Touch screens may have taken the world by storm, but touch screen technology isn't going away quietly. Turntables, tube amps and mechanical watches have carved out provocative niches for themselves, and the Nikon Z fc is the camera giant's attempt to reach a similar place for photographers. Even if you're not a Nikon fan or a fan of photography, it's easy to see that the Nikon Z fc is a special camera. The model on which it is based, the 2 full-frame Nikon FM1982, is a classic design known for being virtually indestructible. And who doesn't love a device covered in silver spheres?
(Image credit: Avenir) However, this is far from the first time a camera maker has gone back in time to build the camera of the future. Fujifilm, Olympus and Leica have built their reputations on impeccable vintage aesthetics. Nikon has already played the retro card with the fun but flawed Nikon Df from 2013. So what's different this time around and why make the Nikon Z fc now? Fortunately, Nikon's Hau Nelson (UX Planning Department, XNUMXst UX Planning Section) and designer Shu Suzuki (ID Group, Design Center) were happy to answer these and other questions during an exclusive interview with TechRadar. And yes, we did ask when we were going to get a full frame Nikon Z fc...
Smart travel
It's no secret that camera manufacturers, even giants like Nikon, are in a bit of a pickle. Smartphones have gobbled up the entry-level market, and their silicon-fuelled momentum shows no signs of slowing down. This is something that Nikon recognizes. “With the rise of smartphones, anyone can easily discover photography, so we need to go further,” says Hau Nelson. "We believe the Z fc has value that goes beyond the technical specifications. It has a viewfinder that makes users want to look through it, its dials feel comfortable, and there is an aesthetic that makes them feel good. Proud users when they wear it" he adds.
(Image credit: Avenir) “The Z fc was developed with a different concept than the Df, but both cameras were designed with an emphasis on ownership. Shu Suzuki, Nikon But it's not enough to create a camera that people love to look at. In a way, that's the mistake Nikon made with the Nikon Df back in 2013, which embraced a similar retro aesthetic with a slightly plastic mid-range SLR. It was also overpriced for such a semi-cooked concept. So has Nikon learned any lessons from the creation of the Df? “The Z fc was developed with a different concept than the Df, but both cameras were designed with an emphasis on fun to own,” says Shu Suzuki. "We believe that the balance between practicality and the joy of ownership is of vital importance." The Nikon Df never really seemed like a cohesive whole, partly because it was a bulky SLR, but the more compact Z fc behaves like a modern Nikon FM2.
Old twin
However, that "practicality" that Shu Suzuki refers to means that, under its retro body, the Z fc is a very modern camera. In terms of specs, this is effectively a Nikon Z50, which is the only other camera in Nikon's mirrorless lineup with an APS-C sensor. Like this model, you get a 20,9-megapixel sensor and Nikon's latest hybrid autofocus system, plus, unlike the Nikon Df, the ability to shoot 4K/30p video. Photography purists, then, might still prefer a Nikon FM2, a power tool that could run without batteries. But Nikon has worked hard to make sure the Z fc retains the spirit of the FM2, if not its indestructible, weather-resistant construction. Image 1 of 3
Pictures of the Nikon FM2 from your 1983 manual. You can certainly spot the similarities to the Nikon Zfc. (Image credit: Nikon) Image 2 of 3
(Image credit: Nikon) Image 3 of 3
(Image credit: Nikon) "While the design of the Z fc is inspired by the FM2, the goal has never been to exactly replicate the silhouette, but to create a new frame that retains the overall essence of the previous model," says Shu Suzuki. “Redesigning the frame to accommodate the new mirrorless technology was the most important aspect of the design, and balancing the dimensions of the camera body and pentaprism proved to be one of the biggest challenges, especially with the large diameter Z mount and the Pentaprism minimized area due to EVF adoption," he added.
movie star
Shu Suzuki was certainly in a good position to bring those little FM2-style frills to the Nikon Z fc. "I personally use a Nikon FM that my grandfather gave me," he says. “This camera is fully mechanical in operation and I find the comfortable dials and levers, along with the process of changing shutter and rewind settings, builds excitement before you release the shutter,” he adds. Naturally, the Nikon Z fc isn't an exact replica of the Nikon FM series, but it's also far from a superficial cashier. "Although the mechanism is different on the Z fc, I wanted to create an experience that would inspire a similar emotion when shooting," said Shu Suzuki.
(Image credit: Avenir) I personally use a Nikon FM passed down to me by my grandfather. We pay special attention to the "FM2-ness" down to the smallest detail. Shu Suzuki, Nikon So, are there any small design elements you're particularly proud of, beyond the retro Nikon logo? “The corners of the camera are intentionally 'squashed' to give the impression that it was made by the FM2-era press,” he says. "In addition, in the corners of the bodywork, we also reproduced the 'squat' that happens with press work. We were particularly attentive to the 'FM2-ness' down to the smallest detail," he adds in Jony Ive fashion. The key to a good remake is that it not only looks on paper, but captures the feel of the original; Just ask anyone who witnessed the terrible reboot of Total Recall. And one of the keys to achieving this in a retro-inspired camera is the dials, which recreate a tactile shooting experience that contrasts well with the soulless screen of smartphones. These dials were another area where Shu Suzuki wanted to recreate the feel and spirit of FM2. “The dials were a key differentiator from the FM2 and have been redesigned for the Z fc,” he says. “The Nikon FM2 dials were black resin, but machined metal dials were adopted for this camera. Careful attention has been paid to every facet of the Z fc's design, right down to the 'clicks' the user feels when operating the dials and switches, to ensure it delivers a real-world experience. Nice photo," he adds.
Losing your grip
The Nikon Z fc certainly delivers the "pleasurable shooting experience" promised by Shu Suzuki, based on our experience with it. And most importantly, this experience is very different from a similar Nikon Z50. But no camera is perfect, and not every design detail on the Z fc has met with universal approval. For example, unlike the Nikon Z50, there's no grip on the front of the Nikon Z fc, making it less suitable for longer lenses. Why did Nikon decide not to include one? "There are two reasons for this," explains Hau Nelson. “First, even with a lens attached, we think it would be easier for a user to carry the camera without a handle. This is especially true for the younger generation that the Z fc aims to target,” he says.
(Image credit: Avenir) Careful attention has been paid to every facet of the Z fc's design, right down to the "clicks" the user experiences when operating the dials and switches. Shu Suzuki, Nikon “Second, again, size and proportion are important considerations: to perfect the aesthetic of a vintage-style camera, we decided not to include a grip,” he adds. While this might be a problem for telephoto fans, it does fit the Nikon FM2 (which also lacked a grip to set it apart from professional SLRs) and you can also purchase a grip accessory for the camera. It's a similar story with another of the Z fc's elegant design touches: the small window that opens in its top plate. This is another fun retro flourish, but we couldn't help but wish it included more information like battery life. When we asked Shu Suzuki and Hau Nelson about it, they explained again that "special attention has been paid to all aspects of the design to ensure that the Z fc is reminiscent of the FM2, but reimagined for the mirrorless generation." In other words, the remakes are a careful balance between modern conveniences and staying true to the original, and in what was perhaps a lesson learned from the Nikon Df, the maker has veered in the side of making the Nikon Z fc a modern one. . Nikon FM2 clone. And we certainly aren't complaining.
History repeats itself
Still, one area where the Nikon Z fc is unlike its predecessor is the size of the sensor; unlike the FM2 35mm full-frame equivalent, it has an APS-C crop sensor. Does this reflect who the Nikon Z fc is for? “We think the camera will appeal to young people, who are its main intended users, because of how it can generally complement their lifestyle and approach to filming,” explains Hau Nelson. “Some of those old enough to remember the Nikon FM2 may feel some familiarity with the details of the Z fc, including the overall size and proportions, which makes them nostalgic and sparks interest in the product,” he added. .
(Image credit: Avenir) In fact, if Nikon chose the FM2 as the model for the Z fc, it's because it struck a chord with beginners almost forty years ago. “In the 1980s, it was used as a reversing camera by many of our core fans, due to its strength, durability and great performance,” says Hau Nelson. “For others, it was a great first camera, due to its ease of use. intuitive use and operation that made it a great teaching tool. We have chosen to reflect elements of FM2 in it. We hope the Z fc will appeal not only to Nikon fans, but also to novice and aspiring photographers buying their first camera,” he added. But what about existing fans who want the Nikon Z...