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  1. M

    Nikon Mirrorless cameras

    Further thoughts on the V1 FT1 Thanks both. With a brief break in the weather yesterday, I managed to get out to the river again, using the V1 FT1 and 300+1.4 converter. In spite of wrapping up, I still got thoroughly frozen in the sub-zero conditions after a couple of hours; just makes me...
  2. M

    Nikon Mirrorless cameras

    Hi Rich Interesting question. I'm happy with the V1 - in fact I think it's a terrific little camera. Lets talk about what it produces first. I've shot a lot with Nikon DSLRs and I'm continually amazed by the quality it produces. It doesn't match my D700 (not much does) or D300 but I prefer...
  3. M

    Nikon Mirrorless cameras

    A few new bird images taken with the Nikon V1 I've managed to get out quite a bit over the last two weekends and taken some more images with the V1 and 300mm 2.8 VR. Pretty happy with the results and a good percentage of successful shots. The waders were all taken with the lens on a tripod...
  4. M

    Nikon Mirrorless cameras

    Thanks Neil. I found it a very manageable combination on my Manfrotto tripod and 501 video head, using the car as a hide. It was also fine as a walkaround lens with a monopod, although I slightly prefer the 70-200+1.4 from a handling/convenience perspective. That said, images from the 300 were...
  5. M

    Nikon Mirrorless cameras

    V1 + 300 2.8 My new 300 2.8 Vr arrived in time for me to give it a try over the weekend. A very impressive combination with the V1. I thought I'd share an image with you as the detail captured surprised me. The wider shot is cropped on the left side (the Dunlin's head was in the middle of the...
  6. M

    Nikon Mirrorless cameras

    Thanks. I'd say that subject movement is as much or perhaps more of a limiting factor than camera shake at these medium to low speeds. And I can't really take the credit - it's a tribute to the remarkable efficiency of the VR system and the unusual qualities of this particular V1/lens...
  7. M

    Nikon Mirrorless cameras

    Lens choices with V1 I can only agree with Neil. I think a 70-200 2.8 plus a 300 2.8, so that both have VR, makes an excellent combination with the V1, particularly with the 1.4 converter. If the OS and AF on Sigma's 120-300 2.8 works with the V1, that might be ideal too, providing the quality...
  8. M

    Nikon Mirrorless cameras

    Some samples with the V1 Ft1 and 70-200mm 2.8 v1 Hi All Attached a few new images. I just bought an FT-1 for my V1. Very impressed so far, based on one quick walk about in the local park - on a very dreary winter's day I might add. The pictures are nothing special, but convinced me that this...
  9. M

    Digiscoping with the Nikon V1

    Thanks Neil
  10. M

    Digiscoping with the Nikon V1

    A few more images with the V1, taken over the weekend in bright but windy conditions. Feel I've made some good progress, with a much higher ratio of successful shots - mainly thanks the the excellent advice received here so thanks to all. I also made two other changes; I turned off the vibration...
  11. M

    Digiscoping with the Nikon V1

    Thanks to all for the information, much appreciated. I'll let you know the maximum aperture settings for the focal lengths. If I want to get a little more magnification, would I be better to buy a longer lens - e.g. the 30-110mm - or use a higher magnification eyepiece? In other words which...
  12. M

    Digiscoping with the Nikon V1

    Thanks for the advice - I'll certainly do as you suggest. I used the car as a hide today and managed to get everything pretty rigid which may have helped the sharpness a little, but I completely understand your point about shutter speed. Attached a couple more images from the session today.
  13. M

    Digiscoping with the Nikon V1

    As a photographer I usually use aperture priority or full manual - it's just the way I like to work. Is there another commonly preferred option for digiscoping? When I first tried out the scope with the V1, I used my usual lens testing routine - I photographed a brick wall. It was far from a...
  14. M

    Digiscoping with the Nikon V1

    Lapwing portraits Taken today at a high tide roost. These are by far the best results I've achieved so far with the V1/Kowa 823. But, even in fairly good light with relatively static subjects, the vast majority of my images weren't sharp. I began by assuming the scope focus setting or the...
  15. M

    Digiscoping with the Nikon V1

    I agree, they're okay but nothing more. At the moment I'm just pleased to be able to capture images of birds at all. But from a pure photography perspective most of the images aren't sharp enough for critical use; just about acceptable for the web perhaps, but not publishable. For me...
  16. M

    Digiscoping with the Nikon V1

    Thanks very much! I'm not good at judging distance. The redshank was closest, maybe 25m, the egret a little further, perhaps 30m or so. I was tucked in low against a river wall in a creek at the edge of the estuary. As the tide came in so the birds gradually came nearer, but the light faded at...
  17. M

    Digiscoping with the Nikon V1

    Some Nikon 1 V1 samples I've been testing the V1 this week. Very impressed with its speed, simplicity of operation and battery life. I shot nearly 800 frames today on a full charge and it's still showing 59% left. Auto focus reliability is also excellent. I'm still getting used to the camera...
  18. M

    Digiscoping with the Nikon V1

    I decided to take the plunge and buy a V1. Since the camera was announced I thought it would be an ideal camera for me - both for digiscoping and as a decent quality 'go anywhere' back-up to my DSLRs - and Neil's images certainly helped to encourage me splash the cash.Although already...
  19. M

    Digiscoping with the Nikon V1

    Excellent photos Neil. I've been waiting to see some images from the V1 and these certainly don't disappoint. No doubt the quality of the light and your skill as a photographer are a big factor, but these look very impressive. What I really like about them is how natural and unprocessed they...
  20. M

    Digiscoping with the Nikon V1

    I just checked and the 10-30mm lens features internal focusing, so once extended the front won't move.
  21. M

    Digiscoping with the Nikon V1

    Thanks. It's a while since I used a S90 so it was just a guess. It's mainly the retracting lens on compact cameras that compels designers to use power zooms. Unless video use is a primary requirement camera designers almost always use manual zooms if they can - they just handle so much better...
  22. M

    Digiscoping with the Nikon V1

    Because the manual zoom offers more subtle control, at least compared to the compacts I've tried, allowing more precise framing when composing the shot. For example, I remember that the Canon S90 which I used to use at work only offered five or six different zoom settings, something like 28...
  23. M

    Digiscoping with the Nikon V1

    Thanks, although surprising as it might seem, I know that. My impression from the reviews/samples I've seen so far is that low ISO performance appears similar or, at best, fractionally better than premium compacts. The V1/J1 appear to be inferior to M4/3 cameras at all ISO settings. However...
  24. M

    Digiscoping with the Nikon V1

    Thanks Neil Really looking forward to seeing your digiscoping samples. Sounds from what you're saying that the 10-30 is potentially usable at almost all focal lengths without vignetting? That would make this an excellent tool with fixed eyepieces like the 21mm on my Kowa 823. I'd been looking...
  25. M

    Nikon 1 v1/j1 potential for digiscoping

    This soon-to-be-released camera system may have potential for digiscoping after a brief look at the specifications. Sensor between compact and M4/3. Standard zoom has a filter thread, conservative zoom range, fairly slow. Claims of fast autofocus, high frame rate and decent high ISO performance...
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