Nikon Df Review at dpreview

[willie_901]

Nice photo Timmy.

I can see why you would sell a D800 for this. I would probably sold my D700s and bought two D800s but I really don't need 36 MP.

I kept a Nippon Kogaku 50/1.4 because the old design/coating has a unique look. Except for a 105/2.5 AI (a lovely lens), I sold all my other AI/AIS lenses though.

 

[kjoosten]

So far I've put an old Nippon Kogaku 10.5cm f2.5 1960's lens on. Worked fantastic! The blur & single coat on the lens give it a great feel wide open for portraits & bw. Surprisingly sharp too, I could easily see myself using this for headshots.

Very nice portrait, Tim.

I've been putting some vintage glass (35/2 Nikkor-O, 50/1.4 Nikkor-S, 105/2.5 Nikkor-P) on my Df too. I really like the way they render on that sensor. These inexpensive lenses were just being used as body caps for some Nikon Fs I have on display, but may actually get some use now.

 

[jsrockit]

After checking out the silver one a few times at B&H I was very underwhelmed. However, I saw the black one yesterday and it is a very attractive camera. I still can't get over the fact that it put too many dials (never thought there would be such a thing), but at least it became a little more appealing.

 

[rbelyell]

almost everyone on this forum has at one time or another lamented the lack of analogue controls on modern digicams--seems a big reason for fujis recent success. but while i personally love the dials, from what ive read they are almost self-defeating: you cannot set/unset auto iso without trip to menu; SS dial is not functional while in A mode; EV dial is less accessible than iso dial, and is on the left side of camera, and has a lock--all of which make one fingered operation extremely difficult if not impossible.

i try not to be a new product naysayer, and i remain intrigued and excited by this camera, esp its rich files and seemingly incomparable high iso performance. but the apparent lack of foresight in putting together these dial features has 'dialed' down my enthusiasm significantly.

 

[Timmy P]

Thanks for all the compliments guys! You're the exact opposite of what I was lamenting about the internet getting worse for this hobby - Interested, something to say, without being hostile. This board is a shining light in the dross of most other forums, but I feel the Df has inspired some normal forum goers to become crazy. Or maybe people are just forgetting normal etiquette. If you want to a bash a camera, why not start a "Nikon Df thoughts and feedback" thread, not latch onto every Df thread commenting about a camera you don't even own.


Not that I'm singling out anyone or this forum in particular, the vitriol has been insane over at some of the other boards. There's talk of the Df being some kind of Leica, which is funny because I wouldn't be selling my other cameras to fund a new one if I could afford a bloody leica! I just despair sometimes that the internet is becoming one big hate filled echo chamber.... But I'm hopeful this board continues to be a worthwhile place to contribute to.


Anyways, here's another portrait I took yesterday with the Nippon Kogaku 10.5cm f2.5. So far so good, the 35mm f2 pre ai 70's arrived, along with the 55mm f1.2. Not sure I like the 55mm but loving the 35mm. And of course digging the 10.5cm!


DSC_2775-2 copy by Tim Power, on Flickr

 

[rbelyell]

classic lens, very fine result tim. how do you feel about some of the negative feedback, including mine i guess, about how they enguneered the various dials and the effect on functionality?
tony

 

[kjoosten]

almost everyone on this forum has at one time or another lamented the lack of analogue controls on modern digicams--seems a big reason for fujis recent success. but while i personally love the dials, from what ive read they are almost self-defeating: you cannot set/unset auto iso without trip to menu; SS dial is not functional while in A mode; EV dial is less accessible than iso dial, and is on the left side of camera, and has a lock--all of which make one fingered operation extremely difficult if not impossible.

i try not to be a new product naysayer, and i remain intrigued and excited by this camera, esp its rich files and seemingly incomparable high iso performance. but the apparent lack of foresight in putting together these dial features has 'dialed' down my enthusiasm significantly.

Personal use can ameliorate a lot of these concerns.

Auto-ISO can be assigned to a programmable button - then it is just a one-handed button press and dial click to turn it on/off. No menu diving.

I personally almost always set exposure comp after a look at the histogram. So my left thumb is already up at the image review button, which is right next to the dial. Then it's just index finger on the lock and thumb on the dial. Perfect position (for me).

SS dial IS comatose in A and P mode (BTW the F4 and FA worked the same way). If you almost continually use these modes, just lock the SS dial in the "⅓ STEP" position and don't worry about it. If you switch often between these modes and M or S, it may be advantageous to have the dial still set to the same SS you were previously using, rather than spin the dial all the way from an "A" or "P" setting.

The ISO dial also has interesting user possibilities if it is set up correctly.

 

[rbelyell]

thx, users POVs on these issues are massively helpful.

 

[Mcary]

The world first Steam Punk Camera the "Nikon DF" Tired of using a DSLR that looks the same as everyone else? Prefer a a camera with a bunch of old fashion dials rather then with a simple elegant mix of dials and buttons Well than the Steam Punk inspired Nikon DF may be the camera for you.

 

[Addy101]

The world first Steam Punk Camera the "Nikon DF" Tired of using a DSLR that looks the same as everyone else? Prefer a a camera with a bunch of old fashion dials rather then with a simple elegant mix of dials and buttons Well then the Steam Punk inspired Nikon DF may be the camera for you.

I feel this post is inappropriate.

I don't get the allure of the Df, but it hardly is "Steampunk :bang:

 

[rbelyell]

i just object to gramatically incorrect trolling: 'rather than', not 'rather then', is the proper comparative.

 

[Timmy P]

classic lens, very fine result tim. how do you feel about some of the negative feedback, including mine i guess, about how they enguneered the various dials and the effect on functionality?
tony

Everything feels like it's in the right spot, the buttons do require two fingers, but that really doesn't seem like any different from a normal camera, everything is pretty reachable even with the camera to your eye.

Auto ISO can be set to the front two buttons beside the lens, which I did. Very quick solution, in line with auto ISO in fuji etc. I normally run the camera in M mode with auto ISO, which basically acts like ISO priority. The ISO moves up and down but I keep the same shutter & aperture. And of course if it gets too unpredictable I can just turn off auto ISO and use the dial!

With larger lenses the D800 feels a lot better. But with small primes the Df is pretty great, much less imposing as well.

The only downside to I can think of is the lack of a meter read out on the little LCD. It's a real shame because that could allow you to set the exposure from the top, like the dials are obviously set out to do. Instead you have to either take a picture first, or put it to your eye. To be honest I find the little LCD wasted because it only reads shutter and aperture, which you can see in the viewfinder & on top of the camera already.

Also this camera is very quite compared to the D800, I really like the sound. Overall this camera gives off a much less imposing feel to a D800 or D600 which I really like. And the use of old non ai lenses has turned out to be a big plus!

So here's a few from a 35mm f2 non-ai multicoat I picked up just before Christmas. So far it's pretty good, especially for the price. 35mm f2 is surprisingly easy to focus properly too.


DSC_2717.jpg by Tim Power, on Flickr


DSC_2730.jpg by Tim Power, on Flickr


DSC_2741.jpg by Tim Power, on Flickr

 

[rbelyell]

interesting. the files seem very rich, with great depth. i never considered nikon, but this camera is on my list of 'to buy when price dips under 2 grand'--its a pretty exclusive list!