Nikon Df - Thoughts and Comments

The new Nikon Df is a delicious looking camera, beautifully styled in traditional late '70s early '80s camera garb.  Just like my favorite two Nikon film cameras, the F3 and FE2.

Inside it is basically a D4 in a lighter body.  So who will buy it?  I doubt a pro will; however cashed up amatuers who shot film on Nikon cameras in their younger years are prime targets.  Those who appreciate classic styling in a modern body and wish to reminise about their photography from 30+ years ago.

That's a generation ahead of me, but I appreciate old cameras - I now have a dozen or so, including 4 Leicas - and its also why I like the classic styling of my Fuji X100.

The specs are interesting too.  Nikon chose to use the lower resolution D4 sensor, rather than the higher resolution D600 or D800 sensors.  This 16MP sensor does have exceptional low light performance, with 200,000+ ISO capability and is also the lightest full frame Nikon available.  Clearly a camera designed for you to go out and take pictures, rather than photographing test charts.

One feature I really like is the external wheel dedicated to ISO.   This is an excellent feature, as it is one of the controls I use the most.  One thing that is a little odd is the combination of a Nikon 50mm f1.8 with slightly retro styling.  Sure its a good lens, but its kinda basic.  What about the new 58mm f1.4 instead?  That seems like it would be a killer combination with this camera, if not quite expensive at $4,500 or so.

Would I buy a Df?  If I could afford it, in a heart beat!

Nikon D600 - Tamron 24-135mm f3.5-5.6

Sony RX-1 - Droooool....

In my previous post I wrote about my love for the 35mm focal length.  It is for this reason that I am quite in awe of Sony's new compact the RX-1.  It is a small camera, yet sports a full frame sensor and a 35mm f2 Carl Zeiss lens. Drool.....

So what's not to like?  Nothing.  Except for the fact it costs $2800!  Roughly the same price as a Nikon D800 body.  Cheap for a Leica M9 with a 35mm Summicron, sure, but that is still crazy dough.

Perhaps, the perfect night street shooter?  Probably.  Drooling resumed.....

Dallas, Dealey Plaza - Fuji X-100

D600 Pre-order

A couple days ago I went to Henry's to try and put a pre-order on a Nikon D600.  As it has not been officially released, they would not let me do it.  The lady I spoke to however, was knowledgable about the supposed specs, which leads me to believe it isn't far off.  She wasn't sure how long delivery would be after launch, saying it varied wildly from 2 weeks (Canon T4i and Nikon D3200) to over 3 months (Nikon D800).

So, as soon as it launches, I will put in a pre-order and see if I can get my hands on one.

Nikon FE2 with Nikkor 24mm f2

Nikon D3200 and Nikkor 28mm f1.8

It's interesting to see Nikon release a new basic digital SLR with the Sony 24MP sensor, the same as in the NEX-7.  This move surprised me, as it exceeds all but the D800 (and equals the D3X) on megapixel count.  It is interesting than Nikon released their D4 pro camera with 25% LESS resolution than their entry level model!!

Also interesting is the release of Nikon's 28mm f1.8 full frame lens.  At $599, this lens looks really interesting, and I am looking forward to reading the reviews.  I'm betting money that this lens will be at least as good as the legendary Nikkor 28mm f1.4.

Nikon FE2 w/ Nikon 28mm f2.8

DX and FF

I am at a bit of a cross roads with my Nikon DSLRs.  Regular readers would note that I sold my D700 a while back  when the tsunami in Japan wiped out production and significantly inflated used prices.  It's been 10 months since then and I have been relying on a D90, which after a D700 has been quite unsatisfying.

With Summer coming, a decision needs to be made, do I purchase a new D800 at $3,000 plus taxes or find a nearly new D700, for hopefully around $1,500.  I suspect that the D800 is still back ordered, so there would be a wait, and so far D700 prices haven't dropped as much as I would have thought.