Nikon puts a stylish twist on a couple products in its Z family of mirrorless cameras.
Yes, I admit it. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, one of the main reasons I really liked the Nikon Z fc camera when it was first released was for the styling. If that makes me a (really old) hipster, then so be it. I am 100% clear that the way a camera looks doesn’t affect the way it performs. But for a camera like the Z fc, which is a great everyday walk around camera, I can’t help but to appreciate that it elevates my attire. What can I say? I like to be fancy.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that it doesn’t also take awesome photographs. I was marveling the other day at just how much I have ended up using the Z fc for personal photography since I bought it. As a professional photographer, I have plenty of other workhorse cameras with more enticing specs. But for many other daily tasks, like walkabout photography or even taking Zoom calls, the Z fc comes out of my bag just as often as my big guns. And today, Nikon announced two new products for those who appreciate a little style with their gear.
The first is an all-black version of the Z fc. The camera, whose base model is a retro silver and black, already offered a few custom color variations. But those wanting to keep an extra low profile, much appreciated for any street photography tool, will be happy to know that you can now purchase an all-black version to evoke the essence of the legendary FM2 film camera. The camera itself is the same as the original Z fc on the inside. Same 20.9-megapixel APS-C sensor. Same 4K 30fps video capture. Same fully articulating screen. But, if the metallic original Z fc was just a little too flashy for your tastes, the low-profile all black variety might just hit the spot.
Keeping on the theme of beautiful craftsmanship, Nikon is also announcing a special edition NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 SE lens. I already own the Z 28mm special edition version. It is the same as the non-special edition version aside from the exterior style and color palette. The silver ring around the special edition makes it a perfect partner for my silver and black Z fc. Again, I’m fancy.
The new Z 40mm f/2 SE brings that same option to the 40mm focal length. Both the 28mm and 40mm have full frame coverage, so I use them on both my full frame Nikons as well as my Z fc. On the Z fc, the 28mm is roughly 41-42ish millimeters on a cropped sensor. 40mm is my personal favorite walkaround focal length, so it’s perfect for me. And while I have absolutely zero information on whether Nikon would ever produce a full frame version of the Z fc, selfishly I can see the Z 40mm f/2 SE being perfect for that. I don’t have any info that such a camera would ever exist. But, just putting it out there in case my plea makes its way into the right ears.
In the meantime, the special edition 40mm may be the perfect walkaround companion for your Z camera, adding a bit of flair to your photography.
Is it the same price? I can remember, back in the day, you had to pay extra for a black FM - which is why mine was silver!
UPDATE Just checked on Nikon UK’s site. Silver £799, black £899!
I was a long time Nikon user before I jumped to a Fuji XT-3 because I missed the controls on my old Nikon F3HP. I find it interesting how Nikon finally came out with the ZFc probably to compete with Fuji.Now they have pushed that even further by coming out with a black version to further emulate the vintage look. The only thing the ZFc lacks though are lenses that have manual control.
Not the most exciting announcement I could imagine from Nikon today.