How good IQ on the V1?

Because the V1 had a 1" sensor it was thought that it was not worth the original price. When I tried the camera out I thought it was very well built and had an excellent EVF. But $1000 for a 1" sensor no way. Now that I have one I realize that Nikon has a winner and worth the original price.

Zoran K said:

Zoran K wrote:

Zoran K said:

SunnyFlorida wrote:

...a DxO Marklab comparison between the V1 and an 8-year old 6Mp chip from the D40 shows that the D40 is superior in ISO performance, DR and color accuracy. A current low end d-slr like the D3200 has superior ISO performance (1,100 vs 350) and superior DR, color accuracy and resolution.

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Ditto!

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You and SunnyFlorida needs to get your facts straight, (and maybe some new spectacles as well)! Here is the actual Dx0Mark comparison of the V1 vs D40


According to DX0Mark the V1 beats the D40 on color depth and has the exact same score of 11 for DR, but this is misleading as is the higher ISO score for the D40 because the read noise for the 6MP sensor in the D40 is much higher and the quantum efficiency (QE), is much lower (only 27%) compared to the 10MP V1 sensor (QE=57%). In fact, the V1 sensor has the same QE (57%), as that of the Nikon D3s! So although the V1 sensor has greater resolution and about 43% of the pixel size of the D40, the much higher level of QE makes up for it, and actually makes for better color accuracy, better retention of dynamic range and less color noise at higher ISOs than the D40.

Having both the D40 and V1 at the same time I have been able to make my own image comparisons, and I am satisfied that the V1 is the clear winner in overall IQ compared with the D40, especially when shooting JPEGs at ISOs above 400 ISO. If you want to believe otherwise, that's your choice, but at least get the numbers right while making your specious arguments.


- Jon

I have to agree, it appears and make sense, that the QE of the V1 sensor is responsible for the very good IQ of the camera. I would not have expected a 1" sensor to produce IQ comparable to DX sensors, but it does.

olyflyer said:

olyflyer wrote:
Anyway, why worry? You have the V1, use it and enjoy it.

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Because I am trying to decide what lenses to buy.

Will I see a great IQ difference between a Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR AF-S and a Nikon 300mm f4 with a TC14E? (I would also get extra reach but not flexibility of zoom)

I am trying to decide what lenses to buy.

Will I see a great IQ difference between a Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR AF-S and a Nikon 300mm f4 with a TC14E? (I would also get extra reach but not flexibility of zoom)

jonikon said:

jonikon wrote:

jonikon said:

Zoran K wrote:

jonikon said:

SunnyFlorida wrote:

...a DxO Marklab comparison between the V1 and an 8-year old 6Mp chip from the D40 shows that the D40 is superior in ISO performance, DR and color accuracy. A current low end d-slr like the D3200 has superior ISO performance (1,100 vs 350) and superior DR, color accuracy and resolution.

Click to expand...

Ditto!

Click to expand...

You and SunnyFlorida needs to get your facts straight, (and maybe some new spectacles as well)! Here is the actual Dx0Mark comparison of the V1 vs D40

Loading…

www.dxomark.com

According to DX0Mark the V1 beats the D40 on color depth and has the exact same score of 11 for DR, but this is misleading as is the higher ISO score for the D40 because the read noise for the 6MP sensor in the D40 is much higher and the quantum efficiency (QE), is much lower (only 27%) compared to the 10MP V1 sensor (QE=57%). In fact, the V1 sensor has the same QE (57%), as that of the Nikon D3s! So although the V1 sensor has greater resolution and about 43% of the pixel size of the D40, the much higher level of QE makes up for it, and actually makes for better color accuracy, better retention of dynamic range and less color noise at higher ISOs than the D40.

Having both the D40 and V1 at the same time I have been able to make my own image comparisons, and I am satisfied that the V1 is the clear winner in overall IQ compared with the D40, especially when shooting JPEGs at ISOs above 400 ISO. If you want to believe otherwise, that's your choice, but at least get the numbers right while making your specious arguments.

- Jon

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Seriously? The D40 received a scoire of 56 , the V1=54, the ISO rating of the D40 was 561, the V1= 346, and this is a discontinued 8 year old, 5 generations back sensor.

And I really liked the way you completed avoided the current low end DX camera D3200 which simply smokes the tiny 1" sensor in all sensor performance, including the newer V2 and J3

Congratulations on your purchase.

As far as really-good lenses go, the 30-110 you have is by all accounts a very good lens, albeit I have not used the lens myself. The 10-30 is not so well regarded, but I have been very satisfied with the images I have gotten from my copy - and I consider myself to be quite fussy about the quality of lenses I own. I am very interested in getting the 18.5mm f/1.8, which by all accounts is a very good lens. You might want to consider using just 1 Nikkor lenses with your V1.


That said, I bought the FT-1 adapter to attach F-mount lenses to my V1. An old favorite, the 50mm f/1.8 AF-Nikkor is a bit soft and flarey wide open when used on the V1, but sharpens up nicely when stopped down to f/2.8. The 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 AF-S Nikkor (IMO an underrated lens) is decent, but is a bit soft and rather prone to focus hunting at 300mm. I get noticeably better results from the 70-300mm at 300mm on my D7000. I have taken some test shots, mostly of still subjects, with my old MF 300mm f/2.8 Tamron, which is a very sharp lens. The V1 will capture more detail than a cropped area taken with my D7000, although I think the D7000 is a bit better at capturing details in the shadows.

You will get the best stills from the V1 if you shoot RAW (NEF + JPEG). I feel they are comparable to shots from newer Nikon DSLRs like the D7000 at lower ISOs. I have, however, been reasonably pleased with ISO 1600 and 3200 shots taken on my V1, although admittedly my D7000 will produce noticeably better results at those ISOs. The V1, however, kicks the D7000's butt when it comes to video, especially with regards to AF.

Enjoy your new system. Have fun experimenting and figuring out how you can get the most out of it.

The figures are quite clear on DxOMark, the V1 has a marginal advantage in colour depth, the two are equal in dynamic range, and the D4 has a significant advantage in low light performance. OK? There are of course other things that go to make a good picture, but a lot of that can be adjusted in post processing and is down to personal taste.

However, the V1 is small & light and has a x2.7 crop factor. If I buy a 300mm f4 plus TC14 I have an 800mm f4 or 1100mm f5.6, costing £1400 and weighing around 2300gr. The DX equiv would be around £7000 and 4500gr (and admittedly better IQ) which is why I bought the V1 - it great for shooting birds & small wildlife.

The point about the better IQ is that you can only SEE the better IQ if you print LARGE, or study the picture area by area on a pc screen.

What I am trying to establish is how much difference one can see in a picture shot on a V1 with a Nikon 70-300 and the same taken with a Nikon 300 f4. I don't have these lenses so I can't test it for myself.

Thanks!

MikeSE25 said:

MikeSE25 wrote:

MikeSE25 said:

olyflyer wrote:
Anyway, why worry? You have the V1, use it and enjoy it.

Click to expand...

Because I am trying to decide what lenses to buy.

Click to expand...

...but you already have the two most flexibly useful lenses for the camera so it would be better to start using those. That way you would soon know what you are missing and what you would really need.

MikeSE25 said:

Will I see a great IQ difference between a Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR AF-S and a Nikon 300mm f4 with a TC14E? (I would also get extra reach but not flexibility of zoom)

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You mean the V1 + FT1 + those lenses? IQ differences compared with what? Using the same lenses on which camera? What is your reference?

MikeSE25 said:

MikeSE25 wrote:

However, the V1 is small & light and has a x2.7 crop factor. If I buy a 300mm f4 plus TC14 I have an 800mm f4 or 1100mm f5.6, costing £1400 and weighing around 2300gr. The DX equiv would be around £7000 and 4500gr (and admittedly better IQ) which is why I bought the V1 - it great for shooting birds & small wildlife.

Click to expand...

All those numbers look real sexy on paper, but real life is a diferent story. I wish they were true, so I can just attach my 50mm F/1.4 to my 20x crop cel phone sensor to get a 1,000mm F/1.4 FOV.

I beleive that with the FT1 the VR function of the lens doesn't work, the active tracking doesn't work and the 11 AF-zones don't work, only the center focus sensor works. Additionally at 1,100 mm you will need a shutter speed of at least 1/1500 sec to prevent vibration blur. which means a high ISO probably 1,600 or above unless you are shooting at high noon with lots of bright sunlight.

It is a lower cost alternative, heck I'd probably use it myself, just don't expect images to be close in IQ to a DX sensor

The VR on DX/FX lenses do work with the FT1 adaptor. but you are right on the center point focus only and also only AF-Single focus, no AF-C support. Plus, the VR is always on in the lens unless you turn it off manually via the switch.

I also agree that it looks good on paper, but in practice it is not that great.

SunnyFlorida said:

SunnyFlorida wrote:

SunnyFlorida said:

MikeSE25 wrote:

However, the V1 is small & light and has a x2.7 crop factor. If I buy a 300mm f4 plus TC14 I have an 800mm f4 or 1100mm f5.6, costing £1400 and weighing around 2300gr. The DX equiv would be around £7000 and 4500gr (and admittedly better IQ) which is why I bought the V1 - it great for shooting birds & small wildlife.

Click to expand...

All those numbers look real sexy on paper, but real life is a diferent story. I wish they were true, so I can just attach my 50mm F/1.4 to my 20x crop cel phone sensor to get a 1,000mm F/1.4 FOV.

I beleive that with the FT1 the VR function of the lens doesn't work, the active tracking doesn't work and the 11 AF-zones don't work, only the center focus sensor works. Additionally at 1,100 mm you will need a shutter speed of at least 1/1500 sec to prevent vibration blur. which means a high ISO probably 1,600 or above unless you are shooting at high noon with lots of bright sunlight.

It is a lower cost alternative, heck I'd probably use it myself, just don't expect images to be close in IQ to a DX sensor

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It was Thom Hogan who suggested using a Nikon 1 + FT-1 for shooting wildlife. He has used the V1 fairly extensively and believes this is a viable option.

I will mostly use a tripod - a good one - so VR will be off most of the time, (although the FT-1 does support VR) and a therefore a higher shutter speed should not be necessary. Certainly you are right that only centre focus works, but that is not a worry to me.

You are also right about tracking, it is reduced with the FT-1, however I have seen some pretty good BIF shots taken even so.

I still believe that IQ is most critical for large printing and pixel peeping., and that the IQ of the V1 is pretty good.

olyflyer said:

olyflyer wrote:

olyflyer said:

MikeSE25 wrote:

olyflyer said:

olyflyer wrote:
Anyway, why worry? You have the V1, use it and enjoy it.

Click to expand...

Because I am trying to decide what lenses to buy.

Click to expand...

...but you already have the two most flexibly useful lenses for the camera so it would be better to start using those. That way you would soon know what you are missing and what you would really need.

olyflyer said:

Will I see a great IQ difference between a Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR AF-S and a Nikon 300mm f4 with a TC14E? (I would also get extra reach but not flexibility of zoom)

Click to expand...

You mean the V1 + FT1 + those lenses? IQ differences compared with what? Using the same lenses on which camera? What is your reference?

Click to expand...

V1+FT-1 yes. How do the 70-300mm & 300mm f4 & 30-110mm compare with each other on the V1+FT-1

The IQ is very good. Here is a 1meg crop from the 55-200 VR lens, hand held.
















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Canon A2E, Sony R1, Panny TZ5, NEX C3/Zeiss 24mm E Lens & Nikon V1