Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

Perhaps ten years ago or so, I purchased a then-new Nikon 1 J1 ultra-portable CX-format interchangeable lens camera. I think Nikon developed this model to fit into the best-of-both-worlds between DSLR and pocket (CoolPix) camera. At the time its features seemed ground-breaking and I liked the interchangeability of the lenses. I got both of the mainstay lenses, a 10mm-30mm and 30mm-110mm. Given the CX format with its 2.7x crop factor, these translate into mild wide-angle to long telephoto. In other words, the full range for most photographers.

(Amazon image)

Despite some new technology developed by Nikon, I don't think the camera ever caught on widely. Nikon continued to evolve it from its 2011 humble beginnings (the model I have) into the J2, J3, J4, etc. Still, I think it's major problem was that it tried to be everything to everyone and thus wound up not doing any of it terribly well. It has a 10.1mpx sensor, which is small by today's standards.

I introduced this so as to not give anyone the impression that this is a major issue. I had all but forgotten this camera until I was cleaning a closet, so I pulled it out and decided to see if it was still somewhat usable. The answer is a definite, "Maybe." I took it to my daughter's today for a Father's Day get together, and was disappointed to find out that there is some glitch with the shorter of the two lenses, the 10mm-30mm.

One of the "features" of this camera is a lens locking button that must be pressed and the lens rotated out before one can take photos. I noticed that when fully extended to its 30mm length, the image in the viewfinder (and thus the camera) was clear, but when shortened, everything darkens. The metering system indicates a low light level insufficient for picture taking, and so the shutter release button is disabled. Extend the lens, and all is good. The 30mm-110mm lens does not exhibit this behavior.

So, the lenses both fit (Nikon gave them a unique mounting system). The camera recognizes both of them. But only the 10mm-30mm is "disabled" when set to anything much less than 30mm. This doesn't strike me as a mechanical problems, but rather one of some connection going askew when the lens is rotated. Does this make sense?

Quite obviously, this is a long-discontinued product, and even if Nikon were to consider looking at it and/or repairing it, I suspect the cost wouldn't be worth it.

So, has anyone encountered a similar problem, with ANY camera? And did you ever determine the fix for it? Just for grins and giggles, I'm going to take my Rocket Air Blaster and a lens cleaning tool and see if I can't clean away the problem, but if you know of a solution, I'd love to hear it.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

It sounds like a problem with that particular lens. You should be able to get a second hand replacement quite easily for not too much.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

You say "extend" the lens.... which suggests it's a collapsible design to make it very compact for storage.

Normally with a lens like that, the zoom is a separate function. You don't return it to the "collapsed/locked" position except to stow it.

Are you sure you're using it correctly?

niteman3d Loc: South Central Pennsylvania, USA

It's probably this:
https://www.nikonusa.com/en/service-and-support/service-advisories/technical-service-advisory-for-users-of-the-1-nikkor-vr-10-30mm-f-3-5-5-6.html
Since you can't get it fixed for free any longer, it may make sense to replace it with the powered zoom if you can find one.

TonyBrown

I had the same issue. You need to try and find a new lens. It’s a good camera system. I used mine on a trip to Peru. In the Amazon jungle it took pictures as good as those using DSLR’s. The main problem was slow focus. Sold mine a good few years ago.

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

Hmm. The description doesn't match completely, but given the widespread nature of the notice, that's probably it. Thanks!

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

Interesting that you should mention the focus speed. When it was announced, focus speed was one of its main features. Of course, field reports came in that reported the autofocus speed dropped in less than optimal lighting conditions. Still, that's not been a concern of mine. Again, it's a ten year-old camera...

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

The 10-30mm lens was the first ( I believe) for this issue to show up, and there was a time period where Nikon did a recall and would repair them. It did show up in other lens models. The repair is a huge pain, complete disassembly of the lens, all the way down. Your body is fine, but the lens is a parts lens/repair now. I have one just like yours, it will only work fully extended. I still use my V1 as a pocket camera, the J1 not so much, I never did get comfortable with no viewfinder.

Most of the time it is the small plastic gear (on the aperture motor) becomes loose and will not drive the aperture action. It can be repaired, and many who do replace the plastic gear with a brass/metal gear. It is DIY doable, but not cost effective to send to a shop. One could maybe epoxy/superglue the gear on the shaft as well, but a good jolt would probably re-break the bond, back to square one. I understand that you can tell the ones that have been repaired by Nikon, they made a mark of some sort in one of the mount holes, but I'd have to look it up to say......apparently not many folks bothered with the recall, as there are many bad ones available, and many for sale with no "recall mark".

It is not a bad little camera, but tech has advanced...so value is limited. I am going to attempt the repair one day when I've time/patiance/part. For now, I just replaced the lens with another used one.

I'm still looking for a FT1 adapter if anyone has one, buy or trade...

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

Thanks for your very detailed response. I see there are a few 10-30 lenses on eBay (with prices all over the map!). I may spring for one just to have a working camera as a spare, should the need arise. I was tempted to write Nikon and ask how expensive a repair might be, but you've now dissuaded me from doing so!

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

The "powered zoom" that you mention is the 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD-ZOOM, I take it? Will that lens also work with the J1 version of the camera?

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

I've seen this issue on several of the N1 lenses: the 10-30VR often, the 11-27, 10-30PD, 30-110, etc. Look for a good return policy, and some sort of warranty...or just take a chance. Shame more of them were'nt sent in for the recall effort. All the N1 lenses work with all the various models.

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

Thank you for the reply. I'm giving this way too much attention! I have a bid on a replacement lens on eBay, but I'm not going to lose sleep over it if I don't get it. And I'm not spending the ludicrous amount some people are asking. I have a P900 and a D7500 that I use frequently, and an even older Olympus on my "retired" list. For pocket shooting, I carry a Fujifilm FinePix F45fd, which pretty much covers the same bases as the Nikon 1. The 1 has been in "semi-retirement" for a while now. I may just relegate it to the history pile.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

I believe MPB had several of the 10-30s for around $45 delivered/6 mo. warranty. If you do decide to "park it", I might be interested in the 30-110...I have a working copy of each, it would be a spare....but I'm really on the hunt for the FT1, just iching to try my long list of big Nikon/Nikon mt. lenses and still have AF. It works well in manual fashion with dumb adapter, but I'd love to be able to use AF and metering.....

niteman3d Loc: South Central Pennsylvania, USA

I snooped around a bit and found a couple of the PD version which is supposed to *not* have the bad gear or whatever makes the manual version crap out. They were right at $100 US (from Japanese photo stores online which I've had good luck with, but that's certainly no guarantee of future performance).

nukauboi

I bought a V1 when the price was about 1/3 when they came out. I got a FT/1 adapter and was amazed at how good a Nikon 70-200 kit lens off a N5000 worked. I believe with the crop factor it was about 800mm and light. I caught some horses running and it was tack sharp. I have never liked the lens it came with, but the prime works pretty well.