The danger of having a full service camera store nearby (Nikon Df content)

[Ken Ford]

I've admired the Nikon Df since it was first announced. Recently I started wondering if a Df would be a good fit for me for my non-action urban shooting - the same stuff I used to do with a pair of unmetered F2s and a small sackful of MF Nikkors. My 24/2.8, 35/2, 50/1.2 and 85/2 or 105/2.5 and 180/2.8 was a max loadout for these expeditions, and most often it was just the 35 and 85 or 105.

I never had a chance to give a Df more than a cursory lookover, so on the way home today I stopped at a newer full service camera store that opened up here last year (Procam in Aurora, IL) to check one out with the idea that, if I liked it, I could start saving for a used one now.

I didn't have my 50/1.2 with me today, but I was able to play with my 35 and 85 plus my new 50/1.4 AF-S on their demo Df. I was very impressed with the handling with both MF and AF lenses. When I was done I thanked the salesperson and mentioned that I thought I would start saving for a clean used one.

Then he whipped out that clean used one with 1242 actuations at a price I couldn't refuse. Gulp. It looks very nice sitting here on the table next to me, and it makes a nice counterpoint to the D700 I recently purchased. I guess I'm a FX guy now.

Just doing my part to prop up the world economy...

 

[Rob-F]

Ken, congrats on the purchase, and keep us posted on your experiences with it.

 

[Keith]

Lol .... such a sad but familiar story! 😀

 

[robert blu]

Probably I had done anything similar if I had a similar shop around, always tempted by the DF to use beside my two FM2...but where I live Nikon sells the DF only through the "pro shops" and there are not many around...
By the way not many DF on the used market, I imagine it means who has it is happy of the purchase 🙂
Congrats on your purchase, enjoy it and please report your user experience .

robert

 

[peterm1]

I know exactly what you mean. My downfall tends to be (a) good lenses and (b) high quality second hand kit and if I see a high quality second hand lens (ie combining A and B) I am totally hooked.

I mainly shoot Nikon DSLR but have several other camera makes on the go as well because I am curious about what they offer and how they perform. Recently I went into a local camera store (not the one I usually frequent) and "accidentally" bought another lens for micro 4/3. I never really wanted to be in that system as I prefer bigger sensors but, well you know how it is! Now I am running Nikon Full Frame, Nikon APS (admittedly my old D200), Sony E mount and Olympus M4/3. Plus of course, various small pocket cameras courtesy of Canon, Panasonic and others. My best bet is to stay well clear of any camera store from now to infinity.

 

[JOneZero]

Heh. At the grocery store, impulse items are candy, potato chips and tabloid magazines.

At the camera store, impulse items are lenses, old film bodies, and a Nikon Df. 🙂

 

[Ken Ford]

It's morning, and no regrets. Yay!

I ordered a 35/2 Ai-S last night during KEH's Nikon sale - they had a LN- one listed. My 35/2 is an ancient Ai'd single coated version that was my first Nikon lens back in the mid 70s, and it's never been at its best on digital. This new 35 and my Ai-S 50/1.2 and 105/2.5 will probably be my usual kit for the Df in one of my smaller Domkes.

 

[farlymac]

Hey, I was just shooting a 35/50/105 combo today, Ken, (though they were Non-Ai on a Nikkormat). Can't figure out if I want to go FX or DX, but the D610 is on the list. Hope you have fun with it.

PF

 

[Fuchs]

Congratulations. The Df is a great camera to use manual lenses, and on mine, the 35/2 Ais is nearly permanently attached. That combo is great!

 

[alan davus]

The last new Nikon camera I bought was a FA in 1985. The DF is about the only camera they've produced since that would entice me to buy a SLR again. Enjoy it Ken.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Wow... talk about a total conversion...

Since you now have the camera that I was about to buy (on an impulse I managed to control) and add as a companion to my own D700, I'll be asking questions about their VFs and controls via e-mail. Take care and congratulations!! 🙂 I'm LIKE THIS with envy...

 

[Trius]

A pro shop in Aurora -- "Party on, Garth!" Er ... Ken & Fernando. 😀

 

[jsrockit]

I absolutely love the Df. The only reason I haven't been using mine for a few weeks is because I got the X-Pro2. My two dream cameras.

 

[k__43]

A pro shop in Aurora -- "Party on, Garth!" Er ... Ken & Fernando. 😀

HA!

I watched that movie like a thousand times as a kid. 😀

 

[Range-rover]

Congrad's on the DF, once you go nikon full frame you don't go back, I have the
older D3 and I'm pretty pleased.

 

[Ken Ford]

Yeah, I just had donuts at Stan Mikita's yesterday...

;-)

I'm still impressed. But, what I've been reading about the Df's AF system seems to be true - this ain't no action camera. As was expected, so I'm not the least bit disappointed or concerned - it's going to be a MF platform for me. My D300, D700 and even D1 focus much more authoritatively.

I need to find someone to CLA my 105/2.5 - who is the current favorite? I'll try giving the old Nikon facility in Niles, IL a call today.

 

[Ken Ford]

Wow... talk about a total conversion...

Since you now have the camera that I was about to buy (on an impulse I managed to control) and add as a companion to my own D700, I'll be asking questions about their VFs and controls via e-mail. Take care and congratulations!! 🙂 I'm LIKE THIS with envy...

Let me know when you want to do a play date. ;-)

 

[B-9]

Having recently acquired a D3, I can agree, Nikon FX is sweet.

I'm enjoying the larger body and added vertical controls over my previous D700.

at current prices (750$) for the D700 and (1100$) for the D3, there is not much else out there with this much bang for your buck.

 

[uhoh7]

Congrats!!

The DF has been holding it's value well lately and has quite a few fans now 🙂

 

[Ken Ford]

One week in I am falling in love with the Df. Interestingly enough, while I bought it with the intent of using my MF Nikkors on it I'm also enjoying using AF lenses - both the 50/1.4G AF-S I bought a week ago, but also the unexpected 85/1.4G AF-S I picked up earlier this week from a co-worker for a relative song. I think I need to sell things to pick up a 35/1.4G AF-S, and maybe even a 24/1.4G AF-S and a 58/1.4G AF-S - these newer Nikon speed lenses have a signature that I really like, and they are a great match with the Df.