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Need everyone's opinion Re new full frame: Df vs 610

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MHHAI

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I currently use a D700. My most frequent and challenging shots are inside museums, photographing art (no flash allowed). I also have a physical problem necessitating that I try to get the lightest camera possible. Thus I rarely carry a zoom, and almost always just use a 50mm 1.4. The 610 is about 25% lighter than the D700, and thus looks attractive. But the Df is 3 ounces lighter still. Price is not an issue.

I do occasionally use the flash in family situations, but not often. I am a bit apprehensive about having no flash (...an amateur's concern, of course). I have grandchildren on the way and thus video may be useful. Will I get better quality photos in the museum with the Df, or just as good with the 610?

I appreciate everyone's opinion.
 
I agree with Joey; you've answered your own question: you say that you want built in flash and video, so that clearly points to the D610.

Both will take awesome images. The D610 will have more megapixels, the Df will have somewhat better high ISO response, but the D610 is still fantastic in that department.

The Df is an intriguing camera, but not if you have an interest in video, or need the built in flash.
 
the op has answered his own question, but i'd like to ask here if the control dials on the Df also work to change aperture and shutter and even exposure compensation? or do only the physical dials do that?

thks...f
 
Hello,

You mentioned that camera weight is an issue for you. Have you consider a strap,or double chest strap,or a belt clip to carry your camera. You need't carry it around your neck or hand hold it.

Just thought I should mention it in case you haven't already ...
 
An alternative for even lighter is the sony A7 or A7r. A7 is same sensor as D610 but with PDAF pixels (D610 does not have that) for hybrid autofocus, you get an EVF (good in low light), excellent video (bound to be much better than Nikon). Not sure about the flash, I think it needs an external flash. Plus its cheaper. There's some nice Zeiss lenses available for it.

Greg.
 
The lens choice is awfully limited, however. Unless you use an adapter (which then adds weight). And in terms of fast aperture wide-angles... I don't think there is one, yet. The 35mm at f/2.8 isn't all that fast...
 
MHHAI said:
I currently use a D700. My most frequent and challenging shots are inside museums, photographing art (no flash allowed). I also have a physical problem necessitating that I try to get the lightest camera possible. Thus I rarely carry a zoom, and almost always just use a 50mm 1.4. The 610 is about 25% lighter than the D700, and thus looks attractive. But the Df is 3 ounces lighter still. Price is not an issue.

I do occasionally use the flash in family situations, but not often. I am a bit apprehensive about having no flash (...an amateur's concern, of course). I have grandchildren on the way and thus video may be useful. Will I get better quality photos in the museum with the Df, or just as good with the 610?

I appreciate everyone's opinion.
Click to expand...
 
frank-in-toronto said:
the op has answered his own question, but i'd like to ask here if the control dials on the Df also work to change aperture and shutter and even exposure compensation? or do only the physical dials do that?

thks...f
Click to expand...
Yes, with 'G' and 'D' type auto focus lenses (or lenses with a cpu chip) you can use the front command dial to change aperture ( but not with AI/AI-S), and with the shutter dial set to 1/3 stops (steps?) you then use the rear command dial to change shutter speeds. As far as EC we may need to wait for a detailed review to find out, but I suspect that you must use the dial. This reminds me of when I would shoot film and set a different ASA (ISO) for a slide film to purposely under expose by 1/3 stop, and the opposite for color negative film. Later cameras (FE2) had a EC selector with the ASA dial.
 
I have a bad knee and I am waiting for surgery. I also use a Lowepro computreker back pack and 2 D800 body's with battery packs and the trinity of Nikon 2.8 lenses. It became very painful to carry plus a tripod. You can purchase a backpack that also has built in wheels so you can cart your gear. I found that the wheels were too small unless you are only on a smooth surface and the pack is not comfortable to use as a back pack. Also the cost is so over priced. So I found a company that makes very light weight dolly's that fold up and have four inch rubber wheels and an inch wide, also weighs less than 4 lbs. and will carry up 80 lbs. of gear.The name of the company is called Kart-A-Bag and the model I use is the Concorde II. The only surface that it has a hard time with is beach sand, so I use a large kids wagon with big balloon tires, works great, and the dolly has no issues on hard to semi soft trails. It takes me 2min. to set up and secure with quick release straps and 30sec. to take apart, and I use it all the time, with a lot less pain which makes it more enjoyable to concentrate on your imaging. I am thinking of making a wider axle so I can use the wide larger rubber balloon tires so I can take it anywhere and also will eat up any vibration on the trails. I hope this will help you with the weight issue and I have never been denied access to any building or museum.
 
I also forgot to mention that I pack rain gear, water, the tripod is also secured to the dolly, and one of those collapsible three leg camping stools for low shots or if you just want to shoot from a sitting position. The only better solution is to hire a personal Sherpa or a first year photography student to help carry all your gear. I am very surprised that there is not a specific folding dolly that is designed for the photography.
 
MHHAI said:
I currently use a D700. My most frequent and challenging shots are inside museums, photographing art (no flash allowed). I also have a physical problem necessitating that I try to get the lightest camera possible. Thus I rarely carry a zoom, and almost always just use a 50mm 1.4. The 610 is about 25% lighter than the D700, and thus looks attractive. But the Df is 3 ounces lighter still. Price is not an issue.

I do occasionally use the flash in family situations, but not often. I am a bit apprehensive about having no flash (...an amateur's concern, of course). I have grandchildren on the way and thus video may be useful. Will I get better quality photos in the museum with the Df, or just as good with the 610?

I appreciate everyone's opinion.

--
Just an amateur
Click to expand...
What kind of ISO's do you think yourself shooting in? from around ISO 800 the Df will likely give you an advantage in dynamtic range.
 
MHHAI said:
I currently use a D700. My most frequent and challenging shots are inside museums, photographing art (no flash allowed). I also have a physical problem necessitating that I try to get the lightest camera possible. Thus I rarely carry a zoom, and almost always just use a 50mm 1.4. The 610 is about 25% lighter than the D700, and thus looks attractive. But the Df is 3 ounces lighter still. Price is not an issue.

I do occasionally use the flash in family situations, but not often. I am a bit apprehensive about having no flash (...an amateur's concern, of course). I have grandchildren on the way and thus video may be useful. Will I get better quality photos in the museum with the Df, or just as good with the 610?

I appreciate everyone's opinion.
Click to expand...
 
There is a small flash unit that would be handy when needed, if that's your main concern, and likely will produce much better results than the in-camera unit used in the D610:

Loading…

www.nikonusa.com

It weighs 3.4ounces or 97g, so with that the Df will be just a bit heavier than the D610. It tilts so results will be better, I'm thinking of getting one, I have the SB600 which is really big and cumbersome to use for family and travel shooting. The in-camera flash produces ugly results IMO, I rarely use it.

Then you need to see if controls are to your liking in the Df, compared to the typical modern dslr. I like it, but need to try one. People that have held it report a much smaller body, likely becaus fo small grip, even though the actual measurements are not that different and actually the Df is a little wider, especially on the left side of prism, to accomodate the ISO dial. I think that may help handling with prime lenses.

Comparing the sensors, it's hard to decide, the D610 beats the Df's at low ISOs, <=400, then there's a transition tie at 800-1600, then the Df will be better, gradually more, >+3200, assuming it performs like D4, and D610, like D600. It seems the Df is engineered not only for high ISO, but for artificial lighting (Thom's opinion in a private msg). If landscape were your main thing, the D610 would certainly be the best option re IQ, but for kids, indoors, etc, the Df may be better.
 
Eric Jon Job said:
MHHAI said:
I currently use a D700. My most frequent and challenging shots are inside museums, photographing art (no flash allowed). I also have a physical problem necessitating that I try to get the lightest camera possible. Thus I rarely carry a zoom, and almost always just use a 50mm 1.4. The 610 is about 25% lighter than the D700, and thus looks attractive. But the Df is 3 ounces lighter still. Price is not an issue.

I do occasionally use the flash in family situations, but not often. I am a bit apprehensive about having no flash (...an amateur's concern, of course). I have grandchildren on the way and thus video may be useful. Will I get better quality photos in the museum with the Df, or just as good with the 610?

I appreciate everyone's opinion.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
MHHAI said:
MHHAI wrote: ......
My most frequent and challenging shots are inside museums, photographing art (no flash allowed). I also have a physical problem necessitating that I try to get the lightest camera possible.
......
Click to expand...
Df

--
Kindest regards.
Stany Buyle
http://www.nikonuser.info
I like better one good picture in a day than 10 bad ones in a second..
 
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I have seen a photo dolly advertised in UK photo magazines. It even comes with a fold - up seat on the back. Costs a couple hundred bucks. Looks more like a push cart.
 
The D610 and Nikon Df weigh pretty much the same (look it up). For a lighter camera - much, much lighter with lenses - I chose the Fujifilm X-2E. It is every bit as good as the Nikons at high ISO and resolves about the same - according to dpreview and Imaging_Resource. With a little research you can find a section where the D600 can be directly compared with the Fuji X-Pro1. Please note that the sensor in the X-Pro1 is the same as the X-E2.
 
with df as with the d4 you do not need a flash.
 
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