Need DF people to answer quickly, please.

Moab Man

Senior Member
I have the opportunity to pick up a brand new DF for $1800. I know it sounds too good to be true, and I can't go into the details and it's not stolen either, but I need some info quickly before pulling the trigger.

1. I understand it essentially has the D610 focusing system. Have you found this to be any real problem in lower light?

2. Any problems known with the DF? D600 dirty sensor, D750 some had shadow issues, etc...

3. What would be the biggest inconvenience of the retro styled camera?

4. What do you like best?

5. Any regrets buying this camera?
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
My question is why do you want one? What will it do that your present cameras can not do?

An additional camera added to the line-up and it is cleaner at high ISO than the D750 (which is amazing). I'm shooting so much now between sports, seniors, family, etc., that I need to have a back-up. AND how can I pass it up for $1800.
 

aroy

Senior Member
The only reason I will get a DF is, if I want to use the legacy AI/AIS glass, otherwise most modern FF DSLR have much better features and more MP.
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
I have the opportunity to pick up a brand new DF for $1800. I know it sounds too good to be true, and I can't go into the details and it's not stolen either, but I need some info quickly before pulling the trigger.

1. I understand it essentially has the D610 focusing system. Have you found this to be any real problem in lower light? Yes, but it was VERY low light and it's lens depending as well.

2. Any problems known with the DF? D600 dirty sensor, D750 some had shadow issues, etc... None whatsoever.

3. What would be the biggest inconvenience of the retro styled camera? The sub-commander wheel (front one) is weird to work with.

4. What do you like best? IQ of the sensor and low profile and visibility. Seems people don't notice you as much, specially with older lenses mounted.

5. Any regrets buying this camera?
No but if the D750 would have been out.... then maybe, but just for the extra pixel and the screen that can be used for LV when the camera is at ground level.

But did I write that the image quality is really superb. Yes, maybe I did but it's worth repeating.
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
An additional camera added to the line-up and it is cleaner at high ISO than the D750 (which is amazing). I'm shooting so much now between sports, seniors, family, etc., that I need to have a back-up. AND how can I pass it up for $1800.

I often wondered myself which FF camera I would buy if I needed a backup. For the money, I don't think that you can beat a D610 for such a role.
However, it sounds to me that you really want to have a DF and had been yearning for one for a long time but you just could not justify the expense.

I respect you as a photographer and whatever choice you make will be the right one for you.
 

hrstrat57

Senior Member
Want.......dF ...... too.......

See @Marcel thread.

D4 sensor in a retro kit reminding me of my 1959 Nikon F

Yum just yum

OP run don't walk and do that deal if you have the $$
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
I often wondered myself which FF camera I would buy if I needed a backup. For the money, I don't think that you can beat a D610 for such a role.
However, it sounds to me that you really want to have a DF and had been yearning for one for a long time but you just could not justify the expense.

I respect you as a photographer and whatever choice you make will be the right one for you.

I know a lot of people are going to buy a camera and then look for "advice" merely to try and get others to justify their want/purchase. I was 90% there that I was going to buy it because of the sensor and the price tag of a new FF at $1800. My asking had more to do with anyone that has the camera raising a red flag of caution.

As to the DF, I actually don't WANT the DF. What I'm lusting for is the D4 sensor in it with it's no holds barred high ISO capability. I'm not fond of the body and if I could get this sensor in a kids toy I would shoot with the kids toy. In regards to the D600/10, it just doesn't have the high ISO capability I need. I have a D750, which is incredible, and could have went with either another D750 or, to sound redundant, a kind of back-up with the no holds barred high ISO capability.

Anyway, there was no offence or anything like that that prompted me to explain. Just figured I would share my train of thought.
 

gbt

Senior Member
I've had one since April, paid NZ$3000 for it, so $1800 sounds a great deal (even assuming the US dollar conversion).
Yes the D6x0 AF module, it will probably irritate you compared to the D750, for muscle memory you might be better off with a 2nd D750?
I've had zero issues with it, which was a great relief after my experience with the D600
The secondary dial on the front can be switched to the rear dial if you're using Aperture or Shutter priority.
Essentially I bought it to use my collection of older Nikkor lenses, the sensor is wonderful and despite what many people say 16mp is more than sufficient
My current bugbear is its still way too wide a body compared to my old film cameras (yes I know there are good reasons for this)

Hope that helps
cheers
Bryan
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Oh don't keep us here waiting...did you make a decision whether or not to get it?
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
Oh don't keep us here waiting...did you make a decision whether or not to get it?

Sorry, yes I did. Once I heard some comments that there were not red flags with this camera I bought it. It was not a purchase I planned to make, but walked into a new camera at half price and had to pick it up if there were no red flags. It is a little awkward to use, but I was after the sensor.

Researching it I found a lot of hate for this camera. Hate for what it is, a niche camera reflecting back to the days of old, and that's what people griped about. Well if that's not what you're into then why are your griping?

Anyway, for me I couldn't care less about the body. I was after the D4 sensor in it and would have used it if it were in a Mattel toy camera body. The shutter has an amazing sound. The body is a bit awkward and small. However, I am growing fond of the dials because you can know at a glance exactly all of your settings without turning it on or waking it up.

Did some low light shooting with it just pointed up at the sky. The sensor picks up light like no other, but that's what that sensor is all about.

Apologize for the delay in update. :)
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Sorry, yes I did. Once I heard some comments that there were not red flags with this camera I bought it.

Glad to hear you bought it! I loved 35mm film photography and didn't make the switch to a DSLR until late 2011. So yes, it's supposed to be reminiscent of 35mm, which may not be for everyone, but you got a tremendous bargain. Looking forward to seeing images from it. Please be sure to mention me when you upload some so I don't miss them!
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
Here is a picture of the Lord of Darkness - Nikon DF @hrstrat57


20161106_074950.jpg
 
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