Nikon D750 Preview

This is my preview of the Nikon D750, I have not held, used, sniffed or done anything with this camera. This is a preview which means I run down the specs and give you my thoughts on what this camera has or does not have.

Based on the specs and price of the camera I think this may be one of the BEST DSLR’s
Nikon has ever made. This camera has a great price point, amazing specs, solid photo capabilities and even more solid video ones.

Let’s take a look at what I think are the most important specs of the Nikon D750.

Price: $2299.95

This is a very interesting price point considering its roughly $300-$400 more than the D610 depending on what deals and specials are being ran. The question people are going to have to ask themselves is, should I spend the extra few hundred on glass or a more well rounded body. I will get into comparing this camera with the Nikon D610 down below.

24.3 Megapixel “Newly Designed” CMOS Sensor

This sensor size puts this camera in the same league as the D610. I did ask Nikon if this is the same sensor that is in the D610 but they did not have a concrete answer to give. If I had to guess I would think it’s similar but with some tweaks, thus the “Newly Designed” moniker.

Generally speaking this is going to create a very solid nicely sized image. For those who like to crop you will have a lot of wiggle room to play with when doing so. But like I always say try to fill the frame as much as possible to give you the best quality images.

Expeed 4 Processor

Not much to say here other than this is what processes your photos and videos. You can find more information about this below in the press release.

ISO Range 100-12,800 expandable to H2 51,200

This is a massive ISO range that will be great for studio shooters as well as low light shooters. Having the ability to expand so high but maintain quality allows us to capture images we could never have captured previously.

I expect that the images coming out of this camera are going to be very nice all the way across the ISO range. I will need to test it out to see the results at 6,400 ISO as that tends to be as far as I like to push these type of cameras.

You never know, I could be pleasantly surprised at the results that come off of this sensor at higher ISO’s.

Picture Styles

Generally speaking I do not worry to much about the picture styles for still images. The only reason I make tweaks for the picture control is so that the preview of the image has some sharpness and contrast added. The RAW file will not be effect by these changes to your picture control.

But as you get into shooting video you have to pay attention to your picture styles as they bake the results into your final video. That is where the FLAT picture style comes in to play that has been added to the D750. Film makers like to have the video come out of the camera flat or as untouched as possible so they can color grade it later.

I know this is a feature that the professionals are very happy to see in cameras.

6.5 Frame Per Second

When I look back at my first DSLR, the D2H that was 4.1 megapixels and shot 8 FPS and I see that the D750 now does 6.5 but at 24 I am blown away. This frame rate is in a very good spot. It’s not overly slow 2 or 3 a second or to many 8-10, it’s right there at 6.5 FPS.

Keep in mind the reason you motor drive is when you need to get a quick burst of 3 or 4 shots. It’s not meant to hold your finger down and shoot for seconds at a time.

In past cameras when you add the vertical grips you may be able to get more FPS but in this case you will not.

Autofocus System

Nikon has included the professional 51 point af system that is similar to the D810 and D4s. This means your focus points extend further into the viewfinder unlike the D610 that clumped 39 of them more into the center of the frame. Fifteen of the points are cross type which will help you tremendously with your focus.

Being that this is a professional auto focus system the Group Area AF now extends down from the D810 and D4s to the D750. I love this mode for shooting action and moving subjects as it allows me to better follow and focus on my subjects.

Memory Card Options

Like with most of the Nikon cameras these days there are two SD Card slots. You have the option of setting it so stills go to one and video goes to the other. I personally would put two cards in the camera so that my RAW files are automatically backed up to the second card. With video you can not record to both cards at the same time.

If you are looking for video backup you can use an Atomos to record your video and unlike past cameras you can also record to the SD card at the same time. This is great for those who would like a backup to their Atomos while recording.

Shutter Life

The shutter is rated for 150,000 actuations which I still have never gotten close to with any of my DSRL’s. The top shutter speed is 1/4000th of a second vs 1/8000th in the higher end cameras. This is not to big of a deal but something to be aware of.

LCD Screen

There is a 3.2 inch 3 axis hinging screen that does not rotate. From what I am told is it’s very sturdy and built to work very well. It allows for 90 degree angles above your head or holding the camera below you. This is the first time this type of screen is being used on a Nikon. The only thing this screen does not do is rotate around.

Battery

The D750 uses the same ENEL-15 battery that you will find from the D7000/ D7100/ D600 /D610/ D800 and D810. I love the fact that I can have six batteries on my shelf that will work in so many different models.

The Body

Nikon was really pushing the weight and how thin the body was. They talked about how they moved around different parts in the camera to allow for a very light and thin offering. The body weights in at 750 grams and at its thinest point it is 43 1/2 mm.

I can’t comment on how it actually feels as I have not held onto this body just yet.

Wifi Built In

Wifi is built into the camera without having to remove the flash. This means there will probably be an app for your phone so you can control all functions as well as possibly seeing a preview from the live view.

This should also help with allowing you to wirelessly transfer images to other devices like phones and ipads.

Video

Nikon stressed how the D750 has the same professional features and functions of the D810. That means for the firs time in a “non pro” body you have full manual control during recording. This is a welcomed feature for those who shoot a ton of video.

Frame Rate

You now can shoot at 1080 at 60 FPS which allows for full HD slow motion.

Auto ISO

The pro feature which I have used in my D4s is simply amazing. When you set Auto ISO for video you can lock your shutter speed and aperture in and the camera will smoothly transition the ISO depending on the lighting situation you are in.
This is great for when you go from a dark scene like a garage to a bright scene outside the garage.

That is a rundown of what I think are the most important specs of the D750. This just may be one of the best Nikon DSLR’s they have ever made.

D750 vs D610 vs D810

This is going to be the question for many people out there. Should I go with the D750, D610 or the D810. This can go many ways and I will be making a comparison video when I can have all three of them in my hands at once.

I think this is more of a decision between the D610 and D750. Right now there is a $400 price difference which does make you pause when deciding what to do. You have to ask yourself, do you want to spend the money on a more professional auto focus and video system or will you take that money and invest it into glass.

Here is how I look at it. If you are a hobbyist the D610 is a fantastic camera. If you are looking for either a backup camera or a prime camera for shooting weddings, sports, portraits or pretty much anything professionally, the D750 should serve well.

This camera spec wise seems like it’s a winner. It seems like it gives you the best of both worlds, price and professional offerings. I personally could see using this camera to shoot just about anything. But the real telling factor will come when I purchase mine from Allens Camera.
That’s right, I will be purchasing this camera right off the bat to put it through it’s paces. No more unboxings and sniff tests without actual real world tests.

For the official press release please read below. If you would like to purchase one of these cameras please support AllensCamera.com

SERIOUSLY CAPABLE, SURPRISINGLY COMPACT: PACKING PRO FEATURES AND FX-FORMAT IMAGE QUALITY, THE NIKON D750 IS THE FULL-FRAME D-SLR THAT’S BEEN WORTH WAITING FOR

Along With the D750, Nikon Announces Attractive New Offerings for Advanced Enthusiast and Professional Photographers, Including the SB-500 Speedlight and AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED Lens

MELVILLE, NY (September 12, 2014 at 12:01 A.M. EDT) Today, Nikon Inc. announced the D750, the D-SLR that provides adept enthusiasts with the powerful combination of pro-caliber photo and video features with FX-format image quality. The new D750 represents a leap forward for this camera segment, inheriting some of the best elements from Nikon’s revered full-frame professional cameras, with new and refined features aimed at sparking creativity and sharing with built-in Wi-Fi. Additionally, Nikon has also announced the SB-500, a versatile yet compact multimedia Speedlight, and Nikon’s fastest ultra wide-angle lens yet, the new AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED. These new products easily supplement a professional’s kit, while making it more appealing than ever for enthusiasts to discover the intense and immersive image quality that only an FX-format sensor can offer.
“The Nikon D750 is the camera many have been waiting for; never before has this level of functionality and vast feature set been offered in a full frame D-SLR, at such an attractive price,” said Masahiro Horie, Director of Marketing and Planning, Nikon Inc. “These new products, including the SB-500 Speedlight and 20mm f/1.8 lens are meant to directly address those who care about image quality and want the gear that will help drive their passion to the next level.”

Serious Features for Advanced Shooters

The new Nikon D750 provides professional-level features and performance in a durable, lightweight body. Whether the user is an advanced enthusiast or seasoned pro in need of a second body, the D750 easily complements any photographic discipline with a pro-caliber capability.

Sharp landscapes and portraits are simple with Nikon’s advanced 51-point AF system, the same used on Nikon’s high-end D-SLRs. The Advanced Multi-Cam 3500-FX II AF focus system also easily tracks fast moving wildlife or sports, even at the rapid, high-speed burst rate of 6.5 frames per second (fps), at full resolution. Similar to the Nikon D4S, the D750 features the 91,000-pixel 3D Color Matrix Meter III and its blazing fast AF system uses 15 cross-type AF sensors for enhanced accuracy, with 11 cross-type sensors that are fully functional up to f/8.

In addition to normal, wide area, face priority and subject tracking AF modes, the D750 also features the new Group Area AF mode for enhanced accuracy. Challenging light such as a poorly lit wedding reception is also no problem for the D750, as the AF system has been improved with the ability to lock on to subjects in as little as -3 EV illumination, a first for any Nikon D-SLR.

The D750 is Nikon’s first FX-format D-SLR with a tilting Vari-Angle LCD, with robust construction to meet the needs of working in the field. The precision 3.2-inch, 1,229K dot screen tilts to accommodate shooting overhead, at waist level and is ideal for shooting photos or HD video on a tripod. For those serious about using a D-SLR for video, the D750 delivers the same level of functionality found in the Nikon D810, with the maximum amount of manual control that’s essential for production applications.

Next Level Image Quality

The Nikon D750 features a newly developed 24.3-MP FX-format CMOS sensor to provide adept photographers with image quality that’s nothing short of astounding; with rich colors, beautiful gradation and a vast dynamic range. A myriad of other intelligent features help photographers to unlock their potential to create and share vibrant, tack-sharp images that takes an imaginative story from concept to reality.

 The new Nikon D750 features the EXPEED 4 Image Processing Engine, similar to the pro-level D810 and D4S. In addition to increasing energy efficiency and performance, EXPEED 4 contributes to the overall image excellence with noise reduction performance and other benefits.

 Whether shooting a vista bathed in full sun to a reception in minimal light, the camera produces images with exceptionally low noise in a variety of lighting conditions. The broad ISO range extends from 100-12,800, expandable from (Lo-1) 50 to (Hi-2) 51,200.

 Highlight Weighted Metering is ideal for capturing stage performances and events, preventing blown-out highlights in photo and video.

 The D750 also features the latest generation of Nikon’s Advanced Picture Control settings. The “Clarity” setting enhances midtones to emphasize intense image details and “Flat” Picture control is used for a broad tonal range, which is ideal for photo and video applications. Picture controls are also customizable in .25 increments, for maximum versatility in any shooting situation.

Full Control of Advanced Video Features

The D750 features the same level of advanced video functionality as the Nikon D810, an HD-SLR known in studios and on-set for its professional production pedigree. The camera can capture video in Full HD 1920×1080 resolution at 60/30/24p and gives videographers and multimedia artists full manual control, including aperture adjustment. Like D810, the Power Aperture feature provides smooth transitions while adjusting the aperture during recording, and in manual mode, users can control shutter speed and ISO.

The D750’s compact size and affordability will make it a welcome addition to any production environment, as will its FX and DX-format crop modes that make it a snap to adjust the focal range without swapping lenses. Implementing another indispensable feature on-set, footage can be recorded to the dual SD memory card slots, or simultaneously output to an external recorder or monitor via HDMI for a variety of applications. Camera operators will also enjoy features such as headphone and microphone jacks, Zebra stripes to spot overexposed areas, as well as the ability to select frequency ranges for the internal stereo microphone. For time lapse, the camera utilizes Exposure Smoothing, a great feature that creates balanced exposure transitions between frames when using the time lapse or intervalometer feature.

FX-Format Connectivity

The Nikon D750 is Nikon’s first full frame D-SLR to include built-in Wi-Fi, which enables photographers to both share their images and capture remotely. Using Nikon’s free Wireless Mobile Utility App1, users can connect with their compatible mobile device, such as a smart phone or tablet. Once connected, a tap on the screen engages auto focus, while the camera can be triggered remotely, making it easy to position the camera in areas where access could be difficult. Once downloaded, users can also utilize popular applications and social networks to seamlessly share images, bringing the exciting image quality of full-
frame to the feeds of friends and family, on the fly. The feature can also be used to scout and send location photos to clients, or instantly deliver photos processed with the in-camera editing features.

For professional photographers and videographers, the camera also has the capability to transmit images over FTP using the WT-5a wireless transceiver plus the UT-1 Communications Unit. With these optional accessories, the camera can be triggered and controls operated in HTTP mode using the web browser of a mobile device. Live view as well as start/stop recording can also be enabled remotely, providing the ability to capture otherwise impossible footage, for example when the camera is mounted on a crane.

Command Agility and Durability

The camera is manufactured using a “monocoque” structural skin technique, which adopts durable carbon fiber for the front body and front cover, and resilient magnesium alloy for the rear cover and top cover. The resulting camera body is the ideal balance of substantial build quality and compact, yet lightweight design for comfortable all-day shooting.

The structure is also sealed and gasketed to resist dust and moisture, and the shutter has been tested to 150,000 cycles. To further enhance build quality, the 3.2-inch tilting Vari-Angle LCD screen is joined to the camera using a durable three-axis metal mount, designed to withstand the rigors of professional use. Users can also opt to compose through a bright viewfinder with 100% frame coverage, with shooting info displayed using organic EL illumination.

From a newlywed’s first kiss to a bouquet toss, a split-second can make or break an image; ergonomics and the ability to quickly adjust camera functions are important factors to consider for enthusiasts and pros. The new body design ensures a secure and comfortable grip regardless of the size of user’s hands, while button placement is considered for peak performance.

Comprehensive Photographic System

Whether upgrading a current system or switching to Nikon’s legendary image quality, Nikon offers an all-inclusive system of NIKKOR Lenses, Speedlights and accessories for every type of photographer. The Nikon D750 is compatible with more than 80 FX and DX-format NIKKOR lenses, the same optics that have built a lasting legacy of amazing image quality with brilliant sharpness and faithful color reproduction. For those upgrading from a DX-format lens system the D750 can also shoot in DX mode at 10.3-megapixels. The camera is compatible with Nikon’s Creative Lighting System (CLS) using the camera’s built in flash to control remote Speedlights for creative lighting possibilities. The new MB-D16 battery pack will also be released with the camera, to provide users with extended battery life as well as a functional vertical grip.

AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED: Fast Ultra Wide-Angle Lens

The AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED is the latest addition to Nikon’s popular f/1.8 series of FX-format lenses, which provide enthusiast photographers with fast, quality optics at an attractive price. This is Nikon’s first ultra wide angle lens with an f/1.8 aperture, allowing users to shoot in challenging light and create images with a pleasing separation between subject and background. With a 94-degree angle of view (FX), the lens is ideal for architecture, interiors, wide-angle landscape and creative group portraits. When paired with the compact D750, this lens is also a great solution for video applications that call for shooting in cramped quarters. This AF-S lens provides whisper quiet and fast autofocus capability, an internal focus design, and features Nikon’s exclusive Nano Crystal Coat to reduce instances of ghost and flare.

SB-500: Versatile and Compact Video Speedlight

The SB-500 Speedlight is an exciting addition to Nikon’s Speedlight lineup, offering users the unbeatable yet versatile combination of a compact yet powerful Speedlight and LED video light, covering a wide 16mm/24mm (FX/DX). The controls on the SB-500 are simplified, making it easy to explore the
possibilities of creative lighting with Speedlights. For full control over illumination, the head of the Speedlight has a 90-degree vertical swivel to bounce light off ceilings, and rotates 180-degrees for soft lighting effects. For remote lighting possibilities, the SB-500 Speedlight can be integrated into a CLS system with two-group/two-channel control. The powerful LED light (100 lux) is a great option for lighting video, and can be operated independently. Additionally, the SB-500 Speedlight is also powered by only two AA batteries, reducing both its weight and size.

Price and Availability

The Nikon D750 D-SLR will be available in late September for the suggested retail price (SRP) of $2299.95* (body only). The Nikon D750 will also be available as a kit with the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4 VR lens in mid-October. The MB-D16 battery pack/grip will be available for $485.00 SRP. The AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED will be available in late September for an SRP of $799.95. The SB-500 Speedlight will also be available in late September for $249.95 SRP. For more information about these models, NIKKOR lenses or to download the new Capture NX-D software, please visit www.nikonusa.com.