📷 Why I Still Shoot DSLR: The D810, the D700, and the Art of Enoughness
- Ian Miller
- Sep 11
- 2 min read
In an age of mirrorless marvels and algorithmic autofocus, continuing to shoot with a DSLR might seem quaint—anachronistic, even. But for me, it’s neither nostalgia nor stubbornness. It’s a conscious choice rooted in practice, philosophy, and the quiet power of enoughness.
🛠 The D810 and D700: A Dual Manifesto
My Nikon D810 has over 330,000 shutter actuations. That’s well beyond its rated lifespan, yet it continues to deliver clean files, consistent exposures, and a tactile shooting experience that newer systems often sacrifice for sleekness. It’s not just surviving—it’s thriving.
Alongside it, I carry the Nikon D700—a 12MP full-frame DSLR that’s often described as “the digital F100.” It’s a camera with soul. Its files are rich, its colors honest, and its responsiveness immediate. Where the D810 offers precision and tonal depth, the D700 brings emotional grit and intuitive speed. Together, they form a kind of creative yin-yang: one for deliberate witnessing, the other for instinctive response.
🧭 Why DSLR Still Matters
Optical Viewfinder: There’s something irreplaceable about seeing the world unmediated—no lag, no simulation. Just light, glass, and intention.
Ergonomics: The D810’s heft grounds me; the D700’s grip feels like an old friend. Both invite presence.
Legacy Lens Compatibility: Rediscovering old glass like the Nikkor 35–105mm f/3.5–4.5 AF isn’t just technical—it’s emotional. These lenses carry stories, quirks, and character that shape how I see.
🧠 Enoughness Over Acquisition
I teach creative restraint. Not as austerity, but as liberation. These DSLRs embody that ethos. They don’t tempt me with firmware updates or AI tracking—they invite me to trust my eye, my timing, my process. In a world obsessed with upgrades, they remind me that mastery isn’t about more—it’s about meaning.
🩺 From Clinic to Camera
As a former nurse, I’ve learned that tools matter—but presence matters more. Whether documenting surgical teams or street scenes in Phnom Penh, the D810 and D700 become extensions of that care. They’re not just capturing—they’re witnessing. And that’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly.
🖼 A Teaching Tool
For my students, these cameras are lessons in intentionality. They’re proof that high-mileage gear can still teach, still inspire, still perform. They challenge us to resist the siren song of specs and instead ask: What do I need to tell this story? Often, the answer isn’t new—it’s already in your hands.
🧳 Final Thoughts
Continuing to use solid DSLR technology isn’t a strange decision. It’s a principled one. It’s about honoring the tools that shaped us, trusting the process that grounds us, and choosing depth over distraction. The D810 and D700 aren’t just cameras—they’re companions. And in their quiet reliability, I find clarity, confidence, and creative freedom.
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