I’ll talk about the new Nikon Zf, the Nikon Autofocus System, the Expeed 7 Processor, and my thoughts on the future of Nikon mirrorless Z system cameras. Spoiler alert, I’m excited!
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32 Comments
FF = Nice , Expeed 7 Auto Focusing = Double Nice but Why only 24 M pixels >> Deal Breaker for me I need to be able to go DX when I want/Need to >> Biggest deal breaker however is SD cards >> I have never owneda Nikon SD Card Camera >> I only have expensive XQD and CF Express Cards >> Not going backwards now >> guess my last ever camera ever will be Z7 III when its announced >> but well done Nikon >> hitting it out the Park with Lovely Low End 180-600 (I m getting the 400 f4.5 though plus the 2 Convertors togo with my 70-200 S
This one would look soooo good next to my Nikomat FTN and EL bodies. It's the first camera in years that I wanted to buy the moment I saw it. Just wish the current economy would allow it. 😅
It’s going to lay the ground work for future Z caneras now as you know I mentioned. Bring on that D500 mirrorless.
I’m waiting for a FF rangefinder style from Lumix. I didn’t mind the top dials but I too found myself not using them as much.
Completely agree. Better than my Zfc, but at 3 times the price and two years younger that is no surprise. I don't want a bigger, heavier better Zfc I want a D500 replacement without having to drop 4K!
I agree with your assessment. I'm excited they have brought down the Expeed 7 & autofocus. I'm hoping they will release the Nikon Z6iii/7iii with this soon! I'm always surprised at Nikon sometimes. I just don't see the market for these retro style cameras.
One of the reasons I bought the Fuji X-S20 was that large grip on a small camera. I like video too so I’m fine with the PASM which is more handy for custom settings. Those retro cameras are nice looking though
I use my camera for entire days, and as long as i can buy retro style, i will always choose one over the awful modern styles they make today.
Great points on the new Nikon Phil. I saw that the shutter dial has a 1/3 step setting. I wonder if that would allow setting the shutter speeds between say, 1000 and 2000. Anyway I agree with you. It’s a beautiful retro camera and looks a lot like my FM2, but I would say using all the top dials for setting exposure would be much slower than the different dials I’m used to. Still a beautiful camera though.
As some others have said, this is probably a technology testbed with things like the improved IBIS and pixel shift. I'm equally excited that all that will come to what will probably be the Z6 III and Z7 III. I can't imagine that the Z6 II will get many sales right now. So I would expect a successor before long. The Z7 II still has a resolution advantage at a competitive price point, so its sales will probably not be as affected. But I would expect both to be replaced, hopefully sometime early next year. And yes, they could also do with more variation in the APS-C line.
💯% Phil👍
I really like the old school styling of the Zf and Fuji models. The lack of grip seems like it would add to the vintage feel. I was pleasantly surprised when I first saw Nikon release this, even though it's not something I would ever buy.
I was going to try to make a comment about Olympus changing dials on an EM 5 or 10 to complete the look. It occurred to me stickers or 3D printed dial caps on a used body would be cheaper😂
Enjoyed hearing your thoughts👍
Thanks so much for sharing another wonderful video like always Phil 👍🤗
Hi Phil. That Smallrig Zfc grip ypu held up. Has the grip one one end and the L shape bracket on the other end. I cant find these listed anywhere. Only Grip and base plate.
This ZF makes everyone happy.😊
G’Day Phil
I've been waiting for a flagship mirrorless DX, too, but doesn't the Zf make this less likely? A DX flagship would have about the same price as the Zf, which seems like bad market segmentation to me. Maybe it's finally time for stubborn D500/Z50 users like me to jump ship, unless NIkon sees comments like this and allays our fears with press leaks.
I get that some photographers love these retro style bodies but l think Nikon should have looked after the more serious photographer who buys in that price range, Z6iii for example.
Great content as usual!
Well done ! I couldn't agree more. Love your honesty and command of the subject, when it comes to evaluating gear.
You are right about the grip but I think that Smallrig has solved the problem. The shutter speed dial is something I haven't used either. The other big con on the zfc and the zf is it's size. If you put a big lens on them, they get lost and look ridiculous! I wish Nikon would make smaller lenses in size. They would look amazing not only on the zfc and zf but on all their cameras. Nikon is pairing the zf with "the brick" the 24-70 f4. It looks horrible and feels like your doing weight lifting!
Your comments are very thoughtful. Not a fanboy, not a basher! Your outlook resonates with me because I too have been an APS-C shooter for some years (D7500), in multiple genres. I'm subscribing and I'm going to check out your previous posts.
I really love it 👌👌👌👌👌
well thought out review.
Very pleased to see Nikon being competitive in the mirrorless market.
Love your videos Phill.
The grip and the smaller SD card is a deal breaker for me. I do like the looks and if I was buying a dedicated street and travel camera, this would be it. That camera is not really made for long lenses that weigh around 4 + pounds. It's made more for pancake type lenses. That's why the 40mm it's in one of the bundles. It's not a pancake lens but it's close enough. I love that lens. It's a great street photography lens and will work at a portrait lens. I mostly shoot in manual mode and I use auto ISO in changing light conditions. I don't have time to change the ISO back and forth. I'm excited too about this camera because it gives me a glimpse of what might be in the z6/z7 III bodies. But I really want that z8.
I was very interested in this camera for its retro looks and functionality with a 24MP sensor but with xspd7. I love my Z8 and Z6iia but I miss my Z50. I was able to throw that camera in my bag and take it anywhere. If they can jam 10 bit record and xspeed7 I'll bite on a Z50ii.
The B&W switch seems like a great idea, which would be welcome on all body styles in future.
You set the SS dial to the SS you want, then use the front or rear dial for 1/3rd adjustments. I did it on my Fuji xt2 all of the time.
Nikon has to come out with new cameras, and I think that the most wanted is Nikon Z6 III. I'm sure that the new Z6 MIII will have this new focus system, new expeed 7 image processor. Will be interesting to see the price for it.
Hi Phil whatever happened to your wish list camera – an APSc Z 90 to replace the discontinued Nikon D 500? Agree, all of us would rather have the Z90 than a Zf to click our Bird photographs…..