Why the Nikon Df Won’t Be My Next DSLR

The Nikon Df: The Classic Design of the 1970s SLR in digital form.

From the moment I learned of this camera, I felt as if Nikon had formed an empathic link with me. A digital SLR with traditional controls? An actual shutter-speed dial? The ability to meter with pre-1977 lenses? Wow.

Truth be told, I would feel right at home with this camera. It would be the opportunity to own a classic SLR of an era I hold near and dear, that I would never have to worry about buying film for again. But after considering it carefully, include its price point, I have to say it’s not a done deal for me.

Rear View: Somewhat of an anachronism

The Df is more about fashion that it is about about photography. The retro trend is upon us, and photography is as much a target as anything else. This is not to say that it’s not a very capable camera. After all, it’s essentially a D4. But unlike the D4, or any modern DSLR, it doesn’t shoot video. And for only $200.00 more I can buy a D800 which does, and has the resolution of a medium format camera to boot. Or for $800.00 less, I could have a 24MP full-frame camera that also shoots video. If they had simply taken the guts of the 610 and re-skinned it at a slight premium, it would have been a done deal. While the Df may appeal to my nostalgic side, it doesn’t represent either the best value, or the best performance for one’s dollar. 

The Top Deck: Even more dials than a traditional SLR.

I’m also not on board with it not having a built-in flash, and I wouldn’t want it to. The purist in me tells me it just wouldn’t work. But, one of the greatest things to come to the modern SLR is that flash, and I certainly wouldn’t want to be without it on my primary camera, which my next DSLR, a full-frame DSLR, will surely be. 

I’m definitely following this camera though. I’m a huge proponent of it. And when I say it won’t be my next DSLR, the likelihood exists that one day I may in fact own one.