite micro 4/3 prime lens setup is 14, 20, 45. My favorite 6x7cm medium format prime lens setup is 50, 90, 180.

[@lukaswassmer]

Many thanks for the interesting insight! Your lens collection is really exciting and very well thought out. I would be interested to know what you think of the Z 24-120 mm 1:4 S?

[@contrast_zero]

Great Video! I am thinking about the Z6 III to replace my Z5 that i've been using for a few years and these videos are really helpful in thinking of a useful setup!

[@AsuquoTravelsProductions]

The Z 6III is a really good camera especially for video.

[@urbantactical148]

Great video and content. I have been using a Z6ii and I just got my zf. Great photos from downtown Lawrenceville.

[@judeemclaughlin]

What lens do you find best for video. in studio? My lineup is the Nikon Zf body. For hiking: 24-400 with image stabilization built in. For street and edc: 40mm f2 (with the classic look) and a 16mm. I have been looking at a Laowa 10mm zero D. My husband uses the 135 and 24-70 with his Z8 so I can borrow it.

[@ciba20]

you are my man!

[@tazsmith]

I just picked up the z9 as I found a good deal on eBay and these were the lenses I was looking at

[@indrajitadvani3742]

Love your lens choices. I used to have 14-24 f2.8 pre-Z range and now have 14-30, which has its limitations so I'm considering buying 20mm f.18. As for 135mm, I haven't buy it and probably won't as I have 85mm f/1.2 (my all time favourite) and 70-200mm f/2.8

[@Hawaiian_lightning]

That 135 plena is such a beautiful lens. Although I don’t own it or shoot on the Nikon platform, this lens had me tempted to switch over from Sony. I can’t find it in me to make that change though. The sigma 105 1.4 will fit my needs. Great lens though.

[@fangli]

Your lens collection is great bro, and the plena was amazing lens,

[@WilliamTrostelPhotography]

I know you tested the Z6III as well. What made you choose the z8? I also have a z8 and love it.

[@FormlessPhotography]

Great kit man. I have these lenses as well for my Z8 and love all of them. Quick question, what’s the maker/brand of the camera strap on your Q-P?

[@AnthonyHadleyJr]

What camera/lens combo are you using to shoot this studio talking head portion?

[@RaulGn]

Dream Lineup, great video

[@TomOhle1]

New subscriber here. Really enjoying your content. Contemplating jumping to Nikon from Panasonic s5iix. Mainly for access to the faster 1.2 glass. Have you experimented with the nikkor 50 1.2 or 85 1.2? Also what’s your take on using the Nikon for video with the 14-24, noticed you had what looked like a screw on filter - what are you using?

[@JuanRojas956]

What camera do you use for vlogging?

[@Jessehermansonphotography]

I agree that your last video was a little complicated for my taste. I’m so glad the Z8 found its way into your gear. Having followed you for years, the fact you shot nikon was a draw, at that time. Cool to see it come back.

[@PearceWeddingPhotography]

Please do a plena video!

[@upintheair88]

Do you have the Sony A6700? I’m looking to get that one as my first pro camera

[@tonyhayes9827]

Interesting about the 135 and the 70-200. Since I got the 135 I don't use the 70-200 much 8unless I really need that reach. Is have a Z6ii so less cropability than a Z7 but if I can find a Z7 I might well sell the 70-200

[@lorenzonarwhal]

I hope sigma starting produce 28-45 1.8 for nikon too

[@Travel_Photography_Dude]

I’ve simplified my gear too. Z8, 14-30 f4, 35 mm1.8, 50 mm 1.2, 135 mm 1.8. I just got the 135 a few weeks ago and agree it’s amazing!

[@gentlewolf1279]

What ND do you have on the 14-24?

[@ucevrim]

Nikon’s own nd

[@flowboxx]

Isn't the pancake lens the 26? 🧐

[@christianbertuol4950]

What do you think about the rubbers on nikon z8? I have one for about 9 months and the rubbers are starting to dilate

[@RanftEvan]

Damn really? Mines fine but I also haven’t had it in any serious rain. My d810 had all the rubber fall off though but that was after a few years of use. I’d reach out to Nikon

[@christianbertuol4950]

@ i’m upset with this, the rubber from the USBc dont close anymore and the rubber from the grip on the hand are starting to dilate and peeling of the rubber I use my camera every day, but didnt think it would happen it this sooner. My country (Brazil) doesnt have Nikon :/ Bought mine in NY on B&H

[@ArsenijeRadenovic]

Rubbers are notoriously bad on all of the nikons ever.

[@RejeRush]

Yea, the rubber on Nikons are really bad. Not sure why they don't fix that issue. Had to send my Z8's in for repair over the summer after a year of use.

[@robertarmero6320]

Nikon Zf and 40mm Voigtlander nokton. Done

[@LOLA6ifyable]

Nahh I can't simplify.. it's not me. Z9 , Z6 III , S5 II , Xt2 (in a meh condition So I keep it until it breaks or interesting conversion) , and Penatx Kr for fun. Lenses - 50 1.2 (70-80% of the time it's on my camera) , Also have the 135 Plean (love it!!) , 24-70 2.8 , 14-30 f4s, 85 1.8 S, 35-150 2-2.8 , 70-200 2.8, F-mount 105 2.8 macro rounding up the list is the only fuji lense I kept - the 56 1.2. Thinking about - xt-50 / 5 , and 35 1.8 for the panasonic , and 180-600 and / or the 400 4.5 . Dream camera - GFX 100s II (which may happen later this year ) + 110 f2 , and 45 2.8 - unless the Z9 II will be anounced , at which point I'll delay the Fuji. Gimbles , flashes .. yeah GAS , is my middle name , and I feel no shame!

[@RegrinderAlert]

Don’t get the GF45. You will be using a MF body without MF image quality. If you have so many systems, pick another one for the compact use case imo

[@naten2462]

Replace the QP for the ZF!!!!!

[@Anuj-rw1kn]

Hi Even, its Anuj from India, i am facing a major issue on my andriod devices as , when i am trying to post multiple photos on insta in 4:5 ratio, its automatically zoooming in 1:1 ration .. it wasnt the case 1 month back .. but its happening now .. but on the other hand this issue is not happening on apple phones ... And surprisingly nobody is takking about it anywhere ... Please HELP .. because as a photographer its not allowing me to post things on Portrait mode or 4:5 ratio .. Hope you find this comment and others too .. and let me know if you all are facing the same issue on Android phones .. and how to fix it . Thanks.

[@funkmasterkirk]

Good Vid.

[@orlandomolina3722]

And you only needed 10 thousands dollars do have such a small line up....

[@carlosoruna7174]

Umm d200 f2t, 24, 35 , 85 and 180 and a leica table top tripod

[@RoryFisher]

Skinny jeans in 2024

[@igorj2255]

What about that "minimal" Logitech setup? I am sure that you are still using that too.

[@simmysharma6845]

😊

[@punnu5997]

the colors from nikon are unmatched to date, no one comes close in skin tones, no one.

[@alanjcravophotography4149]

Fujifilm, hasseblad

[@mrstudios010]

Agreed, Nikon just delivers. Former fujifilm, canon and pentax user. Switched to nikon and never going back.

[@grapetonenatches186]

I want to be a photographer but there is no tattoo shop in my town.

[@caskraker]

Minimal? Those lenses are not minimal. Got a Z fc, 16-50 plus 24. Now that is minimal: very lightweight, fast and usable.

[@sarahmae8991]

I love having minimal gear, it makes choosing what to use much easier. Now that’s not to say that I wouldn’t mind having a few more options in my camera bag, photography has a lot of cool shit to play with. Haha! I have a Nikon D750 with 2 lenses, Nikon 50mm 1.8 and Nikon 24mm-120mm, and a LensBaby Omni filter kit. I have a speed light and a set of studio lights. I also have a cute old canon point and shoot, it’s 12mp. That’s it, that’s my gear. However, a film camera, a bit of a better point and shoot, and some fun filters, and one more lens would be great! 🤣🤣🤣

[@nicolaspetit8791]

the automatic translation in German is terrible