Nikon 1 70-300 vs 135 format superzooms

[Fine_Art]

I am just starting to seriously look at mirrorless systems. I have the D600 with Sigma 35 art and the nikon 85G. Without spending a bundle on a big super tele, I started to think the Nikon 1 J5 would give me tele with these lenses.

Then I came across the n1 70-300 online which converts to a 189-810mm for about 1 grand, while remaining fairly compact. Of course I know I will lose a lot of low light capability compared to the D600. On the other hand I could never justify the cost of a 600 or 800 Nikon anyway, so that is a dead option.

Has anyone used this lens? The few reviews seem glowing. Frankly, it seems like the reason for the Nikon 1, all by itself.

[BernardLanguillier]

Not used it yet myself, but have heard very good things about it.

I used the 1 system till the V3 and although its AF was amazing, sensor wasn't on par but with the J1 things are starting to look very very interesting with good light. DR is really good at low ISO, which is nothing short of amazing when you think of it.

Cheers,
Bernard

[Fine_Art]

Packing a tiny 200-800 @15fps, with silent shutter, out for wildlife shoots, seems like a dream.

[Jack Hogan]

I agree.  I think the Nikon 1 system is slowly coming into focus as the only small pixel system (2.3um) with quality interchangeable lenses plus semi-professional ergonomics and performance.  With the new BSI sensor, improved EVF and faster speed of the V4 I think it will start proving irresistible to some of the daylight action/wildlife crowd or as a lighter/smaller second system for whining landscapers and similes   Who needs a D400 when you've got a decent FF camera and a V4?

Jack

[synn]

The Nikon 1 system got a bad rep in the press because it was quite ahead of its time (1" sensors were not quite fashionable back when the V1 was launched). I had a V1 for quite some time and I found it a delightful camera to use. The build was solid, the 10-30mm lens was excellent, the AF was as good as any DSLR (Except for maybe some very complex tracking situations) and the battery life, while not comparable to a DSLR, was quite competent.

What I liked about it the most though was that the files had a very gritty feel compared to the overly smoothened out files we get from most cameras these days (Subjective opinion). Yes, it was only 10 Megapickles that didnt like low light too much, but they were very good quality megapickles.



Thom Hogan was (and is ) an early proponent of this system and he had mostly favorable things to say about this lens: http://www.sansmirror.com/lenses/lens-reviews/lenses-for-nikon-1-cx/nikon-70-300mm-f45-56-cx.html

I would say, go for it.

(Another alternative would be to use the Nikon F adapter and a used 70-300 VR F mount lens on the 1 series body, which might amount to a cheaper proposition. But of course, it will be a bigger package overall).