A new type of Nikon Digital SLR – the Nikon Df

A new type of Nikon Digital SLR – the Nikon DF

Nikon announced a new Full frame digital SLR this week in the shape of the Nikon Df. It’s the smallest and lightest full frame dSLR that Nikon have made. It features the sensor of a D4, the AF from the D600/D610 and an all new body that is reminiscent of the old classic cameras. It is also the first nikon dSLR that is capable of mounting all nikon lenses ever with a collapsable metering coupling lever meaning that in practice all the lenses will work in Manual Focus with manual selection of aperture. This is similar to is you use an adapter. How useful this to you depends on how many old nikor lenses you have laying around. It may even create a resurgence in the market for those older lenses – choose wisely not all old lenses are great optically especially older zooms. The Nikon Df will appeal to retro enthusiasts but the price tag of £2799 will make sure people think twice about purchasing.

Unlike most nikon cameras (apart from the entry level ones) the Nikon Df is available in 2 colours.. silver and black. Here’s a photograph of the two colours the Nikon Df comes in:

Nikon Df

Here’s a comparison between all the existing full frame dSLRs Nikon make.. you can see the Nikon Df is clearly the smallest amongst them all.

What makes the Nikon Df so differnt?

The nikon Df has no green square or scene modes so it’s aimed at people who understand their photography. Instead of having automatic modes it has the standard PSAM (Program, Shutter, Aperture and Manual) modes. In addition most values can be set on the dials rather than using a top plate/lcd to set values. This is deliberately to make users think before blazing away filling the card. There is also no video option.. this is either good or bad depending on if you ever think you use this or not. It keeps the camera a pure image making machine.

Top of Nikon Df

The Nikon Df for whom?

So who is this camera for? Well it’s aimed at people who want to slow down and enjoy their photography. I’d argue that it’s not designed for a working professional photographer (though it can be used by them). The fact that everything is on dials and also that it has one card slot says it’s for the photo enthusiast who wants the best image quality but values the image over anything. Backups are less important (as in the days with film it was impossible to backup as you shot of film). I imagine this will be a great camera for people who have lots of older nikon lenses but haven’t yet gone digital. Sure it’s a premium price but that means little over the overall lifetime of 10 years. This could quite possibly be the last camera you ever need to buy.

D4 v D800 v D610 v Df

Compared to other Nikon dSLRS

Compared to other nikon dSLRs the Nikon Df sits alone. Here is a comparison between the D4 and D610 as the previous largest and smallest FX nikon dSLRS.

Nikon D4 v D610

This is the most modern film camera the F6 – you’ll notice design cues from later digital bodies

Nikon F6

This is the last of the big brick film SLRS the Nikon F5 – I still own one of these it’s a true classic and built like a tank!

Nikon F5

Taken as part of the nikon digital lineup the Nikon Df is underspecced compared to a D800, with a simpler AF, single card slot, no video option. However the Df has the best low light performance (shared with D4) and offers a unique take on photography making you slow down and only do stills. I think it’s not really fair to compare with other dSLRs it is a new class of it’s own.

Conclusion

The Nikon Df isn’t for everyone, in fact most professionals probably won’t buy one for working with unless they must have the D4 sensor in a smaller body. It is a great marketing success for a new niche of cameras not aimed at competing with anything else it’s a picture taking machine pure and simple and I’m sure it will be a great success.

You can read more about it on the Nikon Website here.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the Nikon Df and if you are going to buy one.