How HUGE is the DF? Look and see!

[Keith]

I'm always surprised when people comment that they think the M9 is a little porky ...it's as small as fits comfortably in an average pair of hands remembering my M8.

The 'core' of the DF appears to be about the same size as the M9 ... but it has a lot more bits poking out!

 

[swoop]

I'm always surprised when people comment that they think the M9 is a little porky ...it's as small as fits comfortably in an average pair of hands remembering my M8.

The 'core' of the DF appears to be about the same size as the M9 ... but it has a lot more bits poking out!

I think a lot of that perception of M9 fatness has to do with the fact that it is fatter than the film bodies. It did take some getting used to but when you work with both regularly it's kinda irritating that the M8/M9/M240 is fatter than the film bodies. Personally I just ditched film and it doesn't bother me anymore because I have nothing to compare it to.

 

[Keith]

I think a lot of that perception of M9 fatness has to do with the fact that it is fatter than the film bodies. It did take some getting used to but when you work with both regularly it's kinda irritating that the M8/M9/M240 is fatter than the film bodies. Personally I just ditched film and it doesn't bother me anymore because I have nothing to compare it to.

Yes ... it's the comparison to the film bodies that creates the perception which is odd because I get the same sensation when I compare my D700 to my F6. The two cameras are very close in dimensions but the D700 feels like a gut buster compared to it's film sister.

 

[--s]

The comparison is like back in the days of film, when you compared an FM2 against an M6- very similar size plus the prism and larger lenses on the Nikon.

 

[jsrockit]

The x-pro1 is leica size, and therefor perfect. Sometimes smaller isn't better!

Agreed....

 

[______]

I don't think the aerial photos of the Nikon Df vs. Leica M9 with comparable lenses give you a true sense of the size difference. Once you hold them in you hands (or around your neck) and shoot some photos, the size difference becomes apparent. Even more so with the Sony A7/A7R.

 

[Baby of Macon]

I think its not just overall size. I tried a Df in my local shop and thought it was very ungainly - especially in terms of width. In a similar vein, I started to get nostalgic for my M8 last year and tried an M 240 but thought it was really porky as well. I find it funny how the pro Nikons get criticised, when for me the positive tradeoff between weight and ergonomics makes them fabulous cameras to handle.(I bought an X Pro 1 instead of giving in to Leica lust but I have to say that I still tend to grab the Nikons.

 

[swoop]

I've only had it 18 months and this is the third trip to Leica.

For what? I've had an M9 for 4+ years and it's been perfect from day one.

 

[Highway 61]

Nice to see ... it looks approximately F3 sized, not FM sized, which is fine.

The Df is noticeably bigger than the F3.

The camera it's the closest to in terms of size is the D600/610. By 99.99%.

Ditto for the weight.

The mini-Spiderman photo is in focus but suffers from camera shake. At 1/30s with a 50mm lens in front of a 16MP sensor, this is pretty unavoidable handheld - unless you are a zen master.

 

[dcsang]

For what? I've had an M9 for 4+ years and it's been perfect from day one.

May say something about Leica's quality control.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[2WK]

For what? I've had an M9 for 4+ years and it's been perfect from day one.

Ive have my Mono since July and its been back 3 times as well.

1. sensor covered with oil & RF off
2. uh..RF still off, or 50 lux needs adjusting.
3. omg are u kidding me its still off?!

Regaring the size. Progression seems to bring on the lbs. Dumb comparison, but look at the new challengers, camaros & mustangs. Looks like they have been hitting the drive-thru too much!

 

[x-ray]

My M9 has been in for a sensor replacement / strange color casts in parts of the image, replacement of the main board, lens and RF calibration, and now at NJ again for RF adjustment and lens interface problem. Inconsistent focus errors. I bought it new along with a new 35 mm summilux foe, 50 aaph summilux and 24 Elmar. The elmar was the only one out of five lenses working properly. My 75 Summilux and 90 api asph Summicron were not focusing properly and my 90 has been back three times also.

This is all in 18 month and the body and three lenses were new.

As far as Nikon problems and i have honestly shot tens of thousands of rolls and an unknown number of frames with the digital bodies I've had. I have had one rewind gear in one of my F2 motors replaced back in the 80's. I had forgotten I had one of my F4 meters recalibrated and had the PC connector tightened on my D800. I've been using Leicas professionally since 1968 and Nikon since 1970 or 71. The non digital Leicas were great with the exception of a shutter failure on one of my A LA Carte MP's within a year of purchasing it. Leica lenses that I've owned since the 80's have been another story. Several serious mechanical problems. Never any issues with Nikon lenses though.

 

[shadowfox]

I don't think the Nikon Df is too big.
In my mind, the *only* thing that I'd prefer over it is a full-frame Olympus OM-D. 😀

 

[sparrow6224]

Highway 61 --
regarding size, I testified that the Df is "about a quarter inch thicker than the F3 but the same as the F3 in all other dimensions. It's lighter than the F3."

I wrote this with the two cameras sitting next to me on my desk, having just compared them. I don't know the D610/600.

Regarding shake: There is a hint of blurring there but as it's a 100 percent crop it's fairly invisible in most cases I think. My arms were braced on the tabletop; I'm not sure it would be better at the recommended 1/60 with the associated loss of focus depth and/or increase in noise.

 

[Highway 61]

 

[Addy101]

The first time I saw a Leica M in the flesh I was shocked how big it was. And that was a film M 😱

People who like and want or bought a Df are trying too hard to justify it. Ol' Kenny got it right:

The Df is a great camera for we long-time Nikon shooters. It's a camera we own for love and magic, not for logic's sake. We buy the Df with our hearts, not our brains. If you're a photographic artist, you want the Df, but if you're a computer technician, you'll prefer the D610 or D800. Nobody buys a Ferrari because they need one or because it makes sense either.

 

[kbg32]

I think what throws eveything off, is all the dials and buttons that hang off the DF. The Leica is so "clean" in that regard.

 

[Particular]

If the purpose of this thread is to convince me that the Df is not big, it is not working.