Nikon unveils retro inspired full frame Zf
When it comes to photo trends, it seems that retro is definitely here to stay.
And while many new photographers have fallen in love with the old-school film and print process, a number of these photographers will end up migrating to digital. In a way, retro-styled cameras hit a sweet spot between using a phone camera, or investing in more expensive prosumer and professional cameras.
For established photographers, these retro cameras may seem like more of a novelty or a fashion accessory. But they are often great for carrying around all day because they're lightweight and simple to operate.
They are also perfect for street photography as they seem more unassuming than a much larger professional camera. Also, they are just fun to use!
On this, this week, Nikon has finally released the much anticipated Zf, which packs a 24MP BSI CMOS sensor and includes many of the technologies found in Nikon's Z9 flagship, but packs it into a retro body that looks to successfully blend the past and present.
In a nutshell, the Nikon Zf is the more powerful, larger brother of the retro styled APS-C 20.9MP sensor Nikon Zfc.
The magnesium-alloy body has an elegant glossy finish for a more authentic look and feel, and the dials, shutter-release button, and power switch are made of brass for a high-quality feel.
The Zf is designed to mimic the look of the company's FM2 SLR from the early 1980s, and it even features a Nikon logo from the same era, with the addition of carved letters and numbers on the top of the camera a nice touch.
Inside, the Zf is equipped with the same EXPEED 7 image-processing engine as the Z9. You also get the same nine different types of subject detection as found on the Nikon Z8, and the camera has an in-body image stabilisation rated up to 8EV. It's fairly swift at shooting too, with up to 14fps continuous shooting in JPEG, and 11fps Raw.
Another interesting addition is a dedicated monochrome selector so you can quickly view and shoot in B&W. On the rear is a 3.2″ fully-articulated LCD, and the body is drip and dust proof.
Video specs max out at 4K/60 video from 6K capture, and there's also 10-bit N-Log recording.
In addition, there is an interesting aesthetic option of being able to choose from six different coloured artificial leather covers.
The Nikon Zf is available for pre-order now for a body only price of $3,499, or with a Nikkor Z 40mm f/2.0 lens for $3,999. You can read more about the camera on the Nikon website.