Finally got my Nikon Zfc

[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

My Nikon Z fc finally arrived at my local camera store.  It was not the 28mm f/2.8 SE kit that I wanted, but a body only.   Still, happy to get it, none the less.

 

Initial impressions:

• It is a beautiful looking camera
• I was surprised at how light it was when I first picked it up.
• The black panels are plastic and it makes the camera feel a bit on the hollow side, although it definitely feels well made when holding it.
• It did not take me long, only about an hour of shooting before the control scheme became second nature to me.
• I'm getting used to holding it, but with larger lenses, it feels a little bit unbalanced (Z35/Z50/Z24-70/4), but with smaller lenses like the Z16-50 it feels right.
• Smallrig has started pre-orders for a base plate/grip for it.  Already placed by order.  I feel it will not only enhance the grip but also protect the bottom plastic place from scratching/wear.
• The image quality, from my early shooting, is classic Nikon.  Nice, saturated colors in the JPG, good highlight and shadow recovery in RAW and JPG.  I already like the IQ I get from the D500 and this sensor is pretty close to that in specs.  From what I can see the IQ is ever so slightly better and the high ISO performance is better.  Not worlds apart, but noticeable when you pixel peep.  If you like the IQ from the D500, you'll love this too.
• It will take me a few weeks to get to really know this camera, but early impressions are favorable.  I shot with it all day yesterday with the 16-50.  Now I want to shoot with it and the 24-70/4 (~36-105 field of view) as a general purpose walk about street lens and then with the Z35/Z50 primes.  Once that is done, I'll be trying my hand with it and the FTZ adapted 70-300 or 300/4 PF lens.
• AF seemed great for street shooting.  Very confident and quick.   Didn't miss a beat during the daylight hours.  Will need to do some extensive testing for low light and night shooting.  I really want to see how well the AF-C works.
• Eye detect AF seems more accurate and sticky than from the Z6 and the Z6 is no slouch.  I did test animal eye AF with my dogs and it picked them up right away, even when they were sleeping and eyes closed.
• I'll have a full review after using the camera.  I want to see how the 4k and 1080p video hold up against the Z6.

 

Here are a few detail shots of the camera and from the walk about I did yesterday with the Z16-50.

 

And for you gear heads out there - the body shots of the Z fc were taken with the Nikon Z6 and the Z50mm f/1.8S using Meike AF extension tubes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dallas]

Enjoy it Andrew! I'm looking forward to hear what your thoughts are. This is the Nikon I wish had come out back when I was still holding onto the brand - although the DX format may have given me pause as the lens options for wide angles are a bit limited, particularly if you want something small. 

[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

Native Z mount is limited at this time, but the f-mount 10-24mm is a real gem of a lens and not that expensive.  I might look into one if I decide to get ride of my Tamron 17-35/2.8 for FX.  I like using that lens on the Z6.

I know a lot of people are wanting Nikon to better support the DX sensor with DX specific lenses.  Here's to hoping that they do.

[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

A couple from today while out walking the dog and doing our daily 3 miles.

 

Z fc and the Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8S prime lens. (~52.5mm field of view) Shot at f/4.

 

 

[Dallas]

Wow, for a second I thought you might have been in my neck of the woods with that first image. 

[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

7 hours ago, Dallas said:

Wow, for a second I thought you might have been in my neck of the woods with that first image. 

 

Thankfully, no.  This was actually an old K-Mart building in my town that is getting demolished.  The site is going to be turned into a mega church owned event center and hotel space.

 

The weather that day was rubbish and I didn't have many subjects...although this will be used as an image in an upcoming story  I'm doing on this site  construction.

[Luc de Schepper]

Very nice camera Andrew. Lots of Chinese third party lens manufacturers are busy introducing Z (DX) lenses.

 

You may want to check out the Viltrox offerings, especially the Z DX 35mm f1.4 which has both autofocus and electronics which work on a Z camera (a first for a non-Nikon).

 

The Z fc is not for me, I'm not a fan of the classic controls as I found out during my brief period with a Df. Still it's nice to see Nikon being active. Enjoy your Z fc!

[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

I have the Nikon Z35/1.8, so am more interested in either wider (16/20mm) or longer (135/200).  
 

I’ve heard good things about the Viltrox lenses. 

[Dallas]

I would also look at the Sigma f/1.8 Art series zooms. The 18-35mm is very good, but maybe not wide enough.

[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

I tried the Sigma 18-35/1.8 on my D500 and it had massive AF accuracy issues.  I'm not one that trusts Sigma quality and have a hard time endorsing them.  I like the idea of the Sigma lens, but have great pause with them.

 

I did get chance to use the Nikkor Z 24-70/4 on the Z fc yesterday and quite liked the field of view it provided. will share some samples.

[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

All images with the Z24-70/4S lens.  Most at f/4 and some others at f/5.6.  I like the ~36-105 field of view for a walk about lens.  I can also take along the Z16-50 if I need something a little wider.  That lens is so small and light there is relatively no penalty for keeping it in the bag at all times.

 

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[Dallas]

19 hours ago, Andrew L (gryphon1911) said:

I tried the Sigma 18-35/1.8 on my D500 and it had massive AF accuracy issues.

 

Interesting. I haven't ever tried that lens, but I also had issues with focus accuracy on my 120-300/2.8 on the D700. It had to be calibrated. No lens I have ever used on my mirrorless cameras though has had to be calibrated. I wonder if the mirror box in the DSLR might be the cause of accuracy issues? 

[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

I think it was Sigma and their reverse engineering and quality control.  

[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

Back out today and I put the Z 16-50 back on.  That lens is growing on me some, especially for the wider shots.

 

Monochromes processed in Dxo Filmpack 5

 

1 - Ilford FP4 Plus 125

 

2 - Polaroid 667

 

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[Hugh_3170]

A lovely looking camera and some nice results in your ever capable hands Andrew.  Thank you for showing them to us.

 

However for me, when I look at the small purpose built MFT lenses from the likes of Olympus and Panasonic/Lumix, it still bothers me that the lenses in the DX/APS-C world have not gotten the lens sizes and weights down to the extent that the MFT manufacturers have.  If and when they do, then sales of cameras like the Zfc & Z50 and their counterparts from other makers will surely benefit. 

 

Whilst it is good that the the DX bodies will accept the Z-mount FX lenses (and F-mount lenses via the FTZ adapter), it still seems most unfortunate to me that the Z mount DX lens line appears to look too much like their bigger brothers and sisters from the FX line rather than lenses designed from scratch in order to complement the smaller form mirrorless DX bodies (such as the Zfc and the Z50).  Perhaps manufacturers such as Viltrox might hopefully fill this gap? 

 

Just my 0.02c worth.

[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

I believe that we are going to see that and the path Nikon is going is to go for less software correction and better optic quality.  Where are if you look at what Fuji and m43 have done, there is more in camera and software correction needed to correct flaws.

 

I've never been one that is bothered by larger size of the camera and lenses, so having a slightly larger kit doesn't affect my choice.  I've always been the one that rails on the side of too small, too fiddly, not for me.

 

[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

Intended to test the Zfc at the zoo today using the Nikon 70-300/4.5-5.6E AF-P, but neglected to update the firmware on the FTZ and the Zfc refused to use the adapter or lens.  So word of warning - update that FTZ firmware! 

 

Did get some of these with the 24-70/4 again.  Really liking that combo.

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[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

more goodness from the Zfc and the Z 24-70/4S

 

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[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

Some images with the Viltrox 24mm f/1.8 Z mount.

 

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[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

Today, during my protracted shooting session with the Z fc (3 mile hike at the cemetery, street art captures and shooting with the 300/4 PF at the dog park) I finally realized why I like the Z fc so much.

One of my first film rangefinders was the Yashica Lynx 5000E. All the fun I had with that camera is the same feeling I have here.
I think the things that clinch that for me are:

• The body feel
• The shutter release, while not the same as the Yashica (that camera has a longer travel to actuate the shutter) feels similar.

Tried shooting the dogs at the dog park with the Z fc. Tried a handful of different modes, but want to get some more time. Had less keepers than thought I would, but right now I'm going to put that as operator error right now and not be too hard on the camera. I'm still learning it in that mode/shooting configuration.

I did try animal AF and it found the dogs eyes quickly and easily.

 

From Greenlawn Cemetery - Columbus, Ohio USA
Zfc + Z 24-70/4S SOOC JPG with a little Lightroom processing.

 

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Edited 19 September, 2021 by Andrew L (gryphon1911)