Newtype wrote:
Anyone else surprised by the lack of a substantial firmware update to date for the Zf? We all know to buy something and be happy as is and not count on software tweaks down the road, but, this seems very unlike Nikon...
As someone who bought the Z6 ii.....no, I'm not surprised!
Newtype wrote:
Anyone else surprised by the lack of a substantial firmware update to date for the Zf? We all know to buy something and be happy as is and not count on software tweaks down the road, but, this seems very unlike Nikon...
I think Nikon issues major firmware updates when the competitive situation requires it and they can do that within the limitations of the hardware. In this case I think the competitive pressure from other brands in the case of this camera is low and so they might be less motivated to do a lot of work on FW. However, I think there are some bugs that they could fix, and probably add Nikon Imaging Cloud support and similar things in a major update. The Z8 and Z9 get a lot of updates because Nikon want the top of the line to be competitive for the image of the brand reasons.
I've noticed that when in video mode, when I touch the manual focus ring, it doesn't return to autofocusing even when set to full-time AF and pressing AF-ON. I need to turn the lens to M and then back to A/M. Then it will autofocus again. In stills mode the camera will autofocus even after MF override has been used by simply pressing AF-ON. I think they might have done it so that MF is more sticky but it could also be a bug.
ilkka_nissila wrote:
I think Nikon issues major firmware updates when the competitive situation requires it and they can do that within the limitations of the hardware. In this case I think the competitive pressure from other brands in the case of this camera is low and so they might be less motivated to do a lot of work on FW. However, I think there are some bugs that they could fix, and probably add Nikon Imaging Cloud support and similar things in a major update. The Z8 and Z9 get a lot of updates because Nikon want the top of the line to be competitive for the image of the brand reasons.
I've noticed that when in video mode, when I touch the manual focus ring, it doesn't return to autofocusing even when set to full-time AF and pressing AF-ON. I need to turn the lens to M and then back to A/M. Then it will autofocus again. In stills mode the camera will autofocus even after MF override has been used by simply pressing AF-ON. I think they might have done it so that MF is more sticky but it could also be a bug. ...Show more →
Agreed.
I really only desire some AF tweaks (better is better!), new ISO control options, and, of course Nikon Imaging Cloud compatibility.
I think ilkka_nissila hit the nail on the head here. Nikon is under no pressure from competitors to make any changes/upgrades to the Zf. And I am starting to think we may not see any soon.
The one exception to this statement concerns the Nikon Imaging Cloud and access to JPEG recipes. I’m not a big fan of YT reviews, but the few I watched all make explicit comments about the beautiful Zf JPEG output, but significant lack of JPEG recipe options as are found on the competition from Fuji (primarily the XT5).
I have been playing around with the Imaging Cloud recipes with my Z6iii, and while some are gimmicky or garbage, there are two or three that are incredible! For me, this upgrade on the Zf would be a game changer.
Now that I've had the opportunity to use my Zf more over the holiday, I can say pretty confidently that I love this camera, quirky though it may be. It looks great, it sounds great (really love the shutter sound), the files are maybe my favorite of any modern camera, and I find the usability and reliability of the autofocus to far exceed my needs (mostly documentary style work, but with lots of moving subjects). Over and above that, it has two things I always wanted in my R6: the first is Nikon's highlight weighted metering mode, which for my style of shooting is head and shoulders above any other automatic metering mode on the market. The second is the ability to map silent shutter mode to a custom function button, because while I prefer shooting with the mechanical shutter, I take lots of photos at parties and events, and find myself not infrequently in situations where even a quiet shutter sound would disturb a moment or draw attention towards the camera. Having the ability to toggle on e-shutter with a single button press has been a game changer.
I will add on the caveats that I have only owned this camera since late October, and that I do predominantly use it like a big and pretty point-and-shoot, so your needs, experiences, and use cases may vary wildly from mine. I do plan on picking up a more "traditional" kit from Sony/Nikon/Canon early this coming year (mainly for sports and concerts with a 70-200), but I think the Zf will stay in my kit for many years to come. I really love this thing.
Can someone who owns both a Z8 or Z9 and the ZF explain why using a manual focus lens, especially the Voigtlanders for the Z system are better or easier to focus with the ZF or is that not really true and the Z8 or even the Z7II can manually focus just as well?
The Zf has subject detection in MF which the Z8 and Z9 do not. Many people like that a lot for photos of people.
ksmmike wrote:
Can someone who owns both a Z8 or Z9 and the ZF explain why using a manual focus lens, especially the Voigtlanders for the Z system are better or easier to focus with the ZF or is that not really true and the Z8 or even the Z7II can manually focus just as well?
ksmmike wrote:
Can someone who owns both a Z8 or Z9 and the ZF explain why using a manual focus lens, especially the Voigtlanders for the Z system are better or easier to focus with the ZF or is that not really true and the Z8 or even the Z7II can manually focus just as well?
thanks
Mike
Although not an owner I have shot all of these with MF lenses. The Zf does have some MF features like subject recognition with a tracking focus rectangle that make it easier to MF focus than those other cameras in some circumstances. Probably the easiest to focus of any EVF based mirrorless camera in fact.
For a first time I have used Peak Design capture clip - mounted on my Zf. I spent a week in Marrakech, walking around those narrow streets and have to say I'm impressed. For years I was scared to use it, but recently I bought a Retrospective 15 backpack and also this clip - pretty impressive piece of equipment. I always hated to keep my camera in a bag, even in front of me - it always required to open a bag, pull camera out, close the bag, move bag to side of my hip, then after few shots, open a bag put camera in and close it, etc. Clip made it so easy, every time when I heard a click I knew its secure and I can keep walking. Zf with FTZ and 20mm 1.8 G lens wasn't too heavy hanging off my shoulder. Another useful accessory.
I use the clip on my Z9 time to time. It’s one of my favorite accessories.
phinix wrote:
For a first time I have used Peak Design capture clip - mounted on my Zf. I spent a week in Marrakech, walking around those narrow streets and have to say I'm impressed. For years I was scared to use it, but recently I bought a Retrospective 15 backpack and also this clip - pretty impressive piece of equipment. I always hated to keep my camera in a bag, even in front of me - it always required to open a bag, pull camera out, close the bag, move bag to side of my hip, then after few shots, open a bag put camera in and close it, etc. Clip made it so easy, every time when I heard a click I knew its secure and I can keep walking. Zf with FTZ and 20mm 1.8 G lens wasn't too heavy hanging off my shoulder. Another useful accessory....Show more →
Most of the photos taken this year where from this camera. It is just amazing. There is only thing I do not like about it - The weight. Everything else is good or acceptable
I finally got a Nikon Zf and 40mm SE through Nikon refurb sale this month. I had been looking at the Zf since it was announced and thought about getting one of the colored bodies but couldn't justify it since I already have recent Sony, Canon and Fujifilm kits but I finally succumbed.
I have had many Nikons over the years since my Dad took me Olden Camera in NYC to get my first SLR, a Nikormat in 1972 for my 14th birthday. In the 50 plus years since I have had F2, F3, FMs, FEs D700, D800, D850, D7200, and finally Z6 and Z7 were my most recent but I sold them a few years ago.
As you can see from above I must be pretty old now since I got my first Nikon over 52 years ago. So I want to keep the kit small and light so far I just have the 40SE and the 26mm and I'm thinking of getting the 28-400 mostly because I'm spending 2 weeks in Hawaii soon (I visit Hawaii almost every year and do 2 or 3 other trips too) and I think that the 28-400 would be good for water, waves, whales etc. I also got a Megadap adapter for my Sony lenses, a Neewer grip, ML-L7 remote, Peak Design 7 liter Outdoor Sling and a screen protector too.
I have a lot of vintage M42 lenses as well as some old Nikkor manual focus glass and have been researching adapter combos for that too. From what I have found on Youtube the Neewer one along with a dumb adapter seems where I'm heading. If anyone has any useful experience with adapters please post. I only intend to bring one or two vintage lenses on my upcoming travels and would only take them out for a specific shoot, not carry them around.
If anyone has advice to a ZF newbie I'd be glad to hear. Thanks in advance.
recordproducti wrote:
I'm nipping to a friends wedding tomorrow where there's an official photographer (no way would I want that job)
Funny you should mention this - I'm a wedding photographer, now using a pair of ZF bodies as my rig of choice. I absolutely LOVE the ZF for weddings. Everyone calls the ZF a consumer camera, but it's every bit of a workhorse camera as any I've used in the past 18 years, including my old Nikon D3 and D3s bodies. I much prefer using a smaller lighter kit than I did back in my D3/D3s days. This camera, the ZF, doesn't miss a thing.
The more I use and customise the setup of my Zf, the more I feel that it’s good for a good number of projects - you’re welcome to the wedding work though 😂
I’ve done paid portrait work, commercial product work, A/B roll video, landscape, and more with it. It’s a very very capable camera.
recordproducti wrote:
The more I use and customise the setup of my Zf, the more I feel that it’s good for a good number of projects - you’re welcome to the wedding work though 😂
ndwgolf1 wrote:
I bought the ZF primary to use manual focus lenses. I currently have a Voitlander 50:1.0 and a Nikkor 55:1.2 pre AI. I’m looking for one more manual lens for portraits in the 100 to 150mm range……… any recommendations from the gang for one of these lenses?
Nikon 105:2.5 in just about any iteration. I had a black and silver P version, as well as the 105/2.5 AI version. I prefer the focus ring feel of the AI version. The rendering is classic and beautiful.
Do you guys also have to change White balance every time you change surroundings?
I need to fix it as my Zf in majority of the cases does not pick right AWB.
Its always between indoor light, sunny (Auto ABW) or cloudy day.
