Nikon 1v1, wow

[Keith]

After looking at the digital rev review it's not really that small!

The camera may not be to everyone's taste but at least it's a move in a different direction for Nikon who as Kai says are protecting what they already sell a lot of ... the DSLR!

And Canon will now have to step up to the plate and prove that they can think outside the mirror box ... interesting times IMO.

 

[peterm1]

A couple of thoughts.

Firstly, not all small sensor cameras are "duds". I own a Panasonic Lx3 and am very impressed with its image quality although like all such cameras it struggles with low light and HDR situations.

I had a play with a Nikon 1 yesterday and thought that the image quality looked excellent in terms of resolution and color. I could not assess much else on the spot though. On that count well done Nikon. But for goodness sake, do we really need yet ANOTHER lens mount system. This is beginning to be a bit like the early days of 35mm when every man and his dog bought out a new camera mount.

Having said all of the above, I think the camera is not to everyones taste. In particular in my case I thought that aesthetically it was about as attractive as a bus full of baboons' bums and it would be about the last camera I would rush out and purchase on these grounds alone. But everyone to his own and I suppose Nikon is gambling on its rather odd look being quirky enough to get peoples' attention and support.

 

[nightfly]

It might be a fine camera in isolation but in the current marketplace, I'd either sacrifice the interchangeable lens for something that is pocketable or give up a little size and get a bigger sensor.

I guess there is a segment of the market that wants interchangeable lenses and a smallish sensor, Japanese women apparently, but it's sort of baffling to me.

However, I guess people who predominantly shoot old, manual focus film rangefinders aren't a real powerful market segment either.

 

[gavinlg]

Tuck recently bought back into a Hasselblad film system and fundamentally he agrees. He says he likes the square, he likes film, he likes the lenses, and he likes the haptics of the Hassy. So fundamentally he agrees, I think.

But no one is seriously comparing the Nikon 1 with a 503, 180mm lens, and Tri-X in HC110... You may as well compare an F3HP with motor drive to a Toyo field camera.

Thats true, but you can lesson the gap with format size - i.e. sensor size. So my fuji x100 is pretty similar to my 5d/1d in output - I could use either and get similar results. Something like the nikon 1 is a whole step or two below any aps-c or full frame sensor camera - I couldn't use one alongside my 5d indistinguishably for instance. This isn't a huge revelation I know, but even m4/3 cameras (with a good lens like the panasonic 20mm) can be used alongside a full frame camera and deliver similar results. At the same time they can also act as a straight up beginner point and shoot for someone who knows nothing about photography.

Nomsayin?

 

[semilog]

Thats true, but you can lesson the gap with format size - i.e. sensor size. So my fuji x100 is pretty similar to my 5d/1d in output - I could use either and get similar results. Something like the nikon 1 is a whole step or two below any aps-c or full frame sensor camera - I couldn't use one alongside my 5d indistinguishably for instance. This isn't a huge revelation I know, but even m4/3 cameras (with a good lens like the panasonic 20mm) can be used alongside a full frame camera and deliver similar results. At the same time they can also act as a straight up beginner point and shoot for someone who knows nothing about photography.

Nomsayin?

Sure. But try shooting sports with your X100, then try the new Nikon.

They have very different strengths.

 

[claacct]

Sure. But try shooting sports with your X100, then try the new Nikon.

Nikon always had a thing for soccer moms and Nikon 1 could be the first official soccer mom camera, because I don't think any real sport shooter would risk his reputation and livelihood by shooting with this abomination.

The digitalrev review showed how its nearly impossible to use the EVF and hold the grip comfortably... This camera is an overpriced, big ugly mess that Nikon needs to recover from soon or they might have to ask for a bailout.

 

[nightfly]

Besides the early Coolpix with the rotating screens which people really dug, haven't all Nikon's sub DSLR level cameras pretty much been misguided disasters? I think they sorta have to have something in this market but if it doesn't really infringe on their core business, so much the better.

 

[Leica0Series]

I think most everyone is just looking at this camera the wrong way. It's not primarily a still camera that also takes video; it's a video camera that also takes stills. Viewed in that light, it brings a lot to the table: stabilized video, an HDMI out, even power zoom (with the 10-100), two high-speed options. Its real competitor is something like the new JVC PX10.

 

[DaveO]

Nikon 1 series

Nikon 1 series

I didn't realize how thick the camera is until I saw this video. I don't like it in white and it really looks stupid with the black back. Sensor is way too small. Don't think I would consider anything smaller than a u4/3 sensor. If sony had black lenses for their NEX cameras I would consider it, especially the NEX 5N. The 7N is just too expensive.

DaveO

 

[semilog]

I didn't realize how thick the camera is until I saw this video. I don't like it in white and it really looks stupid with the black back. Sensor is way too small. Don't think I would consider anything smaller than a u4/3 sensor. If sony had black lenses for their NEX cameras I would consider it, especially the NEX 5N. The 7N is just too expensive.

DaveO

And you know what they say about sensor size. </sarcasm>

 

[dct]

Nikon always had a thing for soccer moms and Nikon 1 could be the first official soccer mom camera...

Does it work for baseball too? Or is it to fast!? :angel:

 

[gavinlg]

Sure. But try shooting sports with your X100, then try the new Nikon.

They have very different strengths.

This is true, the x100 is fairly specialized in what it does well. But, an e-p3 or e-pl3 will shoot sports just as well as the nikon..

 

[Lss]

I didn't realize how thick the camera is until I saw this video. I don't like it in white and it really looks stupid with the black back. Sensor is way too small. Don't think I would consider anything smaller than a u4/3 sensor.

I don't really see the problem with Nikon 1 sensor size. These cameras are probably not meant to compete with the bigger sensor ones on the same terms. Instead they offer a set of pretty interesting video and high-speed photography features (and some gimmicks) with a reasonably large sensor that actually gives very good image quality.

If none of those features add any value to you, then the sensor size may indeed become a deciding factor. For still photography only, this does not appear a high-end camera although it costs as much as some competition (and more than some entry-level DSLR's). But for combining still and video photography, the V1 may very well be one the best (consumer) products on the market.

I would like to try one. What I don't like is the size of the body and the price, the sensor size is no problem - I still have RD-1/M8 for my every day photography.

 

[Keith]

Nikon have some serious pull with the media. In the last few days I've stumbled over several writeups about this camera in non photographic publications.

Mind you ... one stated that the small sensor size was a disappointment because it led to a siginificantly smaller depth of field! LOL

 

[fireblade]

I really enjoy Kai's reviews and this one was no exception.
Bob

usually entertaining, but an ignorant schmuck

 

[Nikon Bob]

usually entertaining, but an ignorant schmuck

Yea there is nothing sacred with him.

Bob

 

[emraphoto]

usually entertaining, but an ignorant schmuck

wow! the internet really intrigues me sometimes.

 

[fireblade]

wow! the internet really intrigues me sometimes.

yes, i agree, guys like Kai should actually get a real job so his hands get bigger....my grandmother has bigger hands than him, and all she ever did was knit.

 

[Bugleone]

Amazing comments about Kai, so lets try to put some of them right ....he has small hands because he is of Chinese origin and if you take the time to really look at Chinese people you will doubtless notice that they tend to be small/lightly built people with nimble fingers etc.....

Secondly, although he IS usually very irritating and tiresome he is hardly "ignorant". In fact although he often appears to play 'dim' he also gives away his real thoughts with some of his remarks and asides and IS a serious camera user if not a 'photographer'.

Unfortunately, there are too many tiresome and irritating people in the media and, as things go, Kai is no worse than all the many on western TV channels and he IS at least talking about cameras to ordinary viewers and trying to keep things relevant to them,.......(??) At least his approach ios not completely fatuous like some US 'reviewers'.

 

[gavinlg]

yes, i agree, guys like Kai should actually get a real job so his hands get bigger....my grandmother has bigger hands than him, and all she ever did was knit.

lol what...