When I purchased the Nikon Df FX camera in March of 2015, the dealer I purchased my camera from let me know the Df I bought was only taken out of the box to capture an image on the end of February 2015, before shipping to me - and that it had never had a lens attached or any images captured with it (BRAVO!). They picked up the Nikon Df body to test some lenses back in November 2015 - but ended up using a different body instead. I waited for 10 days to get my hands on the camera, it was delivered the day after I flew out of town on an engineering project - when I returned home it was kinda be like Christmas again :-)

Prior to acquiring the Df, my love for full frame ambient and low-light handheld captures made my Nikon D700 the workhorse.

Although a superb camera, the Nikon D800 was not a direct upgrade for my D700 - related to functionality scale-up. Understanding that although the Df was not a direct upgrade of the D700, it is in terms of functional capability scale-up. The D700 and Df both were built with the same sensor as the current flagship Nikons (Nikon D3 for the D700, and Nikon D4 for the Df). While being less expensive and lighter than these flagship cameras, in the case of the Df, as mentioned, has the same sensor as the Nikon D4 (the D4 was released on the market at around $5,000). There are a number of key differences between the D700 and Df. The first (and I think) the most important, is the difference in sensor quality and resolution.

The Nikon D700 has a 12 MP sensor, while the Nikon Df has a 16 MP sensor. There is a difference in pixel-level quality and high-ISO performance with the 12 or 16 MP sensors - perfectly suited for my love of full frame ambient and low light handheld captures. Image processing capability also gets a boost with the EXPEED 3 processor installed in the Df as opposed to the EXPEED 2 processor installed in the D700. The EXPEED 3 is a sophisticated system that is designed to analyze and process images at faster speeds and precision.

The weight of the Df camera is so refreshing. Although the Df has a smaller battery than the D700, it can shoot more images - up to 1400 compared to 1000 on the D700 on one full charge. The body build of the Nikon Df has top and bottom magnesium alloy plates, while the D700 has a full magnesium alloy body. If built with an entire magnesium body, it would have added to the weight of the Df camera - Speaking of weight, the Nikon Df is about 300 grams lighter than the D700 (over 1/2 a pound). An added plus is that current and retro F mount Nikkor glass fits the Df.

Video capability is not part of the Df design. The Df is designed for photographers who want to concentrate solely on the art of photography. This is what led me to be a still photographer - the art of the craft. Personally, I want to thank Nikon engineers for this non-video design with the Df - as much a philosophical point as anything else. This is a camera for serious still photography - or 'pure photography' - not videos clips.

One of the first shooting paces I took the Nikon Df through was seeing its capability for ambient and low-light photography. I was able to capture quality images with the 12 MP sensor D700 handheld at 1/15 sec - intrigued to see if that capability will carry over to the Df with a 16 MP sensor. I can only imagine what it would be like attempting similar low-light captures with a Nikon D800 and its 36 MP sensor.

For me, I now have a Nikon DSLR built like an old school camera (call it vanity :-), with engraved and knurled solid metal dials, alloy top and bottom plates and capable of taking a real cable release. The design is masterful (in my humble opinion): solid metal dials as well as two electronic command dials like other Nikon DSLRs. This device has been a joy to work with since I purchased it!.

Just 4 2day -
The Davenport Projex

NOTE: I have posted samples of low light images captured with my Df.

The first image posted on the street in my neighborhood at night was actually the very first image captured with my Nikon Df after setup (handheld with the ISO pushed up):
Lens: Nikkor 50mm ƒ/1.8
Shutter Speed: 1/30
Focal Length: 50mm
Aperture: ƒ/2.8
ISO Speed: 12800

As mentioned when I started this communication thread - the images I first posted are some of the first images captured with the Df in March 2015 - specifically related to low light capture.

Since purchasing the device, the Nikon Df has become my preferred go-to device for clients (both outside and inside my studio). My clients generally are: Families/Individuals (for portraits) and Public Events (usually inclusive of national service organizations as well as Jazz musicians and their events - but not exclusive to those).

Here are some samples

As mentioned when I started this communication thread - the images I first posted are some of the first images captured with the Df in March 2015 - specifically related to low light capture.

Since purchasing the device, the Nikon Df has become my preferred go-to device for clients (both outside and inside my studio). My clients generally are: Families/Individuals (for portraits) and Public Events (usually inclusive of national service organizations as well as Jazz musicians and their events - but not exclusive to those).

Here are some samples

Thank you for sharing your pictures, I like them all!
I got my Df in Dec. 2013 to replace my aging D200. I had been waiting for the D400 for several years but it hadn't show up. I need one can handle low light, high ISO. I had consider the D800 that moment, but the huge pix. sensor turned me off, and I don't do video. I like it's controls lay out just like the good old time. Since I had it, I set it on 'M' mode all the time, and also set the ISO on auto, this is the advantage of the Df, I don't have the worry about the ISO noise and shoot with the aperture and shutter speed that I want.
The D500 comes out to late for me now!