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byrd-2020

byrd-2020

Member Since 06 Nov 2013
Offline Last Active Mar 19 2015 05:43 PM
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#18513 Nikon DF hands on review by Matt Granger

Posted by byrd-2020 on 01 April 2014 - 09:28 PM

Granger has also done a "Nikon DF--Three month owners review" on his website. (You can also find it on You tube-uploaded on March 15, 2014.)

 

This review is even more positive the the one discussed above. He also makes some interesting comments about the "vitriol" (his word) that has been directed at the DF.


  • Ron likes this


#17361 Nikon 1.2g Lenses?

Posted by byrd-2020 on 11 March 2014 - 05:37 PM

I think it unlikely that Nikon would ever make an 85mm f1.2.  It would  be very big, and very expensive. (Just look at the size and price of the 58mm f1.4!)   I think that the 85mm f1.4 G meets the needs of those users who want this kind of speed. (And there is also the Zeiss, the Sigma, and lower cost options like the Rokinon.)

 

Nikon does, however, still make the 50mm f1.2 ais.  I own this lens and I am very happy with it.  It is extremely sharp at f2 and beyond. (Sharper than my daughter's 50mm f1.4 G). And, while it is difficult to focus at f1.2, the paper thin dof and smooth bokeh can make for some great shots.  (I usually go to live view at f1.2 to get precise focus.)  B&H and Adorama are currently selling this lens for $649 import, and $699 US warranty.

 

One other thing about this lens: the build quality is superb.  It is equal to or better than the Zeiss/Cosina 50mm,  and it is just in a different league (in terms of build quality anyway) from the current line of G lenses.




#16764 Good news for Nikon D600 owners

Posted by byrd-2020 on 28 February 2014 - 06:49 PM

Nikon has "done the right thing".  Although it took awhile, I think they should be given full marks for owning up to this problem and taking care of it (at no charge to the user).  




#16174 Nikon DF -- What's the problem?

Posted by byrd-2020 on 21 February 2014 - 05:50 PM

You may want to compare the 85/1.8 D and G lenses before buying, if possible, unless you must have the aperture ring for older cameras.  I find my 85/1.8 D to be a little soft when shooting with my D600.  Granted, we're talking about pixel-peeper reviews here so it's all good.  My 50/1.4 D speaks good old Nikon-ese though.

 

I had the opportunity to shoot a Df with the 85mm f1.8 G  before I ordered my camera.  I ended up ordering my Df with the 85mm f1.8 D instead of the G.  I did this because I wanted an aperture ring; and  the reviews I read said that the D model was at least as good as the G.

 

I have been extremely happy with my 85mm f1.8 D.  And when I compare shots taken with the D and the G, I have to give the edge (though it's slight) to the D.

 

I suspect a lot of this has to do with variations in individual copies of the lens, and needed  (but unimplemented) auto-focus adjustments.

My advice would be to order in a copy of each; do an A-B comparison and stick with what you like best.  (Put the camera on a tripod and focus in live-view, though.)




#15707 Nikon DF -- What's the problem?

Posted by byrd-2020 on 15 February 2014 - 09:35 AM

I finally pulled the trigger this past week and ordered a Nikon Df.   With a 60 day return policy from Crutchfield camera  I thought I could really put the camera to the test.  I ordered the silver body and an 85mm f1.8 D lens. After a few days shooting, all I can say is 'Wow'.  (I don't need 60 days--3 has been enough.)

 

My initial worries about manual focusing, handling etc. haven been, I now see, completely unfounded.  This camera handles beautifully!  And, while I was initially worried about the lack of interchangeable screens, the focusing confirmation is so precise that manual focusing with this camera is simply not going to be an issue.

 

What has amazed me more than anything, though, are the files.  There is a reason why the Nikon D4 has been the company's 'flagship'.  And there is a reason why the Df costs what it does.  The sensor in this camera (developed 'in house' by Nikon, as I understand it) is simply amazing.  At low ISOs (anything below 800) the tonality is  incredibly smooth.  Shots at 3200 and 6400 are much more than usable--they are quite beautiful.  Shadow detail is simply amazing.  If this is 'dated technology', then I'll take all I can get. 

 

I don't know what others think, but there is, to my eye, a very different look that the Df and D4 produce when compared to the sensors in both the D610 and D800.  It is difficult to describe.  But I do know that this is *the* sensor for the kinds of photos I make. (I suspect that D4 users know what I am talking about.)

 

If you are having concerns about the handling, all I can say is 'order one and try it out. You can always return it.'  Every concern I had simply vanished after a few days shooting.  And my biggest question now is: what will my next lens purchase be?

 

I would add that I am extremely pleased with the 85mm 1.8 D lens. I use an 85mm as my 'normal' lens; and since I wanted an aperture ring (that's why I did not order the kit lens) I went with the D over the newer G lens.  I am now trying to decide whether to get the  50mm f1.4 D (I've got to have that aperture ring) or pony-up for the  50mm f1.2 Ai.

 

Anyway, forget all that crap--and that is what it is--about this camera having a 'cheap' or 'plasticky' feel.  It is magnesium alloy; it is light; and it feels strong. It is--at least to these eyes--a beautiful design.  And it is not going to weigh you down the way that a D4 will.

 

For those of you who have not read it yet, I would suggest that you look at Steve Huff's 'real world' review of the Nikon Df.  His sentiments regarding this camera are essentially the same as mine. Huff says that amongst current offerings, this is the only full-frame DSLR he would own. (He makes this judgment based on size, weight, and handling.) I have to say that I feel the same way.  And now that I do own this camera, I'm not letting go of it--at least not for a very long time.




#9975 Nikon DF

Posted by byrd-2020 on 25 November 2013 - 12:00 AM

I want to call the Df a novelty camera, but feel I don't fully understand Nikons reason for bringing it to market.
Would pro's buy it? I doubt it with the inability to increase the battery life with a battery grip, 39 point autofocus instead of the 51 on the D4, but the thing that kills it for me is the lack of a second card slot! What were Nikon thinking there?
But I do love it, managed to get to look at one at the Nikon school in London at the weekend, boy it looks good and so compact, about the size of a 7100.
I'm sure it'll sell to rich kids but if I wanted an FX in that price bracket I'd buy a D800.

 

I know of at least two 'pros' who are buying this camera as a back-up to their D4s. But more to the point. Steve Huff (stevephoto.com) was discussing this camera and posed the following hypothetical question: If a Nikon D610, a D800, a D4, and a Df were sitting on a table in the hallway every morning, and you could take out only one for the day, which would you choose?

 

For him, it was invariably the Df. Why?  Size, weight, and handling.  Huff is primarily a Leica shooter (says he doesn't  even own a dslr these days.), and he puts a premium on size and weight.  But there are many people out there (myself included) who feel the same way.  This was one of the main reasons I chose the Fuji X system. (Gotta love those Fuji X lenses, though!). 

 

The Df is a way to get into a full-frame dslr without having to carry around one of the 'beasts' (i.e. current Nikon/Canon full-frames). I'll take a look at the Sony A7 (not interested in the 7r).  However,  I'm not holding my breath.  Cost considerations aside, the Df is much more attractive to me.  And my real concern is focusing with manual focus lenses.

 

I would add that there are many of us who simply do not want a thirty-six megapixel camera.  The D800 is currently selling for $2050 (USD) in my neck of the woods.  However, I'm not interested because of the size of the camera  and the headaches that come  with using such a large sensor.  The 39 (as opposed to 51) autofocus points is simply not an issue for many folks.  No video? Yeah!  A second card slot would have been nice, but it is hardly essential.  A lot of 16.2 megapixel files can go on a high capacity card. (I have to think that having only one-slot was a space saving consideration.) 

 

There is a lot to like about this camera. It is, after all, the smallest and lightest dslr currently on the market. It offers tremendous backwards compatibility, and it has what is arguably the best low-light sensor in existence.  The price?  Well, I would have preferred a lower price-point.  However, it is still half the cost of the D4 (same sensor and processor).  I suspect, too, that in six months or so, it will be available for a fair bit less.




#9147 Nikon D800 discount

Posted by byrd-2020 on 16 November 2013 - 05:59 PM

True.  I would definitely buy a new one for $2500! 

Overstockdigital.com has just listed the D800 at $2049.  This is for a "new" (not refurbished) body.