Nikon Zf Review for Portrait Photography and Video

[@chengyuan7658]

Nice to see that you officially begin to test all the new Nikon gears.

[@juliatrotti]

Thank you!

[@VIDEOVISTAVIEW2020]

Nikon Nailed it again with this camera, perfect for vloggers and retro afficionados. A very affordable retro camera with most of the bells and whistles of a flagship camera, another big win for Nikon.

[@hugomouteira7015]

Pros can also use it

[@chongtentcreator]

Julia including cats in animal AF test are an underrated part of a camera review

[@USGrant21st]

Did you notice, how noise reduction works? She turned it off and the cat disappeared. 😅

[@juliatrotti]

The girls love participating in these reviews 😂

[@vandalton4948]

Finally, some real life tests on AF. Mysteriously other reviews do not show AF performance.

[@ZakWilson]

I love that the noise reduction feature adds a cat to the image. Very innovative, Nikon!

[@datdudeinred]

Love the af speed tests. The only af tests of zf out there currently ❤️👏 This thing is gonna be a beast so little to handle 25mp vs 40+ with same processor as z9. Wow. I can't even imagine the low light prowess this thing gonna have.

[@juliatrotti]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed my review :)

[@drchtct]

It’s not small at all, it’s huge

[@BoiseTDI]

@@drchtcthe was referring to the smaller mp count not the physical size.

[@williamsolis1]

Looks great. I think the z6III will be a winner The IBIS surprised me with how nice it was. The warping was reasonable imo Also the video looked really good.

[@aratafreecs3445]

THANK YOU for this review! This is what I've been looking for. KZbin search is completely broken. The best reviews of this camera didn't show up AT ALL when I searched for them... What did show up were all the videos where the reviewers read the whole spec sheet to me. Thanks, I've already done that myself.

[@Michael-qv7pn]

Just for information because of the grip issue, there is a smallrig grip that adds a arca swiss metal base plate and a more comfortable grip With that it might be also well useable for weddings and such

[@askethom04]

Good little competitor to the a7c /ii . Awesome

[@JeDxDeVu]

If the Xpro4 doesn’t hurry up…

[@paprhat]

Say. It. Again.

[@tiarebowman]

my thoughts exactly!

[@CianMcsweeney]

Same here man, have a nasty feeling Fuji have dropped the ball over the last year or so, hope I'm wrong and it's just around the corner

[@paprhat]

@@CianMcsweeney I already sold ALL of my Fuji gear. This is super enticing. This and a cheapy 28f2.8 and 85f1.8 and you’d be set.

[@StuartWeir]

Yep exactly.

[@dcwaku]

Unlike other channels you did a great review showing how the camera actually works. Plus, I could listen to your voice forever. 😊 Supposedly Nikon has a grip coming out too.

[@strippedlist]

Iso 6400 is butter, and - 10 ev focus and eye detectetion in manual lenses! And vr is linked to focus points, even on the side of the sensor

[@marcel9568]

Butter?

[@strippedlist]

ma-ta@@marcel9568

[@strippedlist]

ca untul taranule@@marcel9568

[@dhrubo9140]

Nikon has the. Best sensor ❤

[@carlz3955]

I always imagine a full frame with retro design I always was, if Nikon put some film sims in Zf, I would buy without questioning.

[@jpdj2715]

In the film days of decades ago, I could say what photographic material had been used with about 80% confidence level and today I find the film sims unrealistic. Relative to digital with excellent dynamic range and colour space (depends on raw processing though) "film sims" are a limitation or exaggeration of qualities in the sense you loose something. You see, the Fujichrome of 1980 was ideal to shoot the desa (rice fields) in Indonesia but anywhere else it was too green. Kodachrome was ideal for the Masai, their terracotta soil, their jewellery and skin tones, but not as good for a Caucasian portrait in the studio. One thing that always stood out: Cibachrome prints. Now to a digital Nikon. In-camera "film sims" only make sense if you shoot SOOC JPEG. So if you shoot raw only, forget about it and do it in post. Any setting you make, like white balance, ends up in met data as a number and changes nothing to your raw image. When, if, you do in camera raw processing for SOOC JPEGs or movie based on JPEG frames, then you have a selection of "Picture Controls" like "standard", "neutral", "vivid", "monochrome", "portrait", "landscape", "flat". These are the basic Nikon profiles and stay near true-to-life photographic ideals. Then they have a set of "creative" profiles with fancy names like Dream, Morning, Pop, Sunday, Somber, Dramatic, Silence, Bleached, Melancholic, Pure, Denim, Toy, Sepia, Blue, Red, Pink, Charcoal, Graphite, Binary, Carbon. These make alterations. The trick with these "Picture Control" profiles is that you can create your own in camera, save them to card, and then import them elsewhere, provided compatible. Interestingly, Nikon's free raw processing app "NX Studio" allows you to work with these Picture Controls as well, irrespective of what you did in camera. I guess you can create a Picture Profile on your PC, save it to a memory card and then load it into your camera. NX Studio lists the following "Picture Control" profiles that I would call "film sims": "Tri-X" (Kodak B&W film - I should ask Nikon if they mean the 135 or the 120 version), "Kodak Kodachrome 2", "Kodak Ektachrome P", "Kodak Portra NC", "Kodak T-Max 400". The "ColorNegReversal" Picture Control may just offer what happens in a D850 (IIRC) when you shoot colour negatives and do the reversal in camera. In NX Studio, you can find these in the Basic Edit Palettes in the Picture Control RAW sub-panel.

[@GM-ju4co]

​@@jpdj2715tldr

[@TheDeltaMoo]

There are some community made picture control film sims that can be downloaded to a memory card and used in camera. Don't remember the site and there's not nearly as many and likely not quite the quality of Fuji film sims, but they're there

[@andrzejjaniak6849]

85mm f1.2 portraits look great.

[@juliatrotti]

That 85mm is insane! Bokeh heaven lol

[@michaelmills2926]

great video, most Nikons have a grip available, so hopefully there will be one soon for this one....and also like your Cats.

[@fjaajf]

Finally a review of Nikon gear without bias.

[@22welcome]

I love this amazing Camera’s specification , will preorder it when they release it 📸💞

[@asamendigorin1512]

Love that youre testing Nikon gear now also 👌

[@ronmortimer252]

I want to upgrade from my D7100 and I was waiting the much talked about Z6iii. But your results from this Zf with a couple of good lenses would suit the sort of walk-about amateur photography I do. So thanks for the very informative video - well done and cheers from Aus. :)

[@PhotoGearFun]

Watched your review of this camera first and I'm glad I did! Thanks for the great video. Love seeing the kitties again. I started with Nikon in the DSLR days but don't own any Nikon gear right now that may change soon.

[@juliatrotti]

Thank you, I really appreciate it

[@annarakannan6620]

Fantastic work on reviewing this camera . You are the only one to truly test the AF capabilities of this beautiful camera. I will be watching this again. Bravo!!

[@CINEMAWORX]

“Hey everyone” I love it!! 🙌🏼

[@PavSZ]

I love your reviews! I don't know how you do shoots by the trees and long grass without checking for spiders and snakes all the time

[@thedondeluxe6941]

Very much appreciate the cat af test😻

[@jayrajsinhgohil2705]

Those portraits were so awesome 👌

[@juliatrotti]

Thanks so much!

[@israelmacario3853]

gorgeous camera definitely will look into getting one. thanks for the review on the af and low light performance

[@nicolaiecostel]

you forgot to say that there is a grip available from the get go, they thought that some might be inconvenienced by the retro styling so they designed an aditional grip in colaboration with smallrig being uninformed might hurt the gear you are testing

[@pitushing93]

I am thinking of switching to a7iv from D750. And now Nikon comes out with this😅

[@ernest4483]

nice review time to dive in to the mirrorless world a worthy replacement to my D750

[@itsjustme77]

Great video! I'm so glad to see that Nikon has caught up with the AF, and the high ISO is on point. If this is any indication of what 's to time, I'm quite looking forward to the Nikon Z6 III.

[@abchappell01]

That was a fantastic video presentation. Your model is absolutely beautiful!

[@Mossy_Squatch]

Ok this is a camera that will be on my wish list

[@MrModerate_kane]

09:46 as soon as you shot with that 85 1.2 it was beautiful images, that 1.2 just makes lush images 10:45.

[@lsaideOK]

Nice that you mentioned the con of discomfort from shooting all day with it. That is my biggest concern. But then you mentioned that it wouldn't be such a problem if you shoot sporadically through the day rather than constantly. And then as a backup to a more generalized camera. That helps alleviate some of my concern. Plus there's always the third party grip.... Great review!

[@jonassergio4493]

no silver top? sad but nikon never disappoints!

[@stanleygabrel5279]

Awesome review, thanks for posting. It's obvious this camera is much faster than Z6 ii.

[@JochenHeyd]

Great Review, thank you! Good mix of technical details and personal experience I like your voice. I think, I need this cam :D

[@thomaschamberlin2485]

Nikon is going to have an accessory grip and bottom plate that is Arca Swiss compatible. I imagine third parties like small rig will have one, too.

[@pauka13]

Its already out! Actually Nikon gives it for free in the next few weeks in many countries.

[@naten2462]

Best review yet

[@olivervitze3753]

Thank you for the test with the Zf, Julia! Nice to see you testing a Nikon camera. The AF performance makes me think about buying the camera, even though I'm so skeptical about the handle. Would you personally buy it given all the features and the image results? And another question about the Z 40/2, Are the image results considered good to very good?

[@photomorti]

Awesome camera but this vlog style lcd screen is a bummer for me. Dont like that it has to stick out to the side of the camera if i want to use it horizontaly

[@HankeAJ2014]

Love the video! Always love the professional quality you put into your videos. 😊 Would it be possible to do a review of the Nikon 135mm f 1.8s Plena? Maybe with the Zf and Z8 cameras. They just announced this lens right after the Zf and I immediately thought you would do a great portrait test on it!

[@dpedrosoliano]

julia thanks for shooting alot of pics! i enjoyed this review n shootouts! love from Malaysia😊

[@saxinat0r]

Best review of this camera yet

[@-AtomsPhere-]

Having used both the Zf and A7Cii, which did you prefer? I’m having a really hard time deciding.

[@kibaespada6001]

Me too, hard time selecting one

[@ferrylm4091]

Beautiful wow

[@norfolknonsense7578]

I was hoping the IBIS for video will be better as it is rated for 8 stops.

[@julianmclean3869]

Many thanks for sharing Julia; just checked out the price for the body; approx $2,000!; will have to stick to my old Nikon D 5500 and Tamron 18 - 270 mm lens for now !!!!

[@hugomouteira7015]

You can buy a smallrig grip or order a nikon branded grip from japan if the grip is an issue

[@marcel9568]

Did the photos show focus on the eyes or the lashes? Some cameras put a nice rectangle on the eye, but then the eye is still out of focus.

[@wcleong5584]

I have 2 Nikon cameras now. D3s and D3.both are working well.both are the top of the line many years ago. How ?? spend money to buy this Zf ?

[@kjltube]

I hope you have the grip for your next video. Some great footage there, thank you.

Hi Julia, great impression. Regarding the grip (or lack of it) of the camera then. From what I understand Nikon will also bring out a small rig grip that fits onto the camera body and which will improve the grip if needed for long wedding days. I have seen it mounted and I asked myself why they did not put it up there permanently for the beginning. But that is something fro them to answer.

[@jpdj2715]

Small Rig is a third party company that already sell this grip. The reason it is not on the camera is for retro-design purposes. Way back, no camera had a grip. That's what Nikon are copying. We did not complain about our F2 or Leica not having one. But then, considering the cost of film and the absence of AF we would not handhold a camera all day long and we would have learnt to see a photograph without looking through the viewfinder. And in absence of hi FPS frame rates would have learnt to better anticipate "the decisive moment".

@@jpdj2715 I know, since I became a professional photographer back in 1993. I just wanted to give a solution for when you need to shoot all day, as you brought that up mentioning the wedding day example in your video. I was under the impression you were not aware and therefore wanted to help. Regarding the retro look, on other days, when you are on holidays and want to look retro, you just leave the grip at home 😄 Best wishes and keep up the good work!

[@a2roland]

Thank You!

[@paknam536]

Thank you for the best review 🎉

[@smallbatchsessions6892]

For vlogging there is a lot of edge wobbling. That Tamron made lens has a lot of chromatic aberrations. I’d use a real Nikkor lens for vlogging . But overall the video seems great. You do a very good job at reviews I think . Just found your channel. Congratulations

[@danfarmer_photo]

Julia, can you explain the no joystick/drag with your thumb thingy? My question is not about moving the focus point around with the touchpad with your thumb while your eye is up to the view finder. That makes sense. However, when you’re shooting through the LCD, can you still move the focus point around via the touch screen? Or do we go to using the D-pad? I thought naturally this would be the way, but I was watching one of the Nikon rep videos, and he confused the situation by stating that when you’re using the ‘drag to change focus point’ thing, it will only work when you have your eye to the viewfinder. So if that is the case, how do you move the focus point when shooting with the LCD? Sorry if that is a confusing way to ask.

[@trym2121]

Use the d-pad or touch screen. Otherwise just use the tracking

[@MeTube3]

I’ll wait to see if Nikon do a silver/black version.

[@GordoFriman]

This is eyewatering coming from a z6 mk1...

[@MD-ge1ni]

The way you pronounced Nikon❤

[@GavinDavidson]

Looks like a nice camera ❤

[@savkovelinov147]

Great review, Julia! The best one! And how would you rate autofocus reliability compared to Canon - for example R6 mark Ii?

[@vaclav_krizek]

Hi, very nice review, great video edit too. Well done! I have not found it anywhere in comments, please, could you tell me what system do you use to record your screen while shooting? In the portrait session, is seems like some USB cable is going to your pocket. Phone? I use Camlink in studio, but maybe it is something else. Thank you

[@legolas147]

Another great camera from Nikon✌

[@marksnellingphotography]

Shutter sounds nice.... It's the little things 👍

[@terrywbreedlove]

Please tell Nikon we want a FF smaller rangefinder style camera. With a range of smaller Primes F2.8 is fine. Get the word out. :)

[@jasonhalaykophotography]

Great review, thanks! Looking to pick this up as a second camera for my event shooting as well as maybe a vlog camera to upgrade from the GoPro and stuff like that. Great info! One quick question, what are you using to record your EVF. Thought that was a very good idea to show that in the corner while you were shooting. Cheers!

[@ArnilTv]

Best review I’ve seen so far, one question did you color correct or color grade the cat videos? Or even better a dedicated video about the video specs of the ZF

[@juliatrotti]

Thanks so much! No colour grading on those clips, just standard PP sooc

[@Ahm.photos]

I'm excited to try this out!

[@kamalyadav3024]

nikon focus issue ..other ..camera .... so good

[@DangLeProject92]

Do you think using Zf as wedding photogrpahy gear is too hard to hold? Not sure if they are same as Fujifilm XT system 🤔

[@himalayareaders]

So,what's the surprise of Nikon in coming Oct.？ 😊

[@paulmuadib68]

I love your video and your kindly approch. i have only one question not only for you but the relative young photograper .why did you choose, for the composition, to put, in portrait mode, that much space free in the upper parts of the shoot and in the low parts cut the important parts like the hands? I wuold put a pic in example but is no possibile thanks

[@shinkunAvi]

The best review

[@davidgifford8112]

The body looks almost identical to the Df. It’s a personal favourite of mine for some classes of still shooting. The grip is an issue for extended use. Small Rig provide a grip that can solve most of that. Also like the Df of 2013 it has a state of the art processor married to an intermediate (2023) technology sensor. This is not an all rounder like the Z8, to me looks too heavy to make good vlogging camera, the unconventional control layout also limits its utility as second body for the pro photographer. Controls prevent it from being an ideal sports, wildlife, event or for news journalism. Until it’s a production camera with working pixel-shift I wouldn’t choose it for landscape, portrait or product photography. That maybe leaves street, lifestyle/family and holiday!

[@tosin.junaid]

Brilliant review, I’d be getting one at some point. What did you use to record the camera screen?

[@KienVirak_]

Very nice work I love it 🥰 thank you sister for sharing this video

[@fthprodphoto-video5357]

5:00 to 6:00 we can clearly not distinguish any difference between the camera used to film this video and the pictures from the Nikon DF : the reason is that every sensor is similar today…I am really looking for something new and different with better color tonalities

[@lanzarotepersonaltraining1563]

Great content as always 👌🏾

[@MountainGurkha14]

very good and nice Camera Nikon ❤❤❤

[@user-bo5vu5hx9v]

Funny… initial a7 from Sony had a minimal grip…. And people complained a lot… so they made larger bodies! Now Nikon is releasing also a body with a minimal grip… after having launched bodies with deep grip. Maybe weight balance is better different on Zf than on original a7’s

[@AshBashSneakers]

1. They already did this with the ZFC.. 2. It’s based on retro Nikon cameras hence the no grip.. but they’re selling it with a small rig grip to satisfy people

[@trym2121]

If you want grip, add grip. No grip is meant for small lenses like 26, 28, and 40

[@troutriver58]

I think the ergonomics could eventually get tiring, especially if you put on a larger lens. That was my experience with the prior and very similar Df.

[@unique93obr]

You can buy external grip, and improve ergonomics with it. :)

[@Kunal0915]

I'd still go for Fuji as it has a full suite of compact and weather sealed primes to go with their bodies. 16,18,23,27,35 etc.

[@niceyesplease]

Well Z 50 1.8, Z 35 1.8 Z 85 1.8. All weather sealed.

[@trym2121]

Compact? 18mm 1.4? In the same line with 27 as well

[@cptmuffy]

Love it 👍 Great video !

[@TheShawnPrice1]

I’m a Sony shooter but this camera looks cool!

[@alechurch85]

It's soo tempting right? 😅

[@jivi77]

You can convert the files to dng and then it can be processed

[@williamebert6047]

Should I buy this camera (Zf) I have 2 Nikon D750 or wait to buy Z8?

[@thejsrstudio]

Wow amazing ! On which camera you shoot this whole video?

[@ciao_abhi]

fujifilm started a revolution

[@actionvip1]

May I ask, what do you use to record screenshots?

[@alanjcravophotography4149]

Bye bye Fujifilm xt5 etc

Very resourceful video, Julia. Any more plans for shooting with medium format film?

[@juliatrotti]

Thanks and yes! I did a MF film photoshoot recently actually, just need to finish off editing my scans and then the video too. But it will be coming soon!

@@juliatrotti best of luck with the editing! Looking forward!!

[@1bozina]

"...Review for *Portrait* Photography..." Does the Zf have a fully functional vertical grip available for portraits taken in portrait orientation? If not then other than better AF and full frame this camera is like a Fuji X-T3/X-T4 with some added bells and whistles - minus the grip.

[@DangLeProject92]

Does it have dual native iso in NLog Julia?

[@Azeemmerchant]

RIP Fuji❤😂🙌🏻

[@CianMcsweeney]

Not quite yet, Fuji having 'A' modes on the dials is better than Nikon's PASM switch, 40mp on the XT5 and also dedicated aperture dials. If Fuji don't hurry up with the xpro 4 though I'd definitely consider this, well done Nikon

[@monetarnie3841]

Fuji is fine and one camera from Nikon doesn't change anything. Completely different cameras

[@dmitry.sh.8946]

@@CianMcsweeney 40mp on the XT5🤣where did you see them?) no lens can handle this small-pixel marketing.

[@CianMcsweeney]

@@dmitry.sh.8946 Fuji's new lenses can actually, multiple reviewers have confirmed this, also the, pixel pitch of the new sensor is basically the same as that on Sony's new 60mp sensor

[@trandinhhuy1844]

how to see Nlog to 709 on the camera,or you edited,if that's true where i can find lut 709

[@4982boja]

I'm using z8 / What is the purpose of the cable connected to the camera?

[@admiralaa2997]

may I ask how do you record the POV of the camera, or the camera screen?