Nikon DF

[David_Manning]

As predicted, it IS a modern camera, and as such, it has a thumb pad for AF points and dial mode selector on the back for setting D and G lens aperture. You'd read it through the VF.

The hybrid part will probably encompass being able to set apertures (and meter) with a MF lens by reading your aperture/shutter speed in the VF, a la FE2/FM2, but obviously electronically.

 

[tunalegs]

It sort of reminds me (visually) of those Vivitar SLRs: http://www.vivitar.com/products/8/professional-and-slr/34/v3800-50

 

[Rogier]

It has a real ISO dial 🙂


Capture1_zpsb5710920 by Rogier Diver, on Flickr

 

[steveclem]

to me this is more than pure marketing.

most excited in

D4 sensor w no AA in a smaller and cheaper package
medium size (not too small or too big)
OVF instead of a nintendo-screen
full support of my F-gems

hopefully the OVF has decent magnification and 100% view too
nice design and finish quality and aperture dial is a plus

Love the Nintendo screen comment-spot on!😀

PS: I got the dent out of that F2 prism, not 100% perfect but very good indeed.

 

[shadowfox]

This is actually quite fun ... I'm getting in the mood here! 😀

I'm a bit let down seeing an LCD on the back. Since I'm in the *extreme* minority who thinks that in this day and age, with the technology available, there is a market for a digital camera that sends preview to a smartphone. I thought the DF would be a good candidate since most of the controls are in the dials.

Other benefits? No LCD means slimmer camera, and longer battery life.

 

[froyd]

Will-
I always liked the R-D1 implementation not just of the LCD but all the phisycal controls over camera functions that did not require navigatin menus. That seems much closer to the mark that the Nikon teasers hinted at than what's emerging as a more angular D600.

In defense of LCDs, they provide a real advantage for flash photography, particularly for those who, like me, are not terribly proficient in it. It's like having a polaroid back without the hassle of switching from roll film to polaroid.

 

[jtm]

... i'm not seeing an aperture ring in the photo or am i missing something?

If you mount a lens that has an aperture ring, then you'll see an aperture ring. Same as a D700, which even lets you use the aperture ring on AF lenses, if that's your preference.

 

[uhoh7]

These threads are strange ... you get a bunch of people happily chatting and surmising what a camera may be based on snippets of information ... and another group who just turn up to try and spoil the fun.

It's becoming a bit of an RFF signature!

And some who like to play both roles, like on Halloween 🙂

My first thought on the profile: it's fat.

Then, I thought well compared to what? An SLR, or the highly controversial new Sony. But not so fat compared to D800 etc.

But as somebody said, "she may be cute or not, let's see how she cooks"

The D800E sony sensor seems to be the benchmark at the moment---appears something very similar is in the A7r. Those sensors actually rate higher than D4--though I'm sure I could not tell.

Anyway this and the Sony are a breath of Full Frame fresh air to me. 🙂

 

[shadowfox]

Will-
I always liked the R-D1 implementation not just of the LCD but all the phisycal controls over camera functions that did not require navigatin menus. That seems much closer to the mark that the Nikon teasers hinted at than what's emerging as a more angular D600.

In defense of LCDs, they provide a real advantage for flash photography, particularly for those who, like me, are not terribly proficient in it. It's like having a polaroid back without the hassle of switching from roll film to polaroid.

Froyd,
Thank you for addressing my post.

Of course I agree with you. A preview LCD on the back is a time-saver as well as an instant feedback, that's great. There are hundreds of cameras out there equipped with it to choose from 🙂

But I'd like to see a camera that breaks the mold. Smartphones are with us all the time in this day and age. If the camera sends the preview pictures to the phones, we can review it instantly or later. Some of us instinctively check our phones for time, messages, or news anyways. I know I do.

One thing I will not give up on the camera body, is a histogram display. Why? Because the histogram tells me if I nailed the exposure or not instantly without having to consume a lot of battery power. Which means I am still utilizing the greatest strength of digital photography: Instant feedback.

Back to the DF (since that is the point of this thread), everyone says it's "fat." Well, shave off the LCD and its controls, and you'll trim down the body quite a bit.

 

[jtm]

I have a beautiful Zeiss ZF 35mm f/2 for sale, for anyone planning ahead for this camera. 🙂

 

[FA Limited]

If you mount a lens that has an aperture ring, then you'll see an aperture ring. Same as a D700, which even lets you use the aperture ring on AF lenses, if that's your preference.

seems like the new special G lens has the aesthetic of an AI but not the functionality. maybe people will sell their G lenses for D's instead 😉

 

[FA Limited]

because beyond dxo mark, the D4 has the best IQ of any previous nikon ever, the D3s being close second and slightly better at hi iso

better than the D800? i must say the D800 (and even D600) samples are fantastic. i have never looked into D4 samples.

 

[FA Limited]

But I'd like to see a camera that breaks the mold. Smartphones are with us all the time in this day and age. If the camera sends the preview pictures to the phones, we can review it instantly or later. Some of us instinctively check our phones for time, messages, or news anyways. I know I do.

To a certain extent i think this is why a lot of cameras now have wi-fi included to be able to review photos with a phone/tablet, etc. seems like you want something in the Sony QX100 type of mould but interchangeable. but i don't really think any manufacturer would sell a digital camera without a display in this age.

it all sounds like we're trying to build the Homer Car 😀

 

[shadowfox]

To a certain extent i think this is why a lot of cameras now have wi-fi included to be able to review photos with a phone/tablet, etc. seems like you want something in the Sony QX100 type of mould but interchangeable. but i don't really think any manufacturer would sell a digital camera without a display in this age.

it all sounds like we're trying to build the Homer Car 😀

Indeed 😀

But as an entrepreneur, I find that thinking of a new "box" constantly has to be part of my routine activities.

 

[Addy101]

I just think it's great that Nikon have finally done something different ... whether it's a success or not, time will tell!

They played the marketing game well, I must say. We'll indeed have to see whether it will be a success past the initial buzz.

 

[ChrisLivsey]

"Pure Photography"
Has it been confirmed , as much as anything has in the rumour mill, that this will be colour? Thinking Leica Monochrome, thinking Pure, thinking returning to roots, thinking not very likely at all 😀 But .............

That man has shot a few frames now, has he chimped? Have we seen a still? maybe, just maybe......

 

[lam]

"Pure Photography"
Has it been confirmed , as much as anything has in the rumour mill, that this will be colour? Thinking Leica Monochrome, thinking Pure, thinking returning to roots, thinking not very likely at all 😀 But .............

That man has shot a few frames now, has he chimped? Have we seen a still? maybe, just maybe......

Wouldn't it be great if it didn't have a screen at all?
"PURE PHOTOGRAPHY"
The whole basis on Pure Photography is no chimping perhaps.😱

 

[doolittle]

This is marketing at its best: "How can we sway the last few remaining film users over to the digital realm?" Start making digital cameras that work like film cameras (like Fuji). It's a trick and this spells the beginning of the end of film!

Don't worry, the sky is not falling down.

Might drive up the prices of F3s and FAs. Maybe manual lens prices too.

 

[canetsbe]

Is anyone else stoked on the appearance of the viewfinder eye hole on this camera resembling the F3HP-style circular hole we find on Nikon pro SLRs as opposed to the squinty rectangular ones we find on the D600 and lower cameras? I love this feature but I also fear it's a sign that it's going to be priced accordingly....

 

[NicoM]

Is anyone else stoked on the appearance of the viewfinder eye hole on this camera resembling the F3HP-style circular hole we find on Nikon pro SLRs as opposed to the squinty rectangular ones we find on the D600 and lower cameras? I love this feature but I also fear it's a sign that it's going to be priced accordingly....

The rumors had already suggested that it would be priced at ~$3000 so it's not really a surprise. I'm still struggling to figure out if they're planning to market this to that masses or if it will be a very niche product.