Melville, N.Y. – Nikon’s latest full-frame DSLR introduction takes aim at the company’s rich tradition and history, offering an advanced digital camera in a retro-styled body reminiscent of the company’s popular film-based SLRs of the past.
The Nikon Df, which carries a $2,999.99 suggested retail price for a kit with a new 50mm f1.8 lens or 2749.95 for the body only, will be offered in late November in a choice of a retro silver-and-black or an all-black body, both of which are designed to easily accept Nikon’s old (pre-1977 era) non-AI (automatic maximum aperture indexing) lenses.
The camera also features a host of mode dials and controls reminiscent of Nikon’s advanced film cameras of the past, but offering Nikon’s latest automatic picture setting technology as well as manual controls.
In addition to non-AI lenses, the camera will accept all of Nikon’s more advanced F-mount lenses, including AF-S, AF-D and AF Nikkor models in types G, E and D (restrictions apply to PC lenses), DX (using DX image area), AI-P Nikkor and non-CPU AI lenses (A and M modes only).
Also, like Nikon’s cameras of old, the Df does not support video. But it can support Wi-Fi connectivity for image sharing and remote camera control using an optional WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter and a free iOS or Android smartphone utility app.
The camera is equipped with the Expeed 3 processor used in the D4, affording more low-light flexibility than some later offerings.
Along with the Df camera, Nikon is reissuing a 50mm f1.8 lens (made of aluminum) to be sold in a kit with the camera body.
Other camera features include: a 39-point wide-area AF system that quickly locks onto your subject using 9 cross-type sensors and an unique 3D-tracking system. For Live View, the camera uses a fast contrast-detect AF system that displays images up to 19x for accurate focus confirmation.
The Df’s scene recognition system allows concentrating on shot composition, using onboard intelligence that analyzes the situation, compares it to an onboard database, and chooses the best exposure, white balance and autofocus settings.
The camera will handle up to 5.5 fps continuous shooting, and offers a wide ISO range from 100–12800, expandable down to 50 and up to 204,800.
Keeping modern, the Df packs a 3.2-inch TFT-LCD monitor with wide 170° viewing angle, and a built-in High Dynamic Range (HDR) system that can automatically combine two photos into one image. New subject-based Active D-Lighting automatically brightens shadowy areas on subjects.
