It's no secret that I, personally, have some mixed feelings about the Nikon Df. I've written a brief opinion piece here describing my frustration at the Df winning a Red Dot design award, had conversations with many pro photographers on either side of the debate (Fer Juaristi rocks a pair of Df cameras), and even debated on adding one of them to my bag. All previous news and personal opinions aside, I think this is a little silly. As of yesterday, Nikon has announced the limited availability of special edition gold Df camera bodies and kit 50mm lenses in Japan.
As initially reported over at Nikon Rumors, these blinged out cameras will be available in limited numbers starting in December of 2014 at a price of $2,685 for a body and $2,870 for a kit (which includes a 50mm f/1.8). As seen in the images below the changes are minimal, with all of the chrome metal (with the exception of hot shoe, tripod socket, and lens mount) replaced with, what I assume is, faux gold.
Below are the images from the Nikon press release:
[Via Nikon Rumors]
http://stuffpoint.com/cats/image/144169-cats-i-need-dis.jpg
It's a Japan only release. I'm sure it will sell quickly. I'm amazed by how many people in forums hate this camera. If it's not for you, don't buy it. The people who want it aren't "hipsters" or whatever other insult you want to throw at them, their taste is just different than yours or their pockets are deeper. End of story.
what a silly idea. only people who nothing better to waste money on would buy these. why use the 50 1.8 and not a better one ?
Because, looks aside, that 50mm f/1.8 is better than you think.
Atrocious. Gawdy. Hideous.
nothing to see people Move On
Nikon, instead of adding gold to an expensive, but mediocre camera, you should've dropped a DX sensor in there and sold it for $700. Every hipster in American would have one.
That's exactly what I've been saying, Greg. Would have liked to see them pop in the D7.1k sensor and target the Fuji crowd. I still think a black Df would be a pretty sweet second body for screwing around / weekends / vacations. :)
I agree, I like the way the camera looks and I would've bought one if they came with a kit lens for around $1,200. Had this camera been priced between their consumer gear and the D610 I think they would've sold a lot more units and received less criticism. Pricing this camera so close to the D800/810 doesn't make sense to me.
The Df isn't a general market camera. It's targeted at geezers, particularly well-heeled ones at that. You'll find plenty of them in Asia, and other parts of the world. This particular incarnation of it will sell out in Japan.
Everybody relax. Its a Japan only release, people there like collectables. You guys act like Nikon insulted your mother.
Not gonna lie, I really wouldn't mind the special edition 50mm with the gold ring. That's pretty cool.
Why is it that Sony are so strong in innovation, and Nikon and Canon keeps staying in the past? This is just another sign of that. Appealing to the past might garner support by hipsters, but technology is bound to go in the direction of making photography more innovative, more software and hardware support for sending content wirelessly, seeing live-view on devices, syncing positions, and having software functions to set exposures longer than 30s, etc. etc. etc. - but Nikon makes another retro-looking camera?
If this keeps up for another 10 years or so I think we'll just remember Nikon and Canon for their nice lenses while Sony and Panasonic gobbles up the market?
I'm shocked that pro-level cameras don't come with some sort of wireless sync. I want to be able to leave a shoot and when I get home, see my photos waiting for me in Light Room. Every time I pop my cards out and stick them in the reader I feel like I'm rewinding a VHS tape.
Damn that is sexy.
Hooray, GOLD! It will allow me to take better pictures than the regular Df! What will they think of next? Diamond lenses?
As these concepts go, this really isn't a bad looking camera. It's very understated and reserved, compared to the Brikk, earlier gold Nikon FA and Canon F editions. I'm surprised however that they didn't plate the hot shoe as well. This will sell like hotcakes in Japan.
It's a nice collection item if you have the deep pockets for it. My standard, bacteria full Canon EOS 6D is my precious thing, but i would not mind getting my hands on this Df.
The original Df is some sort of an art thing, good camera sure, but its more like a collection item than a practical DSLR (IMHO).
Shame we will see this beauty on shelves other than serving their purpose on earth, take nice photos.