So New, So Old: Df anyone?

[LongQ]

NinjaPower said:

I'll be honest and say it is absolutely not for me. I prefer modern slimline design and ergonomics.

But... It's a great idea by Nikon to stick a top rated sensor in such a beautiful and compact body, and I can see why it will appeal to many, and I suspect sales figures will be excellent.

How about this though: http://fstoppers.com/the-nikon-df-represents-every...
They have a point. People will be buying this because it's "retro" and has a "nice leather case" rather than 'what spec is it?' or 'is it right for the type of photography I do'.

But does any of that matter?

I would not be surprised if someone said that 80% of cameras sold outside the Photo Business market (ie very busy pros) were hardly if ever used. This could take a significant portion of the upper end of that market. They should take a pitch at Goodwood next year and all the more expensive events that people attend especially those where a costume is part of the deal. If nothing else they could sell a lot of leather cases .....

[Kermit power]

GetCarter said:

Kermit power said:

why did they have to go and put it in such a nasty, kitsch, dated-looking body?

I think you had to be there at the time. Us old folk prefer buttons to menus... the more buttons we have the more we get back to how we took photos in the past (i.e. having to work it out rather than someone in Japan doing it for us 3 years before we took the photo).

You're missing my point. I'd prefer to have manual dials than having to do everything through menus. What I don't understand is why they couldn't put modern-looking dials on a modern-looking body. Surely not that difficult?

[Elderly]

GetCarter said:

I think you had to be there at the time. Us old folk prefer buttons to menus... the more buttons we have the more we get back to how we took photos in the past

I completely agree with you about 'Elderly' folk preferring buttons to menus,
but look at the top plate of this thing - it's CRAMMED with buttons dials. Hardly 'Pure'.

[GetCarter]

Kermit power said:

GetCarter said:

Kermit power said:

why did they have to go and put it in such a nasty, kitsch, dated-looking body?

I think you had to be there at the time. Us old folk prefer buttons to menus... the more buttons we have the more we get back to how we took photos in the past (i.e. having to work it out rather than someone in Japan doing it for us 3 years before we took the photo).

You're missing my point. I'd prefer to have manual dials than having to do everything through menus. What I don't understand is why they couldn't put modern-looking dials on a modern-looking body. Surely not that difficult?

They do that on the D4 don't they? You want that, buy a D4. It has most buttons one would ever need.

This is a marketing ploy to make money from old farts like me. Who have the brains to know that, but some of us still want to join in the fun.

Like the Caterham. Daft, analogue, but fun - and with buttons.

ETA... but with a D4 sensor for £1500 less money.

Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 6th November 16:08

[shielsy]

GetCarter said:

They do that on the D4 don't they? You want that, buy a D4. It has most buttons one would ever need.

This is a marketing ploy to make money from old farts like me. Who have the brains to know that, but some of us still want to join in the fun.

Like the Caterham. Daft, analogue, but fun - and with buttons.

ETA... but with a D4 sensor for £1500 less money.

Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 6th November 16:08

the df just seems to be a well specced dslr in an older style body... hardly "analogue"

[GetCarter]

shielsy said:

the df just seems to be a well specced dslr in an older style body... hardly "analogue"

..and £1500 less than a D4 - Unless I wanted video or 11fps I don't know why anyone would buy a D4!

[GetCarter]

Having said that, I'll probably buy a D5

[marctwo]

Not a fan of the Df, but I think this works...

shielsy said:

[GetCarter]

marctwo said:

Not a fan of the Df, but I think this works...

shielsy said:

Forgive me if I'm wrong (and I may be!), but isn't that a four thirds? If so, not the sort of thing I'd buy rather than a D4.

[marctwo]

GetCarter said:

Forgive me if I'm wrong (and I may be!), but isn't that a four thirds? If so, not the sort of thing I'd buy rather than a D4.

Sure, it's no D4 alternative, but I just think they pulled off the retro look better than Nikon.

[GetCarter]

marctwo said:

GetCarter said:

Forgive me if I'm wrong (and I may be!), but isn't that a four thirds? If so, not the sort of thing I'd buy rather than a D4.

Sure, it's no D4 alternative, but I just think they pulled off the retro look better than Nikon.

Fair enough. Do like the look of that. However, I think both fall behind Fuji (one of which I have), but I'm still a sucker for the D4 in a cheap body. Looks like a BIG bargain to me.

Bet the price goes up rather than down (like the D800)

[creampuff]

GetCarter said:

You are of course, right... but it's a cheap way into a D4 sensor. With a prime lens included in the cost. (I still think that's a bit weird. I guess they are trying to attract new / retro buyers who won't already have a bunch of Nikkor glass).

They included the 50 f/1.4 because it is a retro looking version of that existing modern lens. All other modern Nikkor glass looks.... well too modern!

[GetCarter]

creampuff said:

They included the 50 f/1.4 because it is a retro looking version of that existing modern lens. All other modern Nikkor glass looks.... well too modern!

I see you can order it without the lens - though I'm not sure how much one saves.

[Janesy B]

Calumet (Drummond St) have one in store today, I'll have a look when I pick up my camera this afternoon.

[RobDickinson]

Its a 1.8 fifty so worth what 100 quid?

[creampuff]

RobDickinson said:

Its a 1.8 fifty so worth what 100 quid?

It's an f/1.4 50mm

The cheapie-cheapie is an f/1.8. EDIT: just saw the special edition is f/1.8 not f/1.4. But who cares.... if you are paying a Df price instead of buying a D600 with more features for less money, then just go and buy the special 50mm lens as well.

I'd say anyone buying a Df should also buy the 105DC or 135DC..... another two "classic" style lenses which are still current

Edited by creampuff on Saturday 9th November 17:55

[BlimeyCharlie]

Elderly said:

For something that's supposed to be 'pure'
it looks overweight, oversized, and over-complicated -
a kind of retro on steroids!

I wonder how easy it will be to unlock the dials and alter settings whilst having your eye up the to viewfinder?

Edited by Elderly on Tuesday 5th November 09:40

This is how it used to be in the good old film days.
Seems weird now.

[Elderly]

Can't tell much yet, but this is how Nikon possibly should have made the Df's top plate:

http://www.fujirumors.com/

Waits for cries of 'but it's only a crop sensor and it's mirror-less'.....
.....

[K12beano]

st!

Did I really start this thread?

Slightly impromptu trip to my favourite shop today - came away with a low-mileage used Df!!

Going to see how I get on as it's intended to complement what the D800 will do. No doubt will be cranking up that ISO and see how amazing this D4 sensor really is!! (Good thing is I could take it back if I don't get on with it, but it was a pretty good price for body only.)

Feels odd - I picked up a D3 with everything just falling to hand. In comparison, whilst the menu system is a doddle, I reckon the Df will take a couple of hours to get used to. Not quite as ergonomically easy on the hands. But the dials are a delight. As the salesman said as he stuck it in my grubby paws "it's a bit of a marmite camera"!!!

[Turn7]

Simpo Two said:

I don't want one but I like it.

So nice to see proper dials instead of 'menus'.

I think thats my view too tbh. Nice looking thing, but Im not sure it worth the price tage to me.