Regrets switching from Fujifilm X series to Nikon ZF?

Hi,

I shoot with Fuji X since 2011 and recently switched to Nikon Z (Z8). I reviewed my Z - lenses and compared them to the lenses I used to own. Here is my report which includes the 26/2.8 and the 40/2 from Nikon.

https://www.littlebigtravelingcamera.com/?p=21439

I switched to Nikon Z but I also kept my X-Pro2 plus the 14/2.8, 23/2 and 35/1.4. Those three are my favourite small lenses from Fuji. The Nikon lenses are optically better and AF is fast and silent but the rendering of the 14/2.8 or the 35/1.4 is hard to beat. I also liked the 18/2 when I owned it but it wasn't wide enough for me.

No regrets here, you just have a slightly bigger size to contend with. I would say the capabilities of the Zf really work for me compared to previous cameras.

I like lenses that focus silently, and the two Nikkor lenses I have do just that, especially compared to the fuji 18mm and 27mm pancakes. I haven't used the Nikon 26mm since I read that this one has an audible focus motor.

I've used a bunch of Sony and Fuji in the past.

I like the fuji "noise" so that never bothered me, but the Zf files are very rich and I like the colors right out of camera. I also really like the B&W physical switch! If Nikon finally releases the cloud imaging thing to make changing color profiles easy, I'll be happy. I miss Astia and used that film silm most often on the Fuji cams.

I have Z6+40mm f2 and XT3+35mm f1.4.

Z6+40mm f2 AF faster than XT3+35mm f1.4.

But the photos from Z6+40mm f2 is not as charming as XT3+35mm f1.4.

I cannot find a good replacement of XT3+35mm f1.4 in the Z system yet.

The rendering, light weight and small size of the Fuji 35mm f1.4 is hard to beat.

I don't have a Zf, however I have moved from my Fujifilm kit to a Nikon Z6 late last year.

I have bought the 28mm and 40mm lenses.

None of these will achieve the same kind of optical qualities as the Fujifilm 35mm f/1.4 R would. However, they are pretty sharp lenses, and have a pleasing rendering.

If I was to compared the 40mm to a Fujifilm lens I own, that would be pretty close to the 35mm f/2 when it comes to bokeh. The lens is exceptionally sharp when you stop it down between f/4 and f/5.6.

The 28mm lens is more of the same, but this time you get a pretty close experience to the Fuji 18mm f/2. Since it's a stop darker on the aperture, you will end up having about the same amount of background blur, despite using a larger sensor, same goes for noise, as you'll have toincrease the ISO by an additional stop if you want to match the exposures (and I guess this is where the IBIS in Nikon bodies comes in clutch).

In my opinion, both the 28 and 40mm lenses are great (and they are surprisingly well weather selaled which goes nicely with the sealed full frame Z bodies), but most importantly don't increase the footprint and package size too much.

They're not increadibly small, but at least they're light and produce pleasing images. Using those small lenses on my Z6 (which isn't really a super big camera) made me wonder where did the APS-C size savings went (that also made me pick up a micro four thirds camera if I really want a small setup with truly small lenses)

No regrets, but Fuji is fun and good too. I just was tired of having two systems, and I used my Nikons more. I knew that if I kept a toe in Fuji, I would always be looking at new releases and have an urge to build it back up and try new bodies, so I sold it all.

I have the ZF, a Z7 (bought used) and a Z6 (converted to black and white). The ZF, with the Neewer grip, is the most fun now, but I use them all. Shoot them all in manual, so the dial on the ZF for iso is perfect. I used the Voitlander 35 APO and the 40 1.2, plus all the various Nikon primes. We are missing a higher end 28, in my opinion.

If they come out with an Expeed 7 Z7 that has improved AF and especially improved IBIS, I might have to save for that.

Krummj said:

No regrets, but Fuji is fun and good too. I just was tired of having two systems, and I used my Nikons more. I knew that if I kept a toe in Fuji, I would always be looking at new releases and have an urge to build it back up and try new bodies, so I sold it all.

Click to expand...

I was shooting X-H1 + X-T2, when I moved to a Z6, I kept the X-T2 as I saw it as a good smaller camera to carrya round for street... turns out it's not that much smaller than the Z6 at all.

I'm not ready to completely get out of Fujifilm though and the lenses I currently have are more than good enough. I'm considering switching my X-T2 for an X-Pro 2 though, as this camera really gives a different experience than the X-T2 (which is a little too close to my Z6 if I'm being honest : SLR styled, large EVF with a tilt screen... except the Z6 does all of that better with a better screen, better EVF and better grip !)

Krummj said:

I have the ZF, a Z7 (bought used) and a Z6 (converted to black and white). The ZF, with the Neewer grip, is the most fun now, but I use them all. Shoot them all in manual, so the dial on the ZF for iso is perfect. I used the Voitlander 35 APO and the 40 1.2, plus all the various Nikon primes. We are missing a higher end 28, in my opinion.

Click to expand...

Yep. Viltrox makes a pretty decent 28mm f/1.8 for Nikon Z mount though

I'd like to see a follow-up of the old AF-S 28mm f/1.8G

Krummj said:

If they come out with an Expeed 7 Z7 that has improved AF and especially improved IBIS, I might have to save for that.

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Save for the size, that's a Z8

(I'm being facetious, I know you mean a Z8 in a smaller body)

I actually don't need the Z8's fancy shutterless sensor. I'll take an old fashioned one like the Z7 has, just with upgraded everything else. I have a feeling Nikon is working on something different, though, judging by Hogan's recent posts, and it could be a while. Given current trends, an eventual Z7III will be super high resolution and out of my price range (at least my emotional price range).

I would also be happy if they just released a ZFs with the 47mp sensor and sold it for a few hundred more than the regular ZF. I could see them doing that.

Krummj said:

I actually don't need the Z8's fancy shutterless sensor. I'll take an old fashioned one like the Z7 has, just with upgraded everything else. I have a feeling Nikon is working on something different, though, judging by Hogan's recent posts, and it could be a while. Given current trends, an eventual Z7III will be super high resolution and out of my price range (at least my emotional price range).

I would also be happy if they just released a ZFs with the 47mp sensor and sold it for a few hundred more than the regular ZF. I could see them doing that.

Click to expand...

I mean it really depends what you want out of a camera.

I'm shooting with a first gen Z6 at the moment, been doing that since last December and I'm still trying to find something that would make me upgrade to a newer model.

Unless you're shooting wildlife and sports, a Z7II seems to be a more than good enough camera for 99% of situations.

MJ_Photo38 said:

In my opinion, both the 28 and 40mm lenses are great (and they are surprisingly well weather selaled which goes nicely with the sealed full frame Z bodies), but most importantly don't increase the footprint and package size too much.

Click to expand...

Do you mean the Z 40mm f/2 and 28mm f2.8?

I thought they were not weather sealed? I'm new to Nikon stuff so I don't really know for sure. They are very inexpensive, so that would be impressive if they have some decent sealing.

Tapper123 said:

MJ_Photo38 said:

In my opinion, both the 28 and 40mm lenses are great (and they are surprisingly well weather selaled which goes nicely with the sealed full frame Z bodies), but most importantly don't increase the footprint and package size too much.

Click to expand...

Do you mean the Z 40mm f/2 and 28mm f2.8?

I thought they were not weather sealed? I'm new to Nikon stuff so I don't really know for sure. They are very inexpensive, so that would be impressive if they have some decent sealing.

Click to expand...

Yes, I mean those.

I work in a validation / qualification testing lab, and in my free time I tested them for the IPX2 rating, and both the 28mm and 40mm passed with flying colors.

The plastic mount does not allow water to get through. The lens barrel extens a little over the mount, so it protects a little bit, but the few drops that get through are stopped by the rugous part in the mount, and no water gets through even after about an hour in the test bench (the norm only requires you to be in for about 10 minutes).

Of course, it would probably different if we did a "proper" IP54 test, but considering the price, I consider them to be well sealed for the pricepoint.

As for the front element and the focus ring, both have proper seals, as per Nikon's own marketing material :




40mm f/2




28mm f/2.8



--
(G.A.S. and collectionnite will get my skin one day)

MJ_Photo38 said:

Tapper123 said:

MJ_Photo38 said:

In my opinion, both the 28 and 40mm lenses are great (and they are surprisingly well weather selaled which goes nicely with the sealed full frame Z bodies), but most importantly don't increase the footprint and package size too much.

Click to expand...

Do you mean the Z 40mm f/2 and 28mm f2.8?

I thought they were not weather sealed? I'm new to Nikon stuff so I don't really know for sure. They are very inexpensive, so that would be impressive if they have some decent sealing.

Click to expand...

Yes, I mean those.

I work in a validation / qualification testing lab, and in my free time I tested them for the IPX2 rating, and both the 28mm and 40mm passed with flying colors.

The plastic mount does not allow water to get through. The lens barrel extens a little over the mount, so it protects a little bit, but the few drops that get through are stopped by the rugous part in the mount, and no water gets through even after about an hour in the test bench (the norm only requires you to be in for about 10 minutes).

Of course, it would probably different if we did a "proper" IP54 test, but considering the price, I consider them to be well sealed for the pricepoint.

As for the front element and the focus ring, both have proper seals, as per Nikon's own marketing material :


40mm f/2


28mm f/2.8

Click to expand...

Very good to know! Thanks.

Long time Fujifilm user from X-T10 to X-T5.

I switched to the Zf on November and didn't regret it at all.

This camera is a beast.

I would recommend you the 26mm f2.8 rather than the 28mm.

You will find the familiar pancake design you had with the 18 f2.

f2.8 in FF = f2.1 in APSC so pretty close to the f2 you had in terms of bokeh.

The Zf is so good in low light that you can take photos up to 12800 with confidence, DXO noise removal will take care totally of noise and the advantage over Fujifilm APSC is that colors and micro details are preserved in ISO up to 25600.

The Zf + 26mm f2.8 = 840grm which is considered as very light for a FF set.

I have my Zf paired to a 24mm f1.8 S at 1160grm and it's acceptable.