Official Announcement of Nikon Df

[kiatography]

hi guys
recently got my very own DF...i was a bit hesitant initially as i'm a bit worried about the way the aperture knob is designed (turning up and down instead of the traditional left and right)

but i tested it as NSC and was relieved nikon allows us to change the mode...thus in aperture mode (when i"m shooting streets, the command dial is my aperture changer) whilst in manual mode (when i'm shooting landscapes, the command dial is my shutter speed changer)

yes its confusing, but this is my personal preference

even then, the knob is not really hard to adjust, aboveall it is light and absolutely delightful to look at..!

no regrets! :love:

 

[tomcat]

Thanks bro jnet6!

Thinking of trying out the Sony A7R and the D800E to see the difference. Hehe..

But Sony A7R has no FE lenses available to use with and D800E body costs more than the Df kit. Even if stocks for the 35mm FE lens is available, the body and lens together cost >$4k

 

[diediealsomustdive]

Thanks bro jnet6!

Thinking of trying out the Sony A7R and the D800E to see the difference. Hehe..

But Sony A7R has no FE lenses available to use with and D800E body costs more than the Df kit. Even if stocks for the 35mm FE lens is available, the body and lens together cost >$4k

I looked at FFA's signature and it says "Nikon Df; Sigma 35/1.4; Nikkor 50/1.8G; Leica 80/1.4; Leica M6 & Titanium M6; Zeiss 50/1,5; X100". No offense meant, but this reminds me of a certain fictitious someone who had a 20k turntable, playing into 100k of hi-fi equipment and plays only 1 record, "Casino Royale".

Not saying FFA's approach is wrong, but certainly very different from many of the rest of us.

Given the lens set FFA has, the A7/A7R would probably have enough lens set now or very soon. Just a thought - how about getting more lenses to play with, say go fisheye, or UW, long tele, macro, PC Nikkors, etc?

Push Df to the limit on high ISO, shoot dance, theatre, performance? Shoot birds, dragon boat race, etc? Maybe, since I don't know the genre FFA is shooting.

And see the difference?

 

[Far far away]

But Sony A7R has no FE lenses available to use with and D800E body costs more than the Df kit. Even if stocks for the 35mm FE lens is available, the body and lens together cost >$4k

Hey Bro tomcat, will be using M lenses on the A7R. AF is not very important to me as I used mainly my Zeiss and Leica R lenses on my previous 5D2. I just want to try the system to see how it feels. Hehe...

I looked at FFA's signature and it says "Nikon Df; Sigma 35/1.4; Nikkor 50/1.8G; Leica 80/1.4; Leica M6 & Titanium M6; Zeiss 50/1,5; X100". No offense meant, but this reminds me of a certain fictitious someone who had a 20k turntable, playing into 100k of hi-fi equipment and plays only 1 record, "Casino Royale".

Not saying FFA's approach is wrong, but certainly very different from many of the rest of us.

Given the lens set FFA has, the A7/A7R would probably have enough lens set now or very soon. Just a thought - how about getting more lenses to play with, say go fisheye, or UW, long tele, macro, PC Nikkors, etc?

Push Df to the limit on high ISO, shoot dance, theatre, performance? Shoot birds, dragon boat race, etc? Maybe, since I don't know the genre FFA is shooting.

And see the difference?

Wow thanks for the detailed analysis Bro ddamd. You can be in CSI!

I think I am just stricken with a dose of gear acquisition syndrome plus some itchy fingers and hands. Canon was my primary system previously which I sold for the Df. Though I love the Df, I haven't quite settled down on using Nikon as my main system yet hence my "wanderlust" now. I think with the whole array of new systems available now, the consumer is spoilt for choice. Hence I am "finding" myself now... Haha... Maybe I should take a trip to some ulu places somewhere and meditate to have a clearer picture of what I really want.

Anyway I am into street and portrait but I excel in none. I seriously think that my gears are wasted on me! Oh well..

 

[diediealsomustdive]

Hey Bro tomcat, will be using M lenses on the A7R. AF is not very important to me as I used mainly my Zeiss and Leica R lenses on my previous 5D2. I just want to try the system to see how it feels. Hehe...



Wow thanks for the detailed analysis Bro ddamd. You can be in CSI!

I think I am just stricken with a dose of gear acquisition syndrome plus some itchy fingers and hands. Canon was my primary system previously which I sold for the Df. Though I love the Df, I haven't quite settled down on using Nikon as my main system yet hence my "wanderlust" now. I think with the whole array of new systems available now, the consumer is spoilt for choice. Hence I am "finding" myself now... Haha... Maybe I should take a trip to some ulu places somewhere and meditate to have a clearer picture of what I really want.

Anyway I am into street and portrait but I excel in none. I seriously think that my gears are wasted on me! Oh well..

No never, as long as you are enjoying the craft nothing is wasted. Was just suggesting not to wander around (or wonder around?) but settle down and explore more... like shoot portrait with 300mm?

But, just go out and enjoy it! Even if it means chucking one system for another, as long as you enjoy it, why not? Nevermind if I don't enjoy that, doesn't matter.

 

[Far far away]

No never, as long as you are enjoying the craft nothing is wasted. Was just suggesting not to wander around (or wonder around?) but settle down and explore more... like shoot portrait with 300mm? But, just go out and enjoy it! Even if it means chucking one system for another, as long as you enjoy it, why not? Nevermind if I don't enjoy that, doesn't matter.

Cool bro ddamd!

 

[e69087]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8xpH835A00

 

[tomcat]

Nikon Df Recommended Settings Reviewed

[video=youtube;LwqAa6M359Y]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwqAa6M359Y[/video]

 

[tomcat]

Nikon Df shutter noise compared with the Nikon D4, Nikon D700 and Fuji X100s

[video=youtube;PcXG3AH0lf8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcXG3AH0lf8[/video]

 

[jnet6]

Nikon Df Recommended Settings Reviewed

To sum up his recommendation:
1) Shutter speed dial set to 1/3 STEP & use rear command dial to adjust shutter speed in 1/3 step.
2) Display ISO in viewfinder instead of number of shots left, CUSTOM SETTING MENU >> d)Shooting/display >> d3) ISO display >> ON
3) Use AF-ON button only on back, CUSTOM SETTING MENU >> a) Autofocus >> a4) AF activation >> AF-ON only
4) Use AF-C, change setting via AF button at side
5) Use Fn button to set flash off, CUSTOM SETTING MENU >> f) Controls >> f4) Assign Fn button >> Press >> Flash off
6) Use Pv button to set flash off, CUSTOM SETTING MENU >> f) Controls >> f5) Assign preview button >> Press >> Flash off
7) Use OK button to zoom in to image while in playback mode, CUSTOM SETTING MENU >> f) Controls >> f2) OK button >> Playback mode >> Zoom on/off >> Low/Medium/High magnification (see which one suits you)


To me i use 1,2,7.

 

[tomcat]

To sum up his recommendation:
1) Shutter speed dial set to 1/3 STEP & use rear command dial to adjust shutter speed in 1/3 step.
2) Display ISO in viewfinder instead of number of shots left, CUSTOM SETTING MENU >> d)Shooting/display >> d3) ISO display >> ON
3) Use AF-ON button only on back, CUSTOM SETTING MENU >> a) Autofocus >> a4) AF activation >> AF-ON only
4) Use AF-C, change setting via AF button at side
5) Use Fn button to set flash off, CUSTOM SETTING MENU >> f) Controls >> f4) Assign Fn button >> Press >> Flash off
6) Use Pv button to set flash off, CUSTOM SETTING MENU >> f) Controls >> f5) Assign preview button >> Press >> Flash off
7) Use OK button to zoom in to image while in playback mode, CUSTOM SETTING MENU >> f) Controls >> f2) OK button >> Playback mode >> Zoom on/off >> Low/Medium/High magnification (see which one suits you)


To me i use 1,2,7.

I am using 1,2,3,4,5,7.

 

[diediealsomustdive]

To sum up his recommendation:
1) Shutter speed dial set to 1/3 STEP & use rear command dial to adjust shutter speed in 1/3 step.
2) Display ISO in viewfinder instead of number of shots left, CUSTOM SETTING MENU >> d)Shooting/display >> d3) ISO display >> ON
3) Use AF-ON button only on back, CUSTOM SETTING MENU >> a) Autofocus >> a4) AF activation >> AF-ON only
4) Use AF-C, change setting via AF button at side
5) Use Fn button to set flash off, CUSTOM SETTING MENU >> f) Controls >> f4) Assign Fn button >> Press >> Flash off
6) Use Pv button to set flash off, CUSTOM SETTING MENU >> f) Controls >> f5) Assign preview button >> Press >> Flash off
7) Use OK button to zoom in to image while in playback mode, CUSTOM SETTING MENU >> f) Controls >> f2) OK button >> Playback mode >> Zoom on/off >> Low/Medium/High magnification (see which one suits you)


To me i use 1,2,7.

I currently set my Df with 2 and 7 only.

I reverse the command dial on all modes, i.e. set aperture using main command dial, thus using the shutter speed dial for setting shutter speed - full stops shutter speed sufficient for me. In My Menu the reverse command dial is accessible quickly so that in S I could set shutter speed with the main command dial.

For now I am essentially not using the sub command dial.

Can't remember Fn or Pv with command dial to set ISO-A, allowing me to quickly switch between fixed ISO or auto ISO.

Qs: can brothers elaborate the pros of using 3, 5?

 

[jeff7id]

I am not agree with no 1.
Using real command dial, no difference with other common dslr mah

 

[tomcat]

Qs: can brothers elaborate the pros of using 3, 5?

I am trying out 3,4 &5 to see if they would improve my handling of the Df.
I have always half-depress the exposure release button to focus and full depress to release the shutter, but have found that I need fine control over the pressure of my finger on the exposure release button to avoid misfiring especially when very excited. Separating the AF function and the shutter release function seems to relieve me of the need to control the pressure on the button. I can press as hard as I want on the AF-ON button with my thumb and release the shutter with my index finger only when I am ready to take the shot. Also, since Nikon's AF tracking in AF-C mode is supposed to be very good, setting the AF to AF-C together with the AF-ON may help me get better control of the camera to capture the desired moment especially with subjects that may move unexpectedly like my cats or in other users' case, children.

Using 5 to shut off the flash is for those who are shooting with external flash but may want to take one or 2 shots in natural light with the flash off. Just pressing the Fn button to deactivate the flash for such a shot is much easier and faster than going into the Menu to turn off the flash. After taking the natural light shot, just release the Fn button and you're back to flash mode again.

 

[diediealsomustdive]

I am trying out 3,4 &5 to see if they would improve my handling of the Df.
I have always half-depress the exposure release button to focus and full depress to release the shutter, but have found that I need fine control over the pressure of my finger on the exposure release button to avoid misfiring especially when very excited. Separating the AF function and the shutter release function seems to relieve me of the need to control the pressure on the button. I can press as hard as I want on the AF-ON button with my thumb and release the shutter with my index finger only when I am ready to take the shot. Also, since Nikon's AF tracking in AF-C mode is supposed to be very good, setting the AF to AF-C together with the AF-ON may help me get better control of the camera to capture the desired moment especially with subjects that may move unexpectedly like my cats or in other users' case, children.

Using 5 to shut off the flash is for those who are shooting with external flash but may want to take one or 2 shots in natural light with the flash off. Just pressing the Fn button to deactivate the flash for such a shot is much easier and faster than going into the Menu to turn off the flash. After taking the natural light shot, just release the Fn button and you're back to flash mode again.

Thanks.

AF-ON: I get that sense from another buddy of mine as well, just that it is (a) a learned response that photography is a 2-step process AF-ON then release or (b) keep pressure on AF-ON and let AF-C track focus and release. It needs the brain to focus on doing 2 things apart from looking at the subject at the view finder. Hmmm.... gotta try.

I get the flash off now. I would have gone to the flash and switch it off, just like in old days.

 

[x0tiq]

Thanks bro jnet6!

trying out Sony A7R and D800

wah .... DF not good enough for you is it ...

 

[tomcat]

wah .... DF not good enough for you is it ...

Good opportunity for you to buy the Df from him cheap, cheap.

 

[jeff7id]

Rediscover the Joy of Photography - Nikon Df
Very touching video :cry:
[video=youtube;8btLeqUGRyE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8btLeqUGRyE&feature=share&list=UUaJdw-rtBkZHc2dfaJCZ7xQ[/video]

Very touching !! And the actor name is similar with me, Jeff !! :cry:
Thanks jnet6 ! and Merry Christmas !

 

[jnet6]

Very touching !! And the actor name is similar with me, Jeff !! :cry:
Thanks jnet6 ! and Merry Christmas !

Happy new year already la... more photos taking for 2014!!!:cheergal:

 

[jeff7id]

Good opportunity for you to buy the Df from him cheap, cheap.

Just checked latest update on his WTS thread.
Someone has offered $3450 for his Df. Wish the Best to the Sale