I want a camera with the sensor that is in the D4s. I guess that means I have 2 choices, find a used D4S or buy a DF. Question is: Is the picture quality of the DF the same as the D4S? Is there anything missing? I'm not talking about FPS or weathersealing I'm concentrating totally on picture quality. Because the focusing system in the DF is not up top par with the D4S does that have a potential impact ??
The impact of the focus system is that there will be some types of shots that you won't be able to get as easily or as well with the DF as with the D4s. If you want to shoot sports, the DF isn't as good, although it's the best sports shooting camera I've ever owned, so it doesn't suck by a long way, but the Nikon's with the newer AF module are better. For shooting in really low light, I'd have to assume the D4S would auto-focus that much better as well, particularly if you're using the outer AF points. In my experience, using single point AF somewhere near the center of the frame, the DF is great in low light, but I don't doubt the higher end AF system is better.
But any two shots otherwise identical shots you can capture equally well with both the D4S and DF will look identical. At least with raw. Because it's the same sensor. If the processor is somewhat different, that might make a small difference with jpegs, but the basic files the cameras have to work with are the same... Think of it like the difference between the D610 and D750. The D750 has a somewhat newer (and arguably better) JPEG engine, but they're basically identical for raw.
Having the D4 sensor in a smaller, less expensive body is a huge part of why a lot of us own the DF. I love that sensor - for my purposes it beats the 24 or 36mp sensors in the 600, 700, and 800 series cameras.
Just to toss it out there, a D4, D4s, and Df are all virtually the same in sensor performance. IMO why not get a used D4 - it can probably be had for less than a new Df and certainly less than a used D4s. I still use my D4 on a regular basis and I'm still very happy with its performance.
sjms wrote:
don't for get the D4 and D4s performance will start falling off as the D5 starts getting closer to reality
The performance of the D4 and 4s will never change but will be superceded, but for certain their price will fall and be superceded by the higher spec'd D5.
chip_master wrote:
The performance of the D4 and 4s will never change but will be superceded, but for certain their price will fall and be superceded by the higher spec'd D5.
I think that's the joke As new tech comes out, old tech is inherently bad as a result.
chip_master wrote:
The performance of the D4 and 4s will never change but will be superceded, but for certain their price will fall and be superceded by the higher spec'd D5.
oh no, that would be the truth and not perception. we can't have that. it makes entirely too much sense and is a game of winner take all.
I highly recommend the DF without any reservations! I had a D4 for a while and loved the images it produced but didn't need the FPS, like the larger size (for what I intended using it for), or other attributes of a flagship body. The 1/4000 shutter is the only limiting factor I've found with my DF so far but the vast majority of the time it's a non issue. I have a D810 as well and most of the time I prefer the DF! It's a smooth lightweight camera that I've found very easy to use. Here's a couple recent sample shots.
T_gordon.....really great photos. That's why I want that sensor. You must be Navy. Pilot ? Red Shirt? You're making the DF look really good. Is the autofocus as bad as many say it is?
ab7638 wrote:
T_gordon.....really great photos. That's why I want that sensor. You must be Navy. Pilot ? Red Shirt? You're making the DF look really good. Is the autofocus as bad as many say it is?
Thanks! I'm active duty USMC. The autofocus is not bad at all and I haven't found a situation it hasn't given me the shot I wanted... even on this fast paced flight deck! I will say the D810 is faster to lock on every once in a while but not by a large margin.
Steve Perry wrote:
Just to toss it out there, a D4, D4s, and Df are all virtually the same in sensor performance. IMO why not get a used D4 - it can probably be had for less than a new Df and certainly less than a used D4s. I still use my D4 on a regular basis and I'm still very happy with its performance.
I once did my own little comparison test using a D4 and a rented Df. I compared the two using Capture NX2 to review the images which does read the Df RAW files and really could not see any differences between the two cameras in image quality or high ISO performance. Both cameras were setup the same (i.e. noise reduction off, distortion control off, raw 14 bit uncompressed etc.). Hopefully this helps.
I recently purchased a used D4 with very low mileage and have been using it for my wildlife work. I've got to say, the camera is simply magic! I've pushed my D800E and D7200 to iso1600 in the past and thought that they looked pretty good. What I did not realize was how the noise robbed the detail and acuity from my lenses. Sure things cleaned up in post, but there is nothing more refreshing than pulling up at an unprocessed raw and thinking... wow this is done... next shot!
here's a sample from the D4... btw, paid $3000 w/ 2 batteries. I was willing to spend an extra $300 for a camera with only 20,000 clicks, as I want this to be my go to wildlife body for the next three years or so.
I have used both Df and D4s. There is no IQ difference as I can see and Df is really an excellent camera all around. But the AF accuracy is really lacking for the Df, at least the copy that I used. The AF systems used in D4s, D810 and D750 are the latest Nikon AF technology and AF accuracy and consistency are much improved. I sold my copy of the Df body but if Nikon updates its AF system, I will buy one right away.
Well I just bought a used D4. I have granddaughters that dance ballet and play sports so I took Steve's advice and went the D4 route.... Now the waiting begins Where the heck is that Fedex guy...
ab7638 wrote:
Well I just bought a used D4. I have granddaughters that dance ballet and play sports so I took Steve's advice and went the D4 route.... Now the waiting begins Where the heck is that Fedex guy...
Congrats - you'll love it. I think the only way I'll get rid of my D4 is when the D5 comes out - and even then I don't know for sure
ab7638 wrote:
Well I just bought a used D4. I have granddaughters that dance ballet and play sports so I took Steve's advice and went the D4 route.... Now the waiting begins Where the heck is that Fedex guy...
Congratulations...
No regrets with my decision to buy one!
I picked up a D4 for $2600 a while back (Craigslist) and love it!
I started with Nikon a few years ago . . . D700, D3, D800, D3s and know D4. The D4 is a very very nice body. For what I shoot (sports, seniors and some wildlife) I really don't see the need to upgrade for a long long time.
It was a difficult decision....DF users had some really great photos and I would have gone the DF route if it wasn't for the fact that my granddaughters do ballet and sports. Lots of low light focusing or fast action. I'm hoping to sell my D810 to off set the cost of going with the more expensive D4.
As new tech comes out, old tech is inherently bad as a result.
