Thanks for chiming in, Michael.

Sorry for the delay about approving your post. For some reason, I didn’t get the notification of your post pending approval.

I agree with what you said, and for how strange this may sound, I find that the practicality of the Zf helps me forget about the camera itself.
Of course, this is also due to the use of manual lenses: with autofocus systems, I always doubted whether the camera got what I wanted in focus or not. And, unfortunately, the autofocus issue is even more common on Fuji cameras.

But above all, after one year now, I can state that I’m definitely in love with the colors these cameras produce.

Iam a professional photographer who has used Nikon for almost 30 years. From covering the tour de France to the British touring car championships plus formula one. No auto focus, chosing you’re film stock for the day. Just because you want to go back to the good old days and get a camera that makes you think about what you are doing to create an image rather than leave it to technology is not hipster.
I’ve used fuji and leica and I can say that they all have poor design I get frustrated and fed up reading complaints about cameras t because they don’t fit perfectly into somebody’s ideal camera.

Many thanks this gives me a lot more confidence. Thank you!

Hi Alberto,

The subject detection (and focus confirmation if you use an adapter with electronic contact) should help quite a bit with the 50mm.

Funny you mention that focal length, I’ve been thinking to give it a try myself.
I’m waiting for the first reviews of the new Color-Skopar 50mm F2.2. If it looks good as the other Color-Skopar I have, I’ll pair it with the Zf.

Enter the Zf. I find it to be the most versatile camera I have ever used. For “old school” street shooting, I use my Ai-s lenses with zone focusing. I primarily use Manual exposure with Auto ISO. I program the AE-L/AF-L button to toggle 100% zoom, and the Fn button to toggle focus peaking (on to achieve focus and off to compose). I also programmed the Video button to go to the top of My Menu for quick access to things like Auto ISO on/off and Non-CPU lens selection. When I’m using Z lenses, I reprogram the buttons to use back button focus and AF mode selection. This makes it a pain to switch between MF and Z lenses. That’s really my only gripe with the Zf. I’m hoping they add Banks someday.

The MF lenses I typically bring out on the street are the 50/2 Nikkor-H (very sharp, small and cheap!) and a 28/2.8. Sometimes I’ll add a 20/2.8 and/or 105/2.5. One other lens I’m considering is the Voightlander 40/1.2, but the Z-mount version is hard to come by. I also picked up a M to Z adapter with the thought of maybe adapting a Leica or other M-mount lens to reduce the size of my kit, but it’s difficult to justify the cost. So, for now I’m happy with my old Nikkors.

I have a Leica M10 and I am thinking of switching to Nikon Zf or the fuji. But, the main reason is that I like to shoot 50mm around f4 or less, and it is not so precise nor easy with the rangefinder (both for framing and focusing)
If you like the wider lenses from 35mm on, and the focusing does not have to be in such a narrow range, the Leica files are superb. That’s the main reason I am hesitant to switch.

Coming from the X-Pro2, the battery life on the Zf is a significant change for me.
But I’m unable to answer your question in detail because with my practice of shooting I only take the few pictures that I consider decent.

With that said, here’s some comparison to put things in perspective.
With the X-Pro2, I had to carry at least one extra battery for a day of shooting (six hours average).
Of course, it’s not only the image itself that drains the battery, but how we use the camera, and I keep it on from start to finish.

For me, that means that I use the same battery for at least two days, if not more.
I got back yesterday after using the same battery for two days, with a 36% battery still available.
It’s worth mentioning that I have the airplane mode on.

I hope that helps.

JD,

I’m not sure about “no AF On” button, it’s indeed implemented.

As for your other complaints, like I said, different cameras for different types of use.
I find the layout of the buttons on the Zf absolutely perfect for my needs, everything is right where I need it to be.

Also, I don’t need the joystick at all. Like I said in the write-up above, I use manual lenses, the joystick would be redundant for me, and would most likely end up unused.

Clearly, Nikon aimed especially at street shooters, and I might say, even with manual focus lenses photographers in mind, where the Zf excels in unique ways not seen on other cameras yet.

I understand the result can be frustrating for other photographers who shoot a different genre. Luckily, there are solutions for every taste.

Everything the knows do can be changed on a normal Z body, one handed, without taking your eye from the viewfinder. The grip is a big detractor, but also poor shutter release placement, no AF On button, no focus joystick, only one poorly placed front Fn button. Then, with all of the reduced functionality, it still somehow comes in larger than a Z6/7. Aside from the looks, it’s 100% drawbacks, with no benefits. Might be fine coming from Fuji, but if you had previously used a real Nikon, it would be pure frustration.