Nikon Df 16.2 MP CMOS FX-Format Digital SLR Camera with AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G Special Edition Lens (Silver)

Folks, Well, my Nikon Df just arrived from Amazon today and I was taken back a bit on the build & quality right away. I still have my F-FTN, FE's, FE2's FG's and F6 and lined them all up with my new Df. Apples and oranges for sure, the Df in no way compares to any of my early Nikons from the 60's and 70's, in quality, build and will later, comment on the fit & function end when I have run it out a bit with all my Nikkor/Nikon lenses. For the $2900+ - dollars, the build was a bit of a let down but mixing the past with the present might be an offset, to a point. maybe! I also have the D700 and D800 models and have been spoiled by both in their build, function and quality, far superior in every way (MAYBE) but that said, I will not put this new child down or up until I have had some time to become familiar with it's unique form, fit and function. In closing at this moment, there is much to like and little to dislike, I'll be back with more soon and my advise would be to visit your local camera store and put one in your hands with a Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VR, a Nikon Chubby-Stubby 200mm f2 VR or what ever lens you might have or want attached. You might just fall in love or...! V/R The PhotogDog **Update** 12-4-13 Threw a saddle on it and gave it a good ride! "Great Camera, glad I have it and will be using it along with my other Nikons. First impressions are not always my best ones but after using the Df for almost 2 days now have warmed up a bunch... The controls are mostly dual function and very easy to use, nice! The weight is right on at 1 lb. 11.4 oz. (Very close to my old F-FTN @ 1 lb. 15.2 oz. The balance is a bit off with the larger lenses but I mount my lens to my tri or mono pods anyway, so that is a non-issue. My Df is the all black model, very stealth in appearance and professional looking. Later on I might pick up the special edition chrome model (second hand of course) to have a pair because I like the looks of them both. I did the same with all my older nikons of the 60's & 70's, what the heck, I like Nikon cameras... The feel and look at first was a bit plasticity to me but after reviewing the build specs, I now know that the Nikon Team put together two very strong materials for a sound and sturdy camera body. I have tested the Df with my later vintage Nikkor lenses; AF-S 200MM F2 VR, AF-S 70-200MM F2.8 VR, AF-S 50MM F1.4, AF 50MM F1.8 and lastly for now, my AF 14MM F2.8D ED. All performed perfectly as expected with outstanding results. All the shots taken were outstanding (in my humble opinion) and in a way, have a bit of a look all their own based on a few comparison shots from my D700 and D800. Hard to put a finger on it this early in the game but I like the way they came out very much, interesting! I will be testing my early vintage 1960 and 70's Nikkor lenses later this month and will provide more feedback about how it went with them then. I must admit that this camera brought back feelings like a school kid with their first camera, put a smile on my face, ya it did and at 70 years young, that is saying something! I believe that this little Df is and will continue to be, "A Nice Blast from the Past", finding a place in our hearts, minds and of course, a tool well worth the effort to produce and use to further our love for photography. Like everything else, this Nikon will not be for everyone but for this old 70 yr-ole guy, I will enjoy the Df to it's fullest. As you may notice, I have left most the techie talk to the techie types, they do a better job of it than I can, anyway. I presented this Df Camera from more of a personal perspective and will reflect on more of the pros than the cons. Please note that this camera does not do Audio/Video (GREAT, get a video cam or use your cell phone). Does not have a built-in flash (GREAT, use the little Nikon SB400, it is a better flash than any built-in). Has no provision for a battery grip ( That is O.K. too, if back up power is needed, spare batteries, they cost less than a grip and this Df does not need a battery grip to increase it's frame rate per second, how bout that!). You have both manual controls on the top deck where they belong and all the presets menus, buttons of the modern Digitals on the back side and inside where they belong (A very good thing, I think!! The view finder is great, bright and has everything there that I need. Live View, Info, Review and Menu etc. are on the LCD, where they belong... Speaking of the LCD Screen, my one gripe would be, "No Provision for screen protection, Nikon Team, you missed this one, might think about it with the Df II update! Bottom line to date, I am very happy with my Df. Yes I would recommend this camera for the new to the Art of Photography folks and students (very uncomplicated camera with ease of use and the instructor can see at a glance what you are up to ;-) ). I would also recommend this to Amateurs as well as the Pro Photogs. Some times we we take life to serious and need to lighten up a bit with a new toy that performs very well, looks good and feels great in the hands. Oh Ya, "IT TAKES GREAT PICTURES TOO" and will make you look better than you really are :-) a good thing also!! If the cost is a factor, O.K., I understand... Remember, "You Can't Take It With You!" and I am doing my very best to spend my kids inheritance!! Ouch, did I say that? Yep, I did... If you like it, get it! If not have someone (your kids maybe) get it for you for Christmas or your birthday, you deserve it ya know, Hmmmmm! Oh yes, I moved my 1st 4 Star Rating to a Strong 5 Stars!! More later... R/The PhotogDog ***My last Update 3-6-2014 is listed in the comments here on my review... enjoy!! ;-)

If you're considering this camera, ask yourself some questions. First: "Will I ever need to use this camera one handed?" If you can picture yourself leaning out over a canyon, bracing yourself with one hand and snapping pictures straight down with the other, this is not the camera for you. "Will I ever need to change settings while my attention is elsewhere?" If you can picture yourself running with the bulls, changing f-stop and shutter speed on the fly for that perfectly motion-blurred composition, this is not the camera for you. "Will I ever want to focus on something on the side of the frame?" If you like to autofocus anywhere other than the very center of the frame, this is not the camera for you. "Will I ever want to take a video?" ...because you can't. If you ever want to make video with your new DSLR, this is not the camera for you. Just to be clear, this camera feels and looks cheap, has incredibly counter-intuitive controls, has video capabilities pointlessly locked out, and the range of the autofocus points leaves EVERYTHING to be desired. Now, if you're still reading and thinking, 'Hm. None of those things really apply to me.' Ask yourself if you: -Like loud clicky noises when you move dials. -Have two extra hands to depress lock studs and twist dials in order to modify settings while holding the camera up to your eye. -Believe that the best composition has the focal point in the center of the frame (or always focus manually). -Have nostalgic feelings toward a camera that you used in college, or during the Nixon administration, whichever came earlier. -Distrust suspicious newfangled technologies such as video recording. Or if you don't really want to take pictures, and just want a hipster-chic camera to show off to your friends, THIS IS THE CAMERA FOR YOU! If not, check out the D810. Thanks, that's all.

A few things to know: It is made in Japan. It is beautiful. It is heavy, solidly built and you will look very snobbish photographing with it( Sorry ! making pictures with it.) The buttons give a good feel and you can feel the change. Read the manual first unless you are a duck and photography is an old pond for you. If you have moved from entry level DSLRs to this - there is a learning curve. There is no built in flash and there is no video recording button. There is button for everything ISO,Shutter speed,Exposure comp, exposure mode- rest is adjustable via the menu. ------------------- Update: With some practise and good hand holding technique- the low light pictures are amazing. Many bird photos with 300mm lens and ISO 800 in low light also came out very good. I am beginning to like it more and more. Waiting for David Busch's guide for Nikon Df till then the manual is not too bad. ----------------- The low light performance of the camera is stunning, all you need is a f1.8 aperture lens as 50mm 1.8 or even Tamron 90mm f2.8 and you can get brilliant colours and photos without flash in low light or just a fluoresent bubl. Bird photography with Nikon 300mm F4_ Bower 1.4 TC gives an aperture of f5.6- the autofocus works and the pictures are very good if handheld technique is good. Nikon 300mm + Nikon 1.7TC gives a field of view of 500mm equivalent and even at f8 the autofocusing works .But this combination is best during reasonable light around sunset.

Its a great camera.

Se trata de una cámara full frame con controles de perilla que facilitan mucho su manejo para aquellas personas que se enfocan exclusivamente en fotografía. No saca vídeo, por lo que debe tomarse en cuenta si se requieren ambas cosas, fotografía y vídeo, este no es el equipo para ello. Es una cámara fotográfica muy recomendable

This is a really nice camera, if your looking for a digital camera which operates like one of the old Nikon film cameras, a few examples the FE2 or FM3A or an FM2N r F3 This is the camera for you. it's for the serious photographer who likes a manual control camera. I use it with the old manual focus Nikon prime len's, AI and AIS len's, and it works perfectly with them, i have six of them, from 35mm up to 400mm and every one give's very pleasing results. It can also be used with Af len's as well if you prefer. It's better suited to slow moving or stationary subjects and is excellent for low light photography, i use it for Landscape and low light and portrait photography and have had some excellent results. some people say its over priced, but believe me the build quality is very good, its mainly of metal construction, unlike most modern Digital SLR's which are mainly made of plastic. Don't be put off by the low 16.2 MP sensor, the sensor is from Nikon's flagship camera the Nikon D4, that's why the Df is very good for low light photography and the quality of your pictures will be of excellent quality. 16.2MP is more than enough for most peoples needs, even a Pro photographer. So this is really a camera for the serious photographer, Amateur or Pro, which would also explain the high price.

I wanted a still picture camera able to do good quality work with and endless choice of good lenses etc. It has the feel and capabilities that I want. Nikon could do some upgrades on the technology with what they have in house but this will keep me content as-is for a long time. CT