Df 2.0-Looking in to the crystal ball

[BW]

Not that my present Df has reached the end of its cycle, but I was wondering what other users might think about the possibility of an upgraded version of the little gem? To me it has served well as a camera that is always by my side without getting in my way. Are we seeing a Df 2.0 during the coming year?

[Fons Baerken]

D5 sensor first thing comes to mind, better quality build, i may hope.

[John Geerts]

Difficult to tell an upgraded version will come. Nikon's 100th anniversary in 2017 is mentioned as a possibility.  Perhaps mirrorless?

[richardHaw]

I want:

1: no rear LCD (fine-tune done in tethered computer)
2: meter on the top instead of the useless remaining shots/exposure info
3: no screw-drive AF
4: D750 class AF module
5: old-size F mount (like the one on the F3 and earlier)
6: as usual, fold-able aperture coupling tab
7: STOP-DOWN METERING
8: smaller or thinner
9: all-brass chassis
10: true mirror lock-up

basically an F3 interface

not sure if this if this is how Nikon's marketing feels as well
Nikon should actually slap their marketing division for a lack of vision and touch with the consumers.

[BW]

The size and build quality of the current Df is in my opinion pretty decent. Why mine haven't broken down yet, is a mystery? It has never seen a rain cover and has spent countless hours of rain, sleet, snow, moisture and fluctuating temperatures. I never intend to treat a camera as a baby and the Df has not given me a reason to do so, yet. The front wheel has to change though. I have glued some Lego to it so could build a nob that my index finger can operate.  I have lost the camera on the ground twice, but it haven't affected the the output of the camera.

[Fons Baerken]

The size and build quality of the current Df is in my opinion pretty decent. Why mine haven't broken down yet, is a mystery? It has never seen a rain cover and has spent countless hours of rain, sleet, snow, moisture and fluctuating temperatures. I never intend to treat a camera as a baby and the Df has not given me a reason to do so, yet. The front wheel has to change though. I have glued some Lego to it so could build a nob that my index finger can operate.  I have lost the camera on the ground twice, but it haven't affected the the output of the camera.

My eyepiece gets full of water when it rains, wearing it with the lens pointing down.

[BW]

I want:

1: no rear LCD (fine-tune done in tethered computer)
2: meter on the top instead of the useless remaining shots/exposure info
3: no screw-drive AF
4: D750 class AF module
5: old-size F mount (like the one on the F3 and earlier)
6: as usual, fold-able aperture coupling tab
7: STOP-DOWN METERING
8: smaller or thinner
9: all-brass chassis
10: true mirror lock-up

You forgot the a decent manual focus screen. I dont agree with nr 8 and 9, but who's aiming for consensus

[BW]

My eyepiece gets full of water when it rains, wearing it with the lens pointing down.

I have used the magnifying eyepiece which protrudes from the camera. In combination with the DK-19 rubber it has been ok.

[Frank Fremerey]

4: D750 class AF module

If you want decent AF take the D5/D500 module

[BW]

Difficult to tell an upgraded version will come. Nikon's 100th anniversary in 2017 is mentioned as a possibility.  Perhaps mirrorless?

If it is anniversary edition, the price might get ugly. If it mirrorless I dont want to be the test pilot. Then, it may take years (read: several versions) until we see a viable product.

[Thomas Stellwag]

....I do not want a anniversary edition with candle light holders....

@ richardHaw:  if you say: no motor for AF lenses it is pointing towards total MF use
then saying a better AF module?  I do not get what is your point, except saving some 10gr.

on my DF very often are 3 AF(D) lenses used:
 1.4/ 85mm, 2.0/ 105mm and 2.8/ 180mm
why should a new Df exclude these good lenses?

easy changeable screen in the viewfinder would be nice
...and for the whole range:  reduction of types of accus

[abergon]

My wish list:

1 - First and foremost I hope they will keep the ability to mount pre-AI lenses;
2 - A D5 sensor would obviously be very nice :-)
3 - A split-screen for focusing;
4 - Improved ergonomics, like a better solution for the front wheel;

For the rest, the Df is basically what I expect from a digital camera, so I'll be conservative and ask for a minimum of changes.

[dslater]

I want:

1: no rear LCD (fine-tune done in tethered computer)
2: meter on the top instead of the useless remaining shots/exposure info
3: no screw-drive AF
4: D750 class AF module
5: old-size F mount (like the one on the F3 and earlier)
6: as usual, fold-able aperture coupling tab
7: STOP-DOWN METERING
8: smaller or thinner
9: all-brass chassis
10: true mirror lock-up

basically an F3 interface

not sure if this if this is how Nikon's marketing feels as well
Nikon should actually slap their marketing division for a lack of vision and touch with the consumers.

Why in the world would you want to remove the screw-drive AF? There are still plenty of wonderful AF-D lenses out there that benefit from this feature.

[dslater]

Also, are there any numbers of sales, revenue & profit margin for the Df? If it didn't make a profit, I wouldn't hold my breath for a version 2.0

[Hugh_3170]

For me:-

1. The sensor, AF, and flash systems of the new D5 - much like the D700 had the equivalent smarts from the D3 - now justifiable given the large % price increase of the D5 over the D4S
2. The build and ruggedness of the D700, and its frame rate or better; not fussed if the weight goes up a little, so long as it is "good weight".
3. Improved focussing screens to support MF lenses, which are designed for ease of installation - like the old FM2 and FE2 were designed.
4. Continued support for pre-AI lenses, including stop down metering
5. Shift the memory card door to the hand grip - away from the bottom
6. Dual QD cards
7. Use the same battery as for the D810 - this implies a larger hand grip - which I would welcome.
8. Replace the wretched front control knob with a standard control wheel integrated into the hand grip.
9. Include a voice recorder to support in-field documentation and audio note taking
10. Articulate the rear LCD - similar to the Olympus OMD E-M1, and also make it touch sensitive.
11. Keep the rest

I quite like the look of the current Df and most of its controls but I don't believe for one moment that it has to look exactly like a FM2 or FM-3A or any other film camera.  For goodness sake it is a digital SLR that should be the best blend of traditional and electronic controls with a UI for stills use - but in designing a Df Mk II Nikon doesn't have to be a total design slave to the past either.