Choosing A Full Frame Based On My Lenses

AniTakesPhotos · Mar 3, 2014

I'm having a nice bonus come in and am ready to make the jump to FX. I currently shoot with a D5200 and two DX only lenses (17-55 2.8, 35 1.8), so I'd need a whole new setup. Normally I'd go with the D610 but my collection of AI-S primes (35 1.4, 50 1.2, 85 1.4) has me considering the Df. I figured the price difference would be more than made up for by not having to invest in the equivalent G glass.

My style of shooting is typically night life with the occasional street and portraiture. I'm used to manually focusing so that isn't a problem for me. On paper it look doesn't look like the best option but it matches my needs quite well. Would you consider this a good buy? Or is the better option to invest in a more modern system?

davedyer · Mar 3, 2014

Nice selection of Ais glass you have there.

I can't speak much for the DF, but I do shoot with a D600 with (mostly) Ais lenses. Going from an F4 to a D70s and then to the D200, focusing those lenses was more difficult with the smaller viewfinder. Now with the D600 it is so much easier to use those manual focus goodies again. Out of a dozen lenses, only 3 are AF- my manual focus lenses run from a 24 2.8 to 300 4.5, with the 105 1.8 and 180 2.8 ED being my favorites. Low light focusing is fairly easy, and you still have the "green dot" confirmation.

This is with the 105 1.8 @ f/4 and ISO 6400 1/60sec.

Off hand I don't know what kind of deals can be found on the Df, but I believe the 610 will save you some $$. That is one of the reasons I went with the D600; bought a refurb from KEH and saved enough for a couple of nice SD cards and an extra battery.

runnah · Mar 3, 2014

Skip the DF and go for the D800.

The DF has the AF system from the 610, no video and the sensor from the d4 which is good except the image quality is worse than the d800. The d4 sensor is still very good but it was designed to be fast so corners were cut in general image quality.

So if you want a "cool" looking camera get the DF, if you want a stellar camera is superb image quality and an awesome AF system get the D800. The df made sacrifices in favor of style.

Derrel · Mar 3, 2014

Although the three listed Ai-S lenses are nice ones, I think you'd really like comparable AF-Nikkor lenses, like the 35mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.4 G-series models, or the 85mm f/1.8 G. The 50mm f/1.8 AF-S G is a modern, aspherical design, and is pretty good in performance.

Compared to a D5200, the D610's viewfinder offers a larger image, and a bit clearer image as well, due to the pentaprism design, but it's still a 'consumer' type viewfinder with the square eyepiece and accessories, so if you wear eyeglasses, you'd almost surely prefer the round-eyepiece D800 finder system.

You best bet is to head down to Seattle to Glazer's, and actually HOLD and HANDLE and look through the three cameras, with your preferred lenses, and also maybe check out a couple AF-Nikkor lenses. There is a brand-new 35mm f/1.8 AF-S G for full-frame Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S ED Nikkor Lens for DSLR Cameras - USA Warranty 2215

Handle the cameras, see what you think.

TheLost · Mar 3, 2014

runnah said:
So if you want a "cool" looking camera get the DF

Screw that.. if you want a cool looking camera get a Fuji X-T1 with a Nikon->Fuji Adapter.. At least the controls on the Fuji make sense

AniTakesPhotos · Mar 3, 2014

Thanks for the replies! My day is actually pretty open so I'll head to Glazer's in a bit. So far, you have me thinking the D610 + 28mm 1.8G. I use the Ona Bowery as my everyday bag so the D800 probably won't work for me.

I'll post again in a bit.

djacobox372 · Mar 3, 2014

If $$ is a concern you might want to consider a d700 as well.

AniTakesPhotos · Mar 4, 2014

I ended up finding a place closer to home where I could get hands on at.

The D800 was indeed too large for my everyday bag. Well, it fit. I'd just rather have room for a flash. On the other hand I definitely appreciated how thin the Df was. It was just no fun to shoot. I'd consider the D700 but I like having room to crop when I shoot from the hip. The D610 was a good compromise between ergonomics and size for me and I was almost decided on it until I tried the 6D.

Definitely has me considering jumping ship. It's the same size as the Df but easy to maneuver. The 28mm 1.8 is an inch shorter and a lot more inconspicuous for an "in your face" lens. To be fair, it's really the 50L that really had me though. I'd be happy with just these two focal lengths.

OTOH, if I bought the D610 my first investment would be the 35mm 1.4G. It's huge but I'd be willing to deal in this case. I'm happy enough with my other glass to hold off on upgrading for awhile. Having a built in commander and not having to deal with a cord on the move would be incredible.

Tough choice. I wouldn't regret either one.

bigal1000 · Mar 4, 2014

AniTakesPhotos said:
I ended up finding a place closer to home where I could get hands on at.

The D800 was indeed too large for my everyday bag. Well, it fit. I'd just rather have room for a flash. On the other hand I definitely appreciated how thin the Df was. It was just no fun to shoot. I'd consider the D700 but I like having room to crop when I shoot from the hip. The D610 was a good compromise between ergonomics and size for me and I was almost decided on it until I tried the 6D.

Definitely has me considering jumping ship. It's the same size as the Df but easy to maneuver. The 28mm 1.8 is an inch shorter and a lot more inconspicuous for an "in your face" lens. To be fair, it's really the 50L that really had me though. I'd be happy with just these two focal lengths.

OTOH, if I bought the D610 my first investment would be the 35mm 1.4G. It's huge but I'd be willing to deal in this case. I'm happy enough with my other glass to hold off on upgrading for awhile. Having a built in commander and not having to deal with a cord on the move would be incredible.

Tough choice. I wouldn't regret either one.

Buy a bigger bag and get that D800 !!!!

JohnnyWrench · Mar 4, 2014

This^^^^^^^^^

Don't let a bag dictate such a big decision.

Derrel · Mar 4, 2014

Post a new thread titled, "Choosing a full-frame based on the camera bag I own." Might get better viewer traffic and more replies! ;-)

It's good that you got to lay some hands on potential choices...there's NOTHING like it to help decide between products.

AniTakesPhotos · Mar 4, 2014

Well, you know the saying. The best camera is the one...and honestly I'd likely leave a bigger bag at home. Seattle has great public transportation and no parking so I often end up carrying my Bowery all day. It's fits an impossible amount for the size and no one ever suspects that I'm packing anything expensive when I'm in a terrible neighborhood. It'd be pointless to own a D800 if I never took it out

AniTakesPhotos · Mar 10, 2014

After a week of deciding I've actually opted to keep what I have. I'm still extremely pleased with my gear and any upgrade would really only be because I can afford it. I think I'll take a few extra vacations instead

Thanks for the replies though.

bigal1000 · Mar 17, 2014

JohnnyWrench said:
This^^^^^^^^^

Don't let a bag dictate such a big decision.

Relax it was just a joke..........

bigal1000 · Mar 17, 2014

AniTakesPhotos said:
After a week of deciding I've actually opted to keep what I have. I'm still extremely pleased with my gear and any upgrade would really only be because I can afford it. I think I'll take a few extra vacations instead

Thanks for the replies though.

Very good move in my opinion relax and smell the roses .........