pat5200 Loc: plano,tx

New to the market but what are HH opinions. A old style camera no bells or whistles. No video or flash. Early reviews from users suggest this Nikon is better than their D7000 or D90. I'm still a novice DSLR user but my photo mentor (still not a member of HH) is looking to upgrade. The Df caught her eye. Thanks in advance for your opinions.

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

I'm not a Nikon shooter but don't let that weigh on how you view my opinion. The Df has the same sensor as the top of the line D4, a truly exceptional camera. I've seen results that are really wonderful, and that camera deserves accolades for its build quality and overall beauty. It's ergonomics are exemplary, if you like retro! Get one, you won't be sorry, but they're not cheap. You'll be the envy of all your nikonian friends.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

The Nikon Df just recently tested as the "King of Darkness" as far as low noise at high ISO's is concerned, an amazing feat:

http://www.adorama.com/alc/0012810/article/15-Low-Light-High-ISO-All-Stars

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

How many bells and whistles does a photographer need when a small bodied camera has a D4 sensor? Like Lucan said, the photographic results are great. As far as the retro style, people either love it or hate it, personally, I think they look cool.

pat5200 Loc: plano,tx

lukan, MT Shooter & cjkorb thanks for the input.

amehta Loc: Boston

Comparing it to the D7000 or D90 is not even close to fair. The camera to compare it to is the D800, especially since they are the same price. The Df has slightly better high ISO performance, the D800 has slightly better resolution and image quality. The Df has the sensor of the D4, which is different than the D800 sensor, not better or worse. But it has the AF system and drive of the D610, with fewer focus points but slightly faster top frame rate.

The bells and whistles are there if you want them, they don't get in the way if you don't. With the D800, I can change aperture, shutter speed, exposure compensation, ISO, AF mode, all without taking my eye from the viewfinder, so I don't understand the excitement of having a switch for everything. I do like the consistency of the interface: press a button and rotate a dial to change anything important.

I don't shoot video often, but when I do, it's Dos Equis. Or, it's nice to have the option of semi-pro quality video. And I don't use the flash much, but it's convenient to have it as a trigger for my speedlights off-camera, or as a quick fill-flash.

The Df and D600 were not available when I got the D800, so I didn't have to think too much, I just pre-ordered the D800 the day it was announced (and still had to wait 2 months after release because the Nikon Professional Services people got the first ones). If I was buying today, I'd have to think a lot between the D610 and the D800. The Df would drop off the list in a few minutes.

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

Anand, looking at your equipment roster, and considering that you do NOT like to shoot "normal", I would say that you've made the exact right choice for your needs. The D610's size would be the right size for me personally, and I do like the sensor, as well as frame rate and overall operational "speed" over the Df. I'm also not necessarily a great fan of "retro", but for the still-shot guy who like the older look, the Df is pretty cool and quite well-executed. Not my cup of tea, but then others might see my equipment roster and claim the same: "not my cup of tea". After Sony releases a newer model ensuant to the A99, I might pick that up, as long as it's in DSLR format (not like the A7/A7r mirrorless). They just don't suit my hands. My OMD EM-1 is as small, as retro, and as "funky" as I'll ever get. I greatly prefer a DSLR.

amehta Loc: Boston

The lens selection was partly driven by the D800. With the D600, I might have stuck with the 70-200mm.

The only "look" that matters to me is what ends up on the sensor, not the outside of the camera. The things I take pictures of look much better than me with a camera stuck to my face. The only reason I draw attention is because the whole setup, with a flash bracket, flash, diffuser, and long lens, are so gaudy! :lol:

We each need to pick what suits our needs, within the context of the choices the companies give us. I just don't understand where the Df really fits with that. I'm not sure Nikon does either...

MW

Until very recently I kind of thought the retro camera attraction is silly nostalgia. However, this last week I got curious to haul out an old film camera, N80, realized how nice it is to have no menus to mess with.

On the other hand it reminded me what PITA film was. Maybe what I want is an LCD screen that is usable only for immediate feedback and for live view - everything else by wheels and buttons. Done right, retro could be more than style but I won't be holding my breath.

amehta Loc: Boston

I agree about the menus, and once I start shooting, I rarely change any. Everything I need to change while shooting with the D800 can be done by pressing a button and rotating dial.

MW

Its kind of hard to ignore the menus on my D5100. That's why the N80 impressed me. (Waiting to see the results on film does not impress me.)

amehta Loc: Boston

True, but that's not really a fair comparison. The Df should be compared primarily to the D800 and secondarily the D610.

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

I suspect both would outperform the Df except in very low light situations. And I think the design of the Df is almost too funky to be considered a tool for any situation, including low light situations. I guess that's why there's a D4 and now a (new) D4S.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

And you would suspect absolutely wrong. The Nikon Df is the highest rated High ISO/Low Noise DSLR on the market. Its called the "King of Darkness":

http://www.adorama.com/ALC/Article.aspx?googleid=0012810&alias=15-Low-Light-High-ISO-All-Stars&utm_source=RSYS&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Email012414ALC&j=Email012414ALC

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

So what is so wrong about what I suspected, Shooter? You essentially just paraphrased the second half of my statement. King of Darkness is actually pretty cool for a camera (being a photographic tool). "... Except in low light situations...".