Some Fun with the Nikon 1...

NSB Photog

A few years ago I made a shift away from heavy, bulky DSLRs and started getting into photography using smaller-sensored compacts, cell phones, etc. The Nikon 1 system caught my eye when it came out a couple years ago, and I took advantage of picking up a clearance Nikon J1 along with kit lens for less than $200 a little while back.

I know most photography equipment discussions will often lead down the sensor-size, dynamic range, bigger is better, etc. path but I have to say I've been thoroughly impressed with the image quality some of these little cameras can provide. With the small size, light weight and now expanding options of lenses and accessories it's definitely big on fun!

Anybody else getting into the compact movement?

WaterEngineer

The "One" is a very nice thing. I have been waiting, watching for the right opportunity for a version with the eye level viewfinder. I have used them and like them. The file is fine for the most part - for most needs. I think the file is about as good as that coming of a D90. It is all the camera most will ever need. Clearly the "original" target market(s) were the new moms and the soccer mom. I believe that has shifted.

With a F-mount adapter and a 500mm you have a real bazooka. I wish Nikon would see themselves to make some high-quality c-mount lenses.

It looks like you use it well and are enjoying it. Good for you. Peace.

gitthenet

NSB, I recently got a Nikon J1 also and am learning it. Anything you can put on here will be a help to me and others I'm sure. I think it was Water Engineer who told me about the deal and I took advantage of it - got the underwater case too. I really like the camera so far, gonna snorkel it next month in the gulf.

mississippi mac

very good images from a camera in this class....
it appears to rival dslr apc sensor cameras very well....

i will add that i reall like your images, the iron smith in particular....

tim

Billgran

Hey NSB,

Haven't heard from you for a long time.

Did you touch up the blacksmith image or is that right from the camera? I like the lighting and shadows in it.

Chuckc

Billgran wrote: »

Hey NSB,
I like the lighting and shadows in it.

Me too, very nice lighting and composition.

Cane Pole

Great shots!

Of course a great photographer can get great shots with almost any camera, phone, tablet, etc.

I did not like the feel of the J1 or V! or whatever it was I tried once. Didn't feel secure at all. Soon after, my friend dropped hers and totaled it.

I think they came out with a newer more ergonomic version.

Some guys I work with are shooting the new Lumix mirrorless 4K model for TV video and getting great results...

Some people think mirrorless is the future. Me, not so much...

NSB Photog

Thanks everyone for the kind words!

The blacksmith shot is a JPEG straight out of the camera. I believe I actually took that one in, *gulp*, "Auto Scene" mode.

Gitthenet, The best advice I can give is to play around the camera and try out all the different settings. I took me awhile to get the menu dialed in and get the settings where I want, but I can say that for the most part now if I am in "creative" mode I will shoot in full manual mode so I can adjust the exposure to how I like it, but I have found that if I'm walking around and need to get some shots off quickly the auto scene mode does work very well! I would definitely recommend limiting the auto ISO down to 100 to 400, as the camera will tend to want to choose a higher ISO for low light shots. The image stabilization is very good though, and I've found I can handhold in some pretty low light. I have the water housing as well, and that's definitely a lot of fun.

The J5 has recently been announced, and it looks a bit beefier than the previous J models. The V line is more of a "pro" line, but I haven't pulled the trigger on one of those yet, although I understand the prices are coming down quite a bit.

gitthenet

Thanks for the pointers NSB.