If you are not interested in technical details, you can skip all the text and just look at the pictures.

For a while I have been struggling to justify owning a Nikon Z30 alongside my Nikon Z6II and all my film cameras. When I want to pack light, photograph consciously or bring along the camera “just in case”, I prefer bringing my film cameras. When I know I will be taking a lot of pictures, possibly of faster action, I bring my Z6II. Where does that leave my Z30?

After using a lot of my old manual Minolta glass on both the film cameras and adapted on my Z6II, I became more confident with the idea of not having autofocus. Currently, the only use case I see for my Z30 is when I travel light and/or want to bring a camera “just in case”, and don’t want to shoot film, either because I will shoot a lot, need the results fast or in low-light situations. I wouldn’t trust my Z30 to survive a downpour, so rainy conditions are not a potential use case. In any case, I came to the conclusion that without a tiny lens, the Z30 would see no action for most of the year. I didn’t want to spend +200€ on a Z DX 24mm f1.7, and it would be a bit too big to be useful for me, so I bought the ultra cheap, tiny, manual focusing TT Artisan 25mm f2 for 70€.

First, I took the camera and lens on an evening walk through Vienna’s Volksgarten. It was late, there was not a lot of light available and in order not to be too annoying, I took only a handful of pictures.

Next, I took the camera on a short walk to Liechtenstein Castle. It was midday and there was a lot of harsh light. We were late for a lunch appointment, so I had only 5 minutes.

All in all, I am not overwhelmed, especially when compared to the pictures I took on film at about the same time of year, but still fairly pleased with the pictures and will probably keep my Z30. In combination with the TT Artisan, it is unambiguous and lightweight enough to bring with me everywhere. I am sure I will question my choice soon, but whatever I do, that’s a given.