The Df Revival

[Jakov Minić]

Francis, a really nice closeup.
You mean the 105mm f/4?

[Ian R]

What I like about the Df (well one of many things I like) is that if you see something that looks like it may make a good photograph, the Df will help you take the photo that your mind sees. I was walking home this evening, the light fading and a calmness telling me that night was nearing. I saw the first tints of red and so set my Df up with the 300mm f/4.5. The photo, whilst not exciting, was pleasing to take and a moment in time that is now passed as it is now pitch black. The more I use my Df, the more I like it.

[Ian R]

And a different take on the reflections and water.

[rosko]

Francis, a really nice closeup.
You mean the 105mm f/4?

Yes, that one.

Also it has a very long throw ( more than 320 degrees), so you can obtain accurate focus.

Cheers, Francis.

[Fons Baerken]

Turnhout station, Df 58mm/1.4g @ f/3.5

[Les Olson]

My favourite camera/lens combination is the FM3 with Voigtlander 20mm f/3.5 and 40mm f/2.  The Df seems to be the camera I need, but can anyone comment on how either or both of those lenses perform on the Df? 

[Mike G]

Ian, I really like the second version for its composition and the fact it is a little brighter than the first. Is this Hemel Hempstead?

[Fons Baerken]

My favourite camera/lens combination is the FM3 with Voigtlander 20mm f/3.5 and 40mm f/2.  The Df seems to be the camera I need, but can anyone comment on how either or both of those lenses perform on the Df?

Just snapped a few with the cv20, cant speak for the 40/f2 which i dont own, take a pixel look and you will find some 'unwanties'.

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[Airy]

My favourite camera/lens combination is the FM3 with Voigtlander 20mm f/3.5 and 40mm f/2.  The Df seems to be the camera I need, but can anyone comment on how either or both of those lenses perform on the Df?

I have the 40/2, and performance on the Df leaves nothing to be desired - if you like the 40/2 style, that is (I do like it). The combination Df + 40/2 with close-up lens + 105/2.5 is one of my travel combos, by the way.

Imaging performance aside, the size and weight of the 40/2 fit the Df well, and focussing on the standard matte screen is fairly easy. The 40/2 only disappoints a bit at night or with strong backlighting; here the Zeiss 35/2 for instance is vastly superior.

A few examples here : https://www.behance.net/gallery/28342491/Gardening-%282%29

[Hugh_3170]

Off Topic:  I love your Garden Fons.

On Topic:  I have a CV40, and have found that it works well with both my Df and the D700 before that.  It is a very light and compact lens, with an extra stop over the otherwise desireable Nikon 45P lens.  As a light & compact lens, it soemhow seems in keeping with the design and ergonomics of the Df.  The newish 35mm f/1.8 Nikkor (FX version) maybe worth a look if AF is important to you.

My favourite camera/lens combination is the FM3 with Voigtlander 20mm f/3.5 and 40mm f/2.  The Df seems to be the camera I need, but can anyone comment on how either or both of those lenses perform on the Df?

Just snapped a few with the cv20, cant speak for the 40/f2 which i dont own, take a pixel look and you will find some 'unwanties'.

.............................................

[Ian R]

Ian, I really like the second version for its composition and the fact it is a little brighter than the first. Is this Hemel Hempstead?

Spot on Mike - yes, Hemel Hempstead. Just along the canal. Thanks for the input, I was working on trying to get a look that portrayed the waning but clear light and the Df was the camera perfect for the task.

[Andrea B.]

The Df auto-focuses very quickly. 

I was able to grab focus on these Brewer's Blackbirds as they flew in front of the erupting geyser using the Df and 24-70/2.8G AFS. This is not really a birding lens, but the combo still worked to catch these BIFs.

The 2nd, smaller foto shows how far I was from the birds and geyser.

1) Brewer's Blackbirds Flying in front of Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
2) Similar uncropped foto, for context.

I note that resizing has created a bit of halo-ing around the dark birds which is not there in the full size versions.

[Andrea B.]

Another BIF grab while touring a Yellowstone geyser basin.

1) Osprey with Df + 24-70/2.8G AFS :: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
The bird was brightened a bit with an NX2 colour point.
Some vignetting was removed.

2) Uncropped foto for context.

[Fons Baerken]

Off Topic:  I love your Garden Fons.

On Topic:  I have a CV40, and have found that it works well with both my Df and the D700 before that.  It is a very light and compact lens, with an extra stop over the otherwise desireable Nikon 45P lens.  As a light & compact lens, it soemhow seems in keeping with the design and ergonomics of the Df.  The newish 35mm f/1.8 Nikkor (FX version) maybe worth a look if AF is important to you.

My favourite camera/lens combination is the FM3 with Voigtlander 20mm f/3.5 and 40mm f/2.  The Df seems to be the camera I need, but can anyone comment on how either or both of those lenses perform on the Df?

Just snapped a few with the cv20, cant speak for the 40/f2 which i dont own, take a pixel look and you will find some 'unwanties'.

.............................................

The finished images on my computer i uploaded to flickr at 1024pxs wide and linked to nikongear are much sharper than shown here
comparing filesize compression is about 50%

[Les Olson]

Thanks for the replies.  That is very helpful.