V1 to V3 users happy or disappointed?

When the V1 was first introduced I thought it looked very good for me as a backup/fun/travel camera to compliment my D700. However I then read all of the negative reviews that you are all familiar with!!!!

I rejected the camera for a long time but eventually borrowed a friends and became converted, the speed, size and image quality won me over and I have now enjoyed a few years of V1 ownership. In fact two V1 with flash, kit lens plus the excellent 18.5, lens adapter etc.

When the V2 was introduced I was and still am happy with the V1, but now also upgraded the D700 to D800, all was good. The V3 was introduced and I saw a different battery, high initial price, clip on viewfinder and thought "No way".

The reviews for the V3 are about as negative as they were for the V1 and again I decided it was not for me, however when I saw the recent price drop I have been thinking about it again and a few of the features, but still am being put off by the reviews, I also have never actually held or even seen one except for picture reviews.

So I ask experienced long term V1 users who have purchased the V3 recently, Are you happy or disappointed?"

Am I correct in believing the immediate image review as on the V1 can be disabled on the V3?

I usually turn to my old friends on this forum when in doubt.

Regards

John B. North Wales

"Am I correct in believing the immediate image review as on the V1 can be disabled on the V3?"

Yes

Can't contribute to the main part of your query though as I have only the V2 (and very recently the V3 )

Thanks Brian,

That is one improvement that would help me with my type of photography,

Regards

John

i like them and dropped all my DX bodies because i liked them so much, i do miss shallow DOF so i am on the look out for a cheap D700 this year for the odd bit of shooting.

The sensor size is a bit of compromise, but for most things for me i don't think it makes a huge difference.

I am also very interested in others opinion.

I cycled thru a couple J1s and hated it that soured me on the 1 line. But then got a V1 and even with the terrible design issues the fast focus, high frame rate, acceptable IQ up to 800 and 1600 ISO in a pinch made me get one, then two. I'm back to one but mated to a 85 1.8 or 50 1.8 f-mount makes for an interesting fast/light/silent pocket camera.

When I shoot the V1 and the forced image review was so frustrating for fast action shooting. I'm also again considering getting a V3 used.

Its hard for me to swallow to get it for just ergo and image review to spend up 500 bucks for nothing else. After all I got the V1 for a couple hundred bucks

There are lots of things that annoy me with the V3. It could have been a so much better camera, with just some firmware adjustments. There are lots of reviews out there which pinpoint shortcomings of the camera.

Still, for the purpose I bought it, to photograph birds using the CX 70-300mm lens, I am happy.

I got the V1 when it came out and loved it, still have it and use it. When the V3came out, I upgraded, and love the improvements, especially the tilting screen. The size/weight of the camera, and recent excellent lenses all work to make this a very good system --sold by D7100, as I was using the V3 more, the 7100 sat in its case.

Cheers

Denny Smith 16 said:

I got the V1 when it came out and loved it, still have it and use it. When the V3came out, I upgraded, and love the improvements, especially the tilting screen. The size/weight of the camera, and recent excellent lenses all work to make this a very good system --sold by D7100, as I was using the V3 more, the 7100 sat in its case.

Cheers

Click to expand...

More specifically: is the AF any better? Is the base ISO noise still there? External controls, how much better? Lack of VF?

bowman said:

When the V1 was first introduced I thought it looked very good for me as a backup/fun/travel camera to compliment my D700. However I then read all of the negative reviews that you are all familiar with!!!!

I rejected the camera for a long time but eventually borrowed a friends and became converted, the speed, size and image quality won me over and I have now enjoyed a few years of V1 ownership. In fact two V1 with flash, kit lens plus the excellent 18.5, lens adapter etc.

When the V2 was introduced I was and still am happy with the V1, but now also upgraded the D700 to D800, all was good. The V3 was introduced and I saw a different battery, high initial price, clip on viewfinder and thought "No way".

The reviews for the V3 are about as negative as they were for the V1 and again I decided it was not for me, however when I saw the recent price drop I have been thinking about it again and a few of the features, but still am being put off by the reviews, I also have never actually held or even seen one except for picture reviews.

So I ask experienced long term V1 users who have purchased the V3 recently, Are you happy or disappointed?"

Am I correct in believing the immediate image review as on the V1 can be disabled on the V3?

I usually turn to my old friends on this forum when in doubt.

Regards

John B. North Wales

Click to expand...

Yes.

I had a love/hate relationship with the V1. Liked most everything about it, but hated the UI and the time it took to change settings.

The V2 was a big step up in usability - very fast and easy to use (access to settings, etc.)

The UI of the V3 is different than the V2, but just as good (better if you like touch-screen).

And the V3 just looks so damn sexy....

bowman said:

The V3 was introduced and I saw a different battery, high initial price, clip on viewfinder and thought "No way".

Click to expand...

Actually, the V3 can use the EN-L20 as well as the EN-EL20a that was introduced with the V3. I bought my V3 kit used and it came with three spare batteries, all EN-EL20s. I'm sure having to use Micro-SD cards turned off a lot of people, but I had Several good ones that I was already using in my E-M10 with the adapters and my V3 came with two 64GB cards. Here in North America, the only choice is the V3 kit which of course, includes the optional EVF, optional grip, and the 10-30mm PD zoom. Plus Nikon was throwing in the FT1 at no charge; probably an attempt to attract their DSLR base or to boost sales of FX and DX lenses. If you consider the cost of similar cameras with all the extras, and the price isn't all that bad.

bowman said:

The reviews for the V3 are about as negative as they were for the V1 and again I decided it was not for me, however when I saw the recent price drop I have been thinking about it again and a few of the features, but still am being put off by the reviews, I also have never actually held or even seen one except for picture reviews.

Click to expand...

I've never seen or held a V1, but I did look at a V2 in the store and I didn't like it all that much. The ergonomics on the V3 are actually pretty good and build quality is excellent. To me, not having an EVF on any camera is a deal breaker because I have to use my reading glasses to clearly see the LCD and in spite of what every camera maker says, LCDs suck in bright sunlight. So I don't mind the optional EVF and even though I also have the optional grip, I only use it with my 10-100mm PD zoom. I don't need it with my other lenses. If I use the 18.5mm or the 10-30mm PD zoom, I can take the EVF off and stick the V3 in my jacket pocket and the EVF in a pants or shirt pocket; it only takes a moment to put the EVF back on the V3.

bowman said:

So I ask experienced long term V1 users who have purchased the V3 recently, Are you happy or disappointed?"

Click to expand...

I have to admit that I have become very spoiled with the customizable functionality of my E-M10, but even when I compare the V3to the GX7, X-E1, and X-A1 that I owned, I find firmware options missing on the V3 that should be on a camera that Nikon considers their top of the line performance Nikon 1 camera. It would be so easy to add most of what is missing with a firmware update.

bowman said:

Am I correct in believing the immediate image review as on the V1 can be disabled on the V3?

Click to expand...

Yes you are.

Wu Jiaqiu said:

i like them and dropped all my DX bodies because i liked them so much, i do miss shallow DOF so i am on the look out for a cheap D700 this year for the odd bit of shooting.

Click to expand...

Due to the close focus ability of the 18.5mm I actually find it can produce some beautifully shallow DoF if you're photographing something small and can get in close.

And the 32m f1.2 produces a nice shallow DoF from shooting from further (portrait) distances.

But what I find missing is a bokelicious lens for shooting in that mid-range.

Something in the 14-16mm range, f1.0, and I'd be a happy camper!

Member said:

The sensor size is a bit of compromise, but for most things for me i don't think it makes a huge difference.

Click to expand...

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mars_observer/

bowman said:

When the V1 was first introduced I thought it looked very good for me as a backup/fun/travel camera to compliment my D700. However I then read all of the negative reviews that you are all familiar with!!!!

I rejected the camera for a long time but eventually borrowed a friends and became converted, the speed, size and image quality won me over and I have now enjoyed a few years of V1 ownership. In fact two V1 with flash, kit lens plus the excellent 18.5, lens adapter etc.

When the V2 was introduced I was and still am happy with the V1, but now also upgraded the D700 to D800, all was good. The V3 was introduced and I saw a different battery, high initial price, clip on viewfinder and thought "No way".

The reviews for the V3 are about as negative as they were for the V1 and again I decided it was not for me, however when I saw the recent price drop I have been thinking about it again and a few of the features, but still am being put off by the reviews, I also have never actually held or even seen one except for picture reviews.

So I ask experienced long term V1 users who have purchased the V3 recently, Are you happy or disappointed?"

Am I correct in believing the immediate image review as on the V1 can be disabled on the V3?

I usually turn to my old friends on this forum when in doubt.

Regards

John B. North Wales

Click to expand...

Once I got the V3, I sold all my DX gear. I am CX/FX at the moment and am slowly selling off my FX gear where the CX can hold it own. About all I still use my FX gear for is indoor sports and shallow DoF portrait work.

If I am traveling or outside in good light the FX gear collects dust.

Thanks indeed for your interest and well balanced opinions, a great help to me.

I am very tempted to press the buy button but will wait until tomorrow. I am also possibly waiting to see if there are any bargains at the Photography Show at the NEC in March.

in the meanwhile any further opinions would be good,

regards John B. North Wales

[No message]

Thanks Bill S

rhlpetrus said:

Denny Smith 16 said:

I got the V1 when it came out and loved it, still have it and use it. When the V3came out, I upgraded, and love the improvements, especially the tilting screen. The size/weight of the camera, and recent excellent lenses all work to make this a very good system --sold by D7100, as I was using the V3 more, the 7100 sat in its case.

Cheers

Click to expand...

More specifically: is the AF any better? Is the base ISO noise still there? External controls, how much better? Lack of VF?

--
Renato.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhlpedrosa/
OnExposure member
http://www.onexposure.net/
Good shooting and good luck
(after Ed Murrow)

Click to expand...

Renato - If you are used to the "buttons and dials" controls of the D70->D7K->D600 line, then you will feel right at home and the extra three programmable buttons rock. This was my camera route and I can switch between my V3 and D600 without much thought. I have both controls setup as mirrored as possible. I shoot boat racing and normally carry the V3 70-300cx and D600 70-200, it is a nice combo. I LOVE not carrying my freaking 200-400 (sold)!

I have never shot a camera much with the "pro-controls" like the OP's D700, there would likely be a learning curve.

Never have had an issue with focus, it is lighting fast like the V1. (Part is also the bigger DoF)

My biggest display size is 11x17 and I have had no complaints on the V3 shots. If I pixel peep I can tell the difference, but the racers don't seem to care.

BTW - I never thought that I would care about the tilt/touch screen. I was way off on the touch, the way you can move around the focus point at will is awesome, especially for video work. Menu diving is also much faster. I would have bought a D750 to replace my D600 if it had a touch screen. Guess I wait for the D750S...

MarsObserver said:

Wu Jiaqiu said:

i like them and dropped all my DX bodies because i liked them so much, i do miss shallow DOF so i am on the look out for a cheap D700 this year for the odd bit of shooting.

Click to expand...

Due to the close focus ability of the 18.5mm I actually find it can produce some beautifully shallow DoF if you're photographing something small and can get in close.

And the 32m f1.2 produces a nice shallow DoF from shooting from further (portrait) distances.

But what I find missing is a bokelicious lens for shooting in that mid-range.

Something in the 14-16mm range, f1.0, and I'd be a happy camper!

MarsObserver said:

The sensor size is a bit of compromise, but for most things for me i don't think it makes a huge difference.

Click to expand...

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mars_observer/

Click to expand...

Keep your fingers crossed that they produce the 9-30 F1.8-2.8 that was patented recently!

Better ask: V2 to V3 users happy or disappointed?

I think it's one step forwards and 2 steps back.

chipmaster said:

I am also very interested in others opinion.

I cycled thru a couple J1s and hated it that soured me on the 1 line. But then got a V1 and even with the terrible design issues the fast focus, high frame rate, acceptable IQ up to 800 and 1600 ISO in a pinch made me get one, then two. I'm back to one but mated to a 85 1.8 or 50 1.8 f-mount makes for an interesting fast/light/silent pocket camera.

When I shoot the V1 and the forced image review was so frustrating for fast action shooting. I'm also again considering getting a V3 used.

Its hard for me to swallow to get it for just ergo and image review to spend up 500 bucks for nothing else. After all I got the V1 for a couple hundred bucks

--
"Today's Pictures Are Tomorrow's Memories"

Click to expand...

Where can you get a V3 for $500.00?

I have a V1 and when I was looking to upgrade it you could not just buy a body for any Nikon 1 system camera, at least in the US. Even now on BH the only thing you can get is a V2 body. Every other body comes with a lens.

I would rather buy an EM10 with kit lens and a 75-300 than buy a V3 here. Would be practically the same cost and be a much better value IMO.

Ah, V2 owners to V3?

I had thought of that briefly and did wonder if the V3 was so satisfying to an ex V2 user?

John