NIKON D750 FOR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY – REVIEW
Since I’m a full time professional photographer, the question I’ll try to answer in this review is: can the Nikon D750be used for professional wedding photography? It’s not an easy question to answer, because there are numerous factors to consider, and the first factor is obviously the photographer’s particular style of shooting. I’ll try to respond based on my own actual experiences and real needs in the course of a day’s work, comparing the Nikon D750 with the camera I currently use (check out my ShotKit to see what’s in my backpack), and thus not limiting myself to evaluating solely technical aspects.
GENERAL FEATURES
- Sensor: CMOS (35.9×24.0mm), 24.3 Million
- Sensor Pixel Size: 5.9µ
- Image Size: 6,016 x 4,016
- Native ISO Sensitivity: ISO 100-12,800
- Image Processor: EXPEED 4
- Storage Media: 2x SD
- Continuous Shooting Speed: 6.5 FPS
- Max Shutter Speed: 1/4000 to 30 sec
- Exposure Metering Sensor: 91,000-pixel RGB sensor 3D Color Matrix Metering III
- Autofocus System: Advanced Multi-CAM 3500FX II
- Number of AF Points: 51 AF points, 15 cross-type
- Detection Range: -3 to +19 EV (ISO 100, 68°F/20°C)
- Wi-Fi Functionality: Built-in
- Battery Life: 1,230 shots (CIPA)
- Weight (Body Only): 750g
- Dimensions: 140.5 x 113 x 78mm
THE CAMERA – FIRST LOOK & HANDS ON
At first glance, in terms of size and appearance, the Nikon D750 doesn’t seem at all to have a PRO body, in fact it looks just like an entry level full frame camera, like the Nikon D610. The multi-function dial at the top is identical, in terms of its conception, to that on all non-professional-level Nikons, as well as all PRO Canons, like the Canon 5D MK III.
I don’t really understand why Nikon made this choice in designing the Nikon D750! The dials we professionals expect and are used to from Nikon are unquestionably well designed and constructed, and above all are easy to use in work sessions, which is their most important trait. The camera body is fairly small, and might lead one to think that it won’t offer proper balancing when using heavy and/or large lenses like the Nikon 70-200 f 2.8 – I won’t get into this aspect, because I don’t like to use those types of lenses.
In the hand, one immediately notes the Nikon D750’s fantastic ergonomics. It’s easy to hold firmly, and lighter in weight compared to my Nikon D810 (747 gr vs 880 gr – according to my scale – and those grams make all the difference). The Fn button, which I customize on all of my cameras, is in a different position than on all other Nikon PRO bodies (Nikon D800, D810, D4 and D4s), and this gave me a few problems the first time I used the camera, since I put it to a lot of use. The tiltable LCD monitor is extremely intuitive and easy to use, really well designed! The double slot SD is absolutely indispensable for work, at least for me, as I’m all for in-camera backup.
IN ACTION
Before noting my impressions in this post, I shot a total of 5 weddings and one engagement with the Nikon D750, and I have to admit that the first time I tried it in the field, the experience was a combination of , “hmm, I would have hoped for something better” at the start of the day and “Whoa!” in the second half of the day! The camera responds really quickly to commands and passes swiftly into and out of Live View mode, which is something I check with every new camera because I use it often during my work – at the moment, the best Nikon in terms of flow and reactivity is without a doubt the Nikon D4s. The multi-function dial isn’t really that inconvenient, although it’s a step behind others, but it’s more an aesthetic issue than a real hindrance while I’m working. The only shortcoming I noted with regard to handiness had to do with the customization of the Fn button, but I compensated by adapting my shooting style and customizing the Pv button, which is in more or less the same position as on other Nikon PRO cameras.
SHUTTER SPEED
The 1/4000 shutter speed was the first hassle I had to deal with. I’d set out with the idea that having 1/8000 and 200 ISO – like the beloved old Nikon D700 – was the same as having 1/4000 and 100 ISO, so I didn’t think there was any need to shut the diaphragm to get the exposure I wanted, but unfortunately that wasn’t the case. When you use only fixed lenses and favor full aperture shots as I do, not having the 1/8000 speed available becomes annoying, especially if you’re a photographer who tends to underexpose (like me).
