Df2, what I would like to see

I think the DF2 would be great if they put ergonomically-positioned front and rear controls dials on a functional hand-sized grip and included a proper modern auto focus system equivalent or better than other cameras in its price range. It should have a durable weather sealed full metal body and fast, responsive performance, with a top LCD that takes the guesswork out of where the settings are.... It could keep the pre-AI lens mount from the current DF.

Then it would be faster than a D610 and less fussy than a D800, and ideally hit a price point in between.

They could always do some self-adhesive stickers and some Brass accessory knobs for styling/bling, perhaps add some more Instagram-type filters and a "slow" mode for nostalgia's sake and extra profit. Should be ready in about four years ;-p
 
If a digital camera had no screen:

It would be difficult to tell if you are using the right memory card
It would be difficult to tell if the card is formatted.
You have no guarantee the card isn't corrupted.
You would need manual controls to format a card.

Digital files are far less forgiving than c41 and require much more specific exposure.
It just seems like a daft idea to me personally.
 
gavinlg said:
If a digital camera had no screen:

It would be difficult to tell if you are using the right memory card
It would be difficult to tell if the card is formatted.
You have no guarantee the card isn't corrupted.
You would need manual controls to format a card.

Digital files are far less forgiving than c41 and require much more specific exposure.
It just seems like a daft idea to me personally.
Click to expand...

Very well said. Totally agree on this. Especially re. the exposure. What a pain in the ass sometimes, even when shooting RAW only. Getting back home with a full card just to discover that the highlights are blown out on all your pics wouldn't be fun.

About the Df : sad (sort of) to see that some nice styling and minimalist yet complete and clever functionalities don't seem to be in sight on whichever digital camera Nikon made or is about to make.

The bug doesn't seem to want to leave the soup yet.

Anyway. No big deal.
 
I think modern cameras have too big backside LCD's. They aren't meant to watch movies - to set camera and check exposure small LCD is enough.
My istD has a small one so there's enough space allowing 4-way control to be located more left, not on right where hand should be.
 
I think the LCD has driven confidence away. Did you ever shoot transparency film? Latitude was very narrow especially with Velvia. The best you might expect with any transparency film was 1/2 stop over and 1 under.
 
As to reformatting do it in the computer when you download or have a 2 button format option on camera but I think reformatting with the computer is a better option.
 
For critical exposure situations an LCD screen is a hell of an advantage because as we all know once you blow the highlights with digital that's pretty much it! Reduce the size of it by all means but remove it entirely ... no thanks!
 
x-ray said:
I think the LCD has driven confidence away. Did you ever shoot transparency film? Latitude was very narrow especially with Velvia. The best you might expect with any transparency film was 1/2 stop over and 1 under.
Click to expand...

I'm much more confident when I have a screen! IMO no meter can match a live histogram.
 
I see your point but photographers make photographs not histograms...often breathtaking picture has totally wrong histogram and vice versa....we just have to know what we are after and expose accordingly. Histograms are for tourists 🙂 (as from Ice Age)

p.s. of course I get what you mean, as well as there are no proper and wrong histograms, they are just a way to evaluate exposure.
but there's something too clinical, though.
 
I repeat we didn't have a histogram with film and exposing transparency film is much more critical than a raw digital file. I'm not debating the LCD is a nice tool but it's not necessary if you have the confidence and skill to use your meter. The Df files are very flexible compared to film. Blow exposure with transparency film there's no recovering. Remember I'm suggesting if you want to check the histogram just launch your app on your phone and browse the card in camera. Hasselblad has phocus which is an app that allows that. I've used it many times with clients. Through wifi my client can view what I'm shooting, browse files and rank them as I shoot. It works great.
 
I saw one at my local camera store at the weekend and was instantly underwhelmed. Suggested improvements:

1. a 100% metal body. The bit under the lens feels like very flimsy plastic
2. no "fake" screws on the front of the prism / head
3. a separate "door" for the memory card - i.e. not in the battery chamber.
4. two memory card slots
5. an f1.4 standard lens (if one must be bundled at all)
6. if they must bring out new lenses with a retro design, do so with non-G technology and DoF markers
7. no rear screen. My hard luck if I can't meter properly / I block shadows / I burn highlights. There's always the option to bracket. Why have to rely on histogram? Why does everything have to be exposed "perfectly"?

Would I buy the original or the second version? Almost certainly no. I'm a life-long Nikon user and have (and still use), F, F2, F3, F5, F6, FE, D700 and D800 bodies. I've wanted a "retro" styled digi body that would work and look seamless with Ai and Ai-S lenses but, IMO, Nikon has completely fudged this opportunity.

Sadly, we seem to have an entire generation of photographers who are over-reliant on technology to provide them with an electronic comfort blanketwhen it comes to the fundamental issue of exposure. I can understand the sensible benefits of auto-focus when it comes to sports / photojournalism but why would we need it for lanscape, travel, still-life, etc?
 
x-ray said:
I repeat we didn't have a histogram with film and exposing transparency film is much more critical than a raw digital file. I'm not debating the LCD is a nice tool but it's not necessary if you have the confidence and skill to use your meter. The Df files are very flexible compared to film. Blow exposure with transparency film there's no recovering. Remember I'm suggesting if you want to check the histogram just launch your app on your phone and browse the card in camera. Hasselblad has phocus which is an app that allows that. I've used it many times with clients. Through wifi my client can view what I'm shooting, browse files and rank them as I shoot. It works great.
Click to expand...

You can also take sharp properly exposed slide film shots with a scale focussing hollowed out potato, without a meter, using the sunny 16 rule, while doing a handstand. OK. I'm being facetious, but you get my point. Generally I don't even have my histogram on (it's kind of distracting) but I'm glad I have it none the less, because there are some situations where it's useful.

I don't see the problem in being reliant on technology, the most important thing is being able to fully understand how the technology operates and master it - regardless of what it is. If things get "easier" it just means the bar should be raised higher. Personally I think it's great that these days near complete idiots can take technically perfect photos - it means that serious photographers can't just rely on technical expertise to set themselves apart, but are forced to think and develop their own vision as to what they're actually about.

Relying on autofocus, auto exposure, screens, and histograms isn't lazy, being uncreative is. How many excess features your camera is like a workman complaining he has too many tools - it should be the least of your problems.
 
• Interchangeable focusing screens with a central focus aid (it can be done - the Canon 1D dSLR series had them)

• The 36 MP Nikon D800 sensor (because of its sensor, my D800E is the most versatile digital camera I've ever used, and I've used a lot, including Leica Ms, Hasselblads, and Canon and Nikon dSLRs).

• More integration of the analogue controls (esp. the shutter speed dial - 1 EV intervals only is RIDICULOUS).

• Less anal analogue controls (i.e. get rid of the "idiot" locks, so they can be adjusted while holding the camera to your eye without needing a third hand).

I was prepared to sell my D800E at a loss to buy this camera, but not when I saw what Nikon had created. Ignoring the sensor (which is a perfectly valid choice by Nikon so I can't really criticise this - but not what I wanted), the implementation of the analogue controls and optimisation for manual focus (none!) mean that the Nikon DF would be less ergonomic for me than my Nikon D800, despite my preference for knobs and dials!

In short, the Nikon DF is more of a style exercise than a tool aimed for serious photographers...

It won't happen, but I'd like the Nikon DF2 to truly be a camera for the working photographer - as efficient and ergonomic as a modern dSLR but with buttons and LCDs replaced by analogue dials with engraved scales. And there's no reason not to have video etc. Analogue controls do not mean a gelded camera!
 
I've read a lot of complaints about the locking dials. I wonder if the people complaining have actually use or even handled the camera for more than thirty seconds. Yes the ISO and exposure compensation lock and require pressing a button to unlock. How often do you change ISO or even can change ISO while the camera is to ones eye. I'll have to look at my D800 but don't think that's possible. I don't use exposure compensation much because I work in manual most of the time but don't think exposure compensation can be changed while the cameras up to ones eye.

As to shutter speed, the only speeds the dial lock at are 1/3 step for using the thumb wheel, X and T. No other speeds lock.

If you think the camera is plastic take a look at Nikons illustration showing the magnesium alloy skeleton and see exactly how much metal is in it. The plastic around the lens mount appears to be nothing more than a cover. I believe the mount is anchored in metal. I seem to remember most of the plastic is the right hand grip. Even the D800 has plastic in it.

The one thing I agree with is we need interchangeable screens. My guess is if it's possible either nikon or a third party will offer them or a service to install optional screens. The stock screen isn't bad but it could certainly be improved.
 
On the D200 through the D700, at least, (if I recall correctly) you can change ISO while the camera is up to your eye because the button is up top on the rewind side and works in conjunction with the command dial. ISO is displayed in the viewfinder.

That said, your point remains... I think I've changed ISO while composing maybe... twice?
 
With all the things that many want to be taken away for the Df MkII

Why not take an junked D610 and put the sensor in a Nikon F3 HP body..
it should be a cheaper conversion than a new $3000 DSLR...😛
 
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