The Nikon Z fc is styled after one of the greatest 35mm cameras of all time, the Nikon FM2. And although the Z fc looks like an FM2, does it live up to the hype?
I had a chance to spend a week shooting with a Nikon Z fc recently, and as a Fujifilm user, I was interested to see if Nikon's take on a retro mirrorless camera could compare with the form, function, and usability of an X-T4. I used the Z fc with both the 16-50mm kit lens as well as the Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 lens and found both positives and negatives about the camera and lenses. The biggest and most pleasant surprise was how well the autofocus system in the Z fc works as well as the menu system. As I have not shot with a Nikon in quite a few years, I found the layout and menus to be excellent and much more intuitive than I remember. I did have some issues, however, regarding the kit lens, build quality, and lack of an aperture ring on the lenses, which I felt detracted from the overall user experience. In the accompanying video, I give an overview of my impressions of the camera and discuss whether it is basically a gimmick for nostalgic shooters or a real attempt by Nikon to build a fanbase of users who love manual inspired cameras. Thank you to my photographer friend Alex Burns for loaning me his Z fc for this review.
There was nothing particularly great about the FM2. It was just another consumer grade film camera. The Zfc is a waste of resources.
In the early 2000s I worked at a pretty large camera store in NY, and the FM2 even back then had a sort of cult following and was more desirable than many other similar Nikons. I always found it to be perfect in simplicity and design.
Regarding the Zfc, you might be right. That's the big issue I have with the camera. What's the point of it beyond being a nostalgic gimmick that appeals to a small segment? It's really quite excellent in a lot of ways, but I think it will be like the original Df, a great standalone camera that people grow to love over the years. Having said that, I think that anyone who loves Nikon and is nostalgic for the retro cameras will definitely love the Zfc.
I've had a lot of Nikon's over the years (starting with an F2) and still own what I consider to be the best film camera Nikon made; the F6. Granted, it wasn't as affordable as the FM2, but was a much more capable camera.
I just got a brand new F6 on Monday, brand new motor drive came in from Adorama yesterday, and a Mamiya 80mm f/1.9 also came in on Monday. Somehow I rediscovered film photography. I have a large collection of Nikon lens and only a few will not work with the F6. My F6 is probably newer than my D4 and is a gorgeous camera. I do not remember being as impressed when I got my D4 10 years ago as the F6.
F6 is one of the greatest 35mm cameras ever made. I've been shooting more and more film lately too. I want to build a darkroom in the basement of my studio so I can develop and print as well. It's on my list of short term goals so hopefully I will make it happen soon.
While the FM2 did lack the bells and whistles many had came to expect, what made it so revered was the fact that it was designed to keep shooting no matter what. It was completely mechanically operated (aside from the light meter) so doesn’t require batteries to operate, and has a fast and reliable shutter that facilitated the use of fast aperture lenses and could take a beating! This meant that it was a great backup for working pros who needed a spare if anything should go wrong with their main body.
Its not a bad camera by any means, but the competition has already eclipsed this offering. Fujifilm alone already has a full lineup of cameras that easily beat this camera in every category (including style). The same can be said for Sony, with Canon quickly catching up. The Z fc doesn't offer anything that stands out to compel people to choose it over the competition. However, if I were a Nikon loyalist or deeply invested in the Nikon ecosystem, the Z fc could be a great upgrade path, or mirrorless introductory camera.
Mostly I agree with all your points. The Z fc was a waste of corporate resources, as far as I'm, concerned. But, I've been buying Nikons since the 1970s and currently own a Z7 with 10 Z mount lenses. This thing is no where on my radar.
I disagree. I’ve owned several Fujis over the years as travel cameras (X-T1, X-Pro2, X-E3). While they certainly take great photos, I became frustrated with the user interface and menu system as it really slowed me down. While I love the small Fuji f/2 primes, I prefer using a small zoom when traveling. I find the Zfc + 16-50 combo to be a big improvement over anything Fuji offers in terms of size and weight. Overall, I find the Z fc a pleasure to use and the overall shooting experience to be much improved over Fuji.