Nikon ZF vs Nikon DF - Comparison - The Battle of Retro

[@RJCichocki]

Love my DF. Because it's a DSLR its the closest to the film experience with optical view finder and lens compatibility without adapters. The D4 sensor out puts amazing images.

[@joserocha1840]

I just bought a used Df and I'm delighted! It's so good to use my AI-S lenses and other D lenses I have, and I plan to buy more of those gems... It was always a camera I dreamed of, but only now I could afford one. I'm a decade late but it's ok 😅

[@gordonbrown5901]

I could not agree more! A very underrated camera.

[@izustun9851]

I have a question, with the old ais manual glass do you need a split focus screen to nail the focus or the standart focus assist (The circular sign) is enough? I have seen in some KZbin chanels says the focus guide is not precise enough. Thank you

[@gordonbrown5901]

I have both and the Df gets far more carry time than the Zf. The reason is simple, the Df has a multitude of reasonable sized high quality lenses available. The Zf, which I do like a great deal, has oversized, very expensive lenses (so far). For someone who lives on a fixed income this is a big deal. Keep up the good work.

[@richardbierman9856]

So, get an ftz adaptor!And also, there are Voigtlander, and an increasing number of independent lenses for Z mount!

[@gordonbrown5901]

@@richardbierman9856 I can assure you my Df, or D780, D750, etc. is far superior to a FTZ adapter. D lenses can't autofocus on it and it just adds unnecessary length. And it's more fun to have another camera body than an adapter. Cheers!

[@haroldcarlson2775]

I found the 28mm SE and 40mm SE lenses to be so plasticky and they felt fragile, I can't believe Nikon released them as such.

[@gordonbrown5901]

@@haroldcarlson2775 I have the first version of the 40mm and I agree with you, the built quality is disappointing at best, especially the plastic lens mount! But it does give very good pictures.

[@WILMORENO]

​@@gordonbrown5901 i can assure you a nikon f to leica m adapter. Placed on the techart leica m autofocus adapter....is superior to any combo you currently use. Using the 58 1.2 noct with eye tracking autofocus is a sublime experience

[@petterjg]

Noticed your comment about the front wheel to adjust the aperture on the Df. You mentioned that the Df was the only camera to have that "feature". Just happened to handle my Nikon 1 V3 and noticed that it actually shares this exact design with the Df. Despite all the other differences between the two cameras. Great video!

[@fuzzytalz]

I owned and used a Dƒ for several years. Generally, I enjoyed the image quality but not the handling. Turns out the ergonomics and form factor that we remember as being well-suited to 35mm film photography isn’t quite so good a fit for digital photography. In particular, to gain the finer 1/3EV exposure control, I kept the shutter speed dial locked at the 1/3 Step position and used the command dial. Likewise, I put aperture control at the sub-command dial. At the end of the day, the dial layout was more of a liability than an asset. Eventually, I sold the Dƒ and haven’t really regretted it. Nor do I suffer any desire to adopt either Z ƒc or Z ƒ. If I want that experience, I’ll get a film camera and shoot film.

[@tedk2814]

This was a very helpful video. I have a Z9 and a Z6 which was my first mirrorless camera. but I really like the retro look and purchased a Zfc. I like it but when the Zf came out I bought it straight away as you say, and so glad I did. There used to be books written about how to use a new camera but I have learned a few really cool things watching your video. Thank you Grey's of Westminster. Would love to visit England. take care guys Ted in Sebastian, Fl.

[@pabloponti406]

Nikon Df if we talk about photography ! on this camera was made the biggest pixel ever made in a full frame , and the amazing dynamic range !!!! I have the Zf not the same! but still very good!

[@ALWH1314]

Haha, I have both. DF actually feels lighter and smaller than Zf. It still one of my favorite cameras.

[@What_Other_Hobbies]

Regarding autofocusing vintage lenses on Zf, Techart PRO Leica M - Nikon Z Autofocus Adapter ver II TZM-02 is a fantastic solution. It's a little on the expensive side, and has its limitations.

[@michaeldelrossi4487]

I am not really into the Z mirrorless camera system just yet? Still old fashioned with the DSLR line of camera systems!

[@gordonbrown5901]

I have both and the Df goes with me far more than the Zf. The reasons are I have way more F lenses than Z lenses. And you left out one great advantage the Df has over the Zf - no video!

[@PaulBingham-xs4mn]

Hi guys, just to let you know (if no one has stated before?) my Coolpix P7100 has a flat front dial exactly like the DF. For this reason I was used to the flat front dial when I bought my DF. I love my P7100 and I bought it brand new from Louis Daguerre (he was a Nikon dealer).It seems like I have had it that long. I still love it today.

[@ArtDecoArtNouveau]

The Pentax KP also has one.

[@PaulBingham-xs4mn]

@@ArtDecoArtNouveau I must confess I did not know that. Pentax is a wonderful brand. I used them back in the film days. I am a big fan of SLR’s and DSLR’s. I can see finding my way over to Pentax In future particularly for a FF black and white only DSLR. All the others appear to have gone to exclusively to mirrorless.

[@paulmontgomery6257]

I love my Zf, but I’m now convinced I need to add a Df to the collection. Thanks a bunch 😂

[@slothsarecool]

Some of my best photos are on the DF, and they still look better than modern stuff haha, just goes to show the gear really doesn’t matter these days (for most styles of shooting).

[@Theytoldmetodoit1]

I was going to buy the Fujifilm XT5, but then I ended up buying the Nikon Zf, which I am really enjoying.

[@alebo62]

What Kon says at 10:20 about the ISO dial and auto-ISO is not quite right. The dial only becomes obsolete in P, A and S mode. If you set the Zf to M and Auto-ISO in the menu to ISO 200, the dial now limits Auto-ISO to the number on the dial. (For example, if you set 6400, the camera can now seamlessly choose between 100 and 6400). I really like this option as you can now see all the settings on the top of the camera and no longer have to go to the menu. This also works with the Zfc. For some reason it is not documented in the manual.

[@borislebeau524]

Got a Df n silver, my next will be a Df in black… it works so well with my mod preAi 1.4\50 mm and my Voigt lenses.

[@creepyoldhouseexplorersclub]

After collecting vintage nikkors for years “72 of them” mints from Japan, ive been adapting them to Sony A and get amazing results! I decided to get a Df because of the classic dials, clicks and feel+ it can use ALL of my Nippons and nikkors experience

[@reinhartreuschel5499]

I'm still happy to own the Df brochure from its release;-)) As a 2nd hand offer it is very expensive yet; so there is still a remarkably high appreciation of this camera. A convinced SLR user like me prefers looking through a real finder than an electronically generated ai pic.

[@vinceriggio72]

After many days and hours of choosing one of these retro cameras, I came to the conclusion that my lens collection wanted the DF. So I bought a mint version with only 1700 clicks from Japan for less than half the price of the ZF. And won't look back until I can do the same with the ZF on the used market. It's too similar to my Z5 anyway.

[@ap4301]

Where did you buy it, eBay? I look for one from Japan too, mostly because they cost slightly less and are often kept in perfect condition and/or sold by stores and not private individuals.

[@willmorrison6650]

Another great show guys. Thanks! 📷

[@davidroberts6766]

I really do need to get a Df….I own FA, FM2n, FM3a, and Zfc, Zf cameras….I think their cousin needs to come home!

[@MandrakeCigars]

I can't believe the current value of a Nikon Df. I bought a Zf refurbished close to what a used Df costs.

[@knab2831]

same here; its bizarre yet says something about the Df to me. I have both on the way, am not sure I can give up OVF’s

[@richardbierman9856]

Audio a bit quiet today!

[@ranziphotography7540]

very much low actually

[@sylphentrill]

It's like you guys are looking straight into our souls. Love it! ☺ I have a DF, ZF and Z8. This is a great comparison.

[@TK421-53]

Apples and oranges. The Df is an F mount, so you can use all F mount lenses without adapter. Also it is a more authentic slr experience. I have both, but as a real retro platform the Zf disappoints me because of the need to use an adapter with the Z mount. Of course the Zf has all the benefits of mirrorless AND it packs a lot of latest Nikon AF tech in an affordable body. I have both, am looking to pick up a second Df just in case.

[@JaredTremper]

I find the FTZ ii on Z6ii with pre-Ai lenses works quite well in manual mode. It sounds like the ZF would do even better. I know it will never happen, but it would be cool if Nikon reworked a DF as a “DF mark ii” just for preserving native F mount lenses with improvements of recent AF (such as from D850) and a focusing screen that really makes manual focusing easier. With FTZ those manual focus lenses work fine, but adds size and weight that detracts from the beauty of the ZF. But IBIS makes the ZF compelling.

[@finesse49]

I was given a pre-Ai 2.8cm f3.5 Nikkor H last week (ca. 1962 vintage). I put it on the Zf with a 3rd party dumb adapter and I'm surprised how good the image quality is. I have a bunch of Ai and Ais lenses from my film-shooting days that I use as well.

[@Johnny-Aloha]

I have both cameras and I adore both of them.

[@Sol-hl2rj]

Good video taking us through both cameras. I couldn’t agree more on the really missed opportunity to add buttons to the Zf.. Again, it’s half hearted from Nikon. Manual and direct control are THE thing they should have focused on. I get why people choose any other Z camera, or even competitors.. Nikon could have added customers with the “right “ Zf! Still, after long term use and owner of both D500 and D850, my dearly beloved D700 is the brilliant handling camera! So, I’ll kindly ask Nikon once again: Get the original Df right, optical viewfinder and buttons and wheels ala Df and D700 - and I’ll get one! I tried for a few months a Z7 - it got sold and never missed.

[@EricMilewski]

I have to add, I love my Zf

[@samuelsmith6804]

If you took the 16mp sensor from the D4/DF and put it in the ZF, you would have the perfect camera.The ZF is a better camera by far in every single way, except for Image quality which renders much nicer on the Df and has better colours. Which at the end of everything, unless you are doing video, image quality is all that matters. I guess the DF also has better battery life.

[@sfenwick]

Hi Becky and Kon. Question: With the Voigtlander Z-mount manual focus lenses, do you get all 8 stops of IBIS on the Zf? With AI & AI-S lenses adapted via the FTZ/FTZII, do you get three stops? Thanks and cheers from Chicago!

[@codyallen3729]

Df, the film photographer's digital camera - ZF, the hybrid shooter that wants to play dress up's camera

[@moreorless87]

I feel like it depends quite a bit what you want out of the cameras. A used Df for £800ish is looking like a pretty good deal if you want a camera focused mostly on a retro SLR like shooting expereince. You've obviously got the optical viewfinder and also the ability to mount literally any F-mount lens and to have autofocus on AF-D lenses. The handling as well is I feel closer to something like an F3 with the ISO and Ex Comp on the top left, I think that makes it better suited for shooting with smaller prime lenses so you can have you hand on the side of it to operate those controls. The ZF I think is a better all around camera, has the retro looks and some of the handling but can be more easily operated like a modern camera, obviously has video, more advanced AF and 1/8000th shutter speed.

[@PJ-om2wq]

Prices of DF seem to be going up. Are we going to get to a point where a used Zf is cheaper than a DF ?

[@dominiclester3232]

What a great video, thanks! It just needed a Tilly visit to be perfect...

[@ikonseesmrno7300]

This video needs more volume to it. Can't hear it very well on my phone. And what's a marmite camera??

[@bilootza]

its about half of the intro volume

[@mikesbackyard6105]

I feel like the volume has gone down on ALL video's recently (by around 50%)... and I'm using earbuds.

[@dominiclester3232]

Agreed! Marmite = you will either love it, or hate it. (An English name for Vegemite)

[@frankygamaliano7058]

Marmite or vegemite, either you love it or hate it. Maybe only British or Aussies know the term.

[@PleiadesOfBirdham]

Very interesting and useful comparison thanks team. (A few words copied over incorrectly referring to D850v Z8 in your introduction paragraph.) Love my Df but it is away for fixing for the third time and if it is beyond economic repair I definitely would like the Zf. I have a D750 and a stack of F mount lenses but I find the Df suits me better than the D750. So Zf looks to be the way ahead for me - particularly to access some of the new fantastic Z mount lenses.

[@melarch.5424]

Informative video, but what happened to audio? It's echo-y and quite bad. Your audio is always good, but this time something went wrong with both mics, I had to crank up the volume to even understand the words!

[@dm319-j5y]

Why did Nikon drop the pair of AE-L and AF-ON button on the back? I was so disappointed when the D4 dropped that - one button to lock exposure, another to get focus - it worked so nicely. I bought a Df so I could use the same paradigm on this and my F6 (which I bought from Grays in person brand new a long time ago!).

[@ActdeskSG]

Thanks to record on a higher mic volume next onward?

[@Kim_Alexander]

the iso dial works as a high cap in auto iso..

[@israelmacario3853]

I would like the shuttle release cable on the zf. Also, the grip is not good on the zf. I am going to Japan next week and will look for the Nikon grip. Kon, would you like for me to get you one?

[@austingupton1421]

Well…. Looks like I really need to get a DF in my collection now😅

[@akisasaki6661]

The grip on the DF is beautiful.

[@badjoby]

Using the touch on the screen (when of while you look through the eyepiece) as joystick works well on ZF.

[@dudewelder1756]

low volume,

[@steveverhoef5667]

Has anyone tried the “landscape” high resolution mode in various lighting conditions? And with non-stationary slow moving objects?

[@vc6218]

I was really torn between this and an m10/sl I ended up with the ZF (duh says my bank) but I really miss the optical VF and using right angle finders!!

[@philmtx3fr]

Advantage of the Df is its versality about the Nikon lenses you can put on it, the now very old non AI lenses of course but the best being the af-d lenses with some famous ones such as the 85 f1.4 , 100 f2 dc, 135 f2 dc… lenses that can t be used with autofocus with the zf … which is a shame. The colors are also very interesting. Finally the Df is half price as the Zf. In fact they are perfectly complementary :).

[@NobbyChariot]

Love it, just don’t likeZ lenses

[@MJohnson-qp9he]

Hi, love you guys! I'm still using my D600. Am I outdated, ancient, or anything like that? I am 75; maybe ish. Can't help it, I like the D600.

[@gordonmurphy4321]

The D600 is a great camera! Still have mine. After this excellent video I want a Df, Zf, etc, etc, etc…

[@philipfreedman615]

Having years earlier been happy with cameras like the Nikon F3 and Leica R5.2, I bought the Df in 2014 soon after it came out but sold it quite soon after since I was not impressed by the feel of the build quality - some of the knobs and flaps felt very plasticky - and it wasn’t very ergonomic is use. I bought a D810 which I loved for the build quality and ergonomics (as well as the higher resolution). Since then, having had a Leica M10 and various Fuji cameras, I have now given up mirrorless and bought a slightly used D750 with a range of Ai-S and AF-D lenses and my enjoyment of photography has been rekindled.

[@brusselssprout1]

I am fortunate to own both, and the Df remains the one I prefer using, despite all the goodies included with the Zf. For manual focus lenses I trust the Df's electronic rangefinder feature when the glass screen does not discriminate enough and have never been disappointed, even with very fast lenses (such as the 50mm f/1.2). The Df's AF is a bit basic and antiquated but does the job. I use it exclusively in AF-C with 3d tracking, again with a very low failure rate, even in (moderately) low light. The Zf is obviously easier to manually focus and its AF functionality is amazing, but the Df is simply more fun to operate. Regarding lens compatibility: the old Nikon AI or pre-AI lenses behave properly on the Df (wide open focusing, mechanical operation of the aperture driven by the body, etc) while behaving like "dumb" lenses on the Zf (no difference between a Nikon AIS+FTZ and a Anybrand+dumb adapter). Same for screwdriven AF lenses: the Df offers full functionality. Regarding IQ, the Df's sensor seems to add a bit of "magic dust". Might be all in my head, but Df images seem more pleasing in terms of contrast and colours. Nothing wrong at all with Zf images, but I do not get the same feeling. Should try blind tests.... To summarise: the Df does what I ask it to do, while the Zf tries to do everything on my behalf. In fact, the Df, being a real (D)SLR, is much closer to the analogue experience. For me, it is a digital F4. The Zf looks like a SLR but is not one at all. It is NOT a digital FM2.

[@ansgarbook712]

just these days I reviewed my pictures and found the pictures from the Df soooo great BUT. the straps in front and this weird wheel were also a NoGO for me

[@mrdarryljones1]

I wish you could just put F lenses without the adapter on the Zf or give us retro styled lenses with both aperture and focus overrides. Love my Zf, the dealbreaker for the DF is limited manual focus functionality with non-AF lenses.

[@kentjoosten8149]

Voigtlander Z-Mount do everything you want. Usable aperture ring and electronic connection for focusing aids.

[@mrdarryljones1]

@@kentjoosten8149 I’ll look into it! Thanks! ✌🏽

[@solidstream13]

I love my ZF but agreed there should be a dedicated AF-ON button

[@Joker-yb6ks]

All I love,I have Nikon DF,DFC and ZF

[@jorgepinogarciadelasbayonas]

Audio level of this video is very low and hard to understand if running on Laptop speakers.

[@absurdfool]

fantastic comparison thkU cheers

[@lsaideOK]

You say the DF 16 megapixel sensor has tremendous high ISO performance, but you don't compare it to the zf's 24 megapixel sensor's high iso performance. Thoughts?

[@xavierhodges9092]

I think there's a typo in your title

[@Kat.2x]

Is there a lens adapter mount L-mount lens to Nikon Z f body,? full compatibility?

[@668VI]

Nikon DF is the ONLY ONE vintage design's Full Frame DSLR, ONLY ONE. never ever have again.

[@steveverhoef5667]

It looks inspiring..

[@MrChaiyod]

I have both cameras, i love it’s both , I think it’s like my 1st &2nd wife,keep it’s both, that’s my recommended.

[@junkmonkey54]

Find it very hard to believe that Nikon sold millions of Df lol

[@reflux043]

As a long time fan of nikon, i was going to buy a nikon zfc, but decided to go with a fujifilm x-t20 instead. Its the best decision ive ever made, and its an the best camera ive ever owned. I wouldn't even swap it for a fujifilm x-t30 or x-t50, because they don't have a d-pad.

[@infinitumstudio]

awful sound level! We hardly can hear you! The music is correct though!

[@wullieg7269]

i want one 16mp

[@TheTorpedo76]

i have replace my Df with the Zf . I don't regret this choice. We can zoom in the EVF to adjust the focus in the EVF. and with this electronic EVF , when we select a f22 or more on old lense, we can not see anything with the DF but with the ZF , we see directly the result. The Z are Fantatic with old lens. but for everything else I prefer my D6, with an OVF without lag/latency of course.

[@peoplewithpixels]

I am a "steel" photographer at heart!

[@manugeee]

You actually can activate the ZF AF confirmation with non cpu lenses. It’s not the Trade Forward, Work Flow, but you can use and Neewer ETZ Adapter and Use Whatever Mechanical Converter to Sony E Mount and get Focus confirmation. With be Official Firmware Ibis does not work. But after I ask I got a Beta Firmware which also provides ibis functionality. Pretty cool. 😎

[@JonathanTyas]

Another great video, detailed as ever demonstrating the knowledge only a true Nikon specialist has. The ZF is great and I might get one rather than wait for the z6iii, the Expeed 7 is now mature and working well, id be happy spending 2k ish on a ZF, however if looking higher end ill likely wait for something with an Expeed 8....Z9ii maybe ? That makes more sense to me as we are so late into the Expeed 7s life cycle, unless of course there's a need for the resolution and speed of the Z9 now. When a Z9ii or whatever it is is released that should have years worth of firmware improvements over its life. Worth noting for anybody who buys a ZF the units I've seen have been dead when unpacked, they need charging with something more substantial than a phone charger, so no not faulty and yes they rattle, that's just the IBIS. So dont send them back folks, they all do it. Finally the ZF shows what's to come with Nikons mid range, finally an autofocus system that matches the competition. Things are looking up.

[@ulfpe]

I will probably switch to Fuji or something

[@niclightfoot4329]

I bought my first Nikon camera in 1980: it was a brand new original Nikon FE. Despite what Nikon marketing say, I believe both the Df and the Zf are modelled more on the FE than any other Nikon camera. I own both the Df and Zf (I pre-ordered and got one just after release) bodies and I love both of them. However, I hate the front command dial on the Df, it is completely unusable. I love everything about the Zf. The EVF has become so good that I think it is now better than OVF. I use my Zf now and I leave the Df on the shelf with my other 40+ Nikon bodies that I treasure. I think the Nikon Zf is probably the best camera ever made to date!

[@stefannantz]

Yes, AF button and extra Fn button at the front wouod be ace.

[@cassio2999]

backgrund noiswe is so streessfull

[@DK-CN]

She’s pretty

[@robertbosson5223]

audio is very low level on this video

[@ulfpe]

I recently switched to a Nikon with a evf (not my choice) and I really dislike it. You loose the connection to the thing you photograph. I might get used to it but I see no advantage.

[@f2john]

AI came out in 1977.

[@scotty3da]

Nikon didn't sell millions of DF's, numbers are likely to be around 60,000 units for it's short production run so a niche model at best that probably lost money. For comparison Leica made about 180,000 m9"s

[@heartyfisher]

DF is lovely but the secondhand d780 is cheaper and better..

[@_I.S_]

Df top is black/or silver plastic, Zf top is solid blackpainted metal. Dials are metal in both camera. DF is a bull shit as real instrument in terms of small non professional battery, one flashcard slot etc. In the end of the day, Zf is a camera which you can use professionally more or less

[@roybixby6135]

The Zf is superior in every way except for image quality ...🦘

[@carlosandreviana9448]

what?

[@jamesjackson4264]

@@carlosandreviana9448that 16mp sensor is off and he chain

[@randallbrander8157]

Get Better Glass!!! Cheers!