Nikon 1 Series on sale

<p>BH Photo has a lot of the Series 1 cameras and combo on sale.</p>

<p>While I would prefer a viewfinder, I didn't see a V1 on the list. The V2 seems to be getting a bit large for a small format camera. I should probably handle one before I make that call, I guess. </p>

<p>The question is.... J1 with 10-30mm for $219 or the J2 with same lens at $396 ? More MP with the J3 ( 10 vs 14 ) and more pixels in the LCD screen. ( 460K vs 921K ). The J3 comes with a SanDisk 16GB card, if that adds any value. </p>

<p> </p>

<p>The V1 had its fire sale a year ago and apparently it was all sold out back then.</p>

<p>I recall that the J1 kit deal was $200 a couple of days ago. Apparently it has gone up a bit to $219 with the 10-30mm zoom: <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/823580-REG/Nikon_27528_1_J1_Mirrorless_Digital.html">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/823580-REG/Nikon_27528_1_J1_Mirrorless_Digital.html</a><br>

I am afraid that it is safe to say the J1 is not selling well since its fire sale is still on going a year after the J3 had been introduced. Initially that 10-30 was a $200 lens. Nikon is essentially throwing in the J1 body almost for free.</p>

<p>The J1 and 10-30 kit zoom at around $200 is a very good value as long as you're aware of the camera's quirks and limitations, which are similar to the V1 quirks. Still photo IQ is better than any teensy sensor digicam and HD video is very good. AF is very quick. The top plate is well designed and dead simple, with a great feeling shutter release button. The dratted mode dial - plenty of gripes about that already. The 10-30 VR is very good and the VR works well. The pop-up flash has a slowpoke 1/60th sync, making it useful only for indoors and nighttime flash.</p>

<p>I'm not sure whether a few more megapickles in the newer 1 System models is enough to offset the still remaining quirks. The 10mp CX sensor is already significantly better than any 1/1.7" or other teensy sensor digicam. But it's comparable to Micro 4:3 only at low ISOs and not really comparable at all to any good APS sensor camera, even the EOS M.</p>

<p>The Canon EOS M may be the best value in a mirrorless model this year, comparable to last winter's $299 blowout for the V1 and kit zoom. Like the 1 System, the EOS M has its quirks, so be sure to study up on the quirks in exchange for the APS sensor IQ. But at a third the price of the Coolpix A, the EOS M is an absolute bargain with either the 22/2 or kit zoom.</p>

<p>I keep hoping Nikon will bundle something like a white J1 with a lens I actually want, like the 18.5/1.8 or 10/2.8, at around $200-$250. Yeah, basically I'm hoping Nikon will give away the camera with a lens I actually want. Then I'll give the J1 to my mom or a friend or as a backup to the V1. I probably should have sprung for the slightly higher priced multi-lens V1 kit last year, but at the time I didn't realize how much I'd enjoy the V1 and get so much good use from it.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>This camera should be sold with a pancake lens, to make it more pocketable.</p>

 

<p>The Nikon Series 1 cameras have really good AF, particularly in good light with moving subjects. The EOS M, which I have, has the same AF performance as a 5 year old P&S camera. For subjects that don't move, the EOS will give significantly better IQ. For things that move, the Nikon will give you a good picture of your subject.</p>

<p>I was hoping some of the "quirks" were addressed in the J2, perhaps.</p>

<p>After trying to do some simple photography, with my wife's old Canon Shureshot camera, I have decided the slow response to the shutter button and how slow the lens gets when zoomed is just frustrating enough to seriously look at something quicker. I didn't want to hang around Hollywood Blvd with an obvious camera bag and my DSLR, so a "pocketable" modern camera would be nice. </p>

<p>The fire sale prices seem like they would appeal most to someone not already shooting with a mirrorless camera who wants to experiment cheaply -- or a point and shoot guy who wants to move up. Even at these prices they are hard to justify if you already have a good mirrorless. It's probably great value for the price but you're not getting a camera with the best features or interface. </p>

<p>Maybe they'll get popular with poor students who want to learn photography. </p>

<p>No other small digital cameras but the old Canon.</p>

<p>I'm leaning toward something that is quick to focus and shoot when I press the button. I never realized how slow my wife's was, until yesterday. It wasn't daylight, but it was well enough lit, in my mind, for it to fire very quickly after I pressed go. <br>

I think the Series 1 does THAT requirement well. I just don't know how the quirks will sit with me. </p>

<p> </p>

<p>John, at around $200 for the J1 and 10-30 VR, I'd say go for it. You're almost getting a free camera with the purchase a pretty darned good kit zoom. It's worthwhile just for that.</p>

<p>While it's a bit of a slowpoke, like any variable aperture zoom, I mostly use it between 10-14mm (27-35mm in full frame or 35mm film), wide open. It's sharp and the VR really helps offset my shaky mitts. It suits me better than the non-VR 10/2.8 prime, which I'd probably stop down a bit anyway and wouldn't have the benefit of VR. The 10/2.8 pancake would be a nice match for the J1-J3 and S1, but wouldn't make the bulkier V-models appreciably more compact.</p>

<p>I'm thinking pretty hard on this one, Lex. I just found a refurb V1 for $335... Same 921K LCD with a viewfinder, but the 10mp sensor. I'm not fond of 90 warranties , even from Nikon, but .... If it can over come the slow lens with decent shots at higher ISO settings, maybe I could give it to myself for an early Christmas gift.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I've had the V1 for right at a year now and it's been my main camera when I leave home. I've used the D2H away from home maybe once this year, back in the spring for a maternity session.</p>

<p>I just got the SB-N5 flash for the odd occasions when I need flash, and may add the 18.5/1.8 prime. Occasionally I'll use the Fotodiox adapters with my moderate telephotos to get a bit more reach - really make the most of relatively fast compact lenses like the 85/2 AIS and 105/2.5 AI Nikkors.</p>

<p>Despite the quirks the quick AF, shutter response and better IQ than teensy sensor digicams makes it worthwhile.</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p> Nikon is essentially throwing in the J1 body almost for free.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I would venture to say they may be selling it under production cost, if the store still gets a cut.<br>

If you consider that the 10-30 is listed for $187, you get the camera for $32! On the J1/10-30/30-110 combo for $319, you'll "make" $115 and get the camera for free... :)</p>

<p>i just bit the bullet and ordered a J1/10-30 in silver. i decided against the 30-110 for $100 as i'd rather put that $$ toward the 18.5/1.8, and use my f-mount lenses with an adaptor. a 18.5+35/1.8+50/1.8 kit would be pretty versatile, giving you 50/90/135 f/1.8 equivalents in an ultra-compact form factor. after seeing pics of the 18.5 in action it seemed like a sensible impulse purchase. mainly for the fast AF and small size. i wouldnt expect miracles past 800 ISO but for daytime shooting, should be ok.</p>

<p>Maybe I am old fashioned, but I would rather not use the LCD to compose. Therefore, if I go the mirrorless route and I get a Nikon, it'll have to be from the V series, with an electronic viewfinder.</p>

<p>I thought I'd be using the V1 almost exclusively with the EVF, but I probably use it only half the time - for posed portraits, or with manual focus lenses. For quick candid snaps of people the rear LCD is pretty handy. I just compose loosely and peek over the camera. The AF is pretty reliable so I don't need to examine the LCD closely to be certain.</p>

<p>And for my crazy cat photos I use the rear LCD exclusively. It would be impossible to get some of those photos with a standard viewfinder method, including a dSLR. It just isn't quick enough. I zone focus, stop down, and just point the camera - I only use the rear LCD to guesstimate composition. The cats move too quickly for any other method to work. I suppose an articulating LCD might be handy, but it might also be too fussy and get in the way.</p>

<p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17617149-lg.jpg" alt="LR4-V1-6950-2.JPG" width="669" height="1000" border="0" /><br>

V1 w/ SB-N5 flash, 10-30 VR at 10mm, f/8, zone focused.<br>

I just hold my hand down near the furball and hope I'm not within claw-range.</p>

<p>The deals get even better. Now you can get the J1 with both the 10-30 and 30-110mm lenses at $319. The catch is that it is the version in red, including the lenses. If that color works for you, it is a wonderful deal: <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/823587-REG/Nikon_2_1_J1_Mirrorless_Digital.html/ap/Y?cm_mmc=EML-_-Holiday-Mon-_-131209-_-Body_Retail_Nikon-1-J1">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/823587-REG/Nikon_2_1_J1_Mirrorless_Digital.html/ap/Y?cm_mmc=EML-_-Holiday-Mon-_-131209-_-Body_Retail_Nikon-1-J1</a></p>

<p>Sorry, it looks like you can get that same $319 deal with the J1, 10-30mm, and 30-110mm zooms in <strong>black</strong> also: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/985047-REG/nikon_27545_1_j1_mirrorless_digital.html</p>

<p>There are other deals with the 10mm/f2.8 lens instead of the 30-110mm zoom:</p>

<ul>

<li>White: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/823583-REG/Nikon_27561_1_J1_Mirrorless_Digital.html</li>

<li>Silver: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/823585-REG/Nikon_27565_1_J1_Mirrorless_Digital.html</li>

</ul>

<p>Nikon is giving them away.</p>

<p>I just took advantage of a similar deal at B&H: J1, 10mm 2.8, and 10-30 for $299 in white.<br>

I thought I would prefer a V1 for the viewfinder, but I was too slow to pull the trigger and the deals were all gone. <br>

I plan to have the J1 with pancake in my jacket pocket <em>always</em>. My Panasonic L1 with 14-50 was rarely with me, and I wasn't satisfied with what <strong><em>I</em> </strong>could do with my iPhone. If I like the J1 as I hope I will, I'll probably end up selling the Panasonic.</p>