Classic Nikon FM film SLR reincarnated as the Nikon Df DSLR

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Nikon is the latest camera manufacturer to employ nostalgia in the design and marketing of its cameras with the launch of the Nikon Df, which resembles what many would say is one of Nikon's iconic film SLRs, the FM series launched in 1977. Despite its retro-style, the Df borrows much from the Nikon D4 professional flagship DSLR, including its 16 megapixel full frame sensor and pentaprism viewfinder system. The Df (f for 'fusion) will be available in black or silver and only with a special edition 50mm f/1.8 AF-S standard lens. Nikon says the Df is aimed at enthusiast photographers, style-seekers and fans of older Nikkor F-mount lenses dating back to 1959.



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[Ian]

Re: Classic Nikon FM film SLR reincarnated as the Nikon Df DSLR

How nostalgic are you? Did you originally own (or dream of) a Nikon FM back in the 70s or early 80s?

As an 18 year old still at school I nearly blew my first credit card on a Nikon F2 Photomic Sadly, I can also remember the predecessor to the FM, the Nikkormat FT-series!

Ian

[Horacio]

Re: Classic Nikon FM film SLR reincarnated as the Nikon Df DSLR

It really looks very beautifull and desirable, very practical, away from menus and very capable as it hides the D4 inside We did not gave away the nostalgig feelings about the size and shape of the cameras we used in the past

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: Classic Nikon FM film SLR reincarnated as the Nikon Df DSLR

Years ago I walked into a shop in London to buy a Nikkormat. Really didn't like the way it handled.

Ok if you have some old & really big expensive lenses that you want to use, and provided they don't require mirror lock-up

But given the end product from all cameras is mostly viewed at 1920 x 1080 at best, or printed to A4 size, what's the point in having vast numbers of pixels or FF anyway...

Some funny comments about the price being the same number in different parts of the world. That should lead to some very low sales in the UK and a lot of imports.

[Ian]

Re: Classic Nikon FM film SLR reincarnated as the Nikon Df DSLR

It really looks very beautifull and desirable, very practical, away from menus and very capable as it hides the D4 inside We did not gave away the nostalgig feelings about the size and shape of the cameras we used in the past

Is it really a D4 in disguise? It only shoots at 5.5fps and the maximum shutter speed is only 1/4000th. Also, there is no power grip option or video mode.

Is this really as good as a D610 but for more money?

I think the Df is more a style or fashion purchase really.

Ian

[Bob Ross]

Re: Classic Nikon FM film SLR reincarnated as the Nikon Df DSLR

How nostalgic are you? Did you originally own (or dream of) a Nikon FM back in the 70s or early 80s?

As an 18 year old still at school I nearly blew my first credit card on a Nikon F2 Photomic Sadly, I can also remember the predecessor to the FM, the Nikkormat FT-series!

Ian

I still have an F2 and an FE along with 4 old lenses. I use the F2 as my size benchmark. The new one is pretty but it doesn't grab me. At the moment I prefer the Pigmy SLR style.......


Bob

[keithtyler]

Re: Classic Nikon FM film SLR reincarnated as the Nikon Df DSLR

How nostalgic are you? Did you originally own (or dream of) a Nikon FM back in the 70s or early 80s?

As an 18 year old still at school I nearly blew my first credit card on a Nikon F2 Photomic Sadly, I can also remember the predecessor to the FM, the Nikkormat FT-series!

Ian

My first SLR was a Nikon EM and I longed for a FE or FM. In the end I got neither and my next camera turned out to be a Canon T90 quite a few years later.

The new camera is certainly reminiscent of the FE/FM and it's nice to see "Made in Japan" printed on the top plate.

[David M]

Re: Classic Nikon FM film SLR reincarnated as the Nikon Df DSLR

How I wish my OM primes would adapt to Nikon mount.

[Bob Ross]

Re: Classic Nikon FM film SLR reincarnated as the Nikon Df DSLR

How I wish my OM primes would adapt to Nikon mount.

Hi David,
This new Nikon body would look strange with our petit OM lenses The OM lenses that I use the most are the macros: 50/3.5, 90/2.5 Viv-Ser-1 and a 135/2.8 Vivitar. I've put them on the Oly E* bodies , the KM5D and even the Nikon 1 V2. I think the new Sony a7/7R bodies may be better scaled to them.
Bob

[David M]

Re: Classic Nikon FM film SLR reincarnated as the Nikon Df DSLR

It may look weird but I'm used to that. In the 80's and 90's I had a couple of 600mm f/5.6 lenses converted to OM mount. Since then I've had the big white OM 350mm which confuses the hell out of Canon users.

[Ian]

Re: Classic Nikon FM film SLR reincarnated as the Nikon Df DSLR

How I wish my OM primes would adapt to Nikon mount.

Nikon's 1959 F-mount is probably too narrow for OM lenses. The OM mount was of course unusually wide for a 35mm SLR at the time.

Ian

[Ian]

Re: Classic Nikon FM film SLR reincarnated as the Nikon Df DSLR

Nikon's 1959 F-mount is probably too narrow for OM lenses. The OM mount was of course unusually wide for a 35mm SLR at the time.

Ian

Maybe I was premature:

http://leitax.com/OlympusOM-lens-for-Nikon-cameras.html

But it does seem you need to check if a particular OM lens can work safely with the adapter.

Ian

[David M]

Re: Classic Nikon FM film SLR reincarnated as the Nikon Df DSLR

That's a lot of work given the number of OM primes I'd want to convert, some of which aren't listed. And the appeal has worn off after reading the base ISO is 100.