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.
