Nikon DF... taking a turn for the worse?

[froyd]

The latest rumors list questionable "features" such as 39-point AF and selectable crop ratios 1:1 3:2 and 16:9

...what happened to pure photography?

Isn't single-pint AF plenty? And people REALLY need a choice of crop ratios? Is this to trick the "no crop" purist into thinking they are shooting 6x6 rather than a cropped 3:2?

 

[jsrockit]

Nikon is never going to be pure "pure." Only Leica will do this because it is its legacy.

That said, you can switch the AF to single point (I would assume) and crop modes don't matter in RAW.

Nikon's core customer base would not go for the all manual M9 of the DSLR world... so I think they are catering to their current users while trying to gain back some old ones.

I don't think any mainstream camera manufacturer will make a MF only camera at this point.

 

[Jamie Pillers]

The latest rumors list questionable "features" such as 39-point AF and selectable crop ratios 1:1 3:2 and 16:9

...what happened to pure photography?

Isn't single-pint AF plenty? And people REALLY need a choice of crop ratios? Is this to trick the "no crop" purist into thinking they are shooting 6x6 rather than a cropped 3:2?

I with you. It seems to me that, from the very beginning of digital camera development, there's been a mind-set by designers (or marketers?) that the camera feature set should be based on what a professional photographer shooting sports, fashion, and landscape would want. It continues to annoy me that there's not been a 'simplified' model that does what, say, a Nikon F3 could do. And maybe add autofocus for the soccer crowd.

 

[froyd]

Nikon is never going to be pure "pure." Only Leica will do this because it is its legacy.

That said, you can switch the AF to single point (I would assume) and crop modes don't matter in RAW.

Nikon's core customer base would not go for the all manual M9 of the DSLR world... so I think they are catering to their current users while trying to gain back some old ones.

I don't think any mainstream camera manufacturer will make a MF only camera at this point.

Agreed 100% but it's kinda of a pity that they are building a whole campaign about pure photography (a pretty arbitrary description, of course) but then require users to dig through sub-menus to set it up that way.

BTW, I was not thinking that nikon would go MF, but I thought they might recognize that the clientel that might like a camera like this would prefer the degree of control afforded by single-point AF. There's plenty of cameras in the Nikon line that have multi-point AF, sepia tone jpgs, til-shift effects, an 10fps shooting.

Personally, I'd prefer a "purer" camera.

 

[daveleo]

Another gunfight over a camera whose rumors change every day.
This camera design has not taken a turn for the worse - the rumors changed, that's all that happened.

 

[jsrockit]

but it's kinda of a pity that they are building a whole campaign about pure photography (a pretty arbitrary description, of course) but then require users to dig through sub-menus to set it up that way.

We haven't seen the camera yet though. Marketing is marketing. How about the mini-M fiasco?

BTW, I was not thinking that nikon would go MF, but I thought they might recognize that the clientel that might like a camera like this would prefer the degree of control afforded by single-point AF.

I only like single point AF too, but Nikon's established clientel have already been complaning that it only has 39 (!) focus points lol...

There's plenty of cameras in the Nikon line that have multi-point AF, sepia tone jpgs, til-shift effects, an 10fps shooting.

Personally, I'd prefer a "purer" camera.

I agree. However, in digital, there will never be a pure camera like there was in the film days. It's electronic and that requires menus and stuff. Even the M9 has a menu.

 

[stompyq]

The 39-point AF module on a full frame Nikon essentially makes it a single center point only camera. Not really sure about the crop ratios though especially the 16:9 ratio (I thought that was video?)

 

[jsrockit]

The 39-point AF module on a full frame Nikon essentially makes it a single center point only camera.

I'm not so sure of that Pramodh. I understand that all the points are in the center of the frame, but we (or maybe I should say me) are talking about one AF point dead center like the size of a rangefinder patch.

 

[johannielscom]

Pure is a Leica II.

Can't argue that.

 

[kdemas]

If you'd like single point auto focus you can set it there and forget it. Same with aspect ratios.

Let's see what this really is.

In case nobody noticed the supposed name is the DF. Being as the F6 timing is in cycle for a new version: Digital F?

 

[teleparallel]

If the grid just goes away when you want, who cares. Of most importance, one should be able to use K-Type focusing screens. I don't think the electronic "rangefinder" is enough for "pure" and simple photography.

 

[stompyq]

I'm not so sure of that Pramodh. I understand that all the points are in the center of the frame, but we (or maybe I should say me) are talking about one AF point dead center like the size of a rangefinder patch.

So just set the center most point and hide the others. I have it setup that way on my D7000 and it's DX so the AF points are more spread out

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

Another gunfight over a camera whose rumors change every day.
This camera design has not taken a turn for the worse - the rumors changed, that's all that happened.

Short, sweet and, I think, accurate 😉

 

[jsrockit]

So just set the center most point and hide the others. I have it setup that way on my D7000 and it's DX so the AF points are more spread out

I believe I said that already sir.

 

[kdemas]

No Rewind Knob!!!

No Rewind Knob!!!

OK, I was alarmed to see that it appears that the rewind knob that I love so much on my FM2N, FM3A and F3HP is.....GONE on the DF!!! Pure my foot! Why can't they make you virtually rewind the digital film into the card before offloading???

This is getting very frustrating indeed.

 

[froyd]

Another gunfight over a camera whose rumors change every day.
This camera design has not taken a turn for the worse - the rumors changed, that's all that happened.

Dave- there's no confusion on my end, we certainly are only talking about rumors, but let's just say I liked last week's speculations better than today's. How's that?


BTW, I'm sure I'm in the minority and many more people are cheering at the new developments.

 

[Sparrow]

Another gunfight over a camera whose rumors change every day.
This camera design has not taken a turn for the worse - the rumors changed, that's all that happened.

.... swimming against the tide I fear

 

[daveleo]

I am as excited as anyone over this camera. Just trying to keep a cool head about it.

My big disappointment is that it is FF for you pro's and kind of leaves us "consumer purists" 😀 using our plastic glob Dxxx's.

I am going into the Read Only Mode until the real thing gets here. (Then I'll complain !! )

 

[uhoh7]

The latest rumors list questionable "features" such as 39-point AF and selectable crop ratios 1:1 3:2 and 16:9

...what happened to pure photography?

Isn't single-pint AF plenty? And people REALLY need a choice of crop ratios? Is this to trick the "no crop" purist into thinking they are shooting 6x6 rather than a cropped 3:2?

You are mad because the thing is versatile enough to use with latest glass if desired?

wow.

No one is going to force you to AF. That's obvious
, so I guess you are disappointed that others will be able to if they want.

Just use an old Nikon, and be pure.

 

[froyd]

Just for fun, here is my list of what would sneak under the wire of the definition "pure."

WARNING: Barnak users ---Keep away! I'm sure I could be flayed for listing some of the stuff I'm about to. But go ahead and post your own list.

- Focus mode: MF/single point AF
- Motordrive: permissible even to one gazabillion FPS. I won't need it, but unlike multi-point-AF it does not add to menu-clutter or user control
- Ergonomics: classic pre-90s SLR or RF
- Auto braketing: permissible if on discrete dial
-VF: 100% coverage
- Exp. Modes: A,S,M with P acceptable
- Auto ISO: OK if variable in M mode
- Metering: good ol' center weight and spot, selectable on pentaprism via discrete dial. Matrix OK if implemented via dial.


The list above is already pretty wild in my book, but I like to live dangerously every now and then...I always have the M4 to come home to.

My bottom line is that pure photography means: a)no functions that take the decision making away from the photographer (matrix, P mode) and b) options that clutter the interface, i.e. having to enter a menu to switch from multi-point to single-point AF. If clutter can be avoided (a la R-D1) then I have no problem with the P and Matrix metering options.

How about your list?

Can't wait to see what pinhole shooters will write!