Living with the Nikon Zf - A Photographer's 5 Month Review

[@BruceLeebowski]

some of the best street shots i’ve seen on youtube in a while. beautifully captured.

[@blkmarz]

Wow, thanks! I appreciate that. 🙏🏾

[@rickmower1136]

I have a ZF and love it. I agree with everything you have said, it is a solid camera and I believe will be a legend for years to come. You have taken some amazing photos with the ZF and show great skill. One more thing I admire you for keeping it real and prioritize your family first, taking the call from your wife during filming shows that you are true man and you respect/love her deeply. Keep up the great work and I look forward to more videos from you (when the family life permits them).

[@blkmarz]

Thank you very much!

[@dfigphoto]

Easily the best, most real and down to earth review on the Zf. I’ve worked as a designer at Adorama and other camera retailers since 2010 and I’ve used probably 200+ cams during that time. The Zf really is everything you said it was and much more. You’ve earned a subscriber for sure.

[@blkmarz]

I really appreciate that! Thank you for watching!

[@loufonolleras5544]

Marz, I really enjoyed your review and pics. I’ve had mine exactly a year tomorrow. I love the camera….my love for it is rooted in my history with Nikon- was shooting an FM and an FE2 since the lat 70’s, and I was dragged kicking and screaming into the digital era. Was slow to warm to it… tried Fuji for a few years because of the nostalgic dials…. Then moved back to Nikon with a Z62 for a couple of years, and while image quality was terrific, I was still missing the tactile feel of the dials and controls, and shooting more slowly and deliberately…when the Zf was announced I was excited as hell, and I sold the Z62, and purchased the Zf from B&H the first day it was available. Within a week, they sold out of the preliminary stock and people were waiting until mid November for new stock. In the interim, I’ve also picked up a refurbished Z50 for something light to carry around for every day…truth be told I have two small cases, one for the Z50 and one for the Zf and favorite lenses for each. You’ve earned a subscriber as I watch you grow with this camera!

[@rutr000]

I appreciate the time you took to make to review the Zf. More down to earth than many others I’ve seen, and that’s a big blast of fresh air. The overproduced, KZbin content/creator formula is pretty dull at this point, and the perspective you shared was what I was hoping to coming across, and you had some real nice stills sprinkled throughout as well, so bravo! Progress over perfection for sure! Thanks a bunch!

[@blkmarz]

Wow, thanks for that! I appreciate you! 🙏🏾✨

[@roroh7615]

I don’t usually leave comments, but after watching this video, I just had to say something. Your street photography is amazing-way better than what I’ve seen on some big camera review channels. You’ve got a real advantage here; your videos feel natural and super enjoyable to watch.A lot of what you said about the Nikon Zf really resonated with me. I’ve owned plenty of cameras, but this one is different. From the moment I picked it up, I knew I’d never sell it. I think it’s underrated. I’ve been using it with old and manual lenses, and the joy it brings to photography is something most cameras can’t match.I still shoot film sometimes, but after developing and scanning my own color negatives, I started questioning why I even bother. Since I got the Zf, I’ve been shooting film less and less. This camera is just that good.

[@blkmarz]

Thank you for such thoughtful feedback. Glad to hear you love the zf as much as I do! Lol that’s funny because I want a film camera but I’d probably end up feeling the same as you. Thank you for commenting! 🙏🏾✨

[@brunopaquin5637]

Enjoyed your video, a joy to see someone real. I myself have a Z7ii, and was looking for a second body, in particular the Z6iii. Then I started to look at the Zf, not sure why, it reminded me of my first camera, the Nikon FE. Anyways, after that I watched videos reviews, people complaining about the grip or the ISO button, but they mostly all loved it nevertheless, they just had to find something to complain about. Anyways, I decided to go with my feeling instead of specs, got one a few days later, and I do not know what it is, but this Zf is something special. It brings back the good emotions I had when taking pictures as a teenager. Yes it is snappy, pictures are just beautiful, etc etc, like many other cameras, but, the feeling of this camera is hard to describe. It has soul, it is not perfect, no cameras is, who cares really. If anyone reading this is on the fence, just go and buy it, no question, no regrets.

[@blkmarz]

Thank you for watching! & I completely agree - excellent comment!

[@southeasterncameraraleigh]

Thanks for the Shout Out! Glad your enjoying it!

[@blkmarz]

Thanks for watching & thanks for selling it to me lol

[@lelandfitz1762]

Your style is really good. Also loved that you showed a lot of photos you took with the Zf, great ones!

[@blkmarz]

thank you! 🙏🏾✨

[@gonzotravelling]

Great video fella. A Refreshing change from others on you tube. Nicely paced out, great sample images.

[@blkmarz]

thank you very much! I appreciate the kind words !

[@chrisf5475]

Such a nice video… out of 8000 others focussing on specs you went with how it feels…. And you made me want one even more!

[@blkmarz]

Thank you for the comment! I hope you get one ! 🙏🏾✨

[@Almost_Blue_]

This was your first video? So good! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Zf; recently got it and love it as well.

[@blkmarz]

Haha thanks! & Nice! I hope you’re enjoying it!!

[@daymonpearcey8468]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Zf, great to hear.

[@blkmarz]

My pleasure! Thank you for watching!

[@paulboskerphotography]

Nice work. Great discussion and comments. Totally agree! I've had mine for a few months and have put my Z9 up for sale. Haven't touched it. Love the old school look and manual shooting. Slows me down to enjoy the process and art. Thanks.

[@blkmarz]

You must really be enjoying your Zf if you’re getting rid of the Z9! lol & It’s definitely a fun camera - & agreed! - the slower process usually leads to better images! Thank you for watching!

[@brockburlando702]

Love the work you have been able to show. I, too, have this camera. And you are a 100% right on.

[@blkmarz]

Thank you!

[@anil_hyderabadi]

Both the camera and the man behind it are awesome! Amazing photography! Awaiting your next video.

[@blkmarz]

@@anil_hyderabadi much appreciated! Thanks for watching!

[@BUCKSHOTSTV]

Incredible photos! Loved your vid. I went from Fuji to the zf, best decision in my photo career. I mainly shoot high volume head shots and never even noticed how many of my shots were mis focused until a couple weeks ago. Shocked that I had sold so many prints over the last 10 years and almost all of them were focused on the nose rather than the eye. I immediately saw the difference on the zf. So glad I switched

[@blkmarz]

thank you for watching! & that’s great to hear! What lens are you using?! I’ve yet to test the autofocus on the zf!

[@BUCKSHOTSTV]

@@blkmarz the 50 1.8s…I’m looking into getting the thypoc 28 for my every day carry lens. The 50 1.8 is a big lens to carry around comfortably, but since I do headshots I needed to invest in a work lens first

[@Naattik]

Amazing shots and kudos for sharing your thoughts on the Zf. I’m still deciding between this or Z8 (or both cuz why not haha). Subbed, please keep up the good work!

[@blkmarz]

thank you! my vote is to get both! i had an opportunity to mess around with the z8 and that camera is incredible. it can do everything lol

[@Fiona_Chasing_Light]

Stunning photographs - truly ... exceptionally good photographs that you have taken.

[@blkmarz]

Thank you!! ✨

[@steveoreohk]

Great photos, well say. ZF owner here, I matched it with Zeiss ZF 50mm that I used to use with D200 15 yrs ago, it matches perfectly along with a modern Z 24-50 + Z 40. Please keep sharing ur foto. Thanks.

[@blkmarz]

Thank you for watching! & That sounds like a great kit - Especially with that Zeiss!

[@montycraig5659]

You shoot this like I shoot it! I have shot film my whole life, and I shoot this camera like I used them. We think alike on so many points about this camera. One suggestion I would offer would be to try the Voightlander lenses on this body. The results are amazing. I also use a bunch of Zeis, and Takumar m42 lenses.. outstanding lenses for very little money, and if autofocus is not a need, they are stellar!

[@blkmarz]

thanks for the comment! manual focus is more fun!! I’ll have to check out the Takumar lenses, I’ve never heard of them until now!

[@PrinzMegahertz]

What an awesome collection of shots!

[@blkmarz]

Thank you!!

[@discotechwreck]

That was a great video! Like hanging out with one of my bros - I loved it. I’ve been a Fuji shooter since 2020 but sold up and bought a Makina 67. Not going to lie though, this ZF is tempting to switch sides

[@blkmarz]

yo - thank you! and Nice! if you haven’t already, go ahead and get a Zf! haha

[@L1RMO]

Lovely images and you’ll get more polished the more videos you make. I use mine with M mount adapter Techart that autofocus my Voigtlander lenses.

[@blkmarz]

thank you for the comment! and nice - I’ve been wanting to use some Voigtlander glass on the Zf myself !

[@felm.974]

I agree with you brother. Also, the B&W feature is not a gimmick unlike some youtubers wanted to make you think. Nobody can make me hate the ZF or Nikon lol. Keep them videos coming!

[@blkmarz]

Lol thanks for watching! - Will do!

[@tonyhayes9827]

Agree. ZF my main camera now. Z6ii stays home. Grew up on film cameras. When they lost their dials I was not impressed. Good to see them back but I agree Fuji does it better. Still use my film cameras and old Nikon lenses, which work great on the ZF. Progress beats perfection! Man that was good. Thanks. Duly subscribed.

[@blkmarz]

Thank you for watching!

[@shahzadahmed-tq8tm]

Beautiful photos, Man! Love them.

[@blkmarz]

Thank you!!

[@ogonzilla]

I'm here early. Support for small creators! 🫶 Great job with actual photos. Pro tip: tone down the shutter sound 😂 Cheers

[@blkmarz]

Sheesh! This genuinely made my day! 🥲 I appreciate you watching and thanks for the tip!! 😁👍

[@papafrita96]

Your photos are lovely man. I’m thinking of getting this camera and going 90% adapted leica/voigtlander lenses and your video is really inspiring me to do that. Thank you. Just subscribed, hope to see more photos of your photography soon!

[@blkmarz]

thanks! & thank you for watching! I’ve been looking to get a voigtlander lens myself! can’t decide if I want to adapt a f mount version or get a z voigtlander. I’m scared to touch anything Leica though - I might end up wanting a Leica M camera lol

[@papafrita96]

@@blkmarz I'm with you on that, I'm thinking I'll get an M adapter for the Nikon ZF so that if one day I decide on selling an organ for a Leica I'll already have some lenses haha.

[@brockburlando702]

​@blkmarz buy the voightlander lenses! Plus an adapter that can adjust. This will give you macro abilities with the voigtlander lenses. The voightlander lenses have an amazing amount of character, but at the same time, they are very sharp. They are also very light.In comparison to the f or z mount lenses. Hope this helps.

[@montycraig5659]

You will never regret using Voightlander lenses with this camera! The images are fantastic.

[@Cotictimmy]

Some great images here - I like your style. 😊

[@blkmarz]

Thank you! 😁

[@austindean4035]

Solid content. Look forward to more.

[@blkmarz]

Thank you!

[@mestresian]

fantastic review and shots

[@blkmarz]

I appreciate that! 🙏🏾

[@masaa7090]

watching from Japan! great video

[@blkmarz]

Hey! Thanks for watching!

[@whafrog]

absolutely beautiful and exciting images

[@blkmarz]

thank you!!

[@socialbender]

I’ve owned the xt5 , I feel like the build is pretty solid . Zf annihilates it in all aspects imo aside from size . I’ve tried to run it without a grip and I have what i call the Nikon death grip because there is no support for the thumb . You should look up and find the second version of the neewer grip . I have it and it’s an absolute game changer as far as handing the camera since it has a place for your thumb on the back . The only thing imo that the xt5 has or any Fuji has over the zf is the film simulations . I’ve tried the ones on Nikonpc but they are not even close .

[@blkmarz]

Thanks for the comment! You’re right, the XT5 is a great camera for a great price. You really can’t go wrong with either camera tbh. I owned a couple XT4s in the past and they were very good for the most part! The film simulations are great and it definitely helped me get colors I wanted a lot easier. My workaround for the colors for the zf has been my custom film simulations I made in Lightroom - but nothing is as convenient as what Fuji has. As for the grip, i think I might try it out. It looks pretty good and it’s in my price range lol

[@socialbender]

@@blkmarz im gonna follow you on IG , my thing is the same on here ; I’ll show you the grip

[@ren1818ren]

Are ur photos SOOC jpegs? Or do you edit them. If you edit could give us a walkthrough through ur process? Ur images are beautiful!

[@blkmarz]

haha, I edit them! I’ll have to make an editing video soon! thanks for the comment! 🙏🏾

[@mirceagavan7046]

Great video, amazing pictures 👏

[@blkmarz]

thank you!

[@stevenj2380]

Though Zf is 'fine' ; IF I had waited longer this year I'd have a Z6ii instead of Zf. For price of new ZF, deal on a Z7ii is very nice. Got one last Sunday. I appreciate all the controls. I never had an SLR, back in he day - the Zf somewhat confounding conflicts of auto in menu settings and trying to adjust via top dials can become a frustration. Zf is great though for MF lenses. the new Voightlander for Z are a great choice. For Z7ii I traded away my Nikon DX (for a pittance though) stuff toward the price. Now all full- frame and that's fine. Have a D810 as my only DSLR, now. Just personal use. No video.

[@blkmarz]

very nice! And agreed about the Nikon Zf dials! I hope you enjoy that Z7ii - it’s a great pro camera for sure.

[@JustWatchingTheMadness]

Great images. And you shoot it just like a camera should be shot. Manual and with complete control.

[@blkmarz]

Thank you! & Agreed!!

[@tonytfuntek3262]

Nice video, thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[@blkmarz]

Thanks for watching!!

[@sem5296]

I've been thinking to buy this with the 24-120 F4 and maybe with a good black friday deal ill grab the 40mm F2.0 SE.. What lenses do you have and what lenses you want to buy for it?

[@blkmarz]

That sounds like a good plan! I’m a fan of the 40 F2 SE. & I have two old manual Nikon lenses - a 55 F3.5 Non-AI Macro & 28mm f3.5 non ai. & my wishlist is long but probably one of the z mount Voigtlander lenses!

[@shortsonfire79]

I'm out here goin raw, no grip, no strap. She heft. Zf with some M glass, Bronica SQA, and a wooden Wista 4x5 is all I need to capture everything I want.

[@blkmarz]

😂 nice kit - you obviously don’t mind a little heft! lol

[@liamcarpenter6277]

Just want to say I love the channel and to keep up the great work! You took some beautiful photos, and I’m curious how you got the effect you did at 3:45, how is the eye focussed but the rest of the photo isn’t, is that done an editing or with a specific type of lens?

[@blkmarz]

thank you for watching! i shot that with my old Nikon 55mm f/3.5 Macro lens. I was a few inches from her eye so the bokeh effect was strong!

[@Gyuudon-enjoyer]

So underrated having a lowkey camera and pretending it’s film. I just say “it’s not developed yet”.

[@blkmarz]

true!

[@ExpeditionLight]

"gentleman's camera" ...might have to relabel mine with that quote. Nice

[@blkmarz]

lol thanks for watching

[@craig_cunha]

Great video. Excellent photos and a good vibe. What lenses are you using?

[@blkmarz]

@@craig_cunha thanks! I use the Nikon 55mm f/3.5 Micro-Nikkor & 28mm f/3.5 Nikkor. Both Non-AI.

[@joysthokkins-onair]

Thank you! Nice video!

[@blkmarz]

Thank you!

[@smkunder1]

Fun video, what lenses do you typically use?

[@blkmarz]

Thank you! Nikkor 55mm f/3.5 Non Ai Nikkor 28mm f/3.5 Non Ai

[@nathanjimenez1562]

I don't understand why people get confused with the pasm dial lol its not hard to figure out lol

[@badjoby]

Awsome photographs.

[@blkmarz]

Ty!

[@david16e]

Such cool photos

[@blkmarz]

Thanks David!

[@LuizEduardoGarcia]

Thanks for the video!

[@blkmarz]

Thanks for watching!

[@jtes1442]

The ZF is an excellent camera, but it is a bit overhyped. I had the XT5 and the ZF at the same time for about five months, but I kept the XT5 and sold the ZF. I prefer the controls, ergonomics, and screen of the XT5. With the money I made from selling the ZF, I bought a Nikon Z6III.

[@blkmarz]

Very valid points!

[@janellewilson6144]

Well done!

[@blkmarz]

thx!

[@just_A_Hack]

Thought the video was great and I appreciate your thoughts. It was definitely above a C lol

[@blkmarz]

Haha, I appreciate that! Thanks for watching!

[@oliverfox838]

Beautiful people photographs

[@blkmarz]

thank you!

[@aaroneow]

Did you take a picture of a fight bro?! haha, beautiful shots btw

[@blkmarz]

lol indeed! & thank you!

[@villegas24]

The ZF is the best money I have ever spent

[@blkmarz]

lol agreed!

[@Kirkcapturesimages]

Subscribed

[@spokoinayano4]

good video, good job

[@blkmarz]

ty!

[@lefujiste1525]

Mine fell off a chair and hit the ground on the screen hinge. Hinge is twisted and I can’t close the screen anymore. So not as sturdy as advertised and for sure the screen is the weak point of this otherwise awesome camera.

[@blkmarz]

@@lefujiste1525 ahh man that sucks - sorry that happened! Did you say any curse words when it hit the ground?! lol I would’ve been hurt! The delicacy of the flip out screens was my exact worry when I owned my XT4s

[@j11m11a11]

Mint

[@blkmarz]

Salute! 🫡

[@Paldentseringsherpa]

keep up broda and

[@pepper6253]

Nice video I'll give you a C+ . very cool street captures . i was a Nikon film but I love using my Nikon Zf and Nikon Zfc . No waiting time LOL

[@blkmarz]

I’ll take it! & yeah the instant results can’t be understated lol! thanks for watching!

[@Ham-yj1od]

ZF photos in BW look like they were taken on a cheap smartphone. The camera is way wider than a film such as FM2 or FE2 which makes it super ugly.

[@blkmarz]

lol thank you! 🙏🏾✨

[@Ham-yj1od]

@blkmarz I didn't want to be a black cloud, I just shared the experience of buying ZF which happily never happened after the store let me test the camera for a few hours. I kissed my Nikon FE2 and returned the ZF 😁.