Nikon DF Review
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- Опубликовано: 28 ноя 2013
- Don't have time to watch the entire video? Check out my conclusion at 12:50.
Samples can be found at the link below:
www.flickr.com/photos/76054444...
Nikon DF body only: $2,749.99 USD
Nikon DF with special edition 50mm F/1.8G: $2,999.99 USD 
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Another great interview, Jeremy. Thanks!
This was such an incredible and thorough review. You answered all of my questions. Thank you!!
Thanks for this great review. It is definitely one of the better Nikon DF reviews on RUclips.
I love the ability to have direct access to the control dials on the DF, especially with the ISO and EV compensation dials. When I moved from film to digital, not having direct access to control dials was one of major aspect I sorely missed on my Nikon F3P. I do most of my work with my Broncolor Studio lighting, as such the camera mostly operates in full manual mode. Metering is done using a Flash meter to balance between ambient and flash. The DF allows intuitive & direct setup even quicker than what I can achieve on a D3 or D4. The DF controls fits right into this niche and has become one of my trusty workhorse, together with my D3, D4 and Fuji x100s.
very cool review, many thanks for taking your time to do this.
You're the first out of my channels that I subscribe to, that put this out. I was really excited about it, but it's just not for me.
Another target group is hipsters! Lol
Very nice presentation for a beloved (for some people) camera.
Great video. You say it like how it is with no bias, just honest opinions.
That little focus dot is pretty perfect if you know how to use it.
Weird on old manual lenses you'll have to use those arrows left or right of the dot as opposed to using your eyes or the dot itself. Once you learn where your lens likes to focus in relation to the arrows its very easy and quick to nail focus on manual lenses.
If you're using AF glass then you have the AF adjustments in camera.
Overall anything from the D300 up is nothing short of amazing from Nikon. The D200 waa great but that battery was pretty bad and 1600 iso was a pain unless you had fast glass in low light.
Can i use Canon 50mm f/0.95 Dream Lens on Nikon DF, sorry I'm a bit noob, but i love this camera vintage look :).
Like your reviews mate, keep it up
First Jeremy, Thanks for the video review. You covered a lot of great points, but I feel it was all over the place. The one thing I have seen with many reviews, and it doesn't matter at this point, because I preordered, and therefore have biases myself; is that many people review this camera not for what it IS but for what it isn't. What it IS. A camera that comes in at the same price point as the D700 and with the exception of a few things like focus points, build, and shutter speed, is a TRUE upgrade to the D700... I suspect if Nikon had called it a D700x/s there wouldn't be as much "controversy" as there is now. I hear many people compare it to the D600/610, but the comparison is often on PRICE, Video, and sometimes "image quality" yet there are very few complaints on the image quality of the D4, If I say, "Man, if this was $500-1000 cheaper, I'd buy one..." Means that I have changed nothing about WHAT I am buying, just my motivation for buying.
I looked at this as a HEALTHY alternative to a a7R for a shooter who is already vested into Nikon Glass. Which it really is. I have seen a lot of the reviews of the a7R since release, and many of them have the same complaint. Low ISO noise/image quality. That complaint has not been made on the D4, D3s, nor the Df.
I think for a wedding shoot that might have been considering a D4 for the Low ISO noise, this gives them an option of now going out and buying a Df and a D800/800E for the same price, and get the benefits of the D4 and more for the same price.
If Canon followed suit (which they probably will), a $2800 alternative to the 1Dx would be more of a value because you could buy 2 Black Magic EF mounts and accessories, and still be less than the 1Dx.
While I am "thumbs downing" this post, I am still going to +1 it because of what it is. A good, review, but a long monologue about what we wish the camera was, and not what the camera is. I look forward to seeing the future posts and pics, and thank you for taking the time out to do so.
LD
I appreciate the feedback; there is no doubt this camera performs well for half of it's intended purpose (extremely low light photography). Why do I say half you ask? Beyond the excellent low-light performance of the D4 sensor this camera has another intended purpose. The ability to be used with older manual focus (pre-AI lenses). Frankly the camera fails at this in my opinion; yes it's awesome that this camera is the only current model that will mount these lenses but it doesn't really have proper provisions to be able to take advantage of them. No split prism focusing screen, no focus peaking, etc. And then we get to the term "digital fusion" that Nikon kept tossing around with their massive teaser campaign. That name is very misleading because it implies a level of innovation that isn't present in this camera. To quote myself from the video this camera is "a bit too digital and not enough fusion".
This is why you keep hearing reviewers complaining about what this camera isn't. Nikon didn't market this camera as a D700 replacement or as a cheaper alternative to the D4. They marketed it using the Digital Fushion moniker...this camera isn't a bad one at all (I'm even ok with the price) it just simply doesn't live up to the marketing hype.
Jeremy Smith Thanks for the response and I definitely can appreciate that point of view. I think this is where the fight between engineers and marketers come to play. One makes the camera, the other has to SELL the camera. Similar to the C7 Corvette being released with the Stingray moniker.
I like how the Fuji's and the Alphas allow focus peaking and split prisms. That being said, I don't know if that is something that the new generation of photographers would definitely appreciate. Considering you have many who use manual focus lenses now without the benefit of split prisms to get it tack sharp. The other thing is this... AI lenses for the most part, when it comes to optics and speed compared to today's lenses SUCK... so to me the ability to use them, is an option, but not a needed one. I would definitely take a G lens 80% of the time.
Someone looked at me crazy one day when I used my NEX6 at waist level with the screen flipped up. To me, it was the same as using an old waist level viewfinder camera with the exception that left and right ARE left and right.
Nikon says that it took 4 years to bring this camera to market. I think that part of what they were waiting on WAS the market. I think, now more than ever you have a lot of options everywhere in the market. This is, I think, the only Nikon camera in production that you can put any lens on and actually USE the lens. If it was for the "hipsters" Nikon could have really sold it for $1000 more and probably would have still gotten it. I wont use any "Tommy Boy" quotes, but I think the engineers and marketers are both selling this camera with Nikon saying that this is the "beginning" of a new series.
Without the mirror and pentaprism, nikon could make room in this body for dual card slots and a larger battery which will allow for video (and the ability for them to sell the next gen as well). I noticed that the battery door is relatively easy to remove, I wonder if that IS to allow for the vertical grip that they say wont be offered? If that is the case, nikon could easily place another card slot in there as well....
My biggest disappointment though? USB 2.0!!! REALLY? WTH?
Easy custom setup for ISO.
Easy one handed use. Settings at the bottom. Set a custom button to "my menu" first item auto iso on/off. If you are switching from M to A, S, P then having the my menu first item set to auto iso on/off allows you to quickly turn the function on or off quickly for M (manual shooting) but retains the menu banks you'll set up for dedicated ISO values on the Fn button.
(200, 800, 3200, 6400 are mine)
*Nikon is weird in that the full stops are "real" iso values so 100, *200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 and the half or third iso values are multiplicatives of the full stops similar to Lo1 or Hi1, Hi2. What this means is you're better off shooting full iso stops as apposed to 1/2 or 1/3 and shoot RAW then in post push or pull exposure for better SNR (pulling down hightlights is better.)
Assign the Fn to "Shoot Bank"
(Don't turn auto iso on)
This setup allows you to use the Fn button as a dedicated ISO button. Day time shooting I use 100 or *200 iso. I like the grain from 800 (800 F9 1/800) so I'll use this most of the time as a anytime of the day iso (and only adjust shutter speed) but best when the light starts to fade. 3200 (1/160 F2 3200) is for indoor and night (moonlight) shooting. 6400 is for fast night (1/250 F2 6400 Night Street)
*Metering below.
SETTINGS
Bank A
Go to auto iso
- set main iso to 100 (or 200)
-- if you want Auto iso
set auto iso to 200
Min shutter 1/100 (or double based on your focal length. Cool thing about shooting RAW and in this mode, is a RAW file can be pushed 4 to 5 stops at base iso 100 or 200. I only use auto iso on if I'm shooting A mode.
Bank B
Go to auto iso
- set main iso to 800
-- if you want Auto iso
set auto iso to 200
Min shutter 1/800 (or double based on your focal length but during the day your shutter speed at 800 iso will be 800 or higher, setting the auto iso 200 allows the camera to not blow highlights) Also by having the main iso set to 800, it tells the camera you want to shoot at iso 800 but adjust lower based on settings, if it were 200 main then it'd prioritize 200 iso and only go up based on settings and conditions.
Bank C
Go to auto iso
- set main iso to 3200
-- if you want Auto iso
set auto iso to 1600
Min shutter 1/160 (or double based on your focal length) Why 3200 over 1600; speed.
Bank D
Go to auto iso
- set main iso to 6400
-- if you want Auto iso
set auto iso to 12800
Min shutter 1/200 (or double based on your focal length) This will give you everything from iso 6400 to 12800 at no less than 1/200. Why 6400 over 12800; grain/noise.
---Metering "Center Weighted" "AVG" for night shooting dial in -2 exposure comp. This gives you shadow detail. If light changes increase/decrease shutter based on the meter reading in M mode. If you shoot in A mode you literally won't have to adjust settings so long as your aperture is F2.8 or faster (F2, F1.8, F1.4, F1.2)
If you choose to shoot during the day with one of the other iso settings, use max +2 exp comp but to stay safe +1.3 when using Center Weighted AVG.
I personally "spot meter" set the spot meter to +2 to meter for highlights (brightest area, dial in your settings and don't change them unless your light dramatically changes). You could spot meter for shadows by dialing in -2 exp comp and aiming at a dark tree or shadow on the ground. I shoot in RAW only. If you are shooting Jpeg + Raw don't expose more than +/- 1 stop (keeps you in the mid tones) for Jpeg.
The only reason I shoot Center Weighted over Matrix is Center weighted won't meter the corners of the frame so say I'm shooting from a car which I do a lot, Center Weighted won't meter inside the car (door frame and cause the exposure *scene* to be too bright). Basically it meters your direct subject and only just around it.
There's a RUclipsr in China or Japan (skinny white guy) who uses it too. It works very well for him b/c he just dials in exp comp while using auto iso at 6400 and b/c his scenes are well lit at night his shutter speed typically doesn't go below 1/250, when it does it rarely goes below 1/60, 1/30.
I use these settings on my D3s and D300 b/c they don't have a dedicated iso button.
With the DF if you have an aperture ring on your lens omg this makes life super easy. You literally won't use the aperture dial or iso dial. Exp comp would literally stay at +/-2 based on what you like to meter.
Your primary dial would be the shutter speed dial along with the Fn button to change iso on the fly.
i love this camera
Jeremy, good review. Honest feedback. You highlighted the pluses and minuses without going overboard. I am amazed at how many people are just kicking this camera to the curb.
I shoot a D4 and now shooting the DF as well as a back up and carry around camera. I got rid of the D800. People need to know that the D800 has great dynamic range but you better invest in outstanding lenses and you will need to adjust the way you shoot in order to minimize camera shake (at least 2x focal length).
Thanks, I am glad you enjoyed it! You are absolutely right about the D800; I have been going back and forth about it for quite a while now. Right now I am shooting the D700 and D600; even with the D600 I have had to slightly adjust my technique (need faster shutter speed shooting handheld). I will most likely end up with a D800 also but I often find myself wishing I could combine the D800 and D600 and have the perfect body...
As always great review Jeremy. What the hell was nikon thinking about? the lock buttons on the camera are a nightmare. I agree with you the name Digital fusion is a misnomer. this camera is more of the same...... Hipsters will love this one.
Really nice review, I like how you pointed out its pro's and con's in a neutral unbiased way.
Thank you!
Nice job, Jeremy! With which camera lens kombo did you film this video?
Nikon D600 and AF-S 60mm micro.
Cheers. An insightful and perceptive review. It is an attractive proposition as a camera, with top specs, however I feel it requires a generation (or two) of refinement before serious consideration. Still in it's infancy!
oh hey, stumbled on your video again. Subscribed this time.
I wish Canon would come out with something like this :)
The Df is an illusion, it's all DSLR marginally retro.
I came up through the Nikon ranks (EL ELw, FE, F3/4/5 etc).
I love the Df, it is a real Nikon. Good photographers will get great pictures from it.
I have Leicas (M7/9p) the Df is as creative, light, battery great, well laid out.
Spot on review. I prefer the D700 to the D800e for my purposes, the main difference being the D800e sees into shadows better, but it works too slowly. I don't make 50" prints. The Df is nice, but I'd rather that they put that sensor in the D700, with its better build, full AF and 5-8 fps. We've lost some of the versatility and build of the D700, for the same relative price, in exchange for retro styling. I'd hate to switch brands, but the 5DIII makes more sense than any of the current Nikons.
Great video, thanks!
Hey Jeremy, Im getting mine in a week or less. One more quick question: Have you ever used the Nikon DK-17M eye piece before?
I am afraid I have not while I am familiar with it. On current cameras like the DF you may find using the magnify function in live view mode more useful than a magnifying eyepiece. Of course it just depends on what type of shooting you are doing.
It's 2016 now, and there's about to be a D5 sensor and an Expeed 5 processor. Will Nikon upgrade the Df, or allow it to fall to bottom of the Fx line status?
+jganun Good question...if they do update it I hope the new one is "less digital and more fusion".
+Jeremy Smith My fusion dream would be a manual focus only camera, all shutter speeds 1-1/4000 sec. on the dial in 1/3 stops plus Auto, maybe even a manually cocked shutter/mirror (1/3 stops might not be possible then); put the AIs button back on the lens mount so the camera can recognize pre-AI and AI from AIs or AFD lenses like an FA could, with auto transfer of the aperture function to the front dial for G types, an auto position on the ISO dial: in other words, no need to go into menus while shooting, only for setup. 35mm Used to be 'miniature format', and while people compare the Df to an FE or FM, they might compare it to an N90, and the difference isn't so much. It's the built-in film advance motor and the AF motor and the need for so much battery power that made the AF cameras so much bigger. Without AF, and with a manually powered shutter/mirror box (optional MD-12 motor drive!), we could have a small, portable camera again.
And a viewfinder with a split prism and no LCD screen. With the new Snapbridge technology a smart device could do image review duty when needed...no LCD screen would add to the nostalgia ;)
+Jeremy Smith And without an LCD screen, you'd have room on the back for a decamired dial and a magenta-green color compensation filter dial, thus making everything fully manual! But for those of us with fast primes, another interchangeable-screen possibility: a true "ground glass" to show brightness and depth of focus even for f1.2 lenses, like the pre-1983 cameras.
you sure you can have focus peaking on a pentaprism? also from what I heard from focusingscreen.com, they said the project of swapping df's screen is undergoing, so hopefully they can nail it down soon.
The Fuji X100 has an LCD overlay inside it's optical viewfinder; such a setup could easily deliver focus peaking. While it would be a bit more complex implementing such a setup on a DSLR it certainly wouldn't be impossible. The DF (and most of Nikon's other DSLR's) already use a basic LCD inside their viewfinder for focus points and grid lines anyway. Thanks for the link, I will check it out!
I changed my D600 focusing screen with great succes. The stock screen was more or less useless when using fast manual focus lenses, making it impossible to see the out of focus areas, leaving absolutely no control of the depth of field. I experienced great service from focussingscreen.com. And it allowed a very precise fine tuning of the screen... I just cant understand why Nikon choose the lack of interchangeable screens on what is considered pro-cameras (D800). In the past they offered a wide range of different screens for all high end cameras.
Of course, the Df is not for everyone, but I've had it now for 3 days and the only complaint I have is that in Nikon's effort to keep the body style retro, the grip is not altogether satisfactory. So use a good strap. Otherwise, the camera is quick and graceful. I tested out the high ISO capability and took shots at night and in a restaurant, with no flash of course, and at ISO 12,800 there was almost no noise at all. With these capabilities you can take photos in close spaces without disturbing anyone. This is a super street shooter.
I agree with Jeffrey that there could have been a bit more creativity with the menus perhaps, but it is otherwise completely intuitive for any Nikon user. One thing Jeffrey didn't mention is the key market for the Df - Old guys like me who can spend 3 grand for a fun camera and appreciate the beautiful style of the old F series. I'm a real fan of the aesthetics and the capabilities of the Df.
Nikon Df is so cool! how many megapixels does this camera have?
The DF has 16 megapixels; it uses the same sensor as the Nikon D4.
I hated the feeling of the D800 personally, I went with the D610 almost for that alone, the D800's I've held felt spongy, not a huge deal really but it struck me as odd that its "smaller brother" felt more robust
i like this review alot
Nice review
My only complaint bout this camera is that I find myself crimping it, due to its size.
Thank you Jeremy, I’ll buy one tomorrow … 900 $, 12.000 clicks, and I have a lot of Nikkor ai lenses that I have kept since 1972 - 1989.
Nice! That sounds like a good deal, you will no doubt enjoy it! 😃
@@JeremySmithPhotography Thank you ! In a few hours, it’s in my hands …
Hello from Belgium 😊.
I know its a camera, but it looks soo sexy lol. I love its old school look while incorporating new technology. I almost want it as a everyday street camera and id love to take this to parties or social events. It also looks a bit lighter than my D800.
nikon should of definitely cut down on the size. the design is there but still dslr size compare it to some cameras with the intensions.
You know, I have to say I have really disliked this camera. Not because of what it is but because of what Nikon has done. It's disappointing to see a manufacturer selling a marketing idea instead of a meaningful product. The Df seems to be more about what it is in our minds as a concept not so much what is it as a camera in our hands.
I do appreciate what you had to say about camera technology and manufacturers being somewhat stuck in a place of being unable to innovate. At the same time you said it yourself, manufacturers like Fuji have put out interesting new concepts like the hybrid viewfinder of the X100/S and the X Pro-1. So not all is lost in terms of "pure photography" blended with modern tech. :)
I love Nikon gear I am a big fan but this camera is a disappointment. Great review Jeremy as always!
Shall I get D800 or Df?
The D800 certainly has a more versatile feature set but if you have old lenses, want a smaller body, or shoot very high iso the DF has advantages.
nice no BS video
I love your reviews and the tone of your voice. you should run for President bro.
I bought a Df and use it professionally, it rocks and I love it, my D3x is demoted to a door stop, can't believe I paid 8k for that sucker.
Nikon stopped half-way.
Analog dials on the body but the lens are again "G"; GELDED of aperture ring! :P
Dear Mr. Smith,
I am also a Nikon junkie. When I purchased a 50mm 1.2 I wet my pants. Nikon glass is just the best.
However, Sony is taking over. You have to admit, Zeiss glass, mmmm.
I've has Zeiss for my Nikon in the past!
it is a very hipster-esque camera lol
Tobias Weisserth
You don't understand what I mean by that statement. Its a good thing to merge new tech with the old in such a seamless manner. It is what makes the camera appealing to those who are looking for something functional yet appears somewhat different than the standard styling of today's nikon dslrs.
the df was slow and cumbersome to use. maybe nikon wanted the end user to slow down and think about their photos. it also struck me as a posers camera. i also thought it was a gimmick to to get rid of all the surplus d4 sensors they had. my prediction for this camera is that it will be a flop.
I really don't understand not putting an aperture ring on the new 50mm 1.8. I mean come on it's a no brainier. In fact they should have made a complete set of 1.8 primes with aperture rings for this thing. They could have even sold limited edition kits that came with all the lenses and had matching serial numbers so you could have a complete matching set. It would have been perfect for Christmas and been great for the initial marketing push during the release. Plus with aperture rings the new primes would have been great for people doing video on D6xx and below cameras as well as people who want to use older film bodes with the higher quality modern lenses.
IMO making by the new 50mm 1.8G nothing more than a cosmetic change and the Df nothing more than a regular DSLR with some retro styling and controls Nikon has missed a real opportunity to do something truly special and unique in the DSLR market.
josh885 i agree. this lens adds to the critcs that say it is a gimmick. i guess having an aperture ring adds to that analog feeling they wanted to create. they could have done it but decided to give the lens just a bright shiny ring that does nothing. unbelieveable.
One Draw back is the Price i think it over Price
The cheapest full-frame camera I am currently aware of is the Sony A7 (which is a mirrorless camera) at $1,700 USD body only. Full-frame cameras always come at a premium price, add to that the fact that the DF is DSLR and not a mirrorless camera and I find it difficult to see how you could come to that conclusion. It is also a niche product...I will say though for the same price I would rather have a D800 and the D610 gets you a nice full frame body for significantly less :)
If you just want great images, you might as well get a D3200 with a 35mm 1.8! If you are a pro, you might rather get a fast, high-iso-proof, durable work-horse like the D4. I think, the DF is for people like Leica-owners - a lot of money available, desiring something precious with conservative, old-school-touch, excellent quality, only a few actually own it! It´s kind of a legend, so it will keep its value, you´ll be able to sell it in a couple of years, you won´t lose a lot.
Will Smith's brother?
Most people that talk shit about this camera have never even held one or shot photos with it. 😂
Too much buttons...... Orz.. I will keep my D800
I like a lot of things about the DF, the knobs are cool, but I also think it should have a pro body, all metal, not cheap plastic mix, also interchanging screens for the old lenses. No video is a plus for me since I never shoot assignments in video let alone know how to edit them, that's a whole other game for the consumer crowd. 2 card slots would have been much better.
Why does size and weight override good features anyhow?
Any real pro work you have to do, you will be lugging around more than the camera and a 55mm lens, I would think. Buy a D3200 for taking some shots while out having fun, not this $3000 + setup. Unless you have money to burn.
Just what / who is this camers for?
For me I keep asking myself, in doing a wedding and other work, do I want this camera with no vertical grip, a bit too small and ackward to use. I'll have to try it out to know for sure. I like my D300s size, feel and controls. I wish they made the D610 with a D800 body. I feel many are still wanting a true D700 replacement and not the extreme cameras we see like this.
Man. I will still keep my x100 and will divorce my loyal canon
if only it would cost the same as D610 or D800, but in my region it's 2000 dollars more. And no video function, no thanks. =/
Are we superposed to "trust`' this photo critic who shoots his selfie video with the subject product out of focus and half out of the frame!?
My are calling "DF" as a camera for Dumb Fuc*&#$ to use.
It is very chunky & Nikon has exhumed the FG & FM from the grave and installed Sony's sensor into an outdated film bodies to hit us over $2,800.00.
$2,800 & CAN NOT do videos meaning Nikon is in trouble. They got some nerve by giving us beginner Silver or the common Black color.
What not make it in Gold to really stand out the ATG Gold MG8k Flash Kim X3?
Many are switching to Olympus/Sony/Fuji/Samsung for much less or they are using smartphone or ipad.
Digital conFusion Hahahaha
Nikon's future looks very bad
Pros :
Great Design, Good sensor
Cons:
1/4000sec only, Low speed fps, Confusing slow dial,
Bad low light AF, NO video, Lacking Manual Assist Focus,
Huge like a Dinosaurs, Memory card on the bottom, Fake Aparture Ring,
Overpriced Piece of Junk