A quick look back at our photographic journey reveals that we've been prioritizing mirrorless cameras, so it's a good time to return to the DSLR realm. And what better way to do it than by visiting a classic? With more than four years on the market, the Nikon D750 has become a benchmark against which its direct competitors are measured, and if you manage to get one, I guarantee you'll have your hands full.
Yes, I know, too much love for mirrorless in recent weeks. The growth of cameras in that class is very fast, and there's plenty of material to cover. While I believe mirrorless will continue to gain ground, DSLRs aren't going anywhere, especially because their main representatives can spend years on the market, with wide availability, impressive support, and accessories for every taste. One of the most notable cases is the Nikon D750. The official page of the Japanese manufacturer places this camera in the professional category, and although its specifications technically are no longer the best... it's still a DSLR beast.
Nikon D750: A touchstone among pro DSLRs
Officially announced in September 2014, the Nikon D750 features a full-frame CMOS sensor with a built-in anti-aliasing filter, 24.3 effective megapixels, and is accompanied by an Expeed 4 image processor. Its ISO sensitivity ranges from 100 to 12,800, with a boost in both directions to 50–51,200, and a shutter speed that extends from 1/4000 to 30 seconds. The camera has a 3.2-inch LCD screen with 1.22 million dots, no touch support, but it's tilting. The viewfinder is an eye-level pentaprism with a maximum coverage of 100 percent and a magnification of 0.7x.
The Nikon D750 has received an optimized variant of the Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus system, with a total of 51 points (15 of which are cross-type), and greater sensitivity in low-light situations (up to -3 EV) when compared to its big sister, the D810. Autofocus coverage is a bit lower than expected considering its performance, but it definitely rises to the occasion. Add to that its three-dimensional tracking and recognition functions, and a very solid face/eye detection that compensates for the movement of the most restless photographers. Image quality is extraordinary with very little noise, which also extends to RAW photography, but a trained eye will likely notice that the Nikon D750 tends to overexpose a little. As for burst, its speed is about 6.5 FPS with a buffer of 44 shots for JPEG, but it drops to 11-13 FPS when using RAW or RAW+JPEG.
The key word when it comes to absorbing the interface of the Nikon D750 is 'customization'. At first glance, it doesn't seem to have major differences from other cameras in the same category, but the truth is you can change the functions of almost every button on the body (including the OK pad on the back). The mode dial holds no surprises: the classic M-A-S-P is there, as well as options for effects and scenes (Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close-up, Night portrait, Night landscape, Party/indoor, Beach/snow, Sunset, Dusk/dawn, Pet portrait, Candlelight, Blossom, Autumn colors, and Gourmet). Both U1 and U2 are programmable, and in casual sessions, Full Auto always comes to the rescue. Below the dial are the shooting modes: Single-frame 'S', Low-speed continuous 'Cl', High-speed continuous 'Ch', Quiet shutter-release 'Q', Quiet continuous 'Qc', Self-timer (the timer), and Mirror up 'Mup'. You can check the rest in the official manual. It's over 500 pages, but don't let that scare you.
Now we get to the video section, and the Nikon D750 fulfills its objective without major complaints, even though it's not one of its priorities. It supports 1080p60/50 and 720p60/50. With those resolutions, the demands on memory cards aren't that great, but since it's a professional camera, the Nikon D750 comes with two slots compatible with UHS-I. As for connectivity, WiFi doesn't go beyond the g standard at 2.4 GHz, and the mobile app leaves a lot to be desired, a weak point that repeats in most brands.
Accessories for the Nikon D750
Four years on the market have allowed this camera to reduce its price notably (more than 500 euros), but it still demands an average of 1,700 euros for the body, or 2,100 euros in a kit that includes a 24-120 lens. Personally, I don't think that's a bad price for a professional DSLR of this quality, and any doubt about its flexibility and robustness vanishes once we discover the impressive number of compatible Nikon D750 accessories that the market offers.
Batteries and power
1,230 shots. That's the battery performance that official data reports for the Nikon D750. A spectacular number by any measure, but I have no doubt that some enthusiasts and many professionals can put it in check. For all of them, two suggestions: A kit made up of the Gloxy GX-D16 grip that includes a second shutter button and two compatible EN-EL15 batteries, and the Gloxy 2-in-1 charger for home and car. The recommended set is identified by the product code "KitGX-D16,VDTS-4604-CH-VDTS-87", which brings together the grip and the charger. With so much capacity at our fingertips, getting a secondary charger is inevitable.
Tripods and supports
With a total weight of 755 grams (battery included), the Nikon D750 can become quite heavy once you start adding accessories, and the most reasonable conclusion is to play it safe. For a tripod for the Nikon D750, the first alternative is the Gloxy GX-T6662A made of aluminum alloy, with a maximum height of 1.62 meters and a maximum load of 10 kilograms. Now, if you need a more compact solution, the Clampod Takeway T1 won't disappoint you. It looks small in your hand, but it supports up to 40 kilograms, and you can attach much more than a DSLR to it.
Backpacks and bags
A DSLR with its accessories equals backpacks or bags, and the Nikon D750 is no exception. You'll probably move a lot of gear when using it, and space is the last thing you should negotiate. That leads us to recommend the larger version of the Gloxy Pro AW, which for less than 55 euros will give you a roomy, padded, and customizable interior, wide straps that make transport more comfortable, and an external waterproof cover for extra protection of your hardware. For a quick session that only requires the body and one lens, it's not a bad idea to complement the backpack with a Lowepro Toploader Zoom 55 AW II bag, which also comes with a waterproof cover and several auxiliary pockets.
Flashes
Earlier we mentioned that the Nikon D750 performs excellently in low-light situations, but a little help never hurts. Fortunately, getting one or two flashes isn't an impossible task. First, the Gloxy GX-F1000N stands alongside any professional flash without breaking the budget. And second, its little brother Gloxy TR-985 leaves 40 euros on the table without sacrificing too many specs (for example, the guide number drops from 58 to 54). Both come with a stand, diffuser case, and something else: free shipping for the Christmas season. Take advantage!
Lenses
Adopting a Nikon camera guarantees a formidable availability of lenses, which is especially true with the D750. Your final strategy will depend on whether you get the kit or just the body, but our selection should cover all cases. First, the Irix Firefly wide angle, available in 15 and 11 millimeters. If you need extreme viewing angles for exteriors and interiors alike, neither of these options will fail you. Second, the Tamron 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 AF LD, a low-cost wildcard that you can squeeze in more casual sessions without sacrificing quality. Finally, the new Irix Dragonfly 150mm macro lens. We recently talked about its imminent launch, and as could not be otherwise, its compatibility with Nikon cameras is total. The lenses can be found under the reference "0713043558,0713464498".
If you're thinking about 4K video, the Nikon D750 is not for you, and you should look at models like the Sony Alpha A7 III. If you want a budget DSLR, the Nikon D750 isn't for you either, and you might feel more comfortable with the Sony Alpha A68 or the Pentax K-S2. That said, if your priority is solid autofocus, decent burst, good low-light performance, a nearly endless battery, enviable function customization, formidable image quality, and uncompromising compatibility, then the Nikon D750 is for you, and it's worth every penny. Good luck!
