Nikon D750

Manufacturer: Nikon
Type: camera — full-frame DSLR (FX)
Year introduced: 2014
Sensor: 24.3MP FX-format CMOS (no OLPF)
Image processor: EXPEED 4
Autofocus: 51-point (CAM 3500 II), -3 EV sensitivity
Continuous shooting: 6.5 fps (FX and DX)
ISO range: 100–12,800 (expandable)
Video: 1080p at 60fps, clean HDMI output
Flash sync: 1/250 second
Notable firsts: First Nikon FX camera with tilting LCD and built-in Wi-Fi
Body construction: Carbon fiber composite (front) + magnesium alloy (rear/top), monocoque structure
Price at launch: $2,299.95 (body only)
Successor: Nikon D780 (January 2020)

Overview

The Nikon D750 is a 24.3-megapixel full-frame DSLR announced on September 14, 2014, positioned between the D610 and D810 in Nikon’s FX lineup (^[1]). Nikon described it as “the first in a new line of compact, lightweight and slim Nikon FX-format bodies” and claimed the D750 “even surpasses the D810 in image quality at high sensitivities” thanks to its larger pixel pitch delivering advantages in dynamic range, tonal gradation, and noise performance (^[2]).

The camera debuted at Photokina 2014 in Cologne, where it was one of the hottest releases. Andrej Belic reported from the show floor that the D750 offered 6.5 fps at 24MP full-frame or 10 fps in DX crop mode, with AF sensors derived from the D810 but still slow contrast AF in live view — though it was the first full-frame Nikon to offer both Wi-Fi and a tilting monitor (^[3]).

For underwater photographers, the D750 occupied a compelling sweet spot: it offered full-frame image quality, improved autofocus sensitivity to -3 EV (better than the D810 in low light), 6.5 fps burst rate, and 1080p 60fps video with auto-ISO in manual exposure mode — all in a body that was significantly more compact and $1,000 cheaper than the D810. Nauticam called it “poised to become one of the most popular underwater cameras of 2015” (^[4]).

Field Review

Alex Mustard conducted the definitive underwater review of the D750, shooting it in the Red Sea on a workshop aboard MY Hurricane in November 2014 with the first Nauticam NA-D750 housing. He tested the camera with a Sigma 15mm fisheye, Nikon 105mm macro, and Tokina 17mm lens behind a Nauticam 140mm dome port, evaluating performance across wide-angle reef scenery, pelagics (oceanic whitetips, spinner dolphins, hammerheads, grey reef sharks, manta ray), and available-light shooting (^[5]).

Mustard described the D750’s specs as “very tempting indeed,” noting that DxO testing showed the D750 sensor slightly beating the D810 for dynamic range and noise at the pixel level. He found the camera “excelled with all the subjects I photographed, producing huge, detailed files that simply ooze quality.” The camera’s 6.5 fps burst rate, improved autofocus, and smaller body made it particularly appealing as an upgrade path from DX cameras or older FX bodies like the D700 (^[6]).

Mustard recommended AF-C with 3D tracking for macro and AF-C with Auto Area for wide angle, very occasionally using single point (^[7]). He noted the AF frame coverage was less than DX cameras like the D7100 but similar to other FX Nikons — a fundamental limitation of larger sensors (^[8]).

The review was loaned equipment from Nauticam UK and Nauticam International, with the Tokina 17mm lens loaned by Wetpixel editor Adam Hanlon. Equipment used included Mustard’s own Seacam 150 strobes and Nauticam 45-degree viewfinder (^[9]).

Dome Port Performance

The Nauticam 140mm glass dome port was tested primarily with the D750 on full-frame, a topic of significant interest since mini domes had traditionally been problematic on FX sensors. Mustard wrote a separate technical review explaining that smaller domes create closer, more curved virtual images that challenge depth of field — and that full-frame cameras using 15mm fisheyes require larger domes than crop-sensor cameras using 10mm fisheyes for the same corner sharpness (^[10]).

Mustard concluded that 140-150mm was “the sensible lower limit with a fisheye on full frame,” and recommended shooting the 140mm dome at f/14 or narrower with a fisheye on FX for acceptable corner sharpness. At f/10, corner softness became evident, though this was acceptable when shooting subjects against open blue water (^[11]).

Alex Tattersall tested the 140mm minidome extensively with the D750 and Sigma 15mm in Raja Ampat at a Mustard workshop in December 2014, reporting he was “very pleased with the corner sharpness even up to f/7.1” and that the setup had “changed the way I think about FX underwater” for its practicality (^[12]). Tattersall also experimented with the Sigma 15mm plus Kenko 1.4x teleconverter behind the 140mm minidome, testing corner sharpness at f/11 for CFWA work (^[13]).

Housing Availability

Housing manufacturers moved rapidly to support the D750 after its September 2014 announcement:

Ikelite

Ikelite was first to announce a housing on November 4, 2014, priced at $1,800. Made from Ikelite’s trademark clear polycarbonate, it featured built-in TTL circuitry for direct electrical strobe triggering (eliminating fiber-optic slave TTL issues of signal interference and inconsistent exposure), rear-mounted exposure adjustment dial for compatible DS-series strobes, and universal zoom gear sets. Expected to ship the first week of December 2014 (^[14]).

Nauticam NA-D750

Nauticam announced the NA-D750 on November 7, 2014 at $3,500, shipping from November 17 — just ten days later and in time for Mustard’s Red Sea review trip. It was Nauticam’s 15th unique Nikon DSLR housing design. Features included patented port locking lever, patent-pending multi-controller pad, dual thumb levers for AF-ON/ISO/playback/video record, integrated vacuum check and leak detection system (valve optional), vacuum reset button accessible from port mount for quick lens changes, and the ability to tilt the D750’s LCD up 15 degrees inside the housing for easier video framing. Specifications: 100m depth rating, 2.97 kg weight, dimensions 353 x 193 x 128 mm (^[15]).

Dr. Alex Mustard provided a quote for the announcement: “Much more than a reheated D610, the D750 finds the sweetspot for underwater photographers with a 24 Megapixel full frame sensor. Light weight, 100% viewfinder and AF updated from its big brother the new D810, including the useful Grouped focus point setting” (^[16]).

Subal ND750

Subal released the ND750 on December 30, 2014, shipping January 2015 at $3,800. Machined from a single block of seawater-resistant aluminum with Subal’s patented hard-coat anodizing and triple-layer powder coating. Featured Subal Quick Lock closure system, new port lock system, lens release latch, built-in leak alarm, and dual fiber-optic ports with optional Nikonos, Ikelite, or S6 connectors. Specifications: 80m depth rating (120m TEC version available), 2.49 kg with handles, dimensions 220 x 202 x 124 mm (^[17]).

Seacam Prelude

Seacam shipped its Prelude housing for the D750 in October 2015. Constructed from aluminum with high-value anodizing, fully compatible with Seacam’s port, strobe, and viewfinder systems. All controls and shafts had double O-ring seals, and the housing featured a titanium Safety Lock fastening system and tool-free interchangeable viewfinder system with four viewfinder options (^[18]).

Isotta

Isotta produced an aluminum housing for the D750, compatible with Nauticam viewfinders and port systems. It appeared in classified listings on Wetpixel through at least 2022, with asking prices around $1,200-$2,200 secondhand (^[19], ^[20]).

Other Housings

• Nimar — included the D750 in their PRO camera housing line (SKU: NI750) (^[21])
• Easydive — supported the D750 with their LeoR universal housing (^[22])
• nju system — Andrej Belic’s electronically controlled universal housing was announced at DEMA 2014 with D750 compatibility, shipping housings by end of 2014 (^[23])

Macro Performance

Fabian Schorp published a detailed article on shooting macro with the D750 in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia, in February 2015, having transitioned from micro four-thirds to full-frame specifically for this trip. He used a Nauticam NA-D750 with Nikon 105mm macro lens, Nauticam SMC-1 super macro converter, and Inon D2000/S2000 strobes (^[24]).

Schorp’s key findings for D750 macro shooting:

• Autofocus: For small subjects (crinoid shrimp, small nudibranchs, whip coral gobies), 3D Focus Tracking mode worked best — focusing from farther away and moving in slowly. For super macro with a wet diopter, manual focus with gentle rocking was more effective (^[25]).
• Full frame vs. crop: The D750’s significantly more compact body made the full-frame weight penalty less severe than previous FX models — only a “marginal difference” compared to the D7100. The real reason he chose full frame was superior low-light performance: “two stops means getting a lot more light” for natural-light reef shooting (^[26]).
• Lens choice: The 105mm macro on FX achieved equivalent field-of-view to a 60mm on DX. He missed having a 60mm for larger, easily approachable subjects like adult frogfish (^[27]).
• Wet diopter essential: Sascha Janson, the resident photo pro at Lembeh Resort, advised: “You can’t go diving here without a super macro converter” (^[28]).

Alex Tattersall also shot extensively in Lembeh and Manado with the D750, using it with the 105mm VR macro, Nauticam SMC, and Retra LSD Prime Snoot, as well as a Meyer-Gorlitz Trioplan for artistic bokeh effects. His images were widely praised by the community (^[29]).

Raja Ampat with the D750

Alex Tattersall published an extensive portfolio from a December 2014 Mustard workshop in Raja Ampat aboard the Indo Siren, demonstrating the D750’s versatility across multiple lens and port combinations. He used the Nauticam NA-D750 with Sigma 15mm fisheye behind a 140mm minidome for wide-angle reef scenes at Boo Windows and Four Kings, the Sigma 15mm with Zen 200mm dome port for mangrove scenes at Citrus Ridge, the 105mm VR macro for pygmy seahorses and fish portraits, and the Sigma 15mm with Kenko 1.4x teleconverter for CFWA at Two Tree Island. He described Raja Ampat as “the richest diversity of marine life that I have ever encountered” (^[30]).

Service Advisory

In January 2015, Nikon issued a service advisory for the D750 affecting units manufactured in October and November 2014. The problem: “when photographing scenes in which an extremely bright light source, such as the sun or high-intensity lighting, is positioned near the top edge of the frame, flare with an unnatural shape sometimes occurs in images.” Nikon offered to inspect and repair light-shielding components and adjust the AF sensor position at no cost (^[31]). A community thread tracked this issue (^[32]).

Firmware Updates

In April 2015, Nikon announced firmware updates for the D4S, D810, and D750 cameras, adding support for timecode imprinting and recording command functions via HDMI output. This improved workflow with external video recorders like the Atomos Shogun and Ninja-2, synchronizing start/stop recording and enabling sound/video alignment for smoother editing. The firmware was demonstrated at NAB Show 2015 in Las Vegas and released in summer 2015 (^[33]).

Accessories and Guides

Nikon expert Thom Hogan released his Complete Guide to the Nikon D750 in July 2016, a 900+ page PDF ($29.99) described as “the most comprehensive resource for Nikon SLR owners” — a level of detail “unlikely to be available from a single source elsewhere” (^[34]).

TTL converters supporting the D750 were released by multiple manufacturers:

• UW Technics released a TTL converter compatible with the D750 and other Nikon DSLRs, described as “the first product on the market” for incorporating TTL into underwater housings for Nikon cameras. Compatible with Inon Z-240, S-2000, D-2000 and Sea & Sea YS-D1/D2 strobes (^[35])
• Nauticam USA offered the UW Technics TTL and optical converter for Nauticam housings including the NA-D750 (^[36])
• Ikelite released their DS Link TTL converters (DL1) for Nikon cameras with DS series strobes, available with Nikonos or Ikelite connector at $375-$395, featuring electronic TTL switching, EV compensation support, and rear curtain sync (^[37])

Strobe TTL Issues

A 16-reply forum thread documented problems with Sea & Sea YS-D2J strobes and D750 TTL sync. Users reported the YS-D2J strobes firing on the pre-flash rather than syncing correctly. The original YS-D2 (non-J) worked without issues, but the J-variant’s modified sensor caused compatibility problems. Community members recommended switching to manual strobe control, with experienced shooters noting that manual adjustment “becomes a rapid habit very soon” (^[38]).

DX-to-FX Upgrade Path

The D750 became one of the most popular cameras for underwater photographers upgrading from DX (crop sensor) to FX (full frame). A 71-reply community thread on the DX-to-FX transition featured the D750 prominently (^[39]).

Alex Mustard shared his comprehensive lens list for FX underwater shooting, noting “I could do many trips with just Sigma 15mm and Nikon 105mm” and recommending the Nikon 16-35mm as the best-performing wide-angle zoom behind a dome (with a Zen 230 port). He noted he maintained both DX and FX systems (^[40]).

Alex Tattersall reported being “very pleased with the D750 in Raja Ampat last week, small and compact, excellent image quality. Giving up my D7100 now” (^[41]).

A user named “coinee” described transitioning from an Olympus EM5 to the D750 with Nauticam housing and finding that “even on the first dive I got some great shots; as long as you have the basics down the mechanics of a D750 feel very natural” (^[42]).

In a later D300 upgrade thread, community members debated the D750 versus D500. One user described the D750 as the full-frame option versus D500 for DX, noting “I guess probably d750 for full frame and d500 for not.” The D750’s lower price compared to the D850 kept it relevant for years as a value-oriented FX choice (^[43]).

Community Discussion

• D750 or D810 for underwater photography? (19 replies) — Direct comparison thread where users weighed the D750’s price advantage, better low-light AF (-3 EV), lighter weight, and superior grip against the D810’s 36MP resolution for macro cropping. The original poster chose the D750 after testing both in-store, citing low-light focusing superiority and saving enough to buy a 105mm macro and Sigma 35mm f/1.4 (^[44]).
• Are you happy you changed from DX to FX? (71 replies) — Broad community discussion on the DX-to-FX transition, with the D750 as a primary catalyst. Key themes: image quality improvement was dramatic (“Wow: the image quality”), but FX systems were heavier and required larger dome ports. The Sigma 15mm + Nikon 105mm combination emerged as the consensus FX lens kit (^[45]).
• 140mm minidome on Nikon D750 FX format (9 replies) — Technical discussion on using mini domes with full-frame, with Alex Tattersall’s Raja Ampat images and Mustard’s aperture recommendations (^[46]).
• D750 which autofocus mode? (5 replies) — Practical AF settings discussion with Mustard recommending AF-C 3D for macro and AF-C Auto Area for wide angle (^[47]).
• HOW TO FLOOD YOUR NEW D750 (14 replies) — Cautionary tale by Ken Kurtis, who flooded his brand-new D750 in an Ikelite housing at Blue Hole, Palau, due to an unlatched clamp — losing a $2,500 camera and $1,800 housing without insurance. The thread became a community discussion on flood prevention protocols and vacuum leak detection systems (^[48]).
• Lembeh with a D750 (6 replies) — User showcase from Lembeh with the D750 and Nauticam housing (^[49]).
• Manado and Lembeh with the Nikon D750 (20 replies) — Alex Tattersall’s showcase of macro and wide-angle work with the D750, Sigma 15mm with Zen 200mm dome, and 105mm VR macro with SMC and Retra LSD Prime Snoot. Described as “some of the best pics I have seen out of Lembeh” (^[50]).
• Sea&Sea YS-D2 TTL with Nikon D750 (16 replies) — Troubleshooting thread documenting YS-D2J TTL sync problems with the D750, with community recommendations to use manual strobe mode (^[51]).
• Nikon D780 (7 replies) — Community discussion of the successor, with Adam Hanlon noting the D780’s improved live view AF from the Z6 but questioning whether it was a significant enough improvement. Debate over 1/200 flash sync versus the D750’s 1/250 (^[52]).
• Does full-frame make even more sense UW? (51 replies) — Lengthy debate where D750 was discussed in context of the FX vs DX question. One user noted going “DX-FX-DX: D300-D800-D500” while others argued the D750-class cameras offer only incremental advantage over APS-C for underwater use (^[53]).

Successor: Nikon D780

In January 2020, Nikon announced the D780 at CES as the D750’s successor. Nikon called the D750 their “most popular full-frame DSLR ever” and described the D780 as incorporating technology from both the D850 and the Z mirrorless series, with a 24.5MP sensor, EXPEED 6 processor, 4K UHD video, and phase-detect AF in live view. It retained the same $2,299.95 price point (^[54]). The Nikon Z6 was also positioned as a mirrorless counterpart, with Aquatica describing the Z6 and Z7 as “essentially mirrorless versions of the Nikon D850 and D750” (^[55]).

Community discussion around the D780 noted its key advantage of Z6-class live view autofocus, but concern about the slower 1/200 flash sync speed compared to the D750’s 1/250. Adam Hanlon noted “the disadvantage is that the Live View focusing is still not as good as the phase detect AF in existing SLRs” (^[56]).

Timeline

• 2014-09-12: Nikon announces the D750 ahead of Photokina, priced at $2,299.95 (^[57])
• 2014-09-27: D750 displayed at Photokina 2014 in Cologne (^[58])
• 2014-09-24: Early adopter purchases D750 after comparing with D810 in-store, housing manufacturer confirms support (^[59])
• 2014-11-04: Ikelite announces housing ($1,800), first manufacturer to do so (^[60])
• 2014-11-06: nju system announces D750 compatibility for their electronically controlled universal housing (^[61])
• 2014-11-07: Nauticam announces NA-D750 housing ($3,500), shipping November 17 (^[62])
• 2014-11-15: Alex Mustard reviews Nauticam 140mm dome port on D750 in the Red Sea (^[63])
• 2014-11-18: Alex Mustard publishes field review of D750 and NA-D750 from Red Sea workshop (^[64])
• 2014-12-12: Alex Tattersall posts 140mm minidome results from Raja Ampat (^[65])
• 2014-12-27: Alex Tattersall publishes Raja Ampat portfolio shot with D750 and multiple lens/port combinations (^[66])
• 2014-12-30: Subal releases ND750 housing ($3,800), shipping January 2015 (^[67])
• 2015-01-10: Nikon issues service advisory for flare issue affecting Oct/Nov 2014 production units (^[68])
• 2015-02-24: Fabian Schorp publishes Lembeh macro article with D750 (^[69])
• 2015-04-04: Ken Kurtis floods his D750 in Ikelite housing at Blue Hole, Palau (^[70])
• 2015-04-09: Nikon announces firmware updates for D750 adding HDMI timecode support (^[71])
• 2015-10-20: Seacam ships Prelude housing for D750 (^[72])
• 2016-02-06: UW Technics releases TTL converter compatible with D750 (^[73])
• 2016-05-13: Nauticam offers UW Technics TTL converter for NA-D750 housing (^[74])
• 2016-07-11: Thom Hogan releases 900+ page Complete Guide to D750 (^[75])
• 2018-02-15: Nimar includes D750 in PRO camera housing line (^[76])
• 2018-08-17: Ikelite releases DS Link TTL converters for Nikon cameras including D750 (^[77])
• 2020-01-07: Nikon announces D780 successor, calling D750 their “most popular full-frame DSLR ever” (^[78])