Laszlo

Hi everyone, I could use a fresh perspective on my situation. I just bought the Nikon p1000 bridge camera. I was blinded by the 24-3000 telephoto lens. I own other way better Canon lenses but somehow I fell for this super long lens. A few days into owning it I'm very unhappy with my choice & would like a do over. Unless I use a tripod (which I hate) there is noticeable camera shake as you can imagine. I'm trying to decide if I should be patient and learn to like it or cut my losses and take the hit. The thing costs $1000 but I'll take $900 at this point. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Unfortunately, it’s now a used camera. I doubt you’ll get $900.

JimBart Loc: Western Michigan

What’s the potential of returning it

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Yeah, agree with JimBart, push for a return? Have you owned it more than a month? Does the warranty transfer to the second owner? Good luck!

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

While I'm not trying to change your mind, I would suggest that you double check that the stabilization is turned on. My wife's P900 is always used hand-held and her way of using it is "wrong" in every way (from the point of view of image stability/camera shake). She even shoots with letting the camera decide the shutter speed and when I look at what the camera did I'm often surprised at how low the shutter speed was.

She holds the camera with both hands, not supporting the lens, uses only the large view screen, refuses to rest the camera against the car window edge or window frame, doesn't use the strap under tension. When I watch her waving the camera around I wonder how it can get a good picture. But it does, and often.

The shots are not always sharp but they are sharp significantly more than half the time. Since her purpose in using a camera is to identify the birds she sees and since she shoots from the car most of the time, it's the right camera and she's looking forward to the P1000.

So the bottom line of this message is that I believe the reviews about the camera's image stabilization. YMMV.

(Download)

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

24-3000mm! And camera (image) shake. You might think!

I have a 100-300mm DSLR Zoom Lens and I have trouble hand holding it steady, let a lone 10x that! Many years ago (1980s) I had a Vivitar 400mm f/5.6 telephoto film SLR lens. Even on a tripod it was not steady, so eventually I sold it as I never took pictures with it do to its too high magnification. There was no IS / VC / etc. then.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Is that reference to the focal length 3000 or is that a typo? Was it supposed to be 300mm? In any event, long lenses require the use of a tripod, a monopod or at least a grip or some aid to assist with support. If you must hand hold the camera, you neen to develop and practice you technique for steady operation of your camera regardless of the type. You must establish the center of gravity of the cameta/lens combination and work things out from there. Of course, shutter speed mist be appropriate for the focal length in use.

Laszlo

No, it truly is a 3000mm lens, that was the hook for me. I knew not to expect great quality for $1000 but I still fell for it.
It would be a great spy camera for the CIA (I'm sure they already have better ones).
Thank you all for your replies. I have a clearer idea now of my options.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

My longest zoom lens bridge cameras are in the 50X range, and yes it can be tough sometimes, image stabilization really earns it's keep on these long lens cameras. I have seen some excellent shots made by the P1000. The other factor is atmospheric conditions, heat waves and moisture in the air, they can make shots with any tele equipment difficult.

Just suggesting, try working on it some more and realizing limitations and conditions, you should be able to find happiness with it. You will have to find the "sweet spots" with regard to "settings" and circumstances, and that will just take a little time.

Bridge cameras (esp. high zoom ratio) are capable of covering a lot of situations, but as usual, there is no one perfect camera. Good luck!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Most used camera dealers would want to sell that for $700. They might offer you $450 to $500 for it.

Sooo... I would learn to love it, tiny sensor (about 4x6mm) and mildly unrealistic promises not withstanding.

Be sure the VR feature is turned on.

Be sure to use FAST shutter speeds at longer focal length equivalents. At full zoom extension, don't make exposures longer than 1/3200 to 1/4000 second without VR, and MAYBE 1/1000 with VR on. That means using the camera in bright daylight when using longer focal length equivalents. It probably also means using Shutter Priority or Manual exposure modes.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Sorry, a6k, it's just not the sharpest of images.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

No, it's not. It's an equivalent angle of view, there's a big difference. The actual focal length range is 4.3 - 539 mm.

If you've only had it a few days, hopefully you can return it. I enjoyed my first Canon SX50 so much, it died from over-use after just 14 months I started out being able to hold it steady quite well, but within three years (and on my second camera) I was getting pretty wobbly. I can't imagine handholding anything with longer view than the equivalent 1200 mm of the sx50.

If you keep it, burkphoto's suggestion to use fastest possible shutter speeds is my recommendation, as well, along with the advice given by olemikey.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

Cut your losses before it loses any more value. If you really need a 3,000mm lens you should be considering telescopes with camera adaptors and not camera lenses unless money is no object.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Ok, time for Objective Reality here. With 3000 mm focal length, your depth of field is what, ¼"? How could you possibly expect anything less for a bridge camera without stabilization.
As Yoda said, "use your Tripod, Luke."

Math78 Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

You're never going to be happy with this camera. Right now, you're out a $1000 and have nothing to show for it. Whatever you can sell it for is more than you have now.