I have sinned...

[Tronhard]

I have to admit it, I've been lusting after another... I have done so from afar for a while, and then we met and there was magic. In no time flat my hands were everywhere: probing, pressing here, caressing there... I was totally smitten and have now taken leave of a long term relationship to be with this other.

You see, for almost 18 years I have been a Canon user - I did so because of the glass and have been happy in that relationship. Then I read about the Nikon Df and I was at first intrigued, then lustful. Recently I looked at our local on-line version of eBay and there was this beautiful, pristine body, with all the extras, offering to be mine for a very small investment. I agonized over breaking my monogamous relationship with Canon, but in the end I succumbed and cheated...

For those that don't know the model the Df stands for Digital Fusion: basically reverting back to the look and feel of a classic film SLR camera - with all the associated dials - but with an high-end digital camera inside. Nikon took their awesome D4 -sensor, and with a tweaked processor produced a camera with fantastic low-light/high ISO capability. It has a battery rated at 1,400 shots and you can get a battery grip to double that capacity.

This was not without controversy: it is definitely for a specific market and depending on their understanding of the purpose of the model people seemed to love it or hate it. But aimed as it was at those who have been using film with the classic SLRs like the F1, F3, FM1 etc, this is a unit that captures that style and feeling - it makes the process of taking a photo more of an occasion.

Some were upset that there is no video capability: this is unashamedly strictly a still photographers' camera, as they were in the film days. It doesn't have a built-in flash - well, neither did the classic SLRs it emulates. There is only one card slot: you could only load one film at a time into a SLR camera. It doesn't have the latest multi point focusing capability, but it is far ahead of what a film camera could do.

This is a camera that cries out to be used in manual, although it is perfectly capable of working in Aperture, Shutter or Automatic modes. It has all the features of a high-end DSLR, but they are coyly secreted in the subtle buttons and menus in the back. One great feature is that it works pretty much with ANY Nikon lens - for those pre-Ai, it has a lever that can come out to engage with the aperture control mechanism.

So what they have produced is a very solid, lightweight, efficient, multi-personality camera that is capable of taking awesome shots.

I got rid of my Nikkor lenses when I sold my Nikon SLR gear, so I have, for the time being, bought the 28-300 lens as an all-in-one solution, but I admit this cries out for fast primes. Maybe one day perhaps, but lets see how the relationship develops...

[dje]

You swine Trev! Imagine how Canon must feel, but then I guess you don't care. Let's see how you feel about the new model in 5 years time, once the gloss has gone.

Dave

[Tronhard]

You swine Trev! Imagine how Canon must feel, but then I guess you don't care. Let's see how you feel about the new model in 5 years time, once the gloss has gone.

Dave

Currently I have entered into a polygamous relationship, cohabiting with my Canon gear - which I am unlikely to part with, and this new/old flame.

[dje]

Oh dear, it just gets worse

[Shadowman]

Have fun, I'm a Nikon shooter but never really looked into the Df, partly because I'd already gone FF.

[pnodrog]

My unbiased opinion is that you have almost stopped sinning and are in the process of redemption...

The Nikon 28-300 lens is a great all-purpose lens on a FX body. It has mild distortion at the extremes that are easily corrected in Lightroom.

[Tronhard]

Have fun, I'm a Nikon shooter but never really looked into the Df, partly because I'd already gone FF.

Ah... but what a FF sensor it has... sigh...

[Tronhard]

You may be right, but I am like The Force, or Duct Tape - I have dark side and a light side... and together they hold my universe together!

I actually downloaded a lens correction file for the Df and it does a lot to fix the distortion and vignetting in camera for this lens, which is awesome. You're right though about a quick tweak in LR sorting any remaining blemishes.

[Tronhard]

Have fun, I'm a Nikon shooter but never really looked into the Df, partly because I'd already gone FF.

It's an honour to join you as a Nikon user again. Back in my film days I really enjoyed using both (Canon F-1 and A-1s and Nikon F3's), but once digital came along with motor driven, multi pin connector lenses I had to make a choice and I did so on the basis of the excellent range of glass that Canon has. Still, a part of me has always wanted to go back to Nikon, and certainly wanted to enjoy the kind of interface of dials etc. that were a mark of those cameras.

I am amazed at the way the Df has polarized opinion: people seem to love it or hate it. As I commented earlier, it really makes sense to someone who has shot with those film bodies and wants that feeling again, but not so for those who want the latest and greatest of everything. If you use the dials interface it gives a different experience from pressing buttons - it really heightens the sense of taking a photo, which for me was lacking. It also seeks to repeat that sense of discipline that one had shooting with film cameras: one card, no flash, no video etc. This is also the lightest FF body I have played with for a while, even with the 28-300 attached.

[rpcrowe]

Good luck with your new sweetheart. Playing with new gear is fun
- even if the gear has been previously wedded to another. BYW: I am told that a person doesn't need to go to a divorce court before changing camera brands but, that it sometimes becomes as expensive to do so as a divorce

[Tronhard]

Good luck with your new sweetheart. Playing with new gear is fun
- even if the gear has been previously wedded to another. BYW: I am told that a person doesn't need to go to a divorce court before changing camera brands but, that it sometimes becomes as expensive to do so as a divorce

Ha!! I can see that one. Luckily I have a very understanding human partner, so that's not an issue. As for the Canon gear, I shall still keep and use it, but this may be a new era in my photographic history!

[AlwaysOnAuto]

So you've gone to the Darkside once again, Trev.
Good for you!
I've been a Nikon shooter since I bought my FE way back when. I too, lusted after the Df when it was announced but fell for the Sony option of using just about any lens I can afford an adapter for.
I know how a camera can just 'feel' right though, as that is what convinced me to upgrade my 995 to a D80. Once held, it was very hard to let go so I had to have one.
My current A7ii comes very close to the same feeling, all the while allowing me adventures with multiple lenses.
I look forward to seeing what your new Df brings forth in your photographic adventure.

[Black Pearl]

A mate has one of those, a battered, worn and well used one which goes to show how much he enjoys shooting with it. However you desperately need to get at least one nice prime to go with it as it shines with small fast glass on it. The matched 50mm with the silver ring is actually a crackin' lens for the money and perfect for just mooching about.

[Tronhard]

A mate has one of those, a battered, worn and well used one which goes to show how much he enjoys shooting with it. However you desperately need to get at least one nice prime to go with it as it shines with small fast glass on it. The matched 50mm with the silver ring is actually a crackin' lens for the money and perfect for just mooching about.

Thanks for the comment Robin. I didn't get to buy the kit lens with the body, and as I said I have some plans for some good fast primes but in the meantime I shall learn about it with the zoom I have.

[tbob]

I am sorely afraid for what this portends. Where will be world be if we all start thinking for ourselves and making rational decisions based on facts? Luckily we still large corporations and vested interests to guide us.

[miatab]

Well I consider buying my Df body the first rational photographic decision for some years! Purchasing the Df body made me regret wasting money on my Contax G1 lustful misadventure, my silly flirt with the Bessa R2 and my false infatuations with the Panasonic DMC. It made me drag out my Domke bag with my F2SB and prime and zoom lenses, store the F2 body back under my den desk, buy a small Domke bag and start enjoying all over again, the beauty of making images the "old way" once more. Fingers, thumbs, eyes and brain. What a joyous penance for my sin. Photographing with the Df: the simple pure pleasure of being in a monogamous relationship with a photographer's camera.

[NorthernFocus]

Trev, you can't truly repent without turning loose of the past

[Tronhard]

I'm a confirmed polyphotomist: I can't afford to give up my old gear: I have been truly Canonized. And I still enjoy them, but this adds a whole new dimension to the art of picture taking!

[NorthernFocus]

I'm a confirmed polyphotomist: I can't afford to give up my old gear: I have been truly Canonized. And I still enjoy them, but this adds a whole new dimension to the art of picture taking!

I was refering to being drawn back to the dark side because you never truly renounced your past. By your own discussion that's the reason that you're drawn to the retro looking Df.

So what I want to know is will you be going all-in on the retro photo thing? Canvas NatGeo backpack, leather camera case, fedora, walking stick?

[pendennis]

As a Nikon user for many years, I've secretly lusted after a Canon film camera. Although the EOS line has great lines, I really wanted an older model, using the FD lenses. I recently found a near-mint condition A-1, that included the "standard" 50mm f/1.8 lens, and I've added a 24mm f/2.8 wide angle and a Tokina 70-210. I also added a Motor Drive A, and a 299T Speedlite.

I'm reading the manuals now, and I'm going to run some Fuji Velvichrome through it in the coming weeks.

It'll be a companion to my Nikon FA, similarly set up.