My new Nikon Df
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Rob-F
Likes Leicas
How do others find the handholding comfort? I held one in the store, and thought the grip was more fatiguing to hold compared to my D700. It seemed shorter, so that my pinkie, which kept winding up under the camera, felt strained. My D700's grip seems more up to dealing with the weight and bulk of a DSLR. Anyone else have that reaction?
x-ray
Veteran
I bought one in November and it's becoming my favorite camera.
I don't have any issue hdi g it for long periods. I cradle under the lens with my left hand putting most of the weight on that hand. I find it more stable with all cameras.
I've grown very fond of the Df. I'm a longtime Nikon user going back to the F in the late 60's. I've set my camera up to function like an F. I use AIS lenses and use the shutter speed dial and F stops just like my F's. It feels so natural. I also have a great set of G glass that I use on my D800 that I can use if I wasn't zooms and modern looking glass.
I did purchase a Focusingscreens.com microprism screen. I'll say it wasn't a big deal focusing with the standard screen particularly confirming focus with the green dot if needed. The focusingscreen.com screen is a bit darker and a bit easier to focus but I still use the green dot sometimes. I'm not really sure my eyes, and they're very good, are good enough for precise focus without the dot. Digital is just less forgiving to focus than film. I think it's because we pixel peep at high magnifications vs a 6x loupe with film.
I wound up putting the stock screen in again and I'm still deciding which I like best. I may order a split image and try it too.
I really love going back to manual focus lenses. The only AF I use on it routinely is an 85 f1.4D that is simply magic at 1.4. My other favorites are my 35 f1.4 and 50 1.2. They too are magic. The 28 f2.8 and 105 f2.5 are exceptional lenses as well.
Besides the ergonomics the high ISO is amazing. I've had to crank up ISO on both my D800 and Df under terrible lighting and the Df is the clear winner.
I hope Nikon continues to expand the Df system. I would love to see a selection of Nikon screens but the aftermarket will work. Nikon still makes a nice lineup of MF lenses ant there are plenty good used ones but I'd guess as demand rises so will prices. I'd love to we a dedicated B&W camera and another with the D800/810 sensor and processing. IMO this would be a near perfect lineup of cameras with the ability to use vintage and modern G glass.
I don't have any issue hdi g it for long periods. I cradle under the lens with my left hand putting most of the weight on that hand. I find it more stable with all cameras.
I've grown very fond of the Df. I'm a longtime Nikon user going back to the F in the late 60's. I've set my camera up to function like an F. I use AIS lenses and use the shutter speed dial and F stops just like my F's. It feels so natural. I also have a great set of G glass that I use on my D800 that I can use if I wasn't zooms and modern looking glass.
I did purchase a Focusingscreens.com microprism screen. I'll say it wasn't a big deal focusing with the standard screen particularly confirming focus with the green dot if needed. The focusingscreen.com screen is a bit darker and a bit easier to focus but I still use the green dot sometimes. I'm not really sure my eyes, and they're very good, are good enough for precise focus without the dot. Digital is just less forgiving to focus than film. I think it's because we pixel peep at high magnifications vs a 6x loupe with film.
I wound up putting the stock screen in again and I'm still deciding which I like best. I may order a split image and try it too.
I really love going back to manual focus lenses. The only AF I use on it routinely is an 85 f1.4D that is simply magic at 1.4. My other favorites are my 35 f1.4 and 50 1.2. They too are magic. The 28 f2.8 and 105 f2.5 are exceptional lenses as well.
Besides the ergonomics the high ISO is amazing. I've had to crank up ISO on both my D800 and Df under terrible lighting and the Df is the clear winner.
I hope Nikon continues to expand the Df system. I would love to see a selection of Nikon screens but the aftermarket will work. Nikon still makes a nice lineup of MF lenses ant there are plenty good used ones but I'd guess as demand rises so will prices. I'd love to we a dedicated B&W camera and another with the D800/810 sensor and processing. IMO this would be a near perfect lineup of cameras with the ability to use vintage and modern G glass.
dasuess
Nikon Freak
While a bit larger than my F, the Df seems lighter. Holding it seems as natural as holding my F. I use two hands while shooting, cradling/focusing with my left and operating the shutter button with my right. I have always been a neck strap user and the Df seems well suited to use with a neck strap - and the strap included with the camera is very nice and comfortable.
judsonzhao
Well-known
It's an awesome camera, having the arguably best CMOS in the market, especially if you are not looking for megapixels. But I do find its AF bit inferior comparing to top-notch DSLRs, but that's just some nerdy thought..
mfunnell
Shaken, so blurred
I would have thought that:
a) you wouldn't buy a Df if autofocus was your big thing;
b) all Nikons are top-notch cameras; (genuinely, they are) and...
c) if you wanted really good autofocus you'd buy a Canon
But that's just me 😛
...Mike
x-ray
Veteran
Do you own one?
I've had mine since November and admit most of the time I use MF lenses but when I use it with my G series 16-35, 24-70, 85, 70-200vrII and 300 I find it every bit as good as my D800. I've used both side by side under very low light and neither had any problem licking on the subject. In fact I found with both I had a very high success rate, much better than I could do manually focusing.
KEH
Well-known
I just bought one after using its sister, the D4s, for wildlife photography in Botswana. In addition to the high ISO, that sensor just renders beautifully.
The Df is small and light, and yes, it does have some quirks when it comes to the interface. But I am really enjoying shooting with the big bright viewfinder after using mirrorless for quite a while.
The f1.8G lenses are also excellent. This using the 35mm yesterday:
Cheers,
Kirk
The Df is small and light, and yes, it does have some quirks when it comes to the interface. But I am really enjoying shooting with the big bright viewfinder after using mirrorless for quite a while.
The f1.8G lenses are also excellent. This using the 35mm yesterday:
Cheers,
Kirk
Trooper
Well-known
The Nikon DF seems to be the Digital SLR I've dreamed of for 15 years or more. My brother and I adopted digital early with a used Nikon E2 in about 1999. It worked, but obviously it wasn't going to replace film. The E2 was larger than my F4s by a considerable margin, and the Nikon FE was my main camera.
This DF isn't as small as the FE, but it does have the dedicated knobs and dials that I crave. The knobs and dials are the reason I never upgraded the F4s. I won't by the DF new, but certainly in a few years to replace my aging D200.
This DF isn't as small as the FE, but it does have the dedicated knobs and dials that I crave. The knobs and dials are the reason I never upgraded the F4s. I won't by the DF new, but certainly in a few years to replace my aging D200.
uhoh7
Veteran
But don't you guys find yourself being suddenly led off to obscure but exotic locations by the camera?
That has to be distracting.
Lol
That has to be distracting.
Lol
ray*j*gun
Veteran
Thanks Roger!
dasuess
Nikon Freak
Here is link with a very in depth procedure for performing the basic AI conversion yourself:
http://pindelski.org/Photography/2013/02/06/nikkor-ai-conversions-diy/
I think I will be doing all my lenses myself using this procedure, except for my 55/f3.5 Micro-Nikkor, which appears to be a bit more involved.
I have also been on a bit of a pre-AI MF lens acquisition rampage having purchased three used non-AI lenses during the past week.
robert blu
quiet photographer
Interesting thread. I shoot both film and a little digital (Leica x1). For film beside my m7 i have two Nikon: f100 and FM2. Recently I use more the FM2 with a 50mm (1,4 AIS) and a 20mm ( 2,8 AF-D, bought mainly for my f100). I plan to buy a more versatile camera compared to the x1 and the Nikon DF could be that. To use simply with the 50 and eventually the 20. Never had one in my (small) hands. All infos and comments from the actual owner is interesting for me. Thanks.
robert
robert
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