Nikon DF Images and Experiences...

[Yokosuka Mike]

Wish the Df will get an upgrade but most likely that's not going to happen. One advantage is not having to convert (almost all) older non-AI Nikkors, and the camera recognizing the aperture setting and saving it in the metadata.

55 1.2 S

20cm f4Q
RJL_2486 by Maryland Photos, on Flickr

For those who are wondering, the guy did end up riding along safely after the momentary distraction 🙂 🙂

Man, I hate to say it but I'm the kind of guy that is on the bike.

P.S. Great shot! And, BTW, I wanted to fall in love with the DF but it just didn't feel good in my hands.

All the best,
Mike

 

[kshapero]

I recently bought another Df - my fourth. Each time I've sold a Df I've bought another not long after. The reason I keep buying back into the Df is that it just about ticks all the boxes for me as far as a photographic tool is concerned. It's reasonably light, has a very good OVF, manual controls, great sensor, uses relatively inexpensive high quality lenses that are in plentiful supply and feels like an old school SLR in operation. Finally, it is a real pleasure to use. I've always known these things - it was why I bought my first after much research. I am determined to keep this one - rebuying is expensive 🙂

As an aside if you'd like a new one Nikon UK are selling them for £1599.

You are inspiring me to repurchase a DF. I still have a few wonderful Non Ai lenses sitting around. Seeing prices dropping to under $1100 with decent mileage. Should I?

 

[helen.HH]

This camera has always intrigued me

Does it take Nikkor RFF lenses too ??

 

[Gid]

You are inspiring me to repurchase a DF. I still have a few wonderful Non Ai lenses sitting around. Seeing prices dropping to under $1100 with decent mileage. Should I?

Given your love of the FE etc, I imagine that the digital equivalent could be attractive especially as you know what you'd be getting 😉 - and you've got the lenses 😎

I paid £950 for an excellent example with less than 2000 clicks. I could barely have bought an M8 for that or an M9 for twice that and imho based on my experience with several M8s, M9s and M240s is a much better buy. That doesn't mean the Leicas are not OK, I just prefer what you get with the Df (did I mention the inexpensive lenses?😀)

 

[ruby.monkey]

This camera has always intrigued me

Does it take Nikkor RFF lenses too ??

Rangefinder lenses? Not sanely - it's an SLR.

 

[Timmyjoe]

This camera has always intrigued me

Does it take Nikkor RFF lenses too ??

Hi Helen,

Because of the different Flange Focal Distance of Nikon rangefinder lenses, compared to Nikon SLR lenses, the Nikon Df can't use Nikkor RFF lenses. A Nikon Z6 or Z7 on the other hand can use both Nikkor RFF & Nikkor SLR & DSLR lenses.

But don't write the Nikon Df off. I can still use all those beautiful Nikkor SLR lenses from the early 1960's thru the late 1970's. I've had great success with the following lenses, some non-AI, some converted to AI:

-Nikkor-UD 20mm f3.5
-Nikkor 28mm f2.8
-Nikkor-OC 35mm f2
-Nikkor-S Auto 50mm f1.4
-Nikkor 50mm f1.2
-Micro-Nikkor 55mm f2.8
-Nikkor-H 85mm f1.8
-Nikkor 105mm f2.5
-Nikkor 300mm f4.5

In particular, the 20mm, 35mm, and 105mm really sing when attached to the Nikon Df.

Hope that helps.

Best,
-Tim

 

[Timmyjoe]

The one accessory for the Nikon Df that I really love is the grip Nikon made for it.

Nikon Df-GR1

Unfortunately I'm not sure they were ever sold in the States, I had to get mine from Japan.

Best,
-Tim

 

[NickTrop]

The Df is not for me. That said, I totally get it. Igore the naysayers and enjoy it. A Df with 50/1.8 AI pancake (not E series) would be a nice one lens, one body set-up.

 

[Fraser]

I would have kept my Df but and I really liked it the accuracy of the autofocus was not very good, that really didn't bother me at first as I was always using manual lenses but then started using more af lenses. Then I had a chance of a D810really cheap got that and realised couldn't keep them both. But the Df is a great everyday camera for walking around and no matter what anyone says it is a lot smaller and lighter than most DSLRs.

 

[Gid]

I would have kept my Df but and I really liked it the accuracy of the autofocus was not very good, that really didn't bother me at first as I was always using manual lenses but then started using more af lenses. Then I had a chance of a D810really cheap got that and realised couldn't keep them both. But the Df is a great everyday camera for walking around and no matter what anyone says it is a lot smaller and lighter than most DSLRs.

I've never had any significant AF accuracy problems with any of the four I've had/have - I generally use centre point only, so that may help, and centre point with 9 point group on continuous for anything that might move. Thom Hogan's review of the Df suggests the AF of the Df is generally fine. However, as I often use MF lenses AF performance, for me, is moot. Now, if you get a dodgy one then it's no fun :bang:

 

[Timmyjoe]

I agree Gid, and as we discussed elsewhere, one issue to keep in mind with the Df is that the diopter adjuster does not lock like it does on many Nikon DSLR's and it is easy to knock it out of adjustment just pulling the camera out of a camera bag. If you don't check that it's set properly each time you start shooting with it, with MF lenses, you can get some very soft images.

Best,
-Tim