To me, it's like an iPhone. You either love it, or you hate it, but either way, you are aware it is seen as overpriced. If you hate it, it's overpriced. If you love it, that premium is more worth it. Not the most advanced phone/camera, not the most customizable, but it just works well. No fuss, no frills.
I really like this camera.
I've been shooting Nikon since I had a Nikon EM.
I've owned several of their APS-C models, most recently the 7000.
I've used the 3200 and 5300 recently.
I currently own a D800 and a Fujix100.
Annoying things...
1. Wish it had a wider spread of AF points. Not necessarily 51pt, just a wider spread. The 31 pt system was first used on a dx camera.
2. Wish it had the option for a battery grip
3. Wish that right sided strap lug was not in the way!
4. Wish the on and off switch had a notch instead of just being a dial.
5. Wish it had focus peaking in live view.
6. It can't trigger CLS without sb800 or SB700/910 or third party trigger.
7. Ergonomics-see below.
8. Doesn't focus down to light as low as -2 EV, and no AF assist light!!! Sucks for such a great low-light sensor!!!
For me, 6- 8 are the biggest issues. But none of this is a deal breaker. #8 is the worst though...It is solved with a flash though, but then see #6
So how does it compare to the d800?
Handling
D800 wins big time. I like how the d800 feels in my hand. I like the grip. I like the position of the shutter release button. I have no problem with the menus what so ever. I really don't need all those analog dials. I like how the d800 feels with a fast prime. I can hold the entire camera and shoot it comfortably with one hand.
Holding the Df with a large prime and trying to shoot it with one hand feels off balance and awkward. YOu really have to use two hands. You need to grip the camera with the right hand a specific way to avoid that lug and you have to support a heavy prime with the left hand.
I imagine the Df won't balance well with a big zoom.
I hope Nikon introduces new F2 primes. I'd love to have a 35mm f2 AF-S!
Auto-Focus- D800 wins again...
don't have an issue with the 39 AF points vs 51 of the d800, i just wish they were spread out over the image a bit more. Not a new complaint. I do think it doesn't focus as fast in low light compared to the d800. But that's not a surprise as I think the d800 focuses down to -2EV (night) and the Df is -1. It feels a bit more hesitant in the dark, which sort of sucks because the sensor is so great for low light. Reminds of how my D7000 used to hesitate.
I will say that I do not have to use AFFT on any of my lenses with Df. All my lenses have needed adjustment on my d800.
Build- Tie. both are magnesium and weather sealed.
Sensor- Tie. each one has their strength.
Battery life- Df, but i really wish it took the D800 batteries as i have 3 already.
WB- Does not lean towards green like the d800. looks better to me.
ANYWAY. blah blah blah. I'm sure you can read online, i think you'll find my opinion is no different than others who have compared the two.
How does it compare to my x100?
apples and oranges. you can't compare an aps-c mirrorless vs a full frame...I think both cameras have their purpose. I will keep my x100 as it is so discreet. What i love about the x100 is the quiet shutter and the focus peaking. I think if i'm casually going out with friends during the day, the fuji will be my first choice. If i'm going out with a group of people or to a function and the lighting will be decent and focusing not challenging, I'll take the fuji. It's small, not pretentious, and takes very nice images.
Why am i keeping it? It's really a great camera despite the negatives I've stated. after 1000 shots, it really is trouble free. As mentioned, it does what it is supposed to without any fuss or frills. Sure it's expensive, but based on absolute dollar number, it's cheaper than a leica, a d4, and some other FX cameras.
I think if you are looking for a first Nikon FX camera, get the 610 and save your money for glass. You can buy Nikon D610 24.3 MP CMOS FX-Format Digital SLR Camera (Body Only), Nikon 85mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras, and Nikon 28mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR lens for a smidge more than Nikon 1528 Df 16.2 MP CMOS FX-Format Digital SLR Camera with AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G Special Edition Lens SLR Camera with 3.2-Inch LCD (Silver). Or even better, buy a Nikon d600 , send it in to nikon claiming "oil spots" and hopefully they'll switch out the shutter for the 610 shutter. Only get the Df if you have Fx glass. If you don't have Fx glass, again by the d610/600.
This is my family cam. This is the camera i will take with me when i go out with family and close friends. I really want nikon to make a new 35f2 G
Part of me thinks that "Df" means "DSLR Finale". as this should be nikon's last DSLR as they currently make them. They need to move towards a real "fusion" camera with an OVF/EVF with focus peaking and an AF system similar to Nikon 1.
*****UPDATE 12/27/2013*****
Just wanted to address some of the common complaints I've heard.
"It doesn't have SS of 1/8000"
-Honestly? who needs 1/8000? I understand if you want to shoot your 1.4 glass wide open during broad daylight, but chances are broad daylight is harsh light and the picture would look horrible because harsh shadows. the BETTER (for a non-pro without big strobes) way to shoot wide open during daylight is with an ND filter that allows you to shoot 1.4 with a SS of 1/250, or whatever your flash works at best and use a flash. Sure you can do auto-FP sync at 1/8000 for fill, but the flash is so weak at that shutter speed.
"AF struggles a bit compared to 51 point of the D800/e and D4."
Yes it does on the outer focus points. Best results for me have been back button focusing and using the center point and recomposing.
Not ideal, but gives me the best results.
"no autofocus assist lamp"
-I always turned mine off because it's annoying for my shooting needs. If its that dark and you need the bright white AF lamp, your subjects will squint and react negatively to bright "in your face" light. When it's that dark, i use the AF assist lamp on my flash.
I will say though, as much as i like the Df, using it has shown me how much camera the D800 is for the money. I'm starting to think that the Df is not expensive for what it is. I think the D800 is a bargain for what it is.
*****************UPDATE 1/26/2014********************
Have not used my Fujix100 or D800 in over a month.
I've even thought about selling them.
The Df really works for me. So far no issues at all. No lock up. no hanging, no focus issues with any of my lenses. Battery last 500+ (I've never tried to see how much i can shoot)
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This Item  Nikon Df 16.2 MP CMOS FX-Format Digital SLR Camera Body (Silver) | Recommendations  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $1,199.99 | -16% $2,596.95 List: $3,099.95 | -8% $2,396.95 List: $2,599.95 | -9% $996.95 List: $1,096.95 | $599.99 | $1,114.95 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Thursday, Jun 12 | Get it as soon as Monday, Jun 9 | Get it as soon as Monday, Jun 9 | Get it as soon as Monday, Jun 9 | — | — |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Sold By | Japan-Fine-Select | Adorama | Adorama | Adorama | Willoughby's Established 1898 | Green's Camera World |
| display type | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD display | — |
| display size | 3.2 inches | 3.2 inches | 3.2 inches | 3 inches | 2.5 inches | — |
| lens type | Interchangeable | Wide Angle | Telephoto | Wide Angle | Zoom lens | Standard Zoom |
| zoom type | Optical Zoom | Digital Zoom | Optical Zoom | Optical Zoom | Optical Zoom | Optical Zoom |
| shooting modes | Manual | Automatic | Auto, Programmed auto with flexible program (P), Shutter-priority auto (S), Aperture-priority auto (A), Manual (M) | Automatic | Digital Vari-Program (Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Macro Close up, Sports, Night Landscape, Night Portrait), Programmed Auto [P] with flexible program; Shutter-Priority Auto [S]; Aperture Priority Auto [A]; Manual [M] | Automatic, Movie, Custom |
| connectivity tech | USB | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, HDMI | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI | Wi-Fi, HDMI | USB | — |
| video resolution | 1080p | 3024 | 2160p | 4K UHD 2160p | 1080p | 2160p |
| optical zoom | 1 multiplier x | 3 multiplier x | — | 3 multiplier x | — | — |
| real angle of view | 53.1 degrees | — | 22 degrees | — | 62.06 degrees | — |
| magnification | 0.70x | 0.8x | 0.8x | 1.02x | 0.94x | — |
| wireless tech | Optional, via WU-1a wireless mobile adapter | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | ✓ | Wi-Fi |
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Bad feel, great photos.
I mostly shoot film and I have a ton of manual Nikon primes. So, I wanted a camera that I could work like a manual camera. So, before this I tried the X-Pro 2 and I really liked that camera. It felt great in my hands and was a lot of fun to shoot. However, I was never really happy with the images. They felt flat and the JPEG colors looked a little cartoony. I felt the same way about the X100S. I think this camera is the opposite. It feels not great in hand. It feels kind of cheap, empty, and plasticy- like a really hard, plastic. The top and bottom metal plates just feel weird with such cheap plastic sandwiched between them. I bought a third paty grip for it though and it's made such a difference ergonomically! It really feels like a much better camera and much more solid with the grip which adds a bit of weight to it. The images it makes are AMAZING. The colors are perfect and the photos have the kind of depth and pop that you rarely see outside of film. It's the first digital camera I've used where I was as happy with the image quality as I was with film. I've only used the x100s, Xpro2, d750, d810, and a Canon EOS 5d m3, but these images beat those hands down imo. Those other cameras all great, but they only really take pictures. This camera makes something else. It adds a little bit of magic to the camera. The images have a bit more pop, a bit more life. I feel like the standard j-pegs look a lot like Portra 400, which is one of my favorite color films. I've also seen them resemble Kodachrome when taken with lenses much better than my own! At first I wasn't sure if I was going to keep it because of how it feels, but I've really fallen for shooting with this camera. I would definitely recommend the third part grip though. I also wouldn't worry about having "only" 16mp. I've blown some of these photos up plenty big. Megapixels aren't the only to poster sized prints if that's what you really want to do.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2013Color: BlackStyle: w/ 50mmSet: BaseVerified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
- Dubey, Pankaj M.KReviewed in India on October 15, 2014
A fully working and useful fashion statement
Color: SilverStyle: w/ 50mmSet: BaseVerified Purchase
A few things to know:Dubey, Pankaj M.KA fully working and useful fashion statement
Reviewed in India on October 15, 2014
It is made in Japan.
It is beautiful.
It is heavy, solidly built and you will look very snobbish photographing with it( Sorry ! making pictures with it.)
The buttons give a good feel and you can feel the change.
Read the manual first unless you are a duck and photography is an old pond for you.
If you have moved from entry level DSLRs to this - there is a learning curve.
There is no built in flash and there is no video recording button.
There is button for everything ISO,Shutter speed,Exposure comp, exposure mode- rest is adjustable via the menu.
-------------------
Update:
With some practise and good hand holding technique- the low light pictures are amazing.
Many bird photos with 300mm lens and ISO 800 in low light also came out very good.
I am beginning to like it more and more.
Waiting for David Busch's guide for Nikon Df till then the manual is not too bad.
-----------------
The low light performance of the camera is stunning, all you need is a f1.8 aperture lens as 50mm 1.8 or even Tamron 90mm f2.8 and you can get brilliant colours and photos without flash in low light or just a fluoresent bubl.
Bird photography with Nikon 300mm F4_ Bower 1.4 TC gives an aperture of f5.6- the autofocus works and the pictures are very good if handheld technique is good.
Nikon 300mm + Nikon 1.7TC gives a field of view of 500mm equivalent and even at f8 the autofocusing works .But this combination is best during reasonable light around sunset.
Images in this review
- Daniel MotaReviewed in Canada on November 1, 2014
Five Stars
Color: BlackStyle: Body OnlySet: BaseVerified Purchase -
Carlitos GerardoReviewed in Mexico on March 29, 2018
Excelente cámara fotográfica para un profesional.
Color: BlackStyle: w/ 50mmSet: BaseVerified Purchase - Miss. Joanna KnowlesReviewed in the United Kingdom on July 25, 2016
A very good Buy.
Color: BlackStyle: w/ 50mmSet: BaseVerified Purchase -
C G TwymanReviewed in Mexico on December 11, 2017
Exactly what I want
Color: SilverStyle: w/ 50mmSet: BaseVerified Purchase
