The Nikon Zf With a Modern S Lens?
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- čas přidán 3. 02. 2024
- I know it’s not the “look” you want… but the images are the LOOK you want!
I paired the Nikon Zf with the Nikon Z 50mm 1.8 S lens and was really amazed just how good the camera performed. - Krátké a kreslené filmy
This is my go-to kit. I love this combo!
Thank you for putting the 50 on the zf, that’s the exact combo I’ve been considering to purchase, now I know it’s as good as I thought, thank you very much as always, your videos are direct and informative always with a logical approach. Best wishes, Kyle
Thank you Kyle. It is a nice combo.
Love your comments! I couldn't agree more! I had stopped using the 50mm focal length for years. Then it was recommended to me to consider the 50mm f1.8s when I moved to the Z system. I have not looked back! There is something special and different about that lens. The sharpness, the color rendering... I love it! It is the lens I use the most in studio situations next to my zooms. I do love the 40mm, but I don't use it on the Z5's but on my crop sensor Z50. To me it's a perfect combo that I use for location model work. You briefly mentioned the SB400, I love that little flash. It is my go to for fill with my LED lighting. The fact that I can just put it on and forget about it, is amazing. I know you and I have agreed to disagreed on the 40, the 50s is no doubt an important addition for any portrait style photographer... even on cropped sensor... the 50mm F1.8s is just not the same as the 50's of old, it is so much better!
I do love that little 400 flash. I didn’t have a chance to use it in this shoot but playing with it more and more, it’s turning out to be great for me. Thanks for sharing as always.
Lovely. For years I had numerous lenses starting with my F4 body… going to the D4… whatever lenses I had, I almost always ended up using the prime 50mm f/1.4… my favorite lens of all time. After selling my gear a few years ago I just ordered a ZF camera and went to buy another AF 50m 1.4 but the adapter situation seems not ideal. I ordered this 1.8 hoping for not too much drop off in low light.
I'm lovin your love for the Z system John. I just recently came home from an all-day event shoot. I had the beautiful Z24-70 2.8s on one of my Z6ii's and the Z35 1.8s on my other Z6ii. I just love this system and I love the lenses. I have 6 of their Z lenses, and they are gorgeous. Like you, I have the 40 F2 and the 28 2.8. I find the 28 not so great because I miss that one stop faster for better subject separation from the background, so tend to use my 35 1.8s instead. It's probably my least used Z lens. However, I just came back from a month in the North of India (Rajasthan), and took my 40mm F2 to save weight. I put the 50mm 1.8s on a few times, but the images from my 40 f2 look great and not much different to those I took on the 50 F1.8. I love it that you are rockin the Nikons John - it makes your CZcams site appealing to many photographers. Lets also see some shoots from the Z7ii please.
Thank you, I appreciate your input and thoughts. I’ve been a Nikon digital shooter since the D1, D1X, but if you factor in the Kodak DCS 620 (which was a Nikon body) even before the D1. And I started with the Nikon F3. I do shoot most of my commercial jobs with the Leica M11 now but but having the familiar Nikon with me for backup or shoots when I just need autofocus, this is going to be my body of choice. In the Zs I did start with the Z6 and went to the Z7s quickly. I do love the system. I like the 40 but am really attached to the 50 1.8 since the day it came out.
Absolutely beautiful ❤
She is stunning
Oh, why, thank you! 😊
Oh, you meant the model?
Oopsies! 😀
@@elram2649 😂😂
It is good to see that you are still favoring the Zf. It is good to see yet another favorable report on the 50mm 1.8 S lens. It may be some time, yet, before I buy into the Z system, but my wife has a Z6, that she uses some of the times, when not shooting with a D850 or D500, and lenses make good gifts. 🙂 So, I follow which Z lenses that folks like. (Thus far, my mirror-deprived cameras are M10, and M Type 246 Monochrom, while I continue to use DSLRs, especially the Nikon D5, when they better-suit the purpose.)
I do love what they did with this camera. And the 50 really is a nice go-to on any z body.
I will be purchasing a Nikon ZF and I have the 50 1.8 . I wonder if it makes sense to purchase it with the 40 f2. Any advice would be helpful, unfortunately in my country I can only buy it online and I can't test them in a physical store. Btw great channel, keep it up !
I’d also like to see you shoot the Voigtlander 58mm f1.4 on the Zf. 😊
Thank you, someone on CZcams used a 50mm f1.8 S for the Zf and had no issues with it in terms of portability and asthetics. I use the Zf with lenses that may not be asthetically pleasing on this camera, but I don't care. All Z mount lenses should be used with this camera. Sure, some lenses may be a little more difficult to use for long periods of time, but never would I limit the camera by only using smaller lenses. When the Zf was announced, I pre-ordered the body only, I didn't bother including the 40mm f2 lens, since I have the 35mm f1.8 S and 50mm f1.8 S lenses.
Thanks for this. I bought a Zf and I intend to use it for travel and street. While the 40mm F2 is a good lens, I also plan to use this camera with my S lenses. They are great lenses and they help me to get good shots that I like.
They really are great lenses and small and light enough to carry.
Thank you for this excellent video on the Zf and the Nikkor 50 f/1.8S lens! I use the 50 on a Z8, and it is truly sharp and renders extremely fine detail. As for "esthetics" I honestly care much more about the image rendering and lens sharpness rather than how it looks on the camera. Have you ever tried the Voigtlander Z lenses yet? I have not, but I understand that they also are fantastic, if manual focus is your thing. Thanks again!
Well I just did a video with an adapted Voitlander M and it worked flawlessly- so I’m going to stick with adapted lenses. I love that I can just use the same lenses on both cameras.
I shoot with a Nikon Z5 and I can't wait to get the 50 f1.8 S. The ZF is my dream camera, but I gotta say that the Z5 is underrated. At this time I'm a budget photographer shooting with Viltrox lenses but I love them. I've yet to buy a 50 though because I want that 50mm.
You may do well with a used Z50 1.8 I’ve seen some great prices on this lens. And the Z5 is an amazing camera… you aren’t loosing out on image quality with that body, just an upgrade in focus speed.
Alright you got me. After a bit of use the 40mm ended up being a bit wide for me for some of what I do, perfect for in town stuff but I wanted a 50 too since that's just what I like. I was mostly debating between this and the APO Lanthar, I get the Lanthar is sharper, and manual focus is absolutely not a big deal to me, but looking at sample images it just didnt have an overall rendering I like very much, but the Nikon 50s were exactly the look I wanted. I damn near bought the f1.2 (and may in the future I dunno I own a lot of 50/55/58s) but I figured that was a bit much for a ZF body and I was starting to lose the plot.
At any rate I will again express my appreciation for your videos. For whatever reason I find your advice about handling and the usefulness of these things very relatable even though I dont do studio work, or pro work, or even very good amateur work lol.
I really appreciate your comment and I’m very glad I can be helpful.
This video definitely pushed me over the edge to grab a ZF. With some irony, I actually grabbed the 40/2, though my intended use is not studio strobes but instead just a nice small-ish camera that I can take around with me and not deal with the bulk, but also not have the immense monetary value of a modern leica and even a single lens to fuss about (I shot Leica rangefinders when I still shot film).
The 50/1.8 looks amazing though, it seems like a huge amount of lens for the money. 500 dollars for that quality on a full frame lens... Im just coming back to photography after a very long break and anything that looks as good as the images you were showing off used to cost way more. My Zeiss 50mm Makro-Planar was like 1300 shipped. In 2013. So 1600 or 1700ish?
Anyway I really appreciate you having a bunch of well lit shots that showed off the color the camera is capable of producing, even in the early days of having them in hand. Very pleased to subscribe to the channel
I’m posting a quick video today on just that setup. It really is the perfect run and fun setup.
Nikon zf with the 35mm f1.8 or the xh2s with the xf23mmf1.4?
Nikon over achieved with those 1.8 S lenses. They are really sharp. And for the money? Crazy.
With the 50 1.8 yes.. but i dont think so with the 35 1.8.. it's way overpriced for the performance..
Not sure if you had the opportunity to try this, but I suspect that when you stop the Z 40mm f/2.0 SE down to f/5.6 or f/8, it will be just as sharp as the Z 50mm f/1.8 S at those same apertures. So for its intended purpose-street and travel (where you're likely to stop down)-the 40mm is probably gonna have great IQ.
I really liked Nikon 35 mm SLR film cameras, and if I get into wildlife photography next year, I’ll probably get a Nikon (Z8?) and a Nikon super telephoto lens (Leica unfortunately doesn’t make lenses as long as I’d like).
Did you consider keeping the lovely silver Leica SL2 as a backup? It’d work with your Leica and Voigtländer M lenses, and has a terrific grip.
Oh I considered it for sure. But as I do this 100% for a living, financial responsibility prevented that. Used it to get the M 11 back.
@@kaskoPhoto Understood.
I know the 40 and 28 little guys are good, nice and compact, but the S 1.8's are super. I think the Zf is a camera that attracts more discussion about aesthetics from its crowd, as many buy it for the retro vibe / cool factor (which hey, that's fine, no judgement). Great vid thanks 👍🏻
It is a little extra something to love besides the great performance
Are these images SOOC? I'd like to see some and see the comparison of the flash colors from the z6ii. And I'd like to see you try out the other primes like the 35 and 85. Also I'd like to see you try the manual focus with the zf because I've heard it has a good feature that makes manual focus easier and with the linear manual focus of the 35,50,&85 primes, it should make more sense than the nonlinear focus of the 24-70 which I find kind of confusing and unintuitive.
I lightly retouched blemishes but the grey card color balance is straight out of camera. The 35 and 85 will def perform the same as the 50. Def plan on shooting manual focus soon.
@@kaskoPhoto Thank you.
I look forward to it
If the Nikon 1.8S lenses are too clinical, get the Viltrox 1.8 lenses. Pretty good and they have aperture rings (except the 85).
Great shoot! How would you compare the 50 1.8 S to the Summicron V5?
Wow, I really never thought about the comparison until now and really don’t know how to even going about it. I think in many ways they are somewhat alike and yet completely different. Damn that’s really not an answer but I can’t do any better.
@@kaskoPhoto That's because I looked at the test of the Nikkor 50 1.8 by OpticalLimits and the sample shots look to me similar to the rendering on the Summicron 50 (which they also tested).
that fifty sure is nifty
It’s a stellar performer for sure.
An unfortunate and costly side effect of owning a Zf (for me, at least) is the uncontrollable urge to acquire Voigtlander MF lenses. 21/35 Color-Skopar, 35 and 50 f/2 Apo-Lanthars, and the 110/2.5 Macro Apo-Lanthar. They all look spectacular on the Zf body and their optical performance is stunning.
Yep, some camera combinations will def do that to you. I know I’m all about the image not the gear, but I can see that happening with the ZF
Can you adapt a Leica M lens on it?
You can - or is the correct response - I will soon.
@@kaskoPhotowould love to see the Summilux on the Zf. If you get the TTarttisan 6bit adapter it will give you focus confirmation in MF and you should also be able to use “trap focus”.
@@kaskoPhoto great!
I agree. I would like to see Nikon come out with "S" level Retro primes [with metal mounts and an aperture ring] for the Zf/Zfc bodies. It feel like Nikon is going half-*ss on the retro concept with only doing the two bodies and then the two cheap plastic SE lenses.
The problem is that even Nikon’s wide angle lenses are actually fairly long compared to their competitors and it is very bizarre.
It’s always the size of the lenses today that are turning me off from these amazing cameras.
I just did my first shoot last night with the 50 1.8S and the Z8. It's a perfect boring modern lens with no character, no imperfections, perfect sharpness, and perfectly soft out of focus backgrounds. 10/10 on Nikon designing a modern lens. I hate it but I'm glad I have it and it will be very useful.
😂😂 well shoot subjects that aren’t boring and the lens won’t be an issue. But I do get where you are coming from
The f1.8S primes are all incredibly good. I think they look fantastic
Out of all the systems, these Nikon Z 1.8s and Fuji’s new 1.4s are amazing.
except for 35/1.8 and 24/1.8, those are unremarkable
By golly a smashing shoot. You almost make me want to justify the ZF and 1.8. In the end, I get your buying decision but as a hobbyist, I can't justify making the room for my general purpose needs. Shame, but thanks for sharing...........
Well then never pick this camera up for a play because damn it will suck you in 😂😂😂
Until Nikon comes out with more "retro" styled lenses, people WILL BE using the modern lenses on the camera (then again, they will regardless, like I plan to when I get the Zf). That being said, I would like to see Nikon do a 35 f/2 or 2.8 (may have to be a 2.8 to be small like the 28mm). Yes I know there is the 28mm and the 40mm pancakes but some "purists" would want a 35mm. I don't call myself a purist necesasrily but I would like a 35mm for a number of reasons, and would be OK with a retro one (for one, to use on the Zf, and just to have a fast-ish 35mm pancake prime -- preferably one that falls within the $300 or so price range since the 35 1.8 is a bit on the high side like $850). I do think the Z lenses (without the old gold band that they used to have on some F-mount lenses) are OK with the retro cameras. They don't really scream "modern" lens, they just lack some of the silver banding and artificial texture of the lenses like the 28 SE.
I put my 135 Plena on the Zf and it is sexy AF.
I had the 40mm and wasn't impressed. My 50mm 1.8S is sharp!!!! lens Iooks don't matter to me as long as it can deliver the goods. The 50mm 1.8 is amazing...
Agree
I shoot with the 50 1.8S on the Zf all the time - this lens punches so far above its price point that it isn't even funny. The 50 1.8S is probably the best lens made for under $1,000 bar none. It easily competes with 50mm lenses that are 4-5 times its price including Nikon's own 50 1.2S which is insanely good - but only if you need 1.2-1.8 - if you are shooting at 1.8 (call it f/2) or above there is no need to get the 50 1.2S (yes, I have both and yes I use both in professional applications).
As far as the other 1.8S Nikkor lenses, of which I have and use them all, they are all excellent. Even the worst of the bunch is still on par with the best from other manufacturers - the worst probably being the 24 1.8S - but again it is still very, very good.
As far as size, the 35 and 50 1.8S lenses are just about the same size. The 24mm is a little bigger and the 20mm a little bigger still - all work well on the Zf with the added grip.
The 85mm 1.8S is also little bigger than the 50 1.8S, but still pairs easily with the Zf as long as you are using one of the after-market grips. The 85 1.8S is a spectacular lens - one of the best 85 1.8 you can get. Its main flaw is that it does have some noticeable focus breathing (unlike the 50 1.8S which has virtually none) - but this is more of a video issue - for stills the 85 1.8S is incredible.
-PD
What’s a S lens?
A series of Nikon Z lenses
The 50/1.8 Z-mount is a no-brainer when you have a Nikon Z-mount camera. Just like the 50/1.8 Lumix S, when you’re on L-mount. Both are great lenses. Affordable, sharp, no or very little Loca, very nice rendering and bokeh. Coincidentally, both 85s are also great. Highly recommended. I must say that the Nikon lenses have a bit more premium feel though.
They may have a touch more quality feel but honestly when using the L glass I really never noticed a decrease in quality feel. Probably because I never used them side by side. But they are amazing for sure.
I think Nikon somehow missed the sweet spot for the speed of their lenses. The 50mm f1.8 is too slow (would like f1.4) and the f1.2 is huge and insanely expensive. Where's the 50mm f1.4? If you look at the Sony system there's many of them.
I’m actually good at 1.8 - 2.0 myself. (Grew up with 2.8s) so these are fast. I’m not into the completely blown background look enough to sacrifice the compact size and weight of these lenses.
This camera is about looks rather than functionality. Nikon are wasting resources on cameras that don't matter, they should have released Z6iii by now.
Well, I will say that it does look nice… But I’m using it quite a bit and I’m very happy with it. And if you determine if a camera was worth producing on sales, I think they got it right.
Lots of bang for the buck in the zf once you get over the retro thing… great operating system, color, vr, and feels solid
@@allenchurchill6183 then the current Z6ii is even more bang for the buck, it's better in everything except AF speed.
Zf vr,low light performance is superior not to mention pixel shift and autofocus
@@JamesChurchilljr fantasizing much? How about first learning to write in full sentences.
IBIS was tested and not materially different. Also every photographer knows that IBIS is such an overhyped feature. I'm using cameras with and w/o IBIS, lenses with optical IS and w/o. Stabilization is necessary for handhelding telephoto. IBIS in every Nikon camera makes no difference with telephoto lenses, the optical VR does. The problem with IBIS is that it amplifies shutter shock, and every Nikon camera with full shutter is susceptible to it. I'm surprised nobody tested that, instead talking about all the other nonsense.
The noise is the same, it's the same sensor, but Zf loses some DR.
Regarding the pixel shift, it's a totally ridiculous feature. I had cameras with pixel shift long before, it's useless gimmick.
As I mentioned AF is better. But it's primarily because of better image recognition, when the subject is not recognized the performance is the same. But then you need to look at what additional subjects the new processor does recognize, and there is not much real useful there.