Nikon 1 V1

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Nikon 1 V1

chupacabra31
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p.7 #1 · Nikon 1 V1

So I see a lot of talk about how wonderful and advanced the AF system (saying it makes the D3 blush), but this is only with the V1 lenses correct? We talking Servo here or just the speed at which it acquires focus (one shot)? If one wants to use an AF-S lens they need an adapter and they are limited to the central focus point and the AF is gimped (is that right). Sorry if I missed this. Thanks for any info!

Jan 26, 2012 at 06:04 PM

fusiongt
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p.7 #2 · Nikon 1 V1

I'm still playing with the AFS lenses and FT1 adapter but so far here are my thoughts on the focus speed. It's really fast in searching, practically as fast as my D3 trying to search for the focus. Now that's just trying to search for the correct focus - finding it is another story. Out in the daylight I was trying to shoot some birds in flight with my 300mm f/4 afs and it was definitely hit or miss. In dim light, with a number of afs lenses, it would sometimes search through the focal ranges but then give up. I'm talking really dim light and I compared it to the D3 with the same settings and the D3 would sometimes lock on, other times continually search.

The main thing I noticed is that the V1 will search once through the focal lengths and then stop trying if it misses. I definitely think this is just a firmware fix as Nikon could have easily added in all the focus features found in the V1 lenses (ie: multi focus points, full on auto focus, continuously try to find the focus if it misses once); but the fact that they didn't means they don't want to cannibalize sales of their dslrs. Who knows, maybe they will add it in the future. I was really impressed with the V1-lenses ability to lock onto a focus point and it would follow it on screen... something like that would be awesome with birds in flight with the FT1 adapter but alas it's not to be (as of now anyways).

So overall, it's a mixed bag. With good lighting it'll focus on fine. Past a certain focal length it starts searching more and missing, which is more apparent on slower focusing AFS lenses like the 300mm f/4 afs. When the weather improves I'm going to go out again with more lenses as I primarily tried just the 300 f/4 but it could be a lot better with the faster focusing 80-200 afs that I have. Curious to hear what others have experienced.

-- At the end of the day, when dealing with birds in flight you give up focus accuracy to gain a ton more reach. Further tests to come =)

Jan 26, 2012 at 10:28 PM

lxdesign
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p.7 #3 · Nikon 1 V1

I am going to shoot a wolf pack in captivity this weekend, and I'll post some pics after. Planning to try out the 200-400 with the V1.

Jan 26, 2012 at 10:43 PM

chupacabra31
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p.7 #4 · Nikon 1 V1

fusiongt wrote:
but the fact that they didn't means they don't want to cannibalize sales of their dslrs. Who knows, maybe they will add it in the future.

That is a really good point! Thanks for doing the test and giving us your impressions!

Jan 26, 2012 at 11:38 PM

RRRoger
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p.7 #5 · Nikon 1 V1

fusiongt wrote:
I definitely think this is just a firmware fix as Nikon could have easily added in all the focus features found in the V1 lenses (ie: multi focus points, full on auto focus, continuously try to find the focus if it misses once); but the fact that they didn't means they don't want to cannibalize sales of their dslrs. quote<<

I think the FT-1 was purposely limited to single spot without face recognition or tracking for two selfish reasons.

1. They want you to buy the D4
2. They want to sell more CX lens.

What we need is a third party adapter which transfers the full functions of AF-S VR F-mount lens.
And, some "Hack-Ware" to unlock the power of the Expeed 3 Processor.
Then, there will be real pressure on Nikon to either match them and/or come out a V1h or s.

Jan 27, 2012 at 12:06 AM

Rags Hef
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p.7 #6 · Nikon 1 V1

Tried the V1 on ocean kayaker

Tried the electronic high shutter. Damn EVF drove me crazy, trying to follow subject. IQ: smoothed noise, not croppable

Interesting the facing sun made seeing anything in the EVF very difficult. Had to lay the peak of my hat on top of cam

70/200 + 2x EIII

Rags

Jan 27, 2012 at 04:28 AM

lxdesign
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p.7 #7 · Nikon 1 V1

I definitely think this is just a firmware fix as Nikon could have easily added in all the focus features found in the V1 lenses (ie: multi focus points, full on auto focus, continuously try to find the focus if it misses once); but the fact that they didn't means they don't want to cannibalize sales of their dslrs. quote<<

I think the FT-1 was purposely limited to single spot without face recognition or tracking for two selfish reasons.

1. They want you to buy the D4
2. They want to sell more CX lens.

What we need is a third party adapter which transfers the full functions of AF-S VR F-mount lens.
And, some "Hack-Ware" to unlock the power of the Expeed 3 Processor.
Then, there will be real pressure on Nikon to either match them and/or come out a V1h or s.

I sincerely hope that once they realize that the community is crying out for these features, that they will unlock it in firmware. I don't see any reason why the adapter can't take advantage of the capabilities of the camera.

Jan 27, 2012 at 02:06 PM

RoySussex
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p.7 #8 · Nikon 1 V1

Rags Hef wrote:
Tried the V1 on ocean kayaker

Jan 27, 2012 at 03:36 PM

theSuede
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p.7 #9 · Nikon 1 V1

Rags Hef wrote:
Tried the V1 on ocean kayaker
[image]
Tried the electronic high shutter. Damn EVF drove me crazy, trying to follow subject. IQ: smoothed noise, not croppable

Interesting the facing sun made seeing anything in the EVF very difficult. Had to lay the peak of my hat on top of cam

70/200 + 2x EIII

Rags

You DO realize that you just ran the 70-200 with an added 2x TC degrading the image quality, on a resolution that would be 75MP on a FX camera?

Jan 27, 2012 at 04:19 PM

RRRoger
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p.7 #10 · Nikon 1 V1

I am thinking of trying my 80-400 on the V1.
The VR should still work and I normally shoot single spot anyway.
Although Video is definitely out, this could be killer for stills?

Jan 27, 2012 at 04:44 PM

lxdesign
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p.7 #11 · Nikon 1 V1

RRRoger .... yes! It will be killer for stills. I have been out shooting today with my 35mm f/1.8 --- I don't get why people were bashing the 35mm on the V1, its great! Although I haven't taken a close look on a monitor yet, but what I am seeing in the LCD screen so far is looking faboo.

I am going to be shooting wolves tomorrow with my 200-400 and the V1.

Jan 27, 2012 at 06:42 PM

lxdesign
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p.7 #12 · Nikon 1 V1

theSuede wrote:
Rags Hef wrote:
Tried the V1 on ocean kayaker
[image]
Tried the electronic high shutter. Damn EVF drove me crazy, trying to follow subject. IQ: smoothed noise, not croppable

Interesting the facing sun made seeing anything in the EVF very difficult. Had to lay the peak of my hat on top of cam

70/200 + 2x EIII

Rags

You DO realize that you just ran the 70-200 with an added 2x TC degrading the image quality, on a resolution that would be 75MP on a FX camera?

Jan 27, 2012 at 06:44 PM

Rags Hef
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p.7 #13 · Nikon 1 V1

No wonder there's no cropping margin...

I can understand the purely practical reservations, and they're a bummer - but regarding the picture quality; I can't really see this happening. The 70-200 with the 2x TC is - let's face it - crap on a D7000, a camera with 2x less pixels per square mm. The "cropability" would be close to zero even on a camera with that resolution.

I could see the 300/4 working on a V1 though.

The V1 outperformed the other cam (300S) in IQ I was shooting

You DO realize that shooting conditions impact the IQ. In this case, shooting into thick low lying fog with with bright sun reflected water.

Electronic high disables other manual preferences and I have no idea where the focus point (s) were, but it was very difficult shooting conditions

This is a cropped image with same setup (somewhat more than zero)

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Rags

Jan 27, 2012 at 07:23 PM

theSuede
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p.7 #14 · Nikon 1 V1

Of course...

I was under impression that you were dissatisfied with the IQ the combo gave you, I just replied that it is hardly a combo I would try unless running out of ANY other combination of options [to get that reach].

I wouldn't say the 70-200 with 2x was usable for high quality presentation intentions, under ANY circumstances. Not on FX, even less on DX or the 1-series.

Jan 27, 2012 at 07:52 PM

RRRoger
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p.7 #15 · Nikon 1 V1

theSuede wrote:

I wouldn't say the 70-200 with 2x was usable for high quality presentation intentions, under ANY circumstances. Not on FX, even less on DX or the 1-series.quote<<

That depends on which versions of 2x and lens you use
The first ones yield poor results even with a D3.
The latest ones are supposed to be very good.

Jan 27, 2012 at 08:29 PM

Rags Hef
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p.7 #16 · Nikon 1 V1

Actually the 2X EIII is the only aspherical lens TC (good edge resolution)

I have found it to be very good if you can live with 5.6. Just my experience.

Rags

Jan 27, 2012 at 08:49 PM

RRRoger
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p.7 #17 · Nikon 1 V1

Rags Hef wrote:
Actually the 2X EIII is the only aspherical lens TC (good edge resolution)

I have found it to be very good if you can live with 5.6. Just my experience.

Rags quote<<

Another reason I ordered a D4.
I can live with 8.0, especially when I can use it at ISO 25600

Jan 27, 2012 at 11:55 PM

Rags Hef
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p.7 #18 · Nikon 1 V1

RRRoger wrote:
Rags Hef wrote:
Actually the 2X EIII is the only aspherical lens TC (good edge resolution)

I have found it to be very good if you can live with 5.6. Just my experience.

Rags quote<<

Another reason I ordered a D4.
I can live with 8.0, especially when I can use it at ISO 25600

Show off...

Jan 28, 2012 at 12:17 AM

RRRoger
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p.7 #19 · Nikon 1 V1

Rags Hef wrote:
RRRoger wrote:
Rags Hef wrote:

Show off... quote

Well, we all have our priorities.
I am having to sell my 1989 Porsche 928 in order to pay for my uncontrollable NAS

Jan 28, 2012 at 01:14 AM

AndreasE
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p.7 #20 · Nikon 1 V1

The V1 is a decent performer with the AFS 70-200mm/2.8 VR II, when directly attached.

Handheld, Distance approx 120-150 meters, 200mm (equivalent 540mm/FX),
mechanical shutter (trying to avoid electronic shutter for moving things - rolling shutter)
AF-S (the FT1 does not allow AFC)

original, only resized

This image is copyrighted by the owner

100% crop

Andy

Jan 28, 2012 at 01:25 AM


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