N1 for portraits?

Does anyone use the N1 system for portraits?

I bought the N1 system for the large sensor [relatively large, for me], fast focus, & small size so I could get many great pictures of my toddlers (great to me).

Since I bought the N1, I discovered I prefer portraits of my kids. Reading this forum & getting more critical of my work, I noticed the lack of portraits with an N1 camera.

Is the N1 not geared towards portraits?

All that said, I don’t see myself changing to another system based on any answers to this question. I ask because I am curious & because N1 folks seem unusually helpful.

I use my Nikon V1 for everything including portraits; some of which I have submitted for travel visas (India, China). Although I would consider those more as mug shots than "portraits".

Justin9999 said:

Does anyone use the N1 system for portraits?

I bought the N1 system for the large sensor [relatively large, for me], fast focus, & small size so I could get many great pictures of my toddlers (great to me).

Since I bought the N1, I discovered I prefer portraits of my kids. Reading this forum & getting more critical of my work, I noticed the lack of portraits with an N1 camera.

Is the N1 not geared towards portraits?

All that said, I don’t see myself changing to another system based on any answers to this question. I ask because I am curious & because N1 folks seem unusually helpful.

--
Assume you know a lot more than me and teach me at will.

Click to expand...

Were you looking for something like this...


My granddaughter at 12

...which with a bit of judicious processing could even be this...



The N1 cameras are more than good enough to take portraits. My wife and I have the first of these two images printed borderless as shown, on aluminium, at 20x30 inches on our bedroom wall. It was taken with my V3 and the 30-110.

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Ed Form

Of course we use N1 for portraits. Surely comparing to larger sensor systems, there are some drawbacks of N1 that we need to be aware of and try to overcome. Such as achieving creamy bokeh is not as easy as with larger sensors, but it is still possible. Low light is also a challenge. So, overall I would say that the range of opportunities for a great portrait with 1inch sensor is not as wide as with larger sensors but they still exist, and we just need to identify them in real life. Personally, sometimes I miss the portrait feel of my D300 with 85 1.4D, so I am still keeping this combo with fully charged battery at close reach. And for the same reason will be looking at the new Nikon Mirrorless with interest as a potential companion to N1 specifically for portraits. So in general, I would recommend to splurge on a large sensor combo with fast portrait prime for your kids. They grow so fast, you don’t want to waste time on decisions. There are many not too expensive options to pick from.

But here is some examples of portraits with J5:


This was just a test shot to get a feel of bokeh and sharpness with 32 1.2, not really a portrait I would keep. The other pictures below a closer to the portrait category that I personally like.


32 1.2


18 1.8


18 1.8


18 1.8


10-100 PD




6-13

Nice set VadymA, the highlights in the eyes make the portraits come alive.

--
"No matter how elegant the subject, an image requires something more than a literal recording of that scene. It needs a moment a gesture or light or color to add that third dimension and make it memorable." - Annie Griffiths

I can safely say I am not a master of portrait photography or any other genre for that matter I will say that while there may be accepted standards for what constitutes proper portrait photography as far as equipment or style is concerned, any camera system can be the right one for portraits, IMHO. Here is a photo I took with a V1 and an adapted 100mm Meyer Trioplan, just trying it out with my willing Daughter as model. Now the purpose of the shot was not to create an awesome portrait, which it certainly is not, but there is no reason this same combo couldn't be used to make an awesome portrait if so desired.







--
Regards, Paul
Lili's Dad

Paul Pasco said:

I can safely say I am not a master of portrait photography or any other genre for that matter I will say that while there may be accepted standards for what constitutes proper portrait photography as far as equipment or style is concerned, any camera system can be the right one for portraits, IMHO. Here is a photo I took with a V1 and an adapted 100mm Meyer Trioplan, just trying it out with my willing Daughter as model. Now the purpose of the shot was not to create an awesome portrait, which it certainly is not, but there is no reason this same combo couldn't be used to make an awesome portrait if so desired.



--
Regards, Paul
Lili's Dad

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I love the very natural colors and the depth (3-Deffect) of this image. Is it SOOC jpeg or post-processed? I always love the look produced by FF lenses and V1. Is it the lens, the unique Nikon sensor used in V1, or both? So hard to tell. If I come across a V1 around $100CAD, I am getting it for sure just to try for myself.

Of course do I use both my V1 and J5 for portraits.
The V1 even a in studio set-up with the flash.
My preferred lenses are the 30-110mm or the 32mm.

VadymA said:

Paul Pasco said:

I can safely say I am not a master of portrait photography or any other genre for that matter I will say that while there may be accepted standards for what constitutes proper portrait photography as far as equipment or style is concerned, any camera system can be the right one for portraits, IMHO. Here is a photo I took with a V1 and an adapted 100mm Meyer Trioplan, just trying it out with my willing Daughter as model. Now the purpose of the shot was not to create an awesome portrait, which it certainly is not, but there is no reason this same combo couldn't be used to make an awesome portrait if so desired.



--
Regards, Paul
Lili's Dad

Click to expand...

I love the very natural colors and the depth (3-Deffect) of this image. Is it SOOC jpeg or post-processed? I always love the look produced by FF lenses and V1. Is it the lens, the unique Nikon sensor used in V1, or both? So hard to tell. If I come across a V1 around $100CAD, I am getting it for sure just to try for myself.

Click to expand...

It was shot jpeg and while I didn't record the actual aperture setting, I am guessing about 5.6-8. All I did in PP was a little "shadows and highlights" and tweeked the white balance in PS Elements. This old lens is a triplet and lately has been sought after and reissued for ridiculous prices. I paid about $50.00 for this Exakta mount version 17 years ago. I know how long ago because the model was a new born when I got it :-D I think the "3-D effect" has a lot to do with this being a 300mm equivalent focal length. Manual focus is kind of iffy with the V1 too.

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Regards, Paul
Lili's Dad

I have taken thousands & thousands of portraits of family, friends, colleagues, and strangers with my N1 V1 cameras. I especially love the 32mm f1.2 and would not have bought into this system were it not for this lens, which was made specifically for portraiture, as I'm sure you know.




Young Lady

This one was taken with the FT1 adapter fitted with the 50mm f1.8, if I'm not mistaken. N1 flash included.

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Box Man

Totally agree with Misterodd. I love what I get with the 32mm, even though I mainly use a Fuji X100F at the moment.


Green eyes.

misterodd said:

I have taken thousands & thousands of portraits of family, friends, colleagues, and strangers with my N1 V1 cameras. I especially love the 32mm f1.2 and would not have bought into this system were it not for this lens, which was made specifically for portraiture, as I'm sure you know.


Young Lady

This one was taken with the FT1 adapter fitted with the 50mm f1.8, if I'm not mistaken. N1 flash included.

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Box Man

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This is a wonderful shot of a beautiful woman. I bought the 50 1.8 G specifically to use on the V1, even though I also have APS-C and FF equipment. As shown here, this lens does not give maximum sharpness at f/1.8 on this format but it can make for some wonderful background blur, and one does not need ultimate sharpness for a great portrait.

Your photo is a strong reminder that I need to use this lens more. Years ago with film the 135mm lens was a favorite.

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Regards, Paul
Lili's Dad

Paul Pasco said:

misterodd said:

I have taken thousands & thousands of portraits of family, friends, colleagues, and strangers with my N1 V1 cameras. I especially love the 32mm f1.2 and would not have bought into this system were it not for this lens, which was made specifically for portraiture, as I'm sure you know.


Young Lady

This one was taken with the FT1 adapter fitted with the 50mm f1.8, if I'm not mistaken. N1 flash included.

--
Box Man

Click to expand...

This is a wonderful shot of a beautiful woman. I bought the 50 1.8 G specifically to use on the V1, even though I also have APS-C and FF equipment. As shown here, this lens does not give maximum sharpness at f/1.8 on this format but it can make for some wonderful background blur, and one does not need ultimate sharpness for a great portrait.

Your photo is a strong reminder that I need to use this lens more. Years ago with film the 135mm lens was a favorite.

Click to expand...

Paul,

Thanks a lot! You should definitely use this lens more. With a V camera this set-up is arguably the most nimble 135mm 1.8 around--so light, so simple to use. You're right at f1.8 this photo wasn't as sharp as it could've been. I do have other photos of this lady that are a bit sharper. The thing was, the light was low and she was moving. In the end though, this photo was one of my favorites due to the background blur among other things.

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Box Man