The New Full Frame Standard? | Nikon Z5ii, ZR, Zf
Flagship cameras have become so overkill, that their specs have over flowed.
None of these full frame Nikons are cheap, but for the price they’re resetting the full-frame standard for everybody. That no-brainer, go to recommendation for around $2000. I’ve used two of these for years, one for a couple of months, but if I can only choose one?
It’d have to be the camera I’d want to use as my everyday carry, so on my day off so I brought all three (each paired with 40mm), to document my home-town city.
All of these cameras set the standard in a specific niche. The ZR and ZF are mine, the Z5ii is on loan from Nikon Australia. Depending on your use case one could be all that you need, when paired with the versatility of 40mm.
40mm is especially useful for my favorite composition techniques - geometry and subframing, and today I’m testing 3:
The Nikon 40mm f2 Z,
The 7Artisans 40mm f2.5, and…
A 40mm lens I’ve been trying to track down for years. It’s on loan from Mainline Photo.
Handling?
Out of these three cameras the two newest are the first to choose between, it should be easy given how different they are from each other.
But it’s not as simple as photo vs video, or EVF vs LCD only. For me it comes down to handling?
Z5ii has fantastic ergonomics, grip feels the same as the Z6III, actually better as everything’s on the right side of the camera so I can change all my settings on the fly.
All the Z series full-frame cameras have IBIS too, which makes handling even easier for photography. Two custom function buttons at the front are easy to reach.
The ZR’s ergonomics are fine, but needs to be “set it and forget it”. Very few function buttons, joystick is hard to reach, I use continuous AF-C, 3D tracking, one button is all I interact with for photography
Its hardware is unique, zoom rocker to quickly punch in magnify, and that giant 4” LCD screen can negate the need for an EVF for some. For me it’s bright enough to see outdoors on this sunny day.
On this day I was carrying 3 cameras, so the other side of handling is how each fits into a bag. ZR’s flat boxy shape is easiest, Z5ii’s grip and EVF hump are a small footprint but a little harder, what makes it easy is each is paired with a 40mm.
40mm For Everyday Carry.
On this photowalk I paired the Z5ii with the Nikkor 40mm f2 Z, ZR with the 7Artisans 40mm f2.5, both very tiny lenses that negate any issues with handling.
40mm has become my standard field of view for everyday photography, as wide or as tight as you like for any given scene. I like geometry to depict the space, which works better on wider lenses - 28mm or 35mm
But it’s harder to place faces within that wider frame, which is why 40 is perfect for everyday shooting. One downside is there’s not that much separation on a 40, especially the slower f2.5 or f2.8 versions, though Nikon’s bright f2 aperture can get some bokeh in a pinch.
The 7Artisans 40mm is very sharp as you can see from these sample photos. Wide open I’d say it’s about as sharp as Nikon’s 40mm. Both up close and at infinity.
Nikon’s 40 dampens flare a bit better than 7Artisans, both have purple fringing in the highlights.
Leading lines, swirls, subframes, someone to walk in stride, 40 is both wide and tight enough. More than 35 or 50, it’s become the new default, go to standard focal length.
If you'd like to share your 40mm photos with me and this community (>20K YouTube, 1K newsletter)?
Fill in the form below:
ZR is the new standard for a very specific full-frame niche.
Not for video first cinema cameras, but boxy cameras that choose form over function. Panasonic S9, Sigma BF, FP, got the size down to a boxy form by sacrificing a EVF and mechanical shutter, but they have slower sensors. Electronic shutter only can result in warping for fast moving subjects, and banding under fluorescent lighting.
Sony’s A7C line gets the closest with a tiny EVF, subpar floppy screen, and a electronic front curtain shutter only, it’s how they get away with putting in slower scanning 24, 33, 61 megapixel sensors.
The ZR took a different approach (and the lead?). By sacrificing its EVF, the ZR made the screen segment leading, and the partially stacked sensor scans fast enough that there’s no banding even with electronic shutter under the vast majority of situations. It’s still a video-first device, but functions surprisingly well as an everyday camera, especially when paired with a 40.
In these incredibly bright scenes, as good as the ZR’s screen was,I did appreciate having the Z5ii’s EVF to shield the stray light.
How good is the Z5ii’s EVF?
The EVF is what surprised me the most when I first picked up this camera, way better than it has to be.
It’s not its slighter bigger 0.8x magnification, compared to most of the competition’s 0.78x. Or its 3.69 million dot resolution or max 60hz refresh rate, which is on par or a little behind the competition.
It’s the peak brightness of 3000 nits, incredibly bright to the point where I’m very comfortable using it while wearing sunglasses. It’s the first thing you notice with the Z5ii that there’s more under the hood than there needs to be.
It’s not the brightest EVF in Z series, that honour goes to the Z6III’s blinding 4000 nits.
But there is one thing the Z5ii does better than any full-frame Z camera despite being the cheapest in the series.
Low light AF down to -10 EV. I know video autofocus isn’t exactly the same as photo - these results are pretty stunning?
ISO 51200, exposure compensation down lower than the meter can read. The Zf and ZR never pick up my face but the Z5ii can find me even if it can’t track me continuously in complete darkness.
If the Z5ii uses the same processor as the Zf and ZR, the sensor as the Zf, how did Nikon set the new standard for low light AF in the Z5ii?
An entry level camera is normally an afterthought. Leftover parts from older models to keep the price low.
I’m guessing the Z5ii’s low light AF is a hardware feature, otherwise it may come to firmware to the Zf tor the ZR?
But to claim any feature in their cheapest camera performs better than “flagship level” is a surprising move. The biggest thing it’s competing against is the feeling that photography’s not for me. Why bother paying for extra specs if it’s just a hobby?
For the price of a Z5ii you can get a pro-level body with no compromises, great handling, dual card slots, very bright EVF, fantastic low light autofocus and image quality. No immediate reason to upgrade for the foreseeable future.
If the Z5ii has no compromises, and it’s the cheapest out of these 3 Nikon cameras, why would anyone pick the Zf?
Nikon Zf paired with a legendary 40mm on loan from Mainline Photo
The Zf has set the standard in another specific camera niche.
Out of retro full frame cameras it has the best execution.
Top dials are brass, its top plate feels substantial, dials and buttons are super clicky and tactile. Zf invites you to use it with both hands, and hear the feedback of that beautiful shutter sound.
The ZF showed the market wants more from a retro design. Building on Fujifilm, this styling can have mass appeal. Hopefully it inspires more brands to develop beautiful designs (but I’m not optimistic).
Other than its handling quirks, the ZF has very few functional compromises, it’s set the standard for retro design in the full-frame segment.
Especially when paired with this legendary lens, the images have a unique look you can’t get on any other 40mm.
Which of these three cameras would I pick if I can only have one?
If you don’t own any, Z5ii’s the no-brainer pick as the cheapest out of the three. What excites me the most about this type of camera is its impact on everyday photography
Add one as part of your everyday carry. Make time to document more of your hometown paired with the versatility of so many tiny 40mm lenses on the market.
But long-time channel viewers will know which one I’d pick, and it’s because of the legendary 40 I’ve been pairing with it.
The Voigtlander 40mm 1.2 Z with its beautiful all metal design, compact size, fast 1.2 with aperture ring, pairs beautifully with the aesthetics of the Zf.
If you’re OK dealing with manual focus, it provides incredible depth - its bokeh is soft and puffy, still sharp enough wide open at 1.2, even with the aberrations it adds a distinctive look.
Here’s to more everyday photography.
Jack.
All my sample images in this blog post were edited from RAW files using my free Chrome emulation preset. They work with most RAW files from different cameras as long as you use “Adobe Color” as the starting base. Download it for free here.
If you’d like to support my work please consider purchasing gear through my affiliate links:
Nikon Z5ii: https://geni.us/BTirqqP
Nikon ZR: https://geni.us/KH4uMvX
Nikon Zf: https://geni.us/YOH8bh7
Nikon 40mm f2 Z: https://geni.us/0AAhXJ
7Artisans 40mm f2.5: https://geni.us/dR5u
Voigtlander 40mm f1.2: https://geni.us/Cft5UF
Wotancraft 10L Messenger bag: https://geni.us/wotancraft-salt-pepper
Wotancraft leather strap: https://geni.us/wotancraft-leather-st
