Field test: the new Nikon Df

Posted by Tyson Jopson on 25 February 2014

Tyson Jopson spins the retro dials on the new Nikon Df at its launch at Doornkop Fish and Wildlife Reserve, Mpumalanga.

The Nikon Df. Photo by Stephen Segal.

It’s difficult to remember a global DSLR camera launch that has induced a more polarised response from the world’s photography community than the Nikon Df. Some have called the Df’s mechanical dials and retro stylings gimmicky. Others, particularly those who started on manual SLRs, love it for its graceful return to classic photography. Of course, the latter is a nostalgia vote that precludes anyone who only started slinging cameras around at the turn of the century, myself included. So how do you compare?

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Testing out the Nikon Df at Doornkop. Photo by Stephen Segal

Luckily I was invited up to Doornkop Fish and Wildlife Reserve in Mpumalanga by Nikon South Africa to spend two days with a handful of photographers to test the Df so I could make up my own mind. And there was one question in particular I needed to make up my mind about:

Is this simply Nikon jumping on the retro-style camera bandwagon hoping to catch some hipster money in its mustache? Or is there a point here? And what is it?

There was also the five-star treatment to contend with. It’s really difficult to be objective when you’re shovelling crispy bacon into your face hole during two days of quality accommodation, über-fun 4x4ing, sundowners and fly fishing. And all in great company, journos and Nikon and Land Rover representatives alike. I tried to remain objective. I also tried to eat more than my bodyweight. I definitely succeeded in one of those things.

First impressions of the Nikon Df

Styling

Usually I don’t really care too much what my camera looks like. Most of the time I have my eye glued to the viewfinder anyway (see above). I could be holding an embalmed possum and I wouldn’t mind, as long as it was comfortable and I knew where the buttons / dials were. That said, I love the Df body. I don’t love it because it’s sexy (it is), I love it because to the uninitiated it looks kinda old, inconspicuous and not expensive. Discretion is an asset to any travel journalist. As is leaving a city with your camera and SD cards tucked safely in your hand luggage.

Operation

Retro-styling and ergonomics have never been the best of friends (think Model T Ford). Similarly, at times the Df felt a little uncomfortable. When you’re pressed up against the viewfinder it’s pure pleasure: the Df is comfortable on the eye and the mechanical dials (once you get used to their placement) are intuitive and actually quite fun to use. But handling the camera between shooting was uncomfortable. The slimmed-down hand grip didn’t give me the confidence to hold it in one hand which makes single-handed burger eating, evasive parkour, and escaping angry mobs virtually impossible.

The biggest factor, however, is that operating the Df is a slower, more thoughtful process than working with any other DSLR. This, I found out, is not a bad thing. In fact, it’s the philosophy behind the Df, and also the answer to my question:

The Nikon Df is a move back towards film photography, pure photography. It’s a philosophy that puts its stock in taking your time, shooting with purpose and rediscovering the classical art of being a photographer.

The pre-launch campaign sums it up like this:

Quality

I’m not going to go on too much about the quality. It’s awesome. The Df is fitted with Nikon’s full-frame D4 sensor and combines some of the best features of Nikon’s milestone DSLR cameras in a lighter, stylish housing. Here are some other key features:

16 megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor (same as D4)
ISO 100 – 25 600
Maximum 5.5 fps continuous shooting
39-point AF system with 9 cross-type AF points (same as D610)
3.2-inch, 921k-dot LCD screen
Physical shutter speed, ISO and exposure compensation dials
Compatible with virtually all Nikon F-mount lenses (including pre-Ai standard)
Single SD card slot
EN-EL14a battery (quoted endurance of around 1 400 exposures)

The Df’s low light capabilities are very, very good (which is great, because the Df doesn’t have a built-in flash). In fact, it may be the best low-light DSLR I’ve used. I shot this image without a tripod into perceivable blackness for a test.

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Nikon Df. ISO 12 800, 2 sec at f3.5

Picture Control mode

Picture Control (a feature that gives photographers the flexibility to choose and adjust their desired image settings before shooting) is a standard, under-used feature on most up-to-date Nikon DSLRs, but it makes sense on the Df. You can set the camera to monochrome, standard, neutral or vivid and adjust the contrast, brightness etc before taking a shot. For those who don’t like the idea of post processing, it’s a chance to snap sexy, sexy photos straight into the viewfinder.

Would I buy one?

Yes. But it’s not my first choice. The Df is very sexy and very very capable. It’s 1960s Raquel Welsch in Spandex. But it costs around R36 000. I don’t even own my own DSLR yet, so for that price I would probably go for a D800 first (compare Nikon DSLR prices at Orms), purely because it’s faster and more ergonomic: two things I value most when I’m on a photo assignment.

However, if you’re the type of person that likes to slow things down when travelling, take pictures and enjoy the photography process holistically then this could be exactly what you’re looking for. It’s a gorgeous piece of engineering and the kind of camera that transcends being a tool and becomes part of the fun of taking photos on your travels itself.

Nikon and Land Rover

I’m not one to punt brands for the sake of it but one thing did stick out for me over the two days at Doornkop: a brand relationship that makes absolute sense. There are a few out there but Nikon and Landy have got to be one of the best. I have not met a friendlier group of people who are more passionate about the brands they represent: it shone through in every detail. Top marks.

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Our Land Rover instructor takes to the roof to catch the sunset.

Field test: the new Nikon Df