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esquire1954
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Registered: Jun 23, 2015
Location: United States
Posts: 275
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Review Date: Oct 9, 2020
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,200.00
| Rating: 9
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As with any camera, it's not what it says on paper, it's how it works in your hands. A very controversial camera, does it blaze like my D500 - no, but do I enjoy it more -yes
they both do different things in different ways.. The D4
senor rendering is very unique, file size is quick to process
I really believe this was a one time "exercise" for Nikon and will become a future collectable. I think Nikon will continue the move toward mirrorless, there will never be a DF2 or retro camera again from Nikon
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 Oct 9, 2020
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esquire1954
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Registered: Jun 23, 2015
Location: United States
Posts: 275
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Review Date: Jan 16, 2019
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
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Reading various long term reviews, it seemed the you either love it, or hate it...
Personal needs dictate either or
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Jan 16, 2019
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asiafish
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Registered: Apr 18, 2013
Location: United States
Posts: 516
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Review Date: Jun 6, 2017
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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Small (for a full-frame DSLR anyway), light, traditional look and feel, and oh that gorgeous D4 sensor.
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Cons:
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This camera really demands a split-image focusing screen for manual lenses, and the silver version (which I have) has slightly uneven color between the various parts which makes it look cheaper than it should. It also feel more substantial, but then t would be heavier.
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This is far from a perfect camera, but then what is. I don't care too much about the usual complaints of dial locks (I have no problem working the controls quickly without looking) or the price (it has a D4 sensor and is made in Japan, what do you expect?), but this camera could have been so much more.
I know interchangeable focusing screens are passe, but this is a camera marketed for using older AI and even Non-AI lenses, so at the very least a proper split-image and micro prism screen, or better yet an interchangeable screen like in the old days (and Canon's current 6D and recent 5D2). I'd be willing to live with 96% instead of 100% frame coverage, through even 100% and interchangeable screens is clearly possible as Canon proves with its 1D-whatever models (which have a wonder split-image screen option, by the way).
My other complaints are fairly minor. The chrome finish is inconsistent from panel to panel (different plastics?) and makes the camera look cheaper than it should. Nikon used to get this right on its plastic bodies in the 80s (look at an FG to see a nice ever surface that is consistent even at panel gaps), so no reason they can't get this right on a camera in this price class. Oh well, the black is gorgeous, but since I bought used I didn't get that option.
My other complaint is that the plastic (the frame is magnesium, but like most DSLRs its covered by polycarbonate) body covering is a bit thin and lacks the solid feeling of say a D800 or Canon 5D3. Again, not the end of the world as the camera seems to be pretty tough, but it would likely feel like something worth what it costs had the plastics been a bit thicker.
The rest, however, is FANTASTIC!!!!! I also shoot Leica and own a Leica M-D 262 (the screenless M240 variant) and the Df loses absolutely nothing except ultimate resolution to the M, while gaining in dynamic range and high-ISO performance. This is the best sensor I've ever used, with just the right balance between pixel count and pixel size. Color is fantastic, noise is extremely low even without NR in camera at up to ISO 12,800 and while ISO 50 is a pull, dynamic range and color remain excellent even at this lowest setting that is so useful when shooting fast prime lenses (a 1/8000th shutter speed also would have been nice, oops, that's another complaint).
I only own one autofocus lens for use on the Df (the AF-S 58mm f/1.4G), but even without a split screen, the Df is wonderful with my many manual focus Nikkors; even the 50mm f/1.2 AIS.
Not perfect, not a lot of "value" for the spec-sheet crowd, but this is a very fun camera to use, and the results are, at least for what I use a DSLR for, outstanding.
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Jun 6, 2017
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Paul_K
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Registered: Jul 22, 2010
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 820
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Review Date: May 24, 2014
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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small size and low weight, IQ, high ISO,
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Cons:
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price
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A breath of fresh air amongst the big thick bodies DSLR's seem inevitably have to be these days
The small diminutive size (only millimeters thicker and higher then my F2AS) and quiet shutter makes it a nice unobtrusive package ideal for lowprofile photography (not everybody wants to look like and be as present as a 'pro') while the excellent sensor guarantees impeccable IQ and high ISO.
Due to its modest size also ideal for shooting with older manual lenses as those are smaller then their modern AF counterparts and on bigger DSLR's like D800, D3 etc tend be feel a bit too tiny and overwhelmed. Also Nikon seems to have tweaked the focussing screen to better focus manually with then with eg the D800 and D3.
UI is realistically speaking perfect enough, the dials for shutterspeed and ISO allows easy acess and operation especially if you're used to the older film bodies, and changing the aperture with the aperture ring on the lens brings back old memories (and BTW a better balanced handling of te camera)
The body still has enough buttons, dials, custom settings and menus to satisfy even the biggest techie, but basically you, just like in the film days but with a lot more peace of mind, only need to have your exposure correct ( and even that is considering the DR of the sensor not a major problem if somewhat or more off the mark) as with digital you if you shoot RAW can afterwards easily correct any mistakes with exposure, WB, contrast etc.
No need to waste time and concentration on getting the perfect technical settings while you're actually taking the picture (and maybe miss the shot because of that) but just choose your settings before you shoot and start taking pictures (maybe make an initialcheck of the pictures for major mistakes while shooting with Image Review, or chimping afterwards, one of the many advantages of shooting digital)
Price is a bit steep and prevents the camera being an everybodies friend ( and sometimes the subject of 'haters' because of it) but if you look at it for what it is (and not compare it to death with other cameras it is supposedly is to be as good as, are cheaper, smaller, etc) it has undeniably much more qualities then disadvantages.
And otherwise just don't buy it. But for some ( and judging by the sales numbers that quite a few) it's a pretty nice little camera
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May 24, 2014
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recordproducti
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Registered: Jul 11, 2005
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 381
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Review Date: May 24, 2014
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Battery life is superb, image quality is excellent, low light performance very good, fast to use, more compact and lighter than standard DSLR's, fun to shoot with. A good balance between large full frame cameras and compact system bodies that lets you use all the lenses you own already - assuming you already have a Nikon.
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Cons:
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Not able to shoot video.
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In my view the DF is well worth the money. It makes shooting fun, it's the kind of camera that begs to be taken out. It's not ultra compact but it is substantially lighter and less bulky than say D800's.
The resolution is very good, images sharpen very well in LR or Capture One. It's got a great sensor. Dynamic range isn't as amazing as the D800's but is very good. As a rule I tend to start at ISO 200 as DR seems best there and taking it up to ISO 800 is virtually noise free. Mid to high ISO's produce surprisingly noise free images. RAW files are easy to work with and are much smaller than D800's! I find that with the DF I can shoot at a speed of roughly 1 x FL, with the D800 I'm at least double that. Of course it has half the pixels but in most cases 16 mega pixels is plenty but on shoots that require loose framing so that editors can crop or have flexibility for page layout it's possibly on the edge of being the body to take. If I'm shooting important work on a tripod with the D800e I will take the DF as my backup.
Many have complained about the locking controls. There's no issue there in my experience, the direct and easy to use controls make shooting simple. Most of the time I'm in manual and don't bother with any auto modes finding it really fast to drive and set up. Metering is good. AF is good, not stunning but works well. Focus points are a little bunched close to the centre but since my Canon 5D days I've been used to mostly using the centre points. Tracking in continuous AF is very good. I do find the viewfinder to be really good and can easily focus manually with it. Battery life being so good only one spare is needed in the bag if you're doing a long day's shooting.
It's not a perfect camera but no such thing exists. I love my D800e and do much of my work with that but the DF is my 'fun' camera, the one that I choose to take on days out, carry everywhere etc. It deserves very high marks and am amazed that nobody has reviewed it here already. If you get the chance do try the DF, it's a great camera :-)
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May 24, 2014
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Reviews
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Views
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Date of last review
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5
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19359
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Oct 9, 2020
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Recommended By
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Average Price
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100% of reviewers
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$1,200.00
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Build Quality Rating
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Price Rating
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Overall Rating
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8.57
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8.00
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8.8
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;)
