Nikon ZF - In A Nutshell

A fast paced short and to the point hands on review of the Nikon ZF coming from a Fujifilm Ambassador and XT5 user

If you have any questions please ask down below and ill do my best to answer them.

Or if you'd like an item review or to get in touch with me

[haihophan]

AF is where the Zf really kicking ass here (compare to Fuji), even with Manual Focus, what Nikon is doing with its subject detect is phenomenal.

[richardlucascronley]

Zf is one of the best cameras of all time. Welcome to the Club

[danielschmaderer]

I used to shoot with Nikon. I honestly really like the images straight out of camera. If I wasn’t so invested in Fuji, I would go back to Nikon.

[artsilva]

Off the bat; I find it funny by the fuji bias comment that this is Nikon's "attempt" to make a retro camera like Fuji, when it was Fuji that emulated the Nikon F cameras of old in the first place. Nikon is the retro everyone is trying to copy in form and operation. Yes Fujifilm and Fujica had their 35mm cameras back in the 70s/80s but all were competing with Nikon back then who lead the market in "retro" design and ergonomics since the 60's. All Nikon is doing with the Zf, Zfc, even the Df (remember that one?) is going back to their own roots, their own designs. Fuji is just doing what nikon wouldn't do during the DSLR period (except for the Df) coming out with Nikon looking mirrorless cameras along side the Rangefinder style designs Ala a poor-mans Leica with the X-Pro, X100, and to a certain extent the X-E line... I Know, I own all those fuji design bodies but I am also a 45 year Nikon shooter.
Oh and btw, Grips are NOT retro, that came from the DSLRs. So complaining that a retro camera doesn't have a grip by default is not knowing what Retro actually is, otherwise it would be a Part retro, Part modern SLR/DLSR design.

[sonderbass]

Also considering selling my XT4/primes and moving to Nikon. Torn between the z6iii and the zf, but since I’m shooting more concerts, I think the AF from the z6iii would be slightly better. But retro styling is so good on the zf

[MoiseLevi]

Have both, the XT5 and the ZF, and by the way, Nikon started that trend many years ago with the Df ... had it, sold it (too heavy, but was an amazing camera for its time, had the same specs as the D4). The extra grip with the ZF works perfectly. Been a Fuji user since the first X100 ... first XT1 ... have had them all (Nikon included). Leisure and streets, Fuji. Real work, Nikon. However, recently its been the ZF on the street mostly due to its amazing focusing system

[craigradix]

Almost everyone complains about the grip, but tbh I don’t have a problem with it. It just takes a bit of getting used to

[cats-]

You've done what I did: you've put the strap rings from the Fuji on your ZF. :D

[awake]

Neewer and Small Rig both make aftermarket grips. With smaller lenses, the grip is fine or you can just add a small stick on thumb grip for extra assurance.

[solandio]

I bought a Zf after testing the XT-5 I was sure I wanted the fujifilm and although the grip is much better, it doesn't feel as solid and robust as my new ZF I'm very happy with it.

The only thing I don't like is the sound of the ibis when the camera is off, everything else is perfect for me, if I bought the Smallring grip.

[stayuntilforever]

I'm switching from 6 1/2 years with Fujifilm to ZF next week. I'll keep XE1 & XT2 + 18mmf2 and 35mm1.4

[WhoIsSerafin]

The grip is what made me fall in love with it! I’m a child of the 80s and grew up with this design and love holding this kind of camera over the modern style. Adding those ugly grips to these cameras is just wrong.

[karlbratby]

The Zf is what the XT5 should have been… happy to move back to Nikon after a few years with Fuji, Nikon is where I started as a pro 35 years ago

[danielkoskinen]

I've often looked at the Zf and thought it would be cool to switch, but the lack of aperture dials on Nikon lenses is a big minus. Unless I'd go fully manual of course, but on Fuji I don't have to.

[brusselssprout]

The build, finish and haptics of the Zf feel way better than the Fujifilm retro bodies indeed. But this comes with a serious weight penalty, made even worse once you add the compulsory grip. In fact a Zf with grip is noticeably larger and heavier than a Z6/7 and almost as heavy as a Z8. This mitigates a bit my enthusiasm for this body.

[rayjermyn]

like @danielschmaderer, Im invested several cameras and lenses deep in the Fuji system and do love it. My style of photography is slow - landscapes etc, so the ongoing AF problems do not directly affect me, but the lack of response from Fuji does concern me. My other issue is that Fuji appear to have lost their way - with so many cameras, several systems - clarity is lacking. I suspect there will be a time for me when I will go back to Nikon. Sony drives me crazy as they are menu driven, Nikon and Fuji are dial and tactile centric, which fits my many years of both MF and AF cameras

[felm.]

one thing is for sure, photographers will complain and nit pick lol

[SummersSnaps]

And now Fujifilm have fired you. lol... jks.

I love competition between brands and Fuji should be grateful the Zf exists, a kick up the arse they need. Canon R7II in 2025 with a stacked APS-C is another kick up their ass they need.
What I want ported to the Fuji line more than anything is the punch in zoom to the eye with manual focus glass that the ZF gets, and I don't understand for the life of me why Fuji can't make this happen super easily. The solution is easy, when toggling to Manual Focus mode, don't remove the subject detection features, leave them in, then the punch in zoom jumps straight to those highlighted areas of interest like the eyes. Argh Fuji! Fix this! Make it happen!

[_Just_Some]

Second comment: also complaining about the camera’s handling when it’s inspired by an old design and made to be “retro” is on another level. Gosh you got to love the internet!

[clemfandango]

The ZF is a fine camera but the dials and interface are NOT the same as an XT Fuji. And the lack of aperture ring on the lenses is a big problem.