Home · Register · Join Upload & Sell

Moderated by: Fred Miranda
Username  

  New fredmiranda.com Mobile Site
  New Feature: SMS Notification alert
  New Feature: Buy & Sell Watchlist
  

FM Forums | Sony Forum | Join Upload & Sell

1              3       4       end
  

Sony users - what do you think about Nikon Zf?

  
 
bluehawaii
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #1 · p.2 #1 · Sony users - what do you think about Nikon Zf?


RoamingScott wrote:
Why are you asking Sony users about their opinions of a Nikon camera

Pop into the 44 page discussion thread, I'm sure you can come to some conclusion on what the camera is and isn't from actual users https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1818308

It's an unfortunate camera...its imaging and video capabilities are actually excellent, but it's in a body that does it zero favors, and actually managed to make both retro and modern shooters annoyed.

Guess you don't know about all of the Z mount Voigtlander glass? You can also adapt any "vintage looking" E mount glass easily.


I think Nikon are fast becoming Sony’s artisan line.

Shooting one of the re-housed Tamrons, you are effectively shooting a Sony lens through a Sony sensor and IBIS and Nikon-Socionext processor.

It's been over 6 years since the Z6 so I would expect them to go stacked with the Z6III which is the model I am waiting for before switching over.

Looking forward to all the glowing reviews proclaiming: "NIKON'S MINI A9 KILLER HAS CHANGED THE GAME, SORRY SONY."

ad nauseum.



Nov 19, 2023 at 10:09 AM
RoamingScott
Online
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.2 #2 · p.2 #2 · Sony users - what do you think about Nikon Zf?


bluehawaii wrote:
I think Nikon are fast becoming Sony’s artisan line.

Shooting one of the re-housed Tamrons, you are effectively shooting a Sony lens through a Sony sensor and IBIS and Nikon-Socionext processor.

It's been over 6 years since the Z6 so I would expect them to go stacked with the Z6III which is the model I am waiting for before switching over.

Looking forward to all the glowing reviews proclaiming: "NIKON'S MINI A9 KILLER HAS CHANGED THE GAME, SORRY SONY."

ad nauseum.


I mean, sure, you COULD say that, if you're a Sony fanboy looking to discredit Nikon's own work on their sensor optimizations, native non-tamron glass, excellent tele glass that no other system offers, bodies that offer unique features that even Sony still doesn't offer, etc.

The amount of Tamron glass in the Z ecosystem is so inconsequential that I'm not sure what would even compel a post like this unless you're just trying to start something

And to the Z6iii, I think it's VERY obvious it will not be stacked and will simply be a rehoused Z F. They already showed you the next generation and even a rehoused Z F will be a decent upgrade from the Z6ii.

Edited on Nov 19, 2023 at 10:24 AM · View previous versions



Nov 19, 2023 at 10:21 AM
raminolta
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #3 · p.2 #3 · Sony users - what do you think about Nikon Zf?


I had A9 for a while which I sold because I wasn't using it much. I initially liked the idea of the second top knob on the left side but soon realized using it is cumbersome and slow because I had to press and hold the lock button every time I wanted to turn the knob. I had to lower the camera off eye level and arrange my hands in a way to be able to do the operation often means find a platform to put the cameras on (I rarely use neck strap but almost always a hand strap). I have noted Sony offers the option to switch the locking buttons from momentary to toggle on/off i.e. they can be effectively disabled which is what I like. Is it possible to revert the locking buttons on Nikon zf to toggle on/off? Otherwise, it's a big no to me.

Generally speaking, I do like classic look in cameras and cars. My car has a retro look to it and I like the retro look of cameras such as Nikon zf. Functionally though, I am not sure those marked knobs for shutter speed and ISO do any good? After all, I seldom use the aperture ring on my Sony lenses that have it. I find it more convenient and faster to use the front dial on the camera body instead. I am certainly not in favor of having special knobs on the camera just for decoration. So those knobs in my opinion are redundant and useless.
I certainly like the color options available for Nikon zf. If Sony ever offers these color options in a future model, I would get one with an alternative color like those subdued blue or green that are available on the Zf.

Overall, if it were me, I would design a camera that is stylish somewhere between the retro look and modern design. A %100 retro design like zf probably only slows down the operation (some may not care about the slowness though; good for them).

For me however, the most important thing is to improve my photography. Having a pretty camera in hand does nothing for that so essentially, it cannot have any priority on my list. A the single feature pointed out by the OP which is useful for manual focusing (focus confirmation), while I appreciate the feature, I am not going to switch system just for that only feature. I have some manual lenses and the focus peaking does more or less the same job for me. On the other hand for those who care about AF, all reports and reviews indicate recent Sony bodies excel Nikon in AF (subject recognition and tracking).

Edited on Nov 19, 2023 at 12:32 PM · View previous versions



Nov 19, 2023 at 10:24 AM
RoamingScott
Online
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.2 #4 · p.2 #4 · Sony users - what do you think about Nikon Zf?


raminolta wrote:
Overall, if it were me, I would design a camera that is stylish somewhere between the retro look and modern design. A %100 retro design like zf probably only slows down the operation (some may not care about the slowness though; good for them).


The Z F is anything but a 100% retro design, which is where the love/hate stems from.

It has a PASM switch. If you want fast operation, you use any mode but M and now it behaves like any other PASM camera.

Unfortunately, because Nikon lenses lack aperture rings, the Z F simply CANNOT be and will never be a "100%" retro camera if using native glass, you have to dip into 3rd party manual focus only glass to get that. I have a Nikon film camera that has a more functional shutter speed dial than the Z F.



Nov 19, 2023 at 10:27 AM
bluehawaii
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #5 · p.2 #5 · Sony users - what do you think about Nikon Zf?


RoamingScott wrote:
I mean, sure, you COULD say that, if you're a Sony fanboy looking to discredit Nikon's own work on their sensor optimizations, native non-tamron glass, excellent tele glass that no other system offers, bodies that offer unique features that even Sony still doesn't offer, etc.

The amount of Tamron glass in the Z ecosystem is so inconsequential that I'm not sure what would even compel a post like this unless you're just trying to start something

And to the Z6iii, I think it's VERY obvious it will not be stacked and will simply be a rehoused Z F. They already showed
...Show more

It was a compliment.




Nov 19, 2023 at 10:32 AM
hrishikesh_b
Offline

Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #6 · p.2 #6 · Sony users - what do you think about Nikon Zf?


Sounds and looks like a technical marvel with outstanding weather proofing, but not for me 🙂


Nov 19, 2023 at 05:23 PM
yongliu
Offline

Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #7 · p.2 #7 · Sony users - what do you think about Nikon Zf?


To me, ZF can be a perfect walk-around/travel body if it reduces weight to 400~500 grams, with the 26mm pancake and Voigtlander 50mm APO lenses.

- It'll be a lot better if sensor has 33M/42M pixels.
- Even better if it replaces the knobs with Z8 style "button+scroll" control, or a Ricoh GR style, both with a top display of course.

Unfortunately, neither the weight nor the control is likely to happen in its successor, so I'll stay with Sony bodies which are excellent tools but never a beauty/fun to me.



Nov 19, 2023 at 05:46 PM
BPsmith511
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.2 #8 · p.2 #8 · Sony users - what do you think about Nikon Zf?


Coming at this from a Nikon user prospective, I'd love to see a Nikon version of the A7c2, like a Nikon Z6c. Would love a FF rangefinder Nikon body, but I'll be waiting for the end of time for that one.


Nov 19, 2023 at 05:49 PM
RoamingScott
Online
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.2 #9 · p.2 #9 · Sony users - what do you think about Nikon Zf?


BPsmith511 wrote:
Would love a FF rangefinder Nikon body, but I'll be waiting for the end of time for that one.


This is precisely why I'm buying a GFX 50R



Nov 19, 2023 at 05:51 PM
BPsmith511
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.2 #10 · p.2 #10 · Sony users - what do you think about Nikon Zf?


RoamingScott wrote:
This is precisely why I'm buying a GFX 50R


Collecting all the sensor sizes are we ?



Nov 19, 2023 at 07:10 PM
 


Search in Used Dept. 

lattesweden
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #11 · p.2 #11 · Sony users - what do you think about Nikon Zf?


phinix wrote:
Sounds like with its focus confirmation it is amazing for manual lens like Voigtlander Z.


How does the focus confirmation with manual focus lenses work in detail on the Zf?



Nov 19, 2023 at 07:22 PM
tzhang4284
Online
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.2 #12 · p.2 #12 · Sony users - what do you think about Nikon Zf?


I was really tempted to buy one - actually ordered a used one from B&H but canceled it before they shipped it. The styling is very nice but my main reservations are that I'm not actually sure it's better than a Sony A7C and I think the small lens line up for Nikon is even more lacking than Sony for this camera. Outside of the 28mm f2.8 and 40mm f2, it doesn't seem like there's too many well proportioned lenses that Nikon offers. Maybe the 35mm f1.8 and 50mm f1.8 could work too.

I think the new MF aids seem nice and very helpful but don't think it's a killer app to buy the Nikon ZF vs just having really good AF, which I still trust the Sony A7C more on.

Another miss on the Mf side is a classically styled mf adapter that would look nice with the old ai-s lenses



Nov 20, 2023 at 11:39 AM
GMPhotography
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.2 #13 · p.2 #13 · Sony users - what do you think about Nikon Zf?


Don't get mad . But reality is I had two bad D810 Nikons and than the A7r came out and a friend sent me his brand new one but I had my whole career in Nikon and really cut my teeth with them. A VERY long time but after those failures with focusing on the Nikon I gave up on them and never looked back. They have great lenses and loved ALL of them mostly but Sony jumped on mirrorless and I was right in there with them, warts and all. Honestly I have not really looked at them much at all but I always felt they are in catch up mode to the Sony mirrorless and I still think that . Im not a fanboy of anyone and really don't care . I want tools and that's how I look at all this , just gear but more important gear that gives me options to what I do. I'll go in the box with Sony and the new A9III with global shutter is tech leading in many ways and only to improve. At this point in my life im closing the door and 50 years I deserve that option but Nikon and Canon from my seat blew it and waited too long for mirrorless. I want innovation and feature sets and I truly think Sony is there now. I don't hate Cannon or Nikon and for me it's about building a one unit system and grow from there. I switched systems a lot and in the end it's costly as hell. Just be careful what you are listening too here and do your own homework. Thats me and you can certainly ignore my comments or take the advice but watch that gear train . I go play golf now.

And Happy Thanksgiving



Nov 20, 2023 at 11:57 AM
saaketham
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.2 #14 · p.2 #14 · Sony users - what do you think about Nikon Zf?


I shot Sony and Nikon almost 50-50 till a few weeks ago. I still shoot with the z6ii, but all Sony glass now.
A few months ago, I got the itch to try the Zfc, specifically the Amber brown version as it looked really good.
I enjoyed it while I had it, except for grip - I was always holding the base of the lens.
Image quality was excellent and I enjoyed the flip-out screen.
I sold it a few weeks ago
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1827412

zf - I won't buy one as I am sure the grip (or lack of) will annoy me.
But I think it's a beautiful design








Nov 20, 2023 at 03:15 PM
RoamingScott
Online
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.2 #15 · p.2 #15 · Sony users - what do you think about Nikon Zf?


Man it’s hard being right all the time. What a burden


Nov 20, 2023 at 03:16 PM
nehemiahphoto
Online
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.2 #16 · p.2 #16 · Sony users - what do you think about Nikon Zf?


really enjoyed the idea of it until I actually handled one. Too heavy and bulky with bad ergonomics. Plus the selfie-screen.

I’ll check it out on v2. Love the style and manual controls



Nov 20, 2023 at 03:17 PM
GMPhotography
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.2 #17 · p.2 #17 · Sony users - what do you think about Nikon Zf?


RoamingScott wrote:
Man it’s hard being right all the time. What a burden


Certainly better than being a troll. You need to really walk away from the keyboard.



Nov 20, 2023 at 04:00 PM
telyt
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #18 · p.2 #18 · Sony users - what do you think about Nikon Zf?


I like the classic styling but unless a camera has a feature set similar to the a1 it won't get a second look from me.


Nov 20, 2023 at 06:09 PM
graytrekker
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.2 #19 · p.2 #19 · Sony users - what do you think about Nikon Zf?


Like many other older photographers here, I grew up in the Nikon system. I readily admit I am a dinosaur and am not representative of the larger population of photographers out there.

I always considered myself a brand loyal Nikon shooter. But when it was time to move to mirrorless, Nikon had nothing - so I moved to Sony. However, along the way I did pick up a used Df, as I had quite a lot of legacy Nikon lenses from the 70s and 80s, and a couple from the early 90s. The Df can shoot nearly any F-mount lens made since 1959, including AF-D lenses. Sure, the Df has shortcomings, but the experience with these old lenses on the Df was what I was looking for when I want to feel like I'm in my 20s and 30s again, using the old lenses I grew up with. I really enjoy the Df and it works for me for what I want out of it. YMMV

The Zf? Doesn't make sense to me. What is the point of "retro" if there aren't manual lenses for it? I am sure in the fullness of time there will be - like Cosina who have released a couple of Z-mount Voigtlanders. You could shoot E-mount lenses with the Techart or Megadap adapters, and, of course the old Nikkors with an FTZ adapter. For me, though, that defeats the purpose. And all the designer colors - really? What does that say about the target audience for this camera.

Like I said, I am a dinosaur. Here comes the comet - "don't look up"!!

Doug



Nov 20, 2023 at 06:20 PM
Ayoul
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.2 #20 · p.2 #20 · Sony users - what do you think about Nikon Zf?


I grew up with Nikon, but I have zero interest in the Zf. First of all, I'm not interested in "retro-styled cameras". My camera is a tool, so what I see from the outside is just the lack of a proper grip, not how cool I will look with a Zf around my neck. For the other parts, it seems like a nice camera, 24 mpx is sufficient for my needs, the AF inherited from the Z9/8 seems nice. The micro SD second slot is not ideal. Apparently the focus confirmation is nice from what I read, but I don't use manual lenses very often.

It's not a game changer for my use. No mindblowing spec, no revolutionnary interface or ergonomic, no dramatic reduction in size or weight. And I'm skeptical about these retro dials. I owned (and still own one) Fuji, and it works of course, but in the end, a PASM wheel, an exposure compensation wheel, a front and rear dial, some kind of joystick, that's all I need.

I switched to Sony when they released the A9. A completely silent camera with an autofocus way better than the competition back then, in a very compact and lightweight form factor compared to my DSLRs. I won't switch to another brand unless there is another groundbreaking technology which really adds something for me.



Nov 20, 2023 at 07:05 PM
1              3       4       end






FM Forums | Sony Forum | Join Upload & Sell

1              3       4       end
    
 

You are not logged in. Login or Register

Username       Or Reset password



This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.