🔴 Nikon Zf vs Leica? | FIRST IMPRESSIONS! 

💫 MRLEICA LR PRESETS - mrleica.com/presets/ 📝 LEICA CLUB WELCOME PACK - mrleica.com/leica-club-join-the-club/ 🚀 LEICA WORKSHOPS: mrleica.com/workshops/ 🚀 FREE MODEL PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE EBOOK: mrleica.com/ebooks/ 🚀 MAKE MONEY WITH PHOTOGRAPHY EBOOK - bit.ly/3PIYtwD Special thanks to: Alex for lending me his Nikon Zf. Follow him @Alejandro Victor from @CAMSMORE - Check out his channel if you speak Spanish! 📷 CAMERA BAG: bit.ly/3Uiva6w 📷 SEE MY KIT: mrleica.com/kitlist/ 📞 ZOOM: Not sure what camera or lens to buy? Arrange a call today - bit.ly/3lBkdgq ⭐ PATREON: 100+ Videos & Zoom - mrleica.com/patreon/ 🛎 SUBSCRIBED?: Monthly Giveaways! bit.ly/3qET0ZO 🎞 NEED FILM?: mrleica.com/do-you-need-film/ ☕ COFFEE: Thank Matt with a coffee - www.paypal.com/paypalme/MrLeica ⛔ INSURANCE: Aaduki UK Photography Insurance - with since 2014 - www.aaduki.com

I recently received my Zf and it is the full frame retro camera I have been waiting many years for. I don't use any of the automatic features, and use only my M mount Voigtlander lenses on it. The biggest benefit of the Zf for me is the ability to use the camera's subject detection along with manual focus. The focus point immediately goes to the eye, so I can quickly press the zoom button, manually focus my lens and press the shutter button. This camera provides the best manual focus experience of any camera I have ever used.

Hey matt, a couple of advantages you may not be aware of with the zf. The ibis algorithm works around the focal point and not the centre of the sensor. Also, you can use the ai auto-focus when using vintage m-mount manual lenses, for example, if you are set to eye detect, when you punch the zoom button for critical focus, the camera will zoom-in on the eye regardless of where the eye is in the frame. You mentioned the techart tzm-2, but i prefer to use the Ttartisans 6-bit adaptor. This has an adjustable wheel that allows you to set the focal length of the vintage lens being used so you can take advantage of the ibis. Also, the killer feature of the 6-bit adaptor is that it enables trap focus, this means you can set the camera up so the shutter will only release when an eye comes into sharp focus so for street photography, i can shoot a 70/1.4 projection lens from the hip and get sharp super shallow dof photos without having to wait for autofocus, it's a game changer!

Hi Matt!! I can’t believe it, it’s such an amazing video! Thank you so much, it was a big pleasure to be by your side, shooting in the streets of my home town and learning from you! I hope everyone enjoys the video as much as I did! I just can say Thanks a lot!! Great times!! 🙌🙌🙌

I got one and really like it. The build quality is really good, except for the battery door that is not very relevant to me. I like using the Z40mm and Z28mm lenses with it, and I can also use my Voigtlander manual focus lenses (3 of them) from my analog Nikons through the Nikon FTZ II adapter with full control since my Voigtlander lenses are chipped (electrical contacts) so I can control de aperture from the lens or from the camera as I please, plus other benefits of using a chipped lens, as well as all my F mount lenses (manual and AF lenses), AND with a small adapter I can use my small M mount lenses with some very nice manual focus aids from the Nikon ZF, specially great when shooting portraits. And I almost forgot to mention some nice manual focus lenses Voigtlander makes in Z mount. For me, this camera is a winner.

Just bought one of these. Absolutely love it. Wonderful homage to the iconic FM and FE series cameras from the late '70s, yet also sports some amazing new technological innovations. Real brass dials, too! Plus, that sensor is just gorgeous, and phenomenal in low light. Smart play on Nikon's part, and I look forward to a higher resolution model in the future styled after the even more iconic F3, originally designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro.

Months ago I watched your video where you discussed the Kalloflex TLR you bought, and praised. Right after watching I searched and found a pristine example and had a complete, stripped to the frame, CLA done with new leather and now own a fantastic and incredibly fun camera as a result. It’s been on a few overseas trips with me and just dropping a note of thanks for your vid that led me in that direction.. 🙏🏼

Thanks Matt!I really enjoy my Zf with 28 and 40 Nikkor Z lenses.This camera is so much fun honestly!I have a Leica M 10R with a bunch of M lenses but I use my Zf more now.

Thanks for an interesting comparison. I shoot with the Zf and also an M10-R and enjoy both, but they give different experiences. You are right about the autofocus appeal in the Zf I feel.

I can’t believe you completely missed the killer feature of the ZF - the manual focus with eye detect confirmation!

Great video, and I'm so glad you had a chance to review the Zf! 💥💥💥 I sold my SL and got a Zf, and am very pleased. I rarely need to use a menu for anything, and can shoot in my preferred style (old school dials for ISO/SS, and aperture ring). I have configured the front function button to my shutter settings, and the i menu to my other key operations. I love this camera. The high ISO noise levels are ridiculously good - noticeably better than the SL. I daresay this is comparable to an SL2-S, as I feel the Zf is better than my SL in this area, in particular. To me, the image quality is similar. I only shoot in manual mode, and mostly adapted manual glass. HOWEVER, This camera got me back into the Autofocus world (after having left the hobby just after AF was on the scene), and I now have the spectacular 24-70 f/2.8 S Nikkor as my main lens. WOW. I am mightily impressed with this lens, and the Nikon AF capabilities. I've sold some of my manual glass, and have only kept those I use on my film cameras, and my "never gonna sell" manual Nikkor ED 300/2.8 and 500/4 super teles. Oh, and my Helios 44-2 😃😃😃 It is ironic that this magnificent retro-styled camera is the one that got me onto the autofocus train. It has changed everything for my "people and event" shooting. I still prefer manual focus for landscape, astro, macro, etc, but I totally get the beauty of a good AF setup in certain situations. Anywhoo, I love the Zf, and will only replace it with (what I hope will be) Nikon's rollout of the flagship version of it. Digital re-issue of the F3?........ 😍😍😍

Have sold off ALL my Leicas... picked up a Zf first day they were offered... Love it....did not sell most of my "m" mount lenses... they work perfect as well as the auto-focus Z lenses.

Superb review, I’ve been wondering about the Zf as a replacement for my original SL. Very thought provoking and certainly a great camera.

I am completely switching to the Nikon Zf, only keeping 3 Leica lenses.

This camera looks amazing, but I still love M for rangefinder and compact size 😅

I have the TTArtisans 6-Bit Leica M to Z adapter, and it makes the cameras think that the Leica M lenses (or LTM with the adapter) are AF and give you the AF confirmation and other cool features like Focus Trap mode, and the FP wireless flash syncing. A really nice addition for a Z user that also uses rangefinder lenses.

Great review thanks Matt. Mega props to Nikon for producing this - I came into photography decades ago via Nikon (still have my F3 from the eighties) and this is definitely a Nikon digital camera I can get at last get behind. Wont elbow out my Leica gear tho.....

Hi, does anyone have experience with Leica M 28mm Elmarit on the ZF, how does it work adapted on the Nikon? Thank you!

how do you find the corner performance of the zf + leica lenses ? does it smears like leica lenses on sony body ?

Hi Matt you have to try out the Nikon Df. It's a sublime pure photography experience. Despite all the negativity and controversy blown way out of proportion since it's release in 2013, I find out it is more intuitive for me than the Zf.

Hey Matt, can you please do a video with the ZF and Leica M glass? I’m trying to find one online and I can’t lol

Nice Video again Matt. 👏 Yes for me the new Zf looks like my Nikon FM2n and the same clicksounds… but do you think… the feeling… feels too big and heavy in your hand?

I have both. they can not be compared. Like compare cars from 2023 and 1970 year, both can get you to the finish point but with different emotions

Hello Matt. Is the focus peaking on the Nikon Zf as good as that of the Leica SL2s?

Thank you for this interesting video regarding a very interesting camera. On a completely different note, I'm hoping you might do a review of the TTartisan 21mm f1.5 lens sometime!

The Nikom Zf has some interesting manual focus aids that are available only, if you use manual lenses with electrical contacts like the Voigtlander 50mm f1.0 Nokton. Subject detection will also work fine with manual focus lenses. The camera will detect faces and automatically put the focus point there. If you focus manually and nailed the sharpness the color of the focus point turns green. It's very reliably and in my opinion the currently best way to focus manually on any digital camera. Unfortunately it doesn't work for lenses without electrical contacts, even though I don't see a reason why it should not be possible to also implement it for lenses without contacts.

How was the automatic punch in with Face/Eye Detect when using manual focus lenses?

I still have my very first Nikkormat which I occasionally use! True blue film and all the clicks I ever wanted!

can I use vintage Nikon film lenses or do I need an adapter?

I love your content videos and photos.

Can you recommend a Fanny pack for Leica M camera while travelling abroad?

Great photos 👍

Matt it would be great if you could test the eye autofocus capability with Nikon F manual lenses. You need the latest proper Nikon adapter mind

Interesting review this time Matt! I really want to know as a Leica user for such a long time, how do you thinkg of Nikon Z mainly on image quality? How about color science for example?

Hi How good is the Zf sensor ? Does it flatten our lovely M lenses ? Are M wides killed like on sony's ?

the ZF is more like an M camera with the digital viewfinder, that lots of people have on their wish list, lighter and smaller then an SL

Wow! The Zf is really good!

nice now is time to compare both with lumix s5 ii which is prety much the same camera with cl

If the released this a bit earlier to compete with the original SL then I’d have considered it :) still one thing that pisses me off that Nikons adapters don’t support AF-D lens autofocus!

Your comparison is o.k. and realistic as far as possible. Concerning photo gear, some esthetic design items alone and the overall feeling with that thing in use > I'm solely drawn to the Nikon Zf, and in my eyes all Leica SL and Q (NOT the marvellous M !) are from an abysmally deep ugly, clunky design. That will not matter to anyone else, but in the sense of my 'brother in spirit' Alex K.: the feelings make the best of you, and I cannot handle a brick which I would never enjoy and would never be successful or content with. @philosimot

This camera is very close to what it should have been, I think. The internals are excellent and the design is cool, but the control system is a little weird. If you haven't used a Fujifilm XT camera before, I would highly recommend it. Those cameras have a control scheme that, if adapted to the Zf, could make it one of the best mirrorless cameras ever. They're almost the same but without the PASM switches that make the Zf very awkward and reliant on the in-camera menus. A Zf 2.0 should be perfect.

Hey there ! I have a Leica from 1932 , what is the right price for this rarety? Thanks !

Very nice camera very close to my FM3A with a sensor and a flip screen .🤣😅but not as good as m SL2 s So I'll keep my money for the SL3 s... 🙂

Hear me out, what if the M10D has a working film advance leaver that actually charge the shutter? Wouldn't that be a dream come true! As a Canon shooter, I wish they too will jump on the retro high-end digital game. Also, don't quote me on it, isn't the SL and Nikon both uses Sony sensor that's differently tuned?

Why did Nikon make only the knobs out of brass? I've been waiting for a camera fully made of brass for years. That what I think the Leica Q should have been made with; at least the black version.

After I cooled down, I do not see Zf special anymore, so Leica all the way. Or original Nikon Df is what I personaly prefer. But, if Zf came with OVF, then it will be something competely different. It is ordinary mirrorless camera packed in retro box..that is all.

This nikon remind me of my old digital dslr nikon DF .

Please can you do a in depth review on Leica Q3

Taylor Jackson used the Nikon Zf for a wedding and he injured his wrist really bad. I think he was using a large lens maybe the Nikon 24-70mm f2.8?

Only got to handle the Zf for a little bit and the battery door is the real weak spot. Feels very cheap and flimsy.

What are your views on the high prices of purchasing film and paying for development. Maybe this can be your next video ))

I don’t understand why the Nikon has the PASM switch. That does irk me a little. Fuji got the setup of the PASM right and did it really simply. Guessing Nikon didn’t want to be seen copying Fuji? Looks like a nice camera though.

Wouldn’t it be great if a camera like this forced Leica into the modern age to create an interchangeable lens Q (sort of a M with Autofocus, EVF, Water sealing and multiple exposure modes)?

Nikon ZF design are great and vintage looks but the mode dial is annoying when I tried it, unlike the leica or even fujifilm, when you dial shutter speed and auto aperture, and iso. It is shutter priority and when you only change the aperture on your lens it is aperture mode or priority, don't need the mode dial. Because in nikon if you stay the mode dial on auto even you dial or change shutter speed, aperture, it is still no change. You always need to change it before you change something on your settings on it. Same on other priority modes. But nice comparison and nice review matt, i love leica M series cameras than any other camera but I'm shooting sony mirrorless camera for paid job. 😁👍📸

Can't imagine I'd ever buy one of these as it's just another mainstream mirrorless camera with clicky knobs grafted on… but thanks for giving it a once-over! A lot of nostalgia-minded photographers seem to be absolutely obsessed with it, so it was nice to hear from someone who's sympathetic about its appeal but pragmatic about its limitations.

😊

The Zf looks like a good camera, yes. But perhaps it is my bias but I preferred the Leica images to the Nikon images for color and resolution. It is a really good camera but not one I am tempted by, not quite. Close but not quite. Thanks for the review.

Sorry to say , but the way you use the different lenses and it is jumping back and forth ( sometimes one can only try to guess, which lens it was ) is quite confusing actually . And why "Alex" -- his name is Alejandro I guess ?

Fab new Nikon, but Matt most of us wanting a ‘real experience’ moved to Fuji years ago… having said that as a Nikon user I am tempted ( FM / FE / FT2 and long ago F3T) of course a mass produced camera can’t fully match the feel of a REAL Leica ( mine M6 ttl). 😎👍

Have you ever used olympus PEN F? You will dump Nikon into a bin mate . Please borrow Original Olympus P1 or PEN F and see the magic especially BNW shots

A nice camera indeed but way to big and not made of brass. Also I find 24 limiting

Hello Matt, currently I'm in really need of a hard drive to back things up and get back on track but pocket is tight at the moment, is there some freelance works you can offer me to let me do something for you in return to help me raise some funds for a hard drive as soon as possible?

I think Leica SL 601 looks better!

At the risk of sounding like a Luddite, my only gripe with this type of camera is that they have a realistic working life of only a few years. I have three Fuji digitals, and all have developed expensive faults after between 2 and 5 years. I love them while they work, but it starts to get pricey when they fail. Meanwhile, I've a Nikon FE that's only ever needed new seals and batteries.

Too bad they don’t place iso under shutter dial… so ugly seeing a big standalone dial

Hello nikon👋 I want more mega pickles pls

Nikon ZF, over $ 2,000 just for the body !!!!...not for me...can you suggest a cheaper Nikon body similar to the Zf ? Thanks.

Buy a Fuji X-Pro and you will all of this stuff.

Nah. I’ll stick to my M10R 😀 … nice but, it’s the lenses. If you want AF you’ll get those new style Nikon lenses. Fuji really has this nailed with their small manual aperture lenses. I would rather an XT5 with a 23f2 or 35f2 or one of those small Fuji lenses. I also really don’t like those video swivel screens on cameras.

the nikon zfc looks better than the zf imo. The pain with using retro mirrorless Nikon Zf Zfc is that an adapter is required when using Nikon F lenses, making the camera look so bulkyyy

I would have gone for this offering from Nion if they had been brave enough to ditch the video and had developed some useful B&W presets. I have been with Nikon for over 40 yeats so from my point of view, opportunity lost.

I hate the ZF as a Leica M user. You cannot use half a step on the shutter speed dial, and it just locks in place on 1/3 step once your turn it too much. Obvisously, people are not buying the ZF for it's specs, and it doesn't even look that good(it looks the same as any camera as it is black). While for Leica, you are also not buying it for the specs, it has way better built quality and feels even more tactile. One great advange of rangefinders over SLR/Mirrorless are that the focus throw is shorter but offers more depth of field (for example, a slr 50mm would just have infinity after 5m, while for a rangefinder lens, it goes all the way to 20m). Personally, focusing on a leica is faster than focusing(manually) on SLR/mirrorless, and for me, manual focus on Leica is not much slower than AF, and in some conditions, even faster(for example low light). ZF has no advantage over Leica, not even the price(if you are talking about M240 and M9. I would't reccomend M10 as the colours are no longer vibrant and doesn't give that much of a Leica look). If you get a Leica, you can even boast about how you have a Leica. Also, there's not many vintage looking lenses on the Z system while even if you are not buying a new Leica lens, you can still buy a DR summicron and it will not cost you that much. If you really ran out of budget, some Soviet lenses are actually very good. In terms of the about of the lenses avaliable, the Z mount is very poor, compared to the M mount(L39 or what some people call LTM mount also has a lot of good and relatively cheap lenses) .

Nikon Zf 😮 Sorry Matt I am not even going to watch this video 😅

Not a fan of the Nikon files seems clinical with lack of character

A camera dressed up to look like a mechanical film camera, but inside it’s anything but. I might sound like a purist, but I don’t like anything that pretends to be something it is not. It’s still a digital camera just like the Z6 or Z8. The look is gimmicky. I have true mechanical film cameras and like anything mechanical, they will certainly out last this camera.

This guy's voice puts you to sleep

Nikon defeats leica..