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Nikon Df General Discussion

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  • NSXTypeRNSXTypeR Posts: 2,293Member
    Just wondering… suppose Nikon really followed the simplicity of the FE/F3 and only equipped the Df with manual & aperture priority modes (no "P" or "S" modes at all). Would that have hurt Df sales, or would it conversely increase the mystique of the Df as a "pure photography" camera?

    I'm still of the opinion that Nikon "took the easy way out" with the Df to get on the retro bandwagon, instead of making more courageous design decisions to really set the camera apart.
    Was going to post exactly the same point myself.
    I don't think it would have hurt the Df at all to loose the P or S. I cannot recall the last time I used either.
    Absolutely - or even just manual mode. Strip it right down. Most of us started with manual only, the rest is just fluff IMHO.

    Waaay too brave. Probably very silly too. Most DF's will prolly be sold to image conscious shooters who wouldn't be able to cope with only M.

    I primarily use A too, but I can see the merits of a S mode. It would be extremely useful in sports or automotive shooting. By doing that you'd alienate too many people all at the same time. The Df already does that enough, it can't afford to do that much more. :D
    Nikon D7000/ Nikon D40/ Nikon FM2/ 18-135 AF-S/ 35mm 1.8 AF-S/ 105mm Macro AF-S/ 50mm 1.2 AI-S
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  • spraynprayspraynpray Posts: 6,545Moderator
    S'pose so.
    Always learning.
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  • AdeAde Posts: 1,071Member
    Unlike what seems to be most people here I live in "P" mode. No P mode would be very inconvenient for me.
    I like the P Mode when using flash. I wouldn't have bought the Df if it didn't have it, for that reason.
    Bland, P-Mode does next to nothing when a flash is attached. E.g., at base ISO it simply sets the camera to 1/60s and f/4. Any results good or bad would be accidental. If you'd recall, we had a whole thread debunking P-mode myths.
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  • heartyfisherheartyfisher Posts: 3,192Member
    edited December 2013
    P Mode shooting is just a different way of shooting. In normal shooting environments you can get to virtually every setting(aperture/shutter) you want to with the camera in P mode. Just tweak the Program with the Mode dial (and augment it with the +/- exposure compensation). of course I go to fully Manual mode if I really want a specific shutter or aperture. otherwise P mode with a bit of the mode dial adjustments does great for me :-) .. Maybe its bec I am not a control freak.. I find I enjoy the task more looking for images than having to worry even that bit more about settings. .. what I find most frustrating is setting ISO.. and the DF dedicated ISO dial seem almost perfect for me. just wished they had a P mode for ISO too..
    Post edited by heartyfisher on
    Moments of Light - D610 D7K S5pro 70-200f4 18-200 150f2.8 12-24 18-70 35-70f2.8 : C&C very welcome!
    Being a photographer is a lot like being a Christian: Some people look at you funny but do not see the amazing beauty all around them - heartyfisher.

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  • WestEndBoyWestEndBoy Posts: 1,456Member
    Good point on the P Mode adjustment. I wondered what that little star was when I bought my D800. I use A mode mostly and love to slap my MF lens on my camera and shoot in M Mode, but I see the benefit of P Mode for many situations. This argument has many similarities to the MF vs AF arguments of the 80s.
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  • AdeAde Posts: 1,071Member
    P Mode shooting is just a different way of shooting. In normal shooting environments you can get to virtually every setting(aperture/shutter) you want to with the camera in P mode. Just tweak the Program with the Mode dial and the +/- exposure compensation.
    Until you attach a flash. Then P-mode simply sets a default exposure based on ISO, which cannot be changed using the Mode dial. About the only thing you can control is the flash exposure compensation (which on most Nikons is coupled with the camera exposure compensation).

    For me personally, this simple P-mode behavior when a flash is attached is not a consideration when buying a $3000 camera.
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  • Golf007sdGolf007sd Posts: 2,840Moderator
    edited December 2013
    B&H Video on the Df.

    Post edited by Golf007sd on
    D4 & D7000 | Nikon Holy Trinity Set + 105 2.8 Mico + 200 F2 VR II | 300 2.8G VR II, 10.5 Fish-eye, 24 & 50 1.4G, 35 & 85 1.8G, 18-200 3.5-5.6 VR I SB-400 & 700 | TC 1.4E III, 1.7 & 2.0E III, 1.7 | Sigma 35 & 50 1.4 DG HSM | RRS Ballhead & Tripods Gear | Gitzo Monopod | Lowepro Gear | HDR via Promote Control System |
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  • spraynprayspraynpray Posts: 6,545Moderator
    P Mode shooting is just a different way of shooting. In normal shooting environments you can get to virtually every setting(aperture/shutter) you want to with the camera in P mode. Just tweak the Program with the Mode dial (and augment it with the +/- exposure compensation). of course I go to fully Manual mode if I really want a specific shutter or aperture. otherwise P mode with a bit of the mode dial adjustments does great for me :-) .. Maybe its bec I am not a control freak.. I find I enjoy the task more looking for images than having to worry even that bit more about settings. .. what I find most frustrating is setting ISO.. and the DF dedicated ISO dial seem almost perfect for me. just wished they had a P mode for ISO too..
    Try easy ISO @heartyfisher - it is great.
    Always learning.
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  • heartyfisherheartyfisher Posts: 3,192Member
    P Mode shooting is just a different way of shooting. In normal shooting environments you can get to virtually every setting(aperture/shutter) you want to with the camera in P mode. Just tweak the Program with the Mode dial (and augment it with the +/- exposure compensation). of course I go to fully Manual mode if I really want a specific shutter or aperture. otherwise P mode with a bit of the mode dial adjustments does great for me :-) .. Maybe its bec I am not a control freak.. I find I enjoy the task more looking for images than having to worry even that bit more about settings. .. what I find most frustrating is setting ISO.. and the DF dedicated ISO dial seem almost perfect for me. just wished they had a P mode for ISO too..
    Try easy ISO @heartyfisher - it is great.
    ?? huh? what is that ?
    Moments of Light - D610 D7K S5pro 70-200f4 18-200 150f2.8 12-24 18-70 35-70f2.8 : C&C very welcome!
    Being a photographer is a lot like being a Christian: Some people look at you funny but do not see the amazing beauty all around them - heartyfisher.

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  • ElvisheferElvishefer Posts: 329Member
    Hrm... Auto ISO?
    D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII, 24-70mm f/2.8, 14-24mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.4G, 200mm f/4 Micro, 105mm f/2.8 VRII Micro, 35mm f/1.8, 2xSB900, 1xSB910, R1C1, RRS Support...

    ... And no time to use them.
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  • PB_PMPB_PM Posts: 4,494Member
    Auto ISO works very well, even in manual mode, it really eliminates the need for the other modes.
    If I take a good photo it's not my camera's fault.
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  • IronheartIronheart Posts: 3,017Moderator
    A bit off topic, but +1 to PB_PM. Auto ISO in manual mode is great. Gives you the ability to set your f-stop and speed to whatever and then let the Auto ISO gods sort it out for you. The only caveat is no exposure comp, at least on the bodies I use exposure comp is disabled in M mode.
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  • AdeAde Posts: 1,071Member
    @Ironheart

    On the D800 at least, exposure comp works as expected when Auto ISO is turned on, with the caveat that the ISO will not be set lower than the base 100 regardless of how much negative comp you use (as far as I know).
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  • blandbland Posts: 812Member
    Unlike what seems to be most people here I live in "P" mode. No P mode would be very inconvenient for me.
    I like the P Mode when using flash. I wouldn't have bought the Df if it didn't have it, for that reason.
    Bland, P-Mode does next to nothing when a flash is attached. E.g., at base ISO it simply sets the camera to 1/60s and f/4. Any results good or bad would be accidental. If you'd recall, we had a whole thread debunking P-mode myths.
    I had no idea that the Df didn't have TTL until checking my camera after you stated this.
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  • blandbland Posts: 812Member
    edited December 2013


    Here's a good video on understanding and changing your defaults on the Df.
    Post edited by Msmoto on
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  • TaoTeJaredTaoTeJared Posts: 1,306Member
    I had no idea that the Df didn't have TTL until checking my camera after you stated this.
    I'm not sure if I missed something but the DF does have TTL and iTTL.

    Nikon's site:
    Flash
    Flash Bracketing 2 to 5 frames in steps of 1/3, 2/3, 1, 2, or 3 EV
    X-Sync Speed 1/200
    Top FP High Speed Sync Up to 1/4000
    Flash Control TTL: i-TTL flash control using 2,016-pixel RGB sensor are available with built-in flash and SB-910, SB-900, SB-800, SB-700, SB-600, SB-400 or SB-300; i-TTL balanced fill-flash for digital SLR is used with matrix and center-weighting metering, standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR with spot metering
    Flash Sync Modes Auto FP High-Speed Sync supported
    Front-curtain sync (normal)
    Rear-curtain sync
    Red-Eye reduction
    Red-Eye reduction with slow sync
    Slow rear-curtain sync
    Slow sync
    Flash Compensation -3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 EV
    Flash-ready indicator Yes
    Accessory Shoe Yes
    Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) CLS Supported
    Flash Sync Terminal Yes
    D800, D300, D50(ir converted), FujiX100, Canon G11, Olympus TG2. Nikon lenses - 24mm 2.8, 35mm 1.8, (5 in all)50mm, 60mm, 85mm 1.8, 105vr, 105 f2.5, 180mm 2.8, 70-200vr1, 24-120vr f4. Tokina 12-24mm, 16-28mm, 28-70mm (angenieux design), 300mm f2.8. Sigma 15mm fisheye. Voigtlander R2 (olive) & R2a, Voigt 35mm 2.5, Zeiss 50mm f/2, Leica 90mm f/4. I know I missed something...
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  • spraynprayspraynpray Posts: 6,545Moderator

    Try easy ISO @heartyfisher - it is great.
    ?? huh? what is that ?
    Hrm... Auto ISO?

    On my D7K it is custom setting d3 it puts ISO adjustment on the wheel that is not being used in A or S mode. As I use A 90% of the time, that means that ISO is on the main command dial under my thumb with no need to push any buttons to access it.
    Always learning.
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  • blandbland Posts: 812Member
    @TaoTeJared I just found the TTL in the menu, it's darkened out. I'll have to figure out how to turn it on. It says optional flash on it.
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  • ElvisheferElvishefer Posts: 329Member

    On my D7K it is custom setting d3 it puts ISO adjustment on the wheel that is not being used in A or S mode. As I use A 90% of the time, that means that ISO is on the main command dial under my thumb with no need to push any buttons to access it.
    Ah I see. Thanks!

    D700, 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII, 24-70mm f/2.8, 14-24mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.4G, 200mm f/4 Micro, 105mm f/2.8 VRII Micro, 35mm f/1.8, 2xSB900, 1xSB910, R1C1, RRS Support...

    ... And no time to use them.
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  • PB_PMPB_PM Posts: 4,494Member
    @TaoTeJared I just found the TTL in the menu, it's darkened out. I'll have to figure out how to turn it on. It says optional flash on it.
    Do you have a flash attached? If not you won't be able to change the settings (since the Df doesn't have a built in unit).
    If I take a good photo it's not my camera's fault.
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  • TaoTeJaredTaoTeJared Posts: 1,306Member
    edited December 2013
    @TaoTeJared I just found the TTL in the menu, it's darkened out. I'll have to figure out how to turn it on. It says optional flash on it.
    Do you have a flash attached? If not you won't be able to change the settings (since the Df doesn't have a built in unit).
    @Nikon - That's a different way of doing things...
    Post edited by TaoTeJared on
    D800, D300, D50(ir converted), FujiX100, Canon G11, Olympus TG2. Nikon lenses - 24mm 2.8, 35mm 1.8, (5 in all)50mm, 60mm, 85mm 1.8, 105vr, 105 f2.5, 180mm 2.8, 70-200vr1, 24-120vr f4. Tokina 12-24mm, 16-28mm, 28-70mm (angenieux design), 300mm f2.8. Sigma 15mm fisheye. Voigtlander R2 (olive) & R2a, Voigt 35mm 2.5, Zeiss 50mm f/2, Leica 90mm f/4. I know I missed something...
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  • blandbland Posts: 812Member
    @TaoTeJared I just found the TTL in the menu, it's darkened out. I'll have to figure out how to turn it on. It says optional flash on it.
    Do you have a flash attached? If not you won't be able to change the settings (since the Df doesn't have a built in unit).
    Thanks, I just got home and was going to try that. I kinda figured that's what it was.
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  • PB_PMPB_PM Posts: 4,494Member
    @TaoTeJared I just found the TTL in the menu, it's darkened out. I'll have to figure out how to turn it on. It says optional flash on it.
    Do you have a flash attached? If not you won't be able to change the settings (since the Df doesn't have a built in unit).
    @Nikon - That's a different way of doing things...
    Nikon cameras without a built in flash have always worked that way, even back to the film days.
    If I take a good photo it's not my camera's fault.
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  • AdeAde Posts: 1,071Member
    edited December 2013
    No actually the TTL setting @bland refers to is a "new" custom setting introduced for the SB-400 flash (and now the SB-300 as well).

    These basic speedlights lack manual control buttons so normally they can only be used in (automatic) TTL mode. With this custom setting, the user can force the flash into manual mode by selecting a flash level from 1/128 to full power in lieu of TTL.

    This setting did not exist / was not necessary in older bodies since all older TTL speedlights (dating back to the SB-11) had some sort of manual control built-in.
    Post edited by Ade on
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  • Vipmediastar_JZVipmediastar_JZ Posts: 1,708Member
    I just played briefly with the DF. I like it very much.
    I can see myself breaking the PASM dial but other than thay evrything is great.
    The feel is great, the shutter sound is great, its is light, I wont accidentaly change my A or S Settings.
    I liked it the moment I saw it and maybe I will rent it one day but I feel that owning this camera is not for me.
    Maybe version 2 or DF-d800 hybrid. :)
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