Hey everyone, wanted to drop a video review of the Nikon ZF. I purchased this 3 weeks ago and have been able to shoot 6 engagement sessions and 3 weddings with it so far. Overall the Nikon ZF is a fantastic camera and really shines with video workflow. Hope you enjoy this take and I hope it helps - Will

I've loved the Zf! I use the same Zf/Z8 combo, coming from the z6ii. That 40mm F2 lens is surprisingly good, I love it for engagements, family, and personal work. I have found that the no grip helps me hold the camera properly in my left hand, balancing right on the mount, rather than trying to hold it one hand in the right, which leads to having a sore hand at the end of a wedding. I agree about the screen, but I have found that it has allowed met to get some crazy angles close to walls, and to sneak some shots while looking a different direction. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

This is the first actually useful review of this camera, that talks about what it is like to use it in the field professionally. Thank you!

I say again, Will: somehow your backdrops enchant me. They look intentionally old-movie, artsy. Utter coolness. Love your vid as always.

Thank you Will for this honest, no bs review of the Nikon ZF my friend! I am very interested in this camera for the reasons you talked about. It seems like a very fun camera to use. That is a common feeling that all of the other KZfaq reviewers mentioned. Thank you as always for another excellent video Will!

Finally someone who has actually used the camera out in the field and can give feedback, and not sat in the living room and took pictures of the cat😅🫂 Bravo

Great video, appreciate it dude. The level of honesty is palpable. No bullshit - my kind of channel. All the best, have a great 2024.

Thanks for this honest review!

I've had mine for about two weeks now and absolutely love the zf

Setting up the 2 focus modes like that is a great tip!

Thank you , always excellent content. Because of your review I am getting the ZF. Thank you and congrats :-)

Really enjoy these reviews, informed and more useful for me as an occasional event photographer to have a full timer’s perspective.

This Video looks amazing, I can’t tell what settings you’re using; All I know it’s pleasing to my eyes

get the small rig grip its the best designed one it has a thinner plate so it doesnt screw up the size and it has the best materials based on like matching the camera

Bam. Interesting video. Tim.

Great info about the AF-configuration with face-tracking (front-halfpress) and 3D-tracking (back-button)!

Great practical summary. But I must say I’m certainly thankful to all the nerdy guys in Japan for doing what they do.

Great video

Like your auto focus solution for the Zf. Initially was perplexed, swapping between a Z8 and Zf for event work, but I can see how you divide up your shooting (film/stills) between the bodies, it makes perfect sense.

Appreciate you my friend. Thanks for the review

Very informative, thanks. Some good points I hadn't considered/wasn't aware of. I have the Z8 and am looking for a 'backup' camera but there's nothing that ticks the boxes like the Z8.

A very useful review. Looking to replace my old D800, and trying to decide between Zf, Z8 or a theoretically upcoming Z6iii. My gut has told me to wait for the Z6iii, and your comments confirm that.

Love the Zf. Especially love that all AF modes work while you're in manual focus mode. Having the tracking box find subjects, and then turn green when you manually lock focus-plus having the old DSLR style focus confirmation arrows+dot in the bottom info screen-is super helpful. Only niggles are I would have liked Nikon to add some sort of raised rubber nubbin on the back right corner of the body so that your thumb doesn't slip off the camera so easily. Also would have been great to have a second custom function button on the front, maybe where the depth of field preview button used to be in the old days. But those are minor gripes. I'd love to see Nikon do an even higher-end retro version in 18 months, maybe styled after the F3 and using a 60MP triple-resolution sensor.

Voigtlander 40 1.2 is a match made in heaven with the ZF. Amazing manual focus mode on the ZF!

I am enjoying the ZF. I had no intention of buying this camera, because of the style. However, the features in this camera are such an upgrade over the Z6II, it was hard to turn it down. At $2,000 USD it is a great price. I do have the additional grip on my camera and it helps greatly. I must note that the grip will not be as good as the grip on the Z6II. I have gotten used to it and it works for me. I pre-ordered it the day it was announced, because I knew this camera was going to sell quickly.

As someone who came from the X-T4 as my primary wedding camera and now uses the ZF and a Z6ii - I think you will find that you get used to that weird off-axis feeling when you pull the screen out to the side. It took a while for me, a few months or so for it to really become second nature, but it does fade away and feel much more comfortable in time!

Thanks for sharing. I'm a Fuji shooter and I was waiting for something like this to try a full frame experience.

I can’t wait to buy this camera ❤

I'll wait for the Z6iii. I'm currently using Z6 one, which I bought after your recommendation some years ago. ZF has only one front button, which is a bummer for me. I also agree on the screen articulation.

I already have mine for a week now and I can't believe how much I love it. Get a grip and maybe you will change your mind about a little longer lenses too, but your take is totally understandable. I'm really interested what you think after you get one, and of course with more sessions of weddings and engagements! Thanks for the vid and keep it up!

SPOT ON!

Thanks for sharing your honest thoughts from real world experiences of using camera kit in professional situations. I was interested in your comment about the AF being behind Sony, I just wondered which of the Sony cameras would you say has better AF than the Zf and in what way?

Best Black and White KZfaq Video ever.

Mine is coming! 👍🏾

I had the original FE and FE2 back in the day. They just felt & looked so good to me - better to hold with the MD-12 motor drive on. I’ve got a Z6, but tbh I prefer my D3S & D3X.

Will be interested in your experience with the grip when available.

I have the same set up, Z8 main and ZF as a second and just a fun camera to use and for esthetics. I have the grip as I ordered it when I preordered the body. The grip helps a lot, though still not as nice as the Z8. Love this camera for sure and it’s a much better body than the Z6s which I sold my Z6ii day after I preordered this and glad I did.

Having a camera that makes you feel better or has that cool factor makes you want to shoot and create. Having that feel for shooting is a good thing . As for the physical dials as a film camera has for me I feel it’s faster . They are right there when you need them . Nikon need to put the aperture ring back in their lenses or come out with retro primes with their ring that can be set to use as an aperture ring or whatever someone wants . I love an aperture ring right under my finger tips .

I'm a photographer for social events, I've been following your videos since a friend bought a ZF and also intends to buy a Z8. Currently my set is Nikon D3s (Believe me, for my workflow, it meets my needs perfectly, but I intend to retire it) and Z5. I'm quite undecided, I would even say confused about what step I will take, whether it will be for Z6II or III if they launch it or ZF. I hope that by seeing your stories and experiences I can make up my mind. Congratulations on the sincere and honest way in which you express your opinions.

Hello ! Thank you for this video. So you don’t recommend this Nikon Zf for wildlife photography ? With a 300 2.8 for example ?

I feel bad. I bought a grip off Amazon when I pre ordered the camera so I would have it when the camera arrived and then Nikon Australia sent me one when I registered it. Makes the camera great with larger lenses. I have to resist the temptation to buy another Zf to go with the grip as I bought a Z8 while I was waiting for the Zf.

A nice review! As usual and along with everyone else the major downside comments seem to be the grip. It's maybe just me but I don't understand this. If I'm not shooting then the camera is on a strap and if I am shooting then it is my left hand that is supporting the camera. My right hand is only used for operating the camera. As I said, maybe just me... What put me off was no sensor guard. I change lenses outdoors often so this is a major concern. Again, for me.

Excellent review. This is one of the only channels I trust for Nikon takes because I know the opinions are informed by real world use. One question I've been curious about, do you find yourself missing the 45 MP of the Z8 when using the ZF or Z6II?

It's the 2023 remake of the FM2 and FE2 I learned to shoot film on the 1980s. Most of the Z lenses look bizarre on it though. If they would make a look-alike 24, 35, 50 and 105 from that era it would be bangers. I'd be all in but the 40mm is an odd focal length. Steve McCurry should check it out.

I’m a part time pro and I agree with your assessment. Truely a relaible piece of gear so far.

Great video. Thinking about selling the z8 for this to pair with my z9. Thinking the zf would be the second body to the z9 for weddings and as my main for family/personal work. Do you think that’s a good idea?

Great info, thanks! I also sold my Z6II (boy that was a tough decision), got a good price for it. I have the Z8, and considering the Zf but decided to wait to see what the Z6III is all about. Hey quick Z8 question, only if time allows. I'm seeing some banding when shooting with flash, if my shutter is set to 1/250. I've seen it with 2 different model Godox flashes (TT350 and AD300). Super weird. Have you experienced this, or heard of it? Doing some more testing tonight. THANKS man!

The absence of any User Presets was a deal breaker for me because I use only one camera at events. You use 2, so the 2nd can be set differently, and your other body has presets anyway. I really don't understand why they left that off.

The grip changes everything. As much as I wanted to use the classic aesthetic, It’s not ergonomic AT ALL. The extra grip makes you want to hold it all day, truly necessary!

Have you gotten the grip...Do you feel the same now that you've used it with it? (Not for heavy flash/big lens use case)

How much better is the AF in this vs the Nikon Z6 ii. Am thinking of getting either a Z6 ii or a ZF as a second body for weddings

I saw somebody say the color science has been updated/improved compared to the z6II, what is your perspective on that? Thank you

Considering it's the same sensor than the z6 is it much better in low light ?

Tempted for sure, but not sure i could live with the flip screen, went from Sony A9II to Fuji xh2s and Xh2 and I Loath that screen flip out, same as you it just feels off, we are not central and off axis and my brain struggles, grip on camera is an issue because and less discreet than just a tilt screen. I will have to have a try though, not that i miss FF but Fuji has some annoying quirks they cant seem to iron out, will also be trying an XT5 as well so let's see... nice video man.

Upgrading from the z6 would you go with the zF or the z7II my main body is the z9 I know the ideal would be another z9 or a z8.

I noticed that even tho my AF box was on the eye or face, the actual focus when reviewing in lightroom most of the time ended up on something in the foreground (the bouquet, boutonniere, microphone, etc) I don't see anyone talking about this. Am I missing something here? The AF ruined dozens of photos cant trust it at a wedding.

Hi , I have two FTZ2 adapter and I use some F-prime lens such as 58mm & 85mm. I find it is tight when I try to rotate the len onto the adapter, I wonder if you have the same issue .

You have to think about the ergo a little differently. If you plan to use your strap/harness to carry the camera most of the day, when you do shoot it, you support the camera with your left hand and your right hand steers the camera. Once you make that mental shift, larger lenses become less of an ergo problem.

I used to shoot with a D4/Df combo. People always commented about how cool the Df looked. I imagine it's the same with the Zf.

Will are you still using your old and legendary D700?

Thanks for the video. Unrelated, but is your masterclass still in the works? 🤙

How do you set up the front shutter for face tracking on the Zf? Thank you.

I used the Zf just for a few hours but I noticed that for video it is still bad. I rent for few days a sony a7iv and compered to the zf it seems a cinema camera. For photography I like the zf and Nikon in general

I share the same experience Will. Great with smaller lenses but still amazing image quality. I love it for video, like you said and it is certainly a new tool in my tool box. Great review from a working pro.

Hey why it’s not that great for flash? Thanks for a review btw 💪

Why not lumix s5iix for video?

Im still gonna wait for the Z6iii, its around the corner. Nikon won’t fool me again this time😂.

The Z7 is not a replacement for the Z6 series. If you want to use anything larger than a 24-70 F2.8 lens, maybe a 70-200 (I use a Nikon 70-200 F4 lens) it will be okay. Not to say you can't uses a larger lens, you'll just need to support the camera/lens combo with two hands (with your non shutter hand holding the lens). I shoot regularly with the 70-200 f2.8 on this with now problems. The autofocus is absolutely amazing - 90% of the capabilities of the Z8. The only downside is you do have to spend the time to learn the different focus modes and when to use them effectively. Once you do that, there is nothing in $2000 range that can match this camera. The UI on this camera is exceptional. The dials feel great, and after a few days of shooting are second nature. If I were Leica or Fuji I would be very worried with what Nikon has done here. Fuji has nothing to compete with this. Leica is going to have a hard time justifying their premium pricing. And the black & white setting is pure genius. Shore its just a short cut, but when you are out running around taking pictures, it is surprisingly useful. I can't believe how often I use it, and before I purchased the camera I thought it was just some marketing gimmick to appeal to the hipsters. Okay, maybe I am a wanna be hipster :) The Zf with a 26mm f2.8 decimates the Leica Q2 an the Fuji as an everyday camera in every aspect except resolution. But to be honest, anyone who uses this camera - 26 mega pixels should be more than enough. In fact, due this resolution is optimal for low light and is better at handling refraction. Low light with this camera is mind blowing. I am comfortable shooting all the way to 3200 ISO. Combine that with the 8 stop image stabalization and you have the first digital Classic of the Nikon Z era. The Zf combines the looks, user interface, performance, features and low light capabilities in a perfect mix at a price point that is simply astonishing. Fuji and Leica - the gauntlet has been set. The Zf is the one camera that will be used for years - like my 14 year old Nikon D700. People will be talking about and using this camera 15 years from now. With the Zf - Nikon has created the perfect everyday camera. I would say the first classic of the mirrorless era.

Please do a video on your flash settings. I can't get it to work on mine unless I only use manual on my flash. Something is clearly messed up with my settings. But I can't figure it out. Please, please help.

I see the Zf as a retro version of what the Z6III will probably be.

I bought some Dragon Grips in black and applied them to the front and back where I grip the camera. It made all the difference. I've used this on several cameras. However what I do is attach a wrest strap to the left side of the camera and carry the camera in my left hand (I'm right handed) and mostly hold the camera in my left hand while shooting. I started this in the 1970's when I got an Olympus OM2n. It made sense because aperture, focus and shudder speeds were all on the lense and lens mount. The right hand was for the shudder button (or as I call it, the forever button) and film advance. I've shot this way ever since. I hope this wasn't boring. I really enjoy your channel.

Bought a ZF The Z6ii sits on the shelf

how much you charge for a wedding,how many pictures and how you deliver them?

Would be nice if Nikon to copied the a7rV’s do everything tilt and swivel screen

Im not sure i agree with the AF assessment, its on par if not better than the Z8/Z9, i would say its better than canon or sony

I don't think it's designed to be a wedding camera you need a few d6s for a wedding camera

You got some thumbs down from jealous Canon/Sony fanboys 😁 By the way, if you did street photography you would love the screen And I read the manual twice and I've never noticed that AF-ON feature 😬

People complain about anything nowadays gezzz

They completely messed up this body with this type of screen.

after watching about 150 reviews, it seems super clear Nikon really screwed up with the stupid retro grip BS. Every single review is it’s a great camera except you can’t hold it.

1:50 All metal? LOL. The entire bottom plate is plastic. You need the Smallrig grip not just because the ergonomics without it suck, you need the Smallrig grib because it essentially adds a metal bottom plate to the camera. The entire rear around the screen and the buttons is plastic. The viewfinder bump is plastic and hollow at that, when you tip your finger against the Nikon logo on the viewfinder bump, it sounds hollow and cheap, you can HEAR the plastic. The hinge of the rear screen sticks out an awful lot to the side and it's fully plastic. The kit lens options are fully plastic with the exception of the glass and the screws. Both the SE versions of the 28 and 40mm have a plastic lens mount, plastic exterior. If I had to sum up the design and material build quality philosophy of the Nikon Zf with ONE example, the threaded shutter button is that example. Nikon made the shutter button threaded, but it does not work with a threaded cable release. It's just threaded for show, as a cosmetic option so you can attach a soft release button for show. And adding insult to injury, there is no port on the camera to attach one of Nikon's electronic cable releases. You have to use the Bluetooth remote or the smartphone app (which does not work currently, the iOS version does not pair due to a known bug). I wish people were more honest and more critical in their reviews of the Nikon Zf built quality. It's an OK camera, certainly OK for the USD2,000 price point. But it's not "all metal".

Are apostrophes bad for the algorithm?

Just a quick one is it as bad as the Z8 lol

Bro, you’re all camera review with no work to show for it what a waste of time

Would you agree that this is the worst camera Nikon ever made? It has the worst ergonomics and lens selection for sure!

Rambling and boring

I love this camera and I think you nailed it when you said this camera has the look and the modern workflow. You can use it old school or modern. What a great camera.

I'm trying to hold out for the z6 III, but this zf is so tempting

Considering it's the same sensor than the z6 is it much better in low light ?