Nikon Zf vs. Z6ii Advice

[JoeW]

Well, I have money burning a hole in my pocket and I'm seeking to add to my mirrorless body options. I already have several DSLR bodies that I'm happy with so no recommendations there. And no, I can't afford a Z8 or Z9. And given that I've got a couple of decades invested in Nikon, I'm not interested in any other mirrorless companies (ie: Canon, Sony, OM, etc.).

I'm considering between two options: Zf and Z6ii. I know, neither is considered a flagship or top of the line body. But I have specific interests. For wildlife and sports, I use my D500. For architecture and very large blowups (like a 6 foot or 10 foot poster) I use my D800. But I like the option of a smaller body than those two (D500, D800), taking advantage of the improved AF capabilities (AF on eyes for instance) and the greater EV and ISO options I will get with either of these bodies (Zf, Z6ii).

Does anyone who owns either or has shot with them have any input? Did you find the old style body of the Zf (ie: a smaller grip) to be disconcerting or a plus? Recommendations specific to those mirrorless bodies (Zf, Z6ii) are welcome.

 

[Golem]

As a Z6II user I cannot imagine using a Zf. While gathering four Z bodies, a Zf never called to me.

Pretending that a 21st century camera is a 1970s film camera is just not a pose that Id ever care to strike ! A digital user interface is perfectly logical for digital devices.

You ask about the grip ? Had that ever since the 1970s when I put a film winder on my FM2. So, its no "violation" of retro style to incorporate one on the Fz. The lack of a grip just helps prove that the Fz is a matter of style over function.

Heres pix of the film winder, showing grip:

 

[greybeard]

Wait for the Z5 ii. Should be out this summer. (jmho)

 

[JoeW]

Thanks for the input. Any others who have experience, share away!

 

[Wallycat]

I have both. The Zf has a faster frame rate which fits with wildlife/birds. It gets you in the Expeed 7 generation. I use tripod supported telephoto lenses making the grip less of an issue. You may find the lack of the accessory terminal for the WR-R10 a problem. The microSD is odd but you get used to it.

Z6ii is a nice camera for general photography but Expeed 6 with dual chips- not state of the art. Face/eye detection experience is fast and accurate. No issues with getting stationary birds with 180-600 zoom. Just limited with frame rate of 5.5 fps. You can go to 12 fps but I have little experience with it in the wild. Works great with SB-5000s and has the accessory terminal for the WR-R10 for portraits. Just older technology.

Best wishes,

 

[JoeW]

I have both. The Zf has a faster frame rate which fits with wildlife/birds. It gets you in the Expeed 7 generation. I use tripod supported telephoto lenses making the grip less of an issue. You may find the lack of the accessory terminal for the WR-R10 a problem. The microSD is odd but you get used to it.

Z6ii is a nice camera for general photography but Expeed 6 with dual chips- not state of the art. Face/eye detection experience is fast and accurate. No issues with getting stationary birds with 180-600 zoom. Just limited with frame rate of 5.5 fps. You can go to 12 fps but I have little experience with it in the wild. Works great with SB-5000s and has the accessory terminal for the WR-R10 for portraits. Just older technology.

Best wishes,

Excellent! This is really useful information. I'm going to wait to hold a Zf is to see how it feels for me. But unless it is just too foreign, I think that based upon what my research has told me and your input, I'll go with the Zf. Thank you.

 

[JBPhotog]

Excellent! This is really useful information. I'm going to wait to hold a Zf is to see how it feels for me. But unless it is just too foreign, I think that based upon what my research has told me and your input, I'll go with the Zf. Thank you.

Have a look at the Z5 II which was launched a day or so ago. Between the Z6 II and the Z5 II, the latter has the better processor and AF on par with the Z8 & Z9. If you want retro then the Zf is your game.

 

[greybeard]

The Z-fc has Nikons' latest processor Expeed 7 which has vast improvements in focus speed and accuracy as well as improvements in video over the older Expeed 6 cameras of which the Z6ii happens to belong. You might also consider the new Z5ii which is a Zfc in a Z5 body with all the improvements of the Expeed 7 at a nice lower price.

 

[JoeW]

I ended up getting the Z5ii. The smaller size of the Zf was tempting--as a camera small enough to tuck away in a jacket pocket or cargo pants--the kind of camera that would replace some of the photos I take with my iPhone. But the Z5ii just offered too much more. I appreciate all of the advice--especially from people who had the Zf.

 

[nerwin]

I really wanted the ZF but what turned me off is Nikon included extra manual focusing assist features that ONLY work with manual lenses that have CPU contacts. There is a way to "trick" the camera by using a Sony lens adapter and then use a sony to f-mount or any other lens mount and because the sony lens mount adapter has the CPU contacts, those neat focus assist functions work perfectly fine. Nikon could fix this with a firmware or update their FTZ adapters to allow this. To me one of the whole purposes of this ZF is to use vintage lenses on it.

 

[Don Fischer]

I like camera's especially Nikon's. But years past I always though about up grading. And at time's I did. I remember when I got my F5, though I had the world at my finger tips. Never learned how to use anything but "P" setting though. Taught me, an early lesson, that what ever I might call an upgrade, my old camera has forgotten more than I've ever known! A Kodak Brownie would probably be an upgrade to me. Finally realized I call it up grading mostly because I simply want another camera! I have no idea what the upgrades are of how to use them!