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Why Switch from Fuji to Nikon?
Okay, I didn’t sell *ALL* of my Fuji stuff, I kept the X100VI as my EDC camera. I absolute LOVE the Fuji X-S20 I’ve owned for over a year, but having it AND the X100VI seemed kinda…pointless? They have the same size sensor, and the same film simulations, and I typically like something around 35mm focal length, so the X100 already has my focal length of choice.
Sure, I could put different lenses and faster lenses on the X-S20, but I didn’t do it all that often. Most of the time, the X100 gave me a very similar experience in a smaller and easier to carry package. It just made sense to me to have my “Big” camera be more capable than my small camera.
Lenses, Adapters, and Accessories
So I picked up a Nikon Zf with the Nikon 40mm f2 lens. This makes it a pretty compact package and 40mm is a nice focal length for me. I went with the Nikon for a couple of reasons. First off, yes, full frame. I figured it made sense for my interchangeable lens camera to have a larger sensor than my compact camera. I went with Nikon because 1. I prefer their SOOC jpeg colors to Sony’s, 2. I like the controls on the ZF, more on that later, and 3. Nikon seems to be a better deal, spec for spec vs Sony.
The controls were a big deal to me because I have old Nikon F mount film cameras and I knew I was going to adapt them to the Z mount Zf. I immediately ordered the Viltrox Nikon F lens to Z camera adapter. The controls on the Zf are really well suited to using old manual glass. There’s a switch on the left to select PASM modes, then the dials on top. You can be shooting in Aperture Priority, then throw on an old manual and flip it right into manual and all of your dial settings immediately apply. Like you can have the shutter speed dial on 1/1000 and in Aperture priority it will just ignore it, but as soon as you flip the switch to manual, your shutter speed is 1/1000.
I understand the choices they made on styling vs handling, but I feel like I need more grip, so I picked up a Neewer grip on amazon which made it much easier for me to hold.
I also picked up a cheap Olympus OM to Nikon Z adapter on eBay. Unlike the Viltrox Nikon F adapter, it’s just a dumb adapter with no contacts, but that’s fine because my Olympus film camera lenses are fully manual anyway.
Sample Pictures
Let’s check out some pics with the Nikkor 40mm f2 first, since that’s the lens that came with the camera.
The first thing I noticed is that I love the colors. They’re spot-on what I would choose and these are the straight out of camera jpegs. The lens is sharp and fast, especially for its very small size. IBIS works great and I can get sharp images down to about 1/10 of a second handheld and I’m not particularly good at not moving. Low light images are much cleaner than with an APS-C camera.
Next up, Olympus 50mm f1.4 Zuiko lens on the cheap eBay adapter.
I feel like this lens is almost cheating, it takes such cool pictures. It’s amazing to be able to use it on a modern mirrorless camera. This is my favorite lens ever on my OM2n 35mm film camera, and it’s just as good on the Zf. It’s somehow both sharp and soft with super pleasing bokeh and lovely smooth rolloff. Absolutely love it.
Next up the Nikon Series E 50mm f1.8 from my Nikon FG film camera. This is a solid lens as well, but I have the supposedly better Nikkor 50 AF 1.8D on the way from eBay which should full work, autofocus and all. I’ll probably make a new post for that one.
For some reason those are all a little overexposed, probably user error since I was shooting manual.
Overall, I’m thrilled with this camera. I’ll miss the X-S20’s excellent handling, but everything else is better on the Nikon. I need to pick up some more lenses, and more than anything, I need to go out and do stuff that’s worth taking pictures of, as that has been in short supply lately as we’ve all been sick the last couple of weeks, but so far I’m thrilled with my choice. I’ll report back soon.
