The Rise of FAKE Vintage Cameras - Nikon ZF First Impression

In this video I go over my first impressions to Nikon's announcement of the Nikon ZF Mirrorless camera. I go over the camera's features in detail as well as provide my perspective on the popular trend of releasing vintage-looking cameras that use modern photography technology.
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Leave a comment if you have any questions and I'll do my best to answer them.
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Josh Diaz is a Commercial Director of Photography and Affiliate Member of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers. He’s also an Adobe-certified Video Editor.
Big thanks to ‪@BandH‬ & ‪@NikonEurope‬ & ‪@NikonCanada‬ for the footage!
WEBSITE - VideosbyJosh.com
IG - / videosbyjos. .
SUBSCRIBE HERE ► / @videosbyjoshdiaz
Thanks for watching.
#nikon #NikonZf #Nikonmirrorless

[@oc2phish07]

At the end of your very interesting video you asked what we think of the camera and if we are likely to buy one. Well, last week (November 2023) I bought two of them. So far I love them.

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

There you go!

[@RobertFalconer1967]

There are a couple of firsts with the Zf, actually. One of them being Focus Point Sensor Stabilization, which is a nice benefit nobody else currently offers.

[@thdbird83]

Maybe its the test bed technology for the future release models. It makes sense to put it in the Zf rather than z6iii/z7iii. So the newer release models will be fantastic, as Nikon will already learn from the limitations in the Zf.

[@BluePlanetPets]

I like it. Especially if I'm going to invest in something outside of the other equipment I own....It's got to make me smile.

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

This camera makes me smile.

[@smodjo]

Yes, my opinion.

[@Bug4music]

I bought this to try and get into professional work, I see it as a really good camera that can be a great backup if i want to upgrade to a z8

[@isaiasanchez1987]

It's a bygone era of craftsmanship we want to keep with us as we move towards the future. Purely emotion.

[@isaiasanchez1987]

@@rc4648 thank you for your opinion

[@markwith140]

I think it's interesting l think that this camera promotes a slower more considered picture taking. I think that modern camera designs at least in my case tend to make me less disciplined in my camera craft. They tend to make me a lazy photographer. I shot a Fuji for a while with a more manual layout, and it really did make me consider what I was doing more, slowed me down, made me think. As a result I produced much better pictures. Yes the camera looks cool, but for me that's not what this camera is about. What I think it is about is changing the experience of taking photos. Now I think this camera is not for all applications. In a high pressure pro situation, modern day ergonomics may be more suitable then this camera may not fit for for some, but we choose the right tool for the job. For the photography I am looking for I think it would be perfect. By the way my orders in for this camera and we shall see if my opinion changes after using it a bit😂

[@isaiasanchez1987]

@@markwith140 well said! 👏 hit the nail on the head. I been working on taking less and less photos, deliberate calibration and vision before attempting a shot. Know when there's nothing there. I have a D700 still and bought it a voigtlander 58 1.4 and i'm totally in love with the combo. The experience and construction, layout, makes you really feel purposeful. I hope you enjoy the camera when you get it! I would love it if they made a Z700 as a throwback, it is legendary. Shoot manual EVERYTHING ;)

[@markwith140]

@@isaiasanchez1987 Thanks. I had a d700, in fact I still have it... It's not been on an outing for a while since I got the d800. These days I am finding the d800 a bit too heavy for me to lug around for the type of photography I do. I have been eyeing up a mirrorless nikon for some time, when the Zf came out I knew it was the camera for me.

[@isaiasanchez1987]

@@markwith140 totally understand, i have alot of emotion and memories in my old camera so it will allways have a place. The digital viewfinder is a godsend for my deteriorating eyesight and that's one thing i love about mirrorless. Hope you like the ZF, it's a beautiful looking camera.

[@thiagobnla]

I think that bringing analog features doesn't make something vintage, but tactile, and that's what I think people are craving nowadays, everything being touch screen and what not. I own a Nikon FM2 as my main camera and it sure does looks like it, and I'd love to see this camera in action, paired with a vintage Nikon glass. If I were to choose a new digital camera, I'd definitely consider this, since I'm mainly taking stills. but I believe the analogue menus doesn't diminish the usability in video work as well (I'm not a video guy, so I might be wrong). anyways, good take on it, I just wouldn't categorize it as vintage, as many people do, but I get where the feeling of vintage comes from.

[@rotvonrat]

A very nice and positive review, many KZbinrs have a lot to learn from you. Exciting camera, thanks.

[@Avinash-wg7xl]

I wish there was a nikon rangefinder similar to sp3.

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

That would be great.

[@jorsetti]

Love Zf as part of my kit!

[@22welcome]

I love this camera 💞

[@lorenschwiderski]

Hate flippy screens. Tilt only screens are useful for street photography. This Nikon looks great a tad heavy for my use. Fujifilm x100V is a fixed leaf shutter lens. Canon should release a Canonet for a neat rangefinder style.

[@randypipper92]

I wish my X-T2 had Flippy screen😂

[@smodjo]

Yes, Zf would have been perfect with a tilt screen, especially since this is more a photographic tool than a video one. But yeah, Nikon wants hipster-vloggers so be happy ^^

[@GeoChild]

Good video! Re: Sony, I would think they could access old Minolta designs since they bought that brand back in the 2000s I believe.

[@camronme917]

I don't think i'd give up my fuji

[@bryanthsieh8920]

Me neither, actually for very subtle reasons. These settle reasons, however, make a difference in the way you use and feel your camera. For instance, I adore the OVF on my X-Pro 3, because it makes it easier on your eyes when you have to use your camera for an extended period of time. Also, I love having an aperture ring on just about every Fujifilm lens. That in a way completes the analog experience that I'm a big fan of. But this Nikon ZF is indeed a beauty to look at. It really does remind me of FM2 that I once had. 📸

[@jamesprivet]

Greta review!

[@michelejones5538]

I love Nikon and I am totally in love with the vintage looking modern digital cameras. I want a Nikon ZF but I already have too many cameras and not enough time to use them. But if I could, I would buy a Nikon ZF immediately.

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

Me too!

[@patrickpatel5527]

I often wish they did that with cars . I’d love to see Toyota and Honda make 1980s cars with modern technology

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

I'd like to see Ford introduce an electric the Model T.

[@ChrisGrey]

MINI does this extremely well. Also the VW electric bus.

[@rvpcqp]

Fuji X100v is NOT interchangeable. Has a fixed 23mm f2 (35mm FF equiv)

[@---us7qf]

Besides the retro aesthetics, I prayed Nikon made it to the standards of the old professional film cameras. That being with good materials and a heft that inspires confidence; and a build quality that will last for a while yet. I have not yet gone into my local store to hold it, but I am hoping that Nikon delivered on these aforementioned qualities. I have 2 vintage Nikon cameras already, and yes, I gravitate to cameras, which are older and of a certain build. I am hoping that after touching it, it dies have a similar feel to the older ones that I like.

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

I can't speak to the quality of those older film cameras, but I know a local photographer who got 600,000+ shutters out of his D850. Nikon does make some bulletproof cameras.

[@lorseyjones4807]

I now own the ZF camera and I’m glad to tell you this camera has a nice weight to it along with fantastic build quality. Yes it’s been handled a little rough along the way but not intentionally.

[@wongjefx980]

Dials and other spinney things are more fun. Harkens back to why people like manual or self winding watches than Apple Watch, or still sail boats if you can get a power boat. If you grew up on film cameras it is familiar, you know where everything is and can change setting while still looking at viewfinder.

[@Cotictimmy]

I like the look (I had a Nikon FE, FE2, & FA back in the day), but that's NOT the point. The point is that it's the best value mirrorless specification that Nikon have released to date (the retro design is a secondary concern.) For $2000 its performance way better than a Z6ii that cost more when released.

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

It's weird that one of Nikons' best offerings is a retro aesthetic cam. You think they would charge more of a premium for those looks.

[@robiulahmed]

My only issue is the resolution. 24 MP has been around since 2012.

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

I guess if it ain't broke, don't fix it 🤔

[@killseacocks]

Water has been around a lot longer. Do you still drink it ?

[@robiulahmed]

@@killseacocks Yeah, because that's a valid analogy, isn't it?

[@lorseyjones4807]

Some buyers don’t need big files from those large megapixels cameras

[@bondgabebond4907]

From a head on view, it looks just like my Nikon FE2 except for that mini bump on the body. That bump does ruin the contour of the body. A motor attached to the FE2 worked brilliantly giving the user something substantial to hold on to. That bump is like a speed bump. But nice but when you said vintage, I was expecting something more in the line of ancient Nikon and the like rangefinder cameras. This is more mid-vintage though many companies make cameras that look just like the ZF.

[@tonyhayes9827]

Great vid. I was brought up on film cameras. The ONLY reason I like this Zf is not for any of the reasons you brought up. It's simply pure functionality. I prefer changing settings with dials rather than using menu buttons and scroll wheels is all. When cameras started losing their dials and getting them replaced with menu dives I didn't like it. I still don't. What I don't like about the Zf is the lack of grip. Some retro design is rubbish. Love the IBIS and the focus point centrality of it - not exactly retro!

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

Thanks for the comment! Yeah, the dials look awesome. I think the little aperture screen is a nice touch, too. Would be interesting to see a ZF grip! Now I want one.

[@artsilva]

FE, not FM2, it resembles the FE

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

My bad!

[@zakiradi450]

X100V is not interchangeable lens camera. Its fixed lens. Btw zf booked. Getting delivery this weel 😊

[@RobertFalconer1967]

The X100V is not an interchangeable lens camera, btw.

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

Thanks for the correction!

[@silvestrocrino3256]

Sony bought the “mind of Minolta” years ago and merged it into their camera business. They have an amazing back catalog if they wanted to do a vintage styled line. Check out the Minolta SR and SRT lines…..oh…and the Minolta CL if you want ranger finder styles…. In fact, if you squint really hard, you can actually see the influence of Minolta design in the A7 and A6000 lines.

[@demetrio3d239]

Why you can't believe it was released?. I mean Fujifilm has been doing it since a few years ago, and Nikon did it back in 2013.

[@TurophilePublication]

X100v is fixed lens. A better comparison would have been the XT30 or XT5

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

I can't believe I forgot! Ahhh.

[@wullieg7269]

the FE not the FM the FE had more a one handed machine de photographica i want this to use with my weston euromaster it,s got ILFORD mode saving 7 quid a roll

[@rigo.garcia]

Waiting on Canon for the retro with a pancake

[@hchavez]

X100V is not interchangeable lens.

[@AbhinavYadav-zm7ut]

It's not the first Nikon to shoot internal N-log, the Z9 and Z8 have been doing it, and it's because RED has the patent for internal recording. They filed a lawsuit against Nikon and Nikon won, so all new cameras will have it from now on.

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

I remember news of that suit. I remember having to record ProRes through a monitor like the Ninja. It's great that Nikon can now use their log internal.

[@waynerm002]

Fairly sure it was for internal RAW recording, RED patent was about RAW compression for internal recording. Had the Z6 II and could record NLog to Ninja V but, RAW required a paid upgrade which required you to send the camera to Nikon for this.

[@geekinthegarden3927]

Vintage, just wait till Canon bring out the R12 styled like a Box Brownie.

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

Ooo.

[@killseacocks]

Everyone ?

[@rockartistet]

Fujifilm has been doing this for more than 10 years

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

Fujifilm ahead of its time.

[@lensman5762]

Some of the styling reminds me of my old FM2/FE2, the rest does not. If people are happy buying modern cameras in old clothing, so be it. But, this is not Vintage camera.

[@Vahagraphy]

They think its cool. lol

[@glpro2696]

It's not a camera just to grab and go travel it costs 2800€💀

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

For some people, a grab-and-go camera is a Leica M11. For some, it's a smartphone. There's no wrong answer!

[@glpro2696]

@@DOPJoshDiaz the way you've said it it felt like you meant popcorns 🍿

[@weiyang6417]

Z9 specs on F3 body😂

[@allee2445]

$2000USD for a 24mp camera in 2023. No thanks

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

I bought an A7siii and I feel that.

[@allee2445]

@@DOPJoshDiaz Not only it's a 24mp sensor but a 5 years old sensor. On the other hand, A7sIII is primarily targeted at videographers. Apple and orange.

[@mark35806]

The x100v is not an interchangeable lens camera.

[@DOPJoshDiaz]

My bad!