Anyone order a Nikon DF?

[Addy101]

The only thing it has in common with the D610 is the focus system. The end. It's a completely different camera other wise. The guts of the D4 at 1/2 the price is buzzworthy in itself. And I don't find the lack of video crippling. Not everybody wants video. I'd have been happier if they killed the LiveView altogether. If video is your thing this ain't your camera.

You want video? The D5300 is the best Nikon has in video right now. Expeed 4, 1080p 60fps, manual exposure, takes AF, AI, and Non-AI lenses, articulated screen. Only $800. I have one in case I need it and it's great.

If video was my thing, I wouldn't get a Nikon - period.

I don't "need" video, but it is nice to have. You don't have to use it. The D4 can do video, I can't understand why Nikon thinks that people who like old fashioned controls don't want to make videos of their (grand)children once in a while.

To burst your bubble: the Df doesn't have the guts of the D4, it only has the image pipeline without the video capability. Look at this: 1/4000s shutter v 1/8000s; 5.5fps v 11fps; one v two memorycard slots; war zone capable build v normal build; the Df hardly is a D4 in a smaller body. And the sensor and image pipeline aren't that unique to justify this camera, the D800 and D610 sensor are as good or almost as good.

If you like the camera, you like it. Some will prefer the user interface to other cameras, some will like the look of it, some prefer 16mp over 24 or 36, but in the end, I think for most the D610 would be the more rational choice. But hey, if you like the Df, go out and get one.

Meanwhile I'm wondering if I should get the Sony A7(r) as even Digitalrev seems to be positive about these 😱

And I have bought a Nikon Df and am very satisfied with my purchase.

If it is right for you, it is right! And it is difficult to add an F-mount lens to an A-mount camera and vice versa.....

Enjoy it 😎

 

[Addy101]

Not being a current Nikon DSLR user had them in the past (D2h d200 d2x etc), what difference does the DF make when using manual focus lenses compared to D800 or similar or even a Canon DSLR with adapter. Just wondering as I do still have a lot of manual Nikkors and have all but given up shooting film.
Cheers.

Manual focussing will be much easier with a mirrorless camera thanks to things like peaking. With the Sony A7 and A7r we now even have a full frame option. So, unless you're loving the retro styling of the Df or have problems with EVF's, take a look at those Sony's (and if you don't mind APS-C, take a look too at those Fuji's everybody is raving about).

 

[rivercityrocker]

If video was my thing, I wouldn't get a Nikon - period.

I don't "need" video, but it is nice to have. You don't have to use it. The D4 can do video, I can't understand why Nikon thinks that people who like old fashioned controls don't want to make videos of their (grand)children once in a while.

To burst your bubble: the Df doesn't have the guts of the D4, it only has the image pipeline without the video capability. Look at this: 1/4000s shutter v 1/8000s; 5.5fps v 11fps; one v two memorycard slots; war zone capable build v normal build; the Df hardly is a D4 in a smaller body. And the sensor and image pipeline aren't that unique to justify this camera, the D800 and D610 sensor are as good or almost as good.

If you like the camera, you like it. Some will prefer the user interface to other cameras, some will like the look of it, some prefer 16mp over 24 or 36, but in the end, I think for most the D610 would be the more rational choice. But hey, if you like the Df, go out and get one.

Meanwhile I'm wondering if I should get the Sony A7(r) as even Digitalrev seems to be positive about these 😱


If it is right for you, it is right! And it is difficult to add an F-mount lens to an A-mount camera and vice versa.....

Enjoy it 😎

If you don't like it then WHY are you on here wasting your time bitching about it? Seriously go buy a Sony.

 

[f/14]

Not until they shrink the 800E into the size of the Df.

 

[Frank Petronio]

Imagine a forum where people freely discussed and politely argued the pros and cons of different cameras? ;-p

After all, discussing art here is pointless and the other discussions are about camera bags....

 

[Michalm]

In theory we should be getting more niche cameras since the sensors and subsystems are already mature, proven off-the-shelf technology... so putting a D4 or whatever sensor into a body with physical knobs shouldn't be that hard. Likewise we ought to be able to "build" our cameras like a computer... pick a small to large chassis, cheap vs. hi-end sensor, sophisticated or simple AF system, type of control points, heavy versus light power supply, etc.

That would be awesome! And there is no good reason why we can't yet....

Yep , I will take one please- Xpro1 body + 35mm format foveon + monochrome sensors - take my money.

 

[rivercityrocker]

Imagine a forum where people freely discussed and politely argued the pros and cons of different cameras? ;-p

After all, discussing art here is pointless and the other discussions are about camera bags....

I think the problem is that people come to discussions about specific camera to rag on a camera they hate for no reason at all and praise a camera that is in no way comparable to the one that is the topic of discussion.

 

[shadowfox]

If you don't like it then WHY are you on here wasting your time bitching about it? Seriously go buy a Sony.

Wow, I see this kind of tone regularly in other forums.
Wasn't expecting it here on RFF.

 

[Frank Petronio]

I think the problem is that people come to discussions about specific camera to rag on a camera they hate for no reason at all and praise a camera that is in no way comparable to the one that is the topic of discussion.

Well, "to rag on a camera they hate for no reason" isn't really accurate since almost all of the "haters" elaborate why they aren't in love with the particular camera. You may not agree but I haven't yet seen simple hate... only comments that XXX isn't worth the money or is under specified, etc. and usually they are considered comments. Have you seen differently? I mean are people teasing you for buying one or making fun of its protruding knobs? Does the camera have low self-esteem?

And if I am a hater then I'm not very good at it since I wouldn't decline a Nikon DF. I just don't think it's worth the current price for it's specifications. You disagree. I don't hate you....

It's an internet forum for a niche subject. If everyone agreed then it wouldn't be very interesting to visit would it? Are the pixels and bytes somehow harming someone?

 

[rivercityrocker]

Wow, I see this kind of tone regularly in other forums.
Wasn't expecting it here on RFF.

The person that was directed to has been harping on the same issues over and over and over. It reached a point where it's not even adding anything to the conversation.

 

[kxl]

As others have said, the DF offers nothing new; also, as I have stated, we are now at an age where a lot of higher end bodies offer comparable IQ. So, not to state the obvious, but what Nikon has done is target organic growth by creating a product that appeals to the >40-yr-old Nikonistas with a house full of Nikon F film bodies and AI and non-AI lenses.

From a product development perspective, it is brilliant!. I just don't know why it took them this long to come up with it.

 

[rivercityrocker]

Well, "to rag on a camera they hate for no reason" isn't really accurate since almost all of the "haters" elaborate why they aren't in love with the particular camera. You may not agree but I haven't yet seen simple hate... only comments that XXX isn't worth the money or is under specified, etc. and usually they are considered comments. Have you seen differently? I mean are people teasing you for buying one or making fun of its protruding knobs? Does the camera have low self-esteem?

And if I am a hater then I'm not very good at it since I wouldn't decline a Nikon DF. I just don't think it's worth the current price for it's specifications. You disagree. I don't hate you....

It's an internet forum for a niche subject. If everyone agreed then it wouldn't be very interesting to visit would it? Are the pixels and bytes somehow harming someone?

My comment wasn't directed at you. I don't mind when people have their opinions. It's when one specific person keeps repeating assertions over and over. That person has made it clear that he prefers the A7. His observations on the Dƒ aren't accurate and repeating them without end as well as throwing in little jabs like "to burst your bubble" isn't adding anything. It's turned into trolling.

I'm not here proclaiming the camera is the best thing ever. Look back, I have a few issues with it myself. I could make a laundry list of things I don't like about the A7, but I'd rather answer questions to people that are interested in the Dƒ than go rag on a camera I don't like.

 

[Michalm]

If you don't like it then WHY are you on here wasting your time bitching about it? Seriously go buy a Sony and STFU.

I wonder what makes people on the internet to behave about cameras and camera brands like religious fanatics, and attack one another , this is silly and quite ugly actually.

 

[P. Lynn Miller]

I am quite happy for the Nikon Df to be compared and judged against any other camera that is full-frame digital with a mirror and optical finder. The comparison becomes more relevant if that same camera will natively accept Nikkor F-mount lenses. The comparison becomes much less relevant when compared to cameras with EVF, a rangefinder, crop-sensor.

Yes... one can compare the Nikon Df to a Leica M9, Fuji XPro, or Sony A7, but these are completely different formats of cameras while very capable, the comparison is more about user preference than actual features or performance.

That is my 2 cents...

 

[rivercityrocker]

I wonder what makes people on the internet to behave about cameras and camera brands like religious fanatics, and attack one another , this is silly and quite ugly actually.

I wasn't the one who was acting like a fanatic. I was the one who was attacked with snarky comments about the Dƒ, capped off with a glowing endorsement of the A7.

I honestly don't give a crap what camera someone uses. This person has repeatedly denigrated a camera he doesn't even have. His opinion about it has been repeated a number of times. It's not adding anything to the discussion. Now I am the one being vilified because I don't see the need for someone to keep repeating the same uninformed comments over and over.

My comment in no way defended any camera brand or even intimated that one was better than the other. My comment was intended to be taken exactly as it was typed.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

This is yet another thread where people got a little too out of hand on both sides and started getting a little too heated in their words.
This has happened more frequently lately and is beyond tiresome.
Constructive criticism of a photograph is great but this gear fanaticism is just mud slinging at this point. We all have our preferences. And saying STFU to another member? That's uncalled for.
I hope this behavior is checked soon. Then again, maybe I'll just be told to STFU if I don't like all the bile flowing around the forum.

Phil Forrest

 

[rbsinto]

The problem is the scattering angle of the groundglass grain is not enough so with just a plain groundglass, the focus will not snap like it will with a D screen from an F/F2/F3. The screen in the Df dontinues the current Nikon MO of using lenses with a max aperture of f/2.8 so while you have a very bright screen, due to the scattering angle you can't see the true depth of focus (or lack thereof) when using an ultrafast or telephoto lens nor will the image really snap into focus. This is why I changed the screen in my D3 to a split prism one with a coarser groundglass. I shoot exclusively manual focus lenses on the D3 and with the old stock screen, fine focus wasn't possible just by looking at the viewfinder. Now I have a split prism focusing screen, I can see that within the AF sensor area, the sensitivity spot has too much coverage and while it works quite well, it's not precise enough for me.

Phil Forrest

Today I finally got to play with a Df, and because I only shoot with manual focus Nikkors and third party lenses, I asked the salesman to mount a manual focus lens on the body so I could gauge my ability to focus with the "horrible blank screen" that so many are kvetching about. Images snapped into sharp focus quickly and easily, and virtually every time I considered the image to be in focus, the green Focus Confirmation light agreed with me.
It may not be precise enough for you, but I think it will be more than good enough for me.

 

[wintoid]

The focusing screen was originally reputed to be the same as the one in the D800. Do people now think the DF focusing screen is better?

Funny, for me this is the thing which will make or break the camera.

 

[noimmunity]

One brand releases a product that appeals to the niche user, priced high enough to keep tourists from outside the niche away, gawking on the other side of the window. Another brand releases a product that appeals on paper to multiple niche users, priced low enough to invite exiles and refugees from those niches, as well as people who've been dying for a long time to throw molotov cocktails through the windows of the niche brands/products.

With the decline in overall sales, it's war out there. Sony's pricing was deliberately set to break the market, but ultimately only for the manufacturer's benefit. Nikon's pricing was deliberately set to protect against market volatility.

We're seeing a lot of people, consumers consumed by the conflagration, pour more gasoline on the fire. Ironically, manufacturer panic is becoming a consumers war.

Lynn and RCR have my admiration for NOT feeding this fire. They have simply reported the ways in which this camera finally responds to things that they want to see in ways that other offerings haven't. Each of them has a certain expertise, history and investment with Nikon that makes their experience particularly relevant.

Note: I have never had any Nikon SLR gear nor will I ever have any.

 

[Keith]

This thread has been OK ... a little heated at times but nothing personal.

New cameras seem to do this ... especially when they don't quite deliver what some people were expecting. So 'where' is the perfect camera that we can't argue about? 😀