Nikon DF

[doolittle]

These tease campaigns always run the risk of disappointing expectations. I think on balance Nikon haven't done too bad. If they just released it without the hype I would think it was an interesting development. Overall, it's got something. If it is the D4 sensor, the high iso performance should be excellent.

Lots of direct controls - a good thing in my book. Not sure about shutter speed wheel position - can imagine it is difficult to use with camera held to eye, time will tell. Definitely not an F3 top plate. It's more steam punk!

No dial for aperture (unless that is a dial for it on the front of the camera). Else I am guessing it will be changed with the jog wheel on the back when in aperture priority mode.

 

[elshaneo]

I'm certain the IQ will be the best of the 16 megapixels Pro DSLR camera, but still at that asking price of more than 3K, I think it will fail to be a real success.

I'd say Nikon missed the runway and crashed real hard on this one 😛

 

[uhoh7]

if only it was this beautiful:

It's got the same sensor, no?

 

[taemo]

the body size reminds me so much of the Canon SL-1 but Nikon just for fun decided to throw in as many buttons as they could to please everyone.

Disappointing camera really, I was hoping for a digital manual focus SLR, where you had a shutter dial, ISO dial or button, playback button and a basic LCD screen. then you could set your aperture on the lens.

Fuji was the closest one able to do it other than Leica.

at this point, the A7/R looks nicer than this.

 

[Jan Van Laethem]

I'm certain the IQ will be the best of the 16 megapixels Pro DSLR camera, but still at that asking price of more than 3K, I think it will fail to be a real success.

As far as I know, the price nor the final spec sheet have been announced, so we'll have to wait for these to be confirmed to be able to judge accordingly.

Teaser #3′s slogan said : “No clutter, no distractions, this is my world.” I think they did a fairly good job on the top plate, the back does look cluttered to my taste.

I think the main issue here is if this camera will offer a better user interface than your mainstream DSLR, especially with manual lenses (aperture control and focusing accuracy). If it's just about controls, this could be no more than a retro styling exercise.

 

[maitani]

chrome ultron SL 40 on chrome DF, yummy...

 

[Samouraï]

the body size reminds me so much of the Canon SL-1 but Nikon just for fun decided to throw in as many buttons as they could to please everyone.

Disappointing camera really, I was hoping for a digital manual focus SLR, where you had a shutter dial, ISO dial or button, playback button and a basic LCD screen. then you could set your aperture on the lens.

Fuji was the closest one able to do it other than Leica.

at this point, the A7/R looks nicer than this.

Sony is doing very exciting things, but I hate their control schema.

 

[Highway 61]

Disappointing camera really, I was hoping for a digital manual focus SLR, where you had a shutter dial, ISO dial or button, playback button and a basic LCD screen. then you could set your aperture on the lens.

If you know your Nikon basics well, you know that Nikon don't make any lens on which you set the aperture by turning a ring on the lens. They used to, but now they don't. So they wouldn't market a camera which wouldn't work with their new lenses. Or they would shoot themselves in the feet. Come on.

Yet, this camera will also work perfect with the older Nikon lenses, those with which you set the aperture by turning a ring on the lens.

For me (I own fifteen old Nikon lenses) it's OK. And for those owning new Nikon lenses, it's OK too. So what ?

 

[jsrockit]

Sony is doing very exciting things, but I hate their control schema.

Yeah, that about sums it up.

 

[GaryLH]

This link shows a lot more of the top plate. I really like the control layout. Not only a dial for shutter and expire comp, but a old style iso type dial and a small mode one. This looks good to me from a control layout.

http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2013/11/04/image-the-nikon-df-what-do-you-think/

Gary

 

[GaryLH]

Sony is doing very exciting things, but I hate their control schema.

Nikon df and Fuji xp/xe control layouts are much better. The new a7 is better than the old Nex menus and only the nex7 had what I thought was a good control layout but still hobbled by the menu setup.

Gary

 

[jsrockit]

Size comparison:

 

[DNG]

Plus no need to move hand position and everything is on the top without the need to search in menus.

But, here (TOP CANON) you "Push a Button" AND "Turn a Wheel" to change things

The DF... You "Turn A Dedicated Wheel" for "ISO", "EC", and Shutter Speeds.....and you're done..
And, it too is all on top.
And the Mode selector is a Switch... as is the Motor Drive,
So looking at an LCD as you press a button AND turn a wheel, as on the pictured Canon has more steps.
Again... one hand, and turn the dial, or switch to what you want.
No need to see an LCD as you set your options on the DF.
Just like the FM2 or similar... Digital Fusion in this area... YES...

IE: Eliminates two hand usage for most changes on the Canon, AND looking at an LCD screen to move through options.

WB, no,

But, all those button combos on the left of the Canon are not needed on the DF because of dedicated wheels, or multi-levers with direct "stops" for Modes, Motor Drive,

So, simpler, YES, I'd bet am owner could change all those without leaving the VF with practice.

I think it will sell OK..
I would be interested if it has Focus Peeking And/OR VF magnification up to 10x, to aid in focusing with manual focus lenses. Not sure FP can be down without 100% Live-view.
But, a VF Magnification.. why not?

 

[Ronald_H]

Not what I would have designed. That would be starkly basic. Still, if I had not bought a D600 last year I would buy this immediately.

 

[GaryLH]

I do believe Nikon put lock buttons to keep the dials from changing accidentally. Listen up Fuji...

Gary

 

[Fraser]

But, here ^^^^^^ you "Push a Button" AND "Turn a Wheel" to change things

The DF... You "Turn A Dedicated Wheel" for "ISO", "EC", and Shutter Speeds.....and you're done..
And, it too is all on top.
And the Mode selector is a Switch... as is the Motor Drive,
So looking at an LCD as you press a button AND turn a wheel, as on the pictured Canon has more steps.
Again... one hand, and turn the dial, or switch to what you want.
No need to see an LCD as you set your options on the DF.
Just like the FM2 or similar... Digital Fusion in this area... YES...

IE: Eliminates two hand usage for most changes on the Canon, AND looking at an LCD screen to move through options.

WB, no,

But, all those button combos on the left of the Canon are not needed on the DF because of dedicated wheels, or multi-levers with direct "stops" for Modes, Motor Drive,

So, simpler, YES, I'd bet am owner could change all those without leaving the VF with practice.

I think it will sell OK..
I would be interested if it has Focus Peeking And/OR VF magnification up to 10x, to aid in focusing with manual focus lenses. Not sure FP can be down without 100% Live-view.
But, a VF Magnification.. why not?

No buttons to push for the two most important controls shutter speed and aperture like most other higher end Nikon and Canon etc dslrs.

 

[DNG]

I posted before I saw the comparison..
It is a bit bigger than advertized....I was surprised that it not more compact, or at least closer to the Sony A7/r, Though the Sony is Mirrorless,.. but a little bigger than the Sony would be better IMO...
At least Nikon is attempting a Retro style...
BUT, All the other RETRO Digital are "Smaller" then the original it came from... NOT larger!

 

[steveclem]

"That's what I said it would be"
How far up his own butt is this Steve Huff n Puff bloke?

 

[DNG]

No buttons to push for the two most important controls shutter speed and aperture like most other higher end Nikon and Canon etc dslrs.

I think they where going for BEFORE the AF cameras with the top deck layout.

Yes, the higher end Cameras have more "Direct" dedicated dials or switches than lower end models.

So I compared to a 1980's film Nikon's, Since Nikon did also with the FM2 reference, as far as top deck layout.

My FE has two dials under the rewind:
ISO/EC (as the DF has)

One Dial on the right side
Shutter Speed Dial (as the DF has)

So, in this respect.. it is the same as advertized...just redesigned, but, in the same place.

I had a Canon EOS F1n, So I am familiar with the two hand routine for on the left side.

 

[steveclem]

Plus no need to move hand position and everything is on the top without the need to search in menus.

Cut it anyway you like but IMO, these Canons look like the ******* sons of Quasimodo; a lumpen, melting whale of polycarbonate with a plethora of buttons and menus-no thanks.