What I use: Nikon D750
Above: Nikon D750, Nikkor AF-D 35mm f/2 lens and a Domke Gripper strap. I could easily shoot most of my work with this simple set-up.
Cameras are a personal choice. While effectively a tool to allow photographers to create and capture, they evoke such passion among their users and fans. I’ve used Nikon cameras for years, and my digital camera of choice – the Nikon D750.
Let me get something out of the way: I love film. I still shoot film. I prefer to shoot film. I love film cameras and my shelf is stocked with Nikons of ages past – F3HP, FE2, FM3A, F4, a classic Nikon F, and even a Nikkormat FTN.
But a camera is only as good as the lens in front of it and much of my love for film and Nikon cameras is in the lenses; the Nikkor AI-s series is legendary – and some focal lengths are still made. I’m lucky to own several Nikkor AI-s lenses – in 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 105mm and 135mm; and a few earlier non-AI lenses – a 28, 50, and 135 – for the Nikon F and Nikkormat.
Above: Nikon D750 with Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI-s lens and a few friends including a Nikon FM3A with Nikkor 35mm f/2.8 AI-s lens
But it’s a different time, and while I relish any opportunity to load up one of my old Nikons with some Ilford HP5, the reality is that I mostly need to shoot digital. For that, I have chosen the Nikon D750.
I’ll leave the Nikon vs Canon debate for others. I don’t know why these debates exist but do know that people love conflict and people love competition. It’s why we have Coke vs Pepsi, Mac vs PC, Ford vs Holden (for us Australians), Rolex vs Omega… Take two leaders in their field – both outstanding – and everyone wants to know which one is really the best.
There’s an old photographer’s adage, ‘The best camera is the one you have’. For me, that camera is the Nikon D750. In fact, I have two.
The decision came down to several factors. In no particular order they are:
Versatility / DSLR Video
I need to shoot both stills and video, usually in remote settings. I didn’t want to carry a whole separate video rig but preferred to have one camera do both. I don’t enjoy the DSLR video form factor but for run-and-gun work and lightweight applications, a DSLR is a great option.
Above: Filming emergency obstetric surgery in Nigeria. Nikon D750, Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 lens, Rode NTG-2, JuicedLink Riggy Micro RM222 preamp, Sony MDR-7506 headphones.
I’ve shot short pieces-to-camera through to 30-minute documentaries – and thousands of stills in between – with the Nikon D750.
Two SD card slots, with various options for which slot is assigned for what, means I can easily keep my files organised and backed-up. I shoot RAW (Nikon NEF) in Slot 1 and video with stills back-up of JPG (Fine) assigned to Slot 2.
The Nikon D750 shoots Full HD 1080p MOV files in the H.264/MPEG-4 codec. The lack of 4K may seem a bit outdated these days, but everything I shoot ends up on a website and not a broadcast application anyway. In other words, I have no need for 4K. High Definition 1080p is beautiful and functional and won’t chew threw enormous amounts of data. The D750 does have an HDMI port so there is an option to record at higher rates externally if required.
DSLRs have notoriously bad audio preamps – fair enough considering their size. But I have been pleasantly surprised by how good the Nikon’s audio preamp is. I still pair it with a Beachtek DXA-Micro Pro whenever possible – and previously with a JuicedLink RM222 – but have shot plenty with just a Rode Video Mic Pro mounted on the hot shoe or on a stand with a cable going straight into the camera and the quality has been wonderful.
I generally use a Rode NTG-2 shotgun mic and a Rode lavalier into the Beachtek and then into the camera. Run-and-gun or b-roll footage will most likely be the Rode Video Mic Pro.
The flippy screen has proven its usefulness time and time again.
Lens choice
Above: My Nikkor AI-s collection – 50mm f/1.4 in front with 24mm f/2.8, 28mm f/2.8 and 35mm f/2.8 behind; and the stunning 105mm f/2.5 (l) and 135mm f/2.8 (r) in the rear. Small, light, solid.
I can use my AI-s lenses with the Nikon D750. Manual focus lenses are preferred by videographers for the long throw/low gearing of the focus ring and the Nikkor AI-s series are well known and sought after by DSLR video shooters – often modded to de-click the aperture ring.
The AI-s lenses are almost plug and play with the D750, but one cool feature is being able to ‘tell’ the camera which lens is on the front through Nikon’s ‘non-CPU lens data’ function, as it can’t detect those lenses automatically. You simply tell the camera that, you’re using a 50mm AI-s with a maximum aperture of f/1.4, for example. This is important so the camera knows which f-stop is being used when you adjust the aperture ring. This means the exposure readout is accurate, as is any exposure data you may want to look at later. And it’s pretty helpful if you’re using flash too.
Because I use my AI-s lenses so frequently, I’ve assigned this to a function button so I don’t need to fidget around in the menu. I just push the button and use the reart thumb wheel to scroll through the lens pre-sets I’ve created. It’s a lot easier and quicker than it sounds.
But while I like using the AI-s lenses for video, I also love using them for stills too. My background and training is in cinematography; I learned to shoot with manual lenses and exposure meters. The Nikkor AI-s are outstanding lenses with an exquisite look and feel to them. Running them on the front of my D750 makes me very happy.
I also have a four-lens Nikkor AF-D series kit. Like the AI-s series, the D series is small, lightweight, outstanding quality, robust, inexpensive, and mostly 52mm lens diameter. I have a 24, 35, 50 and 85 – a very versatile kit and the 85mm f/1.8 is my preferred interview lens for video. I find the 85mm focal length perfect for a sit-down interview and the AF ensures I am spot on, which is useful as I am usually working as a one-man band and need to engage the interviewee when working, not playing with my camera.
The size and weight of both the AI-s and AF-D series lenses suit the Nikon D750 well. It’s a comfortable balance and weight; nothing obtrusive or overbearing – which can be a negative factor in some situations – but rather a nice compact feel, even for a modern DSLR.
Full Frame
Yep, full frame. What more can I say. It’s also 24MP which is more than enough for pretty much anything.
Size
The Nikon D750 is surprisingly small. Perhaps it’s better to say it’s not as big as other cameras like the D810/D850 or D5/D6. This is a personal choice, but as a photojournalist, I hate massive cameras with massive lenses sticking out of them.
Think of all the beautiful images shot with a Leica. Think of all the beautiful images shot with a Nikon F. You don’t need huge kit to make beautiful images. Neither do you need every lens to be f/1.4. My 50mm lenses are f/1.4, the rest are f/1.8, f/2, f/2.5 and even f/2.8. Shock horror! I don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on a lens the size and weight of a house brick to get me an extra stop. I’d rather be light on my feet.
As someone who also has to carry some basic video accessories like microphones and preamp, mic cables, associated batteries, and maybe an LED light, every bit of weight and kit matters. I didn’t go looking for a small DSLR specifically, but I’m glad that the D750 is on the smaller end of the modern DSLR spectrum.
Smaller camera, smaller lenses – keep it light, keep it simple.
Set up
I mentioned I use two Nikon D750’s. If I’m on a photojournalism assignment I will usually have one with a 24mm and the other with a 50mm; or I might choose one with 35mm and the other with the 85mm or 105mm if I want to shoot more portrait style. Both the D series and the AI-s series are small and light enough that I can carry four or more lenses with me on an assignment and not break a sweat.
If I’m just going to throw one camera in a bag, it will have the 35mm lens attached. And the 35mm focal length is a perfect starting point for run-and-gun video.
It's nice to be versatile and have options but I do like the old rule of thumb of approximately doubling or halving focal lengths when putting together your kit for the day: if you start with a 24mm, double it to get a 50mm as your next lens, double it again to 105mm to get a third lens.
Above: 50mm evolution. Nikkor-S f/1.4, Nikkor AI-s f/1.4, Nikkor AF-D f/1.4
Conclusion
Cameras are a tool. They allow you to create. The best images will come when you as a photographer are comfortable with your gear and it all becomes second nature. I’m a big believer in keeping it simple. The Nikon D750 has become a workhorse camera for me. I pick them up and I shoot. I trust them, I know them, I love them.
The Nikon D750 is what I use, and I have no reason to change.