Nikon DF

[Paul Jenkin]

Pixel race.........Full frame race..........Low light capability race...........Miniaturisation race..........

Are we seeing a return to ergonomincs and cameras that will require their users to understand basic photographic principles (aperture, ISO and shutter speed combinations, at least)?

I still use film (mostly) but enjoy using my D800 as well. A truly great compromise would (for me) be a stripped back (functionality) digital that looks and handles like an F2 / F3 and accepts F-mount manual focus lenses with aperture rings.

I'd love a truly retro rig that I could pair up with one of my film bodies and have the best of both worlds.

 

[Jan Van Laethem]

I'm no Nikon expert but the shadowy image they show in that video looks a lot like an F3, which relieves me because I'm no fan of the looks of the FM series but I could certainly live with something that looked like an F3.

It looks larger to me than an FM2/FM3a.

According to a leading french photography magazine, there will be a special stand at the Paris photo show on 7th November. This stand will be inspired by the 1970s and will display the new "D(igital) F".

Other interesting rumours from the same source :
- it will closely resemble the FA
- will have the D4's viewfinder and sensor
- a semi-automatic hybrid shutter, with a discrete and low consumption mode
- semi-automatic exposure modes
- delivered in a vintage case
- old style Nikon logo
- an AI look to the new AF 1.8 G lens

So the lens will probably be the same internally as the current AF-G lenses, but styled externally like an AI-s lens for manual override.

As for the videos, I like what they say in video 3 : "No clutter, no distractions." I think the link to the manual series cameras is clear here. The FM2 brochure read on the cover "The perfectionist's Nikon". The FM3a brochure read "Crafted for your command".

 

[Rogier]

Now that would be a stunt if it had no Auto Focus or a back-screen at all!

Just like the good old day's 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

 

[Rodchenko]

I must admit that, since getting an EVF for my m43, I'm not using the screen at all. Don't see the point. And I've only got the VF-2. If the EVF is of the standard of the VF-4 or higher, then I really don't see the need for a screen.

 

[Jan Van Laethem]

Now that would be a stunt if it had no Auto Focus or a back-screen at all!

Just like the good old day's 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

I don't think Nikon will venture that far and give us the joys of a manual-only camera. But as long as it meters fine with AI and AI-s lenses and has a decent focusing screen (or better still, a focusing screen that can be replaced "à la carte"), then I'd be more than happy. And turning off the back screen during shooting would be even better. Back to basics. As Rodchenko rightly puts, who needs a screen ? It only distracts on a shoot.

For those of you who read French, or those brave enough to put the text through an online "translation" 🙂D😀😀) program and make something sensible out of the spelling and grammar mistakes, here it is.

http://www.chassimages.com/index.ph...ail,0&cntnt01articleid=127&cntnt01returnid=58

My AI-s lenses are all thrilled. Hope Nikon doesn't &*?! up on this one.

 

[willie_901]

I'm really surprised by this. I manually focus my D700 in very poor light most of the time I'm using it and have always thought it was one of the strengths of the camera. When it becomes difficult I've got into the habit of using the green focus confirmation dot in the viewfinder ... once you instinctively know where it is it's very quick and extremely accurate.

…

The green focus confirmation dot is reliable on both my D700 bodies. I never have issues with focusing AI/AIS lenses on the D700. I had a third-party split screen installed on a D300 and that worked well too. The focusing screen and the green dot agreed.

 

[willie_901]

Oh boy...imagine a whole new set of Zeiss manual-focus ZF glass to go on this thing...

What's lacking with the existing Zeiss F mount glass?

 

[JRG]

"As Rodchenko rightly puts, who needs a screen ? It only distracts on a shoot."

I couldn't agree more! 🙂🙂

 

[jsrockit]

It looks larger to me than an FM2/FM3a.

According to a leading french photography magazine, there will be a special stand at the Paris photo show on 7th November. This stand will be inspired by the 1970s and will display the new "D(igital) F".

Other interesting rumours from the same source :
- it will closely resemble the FA
- will have the D4's viewfinder and sensor
- a semi-automatic hybrid shutter, with a discrete and low consumption mode
- semi-automatic exposure modes
- delivered in a vintage case
- old style Nikon logo
- an AI look to the new AF 1.8 G lens

So the lens will probably be the same internally as the current AF-G lenses, but styled externally like an AI-s lens for manual override.

As for the videos, I like what they say in video 3 : "No clutter, no distractions." I think the link to the manual series cameras is clear here. The FM2 brochure read on the cover "The perfectionist's Nikon". The FM3a brochure read "Crafted for your command".

Sounds awesome. Priced right, this may be something I could get into.

 

[Rodchenko]

It's funny that the introduction of both programmed exposure and autofocus were presented as 'de-cluttering' the camera, and reducing distractions. And now, we welcome back both the 'clutter' and the 'distraction' as an alternative to the other accummulated grut that we find crammed into digital cameras just because it's possible.

 

[Margu]

most quality nikon prime lenses are so cheap that even if this camera was very expensive it will still be cheaper than sony's ff offerings when lenses are bought into the expense sheet.

 

[noimmunity]

most quality nikon prime lenses are so cheap that even if this camera was very expensive it will still be cheaper than sony's ff offerings when lenses are bought into the expense sheet.

Especially since it looks the Sony only plays optimally with native mount lenses.

But forget the Sony, this announced camera sounds very exciting. (Not for me). So many Nikon enthusiasts have been asking for this. In fact, it may just be what the OM enthusiasts have been wanting but didn't get not even slightly from the OM-D.

Good news.

 

[Clark.EE]

I did hear from a Guy that knows this Girl that used to go out with a Guy called Nikon San.
Anyway his Dad, (Works for some electronics firm in Japan)
told this Guy that the DF camera would have full frame film & Digital capabilities. Even 120 film with the right adapters. (Vignettes with some lenses apparently).
It can even save digital files onto the film if you run out of SD cards.
You just scan the Information off the film when its developed!
On a 36 exp Fuji Superia film for example you would get 36 full frame Digital files!
Apparently, what ever size SD card you put in, you only get 36 Exposures from it. Supposed to make you think about taking your Photos apparently, not "Chimping" it, as we all seem to do now.

Merry Samhain to one & all.

 

[uhoh7]

despite hilarious videos, I'm sure it will be awesome.

At least it's something different. Case sounds cool, and shutter "discrete" mode something A7r lacks.

Especially since it looks the Sony only plays optimally with native mount lenses.

ahem.....who do you think is making the DF sensor? AIS elves? 😉

 

[djonesii]

3000 euros .....

3000 euros .....

I read the original French article.

A strong touch of Irony with respect to the Leica model and all the special models, with out mentioning Leica.

Strong refence to D600/610 issues, the 7100 and 5300 being nothing more than updates.

AND a 3K euro price.....

The Sony lenses are a few hundred more than the Top on the Line Nikons, but if you have a screwdrive focus and can bottom fish, you might just come out around even.

Am holding on to my last 2.8 Nikon zooms just in case, but leaning more and more to just keeping the Fuji X-Pro + OM-D EM5 and FF be damned.

Dave

 

[David_Manning]

As far as my comment about a whole new set of Zeiss primes...what I meant was that I don't have any F-mount Zeiss glass, so I can imagine buying a set of EXISTING ZF lenses. So, new to me. Basically, an excuse to get ZF glass. However, it's a pipe dream, I already have the 28/2.8 and 50/1.4 Nikkor MF lenses...so I'm ready to go.

Now, if it just wasn't for that money thing...

 

[ChrisLivsey]

No translation for : Poids: 765g

F3: 762.1 g 😀

measured, with alkaline LR44 batteries and strap lugs, but without strap, without lens and without body cap. (Source KR, sorry 😉 )

F100 880g

FA 625g

f2 730g

D800 984.8g
D3 1,417.0g
D4 1,337.2 g

 

[froyd]

Thanks, and just for reference:

M9 = 593g

No translation for : Poids: 765g

F3: 762.1 g 😀

measured, with alkaline LR44 batteries and strap lugs, but without strap, without lens and without body cap. (Source KR, sorry 😉 )

F100 880g

FA 625g

f2 730g

D800 984.8g
D3 1,417.0g
D4 1,337.2 g

 

[Uncle Bill]

Pixel race.........Full frame race..........Low light capability race...........Miniaturisation race..........

Are we seeing a return to ergonomincs and cameras that will require their users to understand basic photographic principles (aperture, ISO and shutter speed combinations, at least)?

I still use film (mostly) but enjoy using my D800 as well. A truly great compromise would (for me) be a stripped back (functionality) digital that looks and handles like an F2 / F3 and accepts F-mount manual focus lenses with aperture rings.

I'd love a truly retro rig that I could pair up with one of my film bodies and have the best of both worlds.

That's what I have been waiting for.

 

[defconfunk]

I haven't touched a digital Nikon, Canon, or Sony that makes me want to buy one.

I really like Olympus. I have an OM40, I'm keeping an eye out for an OM-2SP. My digital is an E-510. I have the wonderful 14-54 SWD II lens, and I picked up a Panny 25mm 1.4 for a good price knowing that I'll move to m43. So, obviously the E-M1 is high on my list. Well, it is pretty much the only thing on my list right now.

Except that I recently got a Nikon FA. And I'll be damned if it isn't a great handling camera. And now this Nikon is leaked that will look and feel like an FA (or FM2 or F3 or whatever the rumour is currently saying)... I kinda hope it does cost $3k, because then it is so far out of my price range it'll be a non-issue. If this thing is released and comes out at a similar price to the E-M1 I'm going to be rather conflicted...