Gear Matters - Thoughts on the A7C II and Return to the Nikon ZF

[@weiyang6417]

Gear does matter whether new or old. Whatever inspires you to go outside and shoot. I own a ZF, but I still reach out to my Fujifilm XE2

[@CianMcsweeney]

100%, tech specs don't matter, but the experience of using a camera definitely does, that can be from an old or new camera, expensive or cheap, doesn't matter

[@AlistairOwensgooglePlus]

You can use all your e mount lenses on Z mount. Some really good adapters out there.

[@mrdarryljones1]

The Nikon FE2 was my first ever camera in the 80’s and been shooting ever since. Got a ZF and I want to pick it up every day! 🔥

[@LIGHTHUNTER.D]

Love the build and look of the Zf, would’ve been perfect for me with their higher res sensor (I know it’s already enough, primarily for in camera crops/reach). Go all in on Nikon with M glass! The SE 28/40 is a killer combo too.

[@WhoIsSerafin]

I’m all about small compact systems. But I broke and just got me the Nikon ZF. I’m quite liking it and am shocked how good that 40mm f2 lens is. But I think I really think the voitlander 40mm 1.2 would be magical with this camera.

[@ericrjennings]

Totally agree

[@NetvoTV]

I want the Zf but haven't able to afford it, I guess you have to rethink if you are broke or not hahaha

[@CAPTOURS]

Nice move and the experience is where it's at 100%

[@felm.974]

It is awesome that you re-bought it, it is an awesome camera, I love mines, I have gotten used to its weights and ergonomics and even prefer to use it w/o a grip when using small lenses. There are many amazing lenses that have character that would go well with its aesthetic that are made for the Z amount as well as adapters that can adapt a lot of different brands. There is no a perfect camera and in this case, we have to customize it to look and feel how we want it to :) With that said, hopefully Nikon will make a better one next time but who knows how many years that is from now.. and time flies, we have to enjoy things now.. :) hope you enjoy it, I love the black and white feature and just hanging around the city with it, enjoy man, keep them videos coming.

[@JoeLopez]

Thanks for sharing. I agree, gear matters. I also agree, gear doesn’t matter 😎 That thumbnail and that Zf grip though 🔥

[@SportPlusDad]

I get it. Early on, the mechanics of cameras were what motivated me to pick them up more-so than any artistic vision of a desired image. That said even once I did start thinking "image first" I was always keenly interested in how gear (usually better gear) could make the process faster and/or more convenient. I started shooting seriously in the 80s with a Canon A-1 and T90 - mostly high school events and sports, with some newspaper journalism sprinkled in. For the time, those cameras had some pretty state of the art features that made it "easy" to produce the images i needed, but no amount of nostalgia for those cameras would motivate me to reach for them on a regular basis today given the newer tools I have available (iPhone 13 Pro, Nikon D500/D7200 at this writing). I actually recently repurchased copies of all my old Canon gear off eBay since prices are reasonable. I am certainly enjoying them for the nostalgia value, but what I'm struck with more than anything is what a PITA the whole image generating process used to be. So, maybe I'll have a bit of occasional fun on the ice with these old hockey sticks, but only to remind myself just how cool the modern stuff is.

[@CianMcsweeney]

Nikon need to get their act together with more suitable lenses for the ZF, both auto and manual focus with aperture rings and better construction, F2 & F2.8, honestly even putting the plastic 28mm & 40mm into better housings would be 90% of the way there

[@alexmilesg3]

Interesting, cause i totally like the sound of the A7CII shutter.

[@chriswittstruck282]

Great vid thanks! Subbed. Definitely debating between these two. Need to get more hands on experience but appreciate the great insight!

[@D.Trider]

I freaking knew it! Welcome back to the party. 😂

[@MrRafalEn]

I agree that gear matters. Couple months back I sold my X-E3 + XF 35 f1.4 and jumped to Canon R8 + RF 35 f1.8. Images coming from FF Canon are great, autofocus is pure magic, ergonomics, grip, fully touch LCD are fantastic and I thought that I am finally satisfied with my gear. When novelty wore off I noticed that I am less excited to take images and to take my camera with me. My conclusion is that I miss smaller Fuji size, I miss metal lens with an aperture ring, I miss the looks of a Fuji setup (silly but true) and I miss imperfect, softer rendering as well. I was thinking about A7C II for a while as it's smaller than Canon R8 and there are some nice metal lenses with aperture rings (Sigma primes) but the last time when I played with A7C in the shop I instantly had the same feeling when I was shooting my old Sony A7 mark I. This computer feel and I can't really put my finger on why is that. Probably some mix of general feel of a body, weird shutter sound, LCD that is full of cramped information, AF confirmation sound, menus and some other stuff I am not fully aware of. I also thought of taking such expensive kit on a travel and I would probably worry too much about it. My old Fuji was so cheap that it doesn't matter really if something bad happens. In the end I will probably venture back to Fuji. For your Zf you can buy Megadap AF adapter that works pretty well and have nice lenses from Sony work on Nikon. Zf is really great but its size and weight are ultimate dealbreakers for me unfortunately.

[@anthonystonehouse]

Have you thought about adapting the e mount lenses on the ZF?

[@georgebarrientos8826]

I returned my Sony A7C2 for the same reasons. Was on the fence until I heard the shutter sound… lol. Coming from Sony after many years I have more than a few lenses. Still use Sony but mostly for video. The 55 f.18 is a favorite. I’m using the Megadap ET221 Pro adapter. Works fine along with my 20mm, 85mm…. Be sure to update the adapter software. You can do it right on the Nikon, very slick. 2mm thick, super light, does not affect weight and balance.

[@ericrjennings]

Ok I need to get this

[@benjaminkotenberg1118]

@@ericrjennings I have both the Megadap and on a whim I bought the funmount version off of eBay. For almost $100 less, they both work the same. Just a thought.

[@cliffday1183]

agree 100%, I've tried a few systems over the last few years, camera bodies including Sony A7ii,A9ii, Nikon Z6, Z7 Fuji XT2, for various reasons I didn't like using them - all great cameras btw, brilliant outputs on all of them, but at the endif the day if the feel, handling, menu system, ergonomics, features, weight, simplicity, weather sealing and of course glass doesn't feel right then your less likely to enjoy the experience. I keep going back to Olympus M43 because I just enjoy the overall experience .....

[@hasenmyer]

I bought a fuji xt30ii about a week ago, it has all the things...haven't shot a photo on it yet...in fact haven't shot a photo on any camera in a week or so..why? Since I'm just an amateur my interest in shooting has peaks and valleys (in a natural way) Having a camera you really vibe with helps, but in the end it's me

[@sdhute]

Is there any voightlander manual z lenses on the horizon?? lol made my comment before you mentioned it

[@ipsofactophoto]

Well played.

[@bondgabebond4907]

My Nikon F2 makes a real shutter sound. I also hear the mirror slap when it hits the rubber. I hear the gears turn and film advance. No matter what you put in front of me today, I still consider the F2 the greatest camera ever made. If you want a true experience, get one and slap a motor drive on it and live. Purchased in 1979, this 45 year old camera still work. This is a testament to the craftsmanship of camera makers in the past. These old cameras (Nikon, Canon, Leica, etc.) have taken the greatest pictures we have ever seen. They even made it to the moon. Arguing or getting weirded out over what we have today is a waste of time and energy. A camera is a tool. Treat it as such.

[@rjbiii]

Gear absolutely matters. We're doing a hobby, you really should enjoy the gear you're using. Photography isn't just the output, but the entire process of creating that output. That's why I like fuji and I like film. It's more tactile and pleasing.

[@quentinnewark2745]

The great thing about Sony A7C is the lenses: that Batis 2,25 and the Loxia 2,35... combined with Sony auto-enlarging when you turn focus ring. I turned the shutter sound off entirely, mine is silent. I have Zfc as leisure camera, with Voigt 35/2 macro-ultron. (And sadly no but-enlarge.) As you say, the retro Nikons are just so visually-emotionally-haptically appealing. I never feel that with Sony, which always seems more computer than camera. But those Zeiss lenses...

[@thedarkslide]

I got the Zf (in red) immediately when pre-orders opened up - I took a gamble, this being my first Nikon without any prior investment into the system. I ended up getting the plastic fantastic SE lenses (28, 40), the only other lens I got is the 50mm f1.8 S based on the rave reviews it got and the fact that I love a great 50mm prime lens. I might get the 24-120 S as well and basically be done with Z mount lenses - hoping they introduce something a bit smaller, with an aperture control ring on the lens, maybe a set of f2 or f2.8 primes built smaller and to a higher standard than the crappy SE lenses with their plastic build. I also shoot an M10, so if I want manual focus, zone focus and slow shooting, I will gravitate towards that instead. I love the auto-focus on the Zf, so I hope Nikon will ship more suitable, higher quality lenses for it.

[@waynerm002]

Get an adapter to use your M lens on the Zf. I got to try out the Voigtlander 50 f1 (Leica M version) lens on the Zf with an adapter and I love how that subject detection features still works for manual focus.

[@thedarkslide]

@@waynerm002 I got the adapter. But I prefer the rangefinder to manually focus. For me, the Zf is an auto-focus camera.

[@waynerm002]

@@thedarkslide I see, good to know. For me the Zf goes back to the days when I used film cameras (not Nikon) and going manual focus ( fully manual with the dials as well) with it, is how I would use it, much like I did with the Df. I do prefer the Z8 though to shoot everything as it takes me back to the DSLR days. I’m not a fan of the rangefinder cameras, I do like the look and feel of the Leica SL series though.

[@MikePGuitars]

You should try that super slim E-to-Z adapter.

[@ericrjennings]

With autofocus?

[@MikePGuitars]

@@ericrjennings yeah - just looked. Megadap is the brand. The G lenses with aperture rings would be pretty sick on the Zf if it works well.

[@RandumbTech]

@@ericrjennings I have a video coming out shortly showing how well the Zf works with Sony glass. Some lenses are better than others, but overall it works nearly as good as native Nikon Z lenses. Spending $250 on an adapter to save thousands on lenses you don’t have to buy? I’m in!

[@ericrjennings]

which adapter? I am in if it works well. Worth it to keep my Zeiss glass.@@RandumbTech

[@RandumbTech]

@@ericrjennings Megadap ETZ21 Pro I think it’s called. Super skinny - barely know it’s even on.

[@gtaylor1564]

Nikon zf is unbelievable good light years ahead of the competition

[@shutterKeebs1127]

I like the looks of that grip but it’s so slippery compared to SmallRig.

[@ericrjennings]

It is a bit slippery.

[@kbarrett1844]

The gear has always mattered and it matters most to those who say it doesn't matter.

[@LOLA6ifyable]

Agree gear matters! I have both a Z9 as main and added a ZF . love them both! On the other hand I bought a Panasonic S5II as sort of video Centric camera , But god forbids I hate it ! not sure why , can't put my finger on it but I hate using it. It's a great camera , with awesome feature set , don't get me wrong but I can't bring myself to use it . I simply switch the Z9 / ZF to video mode and use them. I want to sell it , the feature set stops me , but eventually I will I think , I thought maybe I did wrong when paring it with the Sigma 24-70 2.8 , so there is a hope for it yes but gear matters when it comes to how you feel using it. BTW I was deciding between the ZF an A7C II , how do they compare on AF? just wondering here . P.s I may order the wooden grip , not sure about the ergonomics. , but it looks Awesom!

[@ericrjennings]

AF on both the AF and A7C2 are great. Sony is king though. But it’s minimal

[@andrewkerns6777]

So when's the A7C II going up for sale? I'd love to know what your wife thinks of all of this back and forth with cameras.

[@ericrjennings]

Up for sale now. She thinks I’m psycho. She’s right.

[@andrewkerns6777]

Haha! Well you definitely keep me entertained! Right now I'm really enjoying the Leica M11 and Q3. They've seemed to have satisfied my GAS but I'd love to pick up either an MP or M6 reissue sooner than later to add to the collection!

[@ericrjennings]

@andrewkerns6777 I have an MP

[@ayberkcelik]

I am planning to switch from Fx30 to A7c II or Nikon Zf. I really miss a viewfinder and hate the 1.5x crop. Is Nikon good for videography? I got no issues with sony, but Nikon Zf looks like my Pentax Mx and it is beautiful

[@ericrjennings]

The ZF does video very well

[@ayberkcelik]

thanks a lot@@ericrjennings

[@bladerealm124]

How is the IBIS for handheld video in the ZF compared to the A7CII?

[@ericrjennings]

Nikon ibis is better

[@DynamicLearning4u]

​@@ericrjenningsHave you compared the Nikon Ibis w Catalyst Browse? Thanks

[@tappersreviews4677]

Is the ZF shutter as loud or quieter than A7CII?

[@ericrjennings]

Louder I guess but way better sounding

[@EDHBlvd]

Rebuy King!

[@ericrjennings]

Never touching this crown

[@MrPetebuster1]

Hey a man that thinks like me 😂spot on my friend, have the a7cii to feel the same way, have the zf to. was selling the zf now changed my mind. done a few vids myself, You can get an adapter for sony lenses on the zf . works great

[@MarcAdesso]

Just wait til you try Leica!

[@ericrjennings]

I own a Leica MP

[@TopshelfJunior]

Third person in a week that I heard say "I'm selling the A7Cii." Interesting for sure.

[@Skidoo22]

If Nikon ever made a full frame camera with stabilisation, in the body of a Z50 with that camera's weight, and 40mp, then that would be the camera for me. Throw in a new adapter that meters with Ais and autofocus with D lenses and it's party 🎉 time 🤠

[@stevendente9270]

I have never seen anything like your struggle to find camera gear that works for you. It must be hard to deal with. This is like atching one of those daily Soap Operas where nothing ever really gets resolved. If photography is you actual hobby this makes no sense at all. Maybe you are just not finding enough enjoyment in your images. Does gear matter? Absolutely yes when it comes to the shooting experience. Sometimes to a special genre of photography, but that is not the case for you. Every camera system I have seen you love then abandon are wonderful, capable systems. But I think it would be best to take another look at expectations. Camera gear is a manufactured thing. It is immutable. We as humans are very adaptable if we allow ourselves to be. So it makes more sense for us to adapt to our camera personality then it does the reverse. That will never happen. The goal of relationships with gear is to make it disappear in the the creation of an image. Just as you make thousands of unconscious adjustments just to do an ordinary task like pick up a pencil, or even take a hocky shot the camera should be like that when taking and image. Its operation gone from the conscious process. Developing this kind of fluid relationship takes time. It is muscle memory. But it is achievable with any of the untold systems you have been through in recent years. The problem is not in the gear, it is in you. That is where you need to focus your energies. In that sense gear only matters because you allow it to. In fact, you are an incredible amplifier of it. When I first picked up a Leica M camera it was completely alien and uncomfortable for me. But I really wanted a smaller form factor but with uncompromised glass and IQ. Leica seemed to offer that. I was a Sony A1 shooter, which is the antithesis of a Leica M experience. In order to give myself a chance to adapt to the new system I started a 30 day program where I would carry the M with me all day, every day, and make at least one image a day that I felt worthy of posting online. I also set up a series of exercises to help me become automatic at various manual focus and exposure techniques. I practiced daily. Now, after a few years shooting both systems I am fluent in both. Both are invisible processes in creating the image I see before me. I select my system for the advantages that each offers for different opportunities. These days I generally take the Leica with me daily due to form factor. I still manage to get at least one publishable image a day. I really enjoy my photography hobby, and it is fully integrated into my life. I made a long term effort to adapt to the gear, not find the perfect gear. My best advice, pick any two of your systems. One high performance AF, one soul filling MF. Make the long term effort to adapt to them. Make them invisible. Don't read about, or even think about other gear. Make gear invisible in your photographic experience. You will be less conflicted, and I'm betting that you will become a much better photographer. Wishing you the best.

[@ericrjennings]

no argument

[@stevendente9270]

@@ericrjennings Maybe an idea for some new valuable content. Pick a system, take it with you every day for say 90 days. Develop some exercises that help you become automatic with that camera's workflow. Post a weekly video where you share the images, discuss the process of taking them (don't step on the process by recording a video when making the image) , the exercise you practiced and what you learned. Discuss how this process has integrated this into you daily life. I am sure you and we viewers will get a great deal out of the exercise.

[@ericrjennings]

@@stevendente9270 that's actually the plan. I'm in the middle of crazy hockey season so I can't shoot right now. The other logistics issue is getting film developed if I choose that. But yeah that's the basic plan.

[@joshuarothman]

This is a really wise and perceptive comment, @stevendente9270, and it resonates with my own experience. Gear does matter, definitely, but many people don't understand that it's only half of the equation-it's really less than half-and that your eye and your hands and your mind have to adapt to the equipment, learn it, and ultimately gain fluency with it. A lot of "gear churn" results from not devoting sufficient time to any one system, and for looking for answers in gear, not learning. A lot of KZbin camera content involves churning through fantastic equipment way too quickly, as a substitute for adaptation and fluency. As Jocko Wilink says, "Discipline equals freedom!"

[@stevendente9270]

@ericrjennings Actually the point is to have the camera with you no matter what you are doing. Totally integrating photography into you everyday life. The fact that you say you don't have time to shoot now is not a part of that. Photography is not a separate activity that you need to have time for. Commit to making at least one image a day. This will change the way you see the World and your place in it. You will find you see interesting opportunities everywhere. What you are striving for is to see the World differently. The way you really live it. Making an image only takes 1/500 of a second most times. It can't interfere with anything, and you don't need to schedule time to shoot. The film issue is also not relevant to this approach. Shot the image daily, send develop the film when it is convenient. I know many who do this. Although my personal choice is digital M11 for my everyday carry. Either the Sony or the Zf will work great for this. Nothing wrong with either. This is sort of like training a dog. The owner is the one that really needs to be trained.

[@I922sParkCir]

The A7C II’s shutter sound is real. That’s the actual sound of the shutter opening and closing. It’s electronic first curtain, meaning there is only a rear curtain shutter. You can take off the lens, press the shutter and see it moving. The A7C series just had a lame shutter sound. The larger Sony bodies, especially the R’s with damped shutters, sound way better when using electronic first curtain shutter. I’m in the same boat as you. The A7C series are great cameras that I just don’t feel at home using.

[@ericrjennings]

That high pitched screech is audio. Only the clack at the end is real

[@I922sParkCir]

​@@ericrjenningsThat's not true. Nowhere in the documentation mentions an artificial shutter sound. Reviews don't mention... grabs a7c... Holy shit you're right! That's so dumb. OMG! I actually prefer the shutter noise when you cover the speaker. I can't believe in the over 1,000 menu options there is not a single one that mentions that.

[@ericrjennings]

You can’t change it in the menu. Lame sauce

[@I922sParkCir]

@@ericrjennings I can’t unhear it now. Thanks for that!

[@ericrjennings]

@I922sParkCir I’m sorry I ruined it for you. But as soon as I noticed it, it bothers me a lot

[@stefanusadrian8398]

i mostly use my camera for traveling. using cii now and thinking a lot to switch for Zf. would you recommend Zf for traveling due its size and weight?

[@ericrjennings]

I think the zf is too big

[@stefanusadrian8398]

@@ericrjennings which skintones do you prefer? Do you feel that Zf skintone tends to yellowish than c2?

[@ericrjennings]

@stefanusadrian8398 zF colors are better all day

[@klarion]

Gear matters to the degree of differentiation... The smaller the degree, the more gear matters.

[@donodom3]

The A7CII viewfinder is not better by any stretch. The ZF viewfinder is triple the resolution.

[@dmitrypushkarev7162]

And where are the pictures?

[@ericrjennings]

🤔

[@highdynamicphotographyfilm2235]

Nikon ZF and their glasses are just amazing

[@diabeticonboard6459]

Bro, no Pictures...?

[@ericrjennings]

Haha

[@mlzs_]

Some say you become one with the camera. Others say cameras are tools, lol. That's why people say you need one "fun" lens or maybe even a fun camera

[@richardfink7666]

I would never buy an ugly camera (e.g. Canon, Sony), no matter how good it was. The camera has to feel good.

[@soulopticc]

That sounds so shallow when I hear someone else say it, but I totally agree with you 😂

[@richardfink7666]

If I don`t like something I don`t use it.@@soulopticc

[@brugj03]

You seem confused, like someone talking himself into liking something he doesn`t. Probably the Zeiss glass that you are going to miss, it can cause some withdrawl effects. But serious, you got some points. But i have the sony myself and it`s a very nice light weight and small camera. The Nikon has more emotion. But Sony glass especially Zeiss is so good, i couldn`t part with that. Nikon has nothing to compare. I don`t give a shit about shutter sound, i shoot silent.

[@artsilva]

I too tried the Sony experience once and being a Nikon, Fuji, Canon, Hasselblad user for over four decades, the Sony was short lived for the same reasons. It was a plastic image capturing computer that had no soul and reason to pick up due to its boring and small ergonomics. I can see someone coming from smartphones enjoying Sony handling but for most long time photographers with real camera backgrounds, the Sony is not it. Everything about it in my experience was in a word; Artificial.

[@frankfeng2701]

The Zf is all good up until the flip-out LCD, which ruins the whole experience of using this camera as a discreet photo/documentary style camera. Same with a7cii and most other modern cameras out there. That's why I went with a7r5 in the end.

[@JoeLopez]

Saying it ruins it is a bit dramatic.

[@klarion]

Nikon skin tones bother me a lot.. I prefer the way Sony looks here

[@shutterKeebs1127]

Really sony skin tones its better to you?

[@rjbiii]

Opposite for me. The Nikon footage looked a lot better imo.

[@shutterKeebs1127]

@@rjbiii I agree

[@janromo9753]

Nikon menus!! Cmon you cant say A7cii is a bad menu and not complain about Zf menu. Everything else you say I understand, Zf was great when I had. But I still enjoy my Sony a7cii size ergos and iq are great. But still prefer my Leicas.

[@klarion]

@@shutterKeebs1127 in the video above, yea.. that Nikon looks fakish..

[@umberto8383]

la base è in plastica, la scritta Nikon è in plastica, il back del display è plastica!!!

[@dimaroscadallacqua9926]

If I had a lot of money I would buy all the gear I want, basically all the Sony G Master lenses, Sony Venice 2 etc etc etc. I already spent all my money on cameras and lenses and a lot of you might think that I’m the perfect person that all these companies are looking for, and I agree, but man I can’t stop it, I love technology, filmmaking and photography. 🫠

[@CianMcsweeney]

I think you should just start a camera store business or something 😂

[@dimaroscadallacqua9926]

@@CianMcsweeney Maybe one day... 🤔

[@CianMcsweeney]

@@dimaroscadallacqua9926 go for it dude