Zf Weight

[saltydogstudios]

So how do you hold the camera when it's in your right hand, at your side?

Not at all because it is designed for being held with your left hand. I think that topic regarding cameras without grips has already been discussed in detail.

Yet all the controls & wrist straps are for the right hand...

I get that the camera is meant to be double fisted, but a couple of small changes - a slightly redesigned front grip and any thumb grip would have helped.

The viewfinder hump means a "Thumbs Up" type grip won't be doable, but we'll see what the aftermarket comes up with.

Anyway, if you personally do not get along with a camera, what’s the point of further discussions? Give it a try and if a certain design doesn’t work for you, get a different one.

I'm just sharing my experience so folks who don't own the camera can make an informed decision. You'd rather I not answer the OP's question?

--
"no one should have a camera that can't play Candy Crush Saga."
https://www.instagram.com/sodiumstudio/
Camera JPG Portrait Shootout http://sodium.nyc/blog/2020/05/camera-jpg-portrait

 

[Managarm]

Yet all the controls & wrist straps are for the right hand...

I don’t get your point. The left hand holds the weight of the camera/lens and the right hand controls most of it.

Anyway, if you personally do not get along with a camera, what’s the point of further discussions? Give it a try and if a certain design doesn’t work for you, get a different one.

I'm just sharing my experience so folks who don't own the camera can make an informed decision.

Nobody can ever make informed decisions on subjective topics based on the experience of others. Some like certain designs, some do not. The result is contradictary information. You only know when you give it a try yourself, like you did.

It’s like someone else trying on shoes for you – that concept will not work.

By the way, the Smallrig grip also doesn’t have a thumb rest you are missing when holding the camera in your right hand. But maybe in the future other larger grips in will have one included if enough people want that.

 

[mcmarfia]

Yet all the controls & wrist straps are for the right hand...

I don’t get your point. The left hand holds the weight of the camera/lens and the right hand controls most of it.

Anyway, if you personally do not get along with a camera, what’s the point of further discussions? Give it a try and if a certain design doesn’t work for you, get a different one.

I'm just sharing my experience so folks who don't own the camera can make an informed decision.

Nobody can ever make informed decisions on subjective topics based on the experience of others. Some like certain designs, some do not. The result is contradictary information. You only know when you give it a try yourself, like you did.

It’s like someone else trying on shoes for you – that concept will not work.

By the way, the Smallrig grip also doesn’t have a thumb rest you are missing when holding the camera in your right hand. But maybe in the future other larger grips in will have one included if enough people want that.

The official Nikon ZF-GR1 hand grip has also the rear thumb rest built in, very well thought. I am sure it will make a better grip on the ZF. It is a bit heavier than the Small Rig grip though. For what I know at the moment it is available only in Japan unfortunately.

 

[Managarm]

Yet all the controls & wrist straps are for the right hand...

I don’t get your point. The left hand holds the weight of the camera/lens and the right hand controls most of it.

Anyway, if you personally do not get along with a camera, what’s the point of further discussions? Give it a try and if a certain design doesn’t work for you, get a different one.

I'm just sharing my experience so folks who don't own the camera can make an informed decision.

Nobody can ever make informed decisions on subjective topics based on the experience of others. Some like certain designs, some do not. The result is contradictary information. You only know when you give it a try yourself, like you did.

It’s like someone else trying on shoes for you – that concept will not work.

By the way, the Smallrig grip also doesn’t have a thumb rest you are missing when holding the camera in your right hand. But maybe in the future other larger grips in will have one included if enough people want that.

The official Nikon ZF-GR1 hand grip has also the rear thumb rest built in, very well thought. I am sure it will make a better grip on the ZF. It is a bit heavier than the Small Rig grip though. For what I know at the moment it is available only in Japan unfortunately.

Thanks for the information. Doesn’t even look significantly larger than the Smallrig, so it might please some people asking for additional grips.

 

[thisisbenji]

People like to complain, that's what gives. The camera feels great in my hands and the little grip actually works. No complaints with the ergonomics from me.

 

[Richard Dutton]

In thread after thread, I see people commenting or complaining about the weight of the Zf. It weighs 5 grams or .17 ounces more than either the Z6ii or the Z7ii. I don't hear anyone complaining about what they weigh. What gives?

Maybe people remember the weight and feel of their old FM2's or whatever - it is a "retro" camera supposedly.

 

[ChallengerLastCall]

Interesting thoughts and comments. Everyone is different and wants and likes or dislikes different things.

I have no issues with it either, I just find it ironic when people complain about 2 ounces here, 3 ounces there, i.e., adding the grip, yet have no problem with using a 2lb camera with a 3-5lb lens slapped on the front, Z8, or a 3lb camera with the same lens, Z9.

 

[MCLV]

Much has been made about the weight and the ergonomics of the Z f.

I like the weight of the camera - I'd describe it as "substantial" rather than heavy. And a camera like this needs to have substance or it starts to feel cheap

As far as the ergonomics go, not sure why anyone would buy a Z f then complain about the grip.

Since there is no alternative to Zf if you want improved AF under $4000, there seem to be some buyers which otherwise wouldn't be interested in this body style.

There is an alternative. If you do not already use the Nikon Z system, there are several contenders worth mentioning regarding very good AF. And if you already use the Nikon Z system, then just wait for an upgraded body of the Z5/6/7 with improved AF. Why should these cameras all of a sudden be unusable the day the Zf was released? Do people move faster or do birds fly twice their speed since last week? I must have missed that. When AF was a significant problem for all those years with a Z5/6/7, then those people chose the wrong cameras for their use cases right from the start, didn’t they?

I'm currently shooting with Z50 which I ordered shortly after it was released in 2019. I used D7000 before that. After the switch I found out that I strongly prefer Z50's size, weight and also the grip, which is deeper and more comfortable for me despite Z50's overall smaller size and weight. Largest lens that I currently use is 105 MC (which then looks more like a lens with attached body than other way around) but due to the grip I have zero concerns if I can hold it securely or not.

I basically found out that Z50-sized body is sufficient and more bulk and weight won't bring me anything by itself and it just means less convenience and less opportunities to take photos since I'm more inclined to leave heavier equipment at home.

When I bought my Z50 four years ago, my main use case was hiking and travel. I don't have any complaints about its AF performance for this use. However, I became a father and then I found out that Z50's AF leaves something to be desired. I guess that I'm not alone and needs of others might also evolve in time.

My issue is that I don't see any upgrade path suitable for my needs at the moment since Nikon didn't introduce any significant upgrade to DX lineup during last four years and FF options are either too large, heavy and expensive (Z8/Z9) or large and with questionable ergonomics (for me personally) which transforms into even larger and heavier with additional grip (Zf). Waiting is an option but I feel like I'm doing it for almost two years now...

 

[Managarm]

Much has been made about the weight and the ergonomics of the Z f.

I like the weight of the camera - I'd describe it as "substantial" rather than heavy. And a camera like this needs to have substance or it starts to feel cheap

As far as the ergonomics go, not sure why anyone would buy a Z f then complain about the grip.

Since there is no alternative to Zf if you want improved AF under $4000, there seem to be some buyers which otherwise wouldn't be interested in this body style.

There is an alternative. If you do not already use the Nikon Z system, there are several contenders worth mentioning regarding very good AF. And if you already use the Nikon Z system, then just wait for an upgraded body of the Z5/6/7 with improved AF. Why should these cameras all of a sudden be unusable the day the Zf was released? Do people move faster or do birds fly twice their speed since last week? I must have missed that. When AF was a significant problem for all those years with a Z5/6/7, then those people chose the wrong cameras for their use cases right from the start, didn’t they?

I'm currently shooting with Z50 which I ordered shortly after it was released in 2019. I used D7000 before that. After the switch I found out that I strongly prefer Z50's size, weight and also the grip, which is deeper and more comfortable for me despite Z50's overall smaller size and weight. Largest lens that I currently use is 105 MC (which then looks more like a lens with attached body than other way around) but due to the grip I have zero concerns if I can hold it securely or not.

I basically found out that Z50-sized body is sufficient and more bulk and weight won't bring me anything by itself and it just means less convenience and less opportunities to take photos since I'm more inclined to leave heavier equipment at home.

When I bought my Z50 four years ago, my main use case was hiking and travel. I don't have any complaints about its AF performance for this use. However, I became a father and then I found out that Z50's AF leaves something to be desired. I guess that I'm not alone and needs of others might also evolve in time.

My issue is that I don't see any upgrade path suitable for my needs at the moment since Nikon didn't introduce any significant upgrade to DX lineup during last four years and FF options are either too large, heavy and expensive (Z8/Z9) or large and with questionable ergonomics (for me personally) which transforms into even larger and heavier with additional grip (Zf). Waiting is an option but I feel like I'm doing it for almost two years now...

Thanks for the clarification. I understand your situation, but in the end your change of focus (pun intended) is not something Nikon should target by changing the well established concepts of the Z9, Z8 or Zf into a Z6 body, because that product line already exists. If they should do something, then it’s updating the Z6/Z7/APS-C line. And I guess the Z6/Z7 will be the next lines to get the advanced AF system (or the Z30/50, but Nikon APS-C often lags behind somewhat), but of course nobody knows when exactly.

In the end I think you will either have to wait a bit more or get something else fitting your needs right now.

 

[ericlj007]

I like the weight. I wasn't sure about the small rig grip at first but it's good.

Yes. It's $40. I'm not sure the Nikon one will be worth the extra $60-80 from Ebay

 

[shadowlands]

Many said the Z FC was lightweight and that made it feel like a toy.

Now the ZF is too heavy. LOL

 

[LennyLevino]

I wish the Zf had come in the same form factor as the Zfc (single card slot and smaller battery would be an OK tradeoff), and also had the 45mp sensor from the Z7.

I would've happily bought that for $3000.

 

[lolopasstrail]

What struck me about the Zf- compared to an FE2- is that the former seems "top heavy."

The FM/FE series seems well balanced in the right hand, whereas the Zf seems to want to tip forward.

No doubt this is odd and idiosyncratic to me, but I didn't expect what feels like a higher COG, and didn't expect my right hand to have to also brace against this very very slight but nevertheless present tendency.

 

[jjz2]

In thread after thread, I see people commenting or complaining about the weight of the Zf. It weighs 5 grams or .17 ounces more than either the Z6ii or the Z7ii. I don't hear anyone complaining about what they weigh. What gives?

Body shape and ergonomics. In shooting position my z6 feels about as light as the zfc due to ergonomics and not straining my finger muscles.

 

[CliveTJ]

In thread after thread, I see people commenting or complaining about the weight of the Zf. It weighs 5 grams or .17 ounces more than either the Z6ii or the Z7ii. I don't hear anyone complaining about what they weigh. What gives?

Body shape and ergonomics. In shooting position my z6 feels about as light as the zfc due to ergonomics and not straining my finger muscles.

Do you have the Smallrig grip for the Zf? I know what a huge difference it makes to the handling of the Zfc so it would be useful to check the context of your view.

 

[MrHollywood]

In thread after thread, I see people commenting or complaining about the weight of the Zf. It weighs 5 grams or .17 ounces more than either the Z6ii or the Z7ii. I don't hear anyone complaining about what they weigh. What gives?

Body shape and ergonomics. In shooting position my z6 feels about as light as the zfc due to ergonomics and not straining my finger muscles.

I really wonder whether people have learned how to handle various cameras. I've yet to strain any finger muscles, even with the rather ungainly Tilta-cage-equipped Z9 and certainly not with my Zf or Zfc.

The Zfc is feather-light compared to my previous Z7II. Neither ever strained anything. With my Z7II I could use more of the grip when shooting. With my Zf I tend to use more support beneath the lens where it meets the camera body, as I did with my old film cameras. Easy peasy.

Now...if you're 80 years old and getting shaky with a Z9 and a 70-200, I get it. Beyond that, good technique and some reasonable fitness should prevent any strain unless you're humping a massive setup to the top of a volcano.

Seriously...I lift weights 3-4 times a week. Nothing crazy. 10 lbs and 20 lb dumbbells. It makes a HUGE difference in the ability to handle a camera for extended periods. I view it just as important to shooting as my lenses because it visually eliminates issues regarding weight and stress.

Robert

 

[jjz2]

In thread after thread, I see people commenting or complaining about the weight of the Zf. It weighs 5 grams or .17 ounces more than either the Z6ii or the Z7ii. I don't hear anyone complaining about what they weigh. What gives?

Body shape and ergonomics. In shooting position my z6 feels about as light as the zfc due to ergonomics and not straining my finger muscles.

Do you have the Smallrig grip for the Zf? I know what a huge difference it makes to the handling of the Zfc so it would be useful to check the context of your view.

No, I meant gripless. Once you add the grip to Zf it is now over 800g btw.

 

[VTNikonshooter]

I was thinking recently about how much lighter my mirrorless cameras and lenses are. You folks remember hauling a big ole dslr and the 2.8 lenses and a battery grip too?

My D750 with a Tamron 24-70 Gii 2.8 and the grip weighed about 2070 grams or about 4 lbs and 9 oz. My Zf with the z 24-70 2.8 s and no battery grip weighs about 1515 grams or 3 lbs 5 oz I am not a math whiz but the loss of 1lb 4 oz with the zf and z lenses seems a lot lighter to me.

--:-D
Sam Trombino
VTpixels
Vermont USA
Nikon Z7II/ZF Mavic 2 Pro and not enough stupidly expensive lenses

 

[jjz2]

In thread after thread, I see people commenting or complaining about the weight of the Zf. It weighs 5 grams or .17 ounces more than either the Z6ii or the Z7ii. I don't hear anyone complaining about what they weigh. What gives?

Body shape and ergonomics. In shooting position my z6 feels about as light as the zfc due to ergonomics and not straining my finger muscles.

I really wonder whether people have learned how to handle various cameras. I've yet to strain any finger muscles, even with the rather ungainly Tilta-cage-equipped Z9 and certainly not with my Zf or Zfc.

The Zfc is feather-light compared to my previous Z7II. Neither ever strained anything. With my Z7II I could use more of the grip when shooting. With my Zf I tend to use more support beneath the lens where it meets the camera body, as I did with my old film cameras. Easy peasy.

Now...if you're 80 years old and getting shaky with a Z9 and a 70-200, I get it. Beyond that, good technique and some reasonable fitness should prevent any strain unless you're humping a massive setup to the top of a volcano.

Seriously...I lift weights 3-4 times a week. Nothing crazy. 10 lbs and 20 lb dumbbells. It makes a HUGE difference in the ability to handle a camera for extended periods. I view it just as important to shooting as my lenses because it visually eliminates issues regarding weight and stress.

Robert

It's not weight, it's ergonomics and comfortable camera balance. There's simply no way to get the snug grip with my right hand on a gripless Zfc or Zf the way there is on a stock Z6. This is compounded if carrying the camera by your side all day when street shooting. After a day of shooting and holding camera like this either on the street or an event, your finger muscles will start to notice.

I shoot the zfc with pancake lens, so there basically is no support to grab the lens, the whole camera is flat, you're basically pinching it with 2 fingers.

Taken to its extreme a standard 2x4 will feel heavier in hand than a 10 pound dumbbell due to the ergonomics of it.

The Z6 is simply better balanced ergonomically and the deep grip helps.

I'm sure it depends on your hand size also, I am 6'3" and have long skinny fingers. I need to put them somewhere.

If it doesn't bother you fine, but the ergonomics switching back and forth on these cameras is noticeable to me and others.

Now that's not a rip on the Zfc or Zf, I like the styling, and I like that the Zfc can slip into more places, and the total weight is less in a bag. But shooting in action? The Z6 is far more comfortable to me.

 

[CliveTJ]

In thread after thread, I see people commenting or complaining about the weight of the Zf. It weighs 5 grams or .17 ounces more than either the Z6ii or the Z7ii. I don't hear anyone complaining about what they weigh. What gives?

Body shape and ergonomics. In shooting position my z6 feels about as light as the zfc due to ergonomics and not straining my finger muscles.

Do you have the Smallrig grip for the Zf? I know what a huge difference it makes to the handling of the Zfc so it would be useful to check the context of your view.

No, I meant gripless. Once you add the grip to Zf it is now over 800g btw.

I prefer to have a base added to the body to protect it and to provide an Arca Swiss plate so my Z7ii is 780g anyway. My Zfc with grip feels significantly lighter than my Z7ii with a half case. Does your Zfc have a grip?

Our perceptions of weight seem to differ (your Z6 vs Zfc but maybe you don’t use a grip), for the Zf I might have a different view as I would use it with a grip.