10.10.11
Nikon 1 - First Photos: on assignment in China
Jump to our hands-on review of the Nikon 1 cameras.
Our Group Editor Adam Scorey is currently in Shanghai, China, armed with the two Nikon 1 cameras - the Nikon V1 and Nikon J1 - announced at the end of last month. arrived in our office recently Currently in China with the first Nikon mirrorless cameras, the Nikon V1 and Nikon J1.
When he's not touring the Nikon factory and learning more about these new Nikon cameras, Adam is visiting street markets, meeting locals and seeing how the city looks from behind the electronic viewfinder of the Nikon V1. Check back each day as Adam will be sharing some of the first photos from the Nikon 1 cameras, as well as his the story behind them.
13 October
I am sure many people think that press trips are complete skives and all we do is stay in posh hotels and get taken to nice restaurants a lot. Okay, this is partly true but today was one of those days that was going to be punishing.
Nikon J1
Up before 6am for a 7am start and a two hour drive to see the factory where the Nikon 1 series is manufactured. I couldn't take pictures in the factory, but you can imagine what it looked like - and then just think much cleaner.
Nikon V1
After a couple of hours of tour and Q&A with Nikon's Chinese staff, we were bundled into a bus to a local hotel for lunch and then headed off for a canal boat ride on the Grand Canal. This was to give us an opportunity to explore focusing, exposure and more general handling.
Nikon V1
Nikon V1
Next was a tour around a silk factory, and we had to be back before 7pm for a dinner date - all in rush hour traffic. Needless to say, it was all taken in stride and apart from a few 'user error' moments due to not reading the manual, the cameras punched above their weight.
Nikon V1
Nikon J1
Nikon J1
Nikon V1
In my previous day's upload I asked whether the V1 or J1 can stand up to competition by the likes of the GF series from Panasonic or the Olympus PEN, the Samsung NX series and the Pentax Q. However, after the time I've spent with the Nikon 1 cameras and the conversations I've been having, the Nikon 1 series may need to be seen as existing in a category on its own.
It was four years in the developing and many hours and Yen have been spent on market research in trying to find the niche that Nikon is aiming both cameras at. The company is being very careful to protect Nikon DSLR sales, and the price point will deter many 'casual' compact buyers, so it's that pre-DSLR, post-compact buyer who appreciates the finer things in life and understands a bit more than the average compact user.
So, yes, very niche. But this concept extends into the design, which they wanted to be clean and simple, but also about speed and performance. The world balance is used a lot with the Nikon 1 series, hence not opting for a greater density of pixels so they can achieve the speed of processing for the video and stills alike. Just think about the figure of 600MP per second for a moment...
Nikon J1
So it's with this in mind that we journalists need to consider before spouting a load of mumbo-jumbo - or we won't be comparing apples with apples - it would be apples with lychees.
Naturally, if the message is not understood by the consumer, they will pitch the Nikon J1 and Nikon V1 against the current CSC crop. But what Nikon has in spades above all others is a significant history of producing amazing cameras and concentrating on image quality over ultimate stats.
Nikon really has done its homework on this and we should consider it as important a development as the Four Thirds. The Nikon J1 is by far going to be the volume seller, with the Nikon V1 more for those who 'appreciate the finer things in life' - or as I call them, those with plenty of cash. But that shouldn't be misconstrued as style over substance. Oh no.
You can't fail to be surprised by this little camera's abilities, which in my mind gives it a problem: that of expectation. Before I 'got' the Nikon 1, my expectations were for near DSLR quality, for both images and general build. Super-fast AF, lovely quality video, great functionality and quality optics would be a given as well.
You get all of these things, with some clever innovations such as the brilliant AF, Motion Snapshot and Smart Photo Selector. I made the 'mistake' of highlighting there isn't a 'proper' mode dial, or focusing rings on lenses and asking if 10MP is enough.
But you do have to think in new terms here to really get your head around a new concept, and the fact that Nikon has committed to developing the range further over the coming years (4 new lenses planned). So this is just the start.
I will admit to being a little sceptical of the Nikon 1 series, but I have found myself falling for its charms. I think it's a matter of belief and trust.
As one of the Nikon bods said to me one day, Nikon doesn't feel it has anything to prove where image quality is concerned. The company has made its point with the likes of the D3s and D7000. Fair point.
Nikon J1
Get past the specs, get past the cost, understand why the Nikon 1 has been produced and then try it with an open mind. It's not trying to be a DSLR, it's not a compact. It's a Nikon... enough said. Appreciate it for what it is, not for what it isn't.
12 October
Nikon V1
Today was about capturing people on camera, so Nikon took us to a beautiful Buddhist Temple right in the centre of Shanghai. The huge golden rooves and ornate wooden structure were completely at odds with the towering glass and steel skyscrapers that literally surrounded the temple in every direction. We were told that as it was a weekday the temple would be quiet and we would be able to wander at will and snap away. When we arrived, a form of organised chaos was what we were greeted with.
When visiting places like this I always have two objectives I try and achieve: first to try and not shoot lots of cliche images; and second to try and find small pockets of quiet so I can tell another story, more of a 'what it should be' rather than just the news.
It was going to be a tough job for the Nikon 1; I opted for two lenses for this assignment: the standard 10-30mm and the 30-110mm zoom. I concentrated on just the Nikon V1 for this shoot to keep things simple. Accurate focusing was key, as was setting the right ISO so that I could cope with the very bright highlights and then dip into the more shadowy areas inside.
Nikon V1
I also like to use the EVF, as it makes me think in a different way. I suppose more like I would with a DSLR; in addition I wanted to save battery power - I didn't want to drain the V1 dry on the first shoot.
Now I've had a bit of time with the Nikon V1 and Nikon J1 their operation is becoming more familiar, as are some of the things I'm not so keen on - or I think are missing. But one thing for certain is the general ease of operation and the performance from the AF.
Image quality is also right up there - though not comparable with a good DSLR of course. I like the range of auto ISO settings you can use. For example you can set 100-400 as the range, 100-800 or the complete range. This makes shooting situations far easer in such tricky or contrasty lighting.
Nikon V1
One thing I would have liked to see on the Nikon V1 in particular is a PASM control dial; I like to swap and change the way I shoot on the hoof. Delving into a menu stops the flow of picture taking too long for my liking. The menu is fast, but a dial would be quicker still.
The EVF itself is very good; you are able to see what's sharp and not, and colours seem accurate, but there isn't an AEL when you press the shutter - or I haven't set the camera right - but there is an AEL button. Consequently some of the exposures changed from what I originally set. Manual focus is a bit pointless as it's controlled electronically - there is no MF ring on the lenses, which is a little strange. But I guess Nikon thinks it will be an all auto buyer predominantly.
Nikon V1
After the temple came a very peaceful garden just a few minutes away; it was a secluded walled garden with ancient wooden buildings and tended gardens. This was a great spot to spend a little time with both cameras around my neck at once, the V1 with the 10-30mm and the J1 with the 10mm f/2.8. There was a lot of found images, still lifes and grab shots of other tourists, and this is where both cameras excelled.
Nikon V1
Today was a much better insight into the both as the time and assignment pressures really forced me to delve deeply into the Nikon 1 cameras's abilities. Yes they are lovely to hold, look at and shoot with, image quality is as good as the best compacts out there, perhaps a bit sharper, but can they do the business against the likes of the PEN and the GF series cameras?
11 October
Nikon V1
Last night we took a cruise down the Yangtze river to enjoy a nice buffet supper but also to test out the low light capabilities of the Nikon 1 series cameras, both ISO and the in-built VR in the lenses. I only took along the V1 as it does have the slightly extended ISO range, which I thought may come in handy.
So to the sound of gently lapping waves at the bow of the ship, we ploughed a course up and down a section of the river. The ever-present mist, which seemingly clings to the highest floors of the city skyscrapers as if protecting some secret, prevented completely clear images of the city, yet it did allow the light to create halo-like effects that lit up the night sky.
Even at ISO 3200, I did have far more chuck-away shots of luridly lit boats reflecting in the calm waters than I did keepers. But the shots that did appear sharp are impressive.
Nikon V1
Focusing was very fast to lock on to subjects, even in low light, and there doesn't appear to be much colour noise creeping into the images. Yes, at 100% (see image below) you can clearly see colour noise, but it's far from off-putting.
Nikon V1 - 100% crop of image above
One element I would say I'd like to have seen is a PASM control dial, particularly on the Nikon V1. With the Nikon V1 price sitting at £900 this isn't a cheap camera so it will appeal to those who like t take some creative control.
10 October
Nikon V1
This afternoon we went out on a motorcycle side-car trip around Shanghai. You don't wear helmets, but it was wonderful fun, if a little hairy at times!
Nikon J1
The Nikon J1 and the Nikon V1 I was playing with - with the 10mm on the Nikon V1 and the 30-110mm on the Nikon J1 - seemed to handle to fast-focusing conditions admirably. It was a very overcast day, so the ISO needed a little bumping up at times. We stopped at a park in the city and watched old folks playing a game similar to chess, all while chatting, smoking and drinking their beakers of tea.
Nikon J1
Some went off for a little impromptu Tai Chi; some were even dancing to a few waltzes too.
Nikon J1
Next was a bohemian-style market that in order to navigate you had to weave through back alleys and into nooks and crannies. This really did test the lower light AF and noise capabilities.
9 October
Nikon V1
My first 'proper' shot with the Nikon V1. This is actually the view from my hotel window - and some view it is! This was shot at 1/250sec at f/11, ISO 400.
I probably should catch some sleep while I can, but I'm too wired. I've got a full schedule ahead of me and can't wait to get started. More to come.
Watch this space!
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