ptpdprinter
Veteran
The Df doesn't take film, so they would buy it for manual controls? I thought all the high-end DSLRs had manual options. So it's all about camera styling?
Will there be a Nikon DF replacement?
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jsrockit
Moderator
Classic controls I think he meant.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Comparing the DF to the Edsel is ridiculous ... the car had mechanical issues and was a total misreading of the market by the manufacturer. The DF is a fine camera that not everyone wants or likes ... there is actually nothing objectionable about it in my opinion.
It's functionality and styling should not be compared to Ford's disaster which in today's currency would have lost them (Ford) close to three billion dollars apparently.
It's functionality and styling should not be compared to Ford's disaster which in today's currency would have lost them (Ford) close to three billion dollars apparently.
ptpdprinter
Veteran
So the wedding industry is trending toward classic controls - camera styling.
Contarama
Well-known
Those Amazon folks can keep their shutter freezing D750s and gelded lenses and I'll keep my Df and built like a tank manual focus Nikkors and the whole world is happy.
PS. To all the Df detractors on this thread - I think your cameras suck too! LOL
And Huss I just looked through the viewfinder of an FM and then my Df...try again sir is all I will say. 🙂
PS. To all the Df detractors on this thread - I think your cameras suck too! LOL
And Huss I just looked through the viewfinder of an FM and then my Df...try again sir is all I will say. 🙂
jsrockit
Moderator
I didn't say that, but I'm speaking to the "manual controls" part. And he did say HIGH END, so perhaps it is possible. I don't really care what anyone does in the wedding industry as a whole myself.
Huss
Veteran
The DF hasn't been replaced either. It is also a mainstream camera, I'm not sure what is not mainstream about it apart from the lacking feature set compared to current market product.
Quite correct old boy!
ptpdprinter
Veteran
I don't care who shoots with what either. I was just trying to understand SaveKodak's assertion that "Every Nikon wedding shooter would buy a DF2 if it had the D750 or better AF and 2 card slots."
Huss
Veteran
Pick up your DF. Put it to your eye. Focus on something close to you. Set the aperture at 2.8. Push the depth of field preview lever. Now set the aperture to f 1.4. Push the depth of field preview lever.
Guess what? No change.
Yeah, it works real well with manual lenses....
The thing is, Nikon knows how to make good AF work with fantastic mf. They did it with the F6 which has the best mf vf out of any SLR I have used.
They chose to cut corners with the DF. Which is reflective now in its dearth of sales.
gavinlg
Veteran
For instance if a photographer is using the contax 645 system as many do, having the same or similar control layout (shutter speed dial and aperture rings) is an advantage if you are using a hybrid film/digi combo.
Yup, thanks 😎
Not on the whole, moreso the higher end. Obviously that's a bit of a generalization but for instance in rangefinder magazines best wedding photographers of 2016 most of them were either using a hybrid workflow of digital and film, or all film.
I'm not a wedding photographer but I personally hate the disconnected eos and modern nikon control wheels as camera controls, so the DF is something I would consider atop my fuji system. Hoping there's a second version which is slimmer, has a more cohesive layout, and a better viewfinder for manual focussing lenses. The current one is still great though.
Rick Waldroup
Well-known
I shot Nikons for decades. Then I switched to micro 4/3 for the past few years. I just recently sold all of my m4/3 gear and went back to Nikon and the camera I chose was the Df, along with some nice prime lenses. I could not be happier. The camera reminds me of my F2's and especially the F3. Everything on the camera is where it should be and most things lock down which makes it great for street and documentary photography.
Although it has taken me a while to get used to the extra weight and size as compared to my m4/3 system, it is well worth it. I will be adding another Df body in the next few months as I like to shoot two cameras at events, etc. I think it is a great camera. If Nikon were to make another version of the Df, like others have said, it would really have to be a vast improvement over the original Df for me to purchase one.
Although it has taken me a while to get used to the extra weight and size as compared to my m4/3 system, it is well worth it. I will be adding another Df body in the next few months as I like to shoot two cameras at events, etc. I think it is a great camera. If Nikon were to make another version of the Df, like others have said, it would really have to be a vast improvement over the original Df for me to purchase one.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Rick,
First quote: exactly. I find it odd that anyone should call control layout "styling". A "manual option" is not the same as having a shutter speed dial, ISO dial, aperture ring...
Second quote: true. Is it perfect? No. Is it better for me (and for you) than other DSLRs with their controls strewn at random across the body? Easily.
Cheers,
R.
gavinlg
Veteran
Estona
Member
No matter what camera Nikon comes out with, till forever, will not be a D700 replacement for the D700 faithful because, well, it won't be a D700. Only a D700 will do, nothing else, nothing. By the way, how to choose the first camera you can read here http://fixthephoto.com/blog/tech-tips/best-camera-for-amateur-photographer.html
Out to Lunch
Veteran
Thirteen months down the road since this thread was introduced and still no Df replacement...what a surprise! Not.
css9450
Veteran
I'd forgotten how silly this thread was the first time around... A year later - it still is!
😛
madNbad
Well-known
The Df has the flip up lever to allow the use of unmodified non-Ai lenses. Why hasn't Nikon incorporated this feature in to more of their DSLRs?
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
Ya know, I actually feel that way! :angel:
michaelwj
----------------
Because they want to sell you a lens too.
But digging a bit deeper, there probably aren't that many people with Non-AI lenses who want a digital camera - the Df was it and my guess is that the noise around "we want to mount Non-AI lenses to a new digital camera" didn't turn into sales. Nikon is too risk adverse to try that again.
NickTrop
Veteran
1. I think it's very well possible that this camera gets an update. Same body, but an upgraded sensor and/or processing engine though this wouldn't make sense because 16 MP might be alls you need given the resolving power of older lenses. Perhaps they'll find a way to boost dynamic range even more along with high ISO capabilities.
2. Doomed? It's a current production camera that's been out for five years. This isn't a D5XXX series camera -- high volume/lowish margin, It's a high margin/low volume niche product.
