I got my wood grip in from eBay - so now I have this, the SmallRig and the Neewer grip. My thoughts:
Looks:
- I think the wood grip looks best, as it just has this elegant classic look to it. The Neewer is probably second, though I'm torn on the red stripe. Sometimes I like it, and other times I think it'd look better with out it. Smallrig is least attractive as it's just a black rubber block, but it also isn't bad looking.
Feel:
- Sort of a tossup between the wood and the Smallrig. The wood has a wonderful feel to it, and the surface feels way nicer than the super tacky rubber of the Smallrig, though when holding the cameras, it's a bit of a wash. The wood grip is deeper, and mine has sculpted finger indents which feel really nice, while the Smallrig is softer and my index finger sits slightly better on the shutter button with it. Overall, the Smallrig is probably the most comfortable to hold, but the wood is pretty close. The Neewer is definitely the worst here. While I like the finish, with it being closer to the bare camera than the smallrig, it's also a bit slick, so you have to squeeze harder to have positive control. Still better than the bare camera by a lot, though.
Arca/Swiss rail: I think the Neewer is just barely the best, as the rail goes from just past the battery compartment all the way to the end of the camera. The Smallrig is next, but the front dovetail doesn't quite go the edge. The wood grip has the worst A/S dovetail, being present only centered under the lens, so you can't slide it up for easier vertical shooting.
Quality: All are built quite well. The wood grip has what looks to be a lower grade of aluminum than the other two, but all fit very well, with no obvious misalignments or anything. The smallrig grip has the actual grip material slightly out from the camera's grip, but it compresses against the camera in use. The wood and Neewer grip both sit perfectly snug against the camera grip.
Overall, I think I like the wood grip the best for daily use, but I'll put the Smallrig on if I'm going to be mixing a lot of tripod use in. The Neewer grip will get some use when I want a change of pace, but will probably be on the camera the least of them.
Jman13 wrote:
I got my wood grip in from eBay - so now I have this, the SmallRig and the Neewer grip. My thoughts:
Looks:
- I think the wood grip looks best, as it just has this elegant classic look to it. The Neewer is probably second, though I'm torn on the red stripe. Sometimes I like it, and other times I think it'd look better with out it. Smallrig is least attractive as it's just a black rubber block, but it also isn't bad looking.
Feel:
- Sort of a tossup between the wood and the Smallrig. The wood has a wonderful feel to it, and the surface feels way nicer than the super tacky rubber of the Smallrig, though when holding the cameras, it's a bit of a wash. The wood grip is deeper, and mine has sculpted finger indents which feel really nice, while the Smallrig is softer and my index finger sits slightly better on the shutter button with it. The Neewer is definitely the worst here. While I like the finish, with it being closer to the bare camera than the smallrig, it's also a bit slick, so you have to squeeze harder to have positive control. Still better than the bare camera by a lot, though.
Arca/Swiss rail: I think the Neewer is just barely the best, as the rail goes from just past the battery compartment all the way to the end of the camera. The Smallrig is next, but the front dovetail doesn't quite go the edge. The wood grip has the worst A/S dovetail, being present only centered under the lens, so you can't slide it up for easier vertical shooting.
Quality: All are built quite well. The wood grip has what looks to be a lower grade of aluminum than the other two, but all fit very well, with no obvious misalignments or anything. The smallrig grip has the actual grip material slightly out from the camera's grip, but it compresses against the camera in use. The wood and Neewer grip both sit perfectly snug against the camera grip.
Overall, I think I like the wood grip the best for daily use, but I'll put the Smallrig on if I'm going to be mixing a lot of tripod use in. The Neewer grip will get some use when I want a change of pace, but will probably be on the camera the least of them.
A parting shot of the wood grip on my Zf: ...Show more →
Thanks...I like it. I will say that in normal lighting, it's a bit darker and more matte in finish than what shows in the photo, where the flash caught some gloss and increased saturation a touch. Looks good, but a little different than the photo under flash.
I tried twice (on Amazon) to order one of these, and both had to be refunded because the item didn't make it out of China. Just a heads up.
Mine is on the brown truck today. Tracking says it began its journey in Kenosha, WI. Google maps doesn’t place that city in China. It’ll be interesting to see what arrives.
rick-reno wrote:
Mine is on the brown truck today. Tracking says it began its journey in Kenosha, WI. Google maps doesn’t place that city in China. It’ll be interesting to see what arrives.
It sounds like domestic stock was limited and they were fulfilling directly from the manufacturer, but have now addressed that issue, at least for some colors.
I tried twice (on Amazon) to order one of these, and both had to be refunded because the item didn't make it out of China. Just a heads up.
Mine is on the brown truck today. Tracking says it began its journey in Kenosha, WI. Google maps doesn’t place that city in China. It’ll be interesting to see what arrives.
Mine arrived. Beautifully packaged in a heavy cloth sack that was inside a small cardboard box. I can use the sack for a lens, it’s much nicer than those crappy sacks Nikon is including with the Z lens.Perfect fit, nice solid metal base. Case feels and looks a little better than the $40 half case. Grip is nice, wasn’t sure I’d like it.
rick-reno wrote:
Mine arrived. Beautifully packaged in a heavy cloth sack that was inside a small cardboard box. I can use the sack for a lens, it’s much nicer than those crappy sacks Nikon is including with the Z lens.Perfect fit, nice solid metal base. Case feels and looks a little better than the $40 half case. Grip is nice, wasn’t sure I’d like it.
Yes, that is a perfect description! I really like this and the Amazon pics are not fully indicative of the quality! Enjoy!
Jman13 wrote:
I got my wood grip in from eBay - so now I have this, the SmallRig and the Neewer grip. My thoughts:
Looks:
- I think the wood grip looks best, as it just has this elegant classic look to it. The Neewer is probably second, though I'm torn on the red stripe. Sometimes I like it, and other times I think it'd look better with out it. Smallrig is least attractive as it's just a black rubber block, but it also isn't bad looking.
Feel:
- Sort of a tossup between the wood and the Smallrig. The wood has a wonderful feel to it, and the surface feels way nicer than the super tacky rubber of the Smallrig, though when holding the cameras, it's a bit of a wash. The wood grip is deeper, and mine has sculpted finger indents which feel really nice, while the Smallrig is softer and my index finger sits slightly better on the shutter button with it. Overall, the Smallrig is probably the most comfortable to hold, but the wood is pretty close. The Neewer is definitely the worst here. While I like the finish, with it being closer to the bare camera than the smallrig, it's also a bit slick, so you have to squeeze harder to have positive control. Still better than the bare camera by a lot, though.
Arca/Swiss rail: I think the Neewer is just barely the best, as the rail goes from just past the battery compartment all the way to the end of the camera. The Smallrig is next, but the front dovetail doesn't quite go the edge. The wood grip has the worst A/S dovetail, being present only centered under the lens, so you can't slide it up for easier vertical shooting.
Quality: All are built quite well. The wood grip has what looks to be a lower grade of aluminum than the other two, but all fit very well, with no obvious misalignments or anything. The smallrig grip has the actual grip material slightly out from the camera's grip, but it compresses against the camera in use. The wood and Neewer grip both sit perfectly snug against the camera grip.
Overall, I think I like the wood grip the best for daily use, but I'll put the Smallrig on if I'm going to be mixing a lot of tripod use in. The Neewer grip will get some use when I want a change of pace, but will probably be on the camera the least of them.
A parting shot of the wood grip on my Zf: ...Show more →
Below is my current set-up. I am using the leather case from China with the two SE primes, and I have just added the Nikon AR-11 Soft Shutter Release. As I understand, it was originally made for the Df. I actually like the feel much more with this raised shutter, so it isn't simply a cosmetic change. Waiting for them to release a longer SE prime or for the Sigma i Series to come to Z, it's the biggest need IMO.
ketang wrote:
Below is my current set-up. I am using the leather case from China with the two SE primes, and I have just added the Nikon AR-11 Soft Shutter Release. As I understand, it was originally made for the Df. I actually like the feel much more with this raised shutter, so it isn't simply a cosmetic change. Waiting for them to release a longer SE prime or for the Sigma i Series to come to Z, it's the biggest need IMO.
That looks beautiful!
Which case is it exactly?
How is the grip on it? Would you say it gives same grip feeling like smallrig one? (if you actually had a chance to try it)
Could you please show a photo of the whole camera front, so I could see how thick is the bottom of that case?
phinix wrote:
That looks beautiful!
Which case is it exactly?
How is the grip on it? Would you say it gives same grip feeling like smallrig one? (if you actually had a chance to try it)
Could you please show a photo of the whole camera front, so I could see how thick is the bottom of that case?
I haven't used the SmallRig grip, but I wasn't considering it as I wanted the look of a leather case. I do like the grip and the build quality exceeded my expectations. Here is a phone snap of the front and bottom of the case:
So, I finally picked one up - couldn't resist a 17% discount
First impressions (haven't used it too much yet):
- beautiful piece of kit, really like the feel of the dials and it makes me want to use it
- autofocus feels very good for my purposes - I've set it to auto area + auto subject detection with AF-on set to override that with 3D tracking
- the Neewer grip fits very nicely and makes the camera more comfortable to hold. But imo the main "problem" is not the lack of a front grip, but the lack of a thumb-rest. Not a huge deal for me, but not a camera to carry in your hand for hours
fjablo wrote:
So, I finally picked one up - couldn't resist a 17% discount
First impressions (haven't used it too much yet):
- beautiful piece of kit, really like the feel of the dials and it makes me want to use it
- autofocus feels very good for my purposes - I've set it to auto area + auto subject detection with AF-on set to override that with 3D tracking
- the Neewer grip fits very nicely and makes the camera more comfortable to hold. But imo the main "problem" is not the lack of a front grip, but the lack of a thumb-rest. Not a huge deal for me, but not a camera to carry in your hand for hours
How is the manual focus different between the native Z mount Voigtlander and the M mount with the TTartisan 6-bit adapter? My understanding is that all features should be the same for both (i.e. eye/subject detect, green focus acquisition, and trap focus). Is that correct?
How is the manual focus different between the native Z mount Voigtlander and the M mount with the TTartisan 6-bit adapter? My understanding is that all features should be the same for both (i.e. eye/subject detect, green focus acquisition, and trap focus). Is that correct?
Functions are 99% the same (subject detect, focus confirmation, IBIS & focal length in EXIF). Trap focus is only available with the 6-bit adapter as the native Voigtlander lens is forced into MF mode while you can set the camera to AF-S + focus-priority with the TTartisan.
Overall, I find the experience a bit more enjoyable with the native lens (full EXIF, etc) but the TTartisan adapter really elevates the experience with manual lenses. It would be great if they made a version where you could set more focal lengths manually - I'm missing 20/21mm, 24mm, 85mm, 105mm specifically..
I'll likely pick up a Techart TZM-02 to see if it plays nice with the Zf and the 35mm f1.5, but it's out of stock everywhere at the moment.
fjablo wrote:
Functions are 99% the same (subject detect, focus confirmation, IBIS & focal length in EXIF). Trap focus is only available with the 6-bit adapter as the native Voigtlander lens is forced into MF mode while you can set the camera to AF-S + focus-priority with the TTartisan.
Overall, I find the experience a bit more enjoyable with the native lens (full EXIF, etc) but the TTartisan adapter really elevates the experience with manual lenses. It would be great if they made a version where you could set more focal lengths manually - I'm missing 20/21mm, 24mm, 85mm, 105mm specifically..
I'll likely pick up a Techart TZM-02 to see if it plays nice with the Zf and the 35mm f1.5, but it's out of stock everywhere at the moment....Show more →
Thanks for that. Didn't realize the native lens had that limitation - good to know.
I don't have the Zf and like you, may not resist it lol. If I do go that route, I will likely get the 28/40 native Nikon cupcake lenses and then use adapter M mount glass for my MF experience (maybe the native 40mm 1.2 at some point). Really love all the MF options available on the Zf.
I know it’s unlikely but I‘d love to see a compact manual focus zoom from Voigtlander for the Zf. Something like a 35-70mm f4 or a 28-55mm would be such a great match..
