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Considering a Df

taxidrivr
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Considering a Df

I’m thinking of picking up a Df; have a FM2/F-mount glass and never quite caught on with digital/mirrorless bodies I've tried over recent years. I'm not in the budget/territory of a Zf nor Z mount glass quite yet.

my main concerns are around serviceability and durability; if Nikon themselves are still working on these in the event of failure or damage. given such, I am being cognizant and careful to select wisely, find one in very good condition from a reputable seller.

anything to be aware of and/or consider here?

Sep 28, 2024 at 11:38 AM

Seabassius
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Considering a Df

I was thinking one of these would be fun to pick up as well for all the old f mounts out there. Curious to hear what people have to say.

Sep 28, 2024 at 11:44 AM

OffTrail
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Considering a Df

Df's still hover around $1000, which is quite a premium for the aesthetics and non-Ai compatibility over something like a D700 for around $350 or a D810 for around $650. Those would be my first two choices right now if I were looking for an FM2 companion.

Not to talk you out of a Df, I'm sure it's a good camera. It's just not a great value proposition IMO given where other F-mount cameras fall on the used market.

Sep 28, 2024 at 11:55 AM

Jman13
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Considering a Df

D750 in my opinion is the best bang for the buck right now. Still a very solid body with very good image quality, but you can get them for $400-450.

Sep 28, 2024 at 12:33 PM

taxidrivr
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Considering a Df

OffTrail wrote:
Df's still hover around $1000, which is quite a premium for the aesthetics and non-Ai compatibility over something like a D700 for around $350 or a D810 for around $650. Those would be my first two choices right now if I were looking for an FM2 companion.

Not to talk you out of a Df, I'm sure it's a good camera. It's just not a great value proposition IMO given where other F-mount cameras fall on the used market.

the D700/750 came up on my radar, can be had for significantly less though admittedly the Df aesthetics/layout have swayed me. figured it would hold its value as well

Sep 28, 2024 at 12:43 PM

Don Ferrario
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Considering a Df

The Df is unique. The Df/D4 sensor produces an image not surpassed today. The exposure controls and ability to use virtually every Nikon F lens ever made is fun. You will find many Df love threads here and on DPReview. I have owned most of the top Nikon bodies made since 1970. I’m old. My pair of Df would be the last I would sell, including my Z9.

Sep 28, 2024 at 10:13 PM

NovaDNG
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Considering a Df

As a proud user of the Df for over 10 years (of which over 7 years as a daily carry) I can promise its durability is fantastic, mine has even endured two drops from knee level (certainly not proud of that), some -30℃ travel and many other hells, still going strong. Service wise I think it will be quite difficult as many parts have long been out of production. You can still register for a service on Nikon's official website, but it cost quite a lot.

Sep 29, 2024 at 04:15 AM

Jepser
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Considering a Df

As a life-long FM2 user Id would recomend a Zfc if the Zf is out of range. I have both. Main reason is that manual focus lenses are so much easier to use on mirrorless. They also feel a lot like my FM2 & FA in the hand, compaired to the Df which I think felt like a D-body with dials.

A used Zfc is cheaper than a Df, and propably superior in every technical aspect includig IQ. You dont have to start buying Z-lenses.

Sep 29, 2024 at 04:55 AM

Clivem2
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Considering a Df

Jepser wrote:
As a life-long FM2 user Id would recomend a Zfc if the Zf is out of range. I have both. Main reason is that manual focus lenses are so much easier to use on mirrorless. They also feel a lot like my FM2 & FA in the hand, compaired to the Df which I think felt like a D-body with dials.

A used Zfc is cheaper than a Df, and propably superior in every technical aspect includig IQ....
I look back at my Df photos, there’s something in the look of them that’s very pleasing though I wouldn’t want the look for every photo nowadays. If I could dial in that look on demand that would be great. However, as you say mirrorless makes manual lenses so easy to work with.

Sep 29, 2024 at 05:00 AM

SiMuMe
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Considering a Df

Buy the Df. If it doesn't work out for you, at least you tried. If you've tried mirrorless/digital and didn't get on with it, I don't see the point trying mirrorless again.

Adapting F mount on Z, especially the lenses that aren't much longer than the FT-Z adapter results in a woeful ergonomic experience, despite manual focusing aids being a strong positive of mirrorless. Try the Df, it's a better shooting experience.

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1258694/

Sep 29, 2024 at 05:47 AM

grantgoodes
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Considering a Df

The Df _almost_ succeeds in its mission statement of providing an old-school F2/F3 era look-and-feel with modern DSLR capabilities.

For appearance, instead of the blobby, chewed-chewing-gum look of most modern bodies, it presents as a hybrid of 70's/80's angularity and modern button-covered surfaces.

For the size, there were some who thought it should have aimed for an FM/FE petiteness, but there's just no way you could fit all the electronics into such a small body, and the Df is still the smallest DSLR Nikon ever made.

It goes without saying that this is pretty much the only modern Nikon body that can use virtually ANY F-mount lens (and yes, that includes mirror lock-up lenses if you are willing to bend the rules a little). Sure, they skimped a bit on support for non-CPU lenses (manual mode only), and the lack of a proper alternative focusing screen with focus aids was disappointing, but aftermarket solutions do exist.

And the image results are just excellent, especially in low light. Sure, the AF system is definitely not Nikon's best, even from the era in which it was made, but it functions better than my ageing eyes, and gets the job done, and fully supports my AF-D screw-drive lenses.

The lack of built-in flash and video capabilities are actually a win from my perspective.

There are some quirks, and outright fails in the user-interface design of the Df (I particularly hate the locking exposure compensation dial), but for this FE/FE2/F3 user, it is a mostly pleasant experience.

I love my panda edition, and it will probably be my last body purchase, unless someone makes an AF-D supporting adapter for the Z bodies.

Edited on Sep 30, 2024 at 07:11 AM · View previous versions

Sep 29, 2024 at 08:28 AM

OffTrail
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Considering a Df

taxidrivr wrote:
the D700/750 came up on my radar, can be had for significantly less though admittedly the Df aesthetics/layout have swayed me. figured it would hold its value as well

The Df certainly does hold its value. If you like what it offers, go for it. I don't think you'd be disappointed at all.

And on the mirrorless vs. DSLR topic, I'll cast my vote for DSLR still being my preference for manual focus Nikon lenses. I still gladly use my D700, D3s, D5, etc. for manual lenses despite having the Zf and Z8. I find it easier to judge focus through the OVF, and you get the electronic rangefinder with the DSLR's. You also keep aperture info. Z's are making some gains with non-CPU stuff, but they're still a bit clunky with manual Nikon lenses unless you start stacking various adapters.

Sep 29, 2024 at 12:01 PM

grantgoodes
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Considering a Df

OffTrail wrote:
The Df certainly does hold its value. If you like what it offers, go for it. I don't think you'd be disappointed at all.

Yes, I held out several years assuming the prices for used Df bodies would drop, and finally caved when they quiet-discontinued it and the prices actually started going back up! It's a unique body in the Nikon lineup, the last hurrah for the F-mount in some ways, and still very popular despite its flaws, so I doubt it will ever become "reasonable" (unlike mint F3 bodies, which you can now purchase for chump change). Hold out for a low exposure-count copy if you can, but overall I find the Df pretty robust. The leatherette does peel off, particularly on the grip, but I was able to purchase replacements direct from Nikon parts department, and as I use a half-case, they should last now.

Sep 30, 2024 at 07:28 AM

CATProductions
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Considering a Df

Depending on what you shoot, you might also consider a used D4 or D4s for better AF.

Sep 30, 2024 at 09:00 AM

taxidrivr
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Considering a Df

grantgoodes wrote:
Yes, I held out several years assuming the prices for used Df bodies would drop, and finally caved when they quiet-discontinued it and the prices actually started going back up! It's a unique body in the Nikon lineup, the last hurrah for the F-mount in some ways, and still very popular despite its flaws, so I doubt it will ever become "reasonable" (unlike mint F3 bodies, which you can now purchase for chump change). Hold out for a low exposure-count copy if you can, but overall I find the Df pretty robust. The leatherette does peel off, particularly on the...Show more →

I’m hoping Nikon will continue to stock/sell replacement parts, good to hear/know they were able to help you out.

Found and bought one in like new condition from MPB, has 6k exposures/actuations. That puppy set me back a decent amount, though when seeing listings on ebay and other resellers seemed liked a good buy.

Sep 30, 2024 at 07:03 PM

BSPhotog
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Considering a Df

The thing keeping the used resale value high on the Df is strictly cosmetics and not performance. In user experience, I felt it to be most like using a D600, with worse ergonomics. All cameras are compromises, but if your top priority is looking at the front and top of the camera than the Df makes lots of sense. D8x0 was always a more enjoyable shooting experience for me. That said, I did own a black Df for a little while, wanted to see what the hype was about.

Oct 01, 2024 at 09:56 AM

shujert
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Considering a Df

BSPhotog wrote:
The thing keeping the used resale value high on the Df is strictly cosmetics and not performance. In user experience, I felt it to be most like using a D600, with worse ergonomics. All cameras are compromises, but if your top priority is looking at the front and top of the camera than the Df makes lots of sense. D8x0 was always a more enjoyable shooting experience for me. That said, I did own a black Df for a little while, wanted to see what the hype was about.

The cosmetics are a factor, but so are the size, wonderful sensor, and the ability to use pretty much any f-mount lens made. It's really the package as a whole that's keeping resale values high.

Oct 01, 2024 at 12:19 PM

grantgoodes
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Considering a Df

shujert wrote:
The cosmetics are a factor, but so are the size, wonderful sensor, and the ability to use pretty much any f-mount lens made. It's really the package as a whole that's keeping resale values high.
Yes, for me the drivers were (in order):

Compatability with legacy lenses
Image quality (including low-light capabilities)
Size
Ergonomics (aka dials vs. menus)
Cosmetics

Oct 01, 2024 at 12:32 PM

Desmolicious
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Considering a Df

I had the DF and it is horrible to use with manual focus lenses unless you don’t care about accurate focus wide open. Nikon cheapened out and did not fit a proper focusing screen for manual focus.
The images you see posted shot wide open and in focus? The users focus bracketed, fired off a bunch of shots and picked the one that was in focus.
Very disappointing because Nikon showed they can make an AF SLR with an excellent manual focus screen with their old F6.
The D850 has a waaaaaay better focus screen for manual focus than the DF. I had far more success manually focusing that one.

Oct 01, 2024 at 01:31 PM

SiMuMe
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Considering a Df

taxidrivr wrote:
I’m hoping Nikon will continue to stock/sell replacement parts, good to hear/know they were able to help you out.

Found and bought one in like new condition from MPB, has 6k exposures/actuations. That puppy set me back a decent amount, though when seeing listings on ebay and other resellers seemed liked a good buy.

Nice. Hope it turns out good for you.

Oct 01, 2024 at 02:16 PM

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