p.2 #1 · Does the DF/D4 sensors really have the special sauce?
mikegao wrote:
This is the technique I use too. So, when I went back and look at the pictures, I only see those that are in focus (after deleting all of the out of focus one). But, every time I upload the photo to lightroom, is like praying photo will be in focus or I have shot enough to have one that nails it. This really diminish the joy of the camera.
This is the exact problem the newer cameras like the Zf solve so elegantly, provided you use a chipped lens, from which there are many great ones to pick.
I never thought I'd be shooting manual focus with absolute confidence, and it's a really great experience.
p.2 #2 · Does the DF/D4 sensors really have the special sauce?
This is the exact problem the newer cameras like the Zf solve so elegantly, provided you use a chipped lens, from which there are many great ones to pick.
I never thought I'd be shooting manual focus with absolute confidence, and it's a really great experience.
I agree with you the object detection Nikon has is a very elegant solution. Ever since the firmware 3.0 came out for the Nikon Z8, I had been using it more, especially with the Milvus 35mm f1.4 and the Distagon 35mm f1.4 zf.2. My Zeiss classic 35mm f2 zf is not chipped, and so is my 58mm f1.2, but I noticed when the focus get close enough, the focus squre will turn yellow. I do find this experience to be quite good. The Z8 body is heavier, so it balances better with heavier lenses than ZF. It also has better button arrangement and joystick. I prefer using the Z8.
Still, I like the fact that DSLRs give you the full lens name in EXIF, and accurate aperture reading. Plus, the D4's viewfinder is a joy to use too. It's like driving a modern electric car vs a classic car with a manual shifter.
I am contemplating how to test the default color of D700, D4, D810, and D850, and if the color science changes significantly over the year. From my experience, the color science of the D810 and D850 is very close. Only when I switched to z6II did I notice a significant shift in color. I don't like the z6II initially, and it takes me some time to change the default setting to match the older DSLR.
p.s. My D4's charger doesn't work, so I will be running out of battery soon. The focus accuracy still bothers me. I am leaning toward returning it. I did order a Wasabi charger. Hopefully, it will arrive soon.
p.2 #3 · Does the DF/D4 sensors really have the special sauce?
I think the Df is great but I also had a slightly frustrating time with manual focus on it. Somehow my D610 always alerted me to sharp focus better.
I don't think the files were anything particularly spectacular like some people make them out to be. It does do VERY well in low light and when you crank the ISO the noise is very film grain like. It looks more like BW film at ISO 12,800 than any of the Fuji sims do.
p.2 #4 · Does the DF/D4 sensors really have the special sauce?
The old low-res bodies looked very good on a per pixel basis, but on a per image basis the later hi-res sensors look better. The D850 was so good, it has hardly been equalled if not surpassed.
p.2 #5 · Does the DF/D4 sensors really have the special sauce?
I really like Df with 58/1.4G. Don't know about special sauce but WB on Nikon body changed significantly from D5/D500 onward and was very noticeable from D810 to D850. May be it was the older color profile of Df that works synergistically with 58/1.4G or something.
p.2 #6 · Does the DF/D4 sensors really have the special sauce?
suteetat wrote:
I really like Df with 58/1.4G. Don't know about special sauce but WB on Nikon body changed significantly from D5/D500 onward and was very noticeable from D810 to D850. May be it was the older color profile of Df that works synergistically with 58/1.4G or something.
I Know on the D500 you can change a seeting to go back to the warmer white balance mode.
p.2 #7 · Does the DF/D4 sensors really have the special sauce?
After some more testing, I conclude there might be a problem with my copy of the camera. I had tried auto focus lens: Sigma 35mm f1.4 art, 50mm f1.4 art and Nikon 35mm f2 afd. I know those lenses aren't the best for testing the camera's auto focus capability, but it is all that I have now. It seems to be consistently front-focused a tiny bit. The eBay seller promptly provided me with the return shipping, so I returned it.
I may tried to get another copy later. I was surprise how up-to-date this camera feel. It's fast and the high iso image looks very good. I don't seem to mind the added weight either. Coupled with the Milvus lens, the camera + lens combo is very balanced. The optical viewfinder is very good too.
I took the saving to buy a Nikon d780. I had been thinking about getting a "lighter" Nikon dslr body for manual focus lens. It seems besides the d610 and DF, this is the next lightest Nikon dslr. I prefer its look better than the d750 even though for my purpose, the d750 is defintely a better buy. Finger cross again, and hope I am getting a good copy this time around.
p.2 #9 · Does the DF/D4 sensors really have the special sauce?
My Nikon D780 arrived today. After a quick manu setup, I took it out for a spin. I quickly noticed a few things: 1) I love the shutter sounds, 2) Although on paper it doeasn't appear to be much smaller than a D850, I do notice and welcome the smaller size and weight (150 grams ish). 3) When attaching the Zeiss 35mm f2 ZF lens to the body, it does not tip over. The base of the body is big enough that the lens can hang in the air by the weight of the body alone. This is very cool to me. I really appreciate how balance it feels with the lens. 4) I felt the default picture style is too sharp for me. I changed it back to neutral. 5) The focus accuracy of the rangefinder is fine. For my Zeiss 35mm f2, it focus spot on, but for my Milvus 35mm f1.4, I do notice the optical viewfinder's rangefinder "dot", when it shows, the focus can still off a tiny bit, but in liveview mode with focus confirmation, it is spot on. I do feel I can rely on the rangefinder indicator.
The goal for me is to find a body for my Zeiss classic lenses. My view on which is the perfect body is evolving. I used to care more about weight, but now I care more about the how balance the package could be. I used to care more about pixel count, and higher the better, but I am more neutral on pixel count now. If I have to do a paid gig, I will use my Z8 because it focus more accurately. I still feel the dslr give a more authentic experience: I can turn the aperture ring. I like the optical finder. Although less acurate, focus with the rangefinder indicator is more confirmative.
