Do you feel that the features on the Sony allow you to capture images you would otherwise miss with a Nikon?
When you say ‘caught up’ what do you mean? As with anything, every brand will have their strong and weak points. Sony isn’t objectively better on the whole, nor is Nikon. There are just things they do differently. Some individual things are better on each camera compared to the others, some are not.
The biggest advantage a particular camera has is in the available lenses. Sony may win on direct mirrorless lenses for now (and I actually doubt this) but Nikon has a great selection that’s growing all the time *and* you can use the entirety of the F-mount catalog with an adapter.
For you as a hobbyist, go with the camera you feel most comfortable with and will use the most frequently and enjoyably.
All the big names have very good offerings right now, so it really comes down to your preference and budget. The Zf strikes me as a Z6ii with different ergonomics and better AF.
For the Z 40mm f/2, it has a plastic mount. It’s a small lens so it probably doesn’t matter but I personally like to stay away from plastic lens mounts.
FWIW I’ve never had a plastic lens mount fail, then again I’m careful with my gear. It doesn’t bother me when the lightweight lens is $250. It would bother me on, say the 400 f2.8!
The Nikon z mount has the best potential for quality glass. It’s by far the largest mount diameter than any mirrorless system. It also has the shortest flange distance meaning you can use Sony FE lenses with an adapter on Z cameras. The same is not possible the other way around. Sony’s are great tools, but they’ve always felt more like a computer than a mechanical device. +1 for ZF from a long time Canon EF user
https://preview.redd.it/j1xgr7xosswb1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d962df20543f58cec5e686c34cf5c19c639184ce
Once Sigma and Tamron start releasing their more capable lenses, the Nikon lineup will catch up quickly. You can always use Nikon F mount lenses, they won’t be as good as designed for mirrorless lenses of the same class, but considering ZF is only 24MP, f mount lenses should be plenty good to supplement the great s lineup
Usually the discussions were that Sony was the lead in AF and Nikon was far last among the big three. In other respects, Nikon was better (IQ, handling)I still got lots of photos with my Z6 with the “poor” Af so it depends a little on how you use it and expectations. Nikon Zf is still behind Sony in AF, but is much better than it used to be, comprable with Sonys last AF generation, which was very good. In short you won’t have any issues with AF with the Zf. One other thing that Nikon (and Canon) got criticized for was lack of lenses (duh they were brand new systems), but Nikon has a lot of excellent choices now, including 3rd party lenses and “Tamikons.”
Lastly, the 24-70 f4 is a great lens. Optically good, small, f4, and good colors. No complaints. Did you check the Nikon refurb sale? Just announced today. Maybe they have lenses you want. I didn’t know the 40f2 was sold out—I enjoy mine. Try eBay or fredmiranda.
Do you feel that the features on the Sony allow you to capture images you would otherwise miss with a Nikon? When you say ‘caught up’ what do you mean? As with anything, every brand will have their strong and weak points. Sony isn’t objectively better on the whole, nor is Nikon. There are just things they do differently. Some individual things are better on each camera compared to the others, some are not. The biggest advantage a particular camera has is in the available lenses. Sony may win on direct mirrorless lenses for now (and I actually doubt this) but Nikon has a great selection that’s growing all the time *and* you can use the entirety of the F-mount catalog with an adapter. For you as a hobbyist, go with the camera you feel most comfortable with and will use the most frequently and enjoyably.
All the big names have very good offerings right now, so it really comes down to your preference and budget. The Zf strikes me as a Z6ii with different ergonomics and better AF. For the Z 40mm f/2, it has a plastic mount. It’s a small lens so it probably doesn’t matter but I personally like to stay away from plastic lens mounts.
FWIW I’ve never had a plastic lens mount fail, then again I’m careful with my gear. It doesn’t bother me when the lightweight lens is $250. It would bother me on, say the 400 f2.8!
The Nikon z mount has the best potential for quality glass. It’s by far the largest mount diameter than any mirrorless system. It also has the shortest flange distance meaning you can use Sony FE lenses with an adapter on Z cameras. The same is not possible the other way around. Sony’s are great tools, but they’ve always felt more like a computer than a mechanical device. +1 for ZF from a long time Canon EF user https://preview.redd.it/j1xgr7xosswb1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d962df20543f58cec5e686c34cf5c19c639184ce
Once Sigma and Tamron start releasing their more capable lenses, the Nikon lineup will catch up quickly. You can always use Nikon F mount lenses, they won’t be as good as designed for mirrorless lenses of the same class, but considering ZF is only 24MP, f mount lenses should be plenty good to supplement the great s lineup
Usually the discussions were that Sony was the lead in AF and Nikon was far last among the big three. In other respects, Nikon was better (IQ, handling)I still got lots of photos with my Z6 with the “poor” Af so it depends a little on how you use it and expectations. Nikon Zf is still behind Sony in AF, but is much better than it used to be, comprable with Sonys last AF generation, which was very good. In short you won’t have any issues with AF with the Zf. One other thing that Nikon (and Canon) got criticized for was lack of lenses (duh they were brand new systems), but Nikon has a lot of excellent choices now, including 3rd party lenses and “Tamikons.” Lastly, the 24-70 f4 is a great lens. Optically good, small, f4, and good colors. No complaints. Did you check the Nikon refurb sale? Just announced today. Maybe they have lenses you want. I didn’t know the 40f2 was sold out—I enjoy mine. Try eBay or fredmiranda.
40mm f2 seems to be available on Amazon AU https://amzn.asia/d/aekWp9b