Nikon 1

BanziBarn · 12-19-2011, 02:27 AM

Hi Guys,

I'm thinking of getting a J1 as I need to replace my compact, and don't want to go for the bulk of an SLR.

It gets quite good reviews, but I'm not a camera expert and what I want to know if whether the pictures will have the SLR look, or the compact look.

What I say 'SLR' look, what I mean is for the camera to have the ability to take a shot of something and for the background to be blury, i.e, only the subject is in focus - I think this is something to do with having a short focal length?

Thanks

Jon D · 12-19-2011, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanziBarn

...what I mean is for the camera to have the ability to take a shot of something and for the background to be blury, i.e, only the subject is in focus - I think this is something to do with having a short focal length...

Blurred (out of focus) areas, other than the main subject are created by altering the lens aperture (f-stop) which controls depth of field (the area of sharp focus).The lower the number, the larger the aperture, thereby giving more foreground and background blur. This is also known as 'Bokeh' - a Japanese word to describe a lens's ability to create this effect.
Generally speaking, the shorter the focal length, the greater the depth of field, i.e., wide angle (short focal length lenses) are no good for this effect.
An excellent website for camera reviews and a whole lot more can be found here: http://www.dpreview.com/

- Paul - · 12-19-2011, 03:42 AM

They will have the "SLR look". I want one to back up my SLR. Lovely camera - expensive though!

dxb335d · 12-19-2011, 03:46 AM

They do look good. How much are they?

- Paul - · 12-19-2011, 04:10 AM

4 to 500 quid minimum

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&k...sl_8z4wvjjs2_b

Jon D · 12-19-2011, 04:30 AM

It's a bit early for a full and reliable review, but there's a preview here: http://www.dpreview.com/previews/nikon1system/

kaishang · 12-19-2011, 04:40 AM

You won't be able to create the shallow depth of field that you can with an SLR, because the '1' uses a small sensor. OTOH it will still be better than a compact.

MEGA · 12-19-2011, 05:00 AM

I'd be getting a sony NEX-5 for that kind of money.

BanziBarn · 12-19-2011, 07:14 AM

Thanks everyone for your comments.

So, it'll be "quite SLR is" is the message I'm taking from that!

Nikon are pushing it really hard on TV at the moment which what drew my attention to it.

What are it's competitors? The Sony previously mentioned I guess is one - any others?

Going to read some reviews of the Sony now.

kaishang · 12-19-2011, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanziBarn

Thanks everyone for your comments.

So, it'll be "quite SLR is" is the message I'm taking from that!

Nikon are pushing it really hard on TV at the moment which what drew my attention to it.

What are it's competitors? The Sony previously mentioned I guess is one - any others?

Going to read some reviews of the Sony now.

The speed and the controls will be quite SLR, but I don't see how the depth of field can be SLR-like with lenses which basically have the same f-number as consumer SLR lenses and a much smaller sensor in the camera.

One of the Micro four-thirds cameras (some Panasonic and Olympus models) would also be competitors.

kaishang · 12-19-2011, 08:38 AM

If you want cheap and cheerful shallow depth of field buy a 50mm f/1.8 prime for about £100 and use a normal SLR.

Or go expensive but really cheerful and a 70-200 f/2.8 zoom.

Jon D · 12-19-2011, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEGA

I'd be getting a sony NEX-5 for that kind of money.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanziBarn

What are it's competitors? The Sony previously mentioned I guess is one - any others?

On specs the NEX-5 looks much better and it has a far larger APS-C sensor (27.7mm x 15.7mm) as opposed to Nikon's 13.2mm x 8.8mm.
I've seen results from the Sony and they're very impressive; you also have the very clever 'Sweep Panorama' mode which takes multiple exposures as you pan and seamlessly stitches them together to give dramatic wide angle shots.
If cash is a bit tight, there's also the NEX-3; same innards and sensor as the NEX-5, but in a less expensive body. Review here: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonynex5nex3/

Jon D · 12-19-2011, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaishang

Or go expensive but really cheerful and a 70-200 f/2.8 zoom.

That's the one; really beautiful out of focus areas at wide apertures, but not exactly cheap at around £1,600! I bought mine overseas for a lot less than that.

kaishang · 12-19-2011, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon D

That's the one; really beautiful out of focus areas at wide apertures, but not exactly cheap at around £1,600! I bought mine overseas for a lot less than that.

Yeah, don't buy anything in the UK.

HK or the United States is best.... although I bought a lens once in Australia when the AUD was really low. Was about the same as the HK/US price; almost unheard of.

This one is the f/2.8 but at f/3.5 and on a crop sensor camera. You can get even creamier on full frame.

Palmnuts · 12-19-2011, 03:16 PM

I'm on the hunt for a new camera and can't decide whether another decent compact or DSLR so, after all the TV 'exposure' (pardon the pun!), I was looking at one of these cameras and was going to post a similar question on here for all the camera experts to give advice on.

Can this be used in similar fashion to a compact when you don't want the hassle of carrying the lenses (i.e. with built-in zoom etc)

quattrogmbh · 12-19-2011, 03:20 PM

Just took the J1 back. I was looking for something with the power of an SLR in a smaller package. The J1 is smaller, but still not something that you could put in a pocket. The 3x zoom didnt really give a lot of flexibility and at the far zoom didnt seem to let a lot of light in, so indoors was using high ISO and creating some noise (not a lot, but noticeable). The flash on the other hand on the J1 is next to useless. It really seems to be an afterthought. The pricier V1 doesnt have an integral flash instead requiring a speedlight.

Back to the trusty D70.

Jon D · 12-20-2011, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palmnuts

I'm on the hunt for a new camera and can't decide whether another decent compact or DSLR so, after all the TV 'exposure' (pardon the pun!), I was looking at one of these cameras and was going to post a similar question on here for all the camera experts to give advice on.

Can this be used in similar fashion to a compact when you don't want the hassle of carrying the lenses (i.e. with built-in zoom etc)

There will always be a degree of compromise with compact cameras, but as I said in a previous post, the Sony NEX-3 and 5 both produce very impressive pictures. OK, the lenses are a bit bulky, which makes the package a bit larger than an all-in-one compact, but you get the APS-C sensor and lens interchangeability. They are, to all intent and purpose, a mirrorless DSLR.
A Canon G12 successor can't be too far off and, if they fit a larger sensor, that might be an excellent compact. It's not bad as it is, but owing to it's diminutive sensor, the low light performance is not all that good.
Sony have just launched the NEX-7 and it looks to be quite something, but at £1k, body only, I suppose it ought to be

.

BanziBarn · 12-20-2011, 04:35 AM

I'm now thinking the Sony Sony NEX-5 may be the way to go... but I'm going to miss my 10x zoom on my Panasonic Tz5 - Can't really afford a new camera AND and telephoto lens.

kaishang · 12-20-2011, 04:35 AM

The thing I don't like about these interchangable lens mirrorless cameras is the standard lenses are in the f/3.5-5.6 range.

You can get a standard high end point and shoot non-interchangable lens camera which have f/1.8-2.8 typically lenses and cost about the same or even cheaper.

briers · 12-20-2011, 04:49 AM

I think a lot of people who don't understand cameras will be disappointed with the default lens, 10mm is great but its range is 10mm-30mm, am i reading this right?

People are going to be a bit pissed when they realise it has no range and to get range you need to get the next lens up which goes to 110mm which is still pants.

I have a 50mm prime permanently fixed to my dSLR but most people seem to want super optical zoom to get up close.

I think the Lumix bridge cameras are much better in respect of quality all in one and portability.

kaishang · 12-20-2011, 04:58 AM

I think the 10-30 lens is likely to be something like 28-84mm equivalent in FX/full frame/35mm terms.

Jon D · 12-20-2011, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaishang

The thing I don't like about these interchangable lens mirrorless cameras is the standard lenses are in the f/3.5-5.6 range.

You can get a standard high end point and shoot non-interchangable lens camera which have f/1.8-2.8 typically lenses and cost about the same or even cheaper.

Yes, I fully agree that the mirrorless camera lenses currently available are rather slow, but I'm sure that will soon improve.
Re your comment about wider apertures on some compacts; don't forget that f/1.8 on a small sensor will not be equivalent to that on an APS-C or FX sensor. I can't quote an exact conversion figure, but it will probably be more like f/5.6 or 3.5 at best.

12-19-2011, 02:27 AM	#1
BanziBarn Lieutenant Colonel 106 Rep 1,800 Posts Drives: BMW 330D E90 LCI Msport Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Nikon 1 - anyone got one? Hi Guys, I'm thinking of getting a J1 as I need to replace my compact, and don't want to go for the bulk of an SLR. It gets quite good reviews, but I'm not a camera expert and what I want to know if whether the pictures will have the SLR look, or the compact look. What I say 'SLR' look, what I mean is for the camera to have the ability to take a shot of something and for the background to be blury, i.e, only the subject is in focus - I think this is something to do with having a short focal length? Thanks __________________ Black 330d E90 LCI M Sport Saloon Auto. Privacy Glass, Cream Leather, 6FL, I-Drive/Nav/Bluetooth, Alpine hifi upgrade.
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12-19-2011, 03:42 AM	#3
- Paul - Major General 695 Rep 7,308 Posts Drives: see above. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yorkshire, UK iTrader: (5) Garage List 2005 320D SE [10.00] 2005 645 [9.00]	They will have the "SLR look". I want one to back up my SLR. Lovely camera - expensive though! __________________ My Photos
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12-19-2011, 03:46 AM	#4
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 949 Rep 29,345 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	They do look good. How much are they? __________________ 997.2 GT3
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12-19-2011, 04:10 AM	#5
- Paul - Major General 695 Rep 7,308 Posts Drives: see above. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yorkshire, UK iTrader: (5) Garage List 2005 320D SE [10.00] 2005 645 [9.00]	4 to 500 quid minimum http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&k...sl_8z4wvjjs2_b __________________ My Photos
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12-19-2011, 04:30 AM	#6
Jon D Brigadier General 224 Rep 3,016 Posts Drives: 2022 840d Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	It's a bit early for a full and reliable review, but there's a preview here: http://www.dpreview.com/previews/nikon1system/
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12-19-2011, 04:40 AM	#7
kaishang Colonel 54 Rep 2,197 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 330d Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: London iTrader: (0)	You won't be able to create the shallow depth of field that you can with an SLR, because the '1' uses a small sensor. OTOH it will still be better than a compact.
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12-19-2011, 05:00 AM	#8
MEGA Dieseasal 204 Rep 6,881 Posts Drives: LCI E92 335d M-Sport Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Harrow, London iTrader: (2)	I'd be getting a sony NEX-5 for that kind of money. __________________ Previously: 2003 Peugeot 206 1.6 8v \| 2006 E90 320d M-Sport, 19" BBS CH, Full Ice-cold JL audio install, August 2010 Total BMW 6 page feature car. \| 2003 Nissan 350Z GT Coupe 286BHP Now:2010 E92 LCI 335d M-Sport
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12-19-2011, 07:14 AM	#9
BanziBarn Lieutenant Colonel 106 Rep 1,800 Posts Drives: BMW 330D E90 LCI Msport Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Thanks everyone for your comments. So, it'll be "quite SLR is" is the message I'm taking from that! Nikon are pushing it really hard on TV at the moment which what drew my attention to it. What are it's competitors? The Sony previously mentioned I guess is one - any others? Going to read some reviews of the Sony now. __________________ Black 330d E90 LCI M Sport Saloon Auto. Privacy Glass, Cream Leather, 6FL, I-Drive/Nav/Bluetooth, Alpine hifi upgrade.
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12-19-2011, 08:38 AM	#11
kaishang Colonel 54 Rep 2,197 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 330d Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: London iTrader: (0)	If you want cheap and cheerful shallow depth of field buy a 50mm f/1.8 prime for about £100 and use a normal SLR. Or go expensive but really cheerful and a 70-200 f/2.8 zoom.
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12-19-2011, 03:16 PM	#15
Palmnuts Lieutenant Colonel 170 Rep 1,957 Posts Drives: Huracan Evo & M8 GC Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Leicestershire, UK iTrader: (0)	I'm on the hunt for a new camera and can't decide whether another decent compact or DSLR so, after all the TV 'exposure' (pardon the pun!), I was looking at one of these cameras and was going to post a similar question on here for all the camera experts to give advice on. Can this be used in similar fashion to a compact when you don't want the hassle of carrying the lenses (i.e. with built-in zoom etc)
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12-19-2011, 03:20 PM	#16
quattrogmbh Captain 23 Rep 635 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Location iTrader: (0)	Just took the J1 back. I was looking for something with the power of an SLR in a smaller package. The J1 is smaller, but still not something that you could put in a pocket. The 3x zoom didnt really give a lot of flexibility and at the far zoom didnt seem to let a lot of light in, so indoors was using high ISO and creating some noise (not a lot, but noticeable). The flash on the other hand on the J1 is next to useless. It really seems to be an afterthought. The pricier V1 doesnt have an integral flash instead requiring a speedlight. Back to the trusty D70.
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12-20-2011, 04:35 AM	#18
BanziBarn Lieutenant Colonel 106 Rep 1,800 Posts Drives: BMW 330D E90 LCI Msport Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: London iTrader: (0)	I'm now thinking the Sony Sony NEX-5 may be the way to go... but I'm going to miss my 10x zoom on my Panasonic Tz5 - Can't really afford a new camera AND and telephoto lens. __________________ Black 330d E90 LCI M Sport Saloon Auto. Privacy Glass, Cream Leather, 6FL, I-Drive/Nav/Bluetooth, Alpine hifi upgrade.
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12-20-2011, 04:49 AM	#20
briers Ben 62 Rep 1,992 Posts Drives: Tesla p85d Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midlands,UK iTrader: (0)	I think a lot of people who don't understand cameras will be disappointed with the default lens, 10mm is great but its range is 10mm-30mm, am i reading this right? People are going to be a bit pissed when they realise it has no range and to get range you need to get the next lens up which goes to 110mm which is still pants. I have a 50mm prime permanently fixed to my dSLR but most people seem to want super optical zoom to get up close. I think the Lumix bridge cameras are much better in respect of quality all in one and portability.
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12-20-2011, 04:58 AM	#21
kaishang Colonel 54 Rep 2,197 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 330d Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: London iTrader: (0)	I think the 10-30 lens is likely to be something like 28-84mm equivalent in FX/full frame/35mm terms.
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