The BEST Nikon EVER? - RED35 REVIEW
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- čas přidán 9. 07. 2024
- Nikon's new Zf is possibly the BEST retro-styled, full frame re-interpretation of classic film SLRs to date. It's also value for money, at least in full frame terms. I've spent the past three months working with the camera in my jobs in order to make this review, base on my experience with the camera. So aside from its pretty face, is it actually a good camera?
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** Contents of this video **
0:00 - Video Start
0:26 - Introduction
2:55 - Design & Build
6:26 - Handling
8:40 - Image Quality
9:20 - Sample Photos
11:44 - AF Performance
13:26 - IBIS Performance
14:03 - Video Performance
14:51 - Conclusion
16:48 - Outtro
17:03 - Bonus comment
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I wish OM Systems takes the popularity of the Zf as a clue to the latent demand for cameras that appeal to the classic feeling cameras. They really need to release a Pen-F mk2! It would be sooooo popular.
I love my Zf - especially with the Voigtländer 40mm1.2 and its amazing capability to use the AF for manuell lenses - its so easy now to focus with manuell lenses.
If PenF II does not come in the next months I am going to buy Zf.
And yes there is definitely a retro camera market. All new cameras are great... but style is important for many buyers.
I'm wondering if the OM-1ll gives OM systems the opportunity to do PEN-F ll and OM-5ll with the Om-1 hardware.
@@brianlaunchbury4491 we all would like to see this but I think is not easy to handle this processor with small bls50 batteries.
Been waiting years for a new Pen F 😮 think they have mist the boat now, who would buy a Pen when you can have a Zf that will be better at EVERYTHING
Some wonderful photos in this review, Jimmy.
Thanks!
love my blue Zf! a piece of art ❤
Thank for the review of this camera.
You are welcome.
I definitely stay tuned. I like the new vintage camera look. I also start with the film and the reason why I bought the one em5 is the old original style.
I had a Nikon F3 with a number of manual focus Nikkor lenses. Now my nephew, who is a film nerd, uses it. I mostly use the OM-1 with the 12-40/2.8 and the Panasonic-Leica 100-400 when I walk around outside. I often leave the primes at home.
Ha ha, I just thought today, while looking at all my lenses, the 12-40 pro and the PL 100-400 are the only lenses I would really need.
I have used the Zf professionally in partnership with the Z8 and it is great. With the grip it is comfortable with the 24-70mm 2.8. If you are having problems it could be a technique issue.
I have to keep an eye on the exposure compensation know now you have highlighted it.
The only real problem I have is the lack of the "Recall Shooting Functions" option that it's bigger siblings has which lets you set up a function button to 3d Tracking without Subject Detection so you can lock onto any target without the focus moving to a face. You can do this, or a variation of it, on all Nikon full frame mirrorless cameras and gives complete control.
I'm most impressed by the fact that you used the camera for 3 months before doing the review. (Oh, and my D7500 has a flimsy flippy battery door also.)
Thanks Jimmy a beautiful camera - I’d actually be v interested in a review of the om systems 12-40 f2.8 pro II that we saw a little footage from in the IBIS comparison.
Great review, thanks Jimmy. Good to see more retro style gear in the market. I love my Pen-F because of its tiny size, build quality and unique looks, but the Fujifilm X series gets my vote for the best retro system thanks to its range of small classic styled lenses, including pancakes all with clicky aperture rings.
I got cash tucked away, since I’m so disappointed with OMS I’m considering selling it all and getting this camera with a few lenses. But I’m going to give OMS until the summer to see what happens with them.
Given what happened in the past few years, OM has done extremely well. Company restructuring and migrating manufacturing out of China and reduced budget across the board has taken a big toll on them. But they are slowly moving back on track and there are still a few legal stuff to clean up such as branding, but I think they are on the right track. I am always a supporter for the format and their cameras and lenses but I am also an advocate for those who are outside of their wildlife category, like myself, so I will continue to push them and hopefully my voice will be heard at some point in the future.
Wish Canon would make retro style camera also. Like Canon AE-1.
Other option would be full frame Fujifilm X100VI style camera with leaf shutter lenses and internal memory.
If ZF had Z8 specs and bigger retro style lens selection, I would have bought it. I just need more than 24 MP myself.
I got a Pen F when it came out, and love it. I use a lot of vintage lenses, just for fun. I rarely use video, not a deal breaker for me. I must take some time to dig more into all the functions I havent tried out yet. I would like to have it weather sealed and a built in GPS. I still miss aperture ring, it feel so natural to me to adjust the aperture with my left hand, but I admit i use more and more of the program modes. A Z f is tempting though.
thanks for the video and for using the camera for a few months before making it. One question that jumped out in your comparison with other cameras: there was no mention of lenses. Was your comparison photo correctly captioned? Did you use an APSC Sony F1.8 E lens?
It's correct. I am using Sony's 50mm 1.8 E via an adapter, which I will be reviewing too. It works like magic and haven't seen anything like it.
Cool. Useful too see it compared to the top end f/1.2s mft lenses
No joystick, true, but why no mention of placing the focus point with a finger, even when raised to the eye?
Excellent stuff! What adapter for Sony did you use?
Megadapt. I am doing a review on it.
Yea when researching cameras you did trash the Zfc. Saying “a camera nobody wants.” I brought the Zfc. And I completely disagree. Too me the build quality is great! And I paired mine with the TTArtisan 23 & 50 mm retro lens. Gorgeous & extra beefy
Question, isn't for example 200 ISO on full frame really equivalent to 800 ISO on M4/3? Because don't you double the focal length and ×4 aperature and ISO to truely compared M4/3 to FF?
It's a terrible shame that OM Systems did not read the market correctly and introduce a Pen F replacement. The market for retro cameras are just taking off and Nikon is reaping the benefits of foresight and great marketing strategy. Fujifilm meanwhile had been forced into a company restructuring due to continued financial losses, resulting in the X100V, X-E4 and the X-Pro3 camera ranges being dropped from the lineup. The market for retro cameras is virtually open to Nikon!
I looked for Z f too but chose Z fc mainly because it was lighter and half the price. I just wast ready to replace EOS R5 to similar heavy Z f. I wanted my camera lightweight. I know Z f is better in tech specs so if I get into Nikon more heavily, I might get into Z f or whatever is hot next time buy camera. Great review and also that jeans jacket was cool.
I love my Zf. I have an all black with the small rig grip. I am mostly shooting with older adapted lenses with my fave being the Zeiss 35mm distagon. While everyone is going for the clinically perfect high megapixel setups, I am zagging with older character-filled lenses. The manual assist on the Zf makes it a breeze. I originally hated the iso control but now I adjusted to how it works. It is not perfect but is one of my favorites. If OM ever gets off its butt and creates a new PEN I could see a resurgence for them and I would get one.
Another great review! I'd love to hear your thoughts on how the ZF would compare to the beautiful retro looking Fujifilm X-T5 , that is if you can get your hands on one.
Yes, I have one right here hahaha. I will be doing a video on this topic :)
Your mic is very treble biased, but I enjoyed the video.
Thanks for the video. I just realized my Nikon Df has the same battery door lol
It’s a Nikon thing
Great review as usual. Any recommendation for manual lenses for the Nikon Zfc.
There are a few. I am making some videos about that
I’ve bought a couple of the TTARTISAN lens for mine from KEF. For under $100 ea. They’re excellent! And all metal. For my general photography skills. I can’t justify paying over $200 for lens, after discovering them. That’s crazy!
@@Red35PhotographyGreat Jimmy, cant wait for the videos to come up. The Zfc is a nice complement to my Olympus gear. How do you like the Zf?
@@photosbymichelperez8297 It's a great camera for what it is. I won't use it for anything fast, but perfectly fine for portrait works, though any big lens is a problem.
Just bought mine a couple days ago, sadly had to settle for the black one since all the other colors were on backorder. As an Orioles fan, that orange one is amazing, I'm very jealous 🤣
Cheers Jimmy , this is Sean in Atlanta. I just made the switch from micro 4/3 to Nikon, but I chose the Z5 for a number of reasons.
First, I wanted two SD cards. I have been learning photography for the last seven or eight years, and I have never heard of a modern camera company utilising a microSD card. Their excuse was that they didn’t want to make the body larger at the grip area, but then they contracted with Small Rig to make a grip for it. That’s just stupid to me.
Then, they said this was going to be a photography-centric camera and promptly put on a video screen, instead of a flip screen!
Yes, I totally agree with you that it is beautiful, but it is so poorly designed that it just makes me gag!
I am totally happy with my Z5, and totally disappointed in Nikon…
Sean
P.S. I really am happy with full frame, and I think I started following you almost the day after I started learning photography using CZcams! Thanks and I wish I could have purchased the Zf, but I don’t think their left hand knows what their right hand is doing!
😂 Hay Jimmy, i see you joined the many U tubers that purchased the Nikon ZF orange Halloween edition, i bought the all black body, i agree with much of your video, the one thing that puzzles me is that Nikon chose to package this camera with a 28 and 40mm f2 lens that got a slight cosmetic update but kept the plastic lens mount and body. I think that lens selection is where Fujifilm beats Nikon for the retro style of camera bodies. The glass that I went with for my Nikon ZF is the Nikon 50mm f 1.8 and 28 - 75 f2.8. Viltrox 28 mm f 1.8 and the 15mm f4.5 MKIII and 40mm f1.2 Voightlander, the two Voightlander lens are by far my favorite lens for the Nikon ZF.
Haha I am actually one of the first to have the orange version, my serial number suggests that haha. I had it in November and many said I was weird to have an orange camera
I am all in with the Fuji system. I have had The Oly OM 10, Panasonic G9 and now Fuji. I wasn’t fond of the Olympus menus (I was used to the very intuitive Canon 5D II before I went to the micro 4/3), but I did love the G9 because of the menu system, and then I discovered Fuji. I switched (although I kept the G9) and realized how much I loved shooting with it. The retro styling is an absolute joy to use, and I can’t help but think Oly would be a fool not to reintroduce the Pen F.
how does the Sony adapter perform with AF on the Nikon?
Actually, very well. Though it’s does mean you have to be careful with water and dust as the adopter does not have gaskets. I bought the Nikon 26mm f.2.8 and 50mm f1.8 with the ZF for when it rains…use the Sony glass on it inside or when it’s not raining. Or my EM1x when I expect biblical rain or dust.
I will be reviewing it soon. In short, it's magic, very well but needs to be careful with rain.
How to convert the NEF files to DNG though? Using Lightroom Classic CC here
Why do you want to do that? You can convert within Lightroom Classic if you want. Under "Library" than select "Convert to DNG"
@@Red35Photography NEF files won't open in my version of Lightroom Classic CC.
The Df is a great camera. I also have the Zf but the Df is what I use most of the time.
One of the most beautiful cameras I have ever owned
Well, I must admit this Zf really is a thing! 🤔 It was love at first sight ❤ and I will probably have to go and buy it. That retro styled 40/2 would be a must + something more universal like 24-120/4S and that would be it 😃
Thanks for Your review Jimmy and cheers from CZ!
Vaclav
Thanks mate!
I've been using Olympus cameras since 1975 starting with the OM1n. I now use an E-PL6 and E-M5ii, and waiting for a Pen-F replacement with updated sensor, ND and GD filters, etc. I doubt that OM Systems will ever bring one to the market, so I've resigned to replacing my well loved Olympus cameras with the Zfc and Zf cameras. I can continue to use my wide angle AF-D lenses from my D200 and D750 too. It's goodbye to Olympus and OM Systems after being a loyal customer for 50 years.
If I get this camera, I’ll most likely just use primes for cleaner low light shooting. For now, my Olympus Pen cameras are doing just fine.
Hopefully one day Nikon makes one in silver. It'll pair nicely with the silver Df.
Good review Jimmy. I had high hopes for this camera but the handling for me is a massive let down as it feels and looks too bulky and awkward compared to an original FM2/3. The lack of effective weather sealing and the build quirks pretty much seals its fate for me.
It is weather sealed and it handles great with small lenses (40mm f2,etc) and with larger lenses the smallrig grip balances it well.
You hit upon some good points the Nikon missed. I hope the next version addresses these little things - maybe even weather seal it! BTW, the Nikon 40 F2 is a nice combo
I've tried BIF with the ZF and it's obviously not designed for it. I wouldn't even call it 90%, more like 60-70%. For fast action stick with the Z8/9. The stacked sensor has the edge with AF performance.
Too bad that Nikon forgot to make lenses for it. But with the current lens line-up you are better of with the normal Z camera's. Better go all modern than mixing styles. If they would make a couple of primes with an aperture ring on it, you could actualy use it.
Maybe OMS will get the frickin hint. Hopefully Jimmy reviewing it is pointing to the future of OMS's next camera.
They would be stupid to not go with what people are asking for, rather than being stubborn and releasing the e-m5 mark 5, if they release an om5 I think that will point to the end.
If it has tilted up screen, I would buy it yesterday.
I can see you point, but at the same time, if it has a tilt up screen, then the screen is not protected. I have mind always 'closed' so I won't look at it unless I need to access the menu or reviewing images. I have had many cameras with tilt up screens and while they are great for waist level shooting, the screens ended up scratched (I am a bit careless) and screen protector has to be installed in all cases.
It needs the tiltable rear screen like the X-T5, flippy screen is not retro to me.
Otherwise a good looking camera
Tillable screen isn’t exactly retro either 😂 other than reviewing my images, when I stop for coffee, I have my screen flipped and hidden away and use the EVF. I would have loved it to have OVF, but not a huge deal
Nikon ZF is a great camera with good AF and good FF image quality. For less money than the OM System OM1. And all those ZFC lenses will work on the ZF when upgrading.
ahha Terry, can't compare to OM1 though, speed is much slower by comparison with Zf. It's a slow pace camera comparatively and also not as good with weather sealing as mentioned. But I do like the feel and IQ for sure and it works well with my portrait too.
If you are shooting anything you have shown in this video. Portraits, travel etc or in light weather you can absolulty compare. @@Red35Photography
I have the Zf. A FM2 it is not, larger, heavy and a different experience, a bit of a brick if I am honest. Need some time to see if it works for me.
No fault on that condensation though, someone just wrote about an OM-1 doing the exact same thing;)
It is normal unless there is a complete vacuum within the camera body. As long as it is being kept in a dry warm place when stored, it can not cause any issues.
How about more videos on the Zfc?
Sure, any suggestion on what you want to see?
Shooting methods/ settings, best lenses to use. I am a Olympus/OM user but bought the Zfc because I liked the retro look and the controls are similar to my first camera from wayback the Exacta Varex IIb.
He sounds like a South Park character..
Since nobody dares to ask the one question, I will. Did you buy the coat after or before you got the ZF?
And I want to thank for pronouncing the name correct, ZED EF not like those other youtubers who all say ZEE EF, so horrible.
Retro cameras are what people want, I qoute my daughter, why would I want a DSLR when I have my phone? It takes great photos, I can order a pizza with it and open my bank account, or even upload live to her Facebook? This is what the camera manufacturers now have a problem with, getting new photographers your average shooter to put down their phones and actually use a proper camera, But they want convence and style? While convence is never going to work, style is a must and the Zf has buckets load of style, and probably why it's sold out, and yes my daughter loves it.... So in this case nikon has achieved a new market to sell not only the normal photographer's but new comers that didn't really want a DSLR boring style, and as a bonus nikon and canon shooters a lot always had a fuji too, today in our camera club 4 outta of the 10 fuji shooters now own a Zf..... That's got to tell you a lot about this camera,
By the way great video
I thought the Zfc and the Zf would really bring me back to Nikon. But the Zfc is too plastic like and has the huge z-mount with an APSC-sensor? While the Zf feels mainly premium but for a MFT-User just too big and heavy.
So I keep the good gear I have and rather try to have fun and improve my skill.
❤ Fantastic that your business goes well. I know it makes us get less CZcams content, but i know you will stick by us too.
Great review, looks like great camera. Come on om solutuons get your act together before its too late.
I'm a bit conflicted... It all comes across as if you no longer have faith in the Micro system... It's all a bit mixed up now... It must be beautiful image quality, but I went for small myself. ..Now those big bricks around your neck come again.... Question: Did you buy the jacket after you got the camera...?
LOL, I still use micro four thirds as my main system. but this year I am focusing on retro style cameras and contents for CZcams. So I will be bring more stuff along that line. Nikon Zf, Zfc, Fuji, Leica, OM-5 are all great retro cameras that will be featuring over the next few months.
If neither OM system or Panasonic takes the clue from Fujifilm and the ZF cameras that retro style is a truly important aesthetic in the market.. they're shooting themselves in the foot and the wallet. I'm actually more of a fan of the GX-8 than the Pen f.. but take it from the guy who spent the 80s and 90s with FMs,, FEs and FAs.. if I wasn't neck deep in MFT gear.. more than likely I would be in line for one of those new Nikons right now!!
Agree. From a marketing perspective they really just have to do it. I’m on the fence with the G9ii to replace my G9 but would jump on a GX8 replacement with most of the G9ii updates for a little less cost.
Feels nice to know someone is in exactly the same boat about the G9 versus G9II.. and if I want that old timey feeling of being a photographer I pick up my GX-8 and the 9mm, 15mm and 25mm Pana-Leica primes.. and shoot monochrome.
What a shame that OM is not weather sealing its 1.8 primes to go with the OM5.
The Flippy screen on the Nikon ZF put me off. I am sticking with my compact x100v
I wish Nikon luck with he camera. I stick with MFT and Olympus/OM System due to price, size, hands and my heart. Wish for an upcoming PEN F.
But Nikon have made a great kamera
Orange Man Bad! 😉
Dont get OM instead of giving us Firmware update and a new PEN II body ... they did this OM1 II .
You're a few days late. The video for whinging about the OM-1ii is way back there.
Thank you, suibbed...
Awesome, thank you!
Making the bottom plate plastic was a big mistake.
They wouldn't want you to use it for 20 years without problems would they. Then you wouldn't keep buying cameras.
It‘s not plastic ! It‘s magnesium alloy !!
@@hervey782 the bottom plate on the camera is made of plastic.
You call this full frame camera “quite pricey”, yet it’s significantly cheaper than your precious micro four thirds OM-1 Mark II. I don’t recall you ever mentioning that the OM-1 was “quite pricey”. I guess when you’re being paid by OM Systems, nobody could expect truly fair, unbiased reviews from you.
The level of anti-Nikon propaganda out there is over the top
it is quite pricey, the OMs are simply massively overpriced.
No camera is perfect. I have m43 camera but it is not comparable to FX in picture quality.
@@DJFAmenHeavy its true if you shoot low light , moving objects...sports, events, weddings etc
@@toxotis70 absolutely no problem. I have the omd em1 mark 3, it can handle that and latest versions are even better.
On that note, I do shoot weddings and events with my Olympus/OM cameras
@@Red35Photography of course you can... but its better with full frame!
I dont understand the old camera look hype. It does not benefit me at all. I want a modern looking camera with great ergonomics and features. This nikon is just a z6 with worse ergonomics.
my Zf broke after just 18 days, very upset
Woahhhh NOOO, what happened? I've been beating mine for the past three months and it seem to hold up, apart from some moisture got in to the viewfinder and aperture window.
Nice review, but why are you screaming all the time? : I
It’s a great camera. But it has nowhere near the looks, portability and low weight of the Olympus EM-5.
Absolutely. I love my E-M5 an OM-5. I will be doing a comparison soon.
@@Red35PhotographyThat's awesome. Looking forward to it!
That´s true, the Zf looks a little like an oversized EM5 II.
It’s a full frame. Not micro 4 turds.
Full frame.
To be honest I’d rather shoot a Samsung or iPhone over anything Nikon atm. They are far behind.