Nikon 1

Okay I don't know anyone who knows a lot about cameras so thought I could ask here!

I want a camera better than my point and shoot Fujifilm thing and have been looking at the Nikon J1 (or new out J2). Seen them reasonably cheap recently. I doubt I am going to get into photography seriously any time soon so getting a full on DSLR (DSLR is right, is it? I truly am clueless) is probably pointless. However I would like something decent which I can change the lens on if I decide to as I learn more.

I will admit part of the attraction is the look of the thing, its a pretty camera but that makes me worry its all looks and not actually much better than a higher priced point and shoot - higher priced than my 70 quid one that is.

So simply put, can someone who knows camera stuff tell me if they are worth the cost, or would a higher quality point n shoot/other option be better?

[LewSpeight]

Hi Buddy. Don't believe we've crossed paths on here before.
I'm lew, work in Jessops and a photographer on the side!

If I was selling it to you at work, I'd try and explain how the J1 has a smaller sensor than it's competition, which is the eye of the camera, therefor lacking initial general picture quality. Things like the Sony NEX range is the best in its class but you do pay for it; they have the same size sensor as their entry level DSLR stuff. (Yep it's dslr, digital single lens reflex if I remember rightly... In simple terms it means you can stick different lenses on it).

The J1 has been dubbed 'the mothers camera', fast shooting (little sensor = less to process by the processor) so works well for little kids and dogs etc. will beat anything for frames per second in its class..

These kinda cameras are called 'CSC's or 'Compact system cameras'. Little bodies with interchangeable lenses, but are very expensive these lenses.

In my opinion If I was you I'd look at some high end bridge cameras (canon sx50 or sx40 if your budget is tight) or maybe even a really good quality compact camera.. Panasonic Lumix TZ40 maybe?

Hope this is helpful, probably doesn't make sense cos I'm nackered and typing on my phone.

Throw me any questions and I'll answer, it's what I do for a living

Lew



Sent from that magical device in my pocket.

Awesome, thanks for the reply - was exactly what I was looking for!

I probably should have mentioned the size of that kinda camera was attractive as well. I do a bit of lightweight backpacking and I am generally lazy so the smaller it is the more likely I am to take it places!

I am off to google your suggestions and have a look, if I don't fall asleep first

[LewSpeight]

Haha no bother

Just bare in mind the size of the lenses and stuff, you'd be surprised how suddenly these compact systems become far from compact when you're lugging everything around.
The standard lens on the J1 is (again off memory) 11 - 33 mm or something daft. Which is absolute ram all zoom, requiring you to carry a bigger lens to zoom at all = more kit = more weight to carry...
Where as something like the TZ40 has masses of zoom, either 21x or 40x I think, which is insane considering how compact it is..

The Lumix also has manual overrides too so you can get brave and start messing with shutter speed and apertures, should your attention span require it


Sent from that magical device in my pocket.

Yeah, seems you have to do some carrying if you want good shots. The Lumix does look good in that respect though. Lens on the Nikon is generally 10-30mm, unsure how much zoom I would need but there are some deals which include the 30-110mm lens , also saw somewhere you can get a converter and put other lenses on it. Not sure how that would work!

I'll have a look around. If I don't make a decision soon I could wait til I got to America and probably get one there cheaper Just need to leave the packaging there...

[mister c]

If it helps. I bought my other half an older Lumix Bridge camera off Ebay for 50 quid. She takes some really stonking pictures with it. It has the point & shoot capability, but also all of the different settings for aperture & shutter, so very versatile piece of kit
The only thing I didn't like about it was the LCD viewfinder, but that's just a personal thing, she gets on fine with it. Here's an example of one of her pictures.

[carelesschucca]

Glad you posted this Alan. Been thinking about either a camera like this or a bridge...

My old man has advised on this but I dunno how good it is in reality.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-Lu...ywords=dmcfz62

[LewSpeight]

Originally Posted by carelesschucca

Glad you posted this Alan. Been thinking about either a camera like this or a bridge...

My old man has advised on this but I dunno how good it is in reality.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-Lu...ywords=dmcfz62

You won't be dissapointed.


Sent from that magical device in my pocket.

Yep some good advice all round.

I am now working on project "mybirthdaysoonbuymeacamera" to anyone who will listen! But realistically I will probably put some birthday cash toward one and depending how much that is may define which one I get!

I'll keep ya posted!...

Thread Resurrection!

Was in America for the last two weeks and had actually forgot about the camera thing. I was instead shopping for go-pro's as they are considerably cheaper over there. While in a large electronics store I saw this: http://www.jessops.com/online.store/...FcHnwgodxloAjg and with a little advice from my brother bought it on the spot, also still bought a go-pro

Got home Saturday and been too ill (man flu!) to play with it much or even get a memory card (suggestions of which to get welcome) but its so tiny and light I love it. Also I got it pretty cheap compared to UK prices so I wont feel like I have wasted much if I upgrade at some point.

Cheers