Nikon 1 V3 for Insects | Busy as a Bee
Nikon 1 V3 for Insects | Busy as a Bee A few bees are out along my walkabout. Spring must be here. For the whole story with all images, see Nikon 1 V3 for Insects | a 7 Image Story.
Nikon 1 V3 for Insects | Black Swallowtail
Nikon 1 V3 for Insects | Black Swallowtail Although these flowers were growing wild along my walkabout path, I’m not sure these are wildflowers. Still, they’re flowers growing in the wild. And, a simple click captured them with a beautiful butterfly. For the whole story with all images, see Nikon 1 V3 for Insects | a 7 Image Story.
Nikon 1 V3 for Insects | Yellow Jacket
Nikon 1 V3 for Insects | Yellow Jacket A Yellow Jacket wasp can sometimes be mistaken for a Bee, but they are actually wasps which are only distant relatives to Bees. Yellow jackets may occasionally visit flowers for sugar, but unlike Bees, they are carnivorous with insects being their favorite. Also, they have no brushes or pollen baskets for carrying pollen. Like Honeybees and Bubble Bees, they have a painful sting. For the whole story with all images, see Nikon 1 V3 for Insects | a 7 Image Story.
Nikon 1 V3 for Insects | American Dagger Moth Caterpillar
Nikon 1 V3 for Insects | American Dagger Moth Caterpillar This caterpillar seems intent on going straight up; looking forward to becoming a moth. Must take a lot of energy even for a relatively light caterpillar. For the whole story with all images, see Nikon 1 V3 for Insects | a 7 Image Story.
Nikon 1 V3 for Insects | Damselflies
Nikon 1 V3 for Insects | Damselflies The kayak really helps find some insects close-up. Even with the 300mm becoming 810mm on the Nikon 1 V3, capturing small flying insects is still difficult. Damselflies are also usually smaller than dragonflies, weaker fliers, and their eyes are separated. Damselflies are similar to dragonflies, but the adults are distinguished the wings of most damselflies are held along, and parallel to, the body when at rest. For the whole story with all images, see Nikon 1 V3 for Insects | a 7 Image Story.
Nikon 1 V3 for Insects | Dragonfly
Nikon 1 V3 for Insects | Dragonfly Dragon Fly The kayak has been pressed into duty again. Now, I have not been an insect photog and do not have lenses to get those cool insect shots. Still, even with a simple telephoto and a kayak, I was able to capture a decent image of this Dragonfly. For the whole story with all images, see Nikon 1 V3 for Insects | a 7 Image Story.
Nikon 1 V3 for Insects | Praying Mantis
Nikon 1 V3 for Insects | Praying Mantis This Praying Mantis was crossing a road about the time I walked by on a late afternoon walkabout. Luckily, the 30-110mm lens was on the camera so I could stay far enough away from it. At the time of the click, that leaf had just blown near the Praying Mantis. A moment later, it was gone. For the whole story with all images, see Nikon 1 V3 for Insects | a 7 Image Story.
Nikon 1 V3 for Insects | a 7 Image Story
Nikon 1 V3 for Insects| a 7 Image Story The Nikon 1 V3, and the V1 before it, captures a wide variety of image types quite well. With the right lens and a little patience, it will capture really nice insect images. The camera body and lenses are relatively small and light to carry. On a local hike to capture wildlife and/or insect images, only one or two lenses will likely be required. One goes on the camera and the other in your pocket. See my walkabout kit list below. Now, I’m not a serious insect photog and do not own a macro lens. Still, I like to capture insect images when the opportunity arises. Of course, without a macro lens (called micro lens in the Nikon world), those really close 1:1 magnification images are not possible, no matter what the camera body.
The V3 is my preferred carry camera for capturing daily walkabout images. It handles much like a DSLR in continuous mode. Although a bit noisy at higher ISOs, the image quality is quite good, particularly for posting. The 2.7 crop factor helps improve images where getting closer is not an option. Thus, the V3 allows me to capture wildlife, landscape, and some insect images on my walkabouts.
In a nutshell, what makes the Nikon 1 V3 suitable for capturing insect images::
- The Nikon 1 V3 is relatively small and light to carry.
- With it’s 2.7 crop factor, it adds inexpensive reach to telephoto lenses; actually any lens.
- It’s easy to carry with a telephoto lens attached, like the AFS 70-300mm & FT-1, using the sun sniper shoulder strap.
- Image quality seems quite good unless a really large print is required.
- The tilting LCD reduces the time spent focusing those awkward angles; particularly for focusing insects on ground level.
- A short video makes a nice addition to some posts.
- Of course, most Nikon AFS lenses work nicely, using the FT-1 adapter.
The V3 presents a few more challenges over my DSLRs! The Nikon 1 V3 requires a bit more camera discipline than a my DSLRs. The controls sometimes move during normal handling so the photographer must often check to ensure the settings are correct. Panning in low light can be demanding and a high ISO generates a good bit of noise. The small camera frame, attached to a long, heavy telephoto lens, does not seem balanced; making handling a bit tricky. The Nikon AFS 70-300mm works nicely, whereas, the AFS 70-200mm; not so much. Also, care must be taken not to break the camera mount with a heavy telephoto lens. Always carry it by the lens or the FT-1, not the camera. Higher ISO images sometimes require a pass through noise reduction in post processing. Changing the battery and/or the MicroSD card in the field takes some time and care. Build quality is more consumer than professional. If dropped, it can break.
What’s next? Nikon appears to have discontinued the Nikon 1 V series; too bad. A V4 camera could have addressed several V3 issues to become a really great camera. It’s not yet clear what my next walkabout camera will be; maybe another V3.
Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category Nikon 1 V3 for Insects.
Click any image below for a slide show!
My Nikon 1 V3 walkabout kit fits into a very small Lowepro camera backpack. The camera equipment includes a Nikon 1 V3 Body, Nikon FT-1 Adapter, 1 VR 10-30mm f3.5-5.6 PD-Zoom, 1 VR 30-110mm f3.8-5.6, AFS 50mm f1.4G, and a AFS 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR. The supporting equipment includes a Nikon Speedlight SB-N5 Flash, LitePanels MicroPro Hybrid, Sennheiser MKE 400 Directional Mic, Sun Sniper Shoulder Strap, Extra Nikon EN-EL15 Battery, Nikon MH-25 Charger, Extra SD Cards, Lens Cleaning Supplies, and a Headlamp with red & white light. A small MeFOTO tripod has its own bag. Find more Nikon 1 V1 and V3 experiences posted under IMHO. On local walkabouts, I usually only carry the camera with a lens and one other lens in my pocket.
Hank Conrad © 2023
