ON TRIAL NIKON Z f
Technology has rather trumped tradition in camera design over the last decade or so, but with retro being very much in fashion everywhere – and the promise of new film cameras (serious ones, that is) any time soon – the value of heritage is starting the gain more recognition. Of course, Leica does it best with its M series digital rangefinder models, although to some extent, it hasn’t had much choice with such a strong legacy overshadowing everything. Fujifilm’s more voluntary adoption of a dial-based control layout for its X-T series cameras has arguably been a more successful marriage of the old and the new given there’s no real links to the past (the Fujica 35mm SLRs were largely unremarkable).
However, Nikon really does have something to celebrate with its FM and FE series reflexes and, before these, the workhorse Nikkormats. From the Nikkormat FT, launched in 1965, to the FM2N, a 1989 update of the original FM2, was a true golden era for Nikon, establishing it as the brand for serious enthusiasts and professionals on a bit of a budget.
Many a career got started behind a Nikkormat or an FM/FE, and all the models have become enduring classics thanks to their inherent durability (yes, even the electronic models).
It’s not surprising, then, that Nikon wants to acknowledge this period with retro-look digital cameras; firstly, the Df DSLR in 2013, then the Z fc ‘APS-C’ mirrorless camera in 2021 and now the full frame mirrorless Z f. Some found that the D f looked a little strange, but owner love them and are hanging on to them which is reflected by the prices being asked for second hand examples. The Z fc looks a lot better, but the ‘DX’ offshoot of the Z mount system is still, with all due respect, a little underdone with regard to lenses so the appeal to enthusiast is diminshed. Like Goldilocks’s porridge, the Z f looks to be just right. The proportions are pretty well balanced – although it’s quite a bit chunkier than an FM2 – and the full frame Z mount means there’s plenty of lenses available and probably thousands more if you dip into the F mount back catalogue – from Nikon and others – via the FTZ II mount adapter (the original and bulkier FTZ is now discontinued). Under the Z f’s 1980s fashionware is essentially the Z 6II with a few of the more recent Z 8’s upgrades thrown in for good measure, including the later-generation (and faster) ‘Expeed 7’ processor.
It does look the business, especially as Nikon has resisted the temptation to stick on a big handgrip. There’s a hint of one, but otherwise the front panel has the sparse cleanliness of the FM2. As with the Z fc, there’s a choice of insert colours, and these coverings include the EVF housing, replicating the distinctive look of the pentaprism housings on the original Nikkormat FT all the way through
