I am intrigued by the Nikon 1 v3 with its 18 megapixel sensor, and 20 frames per second in full auto focus mode, and up to 60 frames per second in single focus mode. It is also reputed to have extremely fast focus. I like that I can use my current Nikon AF-S lenses on it with the FT1 Mount Adapter. On the negative side is a very small sensor, smaller than most other mirrorless cameras.

I have done a fair amount of Birds in Flight photography with my D200, D300, D5200, and now my D800. I actually took one of my lenses, the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300 lens to the local camera store to try it on the v3 and was impressed with the effective 810mm that lens gave me with the v3’s 2.7 crop factor. I used my own micro SD card with the camera and again was impressed with the IQ compared to that of the D300 and D5200 with the same lens. It hardly seemed fair to compare it to the D800.

My question is, has anybody used the Nikon 1 v3 as a bird-in-flight camera with good success? Those that have the camera, is the 20 fps useful? Is the focus system good for fast acquisition of birds in flight? What is your overall impression of the camera and the photos you are able to get with the small sensor? Actual experience, as well as theoretical opinions are all welcome. Thank you.

Hey! It worked. You are the man! Thanks.

Ah, I should have mentioned I am using a Mac. Thanks though.

All the recent discussions here about the virtues of Photoshop CC have finally convinced me that this is the way to go. I bit the bullet, signed up and downloaded it last night. Prior to doing that I was using PS and Bridge CS6.

My intention is to use only PS CC and Bridge CC from now on. But I do not wish to remove PS and Bridge CS6 from my computer.

When I try to open a photo previously processed in PS CS6 from Bridge CC it opens PS CS6 instead of just opening the photo in PS CC, as I would like. If I use the Bridge CC command “Open With” I see both PS CC and PS CS6 available, but PS CS6 is marked as default. That explains why the program is working as it is. But I can’t figure out how to change the default program. When I open Bridge CC preferences I do not see an option to set PS CC as the default.

Any suggestions on how to fix this? I did a search but did not find the answer. I know there are some real PS gurus here that might be able to help. Thanks.

Put me down as a big Blurb fan with many books over the years (almost 20). Fantastic software and frequent deals like some of the others.

Good point. Wildlife for me is typically birds. That is BIF, and stationary birds, from shore or kayak. It can also include mammals from a kayak, and deer by walking and from a car.

What great information I am getting here. Many things I had not known or considered!

The image quality in low light might be substantially better with the D800, especially if you downsample to 12 mp, which would give it a noise characteristic similar to a D3S. You can downsample the D7100 as well, but the results would not be as good.

I'm afraid I don't know what you mean by "downsampling." How does one do that?

Wildlife is the main subject of my photography. I have some good lenses that give fine images with a D300, including the 200-400mm f4 VR. Generally I find that one cannot be too close to wildlife in natural settings, with few exceptions. Because of that, I find that the DX sensors with a 1.5x crop factor give a marked advantage in this type of photography. If you could pick only one of two different cameras, the Nikon D7100 with the 24-megapixel DX sensor, or the D800 with the 36-megapixel FX sensor, which would it be? The D800 has a DX setting with 15.3 megapixels of its sensor being used. Based on numbers alone it would appear the D7100 has the advantage in resolution of about 9 megapixels, comparing the DX formats. I realize the D800 excels in low light conditions and has great dynamic range, but will those features outweigh those 9 megapixels of the D7100? Would you use the full frame of the D800 instead of the DX crop mode it has?

If money is not a big object, and wildlife is the main subject, which would you choose? Are there factors I have not considered? Theoretical considerations are certainly appreciated, but I am hoping that someone with both of those cameras might weigh in with personal experience as well. Thanks.

Looks like I'm OK. I have the sticker in the battery compartment, and my serial number begins with 3. Thank you all for the help!

Unfortunately, no box came with it to help with the identification.

I recently purchased a used D800 on eBay. It was represented as a US model. But I see nothing on it, or in it, that would confirm that claim. Is there a way to tell by the serial number?

That is an excellent question. Personally, I know that once I die my daughter or my wife are never going to say, "Let's get out dad's hard drives and look through his pictures." If you'd like your best photos to be remembered and enjoyed (even if you haven't passed) I would suggest making books. There are a number of places that will take the pictures you upload to them and then send you a hard cover, bound book suitable for the coffee table, or wherever. My preference is Blurb.com.

I have close to 20 books now of wildlife from various locations, or various specific subjects. I have books from each cruise we have made, and from memorable vacations. When we get grandchildren that will open many new possibilities for books. I know friends who make a book of each grandchild every year for presents. You are limited only by your imagination.

Another thought, for your very best wildlife, or scenery, of portraits, try getting canvas prints made. Again, there are a number of places that will send you beautiful prints on canvas and mounted on a wooden frame like a gallery print ready to hang in your house, sell, or give away. I am going to try a metallic print one of these days. People rave about them.

When I am no longer around at least my books will be here. And hopefully occasionally my family will say, "Let's get dad's books out and look at them."