Nikon Df Unboxing: First Impressions By Chase Jarvis

The new Nikon Df retro styled camera is rustling the feathers of the photography world. People seem to either love it or hate. Today Chase Jarvis unboxes Nikon's newest offering and gives his first impressions. Could the Nikon Df DSLR be the ultimate travel camera or is it just another alternative to the modern DSLR?

Obviously the above video leaves a lot of questions unanswered. After reading Chase's blog post about the Nikon Df, it is clear that the camera is more than capable of producing killer photographs. The ISO clarity is amazing, the resolution is more than what most people need, and besides crazy frames per second and high definition video, many of the features found in Nikon's flagship D4 DSLR are present in this "prosumer" bodied camera. Similar to our own findings after playing with the Df, Chase expresses some frustration with the actual ergonomics of the buttons and the size of the grip. Also the auto focus leaves a lot to be desired especially considering this camera shares the same sensor as the fastest focusing camera Nikon has ever produced.

Mr. Jarvis does bring up an interesting comment when he says "[Nikon] doesn't know what their consumers want. Generally speaking we are not posers. This camera’s appearance it trying too hard."

Which begs us to ask, "Is the Nikon Df camera aimed at traveling photographers who want a smaller professional camera, or novice photographers who want a solid but trendy looking camera?" We will attempt to answer that question here on Fstoppers very soon.

Lee and I are wrapping up our own review of the Nikon Df camera which should be out before the end of the week (it's out now). Our initiall thoughts are much like Chase's in that the Nikon Df camera seems a lot larger than it should be. My understanding was the Df was going to be a smaller packaged full frame DSLR that also came with a cool retro remodel. Instead, the Nikon Df is pretty much a Nikon D4 wrapped up in a retro styled body that is about the same size as the D600 or D800. So who does this new camera appeal to and who will ultimately buy it? Stay tuned of our own findings!