A new toy brings more fun to my photography.
I bought something a few weeks ago. I’ll say it lightly, as I’ve done a great job of curbing my gear buying syndrome so far this year, and this is definitely an unplanned drop off the wagon. To be fair, it’s been a staple of my scheduled purchases for the year. So its purchase is not entirely unexpected. It’s just that there are much more practical items on the list up front that objectively should have bought first.
In fact, if we speak objectively, this particular purchase definitely falls into the want category rather than the need category. From a professional point of view, I have all the camera equipment that I will need for the foreseeable future. And, as someone lucky enough to own a new Nikon Z9I feel completely at ease when my clients are well covered no matter how short the time.
So why, if I already own the flagship of the Nikon Z series, would I decide to buy one much closer to the bottom of the line? For fun, of course.
I was lucky enough to review Nikon Z fc when it was first announced last year. Its classic look has brought a wave of nostalgia among Nikon users and is aimed at some of the style-conscious camera markets dominated by Fuji’s X-series in recent years. In terms of sensor, image quality is on par with existing Nikon Z 50was released a year earlier and is still on par with the recently released device’s sensor Z 30 entry-level social media camera. None of these three are aimed at high-resolution, high-pressure commercial products that power my life. Instead, they are alternative versions of entry-level cameras that appeal to different Nikon users and take advantage of the brand’s growing line of Z-mount lenses.
In my initial review, I pointed out how difficult it was for me to return the camera to the borrower. While it serves no real business purpose for my particular use case, the sheer enjoyment I derive from using the device is enough to make me regret it. must be returned to the lender via UPS. I’m a big proponent of buying a camera as an investment rather than a gilded toy. However, I also strongly believe that if you want to develop your eyes professionally, one of the best ways to do so is to practice “seeing”. This can take many forms, but for me this often resembles my daily afternoon walks or occasional weekend photo shoots. These are not the days when I want to go back with new material for my portfolio. Rather, these are just the times when I go out to really study light, color, and composition. The pictures will probably never delete it from my hard drive. But the act of creating them taught me something and developed my skill set.
Now, it’s not uncommon for me to walk through the streets of Los Angeles carrying thousands of dollars and a few pounds of photography gear just for street photography. But, when trying to go aloof, small is greatly appreciated. So I’ve always wanted to at least have the option to provide light with a tool that could be worn around my neck for hours without giving me back pain at the end of the day. In an attempt to simplify, I recently sold all of my old Fuji X cameras, which had previously served that purpose, choosing to instead focus my gear around Nikon. But that left a void for a small camera to fill. And, business-related or not, it’s clear that Z fc can scratch an itch.
So why Z fc and why now? Well, the “why now” part of the question is easiest to answer. Now out for over a year, I was able to find a used copy of the camera, which made it easier for my bank account to activate on purchases. Why is the Z fc different from other cameras in the same price range or others in the Nikon line? Well, here are a few reasons.
Style
Yes, I can hear the mocking calls of “hipsters” being thrown at me digitally. However, the simple truth is that this camera is beautiful. This does not affect image quality at all. But there is a practical advantage. Listen to me.
I recently broke up with a woman I once met. That’s a story for a different kind of paper. But I raised her simply because one of the things we love to do is go for walks together. Similar to my afternoon solo excursion, there is no specific destination in mind. Instead, it’s just a way to spend time together, chat and grow as a couple. Because I like to always have a camera with me, I often like to bring one when we go. Combine my “seeing” practice with our leisurely walks. Partly because I wanted to shoot a bit. Partly because I want her to know that part of me, partly because photography plays such an important role in my life.
But she is not a photographer. And while you and I may like the idea of circling the city with a flashy full-body professional camera around our necks, I may even find that the “tourist look” may be less appealing to a woman. my walking friend. The Z fc’s small form factor and stylish nature, on the other hand, make it much less conspicuous. Sure, it’s still a camera worn around your neck or in your bag. But it is so beautiful that it can be considered a fashion accessory on its own.
Even when I go out solo, it’s not something that makes strangers wary to watch me hang me. It doesn’t seem out of place to see someone walking down the street with a giant Z9 and a 24-70mm for no apparent reason. Instead, the Z fc seems like something that I put on the same way I would make a necklace or a really cool watch.
Is there a reason why photography is better? But do those reasons make it possible for me to always carry it with me? Right.
Price
Speaking of walking around the city with your camera gear, there’s a real benefit to reducing your burden, both in terms of weight and responsibility. Like I said, I’m pretty careful when choosing where I do my walkabouts, but you never really know what or who is lurking around the corner. And while all of my professional gear is well covered, I can’t say I’m particularly fond of the idea of having to choose between my gear or my physical health if someone tries to try to take it away from me.
Now, let’s be clear. Your safety is always more important than your device. Under no circumstances should you risk your physical health to protect an inanimate object. Still, of course, it’s a much easier decision to make if the camera someone is trying to steal is on the less expensive side of the spectrum.
The lower price (especially at the used price) also makes it easier for me to use as a clone camera. My pro body can perfectly absorb a large amount of punishment. That’s part of the reason why they cost so much. However, there are some things to be said for a camera at a price point where you don’t care much about whether it’s punishing or not. I can throw my Z fc in my pocket, in my glove compartment, under my seat, or anywhere else I feel like sticking it in between shots. I pick it up and put it down several times a day. Its job is to always be there to shoot. And, in the process, it needs a lick. But it kept ticking and provided exactly what I needed. A quick and easy portal that broadened my horizons as a photographer with minimal fuss.
Easy to use
When I was growing up, my father always spent a lot of money on cameras that he rarely used. My mom, on the other hand, would buy any camera in a disposable box that could be hung in the direct purchase section of a grocery checkout counter and could do everything for the user with the press of a shutter. . She calls them doctoral cameras, as in “Push in here, Dummy.” The true definition of point and shoot.
Now, as I said earlier, one of the main reasons I enjoy walking around the camera is to develop my eyes. This often includes very intentional manual manipulations to expose to try new technical approaches. But sometimes I just want to watch and shoot. I do enough exposure gymnastics for professional photography. When I go for a walk, it’s more important to just “see” than to burden myself with too many adjustments. Again, this is not to say that I don’t understand what adjustments are being made. Only thing is that sometimes when you go for a walk to take beautiful pictures, you also want to have a beautiful peaceful walk like you are in the picture.
The Z fc’s manual dial setup makes it easy to switch from fully manual mode to PhD mode. So when I want more of a challenge, it’s there. But, when I want to turn off my brain and feel my way through a scene, that option is there.
The specifications are suitable for the use case
As a commercial photographer and director, there are some specs that are simply non-negotiable. Usually these factors focus on resolution, frame rate, delivery format, etc. But, in a personal fun camera, my needs are different.
Take, for example, a 20.9-megapixel sensor. This is not nearly enough for the kind of work I do professionally. However, when it comes to shooting a bunch of photos for fun, this smaller file size in relation to the number of megapixels is indeed a blessing. Who needs a 102-megapixel image of their dog sleeping? Okay, maybe I do. But that’s only because Archibald is so cute. But most of the photos I take for fun should take up as little hard drive space as possible.
Likewise, the camera lacks many of the high-end video features that I, as a director/videographer, consider to be absolute necessities. No log format. There is no raw video format. There are only certain frame rates in 4K. But, again, this is not a tool I could choose to shoot my next feature film with. However, it could be the tool I would use for behind-the-scenes footage or vlog content. Scenes that I probably won’t need to score extensively in the post. Instead, it would be the kind of footage that I would want to take straight out of the camera and edit it into a sequence or stream in its natural state via social. The specifications of Z fc will not let you down. But they are the level of precision required for the camera’s use case.
Access Z Mount
Can I attach the same large wildlife lens I used on the Z9 to my Z fc? Sure is not. But it’s nice to know that I can do it. As I mentioned earlier, I have simplified my life and try to bring my collection of devices into one brand as much as possible. Since I have my primary professional camera Nikons, it makes sense to have a personal camera using the same camera stand. I can’t always use the same lenses on each. But I can. And this ability makes the packaging equipment more efficient and reasonable. The Z 28mm f/2.8 pretty much life on my Z fc. And while it doesn’t often find its way into the Z9, the fact that I can put it on my Z9 gives me more options to play with.
These days, there are some great entry-level cameras on the market. The Z fc isn’t even Nikon’s newest entry in the category. But, despite the fact that it was a personal purchase rather than purely driven by business need, I couldn’t be happier with my acquisition. It provides me with a great tool for personal photography. And more importantly, it brings me a lot of joy.
