On mornings when I am meeting friends, the last thing I do before heading out is pick up the Zf from the shelf. The strap stays at its shortest, with both ends tied. With it over my shoulder, I leave home feeling a little excited.
Why I chose silver, just like my first camera, the Z fc
The first camera I bought for myself after starting work was a silver Nikon Z fc. Once I started using the ZV-E1 to film for YouTube, I ended up consolidating on Sony E-mount and let the Z fc go. Even so, I always remembered the days I went out with that silver camera.
When the Zf came out, silver was what I wanted too. When I learned a silver version would be released in September 2025, I decided almost without hesitation.
For work and YouTube, my Sony cameras still do everything I need. The Zf is a camera I chose simply to enjoy the act of taking pictures.
Set the dials, then look through a clear viewfinder
On top of the Zf sit three dials: ISO, shutter speed and exposure compensation. Of all the cameras I own, the Zf is the only one with these dials.
I click the dials into place, then raise the viewfinder to my eye. The feel of turning them is so satisfying that the fun starts before I even take a shot. Through the roughly 3.69-million-dot viewfinder, the scene looks crisp and bright. What I love is being able to focus on what is in front of me, more than when shooting with the rear screen.
It may look classic, but compared with the Leica M11-D, autofocus lets me shoot quickly and easily. The M11-D for days when I want to take my time, the Zf for days when I just want to shoot casually. That is how I naturally ended up using them.
A design that fits in, whether on a shelf or with an outfit
Even on days I do not use it, I keep the Zf on a shelf instead of putting it away in the dry cabinet. Every time I see it, I start thinking about where to take it next. It is a camera I want to keep out in the room.
It is easy to match with my clothes, and when friends tell me “your camera is cute today,” it really makes me happy. In Paris, when I finally took it out on a rainy last day, a local asked me, “What camera is that?”
In spring 2026, I had the leather replaced with sepia brown through Nikon’s Premium Exterior service. A silver body with brown leather: it feels like a camera that is mine alone, and I love it.
Just one lens: the NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 (SE)
My only lens is the NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 (SE), which I bought together with the body.
With the Z fc, my favorite was the 28mm, about 42mm in full-frame terms. So the 40mm felt natural from the start. I was once curious about a slightly wider 28mm and tried one at a store, but I ended up sticking with the 40mm.
With a small lens on, the Zf looks well balanced too. Since there is no lens to choose, it has become easier to bring along even on short outings.
Heading out with the Zf
3D-printed pieces, shot at home
A spring walk around town
Hydrangeas in June
All photos: Nikon Zf / NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 (SE)
What bothers me: the weight of about 710g, and switching to video
What bothers me most is the weight: about 710g with battery and card. It is heavier than it looks, and carrying it all day without a grip can tire my wrist.
Switching between stills and video is not its strong point either. Because settings are made with dials, I have to readjust shutter speed and ISO every time I switch to video. When I bought it, I wanted to try shooting video with the Zf too, but now I leave video to the α7C II and hardly film with the Zf at all. Using it only for photos has actually made things easier.
Also, there are not as many Z-mount lenses to choose from as there are for Sony E-mount. I am happy with just the 40mm, but if you want to use a variety of lenses, it is worth checking first whether the ones you want are available.
Who I would recommend the Zf to, and who should compare other cameras
I would recommend the Zf to anyone who wants a camera they love the look of, or who enjoys photos more than video. One prime lens, casual shots on walks or days out with friends: it suits that kind of use really well.
On the other hand, if lightness is your top priority, or you want to shoot photos and video about equally, please compare it with other cameras too. You can only really judge the weight by holding it, so either way I recommend trying one in a store.
A spec sheet probably cannot convey what makes this camera great. Picking it up before heading out lifts my mood a little. That is what the Zf is to me. I am sure I will take it down from the shelf again next weekend.
