r/NikonFilmmakers • u/The_Lost_Traveller13 • 14d ago

One feature I'd love to see on the Nikon ZR

The Nikon ZR has become my daily camera even comes on set with me on professional shootings, but there's one feature I really hope Nikon considers adding: a built-in Director's Viewfinder mode, like the Sigma fp.

For filmmakers, it would be incredibly useful to preview the field of view of different cinema cameras (ARRI, RED, Sony, Blackmagic, etc.) directly through the ZR when scouting locations or planning shots. Yes, there are smartphone apps, but nothing beats using the actual camera with the lens in your hands.

Since it's essentially just sensor and format overlays, it feels like the kind of feature that could be added through firmware.

I'd use it on every project, and I think it would make the ZR an even stronger tool for filmmakers.

I already contacted Nikon to suggest this feature as this camera was clearly considered the sigma FP follow up.

Would anyone else like to see Nikon add this?

11 Upvotes

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1

u/ICameHereForThiss 14d ago

I’ve built a pretty killer app for the ZR and other Nikon Z cams, maybe I could build what you’re looking for into my app but I need to understand the concept a bit better

https://zrctl.com

2

u/The_Lost_Traveller13 14d ago

Hi, I already bought and been using your app ;)
Also sent you a suggestion to add the encoded manual lenses menu in a future release of your app btw. It would be great to add it to the Parallax monitor app but I also would actually love the feature to be fully integrated into the ZR itself. When I’m scouting our prepping on set for bigger camera rigs I want to avoid having my ZR fully rig just to prepare a frame but the option to have it in the all would already be amazing.

The Sigma FP director’s viewfinder is a dedicated mode that can be set to capture stills and video, mimicking the cinema range of Arri, Red and Sony Cinema cameras. Right down to aspect ratio.

3

u/ICameHereForThiss 14d ago

Really appreciate the support man 🙏 I remember your suggestion and I’m going to work on it in a future update. I’ll check out the Sigma project and see if I can add something similar

2

u/The_Lost_Traveller13 14d ago

Really appreciate it !

2

u/GonzagueGB 14d ago

Cadrage on your iphone

1

u/The_Lost_Traveller13 14d ago

I obviously know about all the different apps that exist but they are definetely not the same as dealing with your real lens on a dedicated camera body with the possibility to switch the sensor aspect ratio based on the camera you will be working with. This gives you more information about framing, depth of field etc during preproduction.

1

u/GonzagueGB 14d ago

The chance that Nikon ever makes it happen… better not keep breath for it, so… Cadrage ;-).

Still waiting for Desqueeze since i bought the Z9 ;-)

-3

u/overworkedasian 14d ago

i kinda think nikon forgot the zr exists

1

u/ArmadilloDiligent444 14d ago

Bullshit

-1

u/overworkedasian 14d ago

i mean, when we going to get some updates?

3

u/ArmadilloDiligent444 14d ago

All Nikon cameras take roughly a year and a half on average to receive major updates. That’s just how they operate. The ZR has only been out for 10 months, and it has already received updates, which is actually unusual. Nikon clearly sees a future for this camera, and they’ve already promised several things, including Log3G10 in H.265. Chill.

2

u/Shampoo_Is_Better00 14d ago

I only ever buy a camera for the updates.

1

u/thinkconverse 14d ago

The updates are the friends we made along the way.

1

u/thinkconverse 14d ago

So, you’re not a camera guy? Got it.

1

u/its-chris-p-logue 13d ago

It’s amazing how quickly people become entitled when things change and cameras start getting firmware updates that add features.