Nikon DF

[Addy101]

I don't know, the electronic rangefinder is what I'll use to focus, so no problem. Interchangeable screens would have been nice, but not a deal-breaker. Remember, this camera is 3 grand, not 5 or 6.

The Sony A900 with a MSRP us$3.000,- had interchangeable screens 😱

I don't understand the strong emotions people have. Okay, it isn't a looker, it isn't as basic as some hoped, but it still will be a capable camera. It is targeted at a specific market, that may not be you. So, no problem, move on and buy that what fits you. Nikon, Sony or anything else.

 

[uhoh7]

Yeah, seems like I might be the RFF designated test pilot!

Yes, and be sure to have a shot of Sake before take off 😉

This one's for the Emperor!

jus kidding, I'd love to hear about it, sir 🙂

 

[Godfrey]

The Sony A900 with a MSRP us$3.000,- had interchangeable screens.

The Pentax *ist DS I bought in 2004 was around $700-800 and included interchangeable focusing screens. I can't see why *any* SLR camera would not have interchangeable screens. It's not that expensive to do so.

G

 

[Timmyjoe]

Jeez, seems like I'm the only person who likes this camera and may possibly order one. Am I alone?

I would need to see it in person and hold it. Some of the pictures make it look huge, with a rather tiny grip. Others make it look more balanced. It's hard to tell without seeing it in person and handling it. The price is a bit of a put off, but if it performs (optically) as good as my D4, then it really isn't so expensive (as it is half the price of the D4).

Time will tell.

Best,
-Tim

 

[Tom A]

What is everybody moaning about! Nobody will force you to buy one. I like the concept - haven't seen or held the camera yet - but a "simplified" full frame DSLR that allows me to use all my old Nikon F lenses - and the new lenses in F-mount from Zeiss and Cosina Voigtlander can't be all bad in my mind.I just hope that Nikon has given those of us who hates complex menu's and over loaded gimmickry to disconnect this and shot manually, f stop, shutter speed and manual focus - don't need anything more - nor do I want it. Will be interesting to see if they have given some thought to the black/white performance.
Is it only me - or is it just a coincidence that the Sony 7's just were announced and now the F Digital is coming out - who is next?

 

[uhoh7]

Now that the cat is out of the bag, prototype images are emerging:

 

[Frank Petronio]

I don't understand the strong emotions people have. Okay, it isn't a looker, it isn't as basic as some hoped, but it still will be a capable camera. It is targeted at a specific market, that may not be you. So, no problem, move on and buy that what fits you. Nikon, Sony or anything else.

The DF may end up selling well even if most serious photographers reject it. The issue I have, and I suspect many other photographers share, is that Nikon has identified this as a "pure" and "simplified" camera for the real photographers, i.e. a lot of the people who read a forum like this one. Yet it isn't pure or simple, it's a D600 with some schmutz glued on and features removed at double the price!

Nikon's failed to listen and understand its most loyal, hardcore customer base once again. So while the actual camera itself doesn't impact us because we don't have to purchase it, the attitude Nikon is taking makes me skeptical that they will ever "get it". This lessens my options for future cameras, especially since I already believe most of the other companies are also clueless and unresponsive.

So while there are dozen of new camera releases, there are only a handful of cameras worthy of serious consideration. What I wanted was for Nikon to answer Fuji with a competitive camera - something with brilliant thinking and a quality execution... and for Canon, Sony, Oly, Pany, Leica, and Pentax to do likewise... generating some "survival of the fittest" evolutionary progress and benefits. Instead we got a status quo camera with some decorative touches, cynically marketed and overpriced by at least a third.

They should sell an expensive wooden accessory grip like the Hasselblad Lunar so they can scrape every last dollar out the gullibles' wallets.

If I were shopping I'd be running to Fuji and Sony ~ as imperfect as they are at least they're engaged in trying to make better cameras.

 

[maggieo]

What is everybody moaning about! Nobody will force you to buy one. I like the concept - haven't seen or held the camera yet - but a "simplified" full frame DSLR that allows me to use all my old Nikon F lenses - and the new lenses in F-mount from Zeiss and Cosina Voigtlander can't be all bad in my mind.I just hope that Nikon has given those of us who hates complex menu's and over loaded gimmickry to disconnect this and shot manually, f stop, shutter speed and manual focus - don't need anything more - nor do I want it. Will be interesting to see if they have given some thought to the black/white performance.
Is it only me - or is it just a coincidence that the Sony 7's just were announced and now the F Digital is coming out - who is next?

Well said, Tom!

 

[RichC]

The Pentax *ist DS I bought in 2004 was around $700-800 and included interchangeable focusing screens. I can't see why *any* SLR camera would not have interchangeable screens. It's not that expensive to do so.

As do Canon. In fact, I've got a modified Canon screen in my Nikon D800, which apparently has a "non-replaceable" screen according to Nikon - took 5 minutes to swap out the old screen!

So, not a cost or technical issue - Nikon simply didn't want to fully support manual lenses, despite their marketing hype. Marketing hype... Nikon's playing the nostalgia card. But they don't seriously expect people to use manual lenses - and they'll be right. Most will buy it because retro is now cool, but they'll use autofocus lenses apart from a few weirdoes...

 

[Jamie Pillers]

I'm a bit surprised at my response

I'm a bit surprised at my response

For a week or so, I'd been hearing that the cost of the Df was going to be around $3000. That really put the camera out of my reach (without seriously difficult negotiations with the family exchequer). But I was still hoping that the camera would be so amazing, so much like my old F3, that I'd be willing to sell everything and buy it. But, in the end, I'm not bowled over and I'm not at all feeling that "NEED TO BUY IT NOW!" fever.

I think my response has been affected a LOT by the presence of Sony's A7 cameras. For many years now, I've been waiting for a digital camera on which I could use my manual focus Nikkor lenses and not have their characteristics impinged upon by a "crop factor". Over the years I've tried many APS-C sensored cameras with adapters for my Nikkors, and I've always moved on because I hated having my 35mm lens produce 53mm FL field of view images. I LIKE all the character that is added to an image by the peripheral edges of a lens. But these small sensors have been cutting a lot of that out. And up till now, full-frame digital cameras have been too costly. But...

Now we're in the era of somewhat reasonably priced FF bodies: Nikon D600, 610, the similar Canon bodies, and... the amazingly small, light-weight, and seemingly capable Sony A7. With the A7, I can have a FF digital camera more similar to the size of my old Nikon FM, upon which I can adapt my trusty old Nikkors (and just about any other full-frame intended lens)! Yippee!

 

[wjlapier]

Jeez, seems like I'm the only person who likes this camera and may possibly order one. Am I alone?

Nope, I'm with ya. Not until after the new year though.

 

[TennesseJones]

But correct me if I'm wrong, but d700/800 can change screens?

So d700/800 are actually therefore easier to use manual focus ai glass on than the new df, which is meant to be the retro one you'd use manual focus ai glass on?

As do Canon. In fact, I've got a modified Canon screen in my Nikon D800, which apparently has a "non-replaceable" screen according to Nikon - took 5 minutes to swap out the old screen!

So, not a cost or technical issue - Nikon simply didn't want to fully support manual lenses, despite their marketing hype. Marketing hype... Nikon's playing the nostalgia card. But they don't seriously expect people to use manual lenses - and they'll be right. Most will buy it because retro is now cool, but they'll use autofocus lenses apart from a few weirdoes...

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Jeez, seems like I'm the only person who likes this camera and may possibly order one. Am I alone?

No, Vince, I too like it... a lot, and won't nitpick anything until I have it in my hands. Before this announcement, I was thinking about ditching all my SLR gear because neither the D800 nor any of the D600 bodies appeal to me (too full of stuff I don't need or want). Granted, the price is a bit on the high side, but then, this is a camera, to me it's not a tool but a luxury, and I'll save my pennies to get one just in case my D700 dies some time soon.

 

[willie_901]

But correct me if I'm wrong, but d700/800 can change screens?

So d700/800 are actually therefore easier to use manual focus ai glass on than the new df, which is meant to be the retro one you'd use manual focus ai glass on?

It may be possible to change the screen. However it is a tricky, complicated task. You void the warrenty. Different screens may require different shims. You can actually do damage if you aren't careful.

You would notchange D200/200/700/800 etc ,etc screens as you use to change focusing screens in the F3 for instance.

I would buy a DF if it did have screen system similar to my ex-F3. Instead I'll buy the 56/1.2 XF for my X-Pro 1 and spend the rest traveling.

 

[Spyro]

I think it's a good product from Nikon, ok not very polished but good enough considering it's their first effort in that direction. I hope the market gives them enough support to justify a second version (but not too much support which might give them the wrong idea that all is perfect) where they can take feedback on board and make improvements. Plenty of good recommendations here and elsewhere about the VF, the placement of dials and number of buttons. Also their pricing and the weight/size have plenty of room for improvement.

I'm not buying this camera but I'll give Nikon an "A" for effort 😀

 

[jonmanjiro]

But correct me if I'm wrong, but d700/800 can change screens?
*
So d700/800 are actually therefore easier to use manual focus ai glass on than the new df, which is meant to be the retro one you'd use manual focus ai glass on?

*

It is possible to change D700/800 focus screens but Nikon didn't intend for them to be user replaceable, like for example on the F6, and Nikon does not sell focus screens for them.
*
There are of course third party screens available. I have a Katzeye split screen in my D700 and love it. It was straightforward to install (procedure is a little more tricky but similar to installing a focus screen in an FE2/FM2/FM3A) and did not require shimming. I mainly use my D700 for macro photography with a manual focus Micro-Nikkor Ai-S 105/2.8 and focusing accurately is a breeze. But if you're the clumsy type I'd recommend not attempting to install a focus screen yourself though.
*
I expect the Df focus screen is very similar to the one in the D700/800 (removable but not intended to be user replaceable) and third party focus screeen options will be available soon enough.

Edit:

D700 had after market screens available and were changeable. The D800 represents Nikon's new direction of non-changeable screen cameras.

Woah I didn't realise that.

Looks like the D800 screen is changeable but quite a bit more difficult than on the D700. I'm sticking with my D700 then...

 

[froyd]

The DF may end up selling well even if most serious photographers reject it. The issue I have, and I suspect many other photographers share, is that Nikon has identified this as a "pure" and "simplified" camera for the real photographers, i.e. a lot of the people who read a forum like this one. Yet it isn't pure or simple, it's a D600 with some schmutz glued on and features removed at double the price!

Nikon's failed to listen and understand its most loyal, hardcore customer base once again. So while the actual camera itself doesn't impact us because we don't have to purchase it, the attitude Nikon is taking makes me skeptical that they will ever "get it". This lessens my options for future cameras, especially since I already believe most of the other companies are also clueless and unresponsive.

So while there are dozen of new camera releases, there are only a handful of cameras worthy of serious consideration. What I wanted was for Nikon to answer Fuji with a competitive camera - something with brilliant thinking and a quality execution... and for Canon, Sony, Oly, Pany, Leica, and Pentax to do likewise... generating some "survival of the fittest" evolutionary progress and benefits. Instead we got a status quo camera with some decorative touches, cynically marketed and overpriced by at least a third.

They should sell an expensive wooden accessory grip like the Hasselblad Lunar so they can scrape ever last dollar out the gullibles' wallets.

If I were shopping I'd be running to Fuji and Sony, as imperfect as they are at least they're engaged in making better cameras.

Absolutely. I'm surprised at the number of post I keep seeing where people are wondering where the disappointment comes from. The hype hinted at something better than was delivered. The X-Pro really pushed the envelope when it came out. This latest offering from Nikon is a "meh" at best. Better in form facor than a hulking D4, but nowhere near as innovative and well executed as the R-D1 was in its time, the M9, or the X-Pro and X100.

 

[craygc]

But correct me if I'm wrong, but d700/800 can change screens?

So d700/800 are actually therefore easier to use manual focus ai glass on than the new df, which is meant to be the retro one you'd use manual focus ai glass on?

D700 had after market screens available and were changeable. The D800 represents Nikon's new direction of non-changeable screen cameras. Same issues that I alluded to in post #622 still apply.

For a good overview of the problem without me having to write it all out, look at Joseph Wisniewski post @ Oct 20, 2012; 03:37 p.m here for a great explanation of the problem.

 

[Paddy C]

The DF may end up selling well even if most serious photographers reject it. The issue I have, and I suspect many other photographers share, is that Nikon has identified this as a "pure" and "simplified" camera for the real photographers, i.e. a lot of the people who read a forum like this one. Yet it isn't pure or simple, it's a D600 with some schmutz glued on and features removed at double the price!

This. About 100 times over.

And please, let's stop with the "you aren't the target audience" retort. You could say that "Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2" has a target audience. But that audience is all of two people and it's about the worst movie ever made.

It's absolutely mind-blowing to me that Nikon can release this camera, charge what they are for it, and have lots of people think that's just great.

Single card slot, 1/4000 top shutter speed, no focusing aids, no interchangeable focusing screens, no video, 16mp sensor.

I can guarantee that I can adjust any setting on my a850 faster and can do it without taking my eye away from the viewfinder and without having to reposition my hands/grip.

Sorry, but you've got to take a step back and ask what are you really paying for here.

 

[x-ray]

It's the same price as the D800 and I wouldn't give up my D800 for one of these. IMO it should be priced about the same as a D600. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice camera but I think it's aimed at the enthusiast and nikon thinks they can get them to cough up the bux.