A camera can feel like an extension of your job, or it can feel like something you carry because you want to. The difference matters because it changes whether you’re shooting for yourself or only to meet deadlines and expectations.
Coming to you from Connor McCaskill, this thoughtful video focuses on why the Nikon Zf mirrorless camera feels so different from other bodies. McCaskill explains that after years of turning cameras into work tools, he stopped picking one up unless it was for content or a paycheck. Specs, codecs, and performance became the only things that mattered. With the Nikon Zf, that shifted. The camera’s tactile knobs, slower shooting style, and gorgeous JPEG color profiles encouraged him to bring it along just for the sake of making photos.
That shift matters because the Zf isn’t just about specs. It’s about creating space for you to slow down and shoot like you did before the work side of things took over. McCaskill points out that he often leaves his professional Lumix cameras behind for everyday outings, but the Zf still comes with him. The images may not be technically superior, but they carry the kind of personal value that reminds you why photography mattered in the first place. This isn’t something you get from spreadsheets of test results or resolution charts. It’s about reconnecting with the hobby.
Key Specs
-
Lens Mount: Nikon Z
-
Sensor Resolution: 24.5 MP (6,048 x 4,032)
-
Image Sensor: 35.9 x 23.9 mm full frame CMOS
-
Image Stabilization: 5-axis sensor-shift
-
ISO Range (Photo): 100–64,000 (50–204,800 extended)
-
Video: UHD 4K up to 59.94 fps, Full HD up to 120 fps
-
Recording Limit: 2 hours 5 minutes
-
Memory: SD UHS-II and microSD UHS-I slots
-
Viewfinder: 0.5" OLED, 3,690,000 dots
-
LCD: 3.2" articulating touchscreen, 2,100,000 dots
-
Continuous Shooting: Up to 14 fps
-
Weight: 1.4 lbs / 630 g (body only)
What stands out in the video is the way McCaskill describes how the Zf frees him from editing obligations. The JPEGs, particularly the monochrome profiles, come out beautiful straight from the camera. That means you can shoot, look at the results, and stop there if you want. It echoes the experience of film, where the picture you get is the picture you live with. This is valuable if you’ve found yourself treating every frame like a production assignment.
The video also touches on how using the Zf brought back simple habits: longer walks, more attention to light, more willingness to carry a camera without pressure. These are the small things that make photography enjoyable when you’re not chasing specs or client demands. Watching McCaskill describe that change makes it clear that the Zf is more than a retro-styled body. It’s a reminder to keep photography personal. Check out the video above for the full rundown from McCaskill.
2 Comments
My personal relationship to the Zf is much the same. As soon as there were credible rumours of it’s existence floating around I bought an ETZ-21, collected a few Sigma “i-series” primes, and waited.
All my usual stuff was chosen because it’s optimized for the work, but I’m never inclined to grab like an A7RV and bring it with me when I drop my kid off at school or whatever. The Zf I’m happy to bring into the world with me, “just in case” there’s an interesting photo to take.
And it’s purely because it’s a recreation item, a toy and it gets my synapses oozing dopamine while I roam around in B&W mode being just the most insufferable hipster.
The title of this article gave me a thought... and, no, it didn't hurt. Of course nobody has asked for my opinion, so I'm not sure that an unsolicited comment is appropriate. Especially in light of the fact that a few Fstoppers members are going to inflict all sorts of abuse on those who have the audacity to offer an opinion before proving their competence, either by presenting a certificate of merit issued by a certified film photographer who has taught for at least thirty years, or having shared a cup of coffee with Ansel Adams.
Okay... I have that out of the way. My thought pertains to the idea of making shooting (photography) fun again. Now that implies photography has not been fun lately, which I can't ever remember a time when I felt that way. No matter the circumstances that put a camera in my hand, it has always been more fun than, say, a kidney stone. But I get the idea. Taking headshots of people who are forced in front of your camera by their boss could get to be kind of a grind.
Getting closer to the point:
I have a friend who has a ton of pricey camera gear, but many of the photos that he shows me are from his iPhone. Good stuff, too. In fact the disease must be contagious because another friend pulled out an iPhone while we were out shooting recently... someone who had always claimed smartphone photography was not real photography. Well, I have not caught that bug yet, but something did invade my consciousness recently that made me question a long time belief. Since day one with a camera, I was taught to believe that all serious photographers use a tripod... even if it's shooting pictures of their kid's first birthday party.
But the other day, I was headed into the local botanical garden where I do a lot of shooting (photography). There seemed to be a lot more people than usual, space can be sort of tight, and I wasn't really in the mood to approach any picture that afternoon too seriously, so I left my tripod in the car. Well, actually it's a Jeep Grand Cherokee but I call it a car. Now having always shot with a tripod, I seldom had much need to move ISO above 100. For kicks though, I found my camera's maximum ISO... I think it was something like 25,600, and just started shooting away. I recognized quickly that I had far more freedom to explore different camera positions, click the shutter, and move on. Tripods slow things down a lot, and there's good reason sometimes to slow the process down. But without constantly adjusting the tripod height, or trying to get it into a position where it doesn't want to go, I really had fun that afternoon. It felt like a new found freedom. Since then, I've shot numerous times without the tripod, although I generally keep my ISO below 2,500. And surprisingly the results are not bad at all. The noise is acceptable. In fact, I sort of like a little bit of noise. I call it grain just so that I feel better about it.
So that's what made shooting (photography) a lot more fun for me. I still use a 12 year-old DSLR, and can't imagine how shaving off a couple ounces, or looking more stylish with a newer camera, would give me any more fun. But if I'm ever facing photography like it was a trip to the dentist, maybe I'll try that. Oh, and please be patient with me if any of you out in the Fstoppers community find my unqualified and unsolicited thoughts to be insufficiently professional from the perspective of your vastly superior judgement.