This article shares some small sensor camera performance tips. While many of these tips are applicable for digital cameras in general, they are especially important when using small sensor cameras such as M4/3 and 1″ format.
Category Archives: Cameras & Lenses
Why some pros are switching to Olympus
If one is to believe the discussions in photography chat rooms these days, the assumption would be that full frame cameras are the only choice of professional photographers. This is simply not true. This article provides some links to information about why some pros are switching to Olympus and the micro four thirds system. Interestingly, some have left full frame cameras behind.
Doing Your Own ISO Invariance Test
There’s plenty of discussion today about ISO invariance and to what degree certain cameras may be ISO invariant. This is a highly technical subject and readers who are interested in exploring this topic in-depth should research it by reading articles on more technically oriented sites. As regular readers know, I’m an experiential/experimental type of photographer, rather than being technically oriented.
In a nutshell, if a camera has perfect ISO invariance (which no camera does) there will not be any penalty in terms of noise when lightening your image in post as compared to originally capturing your image at a higher ISO. This article shares some sample images captured with Nikon 1 V2, V3 and J5 cameras, while doing a simple ISO invariance test. I’d like to thank one of our readers, William Jones, for providing the creative spark for this article.
321,643 Clicks and Counting
It is always interesting to check the shutter count on our cameras to learn how many photographs we have captured since first acquiring our gear. As part of my camera system maintenance I recently created a spreadsheet so I could track the shutter counts of each of my camera bodies. As of this morning my Nikon 1 cameras have registered a combined total of 321,643 clicks and counting. I bought my first Nikon 1 V2 in August 2013. Continue reading 321,643 Clicks and Counting
Buying or Selling Nikon 1 Gear
I’ve had a few readers inquire about buying or selling Nikon 1 gear. I thought it may be useful to publish a short article on this subject so readers can share their experiences and ideas about the best ways to buy or sell Nikon 1 gear. Continue reading Buying or Selling Nikon 1 Gear
Nikon 1 Kit Update
It certainly has been interesting to hear from a wide range of Nikon 1 owners during the past few months since the Nikon 1 system was discontinued. I’ve received numerous emails from many existing owners who are adding to their Nikon 1 kits as a future proofing strategy. Perhaps surprisingly, I’ve also been getting quite a few emails from people who have only recently discovered the Nikon 1 system and are buying into it while new and used gear is still available. Since a number of people have been asking me what I’ve been up to with my gear, I thought it would be timely to provide readers with a Nikon 1 kit update of my own. Continue reading Nikon 1 Kit Update
Suggestions for Adding Nikon 1 Kit Components
Ever since the Nikon 1 system was discontinued in July I’ve been receiving plenty of emails from owners looking for suggestions about the best bodies and lenses to add to their kit so they can extend its useful life. As photographers we all have our own, unique needs when it comes to camera gear. What follows are some suggestions for Nikon 1 kit components that could be considered, based on a photographer’s priorities and shooting style. These suggestions could act as at least a starting point. Other Nikon owners may have other recommendations of course which I encourage them to share with their comments. Continue reading Suggestions for Adding Nikon 1 Kit Components
Nikon 1 V3 Versus V2 for Birds in Flight
I’ve had a number of readers who are intending to add some Nikon 1 gear to their kit contact me by email the past day or two. Many of them specifically asked about the Nikon 1 V3 versus the V2 for photographing birds in flight. Continue reading Nikon 1 V3 Versus V2 for Birds in Flight
Doubling Down on the 1 Nikon CX 70-300
Many Nikon 1 owners have been in a quandary for the past several years, unsure of what to do with their camera gear given the uncertainty that has surrounded the Nikon 1 system. Some people are taking a ‘wait and see’ approach. Other photographers have sold their Nikon 1 gear and moved on to a different system, frequently migrating to M4/3. Some folks have decided to add to their Nikon 1 kit to try to ‘future proof’ it as best they can. There is no right answer as everyone needs to make the best decision based on their specific camera needs. I’ve been adding to my Nikon 1 kit for the past couple of years and I’m doubling down on the 1 Nikon CX 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 zoom lens. Continue reading Doubling Down on the 1 Nikon CX 70-300
The Risk of Buying from an Unapproved Vendor
I recently dropped off a couple of my lenses for service at Nikon Canada and observed the risk of buying camera gear from an unapproved vendor. Continue reading The Risk of Buying from an Unapproved Vendor