Price drop on the DF.

rocketman122

Senior Member
Ripoff camera of the year. Either charge less or up the features. They teased people for so long with those videos of the idiot walking around being a "photographer". They could have captalized on it. But their greed ruined it for them.

people got ao excited and said ok if it sells like the d600 ill take it because it was stripped of features. How ironic of them to put a low light capable sensor inside with an af module that can hardly work well in abundant light. No video as well. Kai was spot on in the digitalrev video.

The d750 can do the same as the df for much less money. I wouldnt even buy it if it was 2k because the d750 makes it irelevant today. When it was selling alongside the d610 then it was a tough choice. The yen is weaker against the dollar and its time they lower The prices. The other ripoff product is the 58 1.4.
 

carguy

Senior Member
How is it a ripoff? Nobody is required to buy it :)

It's more about the retro syling and high quality images. It's a niche product.

Personally, I'd love to have one in my bag.
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
I think @rocketman122 might be a bit exaggerating when he mentions "ripoff". I got the Df when someone on Kijiji (our Canadian Craig's list) put an ad to exchange a D600 for a Df. For me, this was a way to get some money back for the D600 before it got too low.
At first, I was a bit deceived because it held so differently than the D600 and I wasn't used to the controls, but after a while, I can say that I really like it. The files are a bit smaller to work with and this doesn't bother me as I seldom print larger than 20x24. What I do like is the character of the sensor. I don't know what it is, but I find it has a different visual effect than my other cameras. Though I have to agree about the not so great focusing in low light, I love the low light quality it gets me.

Now, if the D750 had been out when I did this swap, I probably would have gone with the 750. But, now that I have it and I'm used to the different handling and button configuration, it's a sure keeper for me.

As much as Nikon is trying hard to sell their new models, I can say that I'm more than happy with my D700, D7000 and Df combination. I don't see why I should spend another penny for a different body. But I'm an amateur and if I was earning my living with a camera, I'd certainly be using a D810.

Now as far as the price drop goes, I'm not certain this still applies since the original post was made in december 2014. The price might have come down a bit, but I don't think it will drop any more. One thing I like about this model is that it's made in Japan where the 600, 610 and I think 750 are made somewhere else.
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
How is it a ripoff? Nobody is required to buy it :)

It's more about the retro syling and high quality images. It's a niche product.

Personally, I'd love to have one in my bag.

that statemrnt is like those "picture of it didnt happen". Cmon with that dont buy it then comment. They want us to buy it and i would have bought two. I would have accepted the bad af module but no video was a huge mistake for them where they couldve had another ff camera to those who already left nikon to canon/sony/panasonic for wedding video. Nikon just woke with d750/810.

for what it gives as a camera its overpriced. I like worth. Meaning, for me it has to offer sonething for its worth tgat is useful. 1 is the d4 sensor (the d750 does just as well which makes the camera as an option even less relevant to a buyer as a smart option) and the stylibg, which isnt a plus or minus depending who u ask. but its different. The other thing is the ability to use older lenses. Those are its highlights. Thats not worth for $2800. Slow af. No video. They could have made a fortune if they sold it at $2200 when it released, considering the yen is so weak. Im not a zombie and just buy anything.

Im not the only one who thinks so. Nasim at photographylife feels the same. Kai feels the same. I dont have any loyalty to nikon. Not everything they make is great

that new selfie stick and black rapid strap..yea, those are just wonderful
 

Wolfeye

Senior Member
I think the problem with the DF has always been price relative to status. It's akin to a Coach handbag. Yes you can get a handbag for much less, but it won't have the "status" of a real Coach bag. What's lacking in the DF is the status. Nobody considers you more successful as a photographer if you have a DF. On the contrary, the only likely status you gain from a DF is "snob" and that's only if anyone gives a rat's behind what camera you use. Nikon apparently assumed that Nikon "purists" (whatever that means) would line up to buy it. Minor news flash - everyone already has a DSLR. Not many of us are rich. Even the presence of dials is silly from a real world standpoint. I shoot in Aperture priority mode most of the time, a habit acquired long ago with my first SLR a Minolta XG-1. I also use manual mode when shooting with legacy flashes. I like my FE2 just fine for dials but I seldom use them, outside of flash use.

You can't sell a status symbol unless the masses agree it is a status symbol, even if it is a pretty good camera.
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
Again, it's a niche product ;-)


It is now. Yes. it took them 4 years to make it and im certain it wasnt what nikon intended. Nikon is big corp. they have to move a lot of units for them to break even after all the rd they invested in it. I think they wanted this camera to make them shine Again. I think they intended to sell a huge amount. They got people so hyped up, including me. I was at nikon rumors everyday a few times a day and saw the comments. People were salivating. Then the specs were rumored and people said "ok as long as the price is right, ill take the slower afmodule and no video because its a d4 sensor nd i like the styling" but then peter (owner of nr) rumored the price (he was spot on) and everything crashed.

ThEy could have had a real winner. But today the d750 stands out with more features better performance and a better price tag. The styling is neither here nor there for me. I simply wanted a low light camera. The d750 delivers that and more for a better price. They didnt hit the iron when it was glowing red.
 

Carroll

Senior Member
Just my opinion, of course...

Professionals look at Photography Equipment as tools. Tools to produce images that generate cash. That is what they do.

Most probably think the DF is crap.

Others look at Photography Equipment as a means for just producing beautiful images...from their heart and minds.

Looking at Marcel's DF images, and even realizing that his years of experience show in the images, the special "something" of those images compared to images from his other cameras, make me want a DF.
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
I dont really see status in these things. They are just tools. I dont care what it looks like as long as it has the majority of my needs. Decently quick af. Decent wb. excellent low light performance. Great video. 6fps is enough for most. People prioritize build but most dont use anywhere near as brutal as I do. Build is not an issue weather sealing is not an issue. How many really abuse their gear? Even a d3300 is more thab enough for most. Im banging into people nonstop in weddings on the dance floor and its a non issue. I see how enthusiasts baby their gear all the time. Lens build needs to come back up with nikon. Not the bodies. They are lacking big in qc and build with lenses in the pro gear. For most holding a 2.8 zoom wont even know what im talking about but working with it, thats something else. They are not the same as they used to be

with the df, it started nice as the rumors came out then slowly dwindled down. Retro design whoa! D4 sensor whoa cant be. Then i read no video. I said ok but now im the fence. D610 af module. I said wtfreak. A low light beast that has crap af capability and cant work well in low light. Uh oh. Well the numbers will decide I said. I saw peter note $2800 and thats it. It was over for me and MANY others.
nikon and their greed. But canon doesnt have a selfie stick! Bravo nikon.
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
Just my opinion, of course...

Professionals look at Photography Equipment as tools. Tools to produce images that generate cash. That is what they do.

Most probably think the DF is crap.

Others look at Photography Equipment as a means for just producing beautiful images...from their heart and minds.

Looking at Marcel's DF images, and even realizing that his years of experience show in the images, the special "something" of those images compared to images from his other cameras, make me want a DF.

I dont think its crap. I never even said it. I think its a good (not great) at an incredibly ridiculous price. Thats why i wanted the df. They are just tools But because of the d4 sensor. But taking into consideration the lack of features and the price tag, its just not a relevant camera with the d750. And it could have been. I was certain nikon expected to sell tons. Investing so much in non stop teaser videos over a long time. It was never done to any camera. Even their flagship.

I think we havent seen the last of the d4/s sensor yet. I think it will be resurrected in a new body some time in the future. Nothing besides the df (and d4/d4) had it.
 

cadomniel

Senior Member
I see a lot of people really defending the DF in other forums. I bought a new one from an AD just a couple months ago but it was $700 off MSRP (CANADIAN). I still think even at the price I paid the Df is still too expensive. But its not a camera you buy with your head and you buy with your heart because you like that retro styling and the manual controls etc. I had a huge tax refund this year and bought myself a new toy. I'm pretty happy with it but sometimes I will be the first to admit that for the price paid they should have at least put the AF system of the D750 in there. I mean the AF is pretty well useless when it gets a bit dark and even my D7100 has a noticeably better AF.

I think for $1,800 the Df is a decent buy used, but I still wouldn't recommend a Df to anyone as a primary camera. Its nice to have to give a difference feel and experience to a regular non retro DSLR but I wouldn't buy it as my only camera.
 

aroy

Senior Member
With the feature set (or lack of it) in my opinion the DF is extremely over priced. The target audience would be the AIS lens users who never use video, and rarely use a flash.

If it was priced below $2,000/, say $1,500/ or so, it would have sold like hot cakes. After all there are thousands of photographers like me who want a basic FF camera with no gizmos, just ability to use and meter the older MF era and "D" lenses. I use a zoom only because it came with my body and my son had another one. Other wise I am extremely happy and proficient with primes. Fpr all my indoor shots I use 35mm DX and at times 50mm. No problems with framing, no problems with fast action.

I am still waiting for Nikon to produce a D3300 equivalent in FF - 24MP, small, light, single card, focus motor and aperture feeler. DF was perfect but way too over priced.
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
With the feature set (or lack of it) in my opinion the DF is extremely over priced. The target audience would be the AIS lens users who never use video, and rarely use a flash.

If it was priced below $2,000/, say $1,500/ or so, it would have sold like hot cakes. After all there are thousands of photographers like me who want a basic FF camera with no gizmos, just ability to use and meter the older MF era and "D" lenses. I use a zoom only because it came with my body and my son had another one. Other wise I am extremely happy and proficient with primes. Fpr all my indoor shots I use 35mm DX and at times 50mm. No problems with framing, no problems with fast action.

I am still waiting for Nikon to produce a D3300 equivalent in FF - 24MP, small, light, single card, focus motor and aperture feeler. DF was perfect but way too over priced.


for the specs as it is, the cameras release price to sell was supposed to be $2000. people were outraged of nikons audacity to ask so much for so little. BUT! if they would have added video and a faster more capable AF module inside, 2 SD card slots, it would have sold for the price when it was launched. it would sell well because it would also appeal to pro videographers also. I could deal with the crappy setup of having the memory cards with the battery, I could deal with the 1/4000 shutter max, I could deal with the narrow af spread, but not for that price.

but nikons greedy ways forgot about the economy (and the weak yen to doallar for a long time and needs price adjusting to all products) and people pinching pennies nowadays so instead of selling like crazy, its a fail in many peoples eyes. its not even a lukewarm topic. its a complete fail to many. interest level for this camera is non existent. today, the D750 completely overshadows it with performance/features/price in EVERY way. they could have made a slaughtering. I wouldnt buy it for $1500 today. the styling isnt why Id buy it and infact is more of hindrance to my fast work style. and the only thing thats the highlight in the camera is the D4 sensor. but I have a feeling we havent seen the end of that sensor yet.

for me, Id just buy a grey nikon D750 with a 3rd party warranty..and thats what I plan on doing soon enough.
 
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SkvLTD

Senior Member
Besides the hopeful shiny factor they bet everything on, I can see how they cut other features short a good deal - they cannot release a cheaper alternative to their flagship, or one remotely close because then no one will go for D# models. Df was also well before 750 was even announced, in concrete, so low light ability without $7000 tag was Df. Lack of good AF.... welllll, it was marketed as a retro, and retro was all simple AF if that and no video.

Hopefully they'll make a new revision sometime, priced appropriately and such. And I'm sure existing ones will drop low enough on the used market to merit a purchase in a year.
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
Besides the hopeful shiny factor they bet everything on, I can see how they cut other features short a good deal - they cannot release a cheaper alternative to their flagship, or one remotely close because then no one will go for D# models. Df was also well before 750 was even announced, in concrete, so low light ability without $7000 tag was Df. Lack of good AF.... welllll, it was marketed as a retro, and retro was all simple AF if that and no video.

Hopefully they'll make a new revision sometime, priced appropriately and such. And I'm sure existing ones will drop low enough on the used market to merit a purchase in a year.

yea, that D4 sensor is wonderful I would have prefered it over the 24 in the D750. I have a feeling when the D5 will show up, then well see a new D700 replacement. the D750 is great but something that goes along the lines of a D4 eco camera like the D700 was to the D3. the D750 is has a tweaked D600/10/D3x sensor.

the D4 sensor was hardly sold and its still very relevant. its more or less the same as a D3s which can do iso 8000 nicely with proper exposure. not for family portraits but for dance floors and low light concerts and such..bon appetit-yummy!
 
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