Nikon Zf – How a Camera Made Me Love Photography Again

By Scott Peterson

29 April, 2026

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Digital Cameras

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digital camera Mirrorless Camera Nikon Digital Nikon Zf
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Sometimes the right camera doesn’t just take better pictures – it changes the way you feel about photography. The Nikon Zf did exactly that for me.

If you’re looking for a camera built for sports, birds, or fast action, the Zf probably isn’t it. It can do those things very well, but there are potentially better tools out there. But if you want a camera that can help slow you down if you want it to, draw you into the process, and makes you want to go out and shoot for the simple joy of it, the Zf might be exactly what you’re looking for. This isn’t a technical review. It’s about something different; it’s about how a camera helped me reconnect with photography.

I started photography in the mid-80s while in the Air Force. My dad had a Pentax film camera, and I picked up a Pentax Program Plus that traveled with me across the U.S. and parts of Europe. Like many, I eventually moved to digital – Pentax, then Panasonic, and later OM Systems. But over time, something changed. After more than forty years, I realized I didn’t want to shoot the same way anymore. I stepped away from weddings and most portrait work. The excitement of taking hundreds of photos and sorting through them later had faded. What I wanted instead was to slow down – I wanted to get it right in camera and spend less time editing.

For a while, I thought that meant going Leica. I looked hard at older models like the M8 and M240, but I couldn’t justify the cost. Then I came across a video by Jack Wang from Bokeh Therapy comparing a Leica M to the Nikon Zf – and that’s when things clicked. The Zf felt like the balance I was looking for: modern when needed, but with a shooting experience that felt closer to film. Manual controls, physical dials, and easy use of manual lenses at a price that made sense. Last August, I traded in my OM-1 and most of my lenses through KEH and picked up the Zf with a TTArtisan 75mm f/2. It felt like a leap – but the right one.

When the Zf arrived, something shifted right away. It wasn’t just the build or the design – though both are excellent – it was how the camera made me feel. It pulled me in. I added a TTArtisan 40mm f/2 and an adapter for my old Asahi-Pentax lenses, and before long, those vintage lenses became my go-to. Slowing down, manually focusing, and using physical dials changed the experience completely. It reminded me why I started photography in the first place.

The surprising part is how quickly I adapted. I did pick up a Nikkor 24–70mm f/4 S as a safety net, but I rarely used it. Eventually, I sold it and replaced it with lenses that better fit my approach: the Thypoch Simera 35mm f/1.4 and the Voigtländer 50mm f/2 APO-Lanthar. At this point, about ninety percent of what I shoot is with manual focus lenses, usually in full manual mode – though I’ll admit, I still lean on Auto ISO now and then.

Will I go back to a more modern autofocus system? I doubt it. My photography now focuses on small towns, historic buildings, and rural life – often in black and white. For that kind of work, the Zf feels like it was made for me. More importantly, it changed how I think about cameras. It’s easy to chase the next best thing. But the Zf reminded me to find the camera that fits your style – the one that makes you want to pick it up and go shoot.  For me, this is that camera.

Escanaba Sand Point Lighthouse taken with Nikon Zf and Pentax 28mm f2.8
Ranch Barn with Nikon Zf and Asahi-Pentax 28mm f2.8
Days River School House with Nikon Zf and Thypoch 35mm f1.4
Green Bay side street with Thypoch 35mm f1.4
Green Bay street photo with Nikon Zf and Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO
Rustic barn with Nikon Zf and Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO

Scott

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About The Author

By Scott Peterson
I am a husband, father & grandpa from Escanaba, Michigan. I enjoy capturing the charm of small towns, historic buildings, and rural life in small town America. Mostly in black & white but occasionally in color because variety is the spice of life!
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Comments

Jukka Reimola on Nikon Zf – How a Camera Made Me Love Photography Again

Comment posted: 29/04/2026

Nice set of photos, Scott. If I squint a little, I can see your Zf is clearly sprinkled with Fairy dust. No wonder you like it so much!
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Scott Peterson replied:

Comment posted: 29/04/2026

Ha! Thanks Jukka. It's amazing how much dust shows up when you put them under a bright light! I guess I better bring out the brush and blower more often. LOL

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ian bromehead on Nikon Zf – How a Camera Made Me Love Photography Again

Comment posted: 29/04/2026

Funny how a camera's look and feel can change things.
I has a very similar experience with a few subtle aspects that maybe your Zf can offer, I'm not familiar.
Mine started when I bought a Olympus Pen-F, suddenly the dials available made me look, feel, play and understand how my process could slow down. A lot like when I dig out my old OM cameras, and when I load my TLR and Mamiya medium format film cameras.
The Pen-F has a dial on the front that changes the camera into B&W in 1 sec, or if preferred loads it into film simulations like Kodachrome 25. or Fuji.
Nice to hold easy to use, its in my pocket all the time
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Scott Peterson replied:

Comment posted: 29/04/2026

Oh, that Olympus Pen-F is a beautiful camera. I wanted one when I was looking for a smaller compact camera but couldn't swing the price and ended up with a Panasonic GX85 which I really like and don't use nearly enough. Rumor has it that OM systems is coming out with an updated version of the Pen-F and I've heard rumbling that Nikon may come out with a rangefinder style of the Zf. Look up Nikon Z SP, I really hope they make it!

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Peter Schu on Nikon Zf – How a Camera Made Me Love Photography Again

Comment posted: 29/04/2026

My first 'real' digital camera was the Z6 and I am using it the way like you use your Zf. I keep the 24-70 f4 as a backup, but haven't really used it, From the beginning I used my manual lenses from my analog camera's and found their color reproduction much more natural. However, I have to use focus peaking for correct manual focussing and that is anoying. So, I got myself two autofocus lenses recently, the 75mm TTArtisans and the 40mm Zeiss Batis (used for 50% of the current price tag; I am a Zeiss fan boy because of the color reproduction). So, if my Z6 quits working one day, I will look out for a used Zf. Very nice photos!
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Scott Peterson replied:

Comment posted: 29/04/2026

Thank you Peter. I have the TTArtisan 75mm also, it's really a great and underrated lens that I don't use enough. I seem to have my Thypoch 35mm and Voigtlander 50mm on most of the time. I find focus peaking works well as I have my AE-L button set to zoom in to 200% when needed so that I can get a quick look to check if I'm focused correctly. That Zeiss Batis is a beautiful lens but I'm hoping to get the Voigtlander 40mm f1.2 someday. Let me know how it goes if you program a button to focus peak at 200%.

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Peter Schu replied:

Comment posted: 29/04/2026

I do have the button set for focus peaking. So that's fine. However, I am using analog cameras since over 40 years and are thus used to split-image circles and also to rangefinder focussing. That is more straight forward than the digital focus systems, at least for me. Also, contrast depends on the weather and contrast lines don't always mean that something is in focus. I wish I would have the choice to use a split-image circel and a microprism in a digital monitor. Maybe I just have to be patient. I did suggest it actually on a wish list (don't remember the company for sure). Last weekend in April (WWPD), I used my Z6 with a pinhole, so no focusing problems .

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Scott Peterson replied:

Comment posted: 29/04/2026

I agree, a split prism would be great but I'm not sure they can do that with a mirrorless camera. Although with today's technology there may be hope for us!

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Charles Young on Nikon Zf – How a Camera Made Me Love Photography Again

Comment posted: 29/04/2026

Scott:

Thanks for sharing your photos. Good to see some near local scenes including winter.
I live almost nearby ... Houghton MI. Lots of old stuff to photograph here. And I have plenty of old cameras to use ... no batteries!
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Scott Peterson replied:

Comment posted: 29/04/2026

Hi Charles, how's the snow up your way? I plan on getting up the the Copper Country this summer for a couple of days to shoot Calumet and the local areas. I absolutely love the Keweenaw, in the summer! :)

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Ibraar Hussain on Nikon Zf – How a Camera Made Me Love Photography Again

Comment posted: 29/04/2026

Really enjoyed the article and the lovely photography
This is quite similar to the Nikon Df - the retro styled DSLR which is still quite pricey to buy used.
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Scott Peterson replied:

Comment posted: 29/04/2026

Thank you Ibraar. Yes, I belief the Zf will hold it's value for awhile as popular as it is. Nikon really has a built a fan favorite with this one that is so usable with all of the modern and vintage lenses.

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Alex Galt on Nikon Zf – How a Camera Made Me Love Photography Again

Comment posted: 29/04/2026

It was legitimately weird to open up your post in a British website and see the parking ramp staircase that I ascended daily for the two years of my grant-funded job at the City of Green Bay. I've occasionally been tempted by the Zf. The Fuji X-T1 that I bought 10+ years ago because I got tired of waiting for Nikon to make something like the Zf is beginning to feel long in the tooth. I'm mostly shooting my Nikon FE though. Feel free to look me up if you come to town.
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Scott Peterson replied:

Comment posted: 29/04/2026

It really is a small world isn't it Alex? Glad I was able to bring back some fond memories for you. Where are you located, I'm assuming England?

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Alex replied:

Comment posted: 29/04/2026

Oh, I’m a Green Bay-lifer at this point.

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Scott Peterson replied:

Comment posted: 29/04/2026

Well then, that certainly makes looking you up a lot easier than if you were in England! My wife and I frequent Green Bay often but the next time I make a photo trip there I'll give you a shout out.

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Kodachromeguy on Nikon Zf – How a Camera Made Me Love Photography Again

Comment posted: 29/04/2026

You have a skilled eye. Nice work!
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Scott Peterson replied:

Comment posted: 29/04/2026

Thank you much, I really appreciate the kind comments.

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Gary Smith on Nikon Zf – How a Camera Made Me Love Photography Again

Comment posted: 29/04/2026

Interesting that you favor black and white and that my two favorite shots above are the lighthouse and the barn.

Thanks!
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Scott Peterson replied:

Comment posted: 29/04/2026

Thank you Gary. I have to admit that lighthouse in the winter is one of my favorites. It might be because my fingers almost froze off trying to get it!

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Curtis Heikkinen on Nikon Zf – How a Camera Made Me Love Photography Again

Comment posted: 29/04/2026

Beautiful images! Very nice post! Thanks for sharing this!
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Scott Peterson replied:

Comment posted: 29/04/2026

Thank you Curtis

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Walter Reumkens on Nikon Zf – How a Camera Made Me Love Photography Again

Comment posted: 30/04/2026

I really like the photos and articles too. I’m also the proud owner of a Nikon Zf, which I bought with the Nikkor Z 40mm f/2 SE – that’s my standard lens on it. I have a few Pentax Takumar lenses in my collection. Do you use a standard M42-Z adapter for them, or can you recommend a particular one? I’m aware of the limitations (only A and M mounts are compatible). Thanks for sharing, Scott.
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Scott Peterson replied:

Comment posted: 30/04/2026

Hi Walter and thank you, I use a PK to Z mount since my lenses are K mount. There are many options and I've had good luck with the K&F Concept branded adaptors. Here's a link: https://www.adorama.com/kf-concept-m42-screw-lens-to-nikon-z-mount-adapter/p/kf06375?utm_content=pmax&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22400464506&gbraid=0AAAAADxgUsxRnRCZpfKglTtJ3cRs4xXYT&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4bqzhLmVlAMV_izUAR0k-wPKEAQYASABEgIetfD_BwE

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Walter Reumkens replied:

Comment posted: 30/04/2026

Thanks, Scott. I still screw my Takumars onto various Spotmatic cameras. I’ve also had good experiences with K&F Concept adapters.

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Omar Tibi on Nikon Zf – How a Camera Made Me Love Photography Again

Comment posted: 30/04/2026

Gorgeous photos, love the tonality of the snow especially! I get the feeling of wanting to be more deliberate in shooting - lower volume, but higher quality (and enjoyment!). And that's what truly matters in photography, I think, I find that going slow leads me to a much higher rate of "hits" than before, and I had much more fun making them. Enjoy your Zf and happy shooting!
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Alastair Bell on Nikon Zf – How a Camera Made Me Love Photography Again

Comment posted: 06/05/2026

I had a similar experience but in my case it was the Fuji X-T4 that was the epiphany. Works like a film camera, light and compact it fit the bill perfectly. I had long fallen out of love with photography following a number of years doing weddings with a D3. The D3 languished in the bottom of a wardrobe for nearly a decade - the size and weight of both the body and lenses proving a barrier to taking it out. The X-T4 changed all that. Less tha half the weight, dials for shutter speed, an aperture ring on the lenses, a dedicated exposure compensation dial - it was an old film camera that even had film simulations baked into it.
Life became good again. And what is probably more to the point along with the renewed interest in digital photography came a reawakening of the desire to shoot film.
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Scott Peterson replied:

Comment posted: 06/05/2026

That's great Alastair. It's amazing how a camera can just make you feel better about getting out and using it. I think that's why I hate using my cellphone for taking pictures, its just feels to sterile.

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Andrew Moore on Nikon Zf – How a Camera Made Me Love Photography Again

Comment posted: 11/05/2026

Hello Scott,

I really like the article and pictures, thanks. These days, the more I read it seems to me that people are increasingly gravitating towards a more 'considered' photographic experience - slowing-down the activity, and choosing gear accordingly. I've never given up on 35mm film (mostly monochrome) although I've had an APS-C camera for years. Not unlike you I now find myself thinking of a change. Annoyingly I can't afford a full-frame body just now, but owning a fair few NIkon AF lenses - and hating the APS-C crop factor - I'm in a bit of a bind. My current solution is to carry a tiny digital compact, then when I see somehting interesting I'll return later with a film camera. Take less pictures on film having put more thought in - is that the ultimate photographic mindfulness? :-)
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Scott Peterson replied:

Comment posted: 11/05/2026

Hi Andrew, I've just recently ventured into the world of film and have a roll of HP5+ in a Pentax Program A I picked up last month. We'll see how development goes but I think I'm going to enjoy the process. One thing to note is that you can still use those older AF Nikon lenses on the Zf with the FTZII adaptor. Good luck!

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Andrew Moore replied:

Comment posted: 11/05/2026

True, but the typical cost of a Nikon mirrorless body plus the FTZ is a tad more than a D780 - and won't auto-focus. And - having tried a Z5/FTZ with even the small 35/50mm lenses - I found it a rather bulky lump. As it happens I typically focus manually, but it seems a bit of a waste of modern tech to restrict a mirrorless camera! First-world problems. eh?

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Scott Peterson replied:

Comment posted: 11/05/2026

Well if makes you feel better Andrew I typically use manual lenses on my Zf. I have a Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO and Thypoch Simera 35mm f1.4 that love. I also use my older vintage Asahi-Pentax lenses. The Zf is so easy to manual focus on that I really don't miss manual focus.

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