Photography Gear Thread

[Cmike2780]

I know we already have a few threads on DSLR's, but I thought I'd start one about new and upcoming gear we want on our wish list or old gear we've used in the past. I also know some of us tend to have bias towards a specific brand. Let's leave that at the door and hopefully keep the topic civil.

I guess I'll start with this puppy that just came out....



Nikon's new/old take on the DSLR. It still hasn't landed in camera shops, so it's going to be a first impression type of review.

First, what I don't like. At $2,750 for the body, it ain't cheap. The price point pretty much places the camera well out of reach for most enthusiast. If all I want is something a bit retro looking, I'd rather go with X100s at half the price. I think Nikon missed the boat by pricing this too high. It's should be closer to $1,800 at most and could even stand to be more mechanical and less digital. I wouldn't even mind if it were completely manual. Also, compared next to the old Nikon film bodies, the Df is still considerably bigger.

What I do like.... Though subjective, I really like the retro styling. Paired with a 50mm, it's the type of camera that doesn't shout "look at me" when you're walking around the city. It looks like it's well crafted and assembled by someone....not extruded from a flat piece of plastic. I dare say it's an "affordable" alternative to a Leica. Think about it, compared to a Leica M digital, this thing is a bargain. The true test will be how rugged and reliable this will be. It's obviously meant for a specific segment, but isn't that the reason why manufacturers sell more than camera models? It's not the most technically advanced or feature rich camera out there (it doesn't even have video), but is definitely on my wish list. I reminds me of my Nikon FM and takes pic's like a D4, nuff said.

Your thoughts?
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Feel free to share any other camera gear that you find interesting.

[Titan1080]

Looks neat, but does the retro styling come with retro weight? Even with the battery grip and bigger glass, my old Minolta is still slightly heavier in my hands than my Nikon.

[HKYStormFront]

pretty sure this thread already exists:

What's in your camera bag?

:shrugs:

[1slowa$$G35]

Yeah that nikon df is garbage just like what nikon has been putting out lately (the 58mm 1.4g, 18-140mm kit lens and the d600 with all its issues oil on sensor and what not)

[DEpointfive0]

If I want an old camera. I'll use an old camera. I have 3 Nikon F2s and god knows how many old cameras. I'm happy.

[Cmike2780]

Originally Posted by Titan1080

Looks neat, but does the retro styling come with retro weight? Even with the battery grip and bigger glass, my old Minolta is still slightly heavier in my hands than my Nikon.

I think it's around 1.5 lbs. for the body. Not much more than a D600, but that's understandable with a full magnesium body.

Originally Posted by 1slowa$$G35

Yeah that nikon df is garbage just like what nikon has been putting out lately (the 58mm 1.4g, 18-140mm kit lens and the d600 with all its issues oil on sensor and what not)

What the heck are you talking about, those are great lenses. I do know they eventually did address the oil issue with the updated 610.

Originally Posted by HKYStormFront

pretty sure this thread already exists:

What's in your camera bag?

:shrugs:

Yeah, I'm pretty familiar with that thread. I wanted to start a new one about new gear you don't have, upcoming cameras, gear that are on your wish list, rumors...etc.

[Cmike2780]

Originally Posted by DEpointfive0

If I want an old camera. I'll use an old camera. I have 3 Nikon F2s and god knows how many old cameras. I'm happy.

Yeah, I kinda agree. Not about to actually buy this thing anytime soon. If I had that much laying around to spend on a one camera, I'd buy a D800 or 5D.

To be fair, film was and is a pain to work with. The Df is definitely aimed at a specific segment. It's a bit pretentious and nostalgic, but who cares. I guess I just don't get why people are hating on this so much. It will undoubtably take great pictures in the right hands and they'll enjoy using it...isn't that the point?

[DEpointfive0]

Originally Posted by Cmike2780

Yeah, I kinda agree. Not about to actually buy this thing anytime soon. If I had that much laying around to spend on a one camera, I'd buy a D800 or 5D.

To be fair, film was and is a pain to work with. The Df is definitely aimed at a specific segment. It's a bit pretentious and nostalgic, but who cares. I guess I just don't get why people are hating on this so much. It will undoubtably take great pictures in the right hands and they'll enjoy using it...isn't that the point?

Definitely disagree, IMO, with film you had to be a better photographer, you didn't rely on, f-it, I can edit later, you didn't crop, you didn't do anything, you just took the picture better the first time.
So in that sense, getting prints made was a pain because it wasn't instant

When I shoot B&W, still do with my Nikons and Hasselblads, I develop the film myself, and I love it, yes, and that point you CAN "edit" pictures, but I for the most part have my enlarger set on +1 +2 contrast (it's a color film enlarger), and I focus the first pic, and start printing away.
Again, I guess that can be referred to as a pain, but I think it's therapy.

[Cmike2780]

Originally Posted by DEpointfive0

Definitely disagree, IMO, with film you had to be a better photographer, you didn't rely on, f-it, I can edit later, you didn't crop, you didn't do anything, you just took the picture better the first time.
So in that sense, getting prints made was a pain because it wasn't instant

When I shoot B&W, still do with my Nikons and Hasselblads, I develop the film myself, and I love it, yes, and that point you CAN "edit" pictures, but I for the most part have my enlarger set on +1 +2 contrast (it's a color film enlarger), and I focus the first pic, and start printing away.
Again, I guess that can be referred to as a pain, but I think it's therapy.

That's kind of what I mean. I think developing film is pretty fun....but it is a cumbersome and time consuming task....not to mention expensive. As for film making you a better photographer, that's highly debatable. On the contrary, I think digital makes you a better photographer. Not because of software, but for the simple fact that you can take thousands of pictures without fear of wasting a frame. It doesn't mean you're taking less time composing a shot, it means less time dealing with stuff that gets in the way. Having to develop gets in the way. Sure there are tons of advantages, especially with medium or large format film, but digital is quickly turning them obsolete. If you've got a once in a lifetime shot in the field, wouldn't it be better to see what doesn't work on the spot? Heck, pro film photographers use to do this all the time. That's why they had stuff like Hassalblads with polaroid backs. You still did plenty of "editing" in the darkroom.

Like I said, I love film and still shoot with my FM. There's nothing wrong with it, but it's a pain to work with compared to digital, especially when they end up as scanned most of the time. I love the look and feel of film that digital still hasn't been able to accurately duplicate.

[HKYStormFront]

Originally Posted by Cmike2780

Yeah, I'm pretty familiar with that thread. I wanted to start a new one about new gear you don't have, upcoming cameras, gear that are on your wish list, rumors...etc.

ah, ok. carry on then

my next lens will most likely be the Sigma 35mm f/1.4. I rented one for the race in Sonoma and it was fantastic!

[3rdDanZ]

I use a 20.1 Megapixel NIKON COOLPIX & it works great. Not like yours, but I like it.

[LAVA]

I have a Nikon D5100, with 18-55mm and a 55-200mm. I carry it all in a Lowepro flipside 200

[Masterbeatty]

In my case I have my Nikon 3200 with a 18-55 and a 55-300 lens.

[venus]

My old-school Nikon fleet.

[DEpointfive0]

This turns out to be a Nikon thread, lol


I have... 6 Hasselblads... Looking for a 7th and 8th.
(I just need a 503CW and a 555 and I'll be set)


I keep trying to buy a 30mm for them and I can't really justify $900~ for the OLD style, so I'm working on making an adapter from POS Kiev lens to Hasselblad mount only to utilize their cheap 30mm that I will only use a handful of times, I don't plan on using their other POS lenses. Zeiss FTW