My must have accessories for the Nikon ZF
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While the Nikon ZF is one of my favorite cameras in many years, there are a few sore spots that can be softened with the addition of some 3rd party accessories. I will also cover some of my favorite add ons that are just nice to haves no matter what camera you use. All of these have stood the test of time and have become recommendations after many months of constant use.
Haoge Thumb Rest
The ergonomics of the Nikon Zf leave a lot to be desired…largely, it’s a brick-type design harkening back to the FM film camera days. Nikon could have put an integrated thumb catch on to the right of the rear, but decided not to unlike some of their other more modern designs. This makes a cold shoe thumb catch a near necessity for handling. Haoge happens to make a fine design that won’t make contact with any part of the rear of the camera, meaning it won’t leave pesky rub marks on the paint like some other brands do. It is well machined and feels great in use. It doesn’t overly block the rear controls, but the rear command wheel is the one thing that is most obstructed by it. I feel like Haoge did the best they could have given the complex design of the right side of the Zf.
SmallRig Grip
As mentioned above, the brick-like nature of the Zf also necessitated a grip for my large hands. After trying just about every 3rd party grip that exists for the Zf (the Nikon options are too small for me), I have settled on the original SmallRig as my grip of choice. It has a rear Arca dovetail that allows it to be mounted centered on a ball head, thanks to a clever cutout near the battery door. The texture of the grip itself is less than ideal, feeling very much like rubber instead of leatherette, but it certainly adds more control in hand thanks to the grippiness. It’s a fantastic product that makes the Zf easier to hold and faster to throw onto a tripod day after day.
JJC Soft Touch Shutter Release
For any camera that I buy that allows a threaded shutter release, I buy this JJC model. Under $10 with great feeling leatherette, it adds a touch of class to the camera and greatly enhances the mushy shutter feeling, making half stops easier to detect and not press through unwantedly.
ZF Expert Shield Crystal Clear LCD protector
Expert Shield has been my go-to brand for screen protector for years now. They offer many different types of finishes on their protectors, and having tried them all, I have come to like the Crystal Clear version the best. These have 2 per pack, giving you an extra if you goof up installation, or just having a backup in case you scratch up the first over time.
Extra DK-33 Eyecups
I love having backups of things just in case something gets lost or damaged while out in the field. Eyecups, when lost, can be a real pain especially when shooting in tough conditions. I’d highly recommend buying one or two extra to keep in your gear bag just in case.
DJI Mic 2
The Zf has earned a reputation as an excellent hybrid camera, one that can shoot video with ease. In fact, it has become my primary video content creation camera for my Youtube channel. I knew I wanted a dead simple microphone setup, so after much research I went with the DJI Mic 2. Versatile, long lasting, and great sounding, they helped me launch a Youtube channel and are fantastic to take out in the world for video creation.
Sandisk SD and MicroSD Memory Cards
The Zf utilizes a hybrid approach to dual SD…your main slot is a UHS-II slot, and your backup slot is a MicroSD type. For the main SD, I prefer to use 300mb/s cards…the Micro card is not as important, and you can prioritize capacity instead. I’m a huge fan of Sandisk after using them for the 15+ years without any failures.
Buy SD at Amazon - Buy MicroSD at Amazon
Peak Design Capture Clip
One of the most clever accessories I’ve ever bought, the Peak Design Capture Clip allows you to easily carry your camera on your backpack strap while on the go, while keeping it near for easy access. Gone are the days of putting the camera into your pack, stopping to pull it out, rinse and repeat for miles and miles. I have even used this on a Z9…no it wasn’t fun, but it’s that well made. This is a no-brainer for anyone that likes to hike with their camera who wants to keep it handy for quick photos.
Leofoto LH-40 Ballhead
When it came time to replace my decades old ball head, I wanted something very tightly machined, versatile in terms of how I could configure the ball, and a good value without breaking the bank. Leofoto hit all those marks and did it by overdelivering a ball head that would cost at least twice as much with any other brand name. It has stood the test of time and supports heavy loads with ease.
Anker Battery Bank and USB converters
This is a must have no matter what camera you have. It features 2 USB-A charging ports and charges via USB-C. I bought two USB-A >USB-C converters so I can connect any type of device while on the road. I can easily charge my Zf 5-6 times per single charge on the Anker. If I’m going to be in the car or moving from place to place for a bit, I will simply hook the camera to the battery while in my backpack so it’s charging during downtime.