Nikon 1 J1: what to expect

So I found a pretty sweet deal on Nikon J1 + 10-30mm combo. Let's say after all the buying and selling, the set end up cost me about $350.

I already has Panasonic TS-3 as point and shoot. BTW, it's a great little camera. Definitely worth every penny especially if you are an outdoor , water sport person.

Why J1?
1. It was a good deal.
2. I'm a Nikon fan :)
3. It's a mini DSLR like . Picture quality is ... I'd say I rather take it with me than the old D90 which I already sold.

What else can I do with it beside having it due to small/compact size?

My ultimate plan was  to have this with a really wide or fisheye lens so I can use it with my DIY panoramic tripod head and create wee planet or virtual tour without wasting shutter count on my DSLR :)
After searching and searching, to get Diagonal fisheye on J1 the lens should be about 5.5mm which is not available that I know of. If you do, leave a comment. So I cheap out and bought a Digital Concepts 0.42x fisheye lens with macro which of course you get what you pay for. It is Circular fisheye and not so useful for my application. Probably nice adapter for skater.

Nikon J1 and 10-30mm at 10mm

Nikon J1 and 10-30mm at 10mm with circular fisheye adapter.

Nikon J1 and 10-30mm at 10mm with circular fisheye adapter.

Nikon J1 and 10-30mm at 10mm with circular fisheye adapter.

So it give the fisheye effect but not to what I need.

Next is to use it with FT-1 adapter and zoom lens to use its 2.7x crop.
Downside of the FT-1:
1. Limit focus area to center only

2. Shutter cannot go slower than 1/1.3s
3. Auto focus with AF-S lens. It's quite fast when it works. Out of all my lens, it focuses with 16-35, 24-70, 70-200. Did not focus on 20mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.4, Sigma 105mm, Sigma 85mm f/1.4

So for $270 it only works for some of my lens under certain condition. At the end I would still be ok and keep this purchase if I haven't already has a D800 on my hand. With D800 36MP, at the same crop down to similar resolution with J1, D800 has better detail than J1.

Left D800. Right J. Both at 400mm on 200-400mm F4 100% zoom in LR4 no edit

Left D800. Right J. Both at 400mm on 200-400mm F4 100% zoom in LR4 no edit

At the end... I decided not to keep FT-1 because what I gain compare to $17 china version was auto-focus only on 3 lenses. And the quality or what I expected is not significant if we compare the crop factor with the 36MP from D800.

Lee FK filter holder vs. Cokin Z-Pro holder

So my Christmas gift this year to myself is filter set. I've been using Cokin P filter ever since. When moved to full frame, it became a little harder as I had to hand held filters bc the P-series holder will get in the frame when I do landscape at 16mm.

I ordered:
- Cokin U960 kit: filter bag, holder, Z121L, Z121M, Z121S
- Lee ND 0.9 proglass
Then I experienced problem with Cokin holder being in the frame at 16mm. The only way to remove the vignetting and holder getting into the frame. So I ordered Lee FK holder with wide angle ring adapter WAR077.

Below is the Cokin holder and Lee holder with different configurations form worst case scenario to setting that is close to the lens' vignetting itself.

First off, the base line with no filter. Then UV screw on filter on (or polarize to some people), combination with Cokin rear and front first slot, Lee with 2 and 3 slots.

No Filter

B+W UV screw on Filter

B+W UV screw on Filter and Lee adapter ring WAR077

B+W UV screw on Filter and Lee adapter ring WAR077 and Lee FK holder with 2 slot

B+W Filter and Cokin Z-Pro adapter ring

B+W screw on Filter and Cokin Z-Pro adapter ring and holder loaded in rear slot with 3 slots in front

No Filter. Cokin Z-Pro adapter ring and holder loaded in rear slot with 3 slots in front

No Filter. Cokin Z-Pro adapter ring and holder loaded in rear slot with 3 slots in front, rotate so that holder in portrait mode

No Filter. Cokin Z-Pro adapter ring and holder loaded using first front slot. Holder only has 2 available slots for filters. Rear slot leave empty

No Filter and Lee adapter ring WAR077 and Lee FK holder with 3 slots

B+W UV Filter and Lee adapter ring WAR077 and Lee FK holder with 3 slots

Bottom line:
They are both worth every penny ... depend on what you shoot.

For Cokin:
If your lens from 20mm and up, you should be ok with Cokin filter 3 slots. If you shoot at 16mm, the best way is to use first front slot which then only leave you with 2 available slots for filter. But then the first front slot is not usable anyway to my opinion. This first front slot has bigger gap (for polarize?) and the 3 pins in the way so if you load a 4"x4" filter in this slot, it will most likely be scratched and doesn't hold in place well. So Cokin holder is great if you use 20mm and up or with polarize filter with 2 slots setup, so basically you only left with 1 slot open after polarize is in place. I've read online that Cokin works better holding the polarize filter. 
COKIN PIC SLOT FRONT REAR

Cokin 77mm adapter ring in original rear slot as it suppose to

Cokin 77mm adapter ring in first front slot and leave only 2 available slots for filters

Cokin first front slot seem to have bigger gap than the other 2. Not recommend to use with slide in filter

For Lee:
It's clear from frame with 3 slots and all 3 slots are usable. The only time you'd have problem is if you use screw on filter and 3 slots. and Lee, to some people doesn't work well with polarize filter.

Design:

I have both filter holders on Nikon 16-35mm. Standing ruler starting from plastic ring next to front element.
Lee holder is about 13/16 in high while Cokin is about 1 and 1/16 inch thus it does get in the frame a little. With certain setting the screw of Cokin does get in frame as well. So the convenient of thumb screw has its price. While the less convenient screw from Lee is completely flush.

Lee holder hight

Cokin holder height

Cokin (Left) compare to Lee (right). This is one single slot taken out.

 Material wise, Cokin did a great job with their molding process, Lee holder slots has some over molding debris left over

Lee's slot edge

Cokin's slot edge

Lee's slot edge front view

Cokin's slot edge front view

For me, I don't use polarize, and I use ND 0.9 with GND 0.9 most of the time with sometime another GND0.6. So Lee holder works best.

Other review:

http://www.2filter.com/Leefilters/CokinZvsLeeFilters.html
http://darwinwiggett.wordpress.com/2011/06/28/lee-holder-vs-cokin-z-pro-holder/

Where to buy:
I was lucky enough to be able to order what I needed when I needed them without on waiting list. These suppliers are fast and reasonable on shipping charge and timing.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/
and
http://www.2filter.com/

DIY Panoramic Tripod Head ver 2.0

From my last post I did on Panoramic tripod head here I made some change to the material choice. Last version was built and used with Nikon D90 and Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 . Since then I upgraded to Nikon D700 and Nikon 16-35mm f/4. This kit out weights the last panoramic tripod head. The standing up arm wobble a lot with this setup.

This ver2.0 I used 1/4" AL plate. Similar dimension as last time. Instead of bending to L plate, I was able to find scrap material to fit perfectly. Everything is assembly with 1/4" 20 screw.

Front view

Front angle view

Top connecting arm to swing plate

Swing plate at 90

Swing plate channel. I got a hold of a really old mill machine and did an not so good job on this. But works

Bottom plate with L bracket

L bracket with 1/4" 20 screw

If you have any questions, feel free to leave comment. I'll try to check more often and reply.

I'm back with gear update

It's been a year and time flies faster than I though. 2011 was a busy year and I completely drop the ball on this blog, yet many visitors stopped by. Thank you all for browsing through my posts. Especially the DIY for panoramic tripod head. I have ver2.0 of this head. I'll follow up with separate post.

Let's get back on track with my gear update so if you follow my post knows what I shoot with.

Body:
Nikon D700 as main
Nikon D90 as backup

Lens:
Nikon 16-35mm f/4
Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRI
Nikon 50mm f/1.4
Nikon 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6 (doing nothing but collecting dust)
Sigma 105mm macro
Opteka 6.5mm f/3.5 (fun little lens)


Flash:
Nikon SB-28DX
Nikon SB-600 x2
Nikon SB-900

Filter:
Cokin P series ND8 (0.9)
Cokin P series GND8 (0.9) soft
Cokin Z series kit U960: filter bag, holder, 121L, 121M, 121S (soft GND 1,2,3 stop respectively)
Lee ND 0.9 proglass
Lee holder (FK) with wide angle ring adapter (WAR77). I've discovered vignetting problem with Cokin holder. I'll post comparison between Cokin Z and Lee in a separate post since UPS still has my package at this point.

Other:
Radiopopper JrX trigger x2
Radiopopper JrX receiver studio x3
Radiopopper JrX receiver basic

The reason my gear setup at this point is that in 2011, I started getting into wedding photography and started my website http://www.kissesoflife.com/ . This is why I have to have 24-70, 70-200, flashes and the radiopopper set which I would never need for my landscape.

The Cokin Z filter set and Lee glass just arrived yesterday. The Lee holder is still on its way. I'll do a comparison as soon as I have both on hand.

Lens and tripod update

Ever since I have Nikon D700, I've always been wanting to get the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4. I've seen many beautiful low light as well as non low light shots. But I already have the 50mm f/1.8 so this f/1.4 was not on the top priority list. Out of nowhere last weekend I found a great deal on this lens from craigslist and was able to get it for $210. New lens would run about $330 or so and used one on craigslist would run about $250-$270. So now my Nikkor f/1.8 gonna be leaving me soon.










Also on my wish list is a super light weight tripod. I've been browsing around for one good and affordable tripod. And came across Slik Sprint Pro II. After seeing it on youtube, and try out in store, I have to have it. First trip I took it to was the Berry Creek Fall. After this trip, I decided I should not use this unless it involves air traveling, or extended long hike. Apparently it does not support D700 and 16-35mm. In portrait setup, the camera would tend to get loose and drop the lens toward the floor. Anyway, so I had it for that trip and Seattle trip. Very light weight and offer full features of high end tripod (btw, tripod head is not replaceable). I would if I could get a carbon fiber tripod but that's a little fancy at this moment :)

Seattle

What: Labor day hunting... for more landscape pics in ... Seattle

When: So this labor day I decided to be in Seattle for a weekend. Hoping to get something out or it. The locations I went to was not depend on season at all.

Where/How: So I landed in SEA late pm and decided to relax to get ready for early Sat morning.
Sat morning weather was not the best for landscape of downtown Seattle. I was up at 4:30am hoping I'll be able to get to see the crack of sunrise at about 6:30am. As usual, I got to the location Alki beach about 1 hr before sunrise. It was very cloudy that morning, so I didn't expect much out of it. Carry the whole backpack of lenses with me and the Slik Sprint pro II tripod. This location has some poles by the bank so I though it would give me some depth in the picture. On the other hand, the city was so far away that my 16-35mm will not be able to capture anything. The 70-200 would be too tight to cover these poles. I ended up using the 24-120mm the whole entire morning to cover the range I need. BAD BAD BAD decision. I would NEVER EVER EVER use this lens ever again for landscape. This lens was ment to be a walk around, family event fun lens.

This is what I got:

Shutter Speed: 3sec
Aperture: f/5.3
ISO 200
Focal Length: 72mm



Shutter Speed: 5sec
Aperture: f/5
ISO 200
Focal Length: 60mm


I then stopped by Gas Work park a little bit. It was early after noon, the light was not the best plus it's not much of my taste so I was not be able to get much out of it. I rather headed to Kerry Park for afternoon sunset shoot. Again, got here 1 hr before sunset to get ready and there were 2 pro photographers with their tripod up and ready already. So I joined them and still had my 24-120mm on at the time. I then decided to swap it out and used the 70-300mm. Good thing I did. Sun started to come down. Clouds started to glow... but not in the downtown area... ARG... oh well, it is what it is. So this is what I got, the data is approximated since I have quite a few layers to it:

Shutter Speed: 1.3sec
Aperture: f/6.3
ISO 100
Focal Length: 70mm


Sunday morning was not much better. I slept in and headed to fish lader before heading Seattle pier. At this location where I stood on top of the Art Institute of Seattle, since it's a pretty tight angle, I had my nikon 16-35mm on at 16mm. It was perfect sunset with glowing clouds and a little windy just enough to make it move under B+W ND1000x. and this is what I got (also layered so data is estimated):

Shutter Speed: 120sec
Aperture: f/20
ISO 100
Focal Length: 16mm

Bowling Ball Beach

What: Bowling Ball Beach, Point Arena in California. Ever since I heard about this place, I want to drive there one beautiful partly cloudy weekend sunset for a another shoot to my collection. But life's been busy, no one want to come along and keep me company or enjoy the shoot with me. oh well, everyone has their busy life.... not me, at least for the next few years.

I wanted to go so bad after seeing this. It's really that popular? gotta have it. Doesn't matter who come or not. No? I'm on my own, no problem. Last time I remember by myself, I got a really nice afternoon and got something nice as well.

Where/when:
Learning from last trip to Crater Lake and come back by 3am, I don't want to do any long trip on Sun. But this weekend is an exception ;). Sat was cloudy. Only Sun is good enough for a nice sunset. So I decided to head there around 2pm from North Bayarea. On the way, I stopped by Point Bonita Lighthouse again hoping I'm on time this route. The horrible traffic did not help at all. So I started to leave Golden Gate area around 3:40pm. Expected to be driving another 2 hr or so since google map said it's a 3 hr drive. Once I left 101 and get on Hwy 1, I found out it's not going to be a short drive. The street itself is nowhere to be complained about. It's a beautiful drive if it's Sat and you have the whole day with a convertible. I'm driving on late Sun afternoon in my compact sedan... Wanted to enjoy
the beautiful view but I'll be late for sunset which will be totally suck. Btw, it's a good 4+ hr drive, I timed on my way back. It's as far as from San Jose to Yosemite. Oh and not reconmend to bring anyone with motion sickness problem...;) it's gonna be a really really long drive. Anyway, I got there close to 7pm. Started to hike down the beach and got confused a little bc the beach area is separated with bowling beach area by a cliff. I got all excited and decided to climb across this cliff. I had ti head back when I couldn't go any further bc the cliff comes so far out in the water. Headed back to this trail, there was a split off of the trail heading to a restroom area. I followed this path, up a little, there was a tiny trail straight up follow that all the way until I see some wooden steps, follow by
wooden ladder. Got down to the sandy beach and walked for another few hundred ft all excited is the
bowling beach area.
As usual, I had flipflop to the beach here. Bad idea, it doesn't really matter what you wear; the area is all rocks covered with moss and algae. Be extremely careful walking in this area. You will slip and fall with you camera using shoe or a little better barefoot and get all kind of cut at the end. I picked option 2 and got a few cuts.

How:

So I left my complete backpack there bringing with me down to the rocks area my D700, Nikkor 16-35mm, 24-120mm (did not use this lens at all), B + W 1000x filter, Cokin ND8 and of course the wired
trigger.
And this is what I got.

Shutter speed: 1/15s
Aperture : F/11
Focal Length: 20mm
ISO 100

The rest of these are HDR from 7 exposure, then top off with another layer in PS to reduce the HDR look. (I don't like serious HDR too much but like how it's cover all color range)

Last but not least, my favorite in this set...