Would you buy this camera?

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John
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Nikon has come out with a retro digital camera that looks and works like the early camera from the 60's and 70's. It has the physical dials on top of the camera like the old film cameras had. It will also accept any lens that Nikon has made in the past. I am a long time Canon user and because of my investment with lenses I will stay with the brand. I would love to own a camera like this because it is typical of the style camera I used for many years. I am curious if younger users would consider this style of camera with the controls on the camera compared to the current programed menu type.
http://nofilmschool.com/2013/11/nikon-df-full-frame-dslr-retro-no-video-digital-cinema-camera/
 
We've already had a thread on the Nikon DF. I wouldn't buy it because it's just a DSLR is a very ill thought mechanical SLR skin. I would happily use a DSLR with proper basic mechanical controls if it was properly designed, say for example a Pentax LX or OM1 with digital guts. THAT would work for me. Fuji are getting it spot on with their X series in a rangefinder style package. I'm 28.
 
The Df I feel is not right, for me it's a miss mash and looks like Nikon had a fail when designing it, there main problem being they have ''G'' lens with no aperture ring now, which makes me wonder why they bothered as it can never be full manual with a new lens on it, stick an old lens on and yes it has more appeal but they included a mode dial?because I suppose of that lacking aperture ring on new lens, it's not bad I suppose because it has the D4 sensor, but that's about it's only good point specs wise.

No I wouldn't buy it, I'd rather buy any of the Fuji's x's that have a viewfinder for a retro feel to a camera or even an old film camera like the FE for about £50.
 
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Ivan S said:
...there main problem being they have ''G'' lens with no aperture ring now...
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Nikon's ill-informed decision to eliminate aperture rings on their newer lens designs (a.k.a. G lenses) has really shot them in the foot with regard to the DF. I really fail to see what is exciting and 'pure' about this camera, besides a dedicated dial for ISO, which really should have been on DSLRs long ago. Yeah, it can use all of Nikon's lenses, but those older manual lenses are difficult to focus in the little viewfinders of today's digital cameras that lack any split-image focusing capabilities.

I'll stick to using my film cameras, which offer a much purer experience.
 
Thats one of the reasons I love my X100, the Tactile feel of solid buttons and knobs is great!
 
Ivan S said:
The Df I feel is not right, for me it's a miss mash and looks like Nikon had a fail when designing it, there main problem being they have ''G'' lens with no aperture ring now, which makes me wonder why they bothered as it can never be full manual with a new lens on it, stick an old lens on and yes it has more appeal but they included a mode dial?because I suppose of that lacking aperture ring on new lens, it's not bad I suppose because it has the D4 sensor, but that's about it's only good point specs wise.

No I wouldn't buy it, I'd rather buy any of the Fuji's x's that have a viewfinder for a retro feel to a camera or even an old film camera like the FE for about £50.
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I didn't think about the fact that the new lenses don't have aperture rings. I can see that this camera if good for those photographers that have a lot of older Nikon lenses. I personally would like some manual dials on a camera that I could access easier than going into the program modes.
 
If I didn't already have a couple of FF DSLRs and didn't have my GAS fairly well under control (or at least satisfied at the moment!), I would be quite tempted. Not sure why Ivan doesn't think it can be used in full manual mode - the lack of an aperture ring doesn't preclude M mode at all! If the local shop gets one in, I'll have a play but can't see me buying one unless they'll do a straight swap for my D70 (sic)!!!
 
Poser bait. If you want a camera that looks like an old camera - buy an old camera. For 1/10th of the price. For $2,750 you could get a pretty damned good set-up.
 
If it had a more ergonomic body and more MP, like 28 or 36, I would have signed up.

At least when price settles a bit... looks lovely though! :thumbs:
 
I'm not a fan of retro design on cameras. There's been years of research to make dslr's have easily accessible features in very functional and decent looking bodies. They work very well as they are and by making these 'retro specials' they are more like quirky toys. I'm not a fan of Fuji's Rangefinder design either, but that's my personal taste, as you can get shots just as good from a good quality compact or csc with modern designs for less money. I can't see the sense in spending more money just for a 'dated' looking camera.
 
To be honest the way i shoot doesn't take me to long to find my away around any camera,the big thing i look for is an good viewfinder i find it very hard to shoot any other way :)
 
If I was in the market for a 16MP full frame camera it would be the one I would go for.

My D800E has all the main controls on the body to avoid fannying about in menus. I see that as essential in camera design therefore the DF is of good design, but it is not of D800 standard.
 
I think Nikon's claim that it will use any nikon interchangeable lens ever made is a bit of a red herring.

Any modern Nikon DSLR can mount ANY lens made by Nikon since 1959. Obviously, some will have to be used in manual, or AE setting, but they can be used. It's a good thing too, because there are some gorgeous legacy Nikon lenses around, especially the AIS primes.

I use a few Canon legacy primes, and with a good adapter they are brilliant, but it would be nice to use them without an adaptor.
 
dougdarter said:
I think Nikon's claim that it will use any nikon interchangeable lens ever made is a bit of a red herring.

Any modern Nikon DSLR can mount ANY lens made by Nikon since 1959. Obviously, some will have to be used in manual, or AE setting, but they can be used. It's a good thing too, because there are some gorgeous legacy Nikon lenses around, especially the AIS primes.

I use a few Canon legacy primes, and with a good adapter they are brilliant, but it would be nice to use them without an adaptor.
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The old Nikon lenses will work as we'll on your Canon as they do on Nikon. Pentax also use this as a USP, it's a complete red herring. I tried an AF Pentax, and my old K mount lenses were less usable than on an old Chinon from the 80s.

The inability to use old Canon lenses is purely down to size, it's a bit of a shame, it makes legacy Canon lenses almost useless. But it doesn't mean Canon DSLRs can't use old glass, they just can't use older Canon glass.
 
dougdarter said:
Any modern Nikon DSLR can mount ANY lens made by Nikon since 1959.
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Are there not a couple that need the mirror to be locked up to stop it hitting the back end of the lens? Not surer that's possible with all modern Nikon (D)SLRs.
 
Nikon say that all lenses will mount. They don't make any exceptions, but you may be right.
 
Nod said:
Are there not a couple that need the mirror to be locked up to stop it hitting the back end of the lens? Not surer that's possible with all modern Nikon (D)SLRs.
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The same thing crossed my mind. There's a Ken Rockwell article here that sets out lens compatibility with Nikon DSLRs and SLRs: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm. It seems pretty comprehensive and the only problem I can see is with what he terms "Invasive Fisheyes". AFAIK, these are pretty old lenses that most people probably won't come across, but it's worth knowing about.
 
It was the fisheyes I was thinking about. As you say, they're not common.
 
Does it take good images, and can I afford it?
Nothing matters.
 
er the d7000 takes most of the old nikon lenses with a/f anyway ,so its just a marketing ploy really .and having played that game when i had the d7000 most older lenses were not really that good in this day and age
 
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