PHOTO SPECIAL
STREET
You don’t need to be winched into a live volcano – there’s plenty of interesting stuff to shoot just down the road
ZINGIN’ IN THE RAIN
This capture works for several reasons. Firstly, finding the scene before the subject (see tips opposite) means a perfectly straight composition. The central subject pulls our eye in, framed by the trees, and the reflection gives a nice pop of visual flourish.
NIKON Z FC
£899 (body only) / stuff.tv/ZFC
When you’re buzzing around the streets taking snaps of day-to-day life, it’s important to look the part – and Nikon’s Z FC has style in spades.
Taking design inspiration from the company’s classic FE 35mm camera, on the inside the Z FC is every bit the modern-day mirrorless marvel.
It uses the same 20.9MP APS-C sensor, processor, battery and excellent hybrid autofocus system as Nikon’s first mirrorless camera, the Z50, but this isn’t merely a retro reskin. Look past the leatherette coating, fetching round electronic viewfinder and manual dials for shutter speed and ISO (don’t worry, you can easily flick it into auto), and you’ll find a hybrid camera with an 11fps burst speed, 4K video and a magnesium alloy chassis that’s light enough for all-day portability.
Image quality is reliably solid rather than stunning, but this will vary depending on the lens attached. We reviewed the Z FC with a lightweight 16-50mm kit zoom that comes with image stabilisation –a cheap all-rounder that works well for vlogging at its widest 16mm setting – but the company’s new 28mm f/2.8 prime looks to be a better choice for stills photographers. Both these lenses are styled to fit in with the last-century look, and we’re hoping Nikon adds more because modern Nikkor lenses do spoil the old-school vibe.
Nikon is not the first mirrorless camera maker to take the retro road, but it’s heartwarming to see the brand’s history echoed in a model that offers the latest tech. If you’re looking for a shooter with real character, look no further.
Key specs
● 20.9MP APS-C CMOS
● ISO 100-51,200 ● 4K @ 30fps
● 3in 1.04m-dot TFT ● 445g
STUFF SAYS Come for the style, stay for the performance – Nikon’s retro revival combines solid shooting skills with showstopping looks ★★★★✩
STREET TIPS
Frame it first
Finding your frame before you find your subject allows you to create a considered composition. It’ll be worth the wait.
Get in the zone
Focus on an object a set distance away and turn to manual focus. You’ll get sharp shots when anyone enters your zone.
See the light
Everyone shoots people. Instead, consider finding an area of harsh sunlight and capture strange, unique shadows.
ALTERNATIVELY…
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
When shooting on the street you never know what you’re going to encounter, so it’s a good idea to have a phone that’s a top all-rounder. The Max has a trio of lenses and a larger sensor than the standard iPhone 12 Pro. £1099 / apple.com
Nikon D750
MPB pays you up to £655
GET FREE INSTANT QUOTES
There are five kit condition ratings at MPB, from ‘Like new’ to ‘Heavily used’. When you get an instant quote, simply state the model and take your best guess for the condition rating. MPB’s product specialists will do the rest.