The Nikon DF Represents Everything Wrong With Photography

The Nikon DF Represents Everything Wrong With Photography

Tonight Nikon will announce announced the "revolutionary" Nikon DF Camera. By "revolutionary" I mean that they have taken a full frame sensor from a current digital DSLR and put it into a non-ergonomic retro body and removed many features, including video. Are we excited about this camera because of the photography we will be able to capture with it or are we excited because we will look trendy and fashionable holding it?

Due to the fact that many people are not finishing this article before attacking me for "Hating Nikon" I want to make it clear that I love Nikon and I honestly do not hate this camera. I look forward to reviewing it in the near future and I might even eventually own one. In this post I simply want to highlight that it's becoming trendy to be a photographer and cameras like this may be appealing to us as photographers for the wrong reasons. 

Ergonomics
Let's first talk about ergonomics. Cameras look the way they do today because they have been made to fit comfortably in your hand. I've never heard a professional photographer complain that a camera was too big or too heavy. It has always been really strange to me that this whole micro 4/3 explosion has happened because I feel like I have a pretty decent camera built into my cell phone. If I want to take a professional picture, then I'm going to grab my professional camera. If I want to take a snap shot I'm going to pull out my phone. This of course does not apply to those of us who are travel photographers and who need a great camera that is easy to wear all day or throw in a back pack. The thing that you have to remember about the DF is that it is a full frame 35mm camera meaning that it is going to take the same massive lenses that a D4 takes. So please don't try to tell me you need a DF because it's so easy to travel with and then strap a 70-200mm to it. There is also no way that holding this camera with your fingers will ever be more comfortable than a full-handed grip on today's cameras.

Buttons: Digital vs Mechanical
I personally hate the button layout on prosumer Nikon cameras because they combine incredibly important buttons like ISO or White Balance with other functions. These layouts force you to hold one button on one side of the camera and rotate a knob on the other side. You'll notice that on the DF the white balance button is being shared by the "lock" function. The one thing that does intrigue me about the Nikon DF layout is that ISO and shutter speed are on physical rotater knobs.
Nikon-Df-top-2
You could make the argument that these physical knobs are easier and faster to deal with than a digital LCD and I might agree with you. Obviously I won't know until I try it but I still have to imagine that the Nikon D4's buttons were chosen with speed in mind. If physical knobs were faster, they would be in use today right? Due to the fact that current lenses do not have manual apertures anymore, the digital thumb knob will be in charge of changing your F-stop. That being said I wish that they could have made all 4 of the major settings (SS, F-Stop, ISO, and WB) all physical knobs to continue the theme of the camera as well as allow the user to know all of the settings at a glance, even when the camera was off. I think it's safe to say that this camera's buttons were not chosen with ergonomics or speed in mind, they were chosen to make it look like an old camera.

The Manual Shutter Release Cable
Do you know why older cameras had a mechanical shutter release cables? Because they hadn't invented better technology like self timer, infrared, or radio triggers.

Nikon-Df-front

When I saw a picture of this camera being used with a physical shutter release cable it was proof that my theory was correct: so many people don't care about pictures anymore, they just want to be "photographers." Using an outdated/obsolete device to take a picture makes you more of an artist today. This product exists to appeal to the same people who have gone out and bought film cameras recently because they are "too artistic" to use digital like everyone else. Instead of its intended purpose (to help with camera shake), a simple shutter release cable has now become the next trendy thing to use to look fashionable.

It Doesn't Shoot Video
You may not shoot video, you may not care about video, you may hate that still photography and video are merging. It doesn't matter what your opinion on video is, the fact is that removing features from a product does not make a product "revolutionary." If Nikon had a logical reason why this camera couldn't shoot video then I would be fine with it but we all know with a simple software update the camera could shoot amazing video like every other DSLR. I can guarantee you that version 2 of this camera will have video and it will make the resale value of the first camera go down and it will make the next one worth buying. Video is the future and I think that every still camera (aside from ultra high end cameras) from now on should have at least some sort of video option. If we keep moving in this direction we'll have a $5000 digital pinhole camera in a few years.

Why Is This Camera Exciting To You
When I first saw this camera I have to admit that I was excited, and for many reasons I still am. But I had to ask myself why? Is this camera going to help me take better pictures? Is my photography business going to improve if I buy it? Am I only excited because this camera looks different than other current cameras, or does this product only appeal to me because it reminds me of the first camera I ever owned?

I don't want to be too harsh on the DF because I have no doubt it's going to take great images. This article wasn't written to bash the camera but rather the state of photography today. Maybe I will fall in love with this little guy once I get to use it. I could see it becoming ideal for traveling (with prime lenses) and I hope to be able to bring one with me to our workshop in the Bahamas. I'm honestly really excited that Nikon is doing something "different" but at the same time I would hate to see this camera, which I believe in many ways is a massive step backwards, become the best selling "pro" camera simply because it looks cool. We buy things every day because of the way they make us feel and that's fine. I believe this camera will bring a lot of people a lot of joy. I just don't want you to forget that we are supposed to enjoy photography, and not just being fashionable photographers.

Lee Morris's picture

Lee Morris is a professional photographer based in Charleston SC, and is the co-owner of Fstoppers.com

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I think you're missing the point of the camera, its like asking your phone why it wont drive your car to work, they didn't make it to do that so why would you expect it to.

I guess I just don't get at all why they bothered making the camera in the first place, except to collect some money from hipsters during Christmas season. It's not small, it's not "affordable", it's not new, it just looks tacky.

If this camera was a D800 inside with a retro body, I'd probably buy
one. I need a second body anyway. It looks just like my F2. I love the ergonomics of the F2 and the technology inside the D800 (Which I also have). This camera is just too
much money and is not good enough in spec to justify that price.

I think Nikon are testing the water with this one... To see how many (hipster) fish, bite. I was tempted, I love the look of it but I'm not gonna spend three grand on a camera that's inferior to my D800, just cause it looks nice.

Yeah I'm not sure about this either. I was thinking it would come in around the $1000 price point and would be a tough camera you could abuse the hell out of. Unfortunately, it looks to just be another sales gimmick.

so you think that someone is going to use a cable release to look trendy? That sounds.... dubious. This camera appeals to me because I am a manual film camera user, and the layout just makes ergonomic sense to me. Maybe not to you, but clearly it's not for you. And as far as being intimidated by the "cool factor" (which is just stupid to even concern yourself with) of people with manual film cameras.... I don't know... It always seems to me that people like to bash other people in a public forum when they feel somehow threatened. Get over it. It's a camera. You don't like it, don't buy it. Ultimately anyone bemoaning the fashion of a camera is suspect anyway.

The main issue I have with this article is it's narrow view of what a photographer is defined as nowadays.

Simply put, I am buying a Df, and my reasoning is simple.

I photograph strangers, the bulk of my work is documentary in nature and there are two main things I look for in cameras nowadays when purchasing.

Low light capabilities

Legacy compatibility

and an unassuming appearance.

This last piece is key, when approaching a subject who didn't wake up that morning thinking they would be photographed, I have found over the course of the past few years, with my Fm2 or M4 in hand, when I ask someone for their picture, my yes's always outnumbered my no's. I've always found them more open when my camera reminds them of their grandfather.

On the two occasions I have shot with larger DSLR cameras in the past year, a Nikon D3s and D800, the subjects were far more hesitant to trust me, limiting my access ad making it significantly more difficult to put the subjects at ease, the presence of such a large, professional looking camera was off-putting.

For me, the Low Light capabilities of the D4 sensor, coupled with the more compact, classic appearance of the Fm2 styling as well as the phenomenal chance to pick up the vintage Nikon glass I love so much again with the ability to meter even with non AI lenses make the Df the camera that I need.

Not all of us are studio photographers

Not all of us use behemoth 2.8 zoom lenses

Not all of us Lug camera bags with half of Nikon's inventory inside

Some of us walk slowly with a single camera on our shoulder

Some of us prefer smooth, manual, compact primes

Some of us prefer a simple, sharp pocket knife to a leatherman bursting with six kinds of screwdrivers.

For many of us, the Nikon Df represents a chance to get back to what we find most beautiful about cameras.

Having the right tool for the image we mean to make.

In the end, the ultimate goal is the image.

Some of us prefer to make it simply.

- Daniel Sawyer Schaefer

Outlierimagery.com

Looks like a fun toy for the fat wallets. It has one really cool feature ... the ability to mount and use non AI lenses. They should add that to the D5 and be done with it.

Original x100 over EVERYTHING

I always hated that DSLR cameras had video functions, It confused my why a new form of camera wasn't invented instead of cluttering my DSLR with this nonsense.. don't get me wrong I love video (I started with video then moved to photography) but I thought it pointless to put video into a stills camera. This camera has me exited because I only shoot with manual lenses and I feel like today's DSLR cameras don't play well with manual lenses (I shoot Nikon by the way) I have yet to play with It yet but I feel like this camera will suit my needs as a photographer better than a D4 or D800 could. Nikon has been letting me down lately with their new pro bodies but I feel like this might just be their saving grace, Its like them telling me 'hey we are still about Photography first and video second' unlike canon who are about video first and photography second (I love canon don't get me wrong here) Its always been my dream to stick a FF sensor into my Nikon F, but Nikon beat me to it. Is this camera for my professional work with paying clients? no, is it for my own enjoyment of photography? yes.

Many of us old timers feel that current cameras are an abomination. Diving into menus is nothing like the simplicity of the cameras that we learned on. As for ergonomics - I've yet to use a camera that was as well designed as my original Nikon FE2.

Even a young photographer like me can understand this better than a pro with a D800

To answer your question, yes to a lot of people style does matter in
products. Many Nikon fans, will buy this camera just to add it to a
collection. And who are you to criticize them for doing so?

Face it, you thought you were going to be cooler than cool by pissing on anybody that would want to buy this camera or even just likes it for the design factor. You used an inflammatory post title to get more readers than you deserve, and it backfired on you. No matter how relevant your article is, no matter what you post in bold type trying to backpedal, any validity you may have had was lost when you decided to be a douchebag.

Mirrorless cameras with smaller lenses will replace all of these DSLR's at some point. That is the future. Until then, I will hang on to my D700 & my huge 70-200. This retro-camera looking camera may be "cool", but it is not for me.

It's exciting, because I love my Nikon FG, and I shot with it for many many years. Now, I'm shooting with a Nikon D3. It gets the job done, without giving me any problems, but still, when I shoot for my own pleasure, I would really like to shoot with the FG, except that I can not deal with the film anymore. I have no darkroom anymore, all the nearby labs went out of business, and I HATE what CVS is doing with my film. But I still love shooting with my FG. Sometimes I even pretend to take photos with it, with no film inside.
So, getting a camera that somewhat resembles my FG, and it has a D4 sensor in it, for half the price of the D4 is pretty exciting, I think.
I gave up trying to look cool a long time ago. That's not the reason this camera is exciting to me.

Well said.

So getting back to the 'essence of Photography" is everything that's wrong with photography? And then you go on to say "it doesn't shoot video". Since when are photography and videography the same thing? This camera is for the purist. For those of us who know what it means to have total control of the final image. That is everything that is RIGHT with photography. On the subject of looks, keep that in mind when you shop for your next car, house or witty t-shirt. Because buying something that is attractive to the eye is somehow a hipster facade, now. Donkey.

PS - That old style shutter release worked really well for a good part of 100 years AND doesn't require more batteries to fire the shutter.

Best reasoning for having the ability to use older shutter release cables, This camera is just doing what Leica did to the M but people didn't bash that for being a stupid retro camera.

Look no further than the memory card slot (or lack thereof) to see without question who Nikon has in mind for the Df.

A single SD slot? Are you freaking kidding me? WTH is Nikon thinking with this bush league amateur-hour bullcrap? Crap autofocus, crap shutter speed, no EVF... Oh, and it doesn't even have a front command dial. The 5 year old D90 has a front dial!

Dear Instagram-loving hipster excrement, you've found your perfect camera. Heavy on form and retro "cool", light on pro quality function.

you are clearly missing the point of this camera, its not even in the same category as the D800, D600 or D7000, Nikon themselves said this camera isn't supposed to be anything like those cameras and its made for a different purpose. That's like saying wtf why cant my sat-nav play angry birds, it just wasn't made for that. The Df isnt a pro workhorse made for sports, weddings or anything like that.. its made to enjoy photography the way photographers used to, but with more modern convenience.. like an SD card slot.

1/8000 shutter option? Nope.
Pro quality AF module? Nope.
Multiple card slots? Nope. (This one is an automatic deal-breaker)
ANY revolutionary technology of any kind? Nope.

No, I don't think I'm missing the point of this camera at all, friend. Nikon just missed the mark, big time. They can call it a "purist" camera all they want, but when they intentionally leave out features and gimp others, I get to call BS. The Df is nothing more than a pandering to the people who want to look cool.

I was really excited about this release. I really wanted it to be as awesome on the inside as it looks on the outside. It's not. Not by a mile. At $2800 for just the body, Nikon should have delivered MUCH more.

No matter how convinced of the opposite you may be, you continually miss the point. Just because it does not represent the best option for the style of photography you shoot does not mean it does not have a place in the market.

What I find disingenuous about this article with its over-dramatic title, is that while Lee bitches about the camera, there is immediately an affiliate link to B&H. So this article is just a clear ploy to generate controversy and the subsequent traffic.

I am torn. Like @RLMorrisPhoto:disqus said, I may get my hands on this and just love it, but I am not sold at the moment. And I am mature enough to admit that at my age and physical state I am going to need a lot more then an Xbox shoved in an Atari 5200 to make me look cool. But!!... If this concept for the DF battery grip is for real, then I will sell my kids toys to get this camera. How can you not be cool saying, "This picture looks like I took it in 1985 because I DID TAKE IT IN 1985. Today.". That would be heavy.

It's a very narrow minded article. With cameras as with anything it is a case of "horses for courses". the right horse will win on the right course.

The Nikon DF is outstanding in so many ways and yes it sucks in a lot of others but, if you are interested in a no nonsense personal shooter that has extremely powerful internals in a retro body then the DF wins every time. If you want a video capable, high megapixel, too many button, large camera then the DF fails every time.

If you've ever shot with the D4 (which is huge) you'll know that is one of the best cameras out there for what it's designed to do. Now take that and put in in a very small, very sexy(my opinion) camera and you loose idea capabilities, then you've got a winner! and at half the price of the D4.

PS. I'm a Canon man.
I think that in itself says a lot about this camera!

idea = video

I'm cool because I'm an amazing dad, AND I take Amazing photos. What I love about this camera is it's style. Sure looking good in ones hands is important, even to the consumer hiring the photographer. People in the know (fashion editors, models, Art Directors, brides, etc.) all know what a good "professional" camera looks like. If I show up with my Canon S100 (a full frame point and shoot) and try to capture a magazine cover, I could be laughed right out of a job. Not because my images would suck (remember why I'm COOL), but because I wouldn't even get to start the project. What I hate about this new camera is the fact that it's using the D4 sensor instead of the newer D800 sensor. As for video, I really don't care. I was waiting for this to upgrade from my D700 and now I'm on the fence.

Good article. I love its retro looks and if I had money to waste on kit I would probably have one because I like quirky things. But I couldn't imagine using this in a job where I need to switch settings rapidly.
I think the titles pretty much spot on too, but it was always going to divide the masses :)

This fills a need, retro fashion aside. No, the Df might not be an appropriate tool at the end of a 400mm/f.28, or maybe even a 70-200/f.28. But with a fast, wide-angle lens in tight conditions and low light where you want to be unobtrusive in order to make intimate feeling, candid photographs, it might be a near perfect tool.

Wanna know how this camera feels in the hands of a TRUE professional?

http://www.joemcnally.com/blog/2013/11/05/nikon-df/

"This product exists to appeal to the same people who have gone out and bought film cameras recently because they are “too artistic” to use digital like everyone else." Really? Not impressed Lee…

"Do you know why older cameras had a mechanical shutter release cables? Because they hadn’t invented better technology like self timer, infrared, or radio triggers."

Not to burst your bubble but self timers have been around since at least the 60s My Minolta SRT 101 purchased in 1969 had a 10 sec self timer. The rest of the article is spot on.

"I just don’t want you to forget that we are supposed to enjoy photography, and not just being fashionable photographers."

I agree, except from my vantage point the rounded, bloated, no-sharp-corners, toddler-safe DSLR design ethic of the last 15+ years has been the "fashionable" affectation; whereas the new Nikon DF represents a welcome return to form-following-function, not some faux-nostalgic hipsterism.

I have to disagree. People engage in photography for the same reason they engage in anything - we derive some feeling of satisfaction from it. Whether that satisfaction comes from the self-esteem derived from the photos we create or the esteem we garner from others because we are using the latest camera, it's entirely unfair to say that one type of satisfaction is more legitimate than another.

The Df is exciting to me because it reminds me of my father's camera from 45 years ago and the thrill I had whenever he would let me press the shutter. If I didn't already have a very capable DSLR, I might have bought the Df solely for that reason.

.

Without a MD-4, it's just another Nikon. I do like the camera and was a fan of the film version.

I am interested in this camera because I've been wanting a small street camera for a long time. This will allow me to have a smaller body and use my current Nikon glass. When I'm shooting street photography, I really don't care about video. Let me know if you recommend a better camera for street photography?!

Catering to people who didn't even do photography, or weren't alive in the early 80's to inspire a feeling that you were part of the 80's...

It's a nice thought.. I guess. But I have to admit. As a guy who WAS active in the 80's.. Did own FG-FM-F2as kit... it makes you look the poser role something awful.

> Do you know why older cameras had a mechanical shutter release cables? Because they hadn’t invented better technology like self timer, infrared, or radio triggers.

Research ML1 infrared and MW1 radio remotes, MT1 intervalometer. They were available already for F2. Df allows for remote control using a cellular phone. A cable is a good thing too. One just needs to know how to use it.

Great review, love to hear a contrast to all the "drooling" reviews out there. Two counters i'd like to make, one my own, one I read somewhere else (sadly can't remember where so i can't properly site source).

Point one, from somewhere else, but really clicked with me- a benefit of the "old school" look is that it can be less obtrusive for street photography. When shooting with my old minolta x7 i get far fewer "looks" then with my d7000 (though, put a 70-200 on anything and that's another matter)
Point two- I am stoked to see a manual shutter release on this thing, and here's why- If i'm using an off camera release it's typically for low-light slow-speed on tripod shooting. Cable releases require no batteries, can be found for pennies at almost any camera shop in the universe and a small one takes almost no space in my bag to I can carry spares. If they had put a winder lever on, that you had to wind between each shot then I'd be face palming with the rest of you but the cable release socket it great. Necessary, no, but certainly welcome.

My one workflow concern is the lack of a built in flash, and we'll see about the ergonomics.

All that being said, I'd have to agree with the main argument of the author. There is a certain trend of cameras as an accessory (holga anyone?) and I can certainly see where the Df might fall into that category for many people, but I'll need to get it in my hands and see how it works/feels before call it either way. On paper it's looking like a solid low-light street machine, with a nice bit of nostalgic flair.

I actually believe this articles title.

This camera is what is wrong with photography but from a pro
perspective.

When you work with a D800 ( the not quite right upgrade of
D700) especially for a wedding or anything more than a few hours the processing
power of the PC, workflow increases etc make it a bit of a pain (a joy to shoot
with but a pain) . Instead of Nikon releasing a refined D700 with a few more
megapixels and a more refined product (which is what probably most
photographers who work full time would love and what they have done historically)
they released this camera as a way of hitting the market segment of people who probably
don’t need to use this camera for work and need a high end digital SLR. Dont
get me wrong I like the concept but I would rather a refined D700 then this
because I need a camera for work, not for fun.
You wouldn’t use this thing for a wedding over a D700 unless you want to
be playing around with knobs and dials all day long and realistically if you
need to shoot for 7 hours plus what would you want a modern day DSLR or a
camera based on a retro design.

This is what is wrong with photography, however not for
people who want a high end product with that retro feel , but for the working pro
it is not an option you would think of.

I think the camera would have been a better design if they had used the sensor from the D600 (without the oily shutter to go with it) and either a 51 point focus system from one of their other models or a new 39 point focus system with the focus points spread out better. Whether it has video does not matter at all to me. The price point it is being sold at seems to make it aimed at the "more money than sense" crowd as it comes up short in the aforementioned categories for any serious shooter to really consider.

I do love this camera. And yes I'm not a professional photographer but an enthusiast. But I used to be a photojournalist for our school paper. Yes, I love this camera because it'll make me look cool and classy. What's wrong with that when its features will do me good? It doesn't capture videos but so what? My first DSLR camera doesn't capture videos too and I have been using that camera for three years now. Besides, this camera will take me back to how photographers from the 70s/80s/90s used their cameras because of the mechanical knobs and stuff.

My take. There are a few "high-end" camera makers (the Arca-Swiss comes to mind) out there who market these products to one class of photographer - those who enjoy complete control. Nikon puts that type of camera into those hands at a reasonable price. My first camera was a Nikon FM2. I still look fondly on the times I had "fiddling" with the knobs. Controlling every aspect of my shot. I think I actually learned more about photography faster back then, than I would have now if I was just starting out. This camera seems to be based on the FE body style (another GREAT camera). I'm cautiously excited about this new Nikon and will (probably) by one because I'm expecting to get the best of both worlds. A camera with modern guts, but manual, physical controls. Yeah, it is nostalgic. But, so is the Fuji x100s, and I LOVE that camera. I just hope the Df performs as well as my x100s. IMHO.

Great article. My greatest issue with the DF is that it was created with one one thing in mind, to prey on those who care more about form than functionality. For the small minority that believes that these new 'features' will be of use, I'm glad you can justify paying such a huge premium because I sure can't. If I wanted nostalgia, I would shoot with my film camera or take some polaroids. And once you get past it's exterior, you will realize that the Df is still just a regular digital camera like everything else. Lipstick on a pig is still a pig. Is it a good business move from Nikon? Maybe, maybe not. I for one do not buy into the whole "pure photography" aspect. Putting on retro dials and taking away video does not make your photography any purer; it just gives you a fashion accessory you can talk about at your next dinner party.

And if it comes to the point where one needs a camera to look different in order to start shooting, then I suggest you start looking into other hobbies. In the end, it's all about the art and photography that matter. Somewhere down the road we've lost sight of that, we've started linking camera's to computers, thinking that the bigger and bigger the numbers are, the better it is. And now that the numbers are starting to plateau, we've moved on to the next step, making our camera's look different, sleeker, shinier, like how Apple did it for laptops. Sure it's a great business idea, but a camera is no different a medium than a paint brush, a typewriter, or a pencil. And yet none of those have been relegated to a status symbol....just cameras. "Pure photography" has nothing to do with what you have in your hands, but what you have in your head. It's about spending more time actually focusing on what you see in front of you, than talking about what you have in your bag. Those are the real roots of photography that I hope we as a community get back to some day.

Putting all the "Pure Photography" marketing mumbo-jumbo aside. Yes and no.

I've bought many (film) cameras in the past and sold them because I didn't like shooting them. What's the point of owning gear you don't want to use? If people like the gear, they will tend to use it more.

My current camera of choice is my new 5.33lbs Mamiya RZ67. I just like it. Love the look of the results I get from it. Sure, I've got a Nikon FF digital, but I love shooting medium format film.

You said: "It's about spending more time actually focusing on what you see in front of you, than talking about what you have in your bag."

I agree, but it doesn't matter what gear they have in front of them. As long as they love the results. It could be a Holga, 4x5 film, Hasselblad 31MP, Leica, Nikon D4, or the DF. Who cares what people shoot.

Also, what's wrong with people talking about the gear in their bag. That doesn't mean they don't use it. is someone with a D4 not allowed to talk about when it's in their bag? This reminds me of the reponse "You don't know me!".

Ok, enough of the randomness.

Also wanted to add that I wonder if any of my film only friends will think about getting this because they loved their older Nikon and this takes over the edge.

When I use the line: 'talking about what's you in your bag', it's a reference to the gearheads who have become an increasing percentage of the community. These are the people who buy the most expensive equipment for the sole purpose of showing it off, not actually using it. I personally know people who've spent tens of thousands of dollars on camera equipment, but use it only once in a blue moon. Yet, they are proud to boast about their collection as if they owned a set of collectibles and at the same time belittle anyone else's equipment if they don't match the same price point. However when it comes to actual photos, they have nothing to show for.

I would just ignore those people. Or, when they start talking about their gear ask them to show you photos from it. :)

The idea is to slow down the photographic process, not speed it up. Photography has become disposable. A camera like this isnt designed to spray and pray intentionally.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/07/nikon-earnings-idUSL3N0IR39F20...

Quote
Nov 7 (Reuters) - Nikon Corp cut its full-year unit sales forecast for high-end cameras for the second quarter in a row on Thursday, as a dramatic fall in demand among photography hobbyists that began last year accelerated faster than expected.

The company posted a 41 percent drop in operating profit to 21.9 billion yen ($222 million) for the six months ended September, saying overseas demand for pricy single-lens reflex models had remained depressed.

It cut its unit sales projection for interchangeable lens cameras to 6.20 million from a previous forecast of 6.55 million, which had predicted the first fall in sales of the format since Nikon's first digital SLR in 1999.

A sharp downturn in the single-lens reflex camera market this year has come as a blow to companies such as Nikon and market leader Canon Inc, after the shrivelling of the compact camera market as consumers switched to smartphones for taking photos. Nikon's imaging unit's operating profit slid 26 percent in the first half to 30.9 billion yen.

Nikon also cut its sales forecast for steppers, multi-million dollar lithography machines that are a vital part of the semiconductor manufacturing process, to 36 from an earlier forecast of 37 machines, saying it had felt the impact of a drop in capex among chipmakers. Operating profit in its precision instruments unit fell 48.2 percent to 3.7 billion yen.

The Japanese firm now claims less than a fifth of the market, down from less than 40 percent a decade ago, as Dutch rival ASML Holdings NV has gained a share of over 80 percent.

I just like taking pictures

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