Nikon Df like film slr

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anerjee

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I'm looking at options to build a digital and film kit that work consistent to each other. Currently I mainly shoot with a Zeiss ikon and 28/50mm lens.

One option is to buy a digital M, and I'm saving for that.

Another option (cheaper) is to buy a Nikon Df, as I like the manual controls. But given the complexity of Nikon's lens compatibility history, I'm unsure which film slr could I pair it with? I'm mainly looking to use it for small 28/50mm primes.

I don't mind af, but it has to be pretty good - else mf is better.

Again, I would prefer lens and camera with aperture and shutter speed dials. I'm not fanatical about sharpness, as my Favourite lens is the c-sonnar :)

Any suggestions? I don't have any Nikon gear today, so will be starting from scratch.

The easiest option is to use Canon ef system, but I do prefer manual controls, with very limited menus.
 
Well if you are looking for manual controls and dials, take a look at the Fuji-XT1. It has a dial for speed and ISO. It gives you the option to use lenses such as the sonnar with the right adapter and its EVF works really well with manual focusing lenses, especially if you use focus peaking.
 
Thanks, I did use a Sony A7s camera for some time, but manual focus with an evf is not something I prefer.


guardado1213 said:
Well if you are looking for manual controls and dials, take a look at the Fuji-XT1. It has a dial for speed and ISO. It gives you the option to use lenses such as the sonnar with the right adapter and its EVF works really well with manual focusing lenses, especially if you use focus peaking.
Click to expand...
 
I have a Df and love it. It's as close in operation to a film slr as you're going to get. I Purchased the Df right after the were introduce. I guess it's been a lite over two years now.

I set the camera up to work like a film camera using the shutter speed dial and aperture ring on my manual focus AIs lenses. I turned the LCD screen off so I have to press the button to see a preview. I don't really like the preview screen flashing up an image every frame I shoot.

I'm a film shooter of over fifty years and this style of shooting is natural to me. I prefer AI lenses and like manual focus. Nikon makes and has made any excellent MF lenses that integrate perfectly with the Df. Also I you have some non AI lenses the meter follower tab folds out of the way and allows non AI lenses to be used. Also you can use any AF lens including the new G series. I have a nice complement of G glass I use with my D800 and occasionally use on my Df.

The Df has unbelievable high ISO performance. I profile all of my cameras but the Df has the best color I've seen out of any 35mm DSLR. Skin tones are exceptional. The Df has become my go to camera for both my personal and commercial work. I only go to the D800 if I need larger files.

If I were looking for a compatible film body is pick an F3 probably. Size and feel are similar. For lenses I personally own a 20 f3.5 AI, 28 f2.8 AIS (excellent), 35AIS f1.4 (excellent), 50 AIS f1.2 (superb), 85 f1.4 D (fantastic), 105AIS f2.5 (excellent), 135 AIS f3.5 (excellent), 200 AIS f4 and 50 AI micro f3.5 (superb). I carry all of these in a tiny case with the exception of the 200 which I carry if I feel ill need it. I also have a few vi tags zooms that are really fine, the 25-50 f4 AI, 75-150 f3.5 AI and a 70-200 f4.5 AI. These are excellent on the Df. The only one in this kit that's only ok is the 20mm f3.5. It's ok but gets very good at f8. Corners are soft before that. I also have a few old non AI but don't use them with digital.

Every one of these lenses would be excellent on film and are a real bargain.
 
Many will disagree with me about this but I've used both Leica and Nikon professionally for close to fifty years. I still use both in film and do continue to shoot considerable film. I foolishly listened to the chatter and rave reviews on several forums regarding the M9. I purchased a new M9 and could not have been more disappointed. I'm not one blinded by the red dot. I evaluate the features and performance relative to other equipment I use and my needs and expectations.

The M9 was like going back to the days of the D1 Nikon I bought in 2000. Color and sharpness were fine but no better than my Nikon gear. Lenses were sharp but required frequent trips back to Leica along with the body. One lens could not be calibrated to the body and finally after strong threats I got it replaced. The body failed early in its life and between the trips back to NJ my equipment was out of service 27 weeks in a year and a half if my memory is correct.

The buffer was shallow and extremely flow and battery life was terrible. The speed of the camera was terrible and it was noisy.

I don't own and will not but another digital Leica product and suggest you look at user complaints and issues with anything whether Leica or anything else. Not only look at customer comments regarding issues look at customer support. Nikon and Canon both have top notch support. Leica usa IMO has virtually no support.
 
Thanks, this is helpful. I may choose to get a 28/50 manual focus.

How convenient is it to use manual focus on the Df, especially in low light?

Unfortunately, where I live, I cant walk into a shop and try it out -- need to buy based on feedback here!

thanks again.

x-ray said:
I have a Df and love it. It's as close in operation to a film slr as you're going to get. I Purchased the Df right after the were introduce. I guess it's been a lite over two years now.

I set the camera up to work like a film camera using the shutter speed dial and aperture ring on my manual focus AIs lenses. I turned the LCD screen off so I have to press the button to see a preview. I don't really like the preview screen flashing up an image every frame I shoot.

I'm a film shooter of over fifty years and this style of shooting is natural to me. I prefer AI lenses and like manual focus. Nikon makes and has made any excellent MF lenses that integrate perfectly with the Df. Also I you have some non AI lenses the meter follower tab folds out of the way and allows non AI lenses to be used. Also you can use any AF lens including the new G series. I have a nice complement of G glass I use with my D800 and occasionally use on my Df.

The Df has unbelievable high ISO performance. I profile all of my cameras but the Df has the best color I've seen out of any 35mm DSLR. Skin tones are exceptional. The Df has become my go to camera for both my personal and commercial work. I only go to the D800 if I need larger files.

If I were looking for a compatible film body is pick an F3 probably. Size and feel are similar. For lenses I personally own a 20 f3.5 AI, 28 f2.8 AIS (excellent), 35AIS f1.4 (excellent), 50 AIS f1.2 (superb), 85 f1.4 D (fantastic), 105AIS f2.5 (excellent), 135 AIS f3.5 (excellent), 200 AIS f4 and 50 AI micro f3.5 (superb). I carry all of these in a tiny case with the exception of the 200 which I carry if I feel ill need it. I also have a few vi tags zooms that are really fine, the 25-50 f4 AI, 75-150 f3.5 AI and a 70-200 f4.5 AI. These are excellent on the Df. The only one in this kit that's only ok is the 20mm f3.5. It's ok but gets very good at f8. Corners are soft before that. I also have a few old non AI but don't use them with digital.

Every one of these lenses would be excellent on film and are a real bargain.
Click to expand...
 
Manual focus:

DSLR - DF

Film SLR - FM3A

28mm:

$$$$$ - Zeiss Otus 28/1.4 (available Q2 2016?)
$$$$ - Zeiss ZF.2 2/28 Distagon
$$ - Nikon 28/2.8 AIS

50 (ish)

$$$$$ - Zeiss Otus 55/1.4
$$$$ - Zeiss 50/2.0 Makro-Planar or 50/1.4 Planar
$$$ - CV 58/1.4
$ - Nikon 50/1.8 AI/AIS long nose
 
The DF is a nice camera and certainly an option. I see they are about 1400 used now.

But you will also need to buy lenses. The Nikon choices are fine, but all around I don't think you are going to like them like you current 28 and 50 RF glass. At least they are cheaper :)

While X-ray waxes about the AIS lenses, I've shot them, and for me they simply do not compare all round to the RF options: CV, Zeiss, Rokkor, Hex, Leica etc. He hates the M9 and Leica in general, which is fine, but for many the M9 is simply the best digital camera ever made. It depends what your priorites are. He is right about the ISO performance: the DF is good. But with a 35/1.4 you can take an M9 anywhere. Not it's forte, but it's fine. And much smaller and people friendly.

DF with lenses puts you right at the cost of a used M9 (2200) and well over the the M8, for which your already have lenses. You are used to the RF system.

So think carefully. Do your really want a big DSLR and some AIS lenses, when you enjoy a Zeiss Ikon?

Also at 1200USD the M8 is a superb camera. You do need some filters for color work, it's not great over 800 ISO, but it makes incredibly clean images with a host of RF glass, though with a mild crop.

The DF will be fine. Alot of guys love that camera. But are there Digital M options for the same money when you factor in the glass. I love my M9 to death, and nothing tempts me at the moment, it's so nice to use and makes such files. :)

There are often M9s with fresh sensors for sale, though not yet the latest one. Leica backs the sensor no matter who owns the camera. Mine has shot 120K images in two years with no sensor issues. If you are in a very humid place it may be a concern, but the issue appears slowly and the current wait to get a new sensor will get shorter. M9s are in hard use today, all over the world, more so than ever because now we can afford them :)
 
TS you are from SG and it is my understanding that the old Nikkors are harder to find on the little red dot (probably takes a trip to HK to buy a whole set of Ai era at the same time unless you want to pay through the nose at home). A good option for you might be Df + ZF lenses. I like the FM2T price nowadays and that would go nice with a silver Df. .02
 
Interesting point -- I have 2 splendid lens, a 4th Gen 28mm elmarit and the c-sonnar.

However, the Nikon Df seems to be a capable and versatile camera, cheaper than the Leica M.


uhoh7 said:
The DF is a nice camera and certainly an option. I see they are about 1400 used now.

But you will also need to buy lenses. The Nikon choices are fine, but all around I don't think you are going to like them like you current 28 and 50 RF glass. At least they are cheaper :)

While X-ray waxes about the AIS lenses, I've shot them, and for me they simply do not compare all round to the RF options: CV, Zeiss, Rokkor, Hex, Leica etc. He hates the M9 and Leica in general, which is fine, but for many the M9 is simply the best digital camera ever made. It depends what your priorites are. He is right about the ISO performance: the DF is good. But with a 35/1.4 you can take an M9 anywhere. Not it's forte, but it's fine. And much smaller and people friendly.

DF with lenses puts you right at the cost of a used M9 (2200) and well over the the M8, for which your already have lenses. You are used to the RF system.

So think carefully. Do your really want a big DSLR and some AIS lenses, when you enjoy a Zeiss Ikon?

Also at 1200USD the M8 is a superb camera. You do need some filters for color work, it's not great over 800 ISO, but it makes incredibly clean images with a host of RF glass, though with a mild crop.

The DF will be fine. Alot of guys love that camera. But are there Digital M options for the same money when you factor in the glass. I love my M9 to death, and nothing tempts me at the moment, it's so nice to use and makes such files. :)

There are often M9s with fresh sensors for sale, though not yet the latest one. Leica backs the sensor no matter who owns the camera. Mine has shot 120K images in two years with no sensor issues. If you are in a very humid place it may be a concern, but the issue appears slowly and the current wait to get a new sensor will get shorter. M9s are in hard use today, all over the world, more so than ever because now we can afford them :)
Click to expand...
 
anerjee said:
Interesting point -- I have 2 splendid lens, a 4th Gen 28mm elmarit and the c-sonnar.

However, the Nikon Df seems to be a capable and versatile camera, cheaper than the Leica M.
Click to expand...

I got the DF, but didn't bond with it. I was hoping for a digital version of my FM3A, but it wasn't. I found that for digital shooting, my D700 was all that I needed, and the D700 works quite well with my manual focus lenses.

I have shot all of Nikon's 50mm lenses, and ended up settling for a Sigma 50mm f/1.4. For wide angle manual shooting, I have the 20/2.8, and 28/2.8 AIS. The most interesting lens my D700 gets along well with is the old 50-300 ED zoom.
 
You need Ai or AiS lenses to use with later Nikon film bodies or you damage the metering.

Any Nikon reflex lens except those exotics that require mirror lock up will work with DF. Flip up the F stop tab for non Ai AiS lenses.
 
I do not own any of the mentioned cameras but the idea to set a system film+digital which share the same lenses is my idea as well. I have a Nikon F100 and a (most used) FM2.

I think DF should be a good camera to complement a Nikon SLR which could be FM2, F3 or F100 with a couple of primes (28 - 50) .

Of course a digital Leica could work with your Zeiss Ikon, more expensive but you already have lenses.

So the question (money aside) is if for your shooting style you prefer the RF experience or the reflex experience. This is my own question as well, I understand your problem !

robert
 
The question is whether you prefer the RF or DSLR experience. I have a Df and an M8. I use each one as the mood takes me and enjoy both equally. However I do not have film equivalents of either (I have other fiilm cameras) The advantages of the Df are its low light capability which is superb and the fact that you can use AF and zooms. Regardless of internet babble, the Df focuses fine in poor light and is easy to focus manually. However, if you shoot the M8 or M9 as you would film (that is, have a similar quality expectation) they can produce perfectly acceptable images. However, the cost of entry to leica digital (when you include lenses) is high and by the time you take all the usual constraints of shooting, at least hand held, into consideration, which produces the better image quality is definitely moot.

Good luck with your decision.
 
Perhaps another member already commented on this but the Nikon lenses are some of the best for across the model usage. I have some really old non AI that work well on my D600. Conversely I have some DX AF lenses that I use on my old Nikon F bodies. In fact I can not think of another brand that offers so wide an option for lenses.

If I had the funds I would own a Df but instead I use a D610 and its damn near perfect if a little heavy.
 
Recommended bodies:
F3HP, F3MA, or FM2.

Lenses:
28/2 AI or 28/2.8 AI-S
50/1.2 AI-S, or 50/1.8 AI-S long nose

28/2 and a 50/1.2 make a fabulous go anywhere SLR kit. If you ever get the hankering for a tele, you can throw in any of the excellent 105/2.5's.
 
I would like to hear more from people who shoot Df with AIs lenses or the newer Zeiss manual focus Nikon mount lenses. I like shooting with F series film cameras and have tried supplementing them with a D200. The manual focus with that camera is not great, at least for those of us with older eyes. Any help appreciated. Thanks,
 
If you're happy with your lenses and Ikon then get an A7 and a good adapter. S for low light, R for megapixel. I have 2 friends that were recommended DF's and then when they went to shops to try them hated them mainly due to the size. Some people love them. Once you have an A7 you can try loads of lenses and if you like a particular one/set then you can buy the film camera that goes with it.

I love my canon FD 50 1.4 on my A7 so much that I am looking to buy a Canon F1N or AV-1 to use it with film.
 
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