Nikon reveals retro inspired Df DSLR

Nikon Df
The Nikon Df will be available in silver and black

Nikon has introduced the Df, a DSLR with a classic, retro design and top of the line digital sensor, which has been taken from the D4, Nikon's flagship professional DSLR.

The Df, which is very much styled after Nikon's heritage DSLRs is the lightest Nikon camera to feature a full-frame sensor. That sensor is a 16.2 million pixel 35mm device, which has already proven its worth in the D4.

Nikon Df

To use a technical term, it looks a 'bit retro'

Other features taken directly from the D4 include a sensitivity range of ISO 100-12,800, which is expandable down to ISO 50 and up to ISO 204,800, and an Expeed 3 image processor.

Mechanical dials which control key settings including sensitivity, shutter speed and exposure compensation help to give the camera its retro look, while also making it quick to make changes.

The body of the camera is made from a lightweight magnesium alloy which means the camera is only 710g (without battery) which is also dust and moisture resistant to the same class as the D800.

Long life

Durability of the shutter unit has been tested to 150,000 cycles, while the camera boasts a maximum shutter speed of 1/4000 second. An energy-saving design means that the camera should manage around 1,400 shots per charge.

Nikon has made the Df compatible with vintage non-AI (Nikon's automatic indexing system introduced in 1977) lenses, as well as current Nikkor models, which should give any owners of classic stock a bit of a buzz.

Nikon Df

The lens mount is a Nikon F, as you'd expect

Although some had predicted that Nikon would follow Sony down the route of a mirrorless full-frame model, the Df features a traditional mirror design which means it has an optical pentaprism viewfinder which offers 100% coverage. This is joined by a 3.2 inch 921k dot fixed reinforced LCD screen.

Nikon will be marketing the camera with a special edition of the 50mm f/1.8G lens, with the company saying it has no plans to make the camera available to buy body only.

Nikon Df

The camera will be sold with a 50mm f/1/.8 lens

The Nikon Df price will be £2,749.99 (with the 50mm lens) and it will be available in black or silver with black highlights. Sales are expected to start from 28 November.

Amy Davies

Amy has been writing about cameras, photography and associated tech since 2009. Amy was once part of the photography testing team for Future Publishing working across TechRadar, Digital Camera, PhotoPlus, N Photo and Photography Week. For her photography, she has won awards and has been exhibited. She often partakes in unusual projects - including one intense year where she used a different camera every single day. Amy is currently the Features Editor at Amateur Photographer magazine, and in her increasingly little spare time works across a number of high-profile publications including Wired, Stuff, Digital Camera World, Expert Reviews, and just a little off-tangent, PetsRadar. 

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