After my tumultuous journey with the Leica SL2-S, marked by repeated hardware failures and frustrating customer service experiences, I had decided to move on. Prerequisite was to get another full frame camera, as the larger sensors ensure better low light capabilities, greater dynamic range and more depth-of-field-separation (bokeh) when shooting wide open. And I was looking for a camera that is (like the Leica from its design and haptics doubtless also was) a joy to pick up and makes me want to go out and shoot. Only reliable.
Going through all the current full frame models on the market, I quickly set my eyes on a particular model. The brand I knew well from my early DSLR shooting days. These cameras never failed me and were reliable work horses. I knew I needed to look no further. There was a camera I instantly fell in love with. Enter the Nikon Zf – a retro beauty with modern power….and my new baby since a couple of weeks now….
A Nostalgic Design with Modern Precision
The Nikon Zf pays homage to the iconic Nikon FM2 from the 1980s, enveloping advanced digital capabilities within a body that radiates vintage charm. The tactile satisfaction of its dials (the have an awesome click-sound) and buttons offers a refreshing departure from the menu-driven interfaces of most other contemporary full frame cameras. I love this retro design, know it well from two of my favorite cameras, the Olympus PEN-F (Micro4/3) and my beloved Fuji X-T2 (APS-C). This design not only pleases the eye, but also fosters an intuitive shooting experience, allowing me to focus on the moment rather than fumbling through settings. Just perfect for Street Photography.
Aside from its awesome design, the Zf is a pure joy to pick up and take to the streets for street photography. Its compact yet solid build, responsive controls, and fast autofocus make it an ideal companion for capturing life as it unfolds. The camera feels just right in my hands—light enough to carry all day but substantial enough to inspire confidence to be able to handle all photographic tasks at hand.
Technical Mastery Beneath the Surface
Beyond its truly alluring exterior, the Zf is equipped with a 24.5-megapixel full-frame BSI CMOS sensor, delivering images with remarkable clarity and dynamic range. The EXPEED 7 image processor (the same as in Nikon’s current High End full frame cameras Z8 and Z9) ensures swift performance, enabling continuous shooting at up to 14 frames per second—perfect for capturing fleeting moments with precision. The in-body image stabilization, rated up to 8 stops, is awesome, allowing for sharp handheld shots even in challenging lighting conditions. Perfect for me who likes to roam around and shoot in the streets after dark.
The autofocus system, featuring 273 points with subject recognition and 3D tracking, has consistently impressed me with its accuracy and speed. So very much better than the Leica SL2-S, where the autofocus was one of the greatest weaknesses. Whether I’m photographing bustling street scenes or tranquil landscapes, the Zf autofocus performs flawlessly, ensuring my subjects are always in sharp focus. The hit rate for sharp images is far better than in any camera I ever owned.
The Zf has a fully articulating screen and I absolutely love it, especially when photographing something low to the ground. And that it allows to flip it completely closed, so you don’t see the results of pressing the shutter, allowing for an almost full analogue shooting experience.
What I also really love, the Zf has a monochrome mode that can be turned on by flipping a switch, allowing me to instantly dive into by beloved black-and-white photography that produces jpgs with a depth and richness that harks back to traditional film aesthetics and can be easily used straight out of camera without any further post-production
A Reliable Companion
Re-investing the funds from selling the Leica SL2-S into the Nikon Zf proved to be the right decision. After using it for a couple of weeks now, the Nikon has proven to be the dependable partner the Leica never was. Its equally robust build quality, combined with beautiful design and advanced features, has restored my confidence in my equipment. I no longer find myself second-guessing whether my workhorse camera will perform when it matters most. It’s a camera that makes me want to get out and photograph—a beautiful tool that feels just as good to use as the images it produces. The results you will be seeing on this blog.
And somehow it also feels good to be a Nikon Shooter again. With the Nikon Zf – A retro beauty with modern power.
All photos in this post taken with my iPhone 14 Pro, post-processing in Lightroom Classic
Have a great Friday!
Marcus
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Looks like a great new partner for adventure. Enjoy!!
Thanks so much for visit and comment, and I love my new Nikon 🙂
Marvelous! Good choice. After several Nikon’s over the last 25 years, I made the choice for the Z too. And, again I’m happy.
So great to hear you’re enjoying the Z too, Jos! Appreciate your visit and comment! Marcus
I can see why you love this camera – what a beauty, and from a trusted brand. I like the way the articulating screen can close completely – mine moves all directions but doesn’t close like that. And of course, my Olympus isn’t full frame so it’s not as bright and lacks the dynamic range. I love the small size of mine and this one, and the superior weather sealing, image stabilization, & autofocus, all important for me. If I hadn’t invested so much in Oly lenses and I had mots of extra cash, I’d get a Nikon for sure. I do wonder about the small grip but I’m sure I’d get used to it. Great article!
Thanks, Lynn, so much appreciate you sharing your thoughts on our gear. I still love and use my Olympus cameras, as this is the system I own the most lenses of, and I can’t get myself to sell the Olys of. I see the full frame Nikon as top range addition to my gear, as sometimes I need the extra ISO performance, dynamic range and the exceptional autofocus. But for now I’m happy with the Zf body and the 40mm prime plus one all-round zoom.
Your new camera is looking great 👍 congratulations 👏
Thanks, Priti, very much appreciated!
☺️
Congratz with your new camera! Have fun!
Thanks, Harrie, so much appreciated!
Looking forward to the results, Marcus!
Steve
Thanks, Steve, will be up shortly:-)
Marcus, congratulations on your new camera. I have read the reviews on Amazon and they are excellent. What impressed me was that this camera will focus in almost complete darkness and the noise is very well controlled up to 12800 ISO. I agree with John that this camera is a work of art. Good luck with your new camera!
Thanks for your kind words, Kaya! I can confirm already AF in the dark and noise control work fabulous. Up to ISO6400 fully usable without any cleanup. Awesome for my street photography at night.
Congratulations and good luck with your new Nikon Zf Marcus. It is cameras like the Zf and Fuji’s with analog type controls that reinvigorated my love for photography. It’s one of the reasons I switched to Fujifilm years ago (before Nikon released a retro styled camera). There is something special about cameras with an external shutter speed, ISO dial and aperture where you can preset your camera to any situation without turning it on. Back in my film days when I shot with Nikons I had an FE2 which is somewhat similar to the FM2 except it had aperture priority auto along with full manual control. The Zf is definitely a beauty and if I still shot with Nikon it definitely would be my choice. Being I don’t have a need for a camera with a full frame sensor my current cameras are the Fujifilm X-T5 and X100VI.
Thanks so much, Joe, really appreciate your visit, wishes and comment. Glad you share my sentiments for cams with external controls. It makes photography so much more seamless, especially in Street Photography. If I wouldn’t have the need for full frame quality sometimes, I would have stuck with my beloved Fuji X-T2. A bit aged, but what a great cam. I also owned an X100 once, but sold that when I got the Leica. Shouldn’t have done it. Have fun with your Fujis! Marcus
It was a joy to read this review, Marcus. Looking forward to your photos!
Thanks, Lois, as always your kind words mean so much! Have a wonderful weekend! Marcus
Good for you! I’ll look forward to your first series of photos using this beauty.
Thanks, Bruce, much appreciated!
Congratulations on your new purchase and wishing you many happy hours of shooting! Looking forward to seeing the results ❤️
Thanks, Alex, I so much appreciate your kind words and wishes!
Congrats, Marcus. I bought mine earlier this week and also traded in a Leica for it.
A strange echo across the planet.
You describe the pleasure of its design well.
Thats’s truly a coincidence 🙂 I wish you many happy hours exploring your Zf and many more having creative fun with it! Marcus
Wow Marcus, your new Nikon is a piece of art! Much more camera than I will ever need for sure. It’s good to see you happy with your camera again, welcome back to Nikon! I look forward to your photos, have a great weekend! 😎
Thanks so much, John, so much appreciate your kind words! Happy to be back in the fold of Nikon Shooters. It is so great to pick up a camera that you want to take out for a shoot and not ahem to worry it will break down on you mid-shoot. Liberating!
You are very welcome, Marcus!