I was so lucky to be able to purchase my dream camera, the Nikon ZF. It is a beast of a camera, sexy, sleek and capable, and this little article takes a look at 5 things I love about the camera, and 2 things that I do not really like so much. Let us take a closer look.
Pixel Shift.
The most anticipated feature that I’ve been waiting for on a camera. Pixel Shift technology allows you take a high-resolution image using technology that moves the sensor around. Images are then merged, and you get a 96mp image.
This technology only works on totally static images, and it’s something I want to try with architecture or a landscape scene (weather permitting). It potentially gives more detail in the images, and they are also much larger (24mp Vs 96mp) so much more options for cropping.
Pre-Capture.
A feature I have missed a lot from my old Fujifilm X-T3 since moving to Nikon with my Z6ii. Pre-Capture allows you to take up to 1 seconds worth of images always buffered in memory while the focus button is pressed.
This is essential for great, dramatic wildlife and bird images, as well as useful for capturing moments with the kids, sporting or other events where you need to capture an image with precise accuracy.
8 Stops IBIS based on focus location.
My other camera, the Nikon Z6ii has 5 stops of IBIS and it’s great. Having the extra 3 stops will mean even more long exposure time hand held, and better low light shooting without the need for a tripod.
The camera bases the IBIS on the location of the focus point, ensuring that the point is always crisp and in focus, another huge benefit over the Z6ii and one I’ll know I’ll grow to take appreciate.
B&W switch.
Yes, it may be a gimmick to some people, but for those who have made use of it, they have fallen in love with it. A dedicated B&W switch, perfect for switching to monochrome for checking how things look in shadows etc, or using as a monochrome viewfinder.
I’ve already used it a few times, and I have to say, it’s a switch that doesn’t make sense, until you try it, and then it just makes sense!
Touch screen focus while looking through EVF.
Something that no other Nikon has had since the old Nikon D5500, you can usen the back screen to move your focus point around while looking through your viewfinder! Thinking of it, I was quite taken back when I realised I did not have a joystick on the back of the ZF, so finding this out has made things so much better!
It’s so simple, yet it makes so much sense and it is so easy to use! Of course, you can use the d-pad to shift the focus point around, but rocking the screen can be more accurate and faster.
And 2 things I dislike…
Articulated screen.
I knew it was on this camera, and it almost stopped me buying it. Yes, I like the idea of a fully articulated screen (it is useful for video), and enjoyed it when I owned previous Nikon cameras, however, I really like the flip up/down screen of the Z6ii. It makes shooting from the hip so much quicker and easier.
Having to take the screen outward and spin it around takes longer, and you cannot place the screen directly in line with the camera lens. Plus of course there is the chance of the screen being more easily damaged with moving parts that the articulated screen uses.
It’s a small thing, but I am sure I will get used to it as time goes on.
Lack of function buttons.
As someone who uses a camera to its fullest, I like my function buttons and use them all. For swapping between focus modes etc, it can be the difference between getting the shot and not (eg, if you using eye detect and you suddenly need to get into tracking and focus on someone/something else in the frame, or if eye detect fails for some reason, you can quickly swap to single point/tracking etc).
I’ve also set up a button to quickly swap between colour profiles without the need to go into the menu, plus I am experimenting with a button for quick access to the pre-capture function. The Z6ii has 2 function buttons on the front of the camera, there ZF only 1… I think I’ve worked a compromise!
Conclusion
Honestly, I am more than happy with the Nikon ZF, and just after writing this little article, I found another feature that I really like that has been missing on other Nikon cameras. You can customise the display on both the EVF and LCD screens! Usually you have to cycle through different displays on the Nikons, but with the ZF I have noticed to can set up the display as you want it. I have now added a horizon and a histogram to always show in both displays!
Going forward, I will be treating this camera very differently to my workhorse Z6ii. I plan to use the dials and use the camera in manual mode as much as possible, as well as use the recipes that I am currently creating and go for that straight-from-camera experience that I enjoy doing often.
It is exciting times, and I look forward to sharing my journey with you all.
One Camera One Lens Photography 
Do you miss the U1-3 settings that you have on the z6, or do you not utilise these anyway?
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They have been something I’ve set up but never used. I have not missed them at all, and it’s so quick to set settings on the ZF anyway.
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