Good afternoon everyone. Congratulations to all readers of my site on the New 2022 year! For a long time, my hands did not reach the site, and in the new year I decided to tackle the resource more closely. Especially, that there is a story to tell and show. And I'll start with good news for me - at the end 21 year I got a new camera. And my choice fell on a Nikon camera with APS-C sensor Nikon Z FC. The camera is made in retro style and mimics the appearance of the Nikon FM camera.

That is, it is a classic. Basically, it was the appearance that prompted me to buy this camera. I have long wanted to buy something in retro style. Getting old, probably. But I did not dare to buy a film camera. Apparently not that old yet.

From retro it is clear - nostalgia for old age. Here's why the APS-C sensor, not full frame?

Everything is pretty simple here too.. I have a Nikon D750 full-frame DSLR and in terms of photos it covers all my needs. And as it seems to me, will close the coming years 3. But, since camera manufacturers are switching to mirrorless cameras and these cameras are already beginning to outstrip old cameras in terms of functionality and convenience, then at some point I will want to change the old camera for a new one, by then I will have a couple of full frame Z mount lenses. So the transition will be easy enough.

Secondly, after all, a full-frame mirrorless camera is not cheap and wasting 150 thousand now, when there is a fully working chamber, I don't see much sense. In my case, when deciding to buy a new camera, except for the pleasure of shooting, the payback period of new equipment is important.

Nikon Z FC in this case is a more rational purchase. The camera will shoot a good video and can serve as the main camera for shooting blogs and besides, this camera is more suitable for travel, than "big black camera".

I.e, according to my estimates Nikon Z FC will pay off within this year. And this is a very real time. A little later I will try to record a video about the camera and why I chose it., not z 50, with 5 or another system altogether. After all, I already have a Panasonic.

Good, finished with the economy, and before, how to start the Nikon Z FC camera test, I'll go over the problems a little, that I have encountered. The camera impressed immediately, but there were also nuances, which I will briefly talk about. Maybe this will help someone in choosing a camera.

1. I have an old Mac version and I can't install a new Photoshop and Lightroom, how to update Camera Rav. Same way, I can't install DNG ADOBE converter. Most offensive, that I have licensed software. So the rav file from the new camera is not readable by Adobe programs., neither by Apple. And as I understand, no one is in a hurry to solve this problem. Probably think, that don’t figs use new cameras for owners of old poppies. In short, had to install Capture One. In this program, everything is read and edited.. Well then, there is a reason to start working with this program;
2. There are no wires included with the camera, and then I ran into another problem - three UCB-C wires, which i had, did not work with the camera. One could charge the camera, but it was not possible to connect it to the computer. I had to buy a branded cable. And this is not a cheap pleasure - 3 200 rubles. I hoped, what can you buy rubles for 300-400 and everything will work. But, what is said, bad luck. With a proprietary cable all the rules;
3. Grip the camera. When you buy equipment more than a thousand rubles, and even more expensive than a thousand bucks, you understand, what do you take and are aware of the merits and demerits of the product. Basically, Nikon Z FC grip didn't bother me, but I took the camera for street photography and for travel. Convenience catches up – it is also the safety of technology, which is far from cheap. Signature grip costs about 10 thousand, which is a little expensive, but there is our neighbor - China. And there is so much that is not produced and the quality is already high enough. So that, found a SmallRig grip at the Kremlin Store and the grip became very comfortable. Yes, not cheap too, but 3 800 not 10 thousand;
4. Lenses - I took a camera with a whale lens 16-50. Many people like to whine, talking about lenses, that the dark one, and this one is even darker. But I want to ask, and you looked at the characteristics? If you consider it dark, then don't take. But here is a slightly different situation. Z-mount lenses with aperture at least 2, 8 simply no. There are fixes, but as far as I understand - and 28, and 40 mm are for full-frame cameras. For dill, which in the lineup so far only 2 glasses have not been made yet. But in principle, I am not in a hurry. Take 50-250 I have no desire, I hope too, that Sigma and Tamron will release something in the near future. They were promised back in 21 start adapting their lenses for the Z-mount. For a street and a subject, whale glass is enough. The new lens is plastic though, but high quality and sharp enough even at open apertures. Although, F 3,5 and 6, 3 such an openness. But, However, for street you can use what is, and if it's dark, then the camera shoots perfectly at high ISO. To 1600 can be filmed without problems. Well, for a subject, you still often close the aperture to f values 8 or 10. So that, while the whale suits, and for video, you can also purchase a manual Chinese pair of lenses, if you really want to.

That's basically all about the camera's features.. I say, what are these features, not flaws. There are no perfect cameras, and each camera has strong, and weaknesses. When do you acquire the technique, then you preview a bunch of reviews, read the characteristics and be aware of, what do you buy.

Nikon Z FC camera test

Let's go to the test. This time I approached testing the camera more seriously., than usual. Even the plan was made, what, where and when to shoot. I share the test plan. Maybe someone will come in handy.

1. Shooting in sunny weather - checking basic camera performance under ideal conditions;
2. Shooting against the sun in a backlight - check the lens for backlight and the camera's ability to give a sharp picture;
3. We shoot in cloudy weather - we check the stabilization in the lens and watch how the camera shoots at long exposures;
4. Evening shooting - exposures and shooting at medium ISO values ​​- up to 1600;
5. Shooting in the dark - shooting at high ISO;
6. Autofocus test, Sharpness illumination capabilities for manual focusing;
7. Handheld video shooting - day and evening. I'll leave this for a vlog with a camera test..

Basically, this is enough to evaluate the camera. Now, in order and with examples:

All shots were taken at temperatures below -5. And one day turned out to be frosty enough – 12 degrees below zero. The camera coped well with low temperatures.. but in general,, I do not recommend using the camera in such conditions. after all, this is not a reportage camera, like new Z9 or old D6, D5/

Shooting architecture and landmarks – diaphragm 6,3, excerpt 1/50 seconds. Excellent sharpness across the entire frame. Colour, detailing – everything is on top.

Snow removal equipment in Moscow – bright picture. As for me, so you can see right away, what is this Nikon – great color.

Dynamic range check – i.e, look, How does the camera deal with fluctuations in brightness. Here you have both light and shadow in one frame. Everything is fine.

Backlight shooting with the kit NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f / 3.5-6.3 VR lens. Zaitsev catches the lens. The contrast is lost a little, but not critical. Basically, you can shoot and the camera is doing well. What is worth mentioning. Lens construction is so so. You can't put a hood on it, and it seems to me, this is a significant drawback of the lens, if we're talking about street photography. But here is a rather extreme option and a bright sun in the cold right in the frame.. I do not advise you to shoot like that, but test is test.

But this is already quite good – great shot. The shadows could still be drawn, but I like it better.

Cloudy weather and I shoot at aperture 6,3, excerpt 1/125 – no lubrication, there are no complaints about the quality of the picture either.

ISO 500, excerpt 1/40 from hands – everything is very good. The lens is stabilized and works with a bang. Although, at such a shutter speed, I shot on a DSLR with old optics and without smears, but nonetheless…. ISO 500 working – practically no noise, even in the shadows.

ISO 800 – you can shoot, there is no noise and photos are suitable even for stocks. Excerpt 1/40. In general, shooting people in motion at such a shutter speed is no longer the best option.. The static picture is good, but the moving objects are already so-so.

ISO 800 and it's already dark enough. Filmed on 1/100 seconds

ISO 1600 – the picture is already starting to make noise, but it's a bright noise. Since the frame was filmed for conversion to b / w, then I didn’t look at the color noise, but he was not there. The picture was initially quite dark and during processing it was necessary to adjust the exposure and shadows somewhere on 2 Rate. Excerpt 1/60 and there is motion blur. But this is a street and this option is acceptable. Although such a picture is no longer suitable for stock.

Shooting at night at ISO 3200 – there are noises in the shadows, contours creep, but in general I like the picture. Expected much worse, but then I was pleasantly surprised.

The following shot is especially indicative of this camera.:

ISO 3200 – there is no noise on the lit branches and the detail is quite high. Generally, a little noise.

It was shot at ISO 100 – the detailing was checked. If I may say so, I liked it “graphicality” images. It means, that both the camera and the lens are great for shooting and subjects, and for food photography .

And in conclusion. All photos were taken with auto white balance. I have never shot with automatic balance before and this is my first experience.. And I must say, that the experience is quite successful. The machine works perfectly. Even in difficult lighting conditions.

Here I added some warm tones for processing., but initially the picture from the camera was more natural.

And on this I say goodbye, but not for long. The next article will be about winter street photography and plans for this year..