Nikon ZF First Impressions | More Than Retro

In this video, we take a look at the Nikon ZF.
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[@villegas24]

The zf is the best photography purchase I have made in the last 10 years

[@c141charlie]

I have a Leica Q3, or should say “had”. For some reason, GAS got the best of me and I rented a Nikon ZF with a few Z 1.8 primes. I shot identical photos of my kids with the Q and ZF. I was particularly interested in comparing the Nikon Z 50mm 1.8 vs. the Q3’s 50mm digital crop. My family unanimously liked the ZF photos more than the Leica. I ended up selling the Q3 and picked up a ZF. It’s a wonderful little camera.

[@ABarrera]

I am scared to do this comparison 😂

[@canadianwatchguy6768]

I had a similar experience. The MF focus confirmation capability sealed the deal… now I have a set of Voigtländer lenses that match or exceed the Q3’s 28mm lens. Only thing I miss is the flexibility of the Q3’s 60MP and the SOOC white balance, which is the best of any camera I’ve ever used.

[@Bollywoodhollywood2023]

@@c141charlie that’s a bit too much , as much I love and admire what Nikon has done with ZF , the legendary Summilux 1.7 28 mm is in its own league and there is nothing in current digital era which touches it . They all can come close but it’s the King . I do love the color rendition and very beautiful organic look of ZF and I can finally say that I love ZF files .

[@c141charlie]

@@Bollywoodhollywood2023 The Leica Q3 has four things that set it apart: 1. It’s just cooler than any other non-Leica camera. That alone makes you want to shoot with it more. 2. It’s way smaller than most other non-Leica cameras. I’m on a sailing trip in Greece. Only have the ZF. I have left it on the boat several times while exploring the islands. Because I just didn’t want to pack this biggish camera around all day. I would never have done so with the Q3. 3. The 28mm 1.7 Summilux has more contrast and better color accuracy than all other non-Leica lenses I have shot with. More than bokeh or sharpness, I think color and contrast is what gives it its character. 4. I might be wrong about this one, but I don’t think the Leica has an anti-alias filter. Or if it does, it’s extremely weak. This is mostly good and sometimes bad. There is more detail in the image as a result of the camera not having this. However I shot my daughter’s ballet with the Q and the ZF. The pics from the Q, had these weird rainbow like artifacts on the dancer’s dresses. I think that’s called “aliasing”. The ZF didn’t have that. Someone should run for the US presidency. Their platform should be to get every person a Leica Q3. You would have my vote :-)

[@Eliehbk]

I did the same. Silver lining, didn’t lose money on selling the Q3.

[@wheezzy101]

The ZF is so fantastic. I also love the 40mm and the 28mm has the same type of rendering as the 40mm, they both have this modern sharpness to them but with a soft highlight fall off that can almost look dreamy at times. I shot a wedding with the ZF and M10 combo and matching the colors in the photos was so seamless. The ZF actually got my wife into photography with the cool color options and how it looks.

[@dlovisuals]

Welcome to the 🥔 side. This camera is so freaking cool and pretty specc’ed out. Got to use the ZF at an event I attended a few weeks ago and I am still thinking about that camera. It was so much fun to play around with and that little 40mm f/2 slaps! Great video as always Alex!

[@ABarrera]

I might be joining you in the full switch!

[@dlovisuals]

@@ABarrera hell yeah! I ditched canon after shooting with them for nearly 10 years and picked up my two Z8s and have zero regrets.

[@MiFomin]

Yes! I bought ZF with 40mm too and totally loved with it! I also have 26mm f 2.8 and it sharpest and cleaner lens with cool modern color. Use this thandem in work, look at S-line and wait 35mm f1.4 and Z 7 II. Just wanna compact 47 mp in Nikon system. Most time use Rich Tone Portrait and it just make all color work!

[@ABarrera]

I have the 35 on order, I am looking forward to testing that one out.

[@izziereal2010]

I pre-ordered the ZF when it was announced last year. I was going to wait for the Z6III, but when I saw the ZF and the features Nikon included in the camera, I couldn't resist. To me, the ZF is my Z6 2.5 with a great style and a better autofocus system when compared to the Z6II. I never used the 40mm or the 28mm lenses for this camera, I mostly use larger lenses such as the 85 f1.8 Z lens or the Tamron 35-150mm f2-2.8 lens. I recently picked up a 26mm f2.8 pancake lens and it is an awesome combination with the ZF. I love how small the ZF is with this lens and has very good image quality. My ZF has the Neewer grip on this camera with a retro SLR red stripe, plus a red shutter button and it looks great. When I attach the 26mm lens to it, they both fit into a Gap Fit Belt bag. It's light and portable if you don't want to carry any other lenses.

[@dennisjones5579]

I too just bought the Zf this past week. However I've been using Nikon for many years and am moving to mirrorless from the D500, which I'm keeping. I was facinated by the AF and shot with "Vivid" and was blown away. I was using a 50mm Nikon AI lensfrom 1978 and it was unreal. So needless to say I'm very pleased and will be taking it to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons next week. Loved the video.

[@markwaldhoff]

I totaly understand why you like Nikon! 😂 I switched from my Leica SL3 / SL2's to Nikon Z8's fo my wedding work (paired with 50mm 1.2 and 24m 1.8) and also have the ZF with the 40mm for my private stuff... 🥰

[@ABarrera]

I might follow your lead soon

[@Evrce]

Currently on the lumix and thinking about going into leica, but ive been eyeing the z8/zf system

[@jessesvaughan]

I sold all of my Fujifilm gear and went all in on Nikon after using the Zf - just like you the RAW files were just too good and so easy to edit compared to the flat-looking files from my X-T5. Now I main a Z8 with the Zf as an edc/backup and I've never been happier with the results!

[@ooharloo]

That 40mm f2 is indeed a sleeper. I own the Sony 40mm 2.5G and it's near GM levels of sharpness and blazing fast AF but I find my self enjoying the Nikkor 40mm more. The rendering is really special. For the ZF, I've been so happy with the auto white balance and it's metetering.

[@enshongmiranda]

I love my Zf and regarding the grip, I got a leather case instead of the add-on grips. The leather case added enough girth, adds protection around the body (mine wraps around the ports), and also keeps the whole profile similar to without a grip/case. The only grip I have is the screen. A 2-way tilt would've been better IMO. Flipping it to the side is just jarring for me especially when the screen on the Zf doesn't flip out straight/flat. It sits at a slight angle. But then again, I've learned to just shoot with the EVF most of the time so the ability to hide the screen is okay-ish. The BW switch also, IMO, would benefit if Nikon would let us set JPEG/RAW separately for the BW photo mode vs the regular photo mode.

[@Omegaparsec]

Flexible Color Picture Control on the Zf!!!! Come on Nikon!

[@jorgepinogarciadelasbayonas]

Great video and presentation! I would also suggest to try Voigtländer lenses on it. They have native Z-Mount support and are manual focus lenses with great character. They also look like the perfect match for a Zf.

[@christophkuenster]

I couldn‘t get my hands on a Zf yet, but I would love to. My favorite camera is the Fuji X-T5 and I would love to test them against each other. I value your opinion, so I migjt consider it. 🤩 Thanks for your impressions. 🙏

[@Martin-nu6ym]

I made the switch from Sony earlier this year and the Zf with the 40 was part of the switch. I tried the SmallRig but the iWoodStore grip and the small thumb rest grip (bigger hands might benefit more from the big thumb rest grip) have made the camera more comfortable for me to use lenses like the 24-120 f4 and 105. Thanks to TechArt the 85 f1.4 AF-D lens is a joy to use on the Zf. And I agree, the raw files out of my Nikon cameras have surprised me. Glad to see you enjoying the Zf.

[@LA.Black.]

Nikon has some great color profiles, especially the monochrome

[@ABarrera]

I am looking to play with these profiles more in depth in the coming weeks.

[@ki001]

Got the same combo about a month ago and absolutely love it. And it’s magic with my Minolta lenses, not sure what or how Nikon implemented vintage lenses to work flawlessly with the IBIS. You’ve got to try it, it’s voodoo stuff.

[@stkuj]

As a Nikon FM owner purchased new in 1982, I really like the look of the Zf. That being said, I tried the Zf…having used modern mirrorless for the last 4 years, I personally didn’t like the ergonomics of the Zf. I’m opting for the z6iii instead. BTW, I’m not interested in leaving my Sony A7v.

[@Renzsu]

Dude, you'll love the ergo's on the Z8. Especially for bigger guys, that camera just becomes one with your hand. See if you can rent it with the new 35mm f/1.4. It's a fantastic lens, the background blur on it is better than the f/1.8S (which in return is a little sharper.. think classic summilux vs. classic summicron)

[@ABarrera]

I have the 35 1.4 on order, I am hoping it has some nice character.

[@Renzsu]

@@ABarrera I think you'll like it. In leica terms, I would consider it a summicron.. the S lens would be the apo-summicron. I mean, purely based on how the photos look (was able to briefly play with one in a bar and take some portraits).

[@jorgepinogarciadelasbayonas]

@@ABarrera RicciTalks does have a video about this new lens. It has more character then the 35 mm f/1.8 S-Line lens because for me bokeh rendering is more important than clinical sharpness.

[@boblozano]

Bought and sold the zf after only a couple of months - liked it, but was trying not to have *too many* bodies ... then doing an image review of the past few months and was really surprised to see how many of my favorite portraits were done with the zf. So did the only honest thing and bought it again. At any rate, you mentioned one of my favorite things about nikon z bodies in general - the colors. Just pleasing, easy to edit, something special. Find that the zf and z8 compliment the m11p very nicely, choose based on the nature of the shoot, speed of the subject. Have been happy with the ttartisan 6 bit m->z adapter, also really like the native z voigtlander lenses, in both cases using the subject-detect with mf - what a surprisingly great combination.

[@WhoIsSerafin]

I recently got it with the voightlander 40mm 1.2. Magic combo! Just magical!

[@Dkouki97]

Love the Copa America samples. The 40 f2 is no slouch . I actually reinforced the mount with the metal one I love it so much. I subscribe to your journey with Nikon :)

[@RejeRush]

Man I love that camera & lens combo. Literally just sold mine because I just have too many cameras and already have the x100iv for family/travel lol. But next up you gotta try the Z8!!! That's my workhorse.

[@ThomazMartinez]

pls pls compare z8 with zf and a7r5 colors and gives us raw to play with pls. also test how nikon handles highlights, i noticed that with skin tones there is banding a lot not smooth gradiant like i get from canon

[@BernardSolomon]

So true about the colours. I am regretting selling my Nikon DSLRs. Love my Sony especially the AF, but the colours don’t get me excited.

[@markusbuechter3766]

Hello Alex, nice video. The Nikon Zf is the camera , I was hoping Leica would made but never did. Having said this it saved me thousands of USD to buy the Nikon Zf. Leica M lenses can be easily adapted. The 40 2.0 is a nice compact lens but it is too soft, close up, I would even say not sharp. The 50 1.8 S is an amazing lens and my go to lens if I want AF. The manual focus with eye detect for native Z mount lenses is a dream. Because of that the Voigtlaender 40 1.2 is my most used lens followed by the Voigtlaender 75 1.5, both in Z mount. I absolutely love those combinations and the 24mp sensor of the Zf is not only producing wonderful images it is kind to my computer as well. Data transfer and uploading pictures and retouching them is now so much faster.

[@amartyachakraborty7599]

Nikon files are one of the best out there.

[@ABarrera]

🙌🏼

[@rohizzle121]

I have been so curious about a7cr vs zf af speed for m mount! So glad you have both and excited to see the comparisons. In that video please notate in the video if you are using Lightroom correction profiles and if it makes a difference

[@ABarrera]

I no longer have the techart adapter for Sony but I can tell you the Nikon version performs significantly better.

[@Renzsu]

I have the adapter, tried it on my Z6 and my friend's Zf. It works well on both, but the Zf with its better AF system wins. Speed is a little slower and it can hunt a little, sometimes it won't seem to work and you have to focus on close/infinity/close a few times for it to 'wake up'. Having said that, it's worth it for me, especially with slightly longer lenses, 50mm and up. Much easier to nail focus compared to M cameras. I can also switch to close focus and do hand-held selfies and trust the camera to absolutely nail focus on the eye. I've never seen such photos from my 50mm summilux asph. If you have an M camera and some lenses, it's worth it to pick one up, even with a cheap used Z6 body.

[@hdm-nm]

Might have improved since I owned and sold the Zf, but the "eyelash-AF" would miss focus on the iris of the eye too often when shot wide open. Drove me crazy. The R5 I used to own, even with the original firmware would nail iris focus at f/1.2 all day long on both people and pets.

[@Bollywoodhollywood2023]

Can’t agree more man , I got to use it for some time , I was blown alway and That lens is organic

[@ABarrera]

Hidden gem!

[@yantaozuo8848]

Nice concise video. Good to know about the 40mm f2 lens. When ZF II gets the EVF now in Z6 III, it will be a buy for me.

[@ABarrera]

The EVF in the Z6iii is great!

[@bmwohl]

My Z7 is 5 years old and I think the electronic viewfinder is all I could want. Don't wait.

[@scotttucker9613]

Funny timing on this one...after deriding the ZF since before launch, I picked up a mint one today with the 40/2 SE and...kinda like it? It lacks a little of the soul of my X100V, but it's a hell of a lot snappier in operation and with the Smallrig grip, most lenses up to the 24-120 balance halfway nicely. I wasn't expecting to feel this way LOL

[@gentleman0678]

Haha. i owned the sl2, sl2s, SL50 summilux, 16-35mm,24-90mm, 90-280mm and the sl 35mm apo. loved the lenses but the autofocus drove me nuts. I ended up selling everything and moved to the nikon z9 and hasselblad x2d. i'm a happy camper but i do miss the leica lenses. It's not that the nikons are bad, i just loved those leica lenses. enjoy your time with nikon ; ) The autofocus has been an eye opening experience!

[@richardpaul55]

I would be very interested to hear your thoughts on the Nikon Z6iii should you ever get your hands on one. A comparison with the the Nikon Zf would be very interesting particularly from a stills point of view. The Z6iii wins hands down as far as video specs is concerned but video isn't my thing.

[@alfredhutomo]

Moved on from SL3 & M11 to Z8 & Zf. Looking forward on things coming from Nikon. Now I understand 60MP is overkill for a fullframe camera unless… 100MP X2D medium format 👨‍🍳💋

[@GG-zv9ku]

Would be nice to see a video where you describe the setting you are using.

[@albertma5467]

I was a Nikon shooter in the DSLR days and looking at the old files Nikon does have a really special look. Speaking of raw files needing minimal editing, have you tried the Hasselblad X and XCD lenses?

[@xophaser]

I own a z8, but zf is impressive enough for me to buy as my second camera and street camera. i also have the DF. The DF silver paint job was bad, compared to fuji. I wanted a silver paint job too, but not if it was like the DF. ZF is sturdy metal, something the ZFc and fuji seem cheaper built. This feels like a nikon fm2 camera, metal beast ( I read there are some plastic but the main area is metal). Plus it is smaller than the z8, but not as small as a z30 or aps-c. About raw files, capture 1 looks better than lightroom for nikon file. I prefer the z8 iq because of the 45 mp, more detail. I use raw high efficiency, it see no different from the raw. The file size dropped from 50-60mb to 30mb. Sometime the z8 cause banding with no e-shutter, if you use godox strobe, but not so much for protofoto or westcott strobes, so I have my zf (it has a mech shutter) as a backup. My zf is my personal camera, z8 is my professional camera.

[@sdotg]

Which one will you recommend between the ZF and the Z6III? Thanks in advance!

[@ABarrera]

I haven’t used the Z6iii yet, hard to say right now.

[@markshirley01]

I have a A7R5 and am generally happy, but I'm thinking of going back to Nikon with the Z8. I just miss the Nikon look. I liked the video files straight out of camera as well. I owned a D750 originally and the AWB and Auto ISO worked well as they do on the A7R5. But I just miss Nikon, I liked the photo/video switch. So I'm torn because I also like my Tamron 20-40mm it fits my work just right, and it's not available on Nikon.

[@ArminHirmer]

I got the ZF when I found out about the FTZ adapter. So I can use all my Sony glass with it and I was sold hehe. Bit heavy and a bit too big for my taste but awesome. Despite the FTZ I mostly use my 35/1.4 Voigtlander on it :D

[@ABarrera]

I need to give that combo a shot

[@dkristianto]

switched to Nikon from Leica and never looked back. Wait until you slap the 85mm 1.2 and 135mm 1.8 plena and you’ll be wondering where has Nikon been all your life

[@Sebas-sg1kj]

Very well informed video, not AF complain youtuber crap, the product should be tested on the field. Great video.

[@sols9449]

You hit it on the money my favorite camera is the canon R5 for work, but you have to spend a lot of time editing. The raw files are very flat. The Nikon ZF is not like every single Nikon. They’re not all the same. The ZF is very easy to edit the colors. Look good already when you import them And you go to the development module it’s very similar to the JPEG that you see in the embed preview before you go to the develop module many other cameras when you go from one to the other you see such a flat image does ZF is excellent. The lumix s5ii also same excellent starting point that’s just easy to edit like also although Lumix and Nikon zf have better auto focus. The ZF has better colors than the Z8 and the Z9 as well and way better than the z6iii.

[@tombube49]

Thanky you, I thought the same about the canon r5 and r6 colors. I’m still using my 5D mark III because of this and I’m not an good Lightroom editor. Looking for a new body Nikon or Fuji

[@sols9449]

@@tombube49 actually markiii is way way better because those are CR2 files those are like the zf and LUMIX Leica easy easy to edit maybe better than all of them lol. The mirrorless canons use CR3 files which are very very flat and grey almost like log files for video. You have to edit a lot and if you try to add camera matching profiles it’s very muddy. One way I find around this is to lower the contrast by -15 then lower the color temp a little usually will match the JPEGs which are very good on the r6 and R5

[@tithishnayak4349]

100 pushups for every like. 💪🏻

[@WhiskeyTangoFoxtraught]

Vs the x100vi. ?

[@ABarrera]

The ZF hands down! I couldnt stand the AF missing on the X100VI.

[@zakiradi450]

The pro FM bodies used to be black. Silver used to be semi pro :)

[@ABarrera]

Sign me up for the Semi Pro color then lol

[@stefanusadrian8398]

How is af compared to a7cr?

[@ABarrera]

They are very different, a7CR is smaller and more compact.

[@stefanusadrian8398]

@@ABarrera which one you prefer for traveling?

[@rohizzle121]

@@ABarrerawould be curious to see how you experience the e to z mount adapter af as well as since I imagine you have a lot of e mount glass

[@ThomazMartinez]

my biggest problem with nikon is their highlight recovery, its really bad compared to sony and canon

[@-AtomsPhere-]

Stop making me jealous bro 😭. I want a ZF so bad…but I’m just a regular person…hard to drop 2500 bucks on ANYTHING, let alone a camera.

[@simon359]

The reason I like my camera is black is because they don’t reflect from the sun, giving me an advantage in street photography. I don’t want to be noticed and I do everything I can do be incognito. Hidden.