Discussion
While relaxing after a few drinks yesterday and browsing things on the web I seem to have bought a Nikon DF camera. I remember thinking it made sense as I could use my existing Nikon lenses with it (which it seems I can’t really.)
Can anyone offer me an informed opinion as to whether it’s a vaguely sensible purchase?
When I was younger I did enjoy a manual SLR, and I like the retro style. I’m a bit concerned when I realised that it’s five year-old model as things move so quickly with cameras nowadays.
Can anyone offer me an informed opinion as to whether it’s a vaguely sensible purchase?
When I was younger I did enjoy a manual SLR, and I like the retro style. I’m a bit concerned when I realised that it’s five year-old model as things move so quickly with cameras nowadays.
I didn't know what the DF was, so had to look it up! I don't know what lenses you're trying to use with it, but the blurb seems to imply that the DF can use nearly all F Mount lenses than Nikon has produced, I think that the only ones that are truly incompatible will be the new AF-P lenses.
"The Nikon Df D-SLR is unique in that it can be used with many of the legacy NIKKOR lenses produced since 1959. The camera features an enhanced lens mount that works with current AF-S lenses as well as AF-D and AF lenses, and Ai (Aperture index) and Non-Ai lenses."
I wouldn't worry too much about a 5 year old camera being out of date. Certainly, the technology improves over time, but a camera that takes fantastic pictures today, will still take exactly the same photos in 5, 10, 15 years down the line.
I find the DP Review forums a wealth of information: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3816819
"The Nikon Df D-SLR is unique in that it can be used with many of the legacy NIKKOR lenses produced since 1959. The camera features an enhanced lens mount that works with current AF-S lenses as well as AF-D and AF lenses, and Ai (Aperture index) and Non-Ai lenses."
I wouldn't worry too much about a 5 year old camera being out of date. Certainly, the technology improves over time, but a camera that takes fantastic pictures today, will still take exactly the same photos in 5, 10, 15 years down the line.
I find the DP Review forums a wealth of information: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3816819
The df is both an awesome piece of kit and an odd one at the same time.
Nikon made the camera with a mixture of innards - it uses the Nikon d4 sensor and consequently has incredible low light performance. The af system is (iirc) from the d600 - it’s fine for portraits and general stuff. However I wouldn’t trust the 3D af mode for moving objects - think wildlife / sport. - you’ll know if this is an issue or not.
Nikon only installed 1 card slot as well - an odd move but I doubt you’ll have an issue.
I have a few Nikon and canon cameras etc. id love a df as a travel camera. I’d have a 35 prime and either an 85 or 105 prime and be done with it. The df is a joy to use and something really special imo.
What lenses do you have that you think won’t work?
If it was cheap - I’ll buy it off you
Nikon made the camera with a mixture of innards - it uses the Nikon d4 sensor and consequently has incredible low light performance. The af system is (iirc) from the d600 - it’s fine for portraits and general stuff. However I wouldn’t trust the 3D af mode for moving objects - think wildlife / sport. - you’ll know if this is an issue or not.
Nikon only installed 1 card slot as well - an odd move but I doubt you’ll have an issue.
I have a few Nikon and canon cameras etc. id love a df as a travel camera. I’d have a 35 prime and either an 85 or 105 prime and be done with it. The df is a joy to use and something really special imo.
What lenses do you have that you think won’t work?
If it was cheap - I’ll buy it off you
Thanks all, I’ll keep it.
My “sensible at the time” reasoning was that I don’t know which box my D5100 is in after a house move.
The lens issue is that I have DX lenses for the 5100 so not all of the sensor will be exposed and the outer portion will be discarded.
It’s going to be for portraits and landscapes so I’ll probably not notice the focus issues.
I sat yesterday equivocating between the D and G model 50mm F/1.8 lenses and plumped for the D in the end which is apparently sharper.
Getting a good zoom is going to be expensive I think.
My “sensible at the time” reasoning was that I don’t know which box my D5100 is in after a house move.
The lens issue is that I have DX lenses for the 5100 so not all of the sensor will be exposed and the outer portion will be discarded.
It’s going to be for portraits and landscapes so I’ll probably not notice the focus issues.
I sat yesterday equivocating between the D and G model 50mm F/1.8 lenses and plumped for the D in the end which is apparently sharper.
Getting a good zoom is going to be expensive I think.
There's not real issue in using DX lenses... there will of course by the crop factor, however if you have some good dx glass, no reason not to use it. I used my 17-55 on my D810 and the results were of course good.
The 50mm D is a nice lens, it does a good job on my 810 - if you like the 50mm focal length.
Good Nikon zooms are really expensive.
If, as you say, you are looking to use the camera for portraits / landscape, invest in prime lenses over zooms. They're better in every way imo and I find I take better photographs with primes too - forces you to think about composition more
The 50mm D is a nice lens, it does a good job on my 810 - if you like the 50mm focal length.
Good Nikon zooms are really expensive.
If, as you say, you are looking to use the camera for portraits / landscape, invest in prime lenses over zooms. They're better in every way imo and I find I take better photographs with primes too - forces you to think about composition more
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