Nikon V1's Going Cheap......

I'm not sure what to make of this, but the Nikon V1 price just drove off a cliff this week - Amazon currently have the Nikon 1 V1 with 10-30mm VR 1 Lens (Black) listed for $596.95 - previously this rig was breathing the rarified air found at it's $899 list price.....

I am not paid the big bucks to sit around not drawing outrageously unfounded conclusions from stuff I see on the interwebs - so here goes....

I think this is a really bad sign for the Nikon 1 series of cameras less than a year into their perky, petite little lifespans.

These are really good cameras - I have only played with the V1's little sister the J1(it was a girly white one) and I was amazed by it. Gordon Laing has the world's most comprehensive review of the VI at cameralabs (put aside a Saturday afternoon to read it) and he really rated it.

However, like me, most of the world has no idea what the 1 series cameras mean to them - they are (were) expensive and not as fully featured as a similarly priced DSLR and they have a tiny sensor.  And then there is Sony, who are kicking it with APS-c models in the V1's category.

Personally, I will be doing a lot of comparison shopping before I enter the mirrorless market - and I won't be buying a Nikon just because I shoot their DSLRs.  Me-thinks Nikon has been taken to school and given a spanking with the V1's pricing (anyone remember the D3x, anyone?)....

I would love to hear your thoughts on the V1 / J1 below.

Cheers - Todd

Nikon D800 In Stock At Adorama | Still No D800e

Just a quick update to last week's 'D800 in stock' alert post.

Adorama must have a pair of hot envoys (Male & Female, this is an equal opportunity blog) based in Japan sake-ing and dining key figures in Nikon's despatch department.  Why do I jump to such spurious conclusions?

The adorama webstore still has D800's in stock and ready to ship.

As a point of reference: Amazon is backordered and so are B&H

Unfortunately, the D800e (lusive) is nowhere to be seen.

If you have been looking for the D800 get on over to Adorama.

If you have any D800 queries - please message me via the comments stream.  I'm loving mine and I'd be honoured to help you if I can.

Cheers - Todd

When Art Becomes Art-ier

We received an email today from a wonderful Australian artist, let's call her Ann, wishing to use the image from our popular Moeraki Boulders Sunrise canvas print as the inspiration for a painting.

Firstly, I applaud the artistic respect proffered by Ann in seeking our permission to work from our image - I find it really gratifying when another artist re-interprets your work especially in another medium.  Obviously, our permission was forthcoming.

This is not the first time that this image has been the framework for another artist - the image in this post shows a 1.2 metre wide mosaic by created by Invercargill artist Lyndon Coppin.  

Of course,  as a man Lyndon decided to employ the time tested maxim "it is better to ask forgiveness rather than permisssion" by approaching us retro-actively - I am not sure what he would have done if I'd said no - Hammer Time? ;-)

Moeraki Boulders New Zealand - From Fine Art Print to Fine Art Mosaic

So, we'd love to hear from you if you wish to use any of the images from sisson.co.nz as the basis for non-commercial artwork.

Cheers - Todd

Photo Details: 

The photograph was made about 5 years ago using a Nikon D2x (these days I'd use a Nikon D800 (currently in stock at Amazon!)) Nikon 12-24mm f/4G DX , Singh ray 3 stop ND grad .  I use Lexar CF & SD cards.  The image was edited in Adobe Photoshop - using three blended exposures from the same RAW file.