Author Topic: So, the ZF ...  (Read 45243 times)

Fons Baerken

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Re: So, the ZF ...
« Reply #375 on: August 06, 2024, 12:32:41 »
I have been using wide L, and all detection modes on.

Ilkka Nissilä

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Re: So, the ZF ...
« Reply #376 on: August 06, 2024, 18:25:32 »
I took some 1600 pics yesterday of the night of the arts in Helsinki with the Zf, and didn't run into any focusing issues that I could identify as firmware-related. I did have the usual problem that sometimes if the subject is far out of focus in the foreground, the camera will not pick it up very quickly, and has to be sort of "forced" to notice that subject instead of potential background subjects, but that was not happening more than usual. I used 35 mm f/1.8 and 135 mm f/1.8 lenses, mostly wide open; the fast apertures may contribute to the positive outcomes in some cases.

The camera is very nice to use with the smaller lenses such as the 35 mm, but with the 135 mm it was a bit too small for optimal comfort. Generally I think with the 24-70/2.8 it is OK, as well as with all of the f/1.8 primes up to the 85 mm. With the 70-200/2.8, 135/1.8 and longer it would serve as a backup camera but not my first choice. I do enjoy greatly using the Zf but for larger lenses I think I'll just use the Z8 and vertical grip. On the other hand having two bodies and larger lenses does increase the overall bag weight and eventually it becomes less fun to carry and use than having just lenses up to the 85 mm f/1.8 in the bag, and a small camera.

Fons Baerken

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Re: So, the ZF ...
« Reply #377 on: September 22, 2024, 13:16:39 »
quote from Frank Fremery

In a reportage I used the 1.0/50V the Z2.0/40 the AF-S1.4/24 and the AF-S1.8/85


The only lens that gave me mushy pics was the Z2.0/40

My response

I shot over 500 pictures yesterday while in Rotterdam the Zf icw mainly the Z28mm f/2.8 some with the Z40 f/2.8 and a few with Z85 f/1.8S, the number of failed shots i guess about 10 or a few more, some errors on my part definitely some where the camera or lens failed to focus.
What i did change in my setup i locked the focus point in central frame and turned off the focus to coincide with vr..


aerobat

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Re: So, the ZF ...
« Reply #378 on: November 02, 2024, 23:26:30 »
Zf - what else ... my gob has never been so smacked  ;)
Daniel Diggelmann

Jürgen Pfeiffer

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Re: So, the ZF ...
« Reply #379 on: November 15, 2024, 16:21:01 »
In my opinion, an adapter that fits very well with the style of manual Nikkor lenses: Shoten N.F-N.Z.
An inexpensive adapter if you prefer to adjust the aperture on the lens with Dandelion-chipped lenses.

Best regards

Jürgen
Jürgen Pfeiffer

David H. Hartman

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Re: So, the ZF …
« Reply #380 on: December 01, 2024, 03:46:54 »
wait, i noticed something...it does NOT come with a charger anymore, what happened? :o :o :o

The USB-C port and cable are weak and prone to wear and damage. I have an older Android phone where three USB-C cables only work in one orientation. If charging of the phone does not start turning over the cable facilitates charging and data transfer promptly. Three different cables that work this way indicates to me that the problem is the printed circuit in the device and not the cables. I recommend using an external charger when and where possible.

Best,

Dave
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David H. Hartman

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Re: So, the ZF …
« Reply #381 on: December 01, 2024, 03:54:57 »
Many thanks Ilkka - much appreciated - actually this isn't a show stopper as the SU-800 would still work.

The Nikon SU-800 as I recall only offers setting power in full stops not 1/3 stops. 1/3 stops is a requirement for me.

Best,

Dave
Beatniks are out to make it rich
Oh no, must be the season of the witch!

Ilkka Nissilä

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Re: So, the ZF …
« Reply #382 on: December 03, 2024, 08:47:07 »
The Nikon SU-800 as I recall only offers setting power in full stops not 1/3 stops. 1/3 stops is a requirement for me.

If I recall correctly, this is a limitation of manual mode on the SU-800 but not TTL. Other i-TTL flashes such as the SB-700, SB-900, SB-910, SB-800, and SB-5000 can also be used as commanders or masters, and they should have the ability to use 1/3 stops in manual mode. 

John Geerts

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Re: So, the ZF ...
« Reply #383 on: December 03, 2024, 16:43:27 »
In my opinion, an adapter that fits very well with the style of manual Nikkor lenses: Shoten N.F-N.Z.
An inexpensive adapter if you prefer to adjust the aperture on the lens with Dandelion-chipped lenses.

Best regards

Jürgen
The adapter looks nice, indeed.

David H. Hartman

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Re: So, the ZF …
« Reply #384 on: December 04, 2024, 02:06:30 »
If I recall correctly, this is a limitation of manual mode on the SU-800 but not TTL. Other i-TTL flashes such as the SB-700, SB-900, SB-910, SB-800, and SB-5000 can also be used as commanders or masters, and they should have the ability to use 1/3 stops in manual mode.

That is as I remember.

I wanted to dump my SB-700 as it's only 10 grams lighter (as I recall) compared to the SB-800. The SB-700 is virtually the same size. I tried a Godox system but found it had anomalies that made it useless to me. When I shoot in a PR/event style I use Nikon's flash value lock. I think that is what didn't work correctly.

At this point I use an SB-700 as Master or Controller (limited to 2 groups) and SB-800s as slaves. I would dearly love something about the size of an SB-800 that could operate as a master or controller.

Nikon should release a full featured replacement for the SU-800 but the market might not support one. I guess Nikon has done its marketing research.

Best,

Dave
Beatniks are out to make it rich
Oh no, must be the season of the witch!

Ilkka Nissilä

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Re: So, the ZF …
« Reply #385 on: December 04, 2024, 10:30:38 »
That is as I remember.

I wanted to dump my SB-700 as it's only 10 grams lighter (as I recall) compared to the SB-800. The SB-700 is virtually the same size. I tried a Godox system but found it had anomalies that made it useless to me. When I shoot in a PR/event style I use Nikon's flash value lock. I think that is what didn't work correctly.

At this point I use an SB-700 as Master or Controller (limited to 2 groups) and SB-800s as slaves. I would dearly love something about the size of an SB-800 that could operate as a master or controller.

Nikon should release a full featured replacement for the SU-800 but the market might not support one. I guess Nikon has done its marketing research.

Best,

Dave

People choose third-party flashes like Godox for the low cost and/or for the compatibility of the same triggers with larger flashes. Higher-end brands like Profoto make both small and large flashes that work with their own triggers, although I would argue that Nikon's small flashes (such as the SB-5000) are superior in some usability (smaller, more balanced) and features aspects (Profoto's hot shoe flashes don't support mixed TTL/Manual groups).  Nikon's triggers work with Nikon flashes and there is no studio flash line that would work directly with the WR-R10 or the optical triggers (though very basic optical triggering is supported by at least some studio flashes as well, this is with just very basic manual functionality.

Because of these reasons I think people don't buy a lot of Nikon flashes at the moment, and this reduces Nikon's motivation to develop new products in the lineup. They did develop new versions of the radio triggers so that an adapter is no longer required for either connector type.

I think a lot of people would also like a full-size flash controller which goes into the hot shoe and has a panel and controls for the flash groups. Nikon's solution is nice in some ways (it allows the older optical CLS controllers and flashes to be used at the same time as the WR-R10 series triggers SB-5000's, and this goes also for third-party flashes and triggers). So one can mix SB-5000's, Nikon CLS optical remotes / masters / controllers, and third-party hot shoe based triggers / flashes. So it's like the path of maximum compatibility. However, I think for many the small radio triggers seem too fragile and they don't offer direct controls or panels, so the user has to go into the camera menu to adjust the settings.

I think it would be nice if Nikon offered a successor to the SU-800 with both optical and radio remote support. But this would block the use of studio flashes at the same time for those who want to mix products, as the Nikon CLS triggering would not activate those correctly when used in a mixed configuration.

Nikon seems to be partnering with Profoto (and Nissen), or at least helping them make their flashes more compatible with Nikon cameras, but the issue is in my opinion that Profoto's hot shoe compatible flashes are sort of intermediate in size between traditional hot shoe flashes and studio flashes, and there is a lot that Profoto should learn about on-camera flashes before they could be considered a replacement for flashes like the SB-5000's. Please, no floppy flash heads but something that sticks to its position even when in a slightly rougher ride. Also, they should really include full mixed TTL/Manual by group configuration of the remotes. And make some smaller units similar in size to the SB-7000. Mirrorless cameras are smaller than DSLRs and the flash units need to be reasonably balanced for on-camera use.

For me I can't for the life of me understand why people would choose cheap off-brand flash triggers and small flashes that can work ok with some Nikon models, but some features don't work on some or all the cameras, so one can really never know what one is getting in terms of feature compatibility and reliability. I do understand the desire for ability to trigger both studio and small flashes from the same trigger interface. If I recall correctly, Elinchrom has made their flash control interface and communication protocol open so that others can create compatible units. However, I don't know if anyone has done so apart from Elinchrom themselves. I think the field of flash is in desperate need of standardization.