[jimr-pdx]

I found a J1 used/newish for $139 with the 10-30 lens, so what the heck. If images and video are worthwhile it can be my AF-video camera; I once tried the Lumix GF2 and liked it for that purpose but let it go. The J1 is the basest of 1-series models, but has raw and most controls (buried in the menus) but no bracketing or other rather basic skills. Battery life is Q-like. AF is supposedly impressive, but again it auto-switches to CDAF without user control.

Perhaps if this turns out to be surprisingly decent the K-01 and/or the Q can bring joy to another user... but let's not get ahead of ourselves!

[johnmflores]

I found a J1 used/newish for $139 with the 10-30 lens, so what the heck. If images and video are worthwhile it can be my AF-video camera; I once tried the Lumix GF2 and liked it for that purpose but let it go. The J1 is the basest of 1-series models, but has raw and most controls (buried in the menus) but no bracketing or other rather basic skills. Battery life is Q-like. AF is supposedly impressive, but again it auto-switches to CDAF without user control.

Perhaps if this turns out to be surprisingly decent the K-01 and/or the Q can bring joy to another user... but let's not get ahead of ourselves!

I have used nearly all of the cameras that you mentioned!

GF2 - Nikon 1 will have similar image quality and low noise performance but will have much faster AF and much quieter shutter
K-01 - Nikon 1 will have worse image quality by a fair margin, particularly in low light. But Nikon 1 will have much faster AF
Q - Nikon 1 will have better image but the gap is not as big as you might imagine, especially with the Nikon kit lens. Q usability is much better for someone that likes traditional camera controls. Nikon 1 will have much faster AF (see the trend?)

Of the 4 cameras, the Nikon 1 is the only one suitable for moving subjects. But to really get the most of it, you've got to spring for the 18.5mm F1.8 (~50mm EQ). The kit lenses are nice, but the 18.5 makes the camera feel like a serious tool.

I blogged extensively about my experiences with the V1: What Blog is This?: Nikon V1 Compendium

Good luck!

[jimr-pdx]

Thanks John, love the NCN blog

[jimr-pdx]

I'd lose the portability, but I could pick up a PK/N1 mount for $30 and beat the kit lens with my 17 24 and 30 primes. Maybe the Rokinon 8 would have some fun too!

I wonder how this would do mounted to my telescope; I was going to try the Q in a few weeks.. - see http://www.telescopeadapters.com/ for parts!

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Last edited by jimr-pdx; 08-07-2014 at 11:44 AM.

[6BQ5]

I looked into a Nikon 1 a while ago. One of the things I wanted to do was adapt my K and M42 lenses to it so the camera becomes a telephoto tool. If I remember right the camera doesn't have focus peaking which would make manual focus difficult for me.

[jimr-pdx]

That's true, only Pentax knows how to retro-fit peaking into an existing camera