Author: Richard

With the recent spring weather as well as Landscapes I have been shooting some Wildlife with my Nikon V1. I am now getting to know all the issues with the camera.

Some are very minor others more of a problem.

The main problems are:

• Eye sensor – switches off back lcd when you try and shield it from the sun
• Mode dial – when you pull the camera from your pocket or bag it’s always on the wrong setting
• Image Review – you cannot turn it off, this is a more of a problem then you think when shooting action as the viewfinder shows the last shot you took and not the current view.

The other issues are fairly minor, it would be nice to be able change the focus mode and iso quickly instead of having to scroll through the menu.  In many ways the mode dial on the back is pointless and should be either got rid of or move the modes buried in the sub menus onto it.  Hiding the Aperture, Shutter and Manual modes does not make sense.

It’s a great camera and I wish Nikon would see the point of producing a more professional version but from comments I have seen they don’t see the point or they don’t want to risk cannibalising the sales of their low end SLR’s.

The problem is if Nikon do not produce a high end model then Sony, Panasonic, Olympus and Fuji will do there best to produce a camera that will appeal to us. With cameras like the Sony NEX-7, the Panasonic DMX-GX-1, the new Olympus OM-D E-M5, the sublime but also focus challenged Fuji X100 and new X Pro1, we have many options available to us.

As you can see from the samples I have posted above, and some of the street photography, I have done and posted over the last few days, image quality is very good for such a small sensor, and the EVF is excellent and the autofocus second to none.  It is a great handling camera, lets hope Nikon can build on it.

A few more shots from yesterday and the previous week. As you can see, I am in a Black & White mood with the Nikon V1 again. I’ll post a few thoughts about how I am getting on with the camera in the my first six months with it later this week.

Of all the little compact cameras I have tried, while it can be frustrating to use sometimes, the built in viewfinder more then makes up for it.

This weekend we are celebrating the Diamond Jubilee, for us in the UK we are enjoying a four day weekend, as we get an extra bank holiday in order to enjoy the celebrations.

Our local village has the bunting out, and we have had parties, live music and much to enjoy.

Walking round the village many people have had there camera’s out making the most of the opportunities.

Its certainly been a good weekend for photographic opportunities.

Last night one of my favourite live BBC Natural History program’s started. Springwatch.

As a bit of a very amateur wildlife photographer and part time birdwatcher (not a good one), it’s a very inspiring program.

Makes you want to load up with your big pro digital SLR and longest telephoto lens.  Lottery win needed?

It might have been a poor week so far for landscape photography but I have been enjoying a bit of Architectural, Flower and People Photography.

Here is a picture of Peter Ginn the archaeologist of Victorian Farm fame using an old forge.

The last few days has seen us trying to get some good Landscape Photographs.

We have managed to find a number of great locations with lots of potential but each day my landscape kit (medium and large format cameras) has reminded safely in the boot.

 

Its been a mix of wrong light, wrong time of day etc. But still even with the frustration of being unable to set up and take any landscape shots, it has still been good. Some of the locations and views have been truly great.

I just have to remind myself that many of the great masters kept coming back to the same location, year after year, after year, before eventually capturing the shot they wanted.

A lot of people have very strong ideas about street photography.

First there is the engagement aspect. Do you just walk up to people and ask to take there photography’s. I certainty do that for many of my street portraits.

Other photographers use a long lens and hope not to be spotted. Then there are those who get in close with either a standard lens or wide angle.

Shot yesterday with a Nikon 1 V1.

The type of camera many feel has a major impact on the type of street photograph you end up with.

The purists feel only a range finder will do. And a small near silent range finder being utilised with zone focusing is hard to beat, but does require great skill, timing and practice. The master of this being Henri Cartier Bresson, who used a Leica Range Finder and a single prime lens for the majority of all his work, the 50mm standard.

Today most street photographers feel only autofocus will do, and they use cameras like the Olympus Pen, Panasonic GF, and Fuji X100, to great success.

Recently I have been using my Nikon 1 V1 to shoot Street scenes of people, but the reward for the most dedicated of street photographers must go to those brave few souls who utilise Large Format Cameras.

Now if they can get good results, and believe me I have seen their work, the rest of us have no excuse and cannot blame our equipment in any way.

Shot with a Nikon D200 SLR.