David Saylors 12/14/24 David Saylors 12/14/24

Nikon Zf Review: Why I Switched from Leica CL for Travel Photography

When I got into the Leica cameras I use, I had built a kit around street photography, urban photography, urbex photography, and travel photography. The next thing I started doing was adapting vintage lenses to them. Then I started using TTArtisan glass on the Leica CL and loved it! My Leica SL2 now carries the 50mm APO Summicron L pretty much all the time as well. I love the SL2, but for a backpacking trip, it is probably not the best choice.

After years of using the Leica CL for travel photography, I finally switched to the Nikon Zf—and I should have done it sooner. The breaking point? Getting caught in English rain on the Pilgrims Way with my non-weather-sealed Leica CL. In this Nikon Zf review, I'll explain why I chose this retro-styled mirrorless camera over the Leica CL for hiking trips and travel photography, covering weather sealing, IBIS, battery life, and real-world performance.

Why I Needed a Weather Sealed Travel Camera

That experience changed everything for me. I realized I was babying my camera instead of using it. Every time clouds rolled in, I'd pack it away. Every time I saw a stunning scene but it was drizzling, I'd pass on the shot. That's not why I bought a camera—I bought it to use it, to capture moments, to not miss opportunities because I'm worried about weather. That's when I knew I needed weather sealing as a non-negotiable feature in my next travel camera.

Leica CL camera used for travel photography before switching to weather-sealed Nikon Zf — The Leica CL served me well for years, but lack of weather sealing was a deal-breaker for hiking trips in unpredictable weather.

Why the Leica CL Didn't Work for Hiking Trips

The Leica CL, while perfect in size for travel, is not weather sealed… I came to this realization while hiking the Pilgrims Way in England a while back. (I did a small series of videos on this trip if you are interested) and this is when I came to realize that while the Leica CL is really small and lightweight, it is also not my favorite for hiking trip travel. Rain is a real threat in England and I was fortunate that my camera did not get caught in a cloud burst.

So knowing all of this, I started down the path of finding a new travel camera to shoot with…

My Requirements for the Perfect Travel Photography Camera

So knowing all of this, I started down the path of finding a new travel camera to shoot with. I looked at several factors to guide my choice:

The first was it had to be weather sealed or it was a no go for me.
The next is it had to have IBIS as I love shooting with vintage glass and this allows me to shoot at much slower shutter speeds while handheld.
I also wanted a full frame, 24MP sensor if possible as these (in 2024) have much better low light performance due to the larger photo sites on the sensor.
It also needed good battery life as these Leica mirrorless cameras just don't have great battery life for me.

These weren't just nice-to-have features. These were requirements based on real frustrations I'd experienced in the field. Weather sealing because of England. IBIS because I shoot vintage glass and hate carrying a tripod on hikes. Full-frame 24MP for those low-light church interiors and evening shots. Battery life because running out of power halfway through a hiking day is unacceptable.

Nikon Zf Features That Changed My Travel Photography

After searching for a year or so with no luck, Nikon drops a bomb on me with the launch of the Nikon Zf retro styled camera. You could have just as easily called it the "Nikon Special Custom Built Camera For Dave" and the name would have been accurate. HaHa!

I immediately fell in love with it…before I even laid eyes on one in person. When I see a new camera that I am interested in, I will search all about it that I can and see if it will fit my needs and do that at a price point that I am comfortable with.

The Nikon Zf mirrorless camera is a camera that checks all those boxes and more. You see I am in love with the retro-style camera design aesthetic like the Fujifilm XT-3 and now the Nikon Zf (as well as to a lesser degree the Nikon Zfc too). I owned the Fujifilm XT-3 for several years and it had two main shortcomings that made me want to move away from it over the years.

The crop sensor had pretty bad low light performance (it was 26 mega pixels so it was doing a lot of work to get it all in there) and the lack of IBIS in a mirrorless camera. Cameras at this time were coming standard with IBIS (In Body Image Stabilization) and I felt this was a huge misstep for Fujifilm on this camera. I, none the less, used it for several years anyway and to great effect too, but the lack of these two features was a nagging thought at the back of my mind the whole time.

Then Nikon came out with the Zfc and I initially was in love with it, but upon closer inspection, it was simply an XT-3 in a Nikon shell. Yeah, it had a few things that were newer and (debatably) better, but it still lacked certain things I wanted. I had resigned myself at this point to wait for a replacement to the Nikon Df or maybe something by Leica that was closer to what I was wanting. Well as fate would have it, Nikon saw the demand for the retro camera design and came out with the Zf—a full frame, IBIS, 24 megapixel, mirrorless camera loaded with all the magic that they could cram into the beautiful Nikon retro shell.

Nikon Zf vs Leica CL: Key Differences for Travel Photography

Let me break down the key differences between these two cameras for anyone facing the same decision I did:

Weather Sealing: The Nikon Zf is fully weather sealed; the Leica CL is not. This was the deal-breaker for me. If you're hiking in unpredictable weather or traveling to places with rain, dust, or humidity, the Nikon Zf gives you peace of mind. The Leica CL requires constant babying in anything but perfect conditions.

IBIS: The Nikon Zf has 5-axis in-body image stabilization; the Leica CL does not. This makes a massive difference when shooting with vintage manual focus lenses or in low light. I can handhold shots at 1/15th second with the Nikon Zf that would be impossible with the Leica CL. For travel photography where you can't always use a tripod, IBIS is a game-changer.

Sensor Size: The Nikon Zf has a full-frame 24MP sensor; the Leica CL has an APS-C crop sensor. The full-frame sensor gives you better low-light performance (larger photosites), shallower depth of field control, and generally more flexibility. The crop sensor on the Leica CL is excellent, but the full-frame advantage is real when you're shooting in challenging light.

Battery Life: The Nikon Zf's battery lasts significantly longer than the Leica CL. With the Leica CL, I'd carry 3-4 batteries and still worry about running out. With the Nikon Zf, two batteries get me through a full day of shooting with power to spare.

Size and Weight: This is where the Leica CL wins. It's noticeably smaller and lighter, which matters on long hikes. The Nikon Zf is not a huge camera, but it's definitely more substantial. For me, the practical advantages of the Nikon Zf outweigh the size disadvantage, but this is a personal choice.

Price: The Leica CL (when it was still in production) was more expensive than the Nikon Zf. Now that it's discontinued, you'd be buying used. The Nikon Zf offers better value for the features you get.

Nikon Zf retro mirrorless camera with weather sealing for travel and hiking photography — The Nikon Zf's weather-sealed body and IBIS make it ideal for unpredictable travel conditions and hiking with vintage lenses.

Real World Nikon Zf Performance: Travel and Hiking

So to be honest, I was still skeptical that this would be the next camera for me. I have gotten really comfortable using my Leica cameras and the thought of learning a new camera was really not that appealing to me. But the more reviews I watched on YouTube and the more I just looked at the camera in general, the more I liked it.

Since getting the Nikon Zf, I've put it through its paces on several trips, and it's delivered every time. The weather sealing proved itself on a rainy morning shoot where I would have packed the Leica CL away. The IBIS let me shoot handheld in a dimly lit museum with a vintage 50mm f/1.4 lens at 1/15th second and still get sharp images. The battery lasted an entire day of hiking without needing the spare.

The retro physical dials are more than just aesthetic—they're genuinely useful in the field. Being able to glance down and see my shutter speed and ISO without turning on the screen saves battery and makes adjustments faster. On a hike, every second counts when you're trying to catch changing light or a fleeting moment.

The full-frame sensor's low-light performance is noticeably better than the Leica CL's crop sensor. I can comfortably shoot at ISO 3200 or even 6400 when needed, and the files are clean. With the Leica CL, I tried to stay under ISO 1600 whenever possible. That flexibility matters when you're traveling and can't always control the light.

So for now, this is my new travel/street machine. It has wonderful rendition and is a joy to shoot with. I look forward to taking it on outings now and I have the 50mm f1.8 S lens if I want auto focus and to be able to access all the special features that have to do with the auto focus system. So going forward, there will be more about this machine as well as the two Leica camras I use as well. You see, those two machines are also wonderful cameras and I still enjoy using them too, I use them for certain things as I have found. But I still love getting them out and using them.

Nikon Zf vs Leica CL: Which Should You Choose?

Choose the Nikon Zf if:

You need weather sealing for hiking, travel, or unpredictable conditions
You shoot with vintage manual focus lenses and want IBIS
You value battery life and don't want to carry multiple batteries
You want better low-light performance (full-frame advantage)
You're comfortable with a slightly larger/heavier camera for the features

Choose the Leica CL if:

Size and weight are your absolute top priorities
You primarily shoot in good weather or controlled conditions
You're already invested in the Leica L-mount ecosystem
You prefer the Leica color science and rendering
You can find one used at a good price (it's discontinued)

For me, the practical advantages of the Nikon Zf outweigh the size advantage of the Leica CL. But I still appreciate what the Leica CL offers for lightweight urban photography.

Recommended Gear for Travel Photography

Support this website by using these affiliate links to shop on Amazon:

Leica M11 Digital Rangefinder Camera because the Leica CL is out of production now.

Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED Lens

Nikon FTZ II Mount Adapter

Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.4 II

Urth M adapter L

Sandisk 128GB Extreme Pro memory cards

Nikon Zf Mirrorless Camera

Nikon 50mm f1.8 S Lens for Z mount

My favorite Pocket Notebook

My favorite Mechanical Pencil

Frequently Asked Questions About the Nikon Zf for Travel Photography

Is the Nikon Zf good for travel photography?

Yes, the Nikon Zf is excellent for travel photography. After switching from the Leica CL, I've found the Nikon Zf addresses all the key requirements for serious travel work: weather sealing protects it in rain and dust, IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) allows handheld shooting with vintage lenses and in low light, the full-frame 24MP sensor delivers outstanding image quality even at high ISOs, and the battery life is significantly better than my Leica mirrorless cameras. The retro design with physical dials makes it quick to adjust settings on the fly, which is crucial when you're hiking and need to shoot fast.

How does the Nikon Zf compare to the Leica CL for travel?

The Nikon Zf and Leica CL serve different needs. The Leica CL is smaller and lighter (perfect for ultralight backpacking), but lacks weather sealing and IBIS, which are deal-breakers for hiking trips where rain is a possibility. The Nikon Zf is heavier but offers weather sealing, IBIS, a full-frame sensor with better low-light performance, and much longer battery life. I switched from Leica CL to Nikon Zf specifically because I got caught in English rain on the Pilgrims Way and realized I needed weather protection. If you're doing casual city travel, the Leica CL's compact size is nice. For serious hiking and unpredictable weather, the Nikon Zf is the better choice.

Is the Nikon Zf weather sealed?

Yes, the Nikon Zf is weather sealed. This was one of my primary requirements when searching for a travel camera to replace the Leica CL. The weather sealing on the Nikon Zf protects against rain, dust, and moisture - essential for hiking trips and travel photography where you can't always control the conditions. After hiking the Pilgrims Way in England with my non-weather-sealed Leica CL and worrying about rain the entire time, having weather sealing gives me peace of mind to shoot in any conditions.

Does the Nikon Zf have IBIS?

Yes, the Nikon Zf has 5-axis In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS). This was another critical requirement for me. IBIS allows me to shoot with vintage manual focus lenses at slower shutter speeds while still getting sharp handheld images. It's also invaluable for travel photography when you're shooting in low-light situations like churches, museums, or evening street scenes where you can't use a tripod. The Leica CL lacks IBIS, which was one of the main reasons I switched to the Nikon Zf.

What is the battery life like on the Nikon Zf?

The Nikon Zf has significantly better battery life than my Leica mirrorless cameras. While Leica mirrorless cameras have notoriously short battery life (I always carried 3-4 batteries), the Nikon Zf's EN-EL15c battery provides enough power for a full day of travel photography on a single charge. This is a huge advantage for hiking trips where you might not have access to power for recharging. I typically carry two batteries for the Nikon Zf and rarely need the second one, whereas with the Leica CL I'd go through multiple batteries in a day.

Can you use vintage lenses on the Nikon Zf?

Absolutely! The Nikon Zf is fantastic for vintage lenses, which is one reason I love it. With the FTZ II adapter, you can use Nikon F-mount lenses, and with various adapters you can mount Leica M, M42, Canon FD, and many other vintage lenses. The combination of focus peaking, IBIS, and the high-resolution EVF makes manual focusing a joy. I regularly shoot with vintage glass on my Nikon Zf when traveling, and the IBIS compensates for the lack of optical stabilization in older lenses. This was impossible with the Leica CL which lacks IBIS.

Is the Nikon Zf worth it over the Leica CL?

It depends on your priorities. The Nikon Zf is worth it if you need weather sealing, IBIS, better low-light performance (full-frame vs crop sensor), and longer battery life. These were all critical requirements for my hiking and travel photography. The Leica CL is worth considering if you prioritize extreme portability, the Leica color science, and compact size above all else. For me, the practical advantages of the Nikon Zf (weather sealing especially) outweighed the Leica CL's size advantage. After nearly losing my Leica CL to rain in England, the choice became clear.

What focal lengths work best for travel photography on the Nikon Zf?

For travel photography on the Nikon Zf, I primarily use the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 S lens because it's lightweight, sharp, and versatile. The full-frame sensor means you get the classic 50mm field of view, which works for everything from street scenes to portraits. I also adapt vintage lenses, particularly 35mm focal lengths, when I want a wider perspective for landscapes or architecture. The beauty of the Nikon Zf's IBIS is that I can handhold even at slower shutter speeds, so I'm not limited by the lack of stabilization in vintage glass. For hiking trips, I keep my kit minimal - usually just the 50mm f/1.8 S and maybe one adapted vintage lens.

So for now, this is my new travel and street machine. It has wonderful rendition and is a joy to shoot with. I look forward to taking it on outings now and I have the 50mm f1.8 S lens if I want auto focus and to be able to access all the special features that have to do with the auto focus system.

Going forward, there will be more about this machine as well as the two Leica cameras I use. You see, those two machines are also wonderful cameras and I still enjoy using them too—I use them for certain things as I have found. The Leica CL still comes with me on city trips where weight matters. The Leica SL2 is my studio and portrait camera. But for travel photography where weather and versatility matter? The Nikon Zf is now my go-to.

Are you considering the Nikon Zf for travel photography? Or have you made a similar switch from one camera system to another? I'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!

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