Tried the camera again today. It looks pretty nice, almost the same as the XT3. But the camera is light and has a plastic feel compared to the XT3 that I can buy for the same price. Another note to hold the camera, although it is light, but not comfortable, must be a hand grip so that the camera does not slip out of the hand. Despite all of the above, the camera is beautiful and elegant. The back screen is minimized, which seems unsuitable for this type of camera. . For the record, I have a Fuji xt3 and I intended to buy Zfc , but I hesitated because of all of the above.
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Trust me when I say this, people were not constantly dropping SLRs in the 70s and 80s. People also aren't constantly dropping point-and-shoot cameras.
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-tj
Yveske
Well-known member
True, but people weren't taking the thousands of pictures a day they do now with digital. Ergonomics don't play a huge role in one-off events but do with long repetitious events.
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Do you like the manual focus mechanism (micro-pentaprism/split focusing) on the XT3?
While Zfc has the manual dial controls, it doesn't have the nostalgic manual focus options found on the XT3. That makes me wonder if XT3 is a better camera if I want to enjoy photo-taking process found on the film cameras.
MrHollywood
Veteran Member
The build of the Zfc is supposed to be lightweight. That's an advantage since the Zfc is very well built. The controls feel every bit as nice as those on my Fuji X100v if not better.
The Zfc has an optional grip coming and other 3rd party grips will become available soon. That means you'll be able to get a grip that best suits you, if you decide you really want it. Or remove it to make the setup more compact as needed.
Most importantly, the Zfc has access to some of the best lenses available today and has overall better IQ than the Fuji. I'm not too excited about the Fuji lenses.
Finally, and perhaps the least important: The Zfc is better looking, perhaps the best looking camera currently made. It'll be sweet to add the leather half-case and straps that will be on the market in a matter of weeks.
I shot the Zfc yesterday with the Nikon 24-200 and it's so easy to handle and the IQ is insane. 36-300mm is pretty versatile. It's been nice to leave the Z7II and my pro glass at home for more casual shooting.
Robert
I'm not sure you know what you're talking about. I used to shoot hundreds of photos a day prior to digital, as did thousands of others.
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-tj
I have both z6z7z50 all have excellent handles. Zfc has flat design. When I first held it I felt It is liable to fall slip out of my hands. Big heavy S lenses may make it unbalanced. So I think the hand grip will make it such a great fit.
I admit..it is beautiful. The upper dials are very beautiful looking.
I have the Z50 (as well as the Z6) and it does what I intended; quality but light and compact, when I need those things.
I wondered about the Zfc; I like the controls which is why I have a Nikon Df. Lack of grip made me think twice. But, I have developing problem with the right hand, which makes the Z50 grip (which I liked a lot), uncomfortable; I've sort of solved it by placing the fingers at the front of the grip rather than wrapping round. It makes me think that the lack of grip on the Zfc may actually be a good thing, for me.
So, I would use the neck strap for safety, support the weight mainly with the left hand, and concentrate on getting the trigger finger in a comfortable position with the right hand. I'm thinking again about the Zfc
I'd get it with the 28mm lens, as I think it suits how I would use it.Don't know what you mean about the back screen.
20thCentury
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MrHollywood
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I'll be posting a full review of the Zfc in a day to two.
I've already tried it with my 70-200 2.8 S and it's fine. That heavy lens doesn't really balance on my Z7II (with grip) either. Most of the support goes under the lens with my left hand, just like my days of shooting film years ago.
And again, there will be a choice of grips, which is something the Z50 really can't match. I really don't recall feeling like I was going to drop my FE and this camera is no different. It handles just fine and the dials and look are fun, useful and nice to look at!
Robert
It is the feeling of the camera. Just hold it and decide yourself. Maybe it is magnesium alloy but what kind of magnesium or how much the alloy.
20thCentury
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There is no cost in taking 100's of photos with digital, while development of so many pictures with film cost a bundle,
This has led to a new gen of wedding photogs who takes pride in delivering 1000's of images on a ceremony (read: quantity and no quality).
Did I mentioned that I hold and tried it .I do like it but xt3 construction is better.
MrHollywood
Veteran Member
I've shot the Xt3. It's 539 grams.
The Zfc is 339 grams.
Weight doesn't make for better build quality. The whole goal for the Zfc was to make it very light and less to carry. The Nikon wins by achieving that goal and besting the Fuji for AF and IQ and lenses.
But keeping my X100V!
Robert
For this part i agree but for the second part i doubt it. Nikon AF is still need to get the benefit of their 3D matrix in dslr. I doubt that Zfc is beating XT-3 AF system.
S lenses yes they are excellent but heavy and iam not sure if they better than the equivalent from fujifilm.
My post was intended to be for the handle of the both and the build quality not for talking about AF or lenses.
every camera now is excellent. It is just the looking the design the build quality that makes the difference.
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Historicity
Senior Member
Zakaria,
You have the XT3 so it is reasonable for you to compare the Zfc to the camera you have.
In my case, adding Fuji would have been a system much too far. I began years ago with the Olympus DSLR. When they stopped making them, I began acquiring Pentax gear and accumulated almost everything that could in any way be related to hiking.
As I got older I thought I ought to plan ahead and so began accumulating Olympus mirrorless gear.
When Pentax slowed production I began accumulating Nikon gear.
Then I had a rather serious leg injury and decided I should concentrate upon light-weight gear. I already had the light-weight Olympus OMD-E5ii, the E1ii, and a decent selection of lenses, but I have never liked the Olympus menu system and so haven't "embraced" this system effectively.
After breaking my knee I bought a Ricoh GRii and a Nikon Z-50 which brings me up to date with your XT3. I have yet to use try the GRii because I fell in love with the Z-50. Not only was it light enough for me to use hobbling along on a hike with one and a half good legs, but I could get excellent results with this camera, as good as anything I was getting with my Nikon or Pentax gear. I used the Z-50 with the 16-50 lens. The lens though very light produced excellent shots. I haven't tried the 50-250 yet, by those who have are happy with it.
To praise the Z-50 with its inexpensive kit lenses may be something a lot of people are unwilling to do, but lots of us love the Z-50 and 16-50. But my concern was, would Nikon support an APS/C line or would the Z-50 be one-and-done like the Df? In my case I was delighted when they announced the Zfc. In my enthusiasm I did something I'd never done before with a camera, I preordered it. Amazon still won't give me a delivery date, but I have the Z-50 to console myself with. Besides, the weather is presently too hot to go out with any camera (here in San Jacinto).
I don't have anything against Fuji, but I don't really know anything about them -- or not very much. I have read the occasional review but never saw anything that would entice me to turn away from the systems I was trying or to add Fuji as an additional system.
As to the Zfc's lack of a grip, someone who goes by "Mr Hollywood" on another thread was confident, and wrote at some length about the grips and half-cases that would be available very soon for the Zfc. The Df was made without a decent grip; so I added a half-grip which I obtained from eBay and which has made the Df acceptable to hold while hiking. It didn't seem that comfortable at first but I soon forgot about it when I was on a hike and taking pictures.
As to having a "plastic" feel, I have read others saying that, but don't exactly know what they mean. The inferior material called plastic in days of yore probably isn't being used on anything nowadays. I suspect Nikon is using thin composite material of some sort, but don't know. I suspect the materials will be very like the Z-50 -- don't know why they wouldn't be and I don't find anything in the Z-50 to object to.
And, finally, don't think of anything I've written as arguing with you. I have always respected your opinions. But respecting them causes me to stop and wonder why you chose path A and I chose path B; although that doesn't completely apply in the current case since we both intend to buy the Zfc. ;-)
Lawrence
Postscript: I did something I don't normally do. I posted the above note without reading all the other notes first. Apologies to any and all who said what I've said above before I did. :-(
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Totally agree. It is a gorgeous camera. But the camera also feels awkward in the hand. The first day of use I almost dropped it twice. Between the plastic outer shell, flat sides/no grip, and extremely narrow body, it slides easily in the hand. It quickly became tiring always having to squeeze the right side firmly or having to use two hands. It also does not help that the front function button gets in the way. The back side is a bit of mess too. The LCD does not sit flush with the camera and the hinge sticks out. Ironically I found gripping the camera on the left side much more comfortable because of that hinge. Makes me appreciate the design of my Z50, which I have always enjoyed using, even more.
MrHollywood
Veteran Member
LOL. Dude...seriously? The Zfc has 90% of the AF capability of my Z7II. I'm shooting them together. Let's get real about this. The XT-3 AF is not nearly as reliable and the Nikon cameras will be getting even better AF via firmware updates. The XT-3 is now an old camera. Still very good, but dated.
I've shot plenty of Fuji glass and I'm a fan of the way the sensors render skin tones, but it's rather silly to suggest that they match the latest Z glass. The 85mm 1.8 S bests anything from Fuji as does the zooms. Even the 24-200 Z superzoom is extraordinary. Haven't you been seeing the raves over these new benchmark lenses? And yes, fast glass tends to be heavy.
A heavier camera is not a better camera unless you enjoy a heavy camera. I already own heavy cameras. I've got a D5 sitting here that's very heavy! Even my Z7II is pretty heavy. These cameras have their place. But the Zfc is super lightweight and built beautifully. Why would I want the XT3? It has inferior AF and can't use the better lenses.
The AF does make a difference between these two and both are marketed for their retro looks. Nikon bests Fuji on BOTH counts, but Fuji will update the XT3 and that will likely change.
The ZFc is the new fresher kid on the block. It won't last, but it's fun to use and shoot with. The tiny kit lens zoom is also extraordinary, another lens Fuji has no answer for. This think is a light weight wonder and that's the whole point.
Robert
20thCentury
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I don't understand the surprise people have when a camera that has the look and design of a camera from the 80s, handles like a camera from the 80's.
Has no one ever held an old Film SLR?...If they have, why the surprise?
And yes, I own an FM2 and they have they same feel on the leatherette...if anything, the Zfc is actually grippier.
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