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 p.39 #14 · Let's talk about the Nikon Zf | |
kriskunisch wrote:
My ZF arrived today. I feel somewhat conflicted about the camera.
On one hand, the camera is right up my alley. I love film photography and own far too many 35mm cameras:
- Nikon F
- Nikon F3
- Leica M6
- Leica M4
and at face-value the ZF captures the manual/analog shooting experience.
It's definitely a more capable camera than my old Z6 , but I don't quite care for the ZF in hand.
1. Although it is larger than my F3 (a brass brick), my hand feels somewhat cramped with my thumb navigating the array of buttons.
2. Even with the kit 40mm lens, the camera feels slightly off balance. This is likely due to the lack of purchase that I think that I have when holding the camera.
3. It's not a film camera (stick with me, read the next sentence). The F3 and F are bricks, with the former having a very similar grip (reference/index point), however the romance of film (and the fact it's not littered with buttons) makes it easy to overlook whatever ergonomic flaws it may have.
Perhaps with the ZF being a 'new' camera, I expect for other modern/comfortable accommodations despite its attempts to look 'classic'.
4. The D5 dilemma. Yea...until the arrival of the ZF, this was my only digital body. It replaced the Z6 and the D850. Whenever I take it out, it's an event...but apart from the weight, it is a camera that just stays out of my way and the files are so easy to work with.
5. In order for it to work, I have to add other things which changes everything about why I was drawn to the camera in the first place.
...Show more →
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OffTrail wrote:
Man, I could have written this. Well, without the conflict.
The first thing I did was compare the Zf to my F, F3, and FE. Just today, in fact, I had it out with the Voigtlander 40 f/1.2 as well as my F with the 5cm f/2. There's really no comparison in terms of feel. The Zf feels fine from a build quality perspective and it's what you expect at the price point these days, but it's not a professional tool the way the F/F3 were. It was never going to be. And you're right that it's cramped compared to a film camera, where there's often just very little to interface with. But I'm not conflicted at all about the camera, as it's looking like a great buy for how I'll be using it. But your criticisms are all valid.
And the D5 dilemma... I get exactly what you're saying. Your "out of the way" description is exactly how I would describe the D5. It's all utility and the files are excellent. I tested both for astro last night and a couple of landscapes today, and then some other random shooting. I'm finding that I ultimately prefer the D5's files when using the same lenses. There's not a world of difference by any means, but I guess I'm used to the D5's files. I'm sure I can close that gap once I shoot the Zf more. And I will be shooting it a lot more, because there are things that the Zf can do that the D5 simply can't. IBIS is a big one, hosting that Voigtlander turned out to be a huge one, but mostly I just wanted a digital camera that can do what the D5 does if I need it to, just without being the size of the D5.
For my needs, it's still a win. The Zf has the autofocus that so far looks to be a step forward from the D5, it's got great image quality from base ISO to sky-high, it's a fantastic host for my manual F-mount glass, and IBIS opens up a lot of opportunities for shooting where I might otherwise would've brought a tripod. And it's more or less the same size as the F and F3 that I actually will take anywhere. ...Show more →
I think I figured out what it is that makes the camera awkward to hold even compared to my M11M. First, the left back of the camera is all LCD, so my left thumb can't be pressed against the back of the camera like it can on the M (the M screen is smaller and more in the middle of the back of the camera). Second, there is no thumb grip like I have installed on the M. Having a place for a very secure thumb press/grip on either side makes a world of difference.
I have found that leaving the LCD turned inward like the X-Pro 3 and leaving it that way allows my left thumb to press against and grip the left side of the camera. Wow, what a difference. Now if someone would just make a convoluted hotshoe thumb rest for the right side, I'd be set. I'm sure someone will.
I am a bit baffled they didn't make the grip on the front right of the camera like it was on the Df.
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Voigtländer Nokton 58/1.4.