Nikon Nikon Z fc Talk

Unlike some of the other posters in this intriguing thread, I appreciate the design of the Z fc, but am not remotely consumed by a desire to have one. I attribute this to the nefarious influence of using an X-Pro3 over the last week. But that said, it sure is a pretty camera. I thought the Df was (and still is!) a gorgeous camera, as well (and I still think that some indefinable je ne sais quoi in the Df's DNA allows it to create files - and photographs - with a special quality).

But coming back to the subject at hand - the Zfc - there is an article in TOP (The Online Photographer) by Mike Johnston this morning, about the 28mm lens. It's also a bit on the (twistedly) funny side, and makes for 'a good read'.

Here's the link: Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 Special Edition
 
MoonMind said:
I'll pre-order the Z fc with the 28mm - it hits the spot for me; my Sony stuff (and a whole host of various lenses all over the board) is scheduled for trade-in, and by the time the camera becomes available, the whole Fuji system may be, too. Not because it's bad (it obviously isn't), but because I'm happier with my Z system than I've been with either Sony (that's not difficult, given their handling paradigm) or Fuji - which I'm surprised about myself, but that's how things are. Maybe a X-S1 could have changed that - but I'm not going to try that now the path appears clear: The FX system is where it's at for me, the DX stuff being a nice and fun complement - I don't think I'll put a lot of money in it anyway, but so far, it has paid off hugely.
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Your line of thinking towards streamlining your system makes perfect sense to me Matt. Since you love the Z mount, the Zfc fits in perfectly as a replacement for the Fuji gear. The Sony also becomes expendable, unless there are e-mount only lenses you must have (ie Sigma 45mm). Although, it must be a matter of time before Sigma, Tamron, etc make lenses for the Z and RF mounts.

If the Zfc was FF, I could see myself switching over from Sony, getting the 28/40 pancakes and the 24-70 f4 to cover most of my needs. But, as it’s APSC, if I were to make a switch to that sensor size, it would be Fuji for the various dedicated crop lens options.
 
MoonMind said:
Don't hold your breath re. I.B.I.S. I have a feeling that this might well become one of the distinguishing features for the FX line - DX: compact, maybe even elegant/stylish/hipster (pick your moniker), affordable, truely portable; FX: enthusiast/professional level, with full sealing, I.B.I.S. etc.

I honestly find it sort of strange that people assume Nikon will simply continue their former strategy - isn't it time to change it? What I see on the DX timeline points towards (advanced) entry level - and in my opinion, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that, especially if entry level means Z 50 level solid. The Z 50 is more than a match for the D5600 and approaches the D7500 in many ways while being clearly more compact and more affordable than the latter. Would it be nice if there was a D500 replacement? Definitely, and I think there will be, maybe even including I.B.I.S. to make it more of a hit, but I'd not be surprised if this was low priority at the moment. There are market shifts to consider, and I think Nikon does pretty well in terms of filling the remaining niches. The Z cameras offer a lot for the money and a more keenly priced than the competition.

The Z fc has enough to distinguish it from the Z 50 in my eyes - it may be the even better EDC, but less capable as a "second body" (which the Z 50 is for me - including its additional reach with FX lenses). It's also more desirable for vloggers (not that I am one, but who knows where the fancy might take us). I laid out my view on it in a different thread already.

I'll pre-order the Z fc with the 28mm - it hits the spot for me; my Sony stuff (and a whole host of various lenses all over the board) is scheduled for trade-in, and by the time the camera becomes available, the whole Fuji system may be, too. Not because it's bad (it obviously isn't), but because I'm happier with my Z system than I've been with either Sony (that's not difficult, given their handling paradigm) or Fuji - which I'm surprised about myself, but that's how things are. Maybe a X-S1 could have changed that - but I'm not going to try that now the path appears clear: The FX system is where it's at for me, the DX stuff being a nice and fun complement - I don't think I'll put a lot of money in it anyway, but so far, it has paid off hugely.

M.
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Matt, Nikon updated the road map with the release of the fc, wouldn't it have been the perfect time to add a few place holders for some small DX primes? An 18mm and 23mm (f/2.0-2.8?) DX would have turned this from a "why?" to "cool" for me. I guess I'm not seeing the DX timeline you're talking about.

You could be right about IBIS as an FX vs DX or affordable vs enthusiast/professional level. I don't like it given the competition from m4/3 and the latest Fuji X-T4 and X-S10, but I guess I can understand it.

Could I consolidate down to a Z50 or fc and the 16-50mm & 28mm as my small companion kit to an FX system? I did start my m4/3 journey with the E-PM1 and 14-42 II R, but I think I'd need a little more now. But consolidation is good, it's why I'm currently down to just the E-M1.2 and Pen F
 
CraigC said:
Your line of thinking towards streamlining your system makes perfect sense to me Matt. Since you love the Z mount, the Zfc fits in perfectly as a replacement for the Fuji gear. The Sony also becomes expendable, unless there are e-mount only lenses you must have (ie Sigma 45mm). Although, it must be a matter of time before Sigma, Tamron, etc make lenses for the Z and RF mounts.

If the Zfc was FF, I could see myself switching over from Sony, getting the 28/40 pancakes and the 24-70 f4 to cover most of my needs. But, as it’s APSC, if I were to make a switch to that sensor size, it would be Fuji for the various dedicated crop lens options.
Click to expand...
A FX "Z f" would most likely see me sell the best camera I've owned so far, the Z 6 ... but only if I finally go ahead and get the Z 7 II, which would make the Z 6 (which I'd keep) my "second" FX body ... Since the next year will see me shooting even more (and travel to some places for photography), that's actually pretty likely.

davidzvi said:
Matt, Nikon updated the road map with the release of the fc, wouldn't it have been the perfect time to add a few place holders for some small DX primes? An 18mm and 23mm (f/2.0-2.8?) DX would have turned this from a "why?" to "cool" for me. I guess I'm not seeing the DX timeline you're talking about.

You could be right about IBIS as an FX vs DX or affordable vs enthusiast/professional level. I don't like it given the competition from m4/3 and the latest Fuji X-T4 and X-S10, but I guess I can understand it.

Could I consolidate down to a Z50 or fc and the 16-50mm & 28mm as my small companion kit to an FX system? I did start my m4/3 journey with the E-PM1 and 14-42 II R, but I think I'd need a little more now. But consolidation is good, it's why I'm currently down to just the E-M1.2 and Pen F
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I'd love small DX primes - but in all honesty, if they aim for the entry level, most people will want zooms, so that's what they're providing first. As enthusiasts, we tend to forget that, but it's the way things are: People buy zooms as their travel lenses - that's why we get the versatile 18-140mm next. As for an 18mm and 23mm, that'd be a dream come true right there; I was also hoping for a tiny 35mm f/1.8 DX. But they want to sell cameras first, and zooms sell cameras at the entry level.

However, I'm quite hopeful for a change in the future precisely because of the existence of the Z fc: This camera obviously shines with small, competent primes and is marketed for it; yes, it would have been nice to get a number of them right away, but the 28mm SE is a very good start, especially since they're serving DX and FX in one go. They're setting the scene for more in my opinion. As a Z mount user, I also really appreciate them serving the FX crowd first - the Z 6/7 have been out for a while, and the FX line has been expanded considerably, so that's what many people own and love. The 40mm f/2 is what I've hoped for for years, though I'd've liked it to be a bit classier. But it's small, light and affordable, so I can see myself owning that *and* an eventual Sigma 45mm f/2.8 for Z mount.

Calling for a full frame Z f will not help the DX lens line-up, though. I guess we'll either get one or the other: a Z f in the near future or some DX primes, possibly with an emphasis on SE styling. Given the fact that Nikon struggles to meet demand on so many products at the moment, I wouldn't hold my breath on it happening tomorrow, though.

Anyway, back to the Z fc: The concept works for me - I'm all about the shooting experience (that's one of the reason why I own Leica gear - though IQ plays a large part in this, too), and a slim, competent camera that mimics my favourite SLR (FE, FE2, FM3A) definitely hits the spot in that respect. What's more, I know from the Z 50 that this camera can deliver the goods and do it in a streamlined, fluid manner - with the added bonus of offering several handling options you can use, depending on your needs and the situation you find yourself in. For instance, with the Z fc, you can switch to preset values even quicker than with the Fuji bodies because you can do it with one switch instead of two dials/rings (just preset the shutter speed to be able to switch between A and S very quickly - because Nikon bodies keep the last settings used for a mode).

And to reiterate, the Z fc does offer a couple of technical enhancements over the Z 50 as well, and not necessarily minor ones for a small, travel-friendly body:
  • USB-C charging *and* power supply;
  • a flip screen, so, easy to protect, and great for ground level shooting and close-ups *in all orientations*;
  • better controls on the back panel;
  • versatile exposure control system as mentioned above;
  • better tracking AF with improved eye-detect (on par with Z 6 II/Z 7 II);
  • a slick, more pocketable profile, especially with small lenses like the 28mm SE or the 16-50mm DX; as much as I love the Z 50's grip for longer lenses (I use the Z 50 as my "range extender", remember), it's not helpful when putting that camera into a coat or jacket pocket.
Pretty impressive - not game-changing, but desirable all around. And that's before you look at the design that I'm obviously doomed to like.

M.
 
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@MoonMind completely agree on the "zooms for entry level" and also that the fc is NOT just another entry level body. It definitely has a few nice upgrades over the Z50. And I agree Nikon has done a good job filling out their FX lineup. I like that Nikon focused on more affordable options.

I would love to be proven wrong and see Nikon release some nice small primes for the fc. Time will tell.
 
OK, so Camerasize.com has the Nikon Z fc body on the site. Here is what the 35/50mm Z f/1.8 primes look like as well as the 24-70/4 and the 50-230.

I honestly don't think they look out of place on the camera at all. yes, the 28mm f/2.8 is smaller, but I think the 35/50 primes seem Ok....at least to me.

1625368369862.png
 
My gut tells me that the XE4 and 27mm are going to be closer to an X100 where as the Z fc and 28 are going to be closer to an XPRO2 /XT3 and the 27mm in size.

that Z mount of going to seriously hinder just how shall they can make a camera body.
 
gryphon1911 said:
My gut tells me that the XE4 and 27mm are going to be closer to an X100 where as the Z fc and 28 are going to be closer to an XPRO2 /XT3 and the 27mm in size.

that Z mount of going to seriously hinder just how shall they can make a camera body.
Click to expand...
Andrew, I really don't think so; looking at the Z 50 and the X-E3, the former's no thicker at the mount; however, the lenses will have a larger diameter and usually look (or be) a bit bigger, so Fujifilm wins all the same.

M.
 
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davidzvi said:
Sizing is easy enough to compare. I added the 35 f/2 to the X-Pro3 for a more eq sizing.

View attachment 262870

View attachment 262868
Click to expand...
Thanks for that - but didn't Andrew talk about the *potential* to build a *thin* camera? But I might have got that wrong. Anyway, body depth between the Z 50 and the X-E3 is absolutely comparable, with the Z 50 being *thinner*.

Anyhow, yes, the Z fc's EVF will make it bulkier than any of the Fujifilm rangefinder style camera; that was to be expected, the same goes for a comparison between the Z fc and X-T30 - as well as between the Z 50 and the X-S1: Fujifilm chose to keep things as flush as possible, which makes for great pocketability. However, I personally prefer Nikon's way of arranging things in terms of user experience - very good eye relief and visibility; the Z 50 comfortably beats the already good X-E3 in that respect - which shares the same EVF construction as the X-T30. Of course, the whole handling is different anyway - you have to get the camera in hand to judge it; so far, I can't talk about it, but I know I like how the FE handles (and sits in the hand).

M.
 
I know I’m weird, but I often have “feelings” about cameras. The XPRO from Fuji was one such camera. Even before I had one I knew I would love it. It actually exceeded expectations. The Nikon Df was another one. I love that camera and how it works in spite of what the bulk of the internet has to say about it.

I’m getting the same feeling about the Zfc.
 
gryphon1911 said:
I honestly don’t want it to be too small. I’m sick of all these cameras that are too small to hold and have no EVF The EM5.2 without a grip is on the verge of too small.

The Z fc looks to be a nice size in this regard.
Click to expand...
The EM5ii works for me because I close the screen on itself and let my thumb rest in what would be the top right of the screen. But yes, my first impression of that camera in a shop was that the grip was too small.
 

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