Best Accessories for the Nikon Zf: What I Actually Use

The Nikon Zf is one of the most fun cameras Nikon has made in years — and it genuinely doesn’t need much to be brilliant — but a few small additions can make it far more comfortable and practical day-to-day. After using it for real shooting (not just a quick desk test), I’ve narrowed this list down to the accessories that actually improve the experience, rather than just adding clutter.

If you’re also building out your Nikon kit, you might find my best Nikon Z lenses guide useful and if you want to get your Nikon ZF set up the right way from the beginning then see my article on the best settings for the Nikon ZF.

This article is based on real-world use. I own the Nikon Zf, bought it and the accessories with my own money, and I continue to use it as part of my kit. Every recommendation below has earned its place through repeated use — not hype, not specs lists, and not “because everyone else recommends it”.

SmallRig L-Shaped Grip Extension — Fixing the Nikon Zf’s Biggest Weakness

The Nikon Zf is no doubt one of the prettiest cameras released in a long time. However, the lack of a substantial front grip — combined with the width of the body — means that if you’re not hanging it from your neck with a decent strap, it isn’t the most comfortable camera to hold.

It’s manageable with smaller lenses like the 40mm f/2 SE, but once you start using even relatively compact lenses such as the f/1.8 primes (35mm, 50mm, etc.), the balance begins to feel a little off. Yes, you can — and I do — use a two-handed grip, taking some of the weight in the left hand and using the right to operate the controls. But that still doesn’t solve the issue of carrying the camera comfortably between shots.

The best solution I’ve found is the SmallRig L-shaped grip extension.

It adds a genuinely substantial front grip to the body, giving you enough purchase to comfortably carry the Nikon Zf one-handed for long periods. The grip is well designed and, in use, everything just falls into place. My index finger sits perfectly over the front control dial of the Zf, and for the first time my pinky finger actually has somewhere to go — resting on the grip instead of awkwardly curling underneath the camera body. It’s a small detail, but it makes a surprisingly big difference to how natural and balanced the camera feels in the hand.

That alone transforms how the camera feels day to day — especially if, like me, you don’t always want to rely on a neck strap.

The grip has a soft silicone finish that feels good in the hand, offers excellent grip, and is easy to wipe clean. Importantly, it doesn’t ruin the aesthetics of the Zf. The finish is very close to the camera’s faux leatherette, so it still looks like it belongs there rather than an obvious bolt-on accessory.

At just 102g, it adds very little weight — and more than makes up for that by making the whole camera feel far more comfortable and secure. In real use, the Zf actually feels lighter because the weight is better distributed.

Installation is simple. The grip attaches via a D-ring to the tripod mount, which I personally prefer to grips that rely on an Allen key. Those are far too easy to lose, even when the key is supplied. With the SmallRig grip, fitting and removal takes seconds.

You still have full access to the battery and memory card compartment, and as an added bonus, the base of the grip is Arca-Swiss compatible — making it easy to drop straight onto a tripod if you use one. There are also three threaded mounting points on the bottom for attaching tripod or gimbal plates if needed. Clearance of the rear screen is also not affected by the grip.

Overall, for the price, the SmallRig L-shaped grip is a complete no-brainer if you want to make the Nikon Zf more comfortable for daily use — especially if you don’t always carry the camera on a strap. It’s the first accessory I’d buy for the Zf, and the one that makes the biggest difference.

✴️ Key Benefits
– Transforms the Nikon Zf’s handling for one-handed carry
– Adds a proper front grip without ruining the camera’s aesthetics
– Silicone grip surface provides secure hold and a soft, comfortable feel
– Better finger placement on the front dial and improved pinky support
– Lightweight (102g) yet makes the camera feel more balanced overall
– Quick D-ring attachment — no Allen keys to lose
– Full access to battery and memory card compartment
– Arca-Swiss compatible base for fast tripod mounting

🔁 Who This Isn’t For
If you always wear the Nikon Zf on a good camera strap — like the one I recommend below — then this grip may not be essential for you. When the camera is hanging from your neck or shoulder most of the time, the lack of a front grip is less of an issue.

I personally like having both options. The grip works best when you’re carrying the Zf in and out of a bag all day and want to be able to pick it up comfortably with one hand. A strap works best when you’re just out with the camera and no other gear. Used together, they cover almost every shooting scenario.

Peak Design Camera Leash — The Best Strap Match for the Nikon Zf

If I’m heading out with the Nikon Zf and no bag — just the camera and a lens — this is the strap I reach for. The Peak Design Camera Leash suits the size, weight, and character of the Zf far better than most standard camera straps.

What really sets it apart is the Anchor Link system. Once you’ve used it, it’s hard to go back to threading straps through metal lugs. I keep Peak Design anchors attached to all my cameras, which means I can move the Leash between bodies in seconds — or remove it entirely when I want to shoot without a strap.

Adjustment is quick and genuinely usable one-handed. I can loosen the strap to bring the camera up to my eye, then tighten it again so the Zf sits close to my body while walking. It works well as a neck strap, shoulder strap, or sling, depending on how you prefer to carry the camera.

Importantly, it doesn’t clash with the Zf’s design. The materials are understated, well finished, and don’t distract from the camera itself — which is something I care about with a body like this.

If you want something even more comfortable, I also use the Peak Design Slide Lite. It’s more substantial, works better if you’re regularly attaching heavier lenses to the Nikon Zf, and the wider strap is noticeably more comfortable on longer days.

That said, I often shoot the Zf with just a single prime attached, and in those situations I find the Camera Leash more suitable. The strap material is softer and less stiff than the Slide Lite, and it’s less prone to bunching up near the camera body — which makes it nicer to live with day to day.

Honestly, the ideal situation is to own both and pick and choose depending on the day. But if I had to choose just one strap for the Nikon Zf and the way I shoot it, the Peak Design Camera Leash is the one I’d recommend.

Reliable SD Card — What I Actually Use in the Nikon Zf

The Nikon Zf doesn’t really need many accessories, but this is one area where I don’t compromise. While the Zf does offer a MicroSD card slot as a backup, I don’t use it. MicroSD cards are easier to lose, more fiddly to handle, and not something I want to rely on for a camera I use regularly.

I use SanDisk Extreme Pro SD cards, and for the Nikon Zf I’ve found 256GB to be the perfect size. With a 24MP sensor, the Zf produces very manageable file sizes — nothing like the large RAW files from cameras such as the Z8 — so 256GB gives me plenty of capacity without feeling excessive.

More importantly, I stick with SanDisk because they’ve earned my trust. In over 20 years of shooting, I’ve never had a SanDisk Extreme or Extreme Pro card fail on me — something I can’t say for a few other brands I’ve used over the years. For me, that kind of long-term reliability matters far more than chasing headline speeds on a spec sheet.

If you want to mirror my setup, this is the card I’d recommend:

Peak Design Everyday Sling — The perfect bag for the Nikon Zf

The best Messenger/sling style camera bag I’ve ever used is the Peak Design Everyday Sling. I’ve tried a lot of bags over the years — and I mean a lot. I’ve got bags from Lowepro, Manfrotto, Think Tank, and various no-name brands sitting in my studio — but the Peak Design sling is still the one I reach for most often.

For the Nikon Zf, the 6L version is a perfect match if you want to keep things light. It easily fits the Zf with a prime attached, plus an extra lens or two, while staying compact enough to carry comfortably all day. If you mostly shoot with one camera and a small selection of lenses, this is the size I’d recommend.

That said, the bag I actually use the most — especially for travel — is the 10L version. It gives you far more flexibility without feeling bulky, and it’s ideal if you’re carrying more than one body or want space for accessories and tech.

For reference, I can comfortably fit my Nikon Zf + 40mm f/2 SE and Z6 III (with 50mm f/1.8 lens attached), plus the 85mm 1.8S prime lens. There’s still room for my 13” iPad Pro (in its dedicated sleeve), memory card case, spare batteries (in an internal zippered pocket), cables, a charger, and two power banks — all in the outside zippered pocket. The outer zippered pocket easily swallows the smaller items without everything turning into a mess.

Comfort is a big part of why I keep coming back to this bag. It’s comfortable to carry all day, highly weather resistant (so it keeps rain off your gear while you find cover), and the internal dividers are genuinely flexible rather than fiddly. There’s also a separate internal zippered section that’s ideal for batteries and memory cards, which means you’re not digging around every time you need to swap something.

If you want the lightest possible setup for the Nikon Zf, the Everyday Sling 6L offers the same build quality and design in a smaller package. If you travel, carry multiple lenses, or regularly bring an iPad or other accessories with you, the 10L version is the one I’d choose — and the one I do choose.

Conclusion

The Nikon Zf is a camera I genuinely enjoy using, and one of the reasons for that is that it doesn’t ask much of you. It doesn’t need to be covered in accessories or modified to within an inch of its life. A few small, well-chosen additions are enough to make it more comfortable, more practical, and easier to live with day to day.

Everything I’ve included here has earned its place through regular use. The grip fixes the biggest ergonomic compromise, the strap makes carrying the camera effortless, a reliable SD card removes one more thing to worry about, and the sling bag keeps the whole setup organised without getting in the way. Nothing more, nothing less.

If you value simplicity and enjoy shooting in a more deliberate, unhurried way, the Nikon Zf fits that mindset beautifully. Set it up in a way that supports how you actually shoot, and then forget about the gear and get on with taking photos — which is exactly what this camera encourages you to do.