I am a long time Fuji user and love it for travel and family outings. I either grab my zooms for fast primes as AF and weather sealing are helpful at times.
I also have had the x100f, x100v and now the x100vi - I used a lot on business trips and got fantastic shots with them, however since I retired I don't grab it as much - I have the 18/2.8 and 27/2 voigts for a really compact kit with my XT5. The x100vi seems a bit redundant.
But, would I really enjoy is slowing down. I really appreciate build quality and ergonomics. I have embraced the Voigtlander lenses (I have both X-mount and M-mount).
Here is crazy thought. Sell the X100VI and the WCL/TCL to fund a Zf. This would be a "me" time kit.
My final kit would be: 15/4.5 v3, 28/2 Lanthar, 50/2 Lanthar, 75/1.9 Ultron.
I have heard/read that the Nikon Z sensor stack is a good option for use with M-mount lenses. I have looked at the SL2, but it is larger and doesn't have the dials and ergonomics that match my Fujis. The M-EV1 would probably be best, but I don't want to sell a car to buy a camera, especially one without IBIS and bad battery life. All this points me back to the Zf.
Appreciate your input. I realize I am posting on the Nikon forum so results may be ever so slightly biased that way.
pechance wrote:
My final kit would be: 15/4.5 v3, 28/2 Lanthar, 50/2 Lanthar, 75/1.9 Ultron.
I have heard/read that the Nikon Z sensor stack is a good option for use with M-mount lenses.
All those MF Voigt lenses are available in native Z-mount, i.e., tweaked for Nikon Z sensor stack thickness.
If you like to use MF and change lens continuously, I'd recommend you to buy the Z-mount lenses instead of the VM (M-mount) versions.
I own two Z-mount Voigt lenses: 35/2 Apo and 50/2 Apo. Both are excellent lenses, despite the pronounced vignetting that needs to be corrected in post-production. However, I use my 24-70/4 S and 14-30/4 S more often.
Here is crazy thought. Sell the X100VI and the WCL/TCL to fund a Zf. This would be a "me" time kit.
My final kit would be: 15/4.5 v3, 28/2 Lanthar, 50/2 Lanthar, 75/1.9 Ultron.
That is not a crazy thought. I just purchased my Z f some weeks ago (or is it months already?) after having stumbled upon this post on reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Nikon/comments/1h1d5nd/thoughts_on_the_nikon_zf_after_6_months/?show=original . I had , for a while wondered how to go about with photo, airing the old D810 mostly out of bad conscience over not using it. The joy was gone, the resulting images likewise.
I had been reading up somewhat, actually aiming for a Fuji X-t5 or perhaps an X-2h, however when I finally got my hands on those, I immediately realized those where NOT what I was looking for. Instead, I got to grasp the Zf with the 40/2 SE on it and I was home.
I have also purchased the CV 40/1.2 Nokton Z and to be frank: the author of that reddit posting is right: there is something in here that cannot be described in fact sheets and numbers and features listings, but rather more emotional (he called it magic I think)
The CV 40/1.2 hasn't been leving the camera and all my old f-mounts are just dusting on the shelf. I am considering the 28/2 AL also, and eventually maybe the 50/2 AL. Let's see. If you are out for the deliberate photo - one frame at the time, the Z f and CV can certainly take you there
I have both the X-T5 and the Zf and love them for different reasons. Given that you've got the 18/27 pair for Fuji I think your plan sounds good. I love the Fuji experience but there's just something special about the Zf and the full frame Voigt lenses. For whatever M lenses you have, I'd highly recommend getting a chipped adapter so you get focus confirmation since you get a lot more shots in focus that way than with focus peaking.
The Zf is just a plain better camera than any Fuji X option right now. Maybe that will change with the X-T6 in September but I'm not holding my breath.
I wouldn't get a Zf just to use with M lenses if you don't have an M camera, especially when the 28 and 50 APO have native Z options. Adapting one or two here and there, that's a different story. Get native when you can.
I would also pick up a decent AF lens for the Zf for when you want to enjoy the much better AF than your Fuji offers.
I sold both my X100V and VI for the Zf and have never regretted it.
If you end up getting a Zf and are interested in a Z 50 APO, I have one and am about 90 min away from you. I meet up with folks in Kaufman often
@pechance I do not quite follow your logic. Yes, I can see how the X100VI may feel redundant if you already have the X-T5 with compact lenses. But what's the purpose of adding the Zf then, if you already have the X-T5?
Anyway, as the one-time owner of all of these cameras, I feel that the X-T5 implements the "70s film SLR in a digital form" concept quite a bit better than the Zf. The Fuji is also ergonomically superior. The Nikon, on the other hand, offers slightly better image quality (despite having fewer pixels). So I guess it comes down to glass?
Personaly, I sold all my Fuji gear this year but kept the Zf because I prefer working with its RAW files and I can adapt a bunch of Sony lenses to it.
mivadep wrote:
Minor correction: the 75mm f/1.9 is M-mount-only. You are probably thinking of the 75mm f/1.5 which does have a native Z version.
yes, sorry; I was thinking of the 75/1.8 Portrait Heliar.
P.S.: I wouldn't use a 75mm lens if not forced by the rangefinder of a Leica M camera ... on Zf/Z5 II I'd prefer the Z 85/1.8 S The 20/1.8S + 35/1.8 S + 85/1.8 S trio would be a quite competent set of primes
I really like my Fuji's for travel - either with zoom or fast primes. So the XT5 and XF lenses stay. This is really for times when I am out solo enjoying the process of creating images.
Come to the dark side. You wont be disappointed this is my go to camera for most cases. I always reach for it, even though I have the Z8 and Z9. There are plenty of grips out there for it. The new firmware update made MF focusing easier. IQ is top notch. Hopefully Nikon revamps the Zf c with a newer BSI sensor with the current features. Albeit, by the time a Zf c II comes out, I bet Expeed8 is out
I have the SL3 and IMO it is _worse_ than Z8 in (which shares the same EVF Zf IIRC) in terms of focus experience for M lenses (ironically) especially when punching in...with the eye-detect MF the experience makes it even better with the Z...
idk what other lenses you are planning to adapt but I would highly suggest an adapter that has a close focus capability (like the Voigtlander with Close Focus although it is a bit pricey).. M lenses are generally gimped to 0.7m due to RF limitation but most of them can actually focus closer and not lose much quality.
The Z5ii has a noticeably brighter EVF, dual SD, a dedicated picture control (film sim) button, and a real grip. It also has a plasticy body/build.
The Zf has an exposure compensation dial, film grain, physical dials, mixed SD media, and a slightly worse EVF. It also has a very dense metal build/body.
Apart from that, they are functionally the same camera. Just figure out which of the above you value most. For me, it's the more satisfying build quality, EC dial, and film grain, so the Zf is still the easy choice.
Just came back from a trip to Italy with a Z6iii and a ZF. Z6iii with 24-120 z. And the ZF with voightlander 28 APO and Viltrox 35 EVO for night and day pics. ZF a great travel camera
Forgot to mention that I used Nikon imaging cloud to back up my pictures every night using hotels WiFi. Directed Raw to Lightroom and jpeg to Google Drive. All of my pictures were already backed up when I got home. Another advantage for Z6iii and ZF for travel.
this is my go to camera for most cases. I always reach for it, even though I have the Z8 and Z9. There are plenty of grips out there for it. The new firmware update made MF focusing easier. IQ is top notch. Hopefully Nikon revamps the Zf c with a newer BSI sensor with the current features. Albeit, by the time a Zf c II comes out, I bet Expeed8 is out 
