Nikon Zf Black & White vs. Leica Monochrom: Did I Waste £5,000?

I spent £5,000 on a camera that only shoots black and white. Then Nikon released a switch that does the same thing for £2,000. So I tested them. Portraits, landscapes, colored filters, infrared. I also injured myself. Multiple times. For science. Here's what I learned: the Monochrom is better. Obviously. But the Zf is closer than I expected. And with the right approach, it can force the same discipline. Plus I made free presets for both Nikon users and everyone else. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - The Hospital (Why Am I Injured?) 0:50 - The Setup 1:28 - Commitment vs. Freedom (Marriage vs. Art Student) 3:03 - The Method (Portraits, Landscapes, Filters) 3:52 - Portrait Test with Hana (This Goes Wrong) 4:53 - Portrait Comparison (Manual WB Lesson) 7:15 - Landscape Test (Red Filter + IR) 8:07 - Landscape Comparison (Deep Tone Disaster) 11:00 - The Verdict (Did I Waste £5,000?) 13:43 - Free Presets (G_Flat & G_Sharp) 15:04 - Post-Credits (One More Injury) --- 📸 THE CAMERAS: Leica M246 Monochrom (2015): ~£3,500 used Nikon Zf (2023): £2,000 new What you get with the Monochrom: No color filter = crisper files Film-like filter behavior Microcontrast and tonal separation Zero mercy for highlights (0.3 stops over = gone) Forces commitment (no color option) What you get with the Zf: Excellent B&W mode (90% of Monochrom quality) 3-stop highlight recovery Flexibility (color + B&W) Manual WB required for filters £3,000 cheaper --- 🔗 WHERE TO BUY (AFFILIATE LINKS): 📷 Leica M246 Monochrom (used): KEH Camera: https://tidd.ly/3MhsB4Z 🔴 Hoya R72 Infrared Filter (the wildcard): Amazon: https://amzn.to/4rynegK 🟡 Yellow/Red Filters for B&W: Yellow: https://amzn.to/3MthMwR Red: https://amzn.to/4tCKE6P ⚠️ Note: I earn a small commission if you buy through these links. Helps pay medical bills. No pressure. --- 🎨 FREE PRESETS - G_FLAT & G_SHARP: 📥 Download: www.kret.jp/blog/gflat-amp-gsharp-free-black-amp-white-presets-no-hospital-visit-required Two black & white presets mimicking my Monochrom workflow: **G_Flat**: Low contrast, flat tones. Think Ilford Delta. **G_Sharp**: Contrasty, punchy. Think Kodak Tri-X. Includes: Nikon Picture Control files (.NP3) for in-camera use Lightroom presets (.XMP) for any RAW file from any camera Full installation instructions They won't make your Zf into a Monochrom. Physics doesn't work that way. But they'll get you closer. --- 📷 MY GEAR (USED IN THIS VIDEO): Cameras tested: Leica M246 Monochrom, Nikon Zf Lenses: Voigtländer 50mm f/1.2 Nokton, Zeiss Biogon 35mm f/2.8 Filters: Yellow (portrait), Red (landscape), Hoya R72 (IR) Medical supplies: Bandages, sling, dignity (all depleted) --- 🔗 SUPPORT THE CHANNEL: ☕ Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/gregkrycinski 🖼️ Buy Prints: https://www.kret.jp/prints 📧 Newsletter: https://greg-krycinski.kit.com/572fa3... 🌐 Website & Free Presets: https://www.kret.jp/ --- 💬 KEY LESSONS: 1. *Manual white balance* when using colored filters on the Zf (critical) 2. *Don't use Deep Tone* with physical red filters (it doubles up) 3. **Monochrom clips at 0.3 stops over**, Zf recovers 3 stops (discipline vs. safety net) 4. *IR filter works on Zf* but requires longer exposures 5. *Crispness ≠ sharpness* (AA filter makes a difference) 6. *High ISO noise character* differs (film grain vs. digital) 7. *Camera comparisons are dangerous* (do not attempt) --- 📬 CONTACT: [email protected] For collaborations, print inquiries, or to tell me I should've used a tripod. --- #nikonzf #leicamonochrom #blackandwhitephotography #monochromecamera #photographygear #camerareview #nikonz #leicam #zfblackandwhite #monochromevscolor #photographycomparison #freepresets #picturecontrol #infraredphotography #filterphotography --- *DISCLAIMER:* No photographers were harmed in the making of this video. Their dignity, however, is another matter. Some links are affiliate links. I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The opinions are my own. The injuries are also my own.