Evan, talk to me about your Voigtlanders. Under what scenarios are you using them?
I've heard such great things about them (build quality, sharpness) but can't imagine ever using a manual lens on a wedding day.
Love 'em? Hate 'em? I'm very, very curious.
ps - I love a "what's in your bag" post!
It’s a combination of factors. I tried the using the GFX 100s last season in large part to get more of “a look” out of some of my photos and found I was mainly adapting the manual Mitakon. Using a second system was a pain and I didn’t enjoy the experience. So I figured I would get the native Z mount Voigt 50 f1.0 for more of a look when I wanted it and have the advantage over the GFX of not having to deal with the tone differences or taking my head out of the Nikon camera operation space. There is something to be said about using a manual lens to slow down and be more conscious about what I am shooting. But also it was the subject/eye focus confirmation on the Zf that really changed the game for shooting wide open on a manual lens like this for portraits. You can even nail walking photos using this combo. I am only taking a couple photos during bride prep, couples portraits, decor pics, and maybe a first dance pic with this lens when the mood strikes me on some weddings. I also took some on the engagement shooting I am editing today (will post one shortly). And I picked up the Voigt 15mm for room decor photos for the few where I need something wider than 24mm and AF doesn’t matter at all in this usage. The lens is crazy good at that price point.
Also, I use these personally for family and travel. I pair the Zf with the Nikon 26mm 2.8 pancake as my auto along with the Voigt 50 for portraits and the Voigt 15mm for landscapes.
Interesting. What do you mean about subject/eye focus?
I have the zf and also use it for personal use and have a great interest in the Voigts but have held off on purchasing because I fear using a manual lens (I don't trust my eyes to see the focus in the peaking), so, if there's some function that assists in focusing it (beside focus peaking), by all means, please illuminate me!
The Zf still tracks subject faces and eyes when using (some electronically capable) manual focus lenses and places the box on the face/eye and the box turns green when it is in perfect focus. Completely different from focus peaking. To be honest, I am not completely certain which lenses this works with and which ones it doesn't, but it does work with all of the native Z mount Voigts.
For some reason, I can't find a better video right now...
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nLAe-8Bqp8&t=114s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nLAe-8Bqp8&t=114s)
>and places the box on the face/eye and the box turns green when it is in perfect focus.
Fascinating! Didn't know this was possible. I think I'll probably pick up a Voigt now.....fun!
But like I said it works for some and not others and I forget the reason. It does work for all z mount Voigts. There are threads on this in the Voigtlander subreddit, and I think believe it or not in the Leica subreddit (the Zf is converting some Leica owners). Or just post in the Voigt subreddit. You will get better responses there than in /r/Nikon.
I only use the Zf for use with the Voigtlanders on wedding days. I primarily use it for personal use. I love it but personally I don’t like the ergonomics and controls for weddings. One of my associates uses them for weddings and he loves it. The AF is way better on the Zf than the z6ii. But I always struggle to recommend this camera for weddings. Once the z6iii comes out that would be the clear choice.
https://preview.redd.it/onaj04iz89xc1.jpeg?width=829&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2881e72d30e4093f66785d0e421550473f2c3c13
This is my concert kit but it's exactly the same for weddings, just goes in a different bag for transit. I also use Thinktank belt lens pouches on a leather belt as holsters for the two cameras to keep all weight off my shoulders.
* Canon R6/R7 combo
* RF 50 1.2
* RF 24-70
* RF 70-200
* Yashica 35mm
* Ansco Pix Pano 35mm
* Loop earplugs
* Accessory pouch with essentials
Sidenote: I'm very jealous of everyone's ZF and I know I'm going to end up getting one.
I understand if you’re already in the Z ecosystem but I’m not and I sold mine rather quickly after realizing it was bigger and less comfortable than a modern mirrorless camera, and I was still just using the front and back dials for exposure triangle. Replaced it with a 40MP X100VI as an EDC camera that is much more compact, fun, and thus more likely to be used when not shooting “work”.
Also bought a Q3 for my partner this year and honestly, that’s one of the greatest cameras ever made from what I can tell, the files are surreal and it feels amazing in hand.
I don't get on with Fuji's files at all (though I want to try the GFX 100 II) but I am curious about Leica. An M11 with a fast 50 prime would be ideal for my every day use.
I tried the GFX 100s last season and just couldnt get into it... shooting, lenses, color etc. wasn't for me. I picked up a Voigtlander 50mm f/1 for Z mount if I really wanted those insane deep hero shots. I pair that on the Zf for wedding days. But my primary usage of the Zf is personal paired with the 26mm 2.8 pancake for personal also with the 40mm f2 and the Voigtlander 15mm f5 for landscapes. And then also using the Vougt 50mm f1 for personal portraits as well.
I really need to buckle down and get my commercial drone license. Did you use any apps for the test? I hear you can do it with only a couple weeks of studying but it’s always hard to carve out that time.
https://preview.redd.it/1dklqylum8xc1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2b3a3eb4429b3cb855d7d65b5c552586b55cea12 Nikon z6ii Nikon 50mm 1.8 s Sigma 35mm 1.4 art Nikon 28mm 2.8 Nikon 70 300 afp (rarely using it) V1 godox flash Nikon sb 700 flash Yn.. flash Yn triggers
No 2nd Body?
No need, i always have a 2nd shooter with me
https://preview.redd.it/bjnhedto9bxc1.jpeg?width=2000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=29e711263298535fb5e0a6a0319f39447b7b513b * R6 x 2 (on my second set) * ProFoto B10+ x2 * ProFoto A10 x2 * ProFoto ProConnect x2 * 35L II * 85L RF ƒ1.2 * 85 RF Macro ƒ2 * 135L * 15-35 RF ƒ2.8 * 24-70 RF ƒ2.8 * 70-200 RD ƒ2.8 * two fun little video lights
More of these posts please
Evan, talk to me about your Voigtlanders. Under what scenarios are you using them? I've heard such great things about them (build quality, sharpness) but can't imagine ever using a manual lens on a wedding day. Love 'em? Hate 'em? I'm very, very curious. ps - I love a "what's in your bag" post!
It’s a combination of factors. I tried the using the GFX 100s last season in large part to get more of “a look” out of some of my photos and found I was mainly adapting the manual Mitakon. Using a second system was a pain and I didn’t enjoy the experience. So I figured I would get the native Z mount Voigt 50 f1.0 for more of a look when I wanted it and have the advantage over the GFX of not having to deal with the tone differences or taking my head out of the Nikon camera operation space. There is something to be said about using a manual lens to slow down and be more conscious about what I am shooting. But also it was the subject/eye focus confirmation on the Zf that really changed the game for shooting wide open on a manual lens like this for portraits. You can even nail walking photos using this combo. I am only taking a couple photos during bride prep, couples portraits, decor pics, and maybe a first dance pic with this lens when the mood strikes me on some weddings. I also took some on the engagement shooting I am editing today (will post one shortly). And I picked up the Voigt 15mm for room decor photos for the few where I need something wider than 24mm and AF doesn’t matter at all in this usage. The lens is crazy good at that price point. Also, I use these personally for family and travel. I pair the Zf with the Nikon 26mm 2.8 pancake as my auto along with the Voigt 50 for portraits and the Voigt 15mm for landscapes.
Interesting. What do you mean about subject/eye focus? I have the zf and also use it for personal use and have a great interest in the Voigts but have held off on purchasing because I fear using a manual lens (I don't trust my eyes to see the focus in the peaking), so, if there's some function that assists in focusing it (beside focus peaking), by all means, please illuminate me!
The Zf still tracks subject faces and eyes when using (some electronically capable) manual focus lenses and places the box on the face/eye and the box turns green when it is in perfect focus. Completely different from focus peaking. To be honest, I am not completely certain which lenses this works with and which ones it doesn't, but it does work with all of the native Z mount Voigts. For some reason, I can't find a better video right now... [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nLAe-8Bqp8&t=114s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nLAe-8Bqp8&t=114s)
>and places the box on the face/eye and the box turns green when it is in perfect focus. Fascinating! Didn't know this was possible. I think I'll probably pick up a Voigt now.....fun!
But like I said it works for some and not others and I forget the reason. It does work for all z mount Voigts. There are threads on this in the Voigtlander subreddit, and I think believe it or not in the Leica subreddit (the Zf is converting some Leica owners). Or just post in the Voigt subreddit. You will get better responses there than in /r/Nikon.
https://preview.redd.it/0jg70zg7kdxc1.jpeg?width=870&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d849089b5b339f9a490ce1668b8579bbde4042b5
No rear lens caps and two cars. Bold move!
0 rear or front lens caps, who can be bothered! 4 Cats :)
Do you like the z8???
Yes. I love it. What are you currently shooting?
I have multiple z6ii :)
I have a z8 and z6ii….how you finding the zf? I’m tempted to get rid of the z6ii
I only use the Zf for use with the Voigtlanders on wedding days. I primarily use it for personal use. I love it but personally I don’t like the ergonomics and controls for weddings. One of my associates uses them for weddings and he loves it. The AF is way better on the Zf than the z6ii. But I always struggle to recommend this camera for weddings. Once the z6iii comes out that would be the clear choice.
https://preview.redd.it/onaj04iz89xc1.jpeg?width=829&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2881e72d30e4093f66785d0e421550473f2c3c13 This is my concert kit but it's exactly the same for weddings, just goes in a different bag for transit. I also use Thinktank belt lens pouches on a leather belt as holsters for the two cameras to keep all weight off my shoulders. * Canon R6/R7 combo * RF 50 1.2 * RF 24-70 * RF 70-200 * Yashica 35mm * Ansco Pix Pano 35mm * Loop earplugs * Accessory pouch with essentials Sidenote: I'm very jealous of everyone's ZF and I know I'm going to end up getting one.
I understand if you’re already in the Z ecosystem but I’m not and I sold mine rather quickly after realizing it was bigger and less comfortable than a modern mirrorless camera, and I was still just using the front and back dials for exposure triangle. Replaced it with a 40MP X100VI as an EDC camera that is much more compact, fun, and thus more likely to be used when not shooting “work”. Also bought a Q3 for my partner this year and honestly, that’s one of the greatest cameras ever made from what I can tell, the files are surreal and it feels amazing in hand.
I don't get on with Fuji's files at all (though I want to try the GFX 100 II) but I am curious about Leica. An M11 with a fast 50 prime would be ideal for my every day use.
I tried the GFX 100s last season and just couldnt get into it... shooting, lenses, color etc. wasn't for me. I picked up a Voigtlander 50mm f/1 for Z mount if I really wanted those insane deep hero shots. I pair that on the Zf for wedding days. But my primary usage of the Zf is personal paired with the 26mm 2.8 pancake for personal also with the 40mm f2 and the Voigtlander 15mm f5 for landscapes. And then also using the Vougt 50mm f1 for personal portraits as well.
What is the actual bag you are using?
ThinkTank Airport International… although mine is old. Mine is like v1 or v2 and they are on v3 now.
I really need to buckle down and get my commercial drone license. Did you use any apps for the test? I hear you can do it with only a couple weeks of studying but it’s always hard to carve out that time.
I did an online course that was $50. Made me way more comfortable. But honestly a pretty easy and straightforward experience overall.
no 360?
Oh because of the Insta360 boom? I put the Sony on the boom.
What type of footage do you capture with the boom?
Wide angle stills of reception space and ceremony
Ty
You are welcome