Nikon Zf Review – A Fujifilm Shooter’s Take on

In this review, I share my impressions regarding Nikon Z f with the 40mm F2 lens from the perspective of a Fujifilm long term shooter. I already had experience with Nikon Z5 and with the 40mm F2 lens.

Nikon Z f First Impressions

When I’ve opened the box I was very, very impressed.

I had that feeling when I opened my Fuji X-Pro3 and also my Leica MP240.

When you touch this camera, you really feel that this is a full-frame X-Pro3.

This is how Nikon Z f feels at touch.

It’s ultra-premium build. I think the clicks are the best clicks that I’ve experienced in my life. It is ultra-clicky and sturdy like X-Pro3 and better than Fujifilm X-Pro3, better than Leica MP240, and better, of course, than X-T5.

There is no discussion here regarding touch and feeling in hand. You really feel this camera like a film camera, like an X-Pro camera, like a Leica M camera.

Nikon Z f feels ultra-premium and ultra-good in hand.

It’s really inviting you to keep the camera in hand and to shoot.

Nikon Z f Weight & Lens Selection Concerns

I didn’t buy this camera sooner because I had two problems:

• Nikon Z fweight
• Nikon Z f lens options.

Nikon Z f Weight

Regarding Nikon Z f weight, let’s address this problem.

Even if the camera has some weight to it, the weight is very well distributed.

The camera is a large camera, it has a large and long body, and this is very good because it means that the weight is evenly distributed.

Also, this means that you must operate the Nikon Z f camera with two hands (in general).

But because the Nikkor 40mm f2 lens is light and balances very well, you can also operate the camera with one hand if you want to do so.

The key word here is that the camera is large, and this is a good thing for balancing.

The Fuji X-T5 is not as large and felt like a brick because of that weight. I’ve always complained regarding the ergonomics and the balance of X-T5.

This is better done, even if it is heavier than Fujifilm X-T5, because it’s a large body. So yes, you don’t go small with Nikon Z f, but this is a good thing because you have large lenses and big lenses on the Nikon Z system.

This is good because this means that the large lenses on the Nikon Z will fit very well on the Nikon Z f but also small lenses will make it portable.

Nikon Z f Design and Build

My preferred camera body from Fujifilm is Fujifilm X-Pro3.

This Fujifilm X-Pro3 has a large body, a longer body. Nikon Z f is also longer.

You can see that Nikon Z f is a little longer than X-Pro3.

Something that I really like. This longer body, this wider body, this large body—it really helps with balancing.

Nikon Zf it’s an upgrade to Fujifilm X-Pro3 – a mix between X-T5 and X-PRO3 with a full frame sensor!

Nikon Z f Small Lens Selection

Regarding the lenses you have at least three iconic lenses from Nikon that are great for street and every day photography:

• Nikkor 40mm f2
• Nikkor 28mm f2.8
• Nikkor 26mm f2.8 (very sharp)
• and here is a selection of my preferred Nikon Z lenses

A great lens on Nikon Z f it’s the TTArtisan 75mm f2 (get it here)

Nikon Z f Flip Screen

Now I’ve addressed the weight problem. The other problem that I had, and it made me not buy Nikon Z f, is that it has a flip-out screen and not a tilt screen.

But the Nikon Z f screen is a large and beautiful flip screen. The screen is very big – my biggest camera screen that I have!

Comparing to the Sony A7C flip screen, the Sony’s screen looks like a joke compared to Nikon Z f screen. Also, Fujifilm screens are small. Not large and bright like this one.

The Nikon Z f screen is beautiful, sharp and big.

But there is a thing here—you can’t flip out this screen very easily. It is pretty sturdy, and I feel that this will influence how I compose and use the screen.

In practice, Nikon Z f well built screen will help you use the camera as a film camera, using the EVF.

Nikon Z f Electronic Viewfinder (EVF)

Nikon Z f electronic viewfinder is very clear and easy to use. It is extraordinary.

I feel that this is the first camera—and I mean it—that’s really inviting me to use the EVD because it’s so well visible without any eye constraint.

Regarding specs it has the same specs as the Fujifilm X-T5 electronic viewfinder — 0.8 magnification and 3 million pixels.

Anyway, I think the eye point is better than the Fujifilm X-T5 eye point, or the design is better because we have this rounded design, just like Fujifilm X-Pro3 and other cameras that I like to use with the electronic viewfinder.

But compared to X-Pro3, where I am forced to use the electronic viewfinder because of the screen, here I feel that I want to use the electronic viewfinder because it is so bright and clear.

It is very clear, very bright. It is very easy for me to see what is in the frame.

Nikon Z f the electronic viewfinder is outstanding.

I’m liking this electronic viewfinder more than the optical viewfinder of X-Pro and also more than the optical viewfinder of Leica MP240.

Those optical viewfinders don’t have this magnification, so the Nikon Zf magnification is really relaxing for your eye.

It’s really easy to use the Nikon Z f camera with this electronic viewfinder _ — look, and compose (very good job Nikon).

Nikon Z f Battery and Power

Another thing that I noticed is the large battery. This is good.

I think the power consumption is pretty low on this camera because the screen and EVF brightness didn’t drain the battery as much as I expected during my initial usage.

This makes the Nikon Z f even better suited for long shooting sessions without worrying about frequent charging.

Nikon Z F and Nikkor 40mm f2

As for the lens, I used it with the 40mm F2, and I must say this lens pairs incredibly well with the body.

The compact size of the lens balances perfectly with the larger camera body, which enhances ergonomics significantly.

I had my doubts regarding the Nikon Z lens lineup because many of them are larger and bulkier compared to other systems.

But this combination is amazing—light lens and well-balanced body.

I am now confident that this camera can handle even the larger Nikon Z lenses with ease.

This opens up a lot of creative possibilities, and I feel excited to experiment with different focal lengths.

The included 40mm f/2 lens is not extraordinary regarding optics but gets the job done. The more I use it, the more I start to love it!

While it’s not as sharp as the X100V’s lens (at a first look), the full-frame sensor provides better subject-background separation, leading to superior overall results.

Nikon Z f Shutter Sound

The mechanical shutter on the Nikon Zf is the best I’ve ever used.

It’s silent, dampened and the sound it invites you to use it.

Compared to the X-T5 and X-Pro3, the Nikon Zf’s shutter sound is superior.

Nikon Z f vs Fujifilm

Regarding manual controls, there were complaints online that Nikon didn’t implement them as well as Fujifilm. I disagree.

The Nikon Zf’s manual controls are intuitive and easy to use.

Switching between modes is simple and straightforward, even for someone accustomed to Fujifilm cameras.

Also you can control the AUTO-ISO very simple by assigning a custom button.

Conclusion

Nikon Z f is one of the best cameras I’ve handled, hands down.

The premium feel, the perfectly balanced weight distribution, and that outstanding EVF make it a joy to use.

Although I had some reservations regarding the weight and the flip-out screen, those concerns have been thoroughly addressed now that I’ve spent some time with the camera.

This is truly a camera that bridges the gap between a digital camera and the nostalgic feeling of classic film cameras.

I can see myself carrying this around everywhere, knowing it’s versatile enough to handle all types of photography styles.

Let me know your thoughts about the Nikon Z f in the comments. If you’ve got any questions, I’d be more than happy to answer them.

Nikon Zf Short Pros

• Exceptional build quality with a premium, nostalgic feel
• Outstanding EVF clarity and usability
• Well-balanced weight distribution, even with larger lenses
• Compact size when paired with pancake lenses, making it portable
• Intuitive manual controls that simplify operation
• Exceptional autofocus on par with Sony cameras and much better than Fujifilm’s autofocus
• Black-and-white and color switching is very convenient
• Very good color in jpegs and raw files
• Great with manual lenses – dedicated or adapted
• You have lots of adapters that are doing miracles (like Megadap Sony to Nikon Z adapter, TTartisan Leica M-Z 6 bit coded adapter, Neewer ETZ adapter etc.).

Nikon Zf Short Cons

• No film simulations that are as good as Fujifilm’s
• Flip-out screen is sturdy but less convenient for quick adjustments (like a tilt screen)
• Limited selection of compact, high-quality lenses in the Nikon Z lineup (but third parties lenses like TTartisan, Viltrox, Yongnuo ec. are closing the gap)
• Weight and size could be restrictive for some users

Where To Get IT?

• Get Nikon Zf using my affiliate link from Amazon: click here