On the road with the ideal travel camera
After seeing the impressive features and specifications of the Nikon 1 AW1, I just had to have one. For years I had been looking for a camera that would deliver high-quality images and videos in a robust metal body without worrying about dropping it or getting it wet in a downpour. This is the camera that is at my side continuously, when I'm in the water using the video mode or wandering the back streets of interesting cities looking for that special image.
The Nikon 1 AW1 is a 14-megapixel camera that is waterproof to 15m, freeze-proof to -10C and can be dropped from a height of 2m without damage. There are two special lenses available with waterproof seals. Even the pop-up flash can be operated underwater.
The LCD is high-resolution and there is built-in GPS, altimeter and depth meter. The lenses have a crop factor of 2.7, so the kit lens is the equivalent of a 30-74mm lens on a film camera. It is possible to make changes to settings by shaking the camera, if wearing gloves hinders using the tiny controls. The stainless-steel construction is rugged and confidence-inspiring.
MODE TRIALS
Recently I went to Melbourne to do some photography with my daughter Jasmine. I packed my usual kit with my DSLR and lenses. The first stop was the famous street art lanes, coffee boutiques and skyscapes of Melbourne.
The Nikon 1 AW1 was like an extension of my body, small but delivering powerful images. The fantastic modes available to enhance your photography soon had me totally immersed and inspired to explore this camera's capabilities. In the confined lanes and bustling cafes, the handling was inconspicuous, changing modes fluent and the results unbelievable.
Melbourne is well known for its colourful beach huts. Brighton Beach is famous and has been well photographed.
On previous occasions I have tried to capture all the huts in one panorama image and have had no joy, using a Widelux or a Hasselblad Xpan.
Lesser known are the beach huts at Frankston, about 40 minutes out of Melbourne. I was most impressed by these well- maintained huts and the array of colours. Shooting here was easier, with fewer people, and the backdrop was tops. A quick assessment and I decided panorama mode was the way to go. It takes a little bit of practice to master the motion of panning but after two or three attempts I produced the image I have been trying to achieve for years.
To highlight the colours of these boatsheds I used the Selective Colour Mode which allowed me to choose a colour and the rest of the image would be rendered black and white.
This feature is done in camera and you can see the effect instantly.
I was keen to test the Nikon 1 AW1 in more hostile conditions, so we headed off for a field trip to Ballarat, Clunes and Daylesford in Victoria's west - 115km and about 80 minutes by car from Melbourne.
Lake Wendouree was a must-see, with historic rowing and canoe boatsheds and beautiful willow trees lining the shores.
Using the Nikon 1 AW1 is like carrying three cameras in one - a DSLR, a video and a panorama camera all wrapped up in a stylish, rugged, go-anywhere body.
The recommended price for the body in shops is about $890; with the 11-27.5mm lens, it's about $1049.
OTHER FEATURES
14.2 megapixel CX CMOS sensor with 4608 x 3072 image size and 2.7x crop factor.
The Nikon 1 AW1 is being sold as the world's first digital camera with interchangeable lenses and two dedicated lenses that can be used under water. The body has rubber seals between the front and rear body covers, and an O-ring on the mount. ·Well-received Hybrid AF with both contrast and phase-detect systems for very fast and accurate focus acquisition and up to 135 focus points.
76mm, 921k dot LCD screen.
Shutter speed range of 30s-1/16000s.
15 frames per second shooting speed with continuous AF, 60 frames per second without AF tracking.
Full HD video mode with high-speed options at lower resolution.
Battery life good for approximately 220 shots.
Weighs 201g with battery.
Measures 114 x 72 x 37mm.
