The Nikon Zf….a review
I thought it was about time I did a gear review and what better way to begin than with my very own camera, the Nikon Zf. But before that I have some exciting news! I found out yesterday that I have been once again shortlisted in this years British Photography Awards, landscape category. This competition has always been close to my heart as I love the ethos of it. No big prizes, just a trophy for the winners of each category and some media coverage. When you enter you decide which of a myriad of charities you would like your entrance fees to go to and they receive ALL of it. Simples! The competition has grown in stature since 2016 and is now one of the biggest in the UK to enter. Last years landscape category was contested with over 9000 entries so I was stoked to get selected in the final 25 images and I have somehow managed to repeat that this year! So thanks to whoever shortlisted me, it means so much to get some acknowledgement of my work in such a prestigous comeptition. Below is the shortlisted image entitled “Where pixies dwell”
Where pixies dwell.
If you would like to vote for my image in the Peoples Choice award then please click on the link at the bottom of the blog! Thanks.
Anyway lets get back on track here! The Nikon Zf. A retro looking mirrorless camera inspired by the FM2. Here are the need to know specs
24MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor
In-body image stabilization rated up to 8EV
Dedicated Monochrome mode
Up to 14fps continuous shooting (JPEG), 11 fps Raw
'C30' JPEG-only 30fps mode with pre-burst function
AF system with tracking and recognition of 9 subject types
4K/30 video from 6K capture, 4K/60 with crop, 10-bit N-Log recording
32-shot high-res mode to give 96MP images
SD and MicroSD card slots
I will ignore the video bit as I never shoot video with my camera and will for the purposes of this review focus purely on just the photo side. Also note that I won’t be throwing any more specs at you!
First thing I want to say is the build quality of this camera is exceptional. In the hand it feels really solid and well built, almost tank like. The dials on the top of the camera are all brass and over time as it develops wear and patina this brass will show through. A magnesium alloy body adds to the feel of a well constructed and sturdy body. Everything just seems good to touch and no flimsiness. The first big fault though is the lack of a grip. I understand the design philosophy of keeping it retro but this thing in my larger than mosts hands is hard to hold onto. I purchased the smallrig grip when I bought the camera and it does mitigate the problem somewhat but this creates another issue in that I cant use my favoured L plate with the Smallrig grip attached as it is forever working its way loose! It means I have to use the tripod head to rotate the camera 90 degrees for portrait shots which is okay but not the same ease of setup as an L plate.
The dials themselves are nice and clicky and are a joy to use. I do find myself using the left hand ISO dial a LOT but less so the exposure one as I tend to use the command dial on the back of the camera for that and the front dial for aperture, similar to my set up on the Z6. A lack of a joystick button initially was slightly annoying but after a few uses I have adapted to using the 4 way controller surrounding the OK button and it funtions just fine.
Zf with the Viltrox 16mm attached.
The flip out screen has taken some getting used to and as a photographer find it less useful than a videographer might. However the screen is bright and easy to see in all but the harshest of lighting and renders the images well, giving you a good idea of what you are actually photographing!
My next gripe about this camera is the painfuly hard to access SD card slots. Housed in the battery compartment they are very fiddly to remove the SD card and even more so the Micro SD. I find myself having to remove the battery first to get better access to the cards. Not the best but the fact you have two slots is a mitigating factor.
So how does it handle out in the wilds? Well I have had this camera for a few months so far and I have to say, despite a few gripes it has performed faultlessly. It handles rain well which is a relief as Nikon are very coy about its weather sealing! I have not quite had it in a deluge yet but in very damp misty woodlands its done just fine. Its a solid camera weight wise especially with the additional grip attached but it doesnt tire my hands out lugging it about.
Focussing in low light is phenomally good, especially as I was stepping up from the Z6 which had a very middling AF system (and that is being generous!). Its quick to snap to focus in low light woods and forests and has a clever trick for night photography with a starlight mode that allows you to pick out subjects in all but pitch black conditions. The EVF, although not as good as say the Z8 is still a good step up from the Z6 or Z6ii. and the 0.8x magnification aids those with slightly poorer eyesight like mine!
The biggest positiive for me though are the files themselves. There is just something about the Raw files from this camera that are exceptional. Really easy to work on in LR and PS and there is a quality about them that defies their file size. Its difficult to put my finger on what exactly it is but there is just something “special” about it. This may have something to do with the Expeed 7 processor that is housed within this great camera, and yes I do think its a great, if flawed camera!
Final thoughts? I would recommend this camera to anyone who likes their cameras to look beautiful, have a bit of a personality and love the look of an old retro SLR. There is something engaging about the Zf that makes me want to pick it up and shoot with it. Its looks, the feel of it in the hand, the tactile dials. You find yourself far more connected with your craft when using a camera like this. It becomes an experience, joyful and interesting, something that I find lacking in the little black boxes that most camera manufacuters are churning out nowadays. Fujifilm latched onto this and is part of the reason why they are so popular today. Nikon saw that and have come out, finally with a camera that evokes a very similar feeling. It makes me want to be a photographer and that can only be a good thing!
Thanks for reading, I hope this helps. Toodles.
Here is the link to vote for my image. Thank you!