The Nikon Df - A Take from a Non-Nikon User

The retro looking Nikon Df has generated a lot of interest, especially among Nikon users. As usual, some love it, some hate it, and some are indifferent. My feeling of the Df is that it's ugly. I had a few Nikon film bodies before, the cheap EM, the fabulous Nikomat FTM, and the controversial Nikon FA, but I like the look of the Nikon F3 the best.  Aesthetically, the Df to me is kind of a botched job, especially when view directly from the front. The proportion looks like someone put it on a vise and squeezed it from the sides, but it looks better from the top. The back looks just like any other digital SLR on the market.

I know the old timers love manual controls on the camera, and the Df has lots of it. I do question if the ISO dial is necessary. In the age of auto ISO, how useful is it to have a dedicated ISO dial? Personally, I set my ISO to Auto and never have to change it. Perhaps, the purpose is to slow you down and force you to take your time; same thing can be said about the shutter speed dial. This camera is definitely not created for operation speed. In a way, I guess it makes sense if it's targeted at the group of people who like to shoot their digital camera like a 1980s film camera.

The pricing of the camera is a surprise to me. Nikon has a tendency to price new niche cameras way too high. The Nikon 1 series comes to mind, and I think this one is overpriced for what it offers. No doubt many will pay for it purely for the look, but a D800 or a D610 is a better value.

I like the sensor in the Df. 16MP is a sensible solution that satisfies the majority of needs. I wish others will create a 16MP full frame sensor using today's technology. The low light performance would be phenomenal.

For me, I feel no love for the Df. Your mileage may vary.

Drums - Canon 5D Mark II & EF 135mm f2L @ f2. Click for larger.