This has quickly supplanted the Z8 as my every day. Such a joy to shoot and the mechanical shutter has "that feel" that makes it wonderful. If I take a second body beyond the Q3...I absolutely love the fact that the Zf uses the same battery. The MicroSD is no different than internal memory. Leave it in there and you have it when you need it. I've owned the Zfc and still own the Df...This is absolutely my favorite of the "retro's". Image quality is superb.

@HudsonHenryPhoto

6 ай бұрын

👍😁

Well I guess this is more proof that we live in a simulation. I literally just received my ZF today around noon. Jumping around KZread this video shows up in my timeline. I have been watching other videos on the ZF but this is the most informative video I have watched. Thanks for putting this and the settings guide out there for us new owners. I appreciate it. Take care fella.

@HudsonHenryPhoto

6 ай бұрын

Love coincidences like that! Enjoy it man. It's pretty awesome.

Wow, well done! I am 70 and am so happy to own this camera. I have been waiting for your set up video for this camera.

I love this combo .. ZF + 50 1.0 is a match made in heaven

Nice video on the ZF. Obviously Nikon is doing their best for producing better cameras. For all those who wanted the Z6III and Z7III I believe they came out with this first because they knew it would sell like hot cakes. Nikon is in business! Patience. Nikon should continue doing well now.

Great review, Hudson. Some fabulous images.

Thanks for this review. I’ve been waiting for you to do this one before adding the Zf to my Christmas stocking.

A very well done review / discussion on the Zf. I like how you did the pluses and minuses and then other peoples perceived shortcoming at the end also. The photos you showed shooting at 1/4 second really got my attention. Wow. And that Voigtlander lens is just dreamy. I keep thinking I should go see one in person but I really don't need a new camera body right now. Thinking I'll wait and see what a Z6III looks like down the road. Many Thanks - Tim

Hi from France ! Thanks a lot for this very comprehensive & interesting review ! Now I've got to struggle and resist to order this Nokton which I discovered in your first video on this lens a few months ago. Voilà... This is all because of you ! 🙂👍

I sold Z6II and ordered Zf, I have a ton of old Nikon glass that I adore! Thanks for a great review and education about Zf Hudson!

BINGO! Thank you for making this video featuring the Voigtländer.

I bought a Z8 for my wildlife, action, landscape and macro work, but I will also be buying a Zf. There are times when I really don't want to lug around the Z8 and don't need 45MP. I will be carrying around the Zf and my Voigtlander lenses for casual, portraiture, low light and artistic rendering photography. I know that a lot of people are upset because this is not the equivalent of a future Z6III or Z7III. But they need to just chill out because those will be coming out within the next year.

@jeyaramduraisingam7836

4 ай бұрын

What are the voiglander lenses that you have. Do you use a m mount with adapter. Have you used the native z mount 40 1.2 voiglander manual focus. That’s the one I am after for artistic rendering as well. Just wanted to know. Thanks

@Anon-zl4ne

3 ай бұрын

I like to purchase the M mount versions because they are so small and there are so many to choose from. Plus, if I ever choose to buy a Leica camera I will already have the lenses. For adapters, I have the Voigtlander M-Z Close Focus Adapter (for when I need close focus) and some Rayqual M-Z adapters (because they are made in Japan, not China). My M mount Voigtlander lenses are the 21mm f/3.5 Skopar, 35mm f/1.2 III Nokton, 50mm f/1.2 Nokton, 75mm f/1.5 Nokton and 90mm f/2.8 APO. The Noktons are perhaps my favorite lenses of all time in respect to rendering and bokeh (and I have owned more than 60 lenses). Each of them is really 2 lenses in one. Wide open they are creamy and dreamy. Stopped down they are clinically sharp without abberations or vignetting. @@jeyaramduraisingam7836

@aberdeenmeadows

3 ай бұрын

Your comment helped me to move forward with my decision to get the Zf. I have a Z5 but hardly take it out anywhere. I hate it because of the 4k DX crop. I was considering getting the Z8 because of the megapixels and 8k video but like the Z5, I'm not going to take around a $4,000 camera with me everywhere. The Zf seems like the camera that I would actually use. Possibly if I had a desire in the future, I could get the Z8 that would complement the Zf. Thanks for sharing. Helped me to make that decision!

@Anon-zl4ne

3 ай бұрын

You are very welcome, enjoy the Zf!@@aberdeenmeadows

For me I’ll be using this to shoot everything. I am just a hobbyist so I can’t justify a camera for each type of photography. This is a massive upgrade for me and appears to be competent in all areas of photography. From what I’ve read it’s no slouch in action and wildlife.

@mynameisben123

4 ай бұрын

Update, got one and I’ve taken it for a spin. It’s excelled at whatever I’ve thrown at it. The only issues I’ve found are: 1. There are no settings banks. They could do so much more with this. Why not have user profiles that can be saved and recalled? And restored to the saved default (unlike existing Nikons which if you override you can’t recall the original). There’s no reason not to do it here. In fact there is more of a reason to do it - the lack of buttons (and my second point) 2. They went a bit overkill with the minimalist buttons. I’d wish that they just threw in a couple more, there are examples of mechanical cameras with extra buttons. 3. The dials aren’t powerful enough. ISO 6400 doesn’t mean ISO 6400 unless you are in manual ISO. Why not give us the choice for the behaviour? Even better, why not eschew the PASM dial and put a toggle on the body for ISO, aperture and shutter speed. The toggles could be “D” for Dial, “A” for Auto and “CW” for Control Wheel or something. Then you can just choose what is auto or not, or to be controlled by the wheels. This beats having an A mode (or C and 1/3 STEP) on the dials since you can leave the shutter speed set to a go to value and just toggle a switch to auto 4. I wish the “AUTO” exposure mode switch was more auto than it was. I wish it set say, the shutter button back to autofocus so I could hand the camera to a stranger and it would behave as a layperson expects. 5. The grip is a little small for bigger lenses. I will get the Japanese grip once it’s out. Z-GR1 or something. Overall it’s brilliant. Most of the shortcomings are inherit to the Z f. Nikon drops the ball with menu banks on most fronts. The only unique Z f issues are lack of buttons, small grip, and (in my view) misappropriation of the dials. NFI why they didn’t include menu banks. These are all fair fringe issues IMO. They only really apply for super dynamic shooting such as going from birds to portraits and then handing the camera to a layperson within a few minutes. If you know what you are shooting it’s excellent and the only shortcoming is the grip. I did find a bug. C30 mode in S exposure mode results in some super screwy aperture selections. Eg S mode at 1/8000th and it will choose f/22 in C30. Toggle to H, it chooses f/2.8. Whats with that?!

Great honest review. I'm currently on a waiting list to get a Zf. It must be very popular.

Excellent overview, captured the texture well. I was really ambivalent on the announcement, then after going back and forth eventually found a used black zf at b&h, so a low risk try, modest expectations. Using it completely changed my mind, now the zf (often with the voigtlander 50 f1, sometimes the 40 f1.2 apo, sometimes the nikon 26 for small af) is now a daily carry. What a complete blast to use, hard to overstate how enjoyable the mf process is now.

Another great review. Thanks for all the tips and pointers!! A few years ago you had issues with the size, weight and bulkiness of the Z9. I think you found your ideal camera to sport around town...

Thanks for a thoughtful review!

hanks for a great video. I bought my Zf when they first came out, mainly for the manual focus features which are super helpful with my Voigtlander 40 f1.2 and 50 f1.0. Such a breeze to use manual lenses!. I agree with you assessment of the 28mm f2.8. My 40mm f2 was frustrating for me. So much so that a short time ago I bought Sony's e-mount 40mm f2.5 and a Megadap adaptor. It works amazingly! Autofocus with A/M switch, aperture dial, lens function button and sharp images. It is the 40 I wish Nikon had produced. It is my normal walk around lens, supplanting the 40 f1.2 because of the autofocus capability. I look forward to working through the Zf setup guide. Thanks for all you do.

Great review. This is the first Nikon release in recent years that's really tempted me. The Z7/Z8/Z9 are more camera than I really need, and the Z6II wasn't enough of a jump from the Z6. I'll probably wait to see what the Z6III offers at what price point when it comes, but even then this'll be a contender. And 8 stops of image stabilization. Mind blown.

Great review! This will be my EDC landscape camera for my daily walks in the woods of the PNW. A bit heaver than I wanted but... I have a Z7ii for birds and other wildlife. Can't wait to try all my lenses on it! Cheers and thank you!

Such a great overview. Thank you so much. For 2 days I ordered my Zf and I am after 20 Years first time exited.

Great video, thanks! I really have to look at the Voigtländer 1.0 Nokton. Those pictures really got me!

@HudsonHenryPhoto

6 ай бұрын

It's a special lens. The ZF's manual focus aids really open up its potential.

@tdalton854

6 ай бұрын

@@HudsonHenryPhoto Would you say this lens would be "wasted" on a Z8 or Z6II? Or just not as easy to get perfect focus?

@HudsonHenryPhoto

6 ай бұрын

No, no it's hardly wasted. In my review video I link in this video's full description I tested it on my z6ii and z9. It was easier to focus in the 9s viewfinder somehow, but both worked. You still get a green confirmation in single point and you can zoom to the point, but man does the auto subject detection and tracking on the ZF make manual focus life easier. You're not working to keep that point on your subject while trying to focus and compose. It's less juggling.

@Anon-zl4ne

6 ай бұрын

The whole Voigtlander Nokton line is incredible. I would also consider buying the M-mount versions and attaching them to the Zf with an adapter. Reason being, there are more M-mount Voigtlander lenses and they are smaller than the Z-mount versions. Plus, if you ever buy a Leica camera then you already have lenses for it.

cheers for an informative video ::: I recently bought a blue Zf and love it

Thanks Hudson! I have the camera in use now for a week with the 40/2 Z and CV 40/1.2.I just just the dedicated dials and the shooting experience overall.

@HudsonHenryPhoto

6 ай бұрын

That 40 1.2 is a nice fit too. I enjoyed that lens on trip to New York last year. If I didn't have the 50, that would be my choice.

Just got my ZF here in Canada after a looong wait...like a month, it came with an FTZii as a freebie... awesome camera, just superb....a hundred times better than my D5, which I will end up selling

Excellent video. I got my Zf less than a week ago and am hoping that it will provide the feeling I got from my Canon Ftb. It makes me smile when I hear people grumbling about the angles of the Zf's body ... feels fine to me - my fingers still remember how to make the connection. I purchased a couple of Nikon AI generation lens from KEH earlier today along with a FTZ adapter (figuring that I might want to try a newer Nikon lens at a later time). Thanks Again

Yet again a great and comprehensive review, so thanks very much Hudson. I’d love this camera if it were 45 mpx because I frequently crop in so I’ll stay with my original Z7 which I love even more than the Fuji X-T3 which I sold to buy the Z7. That Voightlander 50 mm f1.0 is on my wish list and will pair beautifully with the Z7. The great advantage of new cameras coming on the market means one can now buy the Z7 as cheap as chips. Greeting from 🇬🇧.

Excellent review. I want to second the motion for a +/- 2/3 stop shutter speed variation through the command-dial when in M or S mode. This is an essential feature that the Nikon Df calls "easy shutter-speed shift". I hope this request finds its way to a future Zf firmware soon.

Excellent Video, I have the Zf on order (Sunset Orange) to be used mainly as an everyday / Backup to my Z8 and Z9. I thought about waiting for the later variants for the Z6 and Z7 and figures that the Z8 and Z9 have a high enough Pixel range, and that I'd be better off with something less expensive, but was also more than capable for what I would need as far as Pictures, the ZF fits that need perfectly. I'm glad you mentioned the accessories, I have the ZF Camera Grip from Small Rig, in preparation for my ZF when it arrives, however, I did not know there was a remote for the ZF, I'll have a look to see if it's the same device for the A1000, if not, I'll order that as well as the RRS Bracket from your page, I have looked at their Universal L-Bracket, but didn't think it would work because of the ZF Screen Monitor tilting abilities. Again, thanks for sharing the knowledge. Jim

I bought the Zf mainly because it was 24 MP. I needed a low light monster for a travel camera. I don't mind the shutter speed dial increments because it is easier to use the exposure compensation with my thumb to tidy up the histogram than to be reaching up for the shutter dial. I hate that they missed the opportunity to make the shutter button accept a retro shutter release cable. Bluetooth-only remote shutter release is just wrong in a retro camera. I read that you can also use Snapbridge for remote shutter release. I used my video button for ISO in my D750 so it was already second nature for me. Matt Irwin (and Nikon Rumors) thinks Nikon will make a super fast 24 MP sports camera for the Olympics this summer. Maybe a Z9H? Priced for sports pro's only.

@HudsonHenryPhoto

6 ай бұрын

I'll bet you'll be surprised what they can do in low light with a newly designed mid 30s megapixel sensor for the next 6 variant. Technology has advanced a lot in the years since this sensor was created for the original z6. It's great and I still love it, but it's dated. Leica's move of 1/3 stops between the full stops on the wheel to the back dial is very nice indeed without needing to use exposure compensation, but you'd likely have to experience it to see what I mean. Not sure who you're referencing, but I think Nikon will be happy enough with the Z9 for action pros and focus instead on updating the cameras with higher demand. The Z6ii, 7ii and 50. That's a smarter business move. An A9iii competitor is a very niche machine. Nikon didn't feel such a need with either the 1st or 2nd variants of that camera and I don't think it's existence will draw Z9 sports pros away to Sony. The A9iii's full sensor read is interesting of course and a peek at future tech, but I'm very curious about it's dynamic range when it's tested. There may be some major sacrifice there.

@ChristineKenyon

4 ай бұрын

Totally agree on the cable release! Would have been perfectly on point.

Thanks for covering pixel shift, haven't seen it anywhere else but it looks awesome.

I was on the fence, now I have to add this to my toolbox.

@valeriesorrells

4 ай бұрын

I did, and I love it

Bought this as a Xmas present for myself. I carry and use it almost constantly. Still shoot most of my professional work on D750s (except video - the Zf is my go to video camera now), but just for inspiration, feel and sheer fun, the Zf is easily my favorite camera.

Hey Hudson, I would be curious to know your thoughts on the Techart adapter (TZM-02) we can hear/read a lot about, which enables autofocus on manual M-mount lenses. What about this Voigtländer 50mm f/1.0 M-mount on this adapter to get both the bokeh AND the AF ? Regards from France.

Great video! I actually love that it’s only 24 mp though, no need for more unless someone is shooting landscape.

@HudsonHenryPhoto

4 ай бұрын

And then you have panos or pixel shift.

Love my red Zf and the simplistic shooting it provides with massive modern tech. There are some big niggles for me on the design in the hand. The “grip” needed to be bigger as does the Smallrig add on grip. The Smallrig still feels smallish and it makes reaching the front control dial a little challenging. The shutter button is a little awkward, especially if you have a strap on the camera. And kind of back to the control dials, I wish they were a little larger. I still have a habit of adjusting the exposure compensation thinking I’m touching the rear control dial. Ideally, it would’ve been great if Nikon built this with a factory add on grip that incorporated a shutter button/control dial to make it more modern in the hand grip/control wise, if one wanted. But then, some would just say buy a Z6III, etc.

Started with a D70…but after the D800 I jump to Sony and have been happy..especially with their AF and glass… but this Zf got me to buy Nikon again as a second body. … and I’m still able to to use my Sony glass with AF…given the Aperture ring and size of most my E glass its actually a better fit for this Nikon body than most of the Nikon glass.

Best and most detailed review I've seen yet! Do you think nikon will be adding the eye detection in manual focus for the Z9?

@HudsonHenryPhoto

5 ай бұрын

I hope so!

@gousa2005

5 ай бұрын

Have you used the Zf with any of the older AIS lenses? I'm finding that with those older lenses I don't get the green focus indicator. However, subject detection still works. @@HudsonHenryPhoto

Great information Thanks! This camera is the most compelling reason yet for Nikon to introduce an FTZ adapter with a screw drive for the millions of excellent old D lenses. I just do not understand what is holding Nikon (or some 3rd party) from doing that.

The day after I ordered the Zf I discovered that it doesn’t have what I consider the most important feature for a minimal-custom button body to have - Recall Shooting Functions. I’m spoiled by my Z8 because, similar to my Z6II setup, I have 3D tracking + Subject Detection OFF mapped to Fn2, via RSF, with a single press. Pure and instant tracking without subject detection overriding / grabbing at anything. Very important to have when it’s needed. There is no way to do this in the Zf without a menu dive, or i-Menu / Info screen dive. So - my Zf is still boxed, and I’m contemplating a return and waiting for the Z6III. I love everything else about it. I realize and appreciate it’s not a “built for speed body, it’s quite the opposite in some ways. I can even live with the bleep’in flippy screen 😆 for the reasons you mention. Thanks for this informative vid! 👏🏻

@HudsonHenryPhoto

6 ай бұрын

I was shocked recall shooting functions were in the Z8. That's always been the domain of the dual grip Nikon pro bodies. I think it may just be that it was easier to leave it in the OS than remove it when they ported the Z9 brain into the smaller body. Yep the ZF isn't your camera if you want it for action scenarios where a few presses of the i-menu are too much. The way I map my i-menu I can flip all those settings in a couple of seconds without looking down from the veiwfinder, but it's not a single button. But then that's what my Z9 is for. My Z9 is a precision tool for times when my sole focus is photographing action. It's blazing fast, dead quiet and makes great decisions for me. This ZF camera is a soulful machine that I can carry through my daily life. It brings me joy just to twist it's dials and hear that perfect mechanical shutter's awesome sound. I enjoy it far more than any other Nikon I've shot with. It's like a tesla VS a 911 restomod. Sometimes it's nice to have a clutch and a stick and feel a bit more connected to the machine you're driving. :) I wish my Z9 and Q3 had the "freaking" awesome flippy screen too! 🤣 I absolutely hate the Z8/9 screen. Fragile, nonprotective thing that's useless vertical on a tripod with an L bracket. But then differences of opinion make the world more interesting

@csc-photo

6 ай бұрын

@@HudsonHenryPhoto Very thoughtful / insightful reply, very much appreciated. I think the Zf could be a super companion to my Z8, best of both worlds! 🙂

I'm a sony user who like to use voigtlanders M, some Zeizz zm lenses and of course, old vintages. I would love to buy this camera, it look just beautiful.

Great, informative video, thank you. One thing to add; if you attach the SmallRig grip adapter, it will be very difficult to remove the SD card.

@HudsonHenryPhoto

14 күн бұрын

I don't find that all all personally. I've gotten used to it quite easily. You can also transfer easily via USB if it's an issue. :)

That lens looks beautiful on Zf, also i like flip screen for protection.Grip ruins the look tho..is it more expensive camera if you order in color?

Awsome work you did here, thanks a lot! One important issue I'd have loved you to adress, are "Adapters". Shall we go with FTZ, FTZ II or Techart? Since you mentionned this camera was a dream to shoot with old lenses, this topic is missing somehow. Or maybe you plan a separate video on the adapter topic?

@HudsonHenryPhoto

Ай бұрын

Back when the original Z6 and Z7 launched I raved about how well the FTZ adapters worked. The FTZII is merely that adapter without the needless bulge at the bottom. If it's Nikon glass you're after, the FTZ works great. I use that with my 105 1.4 AFS. That's the only old lens I regularly use and it lives on it. I can't imagine another adatper improving it for Nikon glass.

For me and probably many street shooters, the fact the LCD flips around and can be hidden is a good feature when you want to perhaps be more subtle about your shooting and don't want shots to accidentally come up in Review mode on the LCD. This is one thing I missed about my D5200 (which had an articulating screen) plus it can help protect the screen during traveling/in the bag (not that I've damaged any screen really and I usually put the screen protectors on anyway). And while I know that Nikon wanted to keep this retro, I really would have liked to see an AF joystick on this Fuji has one on their XT30 and higher XT cameras, even though their retro cameras maybe didn't have this). So that's one feature that's missing that I would like to see perhaps in a Zf Mark II. But it wouldn't necessarily be a deal breaker for me personally (as I shot a D750 for years which also didn't have a focus stick--and I've actually find myself using the DPAD to move focus points but have gotten used to the focus stick on the Z cameras over the years to a point where it will be hard -- not impossible -- to switch back, but it does mean that I have to be mindful of which camera I'm using although the DPAD for focusing works on all Nikon cameras). I also wish they perhaps could have made it so that when you are at full-stop shutter speed increments, you could increase or decrease by 1/3 stop using the command dials (but not have to be in the 1/3-step mode). Fuji does this and it's quite helpful if you need to just tweak your exposure slightly. This is something they could offer via firmware update though I think where if you're on a full-stop (say 1/250s) you could use the command dial to move up or down by 1/2 or 1/3 stop. Even though you can get fast UHS-II micro SD cards, the camera is still limited to UHS-I for micro SD, which is about 90 MB/s real world. This is fine if you're doing short bursts or single shots but for more heavy shooting (a lot of burst shooting) it could become a problem. But I'm just glad they gave this camera two memory card slots, even if one is the slower micro SD UHS-I spec, better than just only having one so I'll take it (and IMO with SD cards, I feel that it's more critical to have dual card slots when you ar working with SD cards than with say CFE or XQD as those IMO have proven to be more reliable -- I've lost some images to bad SD carsd, but not yet to any CFE or XQD cards). So the fact they were able to squeeze the micro SD card slot in is a bonus. For me, I would probably just leave it in there as a backup SD card in case the primary SD card for some reason had an issue (corruption, etc). This all being said, I'm going to be picking up a Zf. I bought a Z6 II over Christmas (which I can still return apparently, and am going to). When the Zfc came out, I was tempted, but to be honest, there were little things about it that bothered me. Mostly that I would need a different type of battery, it didn't have IBIS (not a big deal), and that it only had one SD card slot (sort of a big deal for me since I've had issues in the past and lost images). So I held off, but it looks like the Zf may serve two purposes really -- it's an improvement over the Z6 II that will be going back to the store, and it gives me the "retro" look/feel/function that I was seeking out and it also means I don't need to go back to Fuji to get retro styling (not that they are bad cameras, because they aren't, but I'm trying to keep everything within the same system/mount, and the Zf looks like it checks all/most of the checkboxes for me).

Hi Hudson thanks for all your videos. I returned mine for a few reasons. Firstly how ever I tried I couldn't get sharp images with the 40mm f2 lens. Secondly the shutter release button was way to sensitive (took photos rather than focus) no matter how gently I pressed it. Thirdly trying to get the memory cards out. Thanks again and keep up the good work. 👍🏻

@HudsonHenryPhoto

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the kind words. I wasn't a fan of that lens when I tried it either a year or so ago. It's a lower tier Z lens. I sometimes forget that people combine focus with the shutter button. I can't imagine that, first thing I deactivate. I love the cameras shutter and button feel, but I'm a devoted back button focus guy. Hmmm the card is similar to many SD card devices. I haven't had an issue there.

@dieseldavey

5 ай бұрын

@@HudsonHenryPhoto Thanks for the reply. At one stage it wouldn't take the photo all it would do is light up the green focus point. Never mind back to the drawing board. Thanks again for all your work 👍🏻

Haven’t had much time to shoot my ZF. I’m still hoping to get a hold of the oem grip Nikon sells in Japan. I think I’d like it more than the smallrig grip which I do have.

@solusquinto3086

6 ай бұрын

I hope that some manufacturer finds a way to add a thumb rest/bump. A small one would already improve the handling. At the moment it looks like the OEM grip won't be sold outside Japan. We'll see ... I'm also interested in Nikons grip.

@HudsonHenryPhoto

6 ай бұрын

Hmmm, Having looked at the ZF-GR1 they put out in Japan, I certainly like the SmallRig design much better. I really dislike how the GR1 doesn't go all the way to the top of the built in grip and doesn't wrap fully around it for larger hands like mine. Seems abrupt. The SmallRig one feels and looks perfect to me. I wouldn't change a thing except adding a QD port, but then different opinions make the world a more intersting place.

I don't own the ZF camera, just a Z6 ZFC and Z9. when I heard it takes a micro sd card. and I wondered about this. On my Z9, I make up custom memory banks for different styles of shooting, sports, portraits etc. However when I remove that memory card or format it it wipes out the memory bank info. I wonder if this micro sd card can just stay in the camera and I could save my memory banks and it would just stay there.

Looking forward to buy the zf and the 50 mm voightlander. But i am not thrilled with the chromatic abberation. Do you encounter this problem often and did you get ride of this with lightroom or photoshop.

@HudsonHenryPhoto

4 ай бұрын

I don't find it bad at all with no correction.

I would like to see the analysis in photons to photos of this sensor. Especially low light dinámica range above 1600 and how works the touchscreen as a substitute of the joystick. Thanks!

@HudsonHenryPhoto

5 ай бұрын

They likely have it, but since it's the exact same as the z6(ii) I haven't looked. I've been using it since the Z6 launched 5 years ago. 800 iso is the low light noise base and it's shockingly good up to about 20,000 iso if well exposed, particularly in conjunction with lightroom denoise.

@fgimenezc

5 ай бұрын

@@HudsonHenryPhoto Thank you!

Hi, i like your video, i’m remember 1985 my fm2 with md 12 vertical grips, why not think a make a md-12 vertical grips for Nikon Zf, thanks

Another excellent review, Hudson! Thank you! As a Nikon Z8 and Z7 landscape, product, macro, and sometimes wildlife photographer, I do enjoy the image quality I get from the Z System, and some fine NIkkor S lenses. Since you mention you also shoot Leica, as I'm somewhat of a sharpness/detail fanatic, I was wondering if you can see any difference in sharpness and/or detail rendition between your Nikkor optics and the Leica or Voightlander optics, and if so, at what print size? (I realize that one probably can't see a difference in a compressed KZread video image.) Thanks again sir!

@HudsonHenryPhoto

3 ай бұрын

I love the image quality from my Leica Q3, but I would say that a number of my S lenses might qualify as clinically sharper. The 105 2.8 S macro, the 14-24 S, the 70-200 S the new 400 TC S are all in a class of thier own. The Leica Q's 28mm, the Voigtlander 50 1.0 and the 400 TC nikkor have a special character that's hard to put your finger on thoguh. I'm sure the 50 1.8 S Nikkor is sharper than the Voightlander 50 1.0 at 1.8, but it's just not as special. The way it renders, color, contrast and out of focus details... The old Nikkor 105 1.4 is one of those lenses too...

@stevetqp9152

3 ай бұрын

Wow, Hudson! Very interesting information indeed! Though I do think my Nikkor S 50 f/1.8 is a very sharp lens, I still am pleasantly surprised that you feel it’s sharper than the Voigtlander 50 lens at 1.8. I’m in the market for a smaller “travel kit” than my Z8, and am considering the Nikon Z8 or Leica Q2, but didn’t want to sacrifice image quality from my Z8 and Nikkor lenses. Thanks again sir!

Well said, this is not a camera body for everyone. Those of us that want a FF retro style body had to wait for years. (love my Fuji X-Pro2 but I want full fame) If you are after a PASM type body there are many from all the big brands.

Hi Hudson - question: When you shoot in RAW and in B&W - you are saying that the ZF files retain the B&W (are displayed in B&W)) when you bring them into Lightroom? Is there some kind of setting for this? This is not the case with any of my other Nikon cameras - not with the Z6II or Z8 - does this camera work differently with LR? -PD

@HudsonHenryPhoto

6 ай бұрын

100% those cameras can do that too. Lightroom preferences -> Presets Tab -> Raw Defaults -> Global -> Camera profiles (instead of Adobe Default) Now BAM--all your Nikon NEFs will come in with the cameras' Picture Control profiles instead of over-riding with Adobe's default profile (which is color).

@photographydiscourse1185

6 ай бұрын

@@HudsonHenryPhoto Thank you Hudson - can't believe I never knew that 😂

Do you use the Voigtländer 50mm 1.0 in Z mount? The the squre will turn green and it will show you the aperture correctly but with the VM Variant adapted vie adapter or the old NiKKOR 105 it wont´t?

@HudsonHenryPhoto

5 ай бұрын

The 50 1.0 nocton. Designed for Z. All the new Voigtlander Z lenses interface spectacularly. However, even my old ais 105 2.5 on the ftz gives eye detection and green confirmation. You have to activate that. I show that in my setup guide. The real cheater though is programming the OK button to punch into 100 percent when perfecting focus. That with subject detection and tracking is nuts.

Great camera to be sure, but for me I'm one of those waiting for the Z6 iii or Z7 iii. Just not into retro. But a question to you...Q3 or Zf, understanding the Q3 has much more pixels, yet seems like they are competing with each other?

@HudsonHenryPhoto

6 ай бұрын

Oh no, they're very complimentary. The Q3 is the finest 28mm you could imagine keyed to an incredible dedicated camera. Given it's insane 60MP sensor, there are many times where that's all I need. The ZF is often my 50 or 105mm compliment, at other times it's my 14-24, 24-120 or 100-400 compliment. No mistake though. If the Q3 could power my other lenses, the ZF would spend a lot of time looking pretty on the shelf. Most of the time in Scotland I had both the Q3 and the ZF with the 24-120 or 50 1.0 slung on each side. Hella combo. In Cuba I did the same thing with the z6ii and Q2. The ZF & Q3 are an even better combo.

@carljarvinen1189

6 ай бұрын

Thanks for the in-depth reply…looking forward to next year’s workshops….

24:36 purrfect shot !

What is that lens at the beginning of the clip? It fits this camera perfectly

@HudsonHenryPhoto

4 ай бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/m2qfsqiJl7jXfbQ.htmlsi=K2sgbtoeLyb96uMZ&t=2338

I live in Seattle... Do you? Do you do any classes or meet up groups in the area? Great video BTW

@HudsonHenryPhoto

4 ай бұрын

Thanks so much. www.hudsonhenry.com/workshops. :)

Hudson, do you know of a camera store has the 50mm F1.0 lens in stock?

@HudsonHenryPhoto

Ай бұрын

I doubt B&H will take too long to fullfill. They are the 800-pound gorilla and push pretty hard on manufacturers to fill thier demands.

AND, the big flaw, is that the settings are saved to slot 1 in both the Z9 and the Zf (I do not have a Z8!) The settings should be saved in camera --- this would mimic a U1 option -- and choice of slot. Slot 2 would be ideal! Hello???

@HudsonHenryPhoto

5 ай бұрын

Just pull the card in slot one and save settings. It will save to slot 2 if one is empty in all the dual card bodies. I always recommend having them on both.

Your videos are always super informative. Thanks. One question: do you know a way to one-press the camera out of single or continuous mode AF? In other words, program one button to like continuous AF 3D and another button to single AF small area? I’ve tried setting the back button to 3D and leaving the shutter to both af and shutter so I can set the focus mode to small area. Works ok but I’d love to have the shutter set to focus recompose, and the back button to 3D continuous for sudden action. I think you have a solution like this in your Z8 video. Wondering if Zf has anything similar. Thanks again for great content. I had the Voigtlander f1 for M and sold it. You are making me want to repurchase it for Z mount.

@HudsonHenryPhoto

Ай бұрын

No, as you know you can do AF-On + area mode. I do that with 3d on the ln2 button for rare instances I shoot action with a long lens on the ZF. I flip the back button to wide area for that to make picking up the subject easier and more controlled. I'd almost never chose to combine focus with my shutter control, but we all work differently. Without recall shooting functions hold (Z8/Z9 only) there's no way to switch afc to afs on a button. That said the i-menu can be very fast and easy without even looking out of the viewfinder. If I'm planning for complex action shoots, the Z9 is my tool. The ZF is for slower, more contemplative work for me. I honestly rarely shoot autofocus with it. ;)

@Jack-qn6vy

Ай бұрын

@@HudsonHenryPhoto I am mostly an M shooter and the Zf is my only non-rangefinder mirrorless. The autofocus is so good that I’ve become addicted and have started to really enjoy wildlife and bird photography (masochistic on an M). It’s only a matter of time before I get a Z8, lol. Finding a good AF solution with the Zf will help delay that purchase a little bit longer. I think with the shutter separate from AF I can get closest to what I am looking for: the front button on a small area, the back button on 3D. Then, either hold the button down until pressing shutter or releasing after it achieves focus, for a focus and recompose.

@HudsonHenryPhoto

Ай бұрын

Give this a try... Wide area large or small on the back button as your base AF mode. Then program your lens function button buttons to AF-On + 3d. You choose a subject or aquire a fast moving subject with the back button and hand it off to framewide 3D tracking by laying on the lens function button. If there is an error with the auto subject detection, change up the base mode to dynamic area small which has no subject detection, but still hands off motion to surrounding points. You can still hand that off to 3D by pressing and holding the lens function button. ;) That's an amazing action setup.

@Jack-qn6vy

Ай бұрын

@@HudsonHenryPhoto [Sound of finger moving away from the “buy” button on a Z8, lol]. I will try this on the 100-400, thanks! Every time I fiddle with the setup it is more muscle memory to reprogram, but I’ll “know” when I get it right for my style.

@Jack-qn6vy

11 күн бұрын

I wanted to circle back here a month later to let you know what I’ve been trying. I have the back button set as you recommended, wide area large, or sometimes even all area. Then I have the front button set to 3D Tracking (It doesn’t focus when I set it for some reason, it just gives me the box and I still have to press the back button to actually focus, maybe there is a way to change this so it automatically focuses when i press it?) - this give me a way to try to let the Zf’s amazing autofocus do its thing, but when something is not quite right, like trying to focus on a bird that is beyond a bunch of nearby trees and leaves, I can hit the front button with my pinky and either focus and re-frame, and shoot. I have been reluctant to set a lens button because I am a creature of habit and I know I have some lenses that may not have programmable buttons. But I do think there is a way to bring the buttons from the 100-400 into play, especially because the lens is resting on my hand already. Anyway, thanks for the help! Sincerely, Still Trying Not to Buy a Z8 but failing slowly. Nikon is back, baby.

On the Z9 when you make an exposure you get a frame(?) that indicates an exposure has been made without blacking out the screen. Can you do that with the Zf?

@HudsonHenryPhoto

2 ай бұрын

You can in silent mode almost. There's a little lag, but it's more like a dslr than the original z6/7 cameras. It's not bad at all. That unreal old school mechanical shutter sounds so good though. They got that perfect.

I’ve most always had high mp cameras and I shoot high ISO live music. I am want a 24mp Nikon sensor. They have been beautiful and I want that low light easy carry retro camera. I want to shoot manual glass in low light. I love the Nikon d-pad . I want that

I don't have an issue with the micro SD card, in fact, it's a really cool solution. I do, however, think it should have been compatible with UHS-ii micro cards. That seems like it should have been a no-brainer.

Can you use exposure compensation with Auto ISO in manual mode?

@HudsonHenryPhoto

3 ай бұрын

absolutely, but it's annoying how it works. It reduces the exposure using ISO. test it and watch, but it gives no indication on the exposure gauge that you're leaving the meter reading. In PAS that's not true. Only M. So, yes, but be careful and look at the dial.

I have been dealing with menu driven software and controls for a long time, since the 80.s. Control wheels and dials are not just for looks some people relate better to them as a great deal of your brain is given over to the use of your hands. The menu system is there if you can't give up the cell phone experience making the whole argument silly. My ZF is in mail and I cant wait. Could it be that having the aperture. shutter speed and iso right there in front of you puts you in control before the camera even comes up to your eye with out having to wade through a bunch of nested menus? This Nikon is just not a blast from the past but maybe a return to a smoother way of doing it and smoother is faster.

Thanks! how does the 50 1.0 compare to the NIkon Z 50/f1.2 in terms of rendering?

@HudsonHenryPhoto

6 ай бұрын

I've shot with the 1.2 a few times. It's sharp as hell with nice focus fall off. It's clinically unbeatable, while the Voigtländer has a unique style and character that I personally love more. It vignettes and loses a wee bit of sharpness at f1, but I love the look it creates. The 50 1.2 has AF too, but it's a big beast that can be intimidating to non model subjects. In any computer sharpness analysis, I'm sure the S lens would win between F1.2 and 2.0, but I love the rendering of the Voigtländer Nocton more and it doesn't make people look worried when you point it at them. ;)

@Ad-eq3cu

6 ай бұрын

@@HudsonHenryPhoto haha! True, the Voigtlander will be less intimidating. Thanks for your reply. I bought the Zf but I find the (included) grip a bit small but I will persist and lets see if I will adapt to the ergonomics of it.

@HudsonHenryPhoto

6 ай бұрын

I really can't imagine using it without the Smallrig grip.

Thanks for some great videos on the Zf. What adapter brand do you use for the Nikkor 105 f2.5 AI to Z-mount

@HudsonHenryPhoto

6 ай бұрын

Nikon's FTZii. It's linked with all my other gear at www.hudsonhenry.com/atslinks

I want to want the Zf, but I don’t think the right lens for it exists just yet (for me.) I love the Voigtlander 40mm f/2 Ultron on F-mount and really hope that they do a native Z-mount version that’s comparable in size as the Nikon 40mm Z lens. I’ll be ordering one immediately if that happens…

@EvilTeddie23

5 ай бұрын

They make a 35mm F2 APO that according to a Leica expert users in "indistinguishable from the new Leica Summicron 35mm F2 APO". That lens costs $8000!

@lameaim

5 ай бұрын

@@EvilTeddie23 yes, I’ve seen that lens and it is bigger than the 40mm f1.2, unfortunately. My interest in the Zf is almost exclusively tied to whether I can get a small, native Z-moment lens that is also manual focus only.

which Nikon cameras are compatible with the Nikon Bluetooth Camera Remote Control, Black (ML-L7)

@HudsonHenryPhoto

4 ай бұрын

I don't know of any besides the ZF

I bought the same soft shutter release buttons before my zf even arrived lol

Can you give me the name of the filters you are using with the Zf

@HudsonHenryPhoto

3 ай бұрын

www.hudsonhenry.com/kase

If you set auto ISO, you can adjust the upper limit with the ISO dial. It is genius!

@HudsonHenryPhoto

6 ай бұрын

Lower limit, but yep. Totally

@mynameisben123

6 ай бұрын

@@HudsonHenryPhotohmm why would you want a lower limit over an upper limit?

I have a few of the Voigtlander lenses and they're the perfect compliment to this camera. The complaint about the grip is always super weird to me. If I handed someone an FM2 with a 300 mm f 4.5, they're rave about what a great camera it is. If I put the same lens on a Zf they'd be like "OMG, where's the grip? How do I even hold this?" Something about replacing the film with a digital sensor in a camera that's otherwise almost identical just completely rearranges people's brains. It's a retro camera. If you put a big grip on it, it's no longer retro. The feel of handling it, even if it's less ergonomic than a modern camera, IS LITERALLY THE ENTIRE POINT of this camera existing. I personally wish Nikon had omitted the grip altogether like they did with the Zfc... but at least they let it be an aftermarket add-on instead of building it into the body.

I have 2 D750, should I update to Zf?

@HudsonHenryPhoto

6 ай бұрын

I think you should likely get a Z8. It'll blow your mind. :)

I'd be worried if I were fujifilm. They've pretty much had the market for affordable cameras with a retro aesthetic to themselves up until now.

How can we do a 2or 3 min shutter with the zf

@HudsonHenryPhoto

6 ай бұрын

Watch my setup video and activate extended shutter speeds. Disabled by default it opens up in camera exposures to 900 seconds.

Thanks so much for this. Im new to your channel and absolutely love it! I have the ZF (coming from z6ii) and its such a beautiful camera. I am contemplating pulling the trigger on the voigtlander 50mm 1.0 as it just seems so incredible. I was wondering how you find it in daylight at 1.0 with shutter speed max of 8000? I guess the exposure compensation dial is our friend there. Have you tried to 50mm 2.0 from voigtlander..im thinking as a step into those lenses might be better for me (price wise)..anyway thanks again your videos are so helpful

@HudsonHenryPhoto

5 ай бұрын

The 40 1.2 is quite nice. :) I at times add a Kase magnetic 3 stop ND filter or polarizer out front to cut the light a bit. I use an 82mm with a 62-82 step up magnetic ring. Www.hudsonhenry.com/kase

I put a fast 512gb microsd into the body and leave it there as built in back up dive…. So much better than having nothing.

@HudsonHenryPhoto

4 ай бұрын

Yep, I love the 1TB Lexar for video. It handles the highest quality video this camera shoots, which is fine enough for me. It's also a huge overflow slot too as you mention. I dig it as well.

I bought the Zf, like the camera but there is a serious omission. I shoot a lot of Aurora pics, and use LRTimelapse to convert the top series to timelapse. I liked the low light sensitivity of the Z6 and the Zf should be even better. On my Z6 and Z8 I use the pro intervalometer to control the camera. I was really surprised to find that there is no port for connecting the intervalometer. I think this is a real error by Nikon.

@HudsonHenryPhoto

2 ай бұрын

I used to use external intervalometers too, but the built in combined with QDSLR bits wifi is so much better for advanced Timelapse in my opinion. I've not used an external in years.

if you look at the used market there is a 60mp sony vs this for the same price, so yea agree on resolution, not like I need it but would be nice

@HudsonHenryPhoto

11 күн бұрын

The A7RIV is a nice camera. It's a generation old in handling, features, menus and user experience, but a solid machine. The V really smoothed out a lot of it's rough edges. Sony doesn't do much with firmware for prior models in comparison to nikon. Also that cameras image quality suffers a lot at higher iso. They improved that with the V too some. The only really high MP camera I've used with stellar high iso performance is my Q3. It's astounding. This Zf is a very different camera. It's a slower more deliberate camera for those who love manual dials, yet you can still set it for command wheel control when needed. They put their best performing low light sensor out there in it paired with insane 8 stop IBIS, making it very handholdable. I've handheld waterfalls at 1/2s with it at 70mm, and I set my auto ISO limit to 20,000! It's a beautiful retro machine with very cutting edge features. It's not a high megapixel machine, but then we have super resolution in Lightroom classic now. A sharp file from this can easily bloom to 96MP with a couple of clicks. It's a crazy world.

@Moonrakerd

11 күн бұрын

@@HudsonHenryPhoto would be interesting to test out the low iso performance, but looking at dpreview comparison scene its cleaner then panasonics s5s and thats quite amazing as for a long time you would have something like canon 6d mk1 and a lot of expensive cams that are worse in low light

@HudsonHenryPhoto

11 күн бұрын

I've long preferred Panasonic's video output to thier stills processing, but I frequently remind folks, all the brands are doing amazing products now. All of them. You can't go wrong, but choose carefully. It's an entire ecosystem. I choose Nikon primarily the for lens quality, reverse compatibility commitment (you can slap 50 year old Nikkor lenses on the ftz) , unreal firmware support and ergonomics I love and have grown used to over decades. :)

@Moonrakerd

11 күн бұрын

@@HudsonHenryPhoto I just have stupid amount of cams of all possible brands, just very rarely I buy something that is new and current, what would be interesting to know is how other adapters work through a sony adapter, like mounting la-ea5 and putting a minolta screw lens to make it proper mad :D

Really hard to be a Sony user and in less than a week be seriously considering a Z9 and ZF at the same time.....

Is the body covered in real leather? Or is it 'faux' leather, other word for plastic and/or synthetic rubber....?

@HudsonHenryPhoto

6 ай бұрын

Thankfully no! Similar to the leatherette of the legendary fm cameras of old, it's a synthetic that's far more durable, weather proof and stain resistant. Seems nearly identical to what was on my fm3a and fe2 bodies.

Nikon made a fujifilm camera... It's been a few years since the government of Japan asked fujifilm to save Nikon. Is this one of the results?

@HudsonHenryPhoto

15 күн бұрын

Certainly not. This is a preview of what will soon come technology wise in the Nikon Z6iii but packaged in a retro camera that is SO NIKON looking to those of us who shot thier manual film cameras of 2 decades ago and before. Look at an FM2 Nikon camera from the 80s and then look at this... Fuji has been making cameras that look like old Nikons as thier bread and butter in the modern digital age. Nikon only occasionally does that. look at the Nikon Df from 2013 for example, but never before in the digital age have they done it as well as this example. I'll be keeping this Zf for the long haul. It's a joy to use.

The real nikon retro is...nikon zf silver version ! :)

@HudsonHenryPhoto

6 ай бұрын

Ha. I had the silver Fm3a and always coveted the black version. I love when the black brasses out.

@Cleverconveyence

6 ай бұрын

There is never going to be a nikon ZF silver version frame this post

what you are saying this is not plastic like zfc ? :D or DF for that matter

@HudsonHenryPhoto

10 күн бұрын

That's one thing I'm saying yes. It's like the old F2 tanks of old feeling.

I just found out that back button focus is shite on the ZF for lefties, unless you like your right thumb shoved into your face :(

@HudsonHenryPhoto

5 ай бұрын

Yep, true of many bodies. They definitely design for the right eye dominant. I switch to avoid eyestrain and it's always a bit if an issue, a touch worse on the ZF, but not unworkable for me. Same goes for running the focus point around using the touch screen while in viewfinder.

@EvilTeddie23

5 ай бұрын

@@HudsonHenryPhoto Well, I guess they were trying to model it on the FM2 film body. I have one of those and an FM3A and the thing won't meter or shoot without the film winder cocked open, which sticks in your face if you are a leftie :)

Partially disagree with the aftermarket battery statement. I have 2 aftermarket batteries from miady brand, 2 Nikon batteries, 1 came with my D850, and 1 came with Zf. They all work on my Zf. I think you may want to put it this way, in body charging over USB-C is only supported on native batteries at the moment.

@HudsonHenryPhoto

6 ай бұрын

All of my aftermarket batteries were bricked. BRICKED That includes batteries that worked great in the Z6ii & 7ii. I've heard from dozens of others with exactly the same story. You got lucky with that brand. :)

@What_Other_Hobbies

6 ай бұрын

@@HudsonHenryPhoto 😧😧

Love your reviews. Succinct, to the point and from a real photographer, not a glorified self-promoting "influencer". Are you of Scottish Heritage by any chance? I distinctly heard you utter the words "little bugger" in one of your videos, which gives it away :)

@HudsonHenryPhoto

5 ай бұрын

Ha! Thanks so much. Yeah, my grandma was a Campbell and the ancestry on that side goes back to the Isle of Skye. :)

@EvilTeddie23

5 ай бұрын

@@HudsonHenryPhoto My favorite place in the world. I had friends living on Skye when I lived in Inverness in 1988 and I'd hitch hike over there every chance I got.

@EvilTeddie23

5 ай бұрын

@@HudsonHenryPhoto BTW, I got the Voigtlander 35mm F2 APO for $750 on sale @ Camera Quest. Ashwin from the Leica review says it is as good as the $8000 Leica 35mm F2 APO. Having owned the Leica M 50mm F2 APO 10 years ago, that's quite a testament. I'll let you know what I think of it on my trip to Japan and Okinawa over the holidays.

Nikon is a little crazy with their menu's

I wish the build quality was a little better, it certainly doesn’t feel anywhere as well made as my Z7 or Z9 The door to the battery compartment it feels very cheaply made and could easily break

@HudsonHenryPhoto

4 ай бұрын

Hmmm. It's door's smooth to match the old base plate asthetic, but it feels better made and far easier to operate than the card door in my Z9. That's the first door on a nikon to bother me personally. ;) I've been banging around from the cascades to Australia and the Scottish highlands with the ZF on one hip and the Q3 on the other through rain and snow at times. I'm hard on gear and it's sure been proving nikon though for me.

Oh no...another Nikon I have to buy.

Please let me know your lens in this video 😊

@HudsonHenryPhoto

5 ай бұрын

I've been just loving the 24 1.7 DX on the Z30 for my ATS studio vidoes. It's a 36mm full frame coveage. Fabulous little lens.

I can't imagine a camera without user banks. Shooting weddings/events, having a user setting for indoor with flash at specified ISO and other settings, plus an outdoor setting so when you step out of a church into bright sunlight you can switch to c2 or whatever and keep shooting. Chintzing on the 2nd card slot is also an unpleasant surprise. Nice camera otherwise

@HudsonHenryPhoto

Ай бұрын

It's not the camera for a professional wedding photographer. Either a Z6ii or Z8 would be a far better tool for that type of work. It's a camera for those of us who fondly remember our old FM cameras and love to work with manual focus lenses. It's the best camera ever for manually focusing a lens like the Voiglander 50 1.0. The manual foucs subject detection that lets you zoom instantly to the detected eye at 100% is insane and unique in the industry to this point. It's a camera to work slowly with in a different kind of way. If i'm after sports, action or event work... It's not the right body. That said, I totally agree that all the Nikon's should have user modes. If I could get them to listen to me, we'd have user profiles, lets say 6 of them that cover every single menu item in the camera (inlcuding drive mode for goodness sake). When you set them they lock in internal memory. When they use them they remeber changes you make like a bank would until you reselect them or leave them at which point they revert to the original set point. They could be backed up in internal camera memory and exported or imported via the memory card. You could select them in the I-menu or program function buttons to instantly activate different ones. This is the way the Leica Q cameras work and Nikon could take a lesson and bring that all in via firmware updates if they wanted.

@jjaylad

Ай бұрын

Really unfortunate that Nikon would introduce something this good and leave out critical features like that. They always do that. Sony does too. It's always something left out so those that just bought a more expensive unit don't get really ticked off. Like we all have the money to indulge this itch and also still afford real working gear. Nuts.

@HudsonHenryPhoto

Ай бұрын

@@jjaylad this simply is a different camera. It's designed for those of us with fond memories of our old manual film cameras who still have old manual focus lenses, young people who dig the retro look and shooters who value manual controls over speed. I don't think they intend event photogragers to get it. The Z6ii or z8 are far better suited and whatever replaces the 6ii will be nuts. Nikon actually has proven not to do what you accuse them of. They've brought the Z8 up to Z9 level power with bird detection, auto capture and more via firmware and consistently added modern functionality across the range of cameras. This camera they clearly view as a retro, manual control focused machine less focused on working professionals than the rest of the Z line. I'm rather more shocked at the tech they packed into it, than the controls they left off.

I don't understand how 24 megapixel is controversial. It might be the best at resoluton vs low light etc.

@HudsonHenryPhoto

6 ай бұрын

We said that about 12mp too in the D700 days. Time marches on and this sensor dates to the original Z6 launch. It's great, but far from cutting edge. Leica's new 60MP Q3 / M11 sensor is better in low light than the 46MP sensor in the Q2... Have no doubt, when the next gen of Nikon's sensors launch, they'll do just as well or better in low light at higher resolution.

I find that it's form over function. Indeed the U1/U2/U3 are critical for in the field work to quickly change for new situations. Example: Came home from shooting varsity sports, finding my grumpy grand-daughter visiting our home with a big smile and giggling for a change. Impossible to grab that shot, tried but failed with the sports setting. By the time I changed to portrait, the grump was back. Just annoying and frustrating. Where are the U1/U2 or C1,C2 like in Canon R6MkII or all Olympus gear. Zf and Z9 is Work and Fiddling, need to concentrate on handling, Canon and OM is fun, can concentrate on composition once C1/C2/C3 ... etc is set. I do find the Zf focus tracking & [3D] MUCH better and MORE ACCURATE than the Z9! The front dial access is impeded by the SmallRig handle, reachable, but annoying. Yes, that playback button location reflects some deeper flaws. Brassing? Tine will tell!

@HudsonHenryPhoto

4 ай бұрын

So much comes down to personal preference. I vastly prefer the Z8/Z9 bank systems to the User modes because I find the user modes fatally flawed by always reverting exposure settings each time you turn the power off to save battery. None of nikon's user prefernces are really dailed in. They need to look to Leica in my opinion. The Q cameras have 6 user profiles that store every single setting in the camera internally. They adapt as you change settings for the given shoot and only revert to the saved profile settings if you reslect the profile from the i-Menu equivalent. You can export and import those settings to the memory card. Perfect.

finally a non political review thank the lord

Funny, the real advantage of original batteriers is compatibilitty to new products, it is predivcable and the system of chiping in origo batteries is the real reason ewhy they are two times more expensive. Voalaaa, if you buy new camera, origo batteries working well... so, the main disadvantege of non origo batteries is a ZERO compatibility. You said like a rant for Nikon? Nikon does not care ybout third parties equipment, and it is correct, becouse, the equipment is the part of trade politics of every brand, thats why they can produse, for exapmpl,e these perfect cameras you are reviewing. All brand do so, Sony, Panasonic, Leica, Canon.... only Nikon is bleme for it, silly. Anyway, thanks for great review!

@HudsonHenryPhoto

5 ай бұрын

I don't think I EVER said Nikon is alone in doing it... Hmmm. I do think it's a useless, wasteful practice. It generally takes a couple of weeks for the aftermarket brands to have new compatible versions shipping overnight with Amazon at 25% of original battery costs. Seems a waste of everyone's time and energy, plus a huge waste of energy and raw materials. A comment aimed at the industry in general. If the brands don't want competition from aftermarket battery suppliers, perhaps pricing thier batteries reasonably would be a great place to start. ;-)

To me, your Scotland photos all look soft, not one to me looks pin sharp

@HudsonHenryPhoto

12 күн бұрын

You need to switch your KZread playback to 4k! That or you need a new monitor. 🤣🤣