Digital Nikon FM2 on his way

[sdwilsonsct]

I just belatedly noticed something ironic: the allegedly retro-styled, old-school Nikon Df is being shown with an AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 G as its kit lens --- "G" meaning no aperture ring, so its aperture must be set the new-fangled way, from the body.


All I can say is "Nostalgia ain't what it used to be."

My reaction, too.

But the shutter speed dial is nostalgic to me.

[Chairman Bill]

I just belatedly noticed something ironic: the allegedly retro-styled, old-school Nikon Df is being shown with an AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 G as its kit lens --- "G" meaning no aperture ring, so its aperture must be set the new-fangled way, from the body.

But there had to be some means of setting the aperture on G lenses. I'm sorely tempted by the Df, and if I do get one, my old Nikkors still have an aperture ring ...

[BJL]

But there had to be some means of setting the aperture on G lenses.

Of course; the Df needs to support all modern control options, and simply adds some old-style ones as well, leading to its twenty buttons, eight or so dials, and two electronic screens.

My comment was just about the irony of not having an aperture ring on its kit lens; especially after reading so many posts waxing enthusiastic about this "digital FM2” supporting the old-style approach of setting aperture with a ring on the lens (which AFAIK is true of any FX body when used with a non-G lens.)

I have nothing against this niche model: if it makes a profit, then that helps Nikon to develop other products, so all Nikon users benefit, and no one is harmed. But it does amuse me a little, and the pretentious Scottish hipster teaser videos amuse me even more.

[AFairley]

The $64,000 question is "does it have interchangeable focusing screens"?

[alan_b]

The $64,000 question is "does it have interchangeable focusing screens"?

+1

[barryfitzgerald]

Not really a $64000 question, it seems it turned up on amazon for a short time as a $2799 question 
I get the retro (why not Nikon have a history in cameras)

On the other hand there is a tiresome retro element that's being overdone and you might get sick of it at some point.
Fuji did it, seemed to get away with it (at the time and it made sense for that type of camera)
Now it just looks like copy cat stuff...

Anyway, my initial reaction is so what
I get full manual control on all my SLR's, shutter and aperture. Yes the dial for shutter speed is nice, I don't mind an ISO dial either (if it has one not sure) or aperture ring. But things have moved on in the industry, and a well designed camera doesn't need that to handle well. I don't have a problem with a 16mp FF sensor either plenty of resolution for most, should be a champ for low light.

More than anything though I'm left feeling..ok so another overpriced FF camera
Sure to get it's fans, but $2800? Come on does it have gold plated dials or something?

[BJL]

... I don't mind an ISO dial either (if it has one not sure) or aperture ring.
...
 I don't have a problem with a 16mp FF sensor either plenty of resolution for most, should be a champ for low light.

Oh no: another person who forgets that the aperture ring is a feature of a lens, not of a body, and that the aperture rings on Nikon lenses work with all Nikon FX bodies.

I agree that many people will have no problems with the 16MP resolution limit, but why do you think that images from the 16MP sensor will be any better in low light than 16MP downsampling from Nikon's 24MP or 36MP sensor options? IIRC, the D800 IQ ties or bests the D4 in comparisons at 16MP. If all a lower resolution sensor does is reduce one's resolution options, I do not get it. If instead the lower resolution goes with supporting higher frame rates, as it does in the D4, then that trade-off can make sense. But from the leaked specs, the Df has no high frame rate advantage over the 24MP D610.

[joneil]

I am with you guys on the question of an interchangeable screen.  Maybe we will find out soon.

I don't get the crappy lens it comes with.  I still have the great manual focus 50mm f1.4 my FM2 came with, why not something like that?  The lens in this "kit" reminds me of the old 50mm Series E lens.

Bottom line for me however is the price is too high.  I need a tool, not a high priced toy. On the other side of things, maybe see some good used D800s hit the market come December.

[Bernard ODonovan]

... and the pretentious Scottish hipster teaser videos amuse me even more.

The person depicted in those videos was quite normal. Certainly not a hipster... 

[TMARK]

+2

+1

[TMARK]

I am with you guys on the question of an interchangeable screen.  Maybe we will find out soon.

I don't get the crappy lens it comes with.  I still have the great manual focus 50mm f1.4 my FM2 came with, why not something like that?  The lens in this "kit" reminds me of the old 50mm Series E lens.

Except that the E series were truly shitty and this G lens is really great.  Yes its cheap, but far from shitty like an E series.

[TMARK]

I don't think people understand what a "Hipster" is now a days.  It wasn't always a dirty word.

The person depicted in those videos was quite normal. Certainly not a hipster... 

[Bernard ODonovan]

If all a lower resolution sensor does is reduce one's resolution options, I do not get it. If instead the lower resolution goes with supporting higher frame rates, as it does in the D4, then that trade-off can make sense. But from the leaked specs, the Df has no high frame rate advantage over the 24MP D610.

The videos suggested for people going on shooting trips, so for a given amount of data storage in RAW at 16MP you will save more shots than at 24 or 36 MP. I see a lot of people confirming that is why they liked that sensor in this type of camera.

This camera may be outside of the normal consumer, advanced and professional lines ups and in a new segment, so trying to validate it at spec sheet bang for buck analysis is not going to reveal much if that is what you are after. I guess if successful they may bring out new versions more to your liking if you need higher MP

[TMARK]

If it has a good viewfinder with the option of using a real screen, I'd pay $3k just for the body.  Otherwise it doesn't seem to offer anything over a D610/800, except for better ISO.

It looks cluttered, not at all like an FM2 or even an F4.  We will see.

[TMARK]

I agree.  I don't think it really compares with their other cameras, its apart from their product range. 

And 16mp is more than enough for editorial or moderate prints.

The videos suggested for people going on shooting trips, so for a given amount of data storage in RAW at 16MP you will save more shots than at 24 or 36 MP. I see a lot of people confirming that is why they liked that sensor in this type of camera.

This camera may be outside of the normal consumer, advanced and professional lines ups and in a new segment, so trying to validate it at spec sheet bang for buck analysis is not going to reveal much if that is what you are after. I guess if successful they may bring out new versions more to your liking if you need higher MP

[Bernard ODonovan]

I don't think people understand what a "Hipster" is now a days.  It wasn't always a dirty word.

The suggestion someone using a digital camera is a hipster is so mainstream 

[AFairley]

Maybe Hasselblad will bring out some special editions covered in exotic reptile skin.   Sorry, just really don't see the point to it.

[Bernard ODonovan]

I like this quote in another thread from ndevlin

I was super-excited about the A7r, but in my hand it was just another soulless computer with a lens on it. If it performs brilliantly with my Leica glass I might buy one, but otherwise the forthcoming Nikon DF is much more exciting, to me at least.

- N.

Despite being very different Cameras I can see many like ndevlin considering each one for various reasons and the charm of one could win over the performance of the other

[BJL]

The videos suggested for people going on shooting trips, so for a given amount of data storage in RAW at 16MP you will save more shots than at 24 or 36 MP.

Given how small and inexpensive 16GB SD and 32GB cards are these days (under $1 per GB or 4c per D800 raw file) particular relative to the weight and price of the Nikon Df, I am not persuaded by this "saves memory on a long trip" argument.

P. S. 1oz of 32GB SD cards [60 cards] can hold about 36,000 D800 raw files and takes up about as much room as one roll of film.

[bcooter]

If it has a good viewfinder with the option of using a real screen, I'd pay $3k just for the body.  Otherwise it doesn't seem to offer anything over a D610/800, except for better ISO.

It looks cluttered, not at all like an FM2 or even an F4.  We will see.

The pictures make it look a little uh, fat. but hey photos make everyone gain weight.

I don't know who this camera is for, I assume to cash in on the fuji, olympus, days if yore look and hey it might work, though I don't get what the point is not to go with at least more of those megapixels everyone gets up for, not when the Sony is selling for less.

I don't think any new camera is going to have a great manually focuses screen, unless it's an evf and a that camp is divided into love it or hate it.

If I was going for the hipster look and wanted around 16mpx I'd just buy the Xe1 and glue a little window on the left side so it would look like a rangefinder.

At least the fuji shoots a very cool looking file.

IMO

BC