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Any thoughts after using the Nikon DF?
I was at the camera store the other day and they had the Nikon DF in stock and were offering a weekend rental for $100. The rate was cheaper then the D610 or D800, but they said it was a special since they wanted people to try them out. Personally from a few minutes of holding the camera, I loved it. It's a little retro and takes a second to learn how to quickly adjust things, but I heard the image quality is superb. Anyone have any experience with the camera? Sample Images? I know for the next camera I buy I want a full frame, I'm just stuck between the D610, D800, and the DF. All great cameras, all have their pros and cons, and all work with my workflow. Mar 02 14 09:52 am Link I have had my Df for nearly 2 weeks. Have not used it yet for any commercial work, but taking enough images to used to the feel and the layout of the controls. Compared to my D3 and D700 it is a very different feel Smaller and "lighter" and I have found the placement of the controls, especially the aperture control awkward at first, but now it is getting easier to remember where it is and what it feels like. One of the selling points for me was the shutter, whisper quiet compared to the D3 & D700, great for working in quiet places like churches. Even quieter in quiet mode - but there is the inbuilt delay, but the shutter is quiet enough not to have to use that feature. The Df is well balanced for smaller lenses. To me it feels well balanced with my 35mm f1.4 and 50mm f1.4 but a tad ungainly with the 24-70 f2.8 - it becomes a little too front heavy, but manageable. With the 70-200 f2.8 it just feels wrong hand held - maybe I will get used to it, maybe not. But handles OK when the 70-200 mounted on a monopod or tripod. Image quality is great, well with the D4 sensor it would have to be good. It also sports the updated flash controls of the D4 - setting for the background. Have not tested that yet, but will over the coming weeks. Have not put it through it's high ISO paces yet, but at base ISO images are really good. I hope to put a couple of images I took at a Ribbon Cutting event I covered a week back. I only took a couple of images with the Df and used the D3 for the majority of the images. While I am pleased with the camera, I got the silver version, but I now thinking I should have gotten the black version. The look of the camera really attracts a lot of attention and questions. But I have the silver one and will have to live with it. All in all I am very pleased and it is fun to use as well  MK Mar 02 14 11:28 am Link CE Photog wrote: 1+ yep this be true... It's a D4 in a Nikon F3 skin... CE Photog wrote: identical to a D4 sans video... CE Photog wrote: best advice? rent each for a week... only you can determine which is ideal once you've actually used them in real-time... Mar 02 14 11:57 am Link Slow Unnecessarily complicated Too Large If you only care about the IQ and it doesn't matter how high you have to jump to get there, buy this camera. If you have better things to do than bend and contort to get a decent shot, buy something else...like the Fuji XT1 or Sony A7. Interestingly enough the guys at TWIP published this right about the time I gave my evaluation copy back to it's owner and said good-riddance: http://youtu.be/Y1e5zEojxPg Mar 02 14 12:02 pm Link ArtistryImage wrote: Not even close. Totally different cameras. Mar 02 14 01:21 pm Link ArtistryImage wrote: The difference in processing between a DF file and a D800 file are not such that the DF will be different enough to consider it "Real Time" Mar 02 14 01:26 pm Link had one and returned it many reasons -with anything bigger than a 50mm, just too unbalanced, no real grip doesn't help -the finish of the silver was so bad, it looked as of cheap plastic -the front lug for a strap is annoyingly in the way for the shutter button ( bothered me anyway) -the overall ergonomics, build, finish way below the premium price it costs--IMO - didn't find much difference in my ancient D700 files compared to it, I don't shoot at 2 million ISO, or crop much if Im gonna go small, Ill get a mirrorless with the correspondingly smaller lenses Mar 02 14 01:33 pm Link Hilarious review of the Nikon Df http://boingboing.net/2014/01/06/hilari … nikon.html Another funny Nikon Df review http://boingboing.net/2014/01/23/anothe … eview.html Mar 02 14 01:42 pm Link I am just being real. I test drove the Nikon Df...and was not impressed with it...it reminds me of the Sony A77 and A99...on paper they look good..until you start playing with it..you start to realize..that Nikon lost me on this. The Over Priced Camera is the first thing you get. Too much for so little. A two year old sensor? Come On Nikon..The 610 sensor was available...One Card slot...It feels cheap and looks cheap up close. Do I really, if using a tripod or monopod...have to release the camera from monopod and change the one card slot? Really Nikon. Too small grip...no optional battery grip. This Nikon Df...is not for me...The Price is the major factor...That kind of money..I would buy another Nikon D800. The Df...looks and feels like a $1000 dollar camera...Nikon is making a mint off you guys! lol DP..Mighty Con List for Nikon Df... Disappointing AF performance drops off in moderate light Small coverage area of AF array Locking exposure comp dial is inconvenient (especially with large lenses) Inconsistent use of materials detracts from sense of quality 1/4000th sec maximum shutter speed No exposure scale or histogram in live view Viewfinder focusing screen not best suited for manual focusing Single SD card slot Battery door prone to falling off some cameras Combined SD/battery door under the camera awkward for tripod work Front command dial not terribly comfortable to use Body is rather large and heavy, considering small grip Slow AF in live view No two-button card format option No percentage battery life/info available No 'live' aperture control in live view mode presents inconsistencies between lens types No time-lapse option (available on D610) No infrared remote trigger option Mar 02 14 01:42 pm Link I played with one in a camera store for about 15 minutes. I was not overly impressed. The dual command wheel system works very well on every Nikon Ive owned since the D200. The Df replaces this with dials awkwardly positioned on every surface. I also thought the camera feels cheaply made and very plastic. The D4 sensor makes zero sense in this camera. Nikon should have made a real D700 replacement using the D4 chip with a no-compromise Af system in a lighter than a D4 body. Great PJ/street camera. The retro "ultimate image quality" camera should have used the D800e sensor, with no video, and an accurate if sparse AF system. I just dont get the Df, but im glad its selling well. Mar 02 14 01:43 pm Link Robb Mann wrote: IT is an old ploy....If Nikon only built...A 1000 of Df's...and they sold out..Then Nikon can say..They are selling like Hot Cakes! lol Mar 02 14 01:47 pm Link This DF thing reminds me a lot of the Nikon 1. Big mysterious marketing campaign build up. Huge anticipation. Followed quickly by consensus, more or less that it's: "the camera nobody asked for" Mar 02 14 01:56 pm Link Artifice wrote: I love DigitalRev tv reviews. Just watched the one for the Fuji XT1. Mar 02 14 01:56 pm Link James Ogilvie wrote: This is where Nikon has Failed. A massive build up to a nothing. That great under achiever Nikon 1..while it was a great seller in Japan..but not else where. Nikon reminds me at times of the movie...Star Trek: The Motion Picture...A massive build up..and when it finally arrived...there was nothing to see at the end. Mar 02 14 02:05 pm Link Fred Greissing wrote: So it's not the same sensor as the D4? Where did you get this info - just curious Mar 02 14 02:49 pm Link DOUGLASFOTOS wrote: To be fair, it is currently #63 in Amazons top selling digital cameras. That isnt too shabby for a niche product. Mar 02 14 02:49 pm Link Mike Kirwan Photography wrote: +1 Mar 02 14 03:49 pm Link Mike Kirwan Photography wrote: You seemed shocked that Nikon would use a 2 year old sensor that is in the Nikon D4..in a two year old camera that was suppose to be out 2 years ago! lol Mar 02 14 04:46 pm Link Robb Mann wrote: But who cares what sensor it is..or that it's a best seller for that matter. People buy things all the time purely because it's a fad and/or name recognition. Mar 02 14 04:53 pm Link For the same money, you could buy the Fuji X-T1, the 35mm f1.4, and the 56mm f1.2 and you'll still end up with enough money for lunch. It's a much better camera. This is coming from a Nikon guy. Edit: As a side note, it's basically the digital Nikon FG I've wanted for years. Mar 02 14 06:22 pm Link DOUGLASFOTOS wrote: I think you misunderstood him. Mar 02 14 06:31 pm Link I think its clear the Df wasnt meant for serious, working photographers. But who was It was meant for hobbiests with spare cash who care a lot about style? I'd be curious to hear an opinion on the Df from a novice photographer, or a film photographer moving to digital for the first time. Mar 02 14 07:39 pm Link Mike Kirwan Photography wrote: The DF has the D600 focusing system, but a lower res sensor. Mar 02 14 10:25 pm Link I would buy it ... full frame sensor Mar 03 14 04:53 am Link Fred Greissing wrote: I'd guess they might be using D4s rejects in the Df, if they're using rejects at all. The Df tested above the D4 in DXOmark testing. Nikon usually gets good yields on their sensor fabs, hence why the D700 even existed. Producing all their chips on one line would save costs, although they did apparently keep the D3 chip line running after the D3s introduction to keep making chips for the D700. Most of this is speculation, since manufactures rarely discuss chip production at all. Mar 03 14 05:33 am Link (Tog) I think it would be cool to put a state of the art digital sensor in my f body. Then I could use all of my old lenses, and still get awesome photos. (Nikon) Here you go... *Df* (Tog) *Click* Hmm... This is a piece of shit. (Nikon) Yup. Hipster shit. (Tog) I'd rather buy a real camera. (Nikon) What a coincidence. We would rather sell you a real camera. (Tog) Got it. I'm going to go post on MM (Nikon) Thank you for buying Nikon. Mar 03 14 03:30 pm Link What's a Tog? Mar 03 14 05:47 pm Link Art Silva wrote: A rather insulting and derogatory term for 'photographer'... Mar 03 14 05:50 pm Link Select Models wrote: I know, I was being sarcastic Mar 03 14 06:58 pm Link "Offense is the state of discovery that your beliefs are contrary to reality." -Stefan M. There's nothing derogatory about the term, just the way some people use it. I used it as an abbreviation. Mar 03 14 08:35 pm Link Fred Greissing wrote: Huh? Mar 03 14 08:52 pm Link Bad Dog Photog wrote: Don't know how long you've been in the game but in the day the title "photographer" was something of a badge of honor if you were good at it and knew how to process your own work, especially if you were published... you became a Real Photographer. Mar 03 14 10:36 pm Link ArtistryImage wrote: hardly Mar 04 14 01:12 am Link CE Photog wrote: If the Df did video, I might be all over it. Since it doesn't...I'm taking a pass. Mar 04 14 07:38 am Link tog tog tog tog tog tog tog tog tog tog tog tog tog tog!! You're all TOGS!!! All a bunch of lousy togs...well...some togs are better than other togs.   If I was more motivated, I'd do one of these but say TOG!!! This man is a tog!! We've got a tog!! See, no body cares. Mar 04 14 07:53 am Link i enjoy the snark factor. so is it really nickon instead of nykon? Robb Mann wrote: Mar 04 14 07:58 am Link ontherocks wrote: Call it what you want... just buy the camera in the golden box... Mar 04 14 08:06 am Link Art Silva wrote: You mean like the quote in f-stoppers video where he points out that efficiency is an earmark of a true professional, and the "...slow down, and experience the essence..." is the rookie sentiment that got us all when we started? Mar 04 14 09:38 am Link ^^^ Wow okay. I thought we were talking about you referring to other Photographers as "Tog", but okay. Obviously you misread me and took it somewhere else in attempt to Make it an argument, which I will not get into. I won’t get into skill set or the old Nikon vs. Canon thing. I found it a waist of time to read all the techie articles and published opinions and comparisons because they're are usually bias agendas and only personal opinions behind the articles. I suggest to just take the specs, see what real users feel about it’s handling and look at as many sample images as you can. Everyone has their own way of shooting, their own style and their own preferences of ergonomics and visions of what images they want to create. I shoot with all kinds of cameras and lenses, new and old, mostly old because there are certain characteristic I like that I can’t get with the perfectly made new gear. I also shoot manual 90% of the time anyways so a camera like the Df is a welcomed sight and is VERY familiar with what I spent most of my 35mm time with. On that note I am not in the market for this camera or need it as my work presently is going away from digital but I will say that if I was totally engulfed in the DSLR realm, this camera would be a great consideration, it was what I thought [at least on the outside] what I thought the D1 or D100 would be before it came out. Maybe to little too late but at least Nikon answered a long standing request. I actually handled one today, all black model and I have to say it felt right in my hands. Lighter than I thought but dials and buttons fell naturally into place under my fingertips and the whole thing felt solid. Actions were very Nikon but I got put off by the G lens that was attached to this one. I naturally wanted to turn an aperture ring but had to switch my brain to the program dial in this case. I think this camera will grow on some, not be for others but will be perfect for those who like to switch it up. Mar 04 14 07:31 pm Link I guess I should explain that too. When I used the term "argument", I was referring to the assertion being made, and backed by rhetoric. I didn't mean to imply adversarial intentions, just that you were making a point. Again, I wasn't trying to start, of feed a debate. The opposite in fact. I thought that post might add insight into what Nikon seemed to be thinking when they made the thing. I still think it's really awesome. I just agree with all of the folks who are saying that when it comes to price/performance, it would probably be wiser to buy another model. Regardless of how cool it might be, we're trying to make images without destroying the bottom line. I wouldn't keep a PA on with a wage that exceeds their worth, regardless of how beautiful they might be. I expect the same from equipment. The camera might feel great in the hand, and familiar to use, but if it's just not doing the work, then I gotta pass! I'm trying to make money here. I mean... aren't we all? Mar 04 14 08:20 pm Link |
