Nikon Zf Introduction
The new Zf is a full-frame FX design mirrorless camera propelled by the notable FM2 film camera that was first delivered in 1982.
It additionally intently looks like the APS-C sensor Nikon Zfc camera that was delivered back in 2021.The Zf has an exemplary classic plan, highlighting a few natural actual controls on the body, including devoted dials for changing the ISO speed, shade speed, and openness pay.
The Zf utilizes a similar Z focal point mount as Nikon’s range of full-frame sensor cameras, and that implies that it can use a similar range of Nikkor Z marked FX focal points.
The Nikon Zf has a 24.5 megapixel sensor matched with the most recent EXPEED 7 processor. The auto-center framework has 299 stage discovery AF pixels with a similar simulated intelligence driven subject-following modes as the leader Z8/Z9 models, with the Zf ready to shine down to – 10EV low-light AF.
It presents to 8 stops of vibration decrease, has an ISO range of 100-64,000 that is expandable to 204,800, and there depends on 30fps burst shooting with AF/AE following.It has 4K/30p video recording, a vari-point contact screen LCD, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth network, residue and trickle safe climate sealing down to 0 °C, and double memory card openings.
The Nikon Zf previously opened up in October 2023 estimated at £2299/€2599 body only, £2519 with the Z 40mm f/2 SE focal point, and £2849 with the Z 24-70mm f/4 S focal point. There are six distinct premium outside variety choices, notwithstanding the all-dark standard model. It is made in Thailand. Here is our top to bottom Nikon Zf survey, in light of putting in half a month and utilizing a range of various focal points with it.
Nikon Zf Ease of Use
Nikon have followed up the 2021 arrival of the APS-C sensor Zfc retro advanced camera with the new 35mm full-frame Zf, which intently follows the plan ethos of the more established model, to such an extent that you’d be unable to differentiate them next to each other.
Thusly, both of these cameras have plainly taken their motivation from Nikon’s old FM2 film SLR from the 1980s, including a recognizable pentaprism style plan, a leaf screen switch and a variety of rangefinder-like dials and switches.
There’s likewise a fresh out of the plastic new embellished fake calfskin hold region, including when the LCD screen is shut, finished with metal dials on top of the camera which evidently will progressively wear after some time to add more person and patina to the camera.
Nikon are plainly attempting to trade out the developing energy for retro-styled mirrorless cameras lately, as well as, independently, an ascent in the ubiquity of film based photography, from individuals getting back to the craftsmanship, however from those of a more youthful, understudy age.
Fujifilm and Olympus/OM Framework have been selling only one of a kind in-appearance computerized cameras for a long time now, thus, by examination Nikon is somewhat late to the party with the rangefinder-like dials and switches that currently embellish its most recent Zf mirrorless contribution, its execution having taken clear motivation from its old FM2 film SLR from the 1980s, including a recognizable pentaprism style plan.
Be ready to have strangers inquisitively finding out if you’re utilizing an ‘old’ camera when making the rounds. We had the standard dark version in for audit, which is absolutely extremely covert and ideal for road photography, however the Zf is likewise available in up to six extra tones from Indigo Blue to Dusk Orange if you have any desire to stand apart from the group.
Praise to Nikon however, as the new Zf is significantly more than simply a dependable tribute to the past. Without a doubt, it offers a few mechanical firsts for the Nikon Z-series all in all, in any event, offering a couple of elements not yet seen on the leader Z8 and Z9 models.
This remembers subject identification for manual center mode, which is great for clients who need to utilize more established manual-concentrate only focal points. In this fresh out of the box new mode for Nikon, subject location naturally moves the center highlight the eye and promptly zooms in to center, something generally a fairly relentless cycle for MF clients. There are even center guides available assuming that the joined focal point has electronic contacts.
The Zf costs £2299 body-only on send off, essentially more than the Zfc at £899, so if truly you like the exemplary styling however don’t have the money to go full-frame, then, at that point, the APS-C option is an exceptionally convincing choice as far as its sticker price.
There are two or three unit focal point packs available at send off, including either the minor Z 40mm f/2 SE prime with its similarly retro styling, or the more modern, adaptable Z 24-70mm f/4 S zoom which pushes the value up to £2849.
Nikon has decided on a smartest scenario imaginable methodology here with regards to the Zf’s taking care of and activity. To take one model, you can shoot the camera’s shade discharge either by means of the standard top-plate button surrounded by the on/off switch, or by just tapping the LCD contact screen to all the while concentration and catch a shot, similar as any cell phone.
More experienced clients can fidget the top-plate dials and handles however much they might want to tweak the outcomes assuming they really depend on speed on how that will treat the final product, or, on the other hand assuming less recognizable, you can essentially leave the camera set to Auto and simply simple to use.
There are three unmistakable high contrast modes got to by this devoted switch on top of camera – Monochrome, Level Monochrome and Profound Tone Monochrome, instances of which are available in the Picture Quality segment. The capacity to rapidly change to one of these modes basically by flicking a switch is an extraordinary element for highly contrasting darlings.
Notwithstanding the underlying obvious intricacy, we immediately became accustomed to the bustling set-up and wound up preferring it as such; it causes the Nikon Zf to feel like a finely tuned instrument with a great cluster of usefulness in a real sense to be found readily available, with little need to dunk into the menu framework.
The top plate highlights three manual dials controlling shade speed, openness remuneration (+/ – 3EV) and ISO responsiveness, while a tiny window helpfully shows the ongoing gap being used. On the other hand, basic admittance to various settings is available on the back of the camera through a press of the ‘I’ button and I menu and utilization of the touch-screen LCD pair.
In the event that you’re thinking about this one as a potential vlogging camera, you’ll be satisfied to gain proficiency with the LCD screen can be flipped fully outwards and the screen pivoted to confront whoever is before the focal point. The expanded enunciation of the screen here is a first for the full-frame ‘Z’ series.
There is no implicit glimmer on this camera, despite the fact that. There is an empty hotshoe for a discretionary frill streak, so as far as light responsiveness choices. While taking photos or video without, it’s important that the top plate dial offers direct admittance to steady settings going from ISO 100 to 64,000.
There’s likewise an extra setting on a similar dial stamped ‘C’ which extends this top setting to what might be compared to a few stages higher, going as far as possible up to an incredible, yet commotion inclined Hello 1.7 setting of ISO 204,800.
Notwithstanding this super low-light ISO awareness, the Nikon Zf has the ability to amaze to auto-shine in – 10EV low-light utilizing the new Illuminated AF mode. This utilizations separate pixels on the sensor for self-adjusting, permitting the AF pixels to overexpose for centering in practically complete dimness without unfavorably influencing the general openness of the last picture.
For the absolute first time on any Nikon mirrorless camera, the ZF offers contact control on the LCD screen while utilizing the EVF. This is the sort of thing that we’ve seen before on a few different producers cameras, however never before on a Nikon.
You can design a customisable region of the LCD screen for contact control enactment, relegate a capability to it from one of the five available, and afterward initiate that capability by tapping. The chose region on the LCD, all while you’re glancing through the viewfinder.
The Nikon Zf offers three distinct persistent shooting modes – Consistent High (7.8fps, RAW+JPEG/HEIF), Constant High Expanded (14fps, RAW+JPEG/HEIF) and High velocity + (30fps, JPEG/HEIF only).
There’s likewise extra assistance in catching. The unequivocal second from the pre-catch mode, very much like on the Z8/9. Where the camera naturally records as long as 1 second before.
The new Center Point VR mode is a world first for Nikon, yet for cameras overall. In this mode the up to 8 stops of in-camera vibration pay that the Zf offers are focused on the at present chose and dynamic center point, bringing about a more honed subject paying little mind to where it is in the frame. Note that this element only works with Nikkor focal points. That don’t have VR implicit, and only for stills photographs and not video.
Pixel-shift shooting has been seen before on rival cameras, however presently makes its introduction on the Nikon framework. You can decide to take 4, 8, 16 or 32 Crude shots one after another, with the VR unit moving. The sensor by up to 1 pixel each time.
The subsequent documents can then be combined utilizing Nikon’s NX Studio 1.5.0 programming to make one high-goal picture that is around a limit of 150 megapixels in size. Note that the camera must be kept totally stable on a mount or comparative – there’s no handheld mode as right now tracked down on a couple of other opponent cameras.
The Nikon Zf has a fairly modest video mode. That only backings up to 4K/30p/25p/24p 10-cycle quality oversampled from 6K, however. It presents to 125 minutes keep time in any mode. Which is fundamentally longer than on the Z6 II and Z7 II models. There are likewise 4K/60p in the DX design and 1080/120p sluggish movement modes.
The Zf is the primary Z-series camera to help full command over. The key openness settings. while shooting video in the Shade Need mode. The screen speed to a precarious light source. When the brilliance of the scene is continually evolving.
Dissimilar to the Zfc which only has one memory card opening. The bigger full-frame Zf has double card spaces housed in the battery compartment, in spite of the fact that. There is very much a turn in that one space upholds standard UHS II SD cards. The second rather particularly upholds. The Miniature SD card design (which disappointingly only backings UHS I speed cards). We’ve never seen this execution before on any camera.
The Zf involves the very same EN-EL15c battery as the majority of Nikon’s mid-range cameras. Battery duration is around 380 shots for each charge while utilizing. The LCD screen and 360 shots for every charge utilizing the EVF as indicated by true CIPA estimations. You can re-energize and drive the camera by means of its USB-C port.
Nikon summarize the new Zf by saying. That it’s the most impressive camera in its classification but it likewise looks exceptionally lovely as well. Which will hopefully end up being a triumphant mix in the consistently serious full-frame market.
At last, on the off chance. That you favor a modern-looking Nikon mirrorless. The less expensive Z6 II or the correspondingly estimated Z7 II are both incredible choices. However assuming the rare fancy odds and ends hold an additional allure and such wistfulness changes. Those heartstrings, then, at that point, the new Zf is a shockingly proficient camera. That doesn’t simply seek the past for motivation.
Image Quality
The example pictures in this audit were all taken utilizing. The 24.5 megapixel Huge JPEG setting. Which delivers a typical picture size of around 10Mb.
Noise
There are 13 fundamental ISO settings available on the Nikon Zf, with the standard range running from ISO 100-64000 . The extended range from 50-204800.
File Quality
The Nikon Zf has 6 unique JPEG and HEIF document quality settings available, with Fine* being. The greatest choice for the two organizations, and it likewise upholds the Crude configuration with three degrees of pressure available.
Active D-lighting (ADL)
D-lighting is Nikon’s dynamic range streamlining instrument that endeavors to fit the full unique range of the sensor into JPEGs. Dynamic D-lighting works “on the fly”, before the in-camera handling motor believers the crude picture information into JPEGs. The available settings are Off, Low, Ordinary, High, Additional High, in addition to an Auto mode.
HDR
The Nikon Zf’s HDR Mode catches. Three distinct openings and consolidates. Them into one, holding more shadow and feature detail, with an Auto mode, and four unique qualities.
Multiple Exposure
The Nikon Zf’s various openness mode permits. You to take somewhere in the range of two and ten pictures and union. Them into a solitary photograph in-camera.
Picture Controls
Nikon’s Image Controls are preset blends of honing, contrast, splendor, immersion and shade. Every one of the 28 different Picture.
Sample Images
This is a determination of test pictures from the Nikon Zf camera. Which were undeniably taken utilizing the 24.5 megapixel Enormous JPEG setting. The thumbnails beneath connection to the full-sized renditions, which have not been changed at all.
Sample RAW Images
The Nikon Zf empowers clients to catch Crude and JPEG design documents. We’ve given some Nikon Crude (NEF) tests for you to download (thumbnail pictures displayed underneath are not 100 percent delegate).
Sample Movies & Video
This is an example film at the quality setting of 3840×2160 pixels at 60 frames each second. If it’s not too much trouble, note that this 10 second film is 440Mb in size. This is an example film at the quality setting of 3840×2160 pixels at 30 frames each second. If it’s not too much trouble, note that this 10 second film is 194Mb in size. This is an example film at the quality setting of 1920×1080 pixels at 120 frames each second. Kindly note that this 10 second film is 146Mb in size.
Conclusion
That it wasn’t full-frame. Not helped by the fact. That Nikon’s lens support for their cropped sensor models is, at best, thin on the ground.
Fast forwards two years. The Zf has now arrived, sporting an almost identical vintage external design. The Z fc but crucially incorporating a larger 35mm sensor. Whilst also rather surprisingly adding a few new features.
There’s also a much bigger range of full-frame lenses available for the Zf, although. The Nikkor Z 40mm F/2 Special Edition prime. That is otherwise a great match does disappointingly have a plastic mount and a certain plasticky quality.
It terms of its position within the Nikon range. The new Zf slots in at the same price-point as. The Z6 II and below the Z7 II, but it actually offers a much more competent auto-focusing system. That either of those models.
Add in extra features like pixel-shift multi-shooting and a vari-angle LCD screen. It’s clear that the Zf is the best mid-range Nikon camera currently available, unless you really want the more modern, pared-back design of the Z6/7 II.
That rather cold assessment crucially misses. The almost entire point of this new camera, though, namely. Its frankly gorgeous retro design. For many people the marriage of a full-frame sensor with an entirely dial-driven interface will be music to their ears. The only reason necessary to purchase the Zf. The fact that this is also the most capable. Nikon camera around the £$2000 mark is just the icing on a very rich cake.
Ultimately, if you prefer a more modern-looking. Nikon mirrorless model then the Z6 II is still a great, if now ageing, option. If the vintage bells-and-whistles hold an extra appeal and such nostalgia tweaks those heartstrings. Then the Zf is surely. the only Nikon camera for you.