weezintrumpete wrote:
Totally agree with Jman that the right size for the Zf is actually the Zfc. I own the Zf and it's just a little too big (thick mostly) and heavy for what it is. While I like the camera, I don't love it due to the handling with anything other than a small, light lens. I have the Japanese Nikon Zf grip and while it works, the added bulk and weight is not great. But I need to use it with anything other than a small lens.
I get what the Zf is designed for (and that's the reason I bought it), but the retro design misses one critical point related to the original designs - those SLRs were always shot with a manual focus lens, and hence when shooting, a user would have to have TWO hands on the camera at all times - one to hold the camera, and one to focus.
With AF lenses on the Zf, a second hand isn't necessary, so you're left trying to grip the camera with one hand and it (and the designs it is a homage to) were just not designed for that. So it's a bit awkward and ultimately a bit of a design failure. Had the Zf been smaller and lighter (like the Zfc) this would have minimized the problem, assuming the lenses could be smaller as well. Also, note that when cameras moved to autofocus, the camera bodies started including a grip.
That said, the silver Zf looks sick.
Some interesting points here. I have personally never shot one handed with a camera, nor would I. I specifically use the Zf's with a small light lens, usually manual focus, either Nikon or Voitlander, and usually for everyday street or walk around. Maybe that's why I don't see it as a "heavy" camera. The Z8 is my heaviest camera now and it is used with the larger lenses for wildlife, action, or studio. The Zf's bring back a special enjoyment to photography for me. I started this journey in the film days and we constantly looked for the perfect camera that would do it all, never found it, and digital had not changed that fact. It has only given us steps closer to that goal. Guess I will just enjoy the latest and greatest changes as they come, as they surely will.
And yes, they are eye candy aren't they? You can't put a wood grip and soft shutter buttons on those big boy!
weezintrumpete wrote:
Totally agree with Jman that the right size for the Zf is actually the Zfc. I own the Zf and it's just a little too big (thick mostly) and heavy for what it is. While I like the camera, I don't love it due to the handling with anything other than a small, light lens. I have the Japanese Nikon Zf grip and while it works, the added bulk and weight is not great. But I need to use it with anything other than a small lens.
I get what the Zf is designed for (and that's the reason I bought it), but the retro design misses one critical point related to the original designs - those SLRs were always shot with a manual focus lens, and hence when shooting, a user would have to have TWO hands on the camera at all times - one to hold the camera, and one to focus.
With AF lenses on the Zf, a second hand isn't necessary, so you're left trying to grip the camera with one hand and it (and the designs it is a homage to) were just not designed for that. So it's a bit awkward and ultimately a bit of a design failure. Had the Zf been smaller and lighter (like the Zfc) this would have minimized the problem, assuming the lenses could be smaller as well. Also, note that when cameras moved to autofocus, the camera bodies started including a grip.
That said, the silver Zf looks sick.
Some interesting points here. I have personally never shot one handed with a camera, nor would I. I specifically use the Zf's with a small light lens, usually manual focus, either Nikon or Voitlander, and usually for everyday street or walk around. Maybe that's why I don't see it as a "heavy" camera. The Z8 is my heaviest camera now and it is used with the larger lenses for wildlife, action, or studio. The Zf's bring back a special enjoyment to photography for me. I started this journey in the film days and we constantly looked for the perfect camera that would do it all, never found it, and digital had not changed that fact. It has only given us steps closer to that goal. Guess I will just enjoy the latest and greatest changes as they come, as they surely will.
And yes, they are eye candy aren't they? You can't put a wood grips and soft shutter buttons on those big boy!
Mary
Nov 08, 2025 at 05:09 PM
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