Considering a Df

[MJ_Photo38]

my FM2n smiles reading your first line that really kicked off the bug for me, adore shooting with it and delight in its indestructible build.

there was a D700 with 15k clicks on FM this morning, pounced right on it didn’t look back! a whopping $300. this is definitely on the upper limit of what I could handle size wise so the single digit D’s are off the table.

my heart would still love a Df, if and when prices soften a bit or I’m more flush.

This is about what I paid for mine that had 30k clicks.

This is a good price in my opinion, more expensive doesn't make much sense to me. Sometimes you see almost pristine D700s for almost 500€.

It's a good camera, but I don't think it's 500€ good either. The Df tends to be rather over priced in my opinion, I have been watching it for the last couple of years and I have never found one under 1000€ that wasn't beaten to death by its previous owner, with paint going off on the edges and grip tapes lifting.

I'd still love to have one though ! I just can't justify the cost when I already have the D700 next to it.

 

[TheFiend]

My dream team was the Df and the D700.... I waited for a really good one of each before buying. In the meantime I went from a D610, to a D800 and now have a D810 plus the D700 and Df. Now I'm very happy with my FX lineup and have no plans on buying any more. Just keep an eye out for a good Df, one will come along eventually.

--
Some classic DSLR's and some lenses.... Yep i suffer from NAS!!!

 

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

Yeah. There are the Three P's - the Pesky Problem of Paying for it!

I wanted the Df from the Get-Go. $2400. Not only the Three P's but it was Unobtainium for the entire first year. So much for all the chatter of it being overpriced. Folks were buying them as fast as Nikon could make them. Although, they used a low volume manual production line and had it supply the entire world.

Fast Forward to 2018 and the rumor showed up the the Df was ending production. The rumor was wrong as it went on being produced for a while yet. But it got me off my rump and I bought one. By then it only took a couple of days for my local camera store to source one for me.

I'm very happy that I did.

Stan

--
Amateur Photographer
Professional Electronics Development Engineer

 

[Parry Johnson]

I could handle size wise so the single digit D’s are off the table.

Although, when you put the grip on the D700, it's both taller and heavier than the D3.

I bought an after-market DTSE grip for my first D700. AA batteries gave it 8fps, but the batteries didn't last very long, especially in the cold. I sold that kit to go towards a Z7ii. (I bought for $550 CAD with a "free" 50 f1.8D + $60 for the grip. Sold for $600 two years later, so break even.)

I then bought a very well used D3 a couple of years ago for $350. It needed a new battery, so another after-market Sino battery was another $35. The monitor no longer works, but otherwise it's fine.

Then, I found another practically mint (13K shutter) D700 with another "free" lens (28-85 AF-D -- as good as my 24-70G by f5.6!) for $400 (all CAD$). The D3 battery works MUCH better than AA cells, again with another DTSE grip -- highly recommended. Although this setup is a big bigger than the D3, little differences such as the auto dust-off mechanism and ability to make it a smaller camera make the D700 a better all-round camera than the D3 except for extreme weather.

 

[yray]

I’m thinking of picking up a Df; have a FM2/F-mount glass and never quite caught on with digital/mirrorless bodies I've tried over recent years. I'm not in the budget/territory of a Zf nor Z mount glass quite yet.

my main concerns are around serviceability and durability; if Nikon themselves are still working on these in the event of failure or damage. given such, I am being cognizant and careful to select wisely, find one in very good condition from a reputable seller.

anything to be aware of and/or consider here?

I have the Nikon Df and I had taken it pretty much everywhere on my travels. So far, it's pretty robust. If I'm complaining about something about the Df, it is the battery cover which seems to be its weak point. Check the battery cover; if it comes off too easily, then there might be some issue with that body.

Yes, battery cover is a weak spot, but if it comes off easily it only means that there is something wrong with the battery cover, not with the body. I've just put some tape over it to prevent accidents, it is an unfortunate design flaw in my opinion, but not a deal breaker by any means.

I bought my Df used in mint condition with 9400 activations. Kind of low for a 10 year old camera. I had since added much more.

Serviceability with most older Nikon F mount bodies can be iffy with the exception of the Nikon Df, which was discontinued, when the Zf came out. So I would assume that Nikon is obligated to carry parts for the Df for roughly 7 years after it was discontinued.

But if you find a good condition Df, like I did, it will be a joy to use for years to come! To be honest, I love my Df more than my other bodies in my collection.

I like Df a lot, it is pretty small and light, and very good for travel. Ideal for use with small lenses. With large lenses it may get a bit awkward ergonomically.

As far as being able to repair, in my experience Nikon bodies only needed repairs if I whacked them against something. Short of impact damage, they tend to last awhile, so I wouldn't worry too much about it, especially if it is a low use body.

 

[BLX1972]

there was a D700 with 15k clicks on FM this morning, pounced right on it didn’t look back! a whopping $300. this is definitely on the upper limit of what I could handle size wise so the single digit D’s are off the table.

my heart would still love a Df, if and when prices soften a bit or I’m more flush.

I'm in the same boat - looking for a DF but the prices are way too high for me. In the mean time I got a really cheap D800 to satisfy my (F )DSLR itch.
Hoping a reasonable priced DF will show up

 

[Fortesmentum]

I have one that is 3 years old and seldom used at all, in near mint condition, boxed. Black. Included is a manual Nikkor 35 f2 lens in pristine condition. I am open to offers. It's a great camera, but my live of photography has vanished. England based.

 

[taxidrivr]

I have one that is 3 years old and seldom used at all, in near mint condition, boxed. Black. Included is a manual Nikkor 35 f2 lens in pristine condition. I am open to offers. It's a great camera, but my live of photography has vanished. England based.

I'm based in the States but will consider and send a private message upon further inquiry. Not sure how worthwhile it may be with shipping costs considered but will leave that to you if and when. Thanks for your post

 

[MoreorLess]

there was a D700 with 15k clicks on FM this morning, pounced right on it didn’t look back! a whopping $300. this is definitely on the upper limit of what I could handle size wise so the single digit D’s are off the table.

my heart would still love a Df, if and when prices soften a bit or I’m more flush.

I'm in the same boat - looking for a DF but the prices are way too high for me. In the mean time I got a really cheap D800 to satisfy my (F )DSLR itch.
Hoping a reasonable priced DF will show up

My guess would be the Df prices have pretty much stabilised now at around £700-800 and will only go down more slowly as the cameras naturally age, prior to the ZF's releases it was well over £1000 still.

Your dealing with a body that sold far far less than any of the other FF DSLRs of the era and I suspect with a userbase less likely to sell so the supply just isnt there to drop prices more.

The D800 is definitely better value at this stage but honestly the Df is still pretty good value at that price for me if you want what it does.

 

[cosmicnode]

I have one that is 3 years old and seldom used at all, in near mint condition, boxed. Black. Included is a manual Nikkor 35 f2 lens in pristine condition. I am open to offers. It's a great camera, but my live of photography has vanished. England based.

I'm based in the States but will consider and send a private message upon further inquiry. Not sure how worthwhile it may be with shipping costs considered but will leave that to you if and when. Thanks for your post

Shipping costs to the states are incredibly expensive. However if the camera was advertised as buy it now on Ebay with international shipping the seller only pays postage to a depot in the UK and the buyer pays E bays own fees which are a lot cheaper than parcel force etc I believe they have their own containers.

 

[BudgetTraveller]

there was a D700 with 15k clicks on FM this morning, pounced right on it didn’t look back! a whopping $300. this is definitely on the upper limit of what I could handle size wise so the single digit D’s are off the table.

my heart would still love a Df, if and when prices soften a bit or I’m more flush.

I'm in the same boat - looking for a DF but the prices are way too high for me. In the mean time I got a really cheap D800 to satisfy my (F )DSLR itch.
Hoping a reasonable priced DF will show up

The Nikon Df, like the Olympus PEN-F, the Fuji X-100 series have developed a cult following. Their prices are based on that following. There's really no justification for the higher prices really, other than it is a special camera in the hearts of its followers. Whereas the D800 is plentiful and hence it is worth less in the used market even if specs wise, better than the Df.

I actually love my Df more than my other cameras I have. The D800 would ideally be a good companion to my Df, but have yet to feel the itch to get one.

 

[Parry Johnson]

there was a D700 with 15k clicks on FM this morning, pounced right on it didn’t look back! a whopping $300. this is definitely on the upper limit of what I could handle size wise so the single digit D’s are off the table.

my heart would still love a Df, if and when prices soften a bit or I’m more flush.

I'm in the same boat - looking for a DF but the prices are way too high for me. In the mean time I got a really cheap D800 to satisfy my (F )DSLR itch.
Hoping a reasonable priced DF will show up

The Nikon Df, like the Olympus PEN-F, the Fuji X-100 series have developed a cult following. Their prices are based on that following. There's really no justification for the higher prices really, other than it is a special camera in the hearts of its followers. Whereas the D800 is plentiful and hence it is worth less in the used market even if specs wise, better than the Df.

I actually love my Df more than my other cameras I have. The D800 would ideally be a good companion to my Df, but have yet to feel the itch to get one.

All cameras are basically tools, but the subtle differences combined with nostalgia or personal preference will help one to decide which camera is best depending on the situation.

For example, if you're an outside portrait shooter and need 1/500 second flash sync speed, the lowly D70 / D70s will do a better job than, say, a D500, as that camera can do 1/320, but it's not reliable -- 1/250 is the best it can do.

The DF is best at working with older lenses, as it allows for full metering with practically every Nikon F-mount lens since 1959. Therefore, if you've got older, non-AI lenses (made before 1977), then the DF is your only choice (unless you're using a Z model camera with the FTZ adapter).

On the other hand, if you desire more resolution, a better battery, need video, and can handle a bigger camera with a more robust build; then a D800-series camera is a better choice. I've always been happy with my D800 since new twelve years ago, but it is now usually my #4 camera behind the D810, Z7ii and D4. That said, if it were the only camera I had, I'd be perfectly happy with it; and for that reason it'll probably never be sold. There are some serious shortcomings (for me) with the DF, so I wouldn't be satisfied with that body as my only camera, and likely wouldn't use it as much as I would want, especially considering the price. It will always be an elitist tool, and one must pay a premium for that kind of item.

 

[BudgetTraveller]

All cameras are basically tools, but the subtle differences combined with nostalgia or personal preference will help one to decide which camera is best depending on the situation.

Good point Parry as usual. I had many great shooting experiences with both the D800 and D4 during my Pro days, so I know they give excellent image IQ, but I love how the D4 sensor more as well as the D3 render the colors. I wasn't too concerned about less megapixels, cause I'm not working anymore in this business, so I no longer need to make images to satisfy my clients anymore. So, when I got back into the DSLR scene, I said I wanted a D4 sensor body. 2 options. Either get a D4 or a Df. Despite the Df being overpriced as a used body, it was cheaper than a used D4 in my town. I know you got yours for only $600. You seemed to be very lucky with deals. For that price, I could only get a decent condition D3s in my town. The Df is also smaller than the D4, so it's great as a travel camera. So I bought the Df and never regretted it. The D4 colors is there on my Df, except it has more limitations than a D4. And it seemed like the Df sensor is more tolerant with old lenses and even consumer grade lenses without a big loss in image IQ.

There are some instances that I really need the speed and the ruggedness of the D4 and find the Df very limiting, so I can do some occasional indoor dog agility courses I loved shooting in. So now, I'm shopping around for a used Nikon D3s. Something cheap and a body I used to shoot when being Pro with in the past. 12MP is also enough for me as well.

 

[Parry Johnson]

So now, I'm shopping around for a used Nikon D3s. Something cheap and a body I used to shoot when being Pro with in the past. 12MP is also enough for me as well.

There's nothing wrong with any of these cameras, and I agree that 12MP is often a "Goldilocks" kind of sensor because it's often "just right."

I used to shoot with my D800 and D300, but clients often get sucked into the "bigger is better" belief. In the end, there really isn't much of a difference between 24 vs. 12MP, but the perception and questions forced me to get a D7100 for DX shooting. Even though my D4 "only" has 16MP, it looks more serious than my Z7ii -- that's enough to make a difference, either good or bad, depending on the location. Sometimes, my 18MP Nikon 1 V3 is the perfect compromise for public places or to just hide in my pocket.

 

[taxidrivr]

there was a D700 with 15k clicks on FM this morning, pounced right on it didn’t look back! a whopping $300. this is definitely on the upper limit of what I could handle size wise so the single digit D’s are off the table.

my heart would still love a Df, if and when prices soften a bit or I’m more flush.

I'm in the same boat - looking for a DF but the prices are way too high for me. In the mean time I got a really cheap D800 to satisfy my (F )DSLR itch.
Hoping a reasonable priced DF will show up

My guess would be the Df prices have pretty much stabilised now at around £700-800 and will only go down more slowly as the cameras naturally age, prior to the ZF's releases it was well over £1000 still.

Your dealing with a body that sold far far less than any of the other FF DSLRs of the era and I suspect with a userbase less likely to sell so the supply just isnt there to drop prices more.

The D800 is definitely better value at this stage but honestly the Df is still pretty good value at that price for me if you want what it does.

the Df copy I got was mint/very low use, $1250usd which was at the higher end of the price range I've seen (specifically for US spec models). I truly adore it yet still struggle to justify/rationalize the cost of admission. had it been around $800, I'd probably kept it. I adored shooting with it, images are gorgeous and handling was pretty good for my mitts. the Zf on the other hand...I will not be keeping or missing that very much, at least for a good while for a number of reasons, chiefly ergonomics and a half-baked F adapter solution.

being a nitpick for well kept cameras/electronics doesn't do me any favor

still getting the hang of the D700; slightly more of a learning curve for me whereas I jumped right into the Df. it does seem like a lot can be done without having to menu dive which I much prefer and appreciate. the weight is a bit jarring, don't see myself carrying this around/on my body until I start strength training at the gym.

 

[MJ_Photo38]

there was a D700 with 15k clicks on FM this morning, pounced right on it didn’t look back! a whopping $300. this is definitely on the upper limit of what I could handle size wise so the single digit D’s are off the table.

my heart would still love a Df, if and when prices soften a bit or I’m more flush.

I'm in the same boat - looking for a DF but the prices are way too high for me. In the mean time I got a really cheap D800 to satisfy my (F )DSLR itch.
Hoping a reasonable priced DF will show up

The Nikon Df, like the Olympus PEN-F, the Fuji X-100 series have developed a cult following. Their prices are based on that following. There's really no justification for the higher prices really, other than it is a special camera in the hearts of its followers. Whereas the D800 is plentiful and hence it is worth less in the used market even if specs wise, better than the Df.

I actually love my Df more than my other cameras I have. The D800 would ideally be a good companion to my Df, but have yet to feel the itch to get one.

You can add the Fujifilm X-Pro series to the list.

When you see that a Df is about 50 to 100% more expensive than a used D4, and still more expensive than a D4S, you know things are silly.

 

[MoreorLess]

the Df copy I got was mint/very low use, $1250usd which was at the higher end of the price range I've seen (specifically for US spec models). I truly adore it yet still struggle to justify/rationalize the cost of admission. had it been around $800, I'd probably kept it. I adored shooting with it, images are gorgeous and handling was pretty good for my mitts. the Zf on the other hand...I will not be keeping or missing that very much, at least for a good while for a number of reasons, chiefly ergonomics and a half-baked F adapter solution.

being a nitpick for well kept cameras/electronics doesn't do me any favor

still getting the hang of the D700; slightly more of a learning curve for me whereas I jumped right into the Df. it does seem like a lot can be done without having to menu dive which I much prefer and appreciate. the weight is a bit jarring, don't see myself carrying this around/on my body until I start strength training at the gym.

I'd ALMOST pulled the trigger on one several times in the last few years but the price was still a little too high, got a low use one(from a place which probably didnt even check that) for £700 a few months ago which was more the range for my use as its definitely a "second camera" to a D850.

it helps though I already have Voigtlander 20mm and 40mm pancakes which match up really well with it.

 

[JoeyJoJoJuniorShabbaDoo]

I've considered the Df numerous times over the years and each time I look, I decide against it. Yet, here comes another thread about this DSLR and I start evaluating it again. After a morning of said evaluating on this slow work day, this is what I've come up with (again):

My main gripe with the Df has always been the viewfinder; I really wanted a DSLR from Nikon with a viewfinder that could rival that found on their best film SLR's; they failed. 0.70X magnification, a paltry 15mm eye-point and no selection of focusing screens. For a camera that is supposed to be geared towards legacy manual focus lenses, this is just inexcusable. Even if they had used the viewfinder system from the F6...

The build quality. It's decent but nowhere near that of the cameras it's trying to replicate. The top, bottom and back are magnesium but the entire mirror box assembly is poly. Far cry from the die-cast aluminum and brass film bodies and a step below even the D700/D800 series.

It's way too chunky.

It's over a decade old, so no parts / can no longer be serviced. Not much of a worry when a camera is a sub $4-500, but at over $1200 for a decent used one, it's approaching the price of a refurbished Zf directly from Nikon ($1600).

Speaking of the Zf.....it's basically everything the Df should have been. It pretty much solves all of the above issues; it has a better viewfinder, is much easier to manual focus, has better build quality and it does a better job at replicating the vintage vibe. Really, unless one has a seething hatred of the FTZ adapter, the Df just doesn't really offer much any more.

 

[camerosity]

I've considered the Df numerous times over the years and each time I look, I decide against it. Yet, here comes another thread about this DSLR and I start evaluating it again. After a morning of said evaluating on this slow work day, this is what I've come up with (again):

My main gripe with the Df has always been the viewfinder; I really wanted a DSLR from Nikon with a viewfinder that could rival that found on their best film SLR's; they failed. 0.70X magnification, a paltry 15mm eye-point and no selection of focusing screens. For a camera that is supposed to be geared towards legacy manual focus lenses, this is just inexcusable. Even if they had used the viewfinder system from the F6...

No Nikon DSLR has ever had a viewfinder as big or bright as their film SLRs, such as the F3 or F4-6. That is just by design. That being said, I owned a Df for 5 years and I never had any issues with its viewfinder and it didn't slow me down unless I was using a manual focus lens, in which case I pretty much had to shoot that at f8 and use the hyperfocal length setting because if I focused on the focusing screen, it was out of focus (had to use the green dot, which was a pain - and this was true for the three different Df bodies I owned over the years).

The build quality. It's decent but nowhere near that of the cameras it's trying to replicate. The top, bottom and back are magnesium but the entire mirror box assembly is poly. Far cry from the die-cast aluminum and brass film bodies and a step below even the D700/D800 series.

The Df was supposed to harken back to the film camera days, which were mostly small and lightweight. I had no issues with the lighter heft of the Df body at all, and I think I prefer that overall to a heavier body like the current Zf...

It's way too chunky.

Not really when you compare it to the D750 or others. They have to pack all the electronics in to it, can't make it any thinner without sacrificing features or function.

It's over a decade old, so no parts / can no longer be serviced. Not much of a worry when a camera is a sub $4-500, but at over $1200 for a decent used one, it's approaching the price of a refurbished Zf directly from Nikon ($1600).

No parts? Your source? I doubt Nikon has stopped servicing the Df.

Speaking of the Zf.....it's basically everything the Df should have been. It pretty much solves all of the above issues; it has a better viewfinder, is much easier to manual focus, has better build quality and it does a better job at replicating the vintage vibe. Really, unless one has a seething hatred of the FTZ adapter, the Df just doesn't really offer much any more.

Zf is a new generation, that is true. And I do prefer it over the Df mainly because it takes Z mount lenses

 

[taxidrivr]

I've considered the Df numerous times over the years and each time I look, I decide against it. Yet, here comes another thread about this DSLR and I start evaluating it again. After a morning of said evaluating on this slow work day, this is what I've come up with (again):

My main gripe with the Df has always been the viewfinder; I really wanted a DSLR from Nikon with a viewfinder that could rival that found on their best film SLR's; they failed. 0.70X magnification, a paltry 15mm eye-point and no selection of focusing screens. For a camera that is supposed to be geared towards legacy manual focus lenses, this is just inexcusable. Even if they had used the viewfinder system from the F6...

The build quality. It's decent but nowhere near that of the cameras it's trying to replicate. The top, bottom and back are magnesium but the entire mirror box assembly is poly. Far cry from the die-cast aluminum and brass film bodies and a step below even the D700/D800 series.

It's way too chunky.

It's over a decade old, so no parts / can no longer be serviced. Not much of a worry when a camera is a sub $4-500, but at over $1200 for a decent used one, it's approaching the price of a refurbished Zf directly from Nikon ($1600).

Speaking of the Zf.....it's basically everything the Df should have been. It pretty much solves all of the above issues; it has a better viewfinder, is much easier to manual focus, has better build quality and it does a better job at replicating the vintage vibe. Really, unless one has a seething hatred of the FTZ adapter, the Df just doesn't really offer much any more.

I bought and tried shooting with a Zf; its a nice camera but had some gripes with it, mainly losing MF aid benefits without chipped lenses. May come back to it at a later time.