NikonGear'23
Gear Talk => Camera Talk => Topic started by: Kenneth Rich on December 19, 2017, 17:55:41
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There are people on this forum, probably, who could reel off the years, months and weeks since the Nikon Df was released. I don't even remember how long I have owned mine, but at a guess, I think that early in 2018 it will be into its third year of life with me. I wonder how many camera bodies were planned for production, whether that number has been reached, exceeded, production ceased or extended, and how its production run compares with other higher cost Nikon DSLR cameras.
I also wonder about its longevity and reliability. In my own case, mine is not indicative of these factors, as it is extremely lightly used and treated like a rare jewel, and I don't believe it was Nikon's intention to produce this camera, guided by these particular parameters! I know it was not designed to have the never-say-die robustness of my F2, a simple, mechanical work horse, but then, what contemporary DSLrs are? I'm interested in hearing how yours is standing up to everyday demands. I read the posts on this or another forum titled "My Wife's Df", and sincerely hope that this particular Df is not typical of a larger number of Df owner woes.
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I still love mine, taking a few of its weakpoints for what is; a mirrorless regeneration as follow-up, rangefinder lookalike is my prediction.
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It's no match to the new DSLR's but boy it's a joy to use. Especially with the old Nikon MF-lenses.
I have mine for 2,5 years now and it's going nowhere. ;D
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I have used Df since November, 2013 ... One of the Df bodies died in a crash accident to such extent that not even our mighty 'Dr. Lens' (Erik Lund) could restore it. The other has seen heavy use over the years and I have had the mount replaced and the camera realigned at least once. The Df is my preferred choice when I simply want to photograph. It is not perfect but neither am I.
I understand the line of reasoning of Nikon underlying the model yet regret they couldn't solve some of the weak areas better before the camera went in production. There isn't likely to be any direct successor alas, which is a real pity. We have to make do with the existing model as long as it ticks.
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If you visit the Df page in the Nikon website (http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/dslr/df/) what do you see to your left and the breadcrumb menu?
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I thoroughly enjoyed using my Df over the years.
In so many ways better than other more modern DSLRs when used for pleasure/leisure activities.
Oh how I enjoyed using it with my 16/3.5 fish-eye and the 45P in combination. Small and light but no joke :)
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The Nikon Df is still shown on the Nikon USA Website. They must have stock on hand. If it's out of production and stock has run out then they move the camera page to archive. The current price on Nikon USA is $2749.95 (USD). I would expect a reduced price if the Df were on closeout.
Dave Hartman who is still waiting for Digital Film for his Nikon F3. :) ;) :D
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it is still in production and it will be for some time to come. Df will remain in production for a while because its still selling "OK" here in Japan.
as of a few months ago, the info is that there are no plans for the Df2 but the the Df will remain in production.
the Df2 project fell victim to the cost-cutting and restructuring within Nikon. :o :o :o
poor Df sales overseas is also a problem.
Dont know what the future holds, maybe there will will be a Df2 in the future but not soon I suppose.
on the bright side, resource has been consolidated to produce the mirrorless Nikon and it is coming out sooner than many would expect and it is a high-end product targeting the Sony A family. the APS-C cameras aren't their main target. Sony is the company to beat. I am excited. prepare your wallets, gentlemen ::)
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I hope when Nikon comes out with a mirrorless that it's FX and they remember to make a first class adapter for AI & AIS lenses.
Dave Hartman who is wed to Nikon through his legacy glass.
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it's FX. :o :o :o
word on the street is Cosina will be making the adapters ::)
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it's FX. :o :o :o
word on the street is Cosina will be making the adapters ::)
Please tell the street we want Color Maxtrix Metering with MF lenses or whatever grovy new term the marketing department dreames up for the grovy new metering system.
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Thank you, Bjorn, David, Richard and others for your responses. Is it fair to assume that the mount is one area of weakness, or only for those who use the camera and mount/dismount lenses very frequently? If this is the only major weakness, then the Df is remarkably trouble-free. Mine should outlive me! I ignore comments of the "It lacks video" category and "where are the buttons on the top/silly wheels" and the like as valid responses to engineering weakness. Merry Christmas all of you.
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Don't knock or bump a mounted lens on its front. That can break the ceramic plate of the aperture follower in the camera throat. Has occurred to me twice (once for each camera). I think this is a weak spot, which sadly is present in other modern Nikon models as well.
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That can break the ceramic plate of the aperture follower in the camera throat.
yes! dangerous! :o :o :o
here in Tokyo at least, the part itself is cheap but the fee for replacing it is expensive ::)
the front casting has to be removed :'(
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Thank you for the heads up/clarification. I've been leaving mine with a lens mounted. Guess I should stop that immediately!
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Just picked up my first one used in December with 3800 clicks for $1400 US. I am looking forward to it. I suppose I should build my stable of pre AI lenses before a FF ML with adapters makes those lenses more expensive.