This is a good time for camera shoppers, if not camera buyers. On this, and other forums and blogs, I keep seeing how "huge" the new Df is. That's never the first or second thing I think about when I see it. Bigger than a Minox? Yep. Larger than an iPhone? Sure. Bigger than an Olympus OM or Sony A7? A bit. What strikes me is, it's the "right" size. Over the past 15 years I've probably shot fewer than 10 frames handheld. I work with MF 67 film, and slow primes, so a sturdy and substantial part of my 45# kit is my 4-section Gitzo tripod. Hikes at high elevation have become more arduous. Maybe it's time for a change. In the course of studying and handling the current (and recent) generation of FF digitals the past year, I'm struck by how small and light they are. I know, everything is relative. However, I think there should be a certain amount of heft to a camera, especially if it's going to be handheld, just to keep it from being "twitchy." I've seen comments lately about 4/3s and Nex/A7 owners buying and attaching auxiliary grips that do nothing but give them a better handle on their tiny cameras. That probably won't be an expense or practice for Df owners. The new Sony twins look promising, but the array of available, fully-compatible lenses isn't fully fleshed out yet. On the other hand, Nikon's "venerable" mount has an almost uncountable number and variety of good, fast and affordable lenses ready and waiting. Is it a great camera? Is ANY camera a great camera? The answer is dependent on "great at what?" The Df is essentially a 'tweener. It doesn't have the jaw-dropping resolution of the D800 twins; isn't as bullet-proof as the D3x; isn't as stealthy and quiet as the Leica RFs; as compact as an RX1r; and so on. It offers more resolution and adequate throughput over the beloved D700, though, is smaller than a D610; and can be adjusted and preset without raising it and looking through the viewfinder or an illuminated back panel. For some of us, of a certain age, it actually LOOKS like a camera, rather than a melted bar of black soap. I'm looking forward to some rigorous reviews and comparison tests. I hope the IQ (for its sensor category) is top-notch. I have a feeling that its being the "right" size and looking like a traditional camera are going to motivate a good number of sales. The price level will temper other decisions and drive some shoppers to D610s, etc. That's okay. The actual camera one uses is based on many decisions, and there are lots of good, affordable tools to chose from. For me, my brain is saying this one is pretty good, and my emotions are saying "try it, you'll really like it."
