dan_brown4

<p>I did quite a bit of side-by-side testing with the Df between AF, Focus Indicator, and Matt Screen focusing with several focal lengths and speeds. AF was always the most consistently accurate, Focus Indicator and Matt Screen were generally tied for second place, and hard to decide between the two.<br> <br /> One good thing about the Df is that the diopter adjustment has finer click gradations (than the D800), so I could get a sharper viewfinder image, and could therefore Matt Screen focus more easily.</p> <p>Don't go by what I say because eyesight, lenses, subjects, and personal preferences come into play. But, I always AF unless I use a MF lens, and then I Matt Screen focus that (slowly and carefully). If it's a wide lens, then I scale focus and rely on depth of field.</p> <p>My tests never indicated that the Df was easier or more accurate at Matt Screen focusing than the D800. Many say that it is, but that has never been my experience.</p> <p> </p>

<p>Chuckle. There's some wisdom in that. And, maybe a word limit on posts to this forum. The penultimate post is over 1000 words. Who's got time to read all that LOL?</p> <p>God bless you Andrew, your passion is undeniable :-)</p>

<p>The 28-70/f3.5-4.5D-AF Nikkor would be about the best choice in that focal length range. It weights 13.3oz. (Note, it does have a rotating filter ring when focusing). This was the kit lens with the N90s, and it has an aspherical element. I did some tests and it betters most all of the lenses of that era, and even holds its own with modern G series Nikkors. For example, it is sharper than the 28-85, particularly at the wider end. It is also better than the 24-50, the 35-70, the 35-85, the 28-105, and the 35-105 D-AF Nikkors. Here's a picture of it on my Df, which I posted in another thread as well.</p> <p><img src="http://www.dlaab.com/photo/Df/Df2870.JPG" alt="" /></p> <p> </p>

Manual focus is no better than the D700, IMHO.

Nice 200, that will be cool. The Df caused me to rediscover the range of AF-D Nikkors from back around 2000. There are some real gems (and a few dogs), and it is affordable and enjoyable to try them out. That 70-210 was Bargain grade at KEH, and fairly cheap. Another really great little one-lens kit is the 35-105/3.5-4.5D-AF push-pull zoom. That lens is optically very good, compact, and solid as a rock. You just don't get focus closer than about 2.5 feet. Fits the Df to perfection, must-have lens, IMHO.

Thanks Roy, and Simon. I would like a second Df, maybe I should trade my D800 and get a Silver one? I'd put the 70- 210/f4.0-5.6D-AF tele-zoom on it and go into event-shooter mode :-)

<p>With 5 months of regular use, I can say that the Df is the ideal FX digital camera for me. Plan to keep it indefinitely. In fact, heading up to Wisconsin in June for a family wedding and vacation, and all I'll take is the Df with 28-70/3.5-4.5D-AF and 85/1.8D-AF in a little Domke bag. Very nice to travel with, very competent at taking great pictures, a true pleasure to shoot with.<br> <img src="http://dlaab.com/photo/Df/Df2870.JPG" alt="" /></p>

<p>Personal preference, but I would take the F100 with your 28/50, and get a 70-200/4 VR to round it out.</p> <p>Reason being, your 28 and 50 are both superlative lenses, but I'd want VR on the longer lens so I could shoot mostly all handheld. Then, I'd be thinking about something very wide, like an 18 or 20.</p>

The Zeiss 21 mm Distigon is widely regarded as one of the best wide angle lenses.

50 mm if you mostly photograph people. 35 mm if you mostly photograph places.

<p>Is there a product that can turn the grayish-white rubber back to black?</p> <p>LIke on my 300/4 AF-S.</p> <p><img src="http://dlaab.com/photo/300AFS.b.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="689" /></p>