If a bear tipped my $3,000 digital camera right into a lake, I do know precisely what I’d purchase to switch it…

Hypothetically, I’m capturing a wonderful fall panorama at a stupendous lake in Alaska, when – out of nowhere – a brown bear seems, makes an attempt to make use of my tripod and Nikon Z8 as a scratching put up, inadvertently suggestions it into the water, and plods off. Hypothetically, I drop to my knees and sob like a child. The lake’s too deep to retrieve my delight and pleasure, and simply 24 hours prior, I uncared for to resume my digital camera insurance coverage (darn it!). However whaddya know? There is a digital camera retailer proper by the lake. So, I slap a fistful of banknotes on the counter and say: “Your most interesting Nikon Zf and Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2, please.” Right here’s why…

I believe the Nikon Zf is the best-value retro digital camera available on the market, rivalled solely by the Fujifilm X-T5. However I’m so used to capturing full-frame, for me a minimum of, the Nikon Zf pips the nonetheless unbelievable Fujifilm to the put up. On the time of writing, you’ll be able to decide the digital camera up for $1,796.95 at B&H Picture and £1,799 at Jessops. And on the used market, you will discover a really good-condition Zf for even much less. That’s an unbelievable deal for a digital camera that sits between the Nikon Z5 II and Nikon Z6 III by way of specs.

The Nikon Zf is constructed round a 24.5-MP full-frame CMOS sensor, Nikon’s newest EXPEED 7 picture processor, and borrows AF algorithms from the Z8 / Z9. You additionally rise up to eight stops of in-body picture stabilization, topic detection in guide focus, and 4K 60p. It’s a cutting-edge digital camera in a retro Nineteen Eighties physique (modelled after the legendary Nikon FM2). And what a handsome digital camera it’s.

Most retro cameras are what I’d describe as fashionable retro. They boast the angular edges, the leatherette, and the dials, however with a extra bulbous physique and chunky, fashionable grips. The Nikon Zf, however, is comparatively slight and solely has a really small grip. It’s not the FM2’s fully flat floor, however it’s not what fashionable photographers are used to both. Granted, that is one thing you’ll both love or hate and whereas it’s not completely sensible, I like the authentically retro really feel of the Nikon Zf a lot, I’m all for it. And apart from, you’ll be able to at all times purchase an aftermarket grip if it troubles you that a lot. And the management dials are to die for. They’re precision-milled brass, which suggests they’ll patina with age.