Nikon Df, the most controversial camera! (English)
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- Опубликовано: 12 июл 2024
- The Nikon Df is one of the most discussed cameras of the last years! And I want to joint the discussion... because as far as I am concerned it is being criticized for the wrong reasons!
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I have a question for the author of this video. You stated that the Nikon DF is probably not a camera for professionals and more like a "gadget" camera. In the same video you also praise the image quality that comes out of the DF and you go to great length about it too. So why do you conclude the Nikon DF is not a camera for professionals?
I am a professional photographer who's been earning a full time living with photography for more than 30 years. To me a professional DSLR camera isn't about the type of features it's loaded with - To me it's all about image quality! As long as I can control shutter speed and aperture, nothing else really matters. Back in the film days I was shooting mostly medium format bodies. We didn't have a fraction of the features in our cameras we find in modern DSLR's today. The camera was simply a tool we used to record the light we finessed in our studios with the help of our strobes, reflectors, grids etc. Aside from lighting the most important tool for me was the quality glass I had mounted on my Hasselblad. The camera body only controlled the shutter speed and advanced the roll of film. That is all I cared about. That is pretty much what pro photographers cared about back in those days.
I do own a Nikon DF. I also own a Nikon D800 and a D3s. I have also owned a D100, D200, D300, D700 and a Fujifilm S5Pro. Of all the DSLR's I have owned the Nikon DF is my favourite. It's my favourite not because of the electronic features it has but because of the superb image quality the sensor produces. I also like the fact it lacks certain irrelevant features. In fact if Nikon were to introduce a totally manual DSLR with very little features I would probably be the first to buy one as long as it had a sensor as good or better than the one found in the DF.
There is way too much emphasis put on electronic features in cameras nowadays. Photographers are becoming tech geeks instead of artists. They barely learn the full capabilities of their camera and they're already talking about the next version they will buy.
Everything about this camera stucks it between professional and not-so prefessional classes. Body performance: not perfessional. Imaging: Super professional. Pricing: Not too professional but definitely not unprofessional.
Totally agree with you about the Df , which I also own. It's a great pleasure to use, and the sensor is great. You really can focus on the essentials with it. Best appreciated by someone who has also used film Nikons and old Nikon glass. Wonderful
Mario Menard I’m with you on this one. I started in 1962. I still have a Speed Graphic with the original case, flash, bulbs, and Kodak 127mm lens. The manual rotted away years ago, but everything else still works, although I need to recalibrate the range finder. Most of my 4x5 gear went when I donated my 4x5 enlarger to an arts center.
Went TLR at some point with a Minolta Autocord. Wore a couple of them out, but have two in working order somewhere at the back of the shelf. They are very underrated cameras. Some of my best photographs were on an Autocord. My first SLR was an Exakta. Still have it as well. Not a likable camera but then I moved onto a Pentax MX which I shot until I went digital. And yes, still have the Kodak DCS200 Monochrome. And no, I have never gotten over how much that cost me :)
I think the Df is mostly liked by us film guys. It should never have had a mirror, and it should have had video for it to appeal to a wider audience. People forget it was released 3 weeks after the Sony A7. The A7 was what everyone wanted and sucked all the media time out of the air, and the Df just looked so yesterday compared to the A7. As a result too many people don’t give it a fair hearing. I may well pick one up myself now that they are getting dirt cheap. I have never learned to like electronic aperture control etc as much as an aperture ring and setting shutter on a dial, and those Df top dials look very sweet to me. I have quite a bit of Nikkor manual focus glass, and most of my Zeiss is in Nikon mount, so I could put this to use as a manual focus pleasure camera. I should also pick up an FE. The Nikons have weathered time better than my Pentax SLR’s did, but shhh... don’t tell my MX, I don’t want her to get jealous and old cameras can get moody and make their displeasure known :)
no 2 card slots!
Anyone, i want to buy a dslr camera since i’ve been using my FM2n for the longest time, please recommend a camera, is this camera ok ?
Little known fact Nikon designed this camera specifically for me...... really they did!
The Df is styled on the 1980s Nikon FE my favorite Nikon with the MD12 motor drive.
I love my Df. I'm a Leica M9 owner which I judge it against for image quality/feel.
Superb - creative - light to carry - battery goes on for ever. Thank you Nikon
Much maligned by those who don't own one, deeply loved by those who do.
I've been shooting with two Df's for several years and they are absolute workhorses and continue to amaze with their image quality...Love this camera!!!
I've been shooting Nikon since 1968, when I bought my first Nikon F. I bought this camera when it was first released, probably in no small part out of nostalgia. I have a D800 also and the DF is what I reach for first. I love shooting with the camera and, to me, the controls feel exactly like they should. It's probably not for everyone, I defended it once online and some kid online accuse me of being a "hipster". Pretty funny, the first 60 year old hipster ever.
Seems like the new sport is accusing people of hipsterism ;)
I loved the Df for being different, compact (for a DSLR) and for the great image quality!
aes53 I'm agree whit you..I have nikon df...is lovely camera.....I'm italiano I love England....
Thank you for the review.... I love my Df. I also have a D-800 and since I got my Df I find my self using it 90% of the time. I love the it doesn't have video, I love the size and yes, I would root for a different focus system but I still love it! Thank you.
I agree! The Df is a great combination of form factor and quality!
Got a DF recently. Grew up on an FM2. Can't understand why anyone would give the Df a negative review. Its a REAL camera and the controls are at your finger tips. Image quality is brilliant. I can use an old lenz!
Watch this in 2022 and want to comment that a Nikon Df is the only DSLR I keep on my shelf sitting next to a bunch of mirrorless bodies. I call Df the Miata of the camera world, it’s classic, pure and functional. The most important is it produces beautiful pictures.
this is 2022, and i'm using this as my secondary camera for portrait shots during events. other than having a single card slot which causes some anxiety, this is a solid camera.
This camera is by far the most handsome unit ever made by Nikon.....functional wise it is just super in operation and picture quality wise it is just amazingly excellence without doubt. A good choice to invest in serious photography equipment and it is still not cheap for an 8 years old camera at Usd1200 in South East Asia........
The Df missed the mark when it comes to form factor and design, but oh my, the sensor produces gorgeous images! It resolves older Nikkor lenses beautifully.
It has one very unique feature, it’s the only digital camera Nikon ever made which can fit non Ai lenses because it has the flip away lever on the mount
Right now I own three cameras, all Nikons. My most used and favorite is my Nikon D810. It's a incredible all around camera. My second favorite is my D500. It's the sports and wildlife king. I pair it with my 300 f/4 and my 70-200 VR2. My third favorite and the camera with the best "fun factor" is by far my Df. I've owned two. I sold the first one to buy my D810 and I think it was a good move, but I really missed it. I was thinking seriously of buying a Fujifilm X-T2, but after adding up what all the lenses and camera would cost and looking to my left at the eight Nikon lenses sitting on my camera bookshelf it took about a second to realize it would be a much better move to replace the Df. I couldn't be happier. Due yourself a favor and check out a Df and if possible rent one for a week.
Being already on the mirrorless train I still feel that some day I have to add one of these to the collection....
Thank you for your honest opinions of this camera. I am thinking of buying one, and I found your review most helpful.
Brian Davies P.S. I bought one, and I love it!
This camera cured my G.A.S. I love the image quality and manual controls. I can't see a reason to buy another camera as it would compete for space with my DF and the DF would win.
1inside0 I am happy you got cured... But something will come up ;) It always does!
Another excellent review... I was going to fall for a minty Leica M8 for $1500 usd but now I wonder if I should put some more money together and get one of this instead. I used to have an F3HP and love it back on the 80´s, but the DF even though looks "familiar" it is huge besides it! I wonder why many reviews claim it is an small-light camera...
Just played with a silver DF at Yodobashi camera and yes, it is HUGE and heavy, but the thing I dislike most was that it has many brassings already and the silver paint was gone (from the plastic piece where you click to remove the lens) and the white plastic beneath it looks pretty cheap... However it is a unique - and expensive- piece of gear!
So one more question for not only the author but everyone. How large of a print can you get away with 16 mp's on a full frame. Most of what I do is 8x10 but occasionally want to go 16x20 or so. Will it still look good up close?
The FA is a compact camera. You should have placed the DF side by side with the F3 for a more accurate size comparison
After over 1 1/2 years I really like my Df, far more than my conventional DSLRS. The size, weight and top controls dials really are great and fast for me to set. No longer do I accidentally bump my front dial out of wack controlling my f stops and I not have to use two hands to change settings. I also like using the fstop rings on all my lenses. IF you have lugged a heavy pro camera like a D4 around all day for a wedding, I would not say the Df is not for pro use since it really performs great without having your hand getting numb. In dark settings with my fast primes, focusing is also no problem for me. I hate the thought of going back to using my other cameras because of the ackward controls and weight.
nice video thanks for sharing.
when you say is not for professionals.
why not.??
also how much is the camera I check on eBay I don't see much about this camera..
but thanks so much.
Picture quality looks great as are your photos Time for Nikon to update it a bit & lower the price some too.
Agree with you.
The people who hated this camera looked at it, set it up and used it incorrectly. If I had it I'd never need to go into the menus after setting it up.
RAW
Spot Meter all day in M mode
Center Weighted Avg in A mode
(-2 EV for shadows/night, +2 EV for highlights/day)
Matrix Meter in P mode
(0 EV and shoot jpeg)
1 Ergonomics while not traditional pistol grip style, you're supposed to hold the camera from under the lens with your left hand, that supports the entire camera.
Only use enough of your right hand to hit the shutter, fn, and rear dial when you absolutely need it. Too many photographers change their exposure toooooooo much tooooooo often.
2 you don't need the aperture dial.
3 for digital users, they should set up Fn button for the "shoot menu" then in each shoot menu set your 4 most used iso values
(100+200, 400+800, 1600+3200, 6400+12800 in auto iso)
(200, 800, 3200, 6400)
When you hit the Fn button and rotate the rear dial you adjust iso. Keep it in 1/3 stop
Now you can use it and any other digital Nikon with 1 hand in M.
Now if you want to use the dials only set your exposure in M and don't change it. So many people change their settings way too much.
If you can get your hands on an F2.8 lens you are golden with any camera that can use iso 3200 natively. Night shots can be taken at 1/160 F2.8 3200 for most cases. Unless you're shooting in pitch black.
What I realized about some of the camera buttons is it was set up for Tri-pod users regarding the manual controls. You could set it up like I explained above for a more modern experience of run and gun or street. Best case is to have a aperture ring so avoid G series lenses and get E or D series unless you have old manual glass.
No my friend, the people who looked at it & hated it, saw that Nikon was trying to take people for a ride. They cut corners with that body. Try a Fuji XT if you want to see retro done proper. And they stuck the AF system of the D600 in there. And then they waited for the suckers to buy it at their ridiculous price. The sensor was the only thing they got right on this
Thank you very much sir..! I was actually planning to buy.. now I will buy definitely 😊
I still rarely shoot video on my DSLR
Your voice sounds like Christopher Waltz
I will buy it BECAUSE it has no video.
It's big because motodrive is built in
Negative 🎞️ is forever best
tried to like video. I can't get a passion for video. I like stills. No video features are meaningless to me.
Erin Taylor I hear that many people talk about DSLR video but I also never managed to understand the connection between still photography and videography! If I want to make videos, say for RUclips, a compact camera like the Sony RX100 is more than good enough for me. I never missed the feature on the Nikon Df and even now, I never use my Sony A7II for videos.
Also, I don't see a wide use of high quality video on the web... Unlike with photo platforms like flickr and so on.
+IncredibleStuffChann
Negative 35mm 🎞️ is best forever ♾️