The Photography Virus won´t let go

I've often written about it, dogs that pull on a leash, can't walk off the leash, and me lacking the money, those 3 are important reasons why my passion for photography seemed to disappear. And at the same time, I felt a will and an urge to capture the world around me again. It's just a strange phenomenon, but once you've been infected with the virus of photography, it won't let you go so quickly.

Slowly I felt a restlessness come into my body, I noticed that I started looking at situations with a photographer's eye again. And I started thinking about compositions again. The only thing missing was actually picking up my camera. The lack of various lenses that I would like for my ideas, but also the reluctance to carry a bag full of equipment during walks with my dogs.

When my partner suggested buying a hybrid camera, I had to think about it a lot. Until the moment I thought, ¨Oh whatever! If I don't like it because I'm spoiled with better image quality, then my partner has a nice camera that is a lot more than what he is used to. And if I do like it, then I have won something!¨. And so the Nikon P1000 made its appearance.

We have been using the camera for some weeks now, and I thought it was time to write about my experiences with this camera. I can now say with certainty that I am glad that I was persuaded by my partner to buy this camera. And why then? You will read that below!

THE ZOOM is phenomenal

The most striking feature of this camera is without a doubt its remarkable zoom range. And that is the unique selling point of this camera. With an incredible 125x optical zoom, the Nikon P1000 allows you to capture subjects from very far away, and it's claimed to do so with amazing detail retention, but the latter should be taken with a grain of salt. It is possible to take good pictures. I've seen that in the sample photos. I noticed it when I was photographing in ZieZoo myself. But then I also have to say right away that all circumstances really have to be perfect to achieve that. And don't ever think that you can achieve the same level of detail that you can achieve with a giant telephoto lens with a converter and a DSLR or Mirrorless Camera. But nevertheless, you have an enormous zoom range at your disposal anyway, and for much less money than if you had to buy such a gigantic lens with a converter.

Since my photography no longer takes place in the professional segment, read ... I no longer do assignments, and mainly just shoot for myself because I want to, I think that I can also be satisfied with a somewhat lesser quality for this purpose.

Everything is possible

I really like the versatility offered by the Nikon P1000's zoom capabilities. Whether I want to quickly capture a landscape, a distant bird, or even the moon high in the sky, this camera allows me to get very close no matter how far away the subject is. It opens up a world of creative possibilities, allowing me to experiment with different compositions and perspectives.

Even Close-Ups / Macro

Another feature that has really impressed me is the camera's macro function. Although the Nikon P1000 is best known for its exceptional zoom range, it also delivers excellent close-ups. This macro function was a pleasant surprise for me that I have already had quite a bit of fun with.

But the camera is not only fun for me, my partner who has never bothered to take pictures before thinks it's a great camera. For him, the appeal lies in that you can do anything with just one lens. Never changing lenses, no carrying around a bag full of lenses, and no thousands of euros lying on a shelf gathering dust if you do nothing with them. You can set everything manually, but of course, there are also plenty of creative programs on this Nikon. So much so that I haven't tried them all by a long shot. Although this also secretly has another reason.

I can´t leave RAW (for now)

The camera can shoot in RAW, but not if you use a creative mode. Then you shoot JPEG format and this cannot be changed. Let me just say that I'm still a photographer enough not to want to... And hey, trying out a creative program is fun, but doing it all by yourself is just that little bit more fun. Right?

Be Realistic

It is of course essential to recognize that a camera with a smaller sensor, such as the Nikon P1000, has its limitations and shortcomings. For example, in low-light situations, the small sensor can and will lead to increased noise and reduced image quality compared to cameras with larger sensors. However, it is crucial to have realistic expectations when purchasing such a camera. The Nikon P1000 is designed to excel in bright daylight and well-lit environments, where its exceptional zoom range really comes into its own, for that largest zoom range you also need a lot of light, because you can no longer use anything else like F8. And everyone knows that a bird moves quickly, so the shutter speed will have to be fast enough to prevent motion blur, you´re not going to get a fast shutter speed at an F8 in low-light situations. A sturdy tripod is also definitely recommended at those long zoom distances, and another thing you'll have to deal with is atmospheric interference. With a zoom range of 3000mm, you go far ... and then you also see the air vibrations, dust in the air, and all that sort of thing. But ... if everything goes well, and if you have a clear day, you can also do fantastic things. Even with this small Nikon P1000 sensor. Be careful, the sensor is small, but the camera is not exactly small. And that is also noticeable in the weight. You need a firm hand to hold still at 3000mm for handheld shooting.

I am enjoying being back into photography!

For me personally, the Nikon P1000 has been a breakthrough in my return to the world of photography. It has enabled me to rekindle my passion for capturing moments and has become an indispensable companion on my walks with my dogs. Gone are the days when I didn't take my camera with me because I also had to carry a bag full of lenses, and then I didn't have the right lens on my camera when I wanted to cut. With the P1000 I have a single compact camera that covers a wide range of focal lengths, giving me the freedom to explore different subjects and perspectives without the burden of heavy equipment.

Freedom with limitations

It may be very clear that the Nikon P1000 isn't a camera for everyone. If you're a professional photographer or someone who demands the absolute highest image quality in all conditions, I definitely don't recommend it. The limitations of the sensor are really noticeable, and will certainly be a deal breaker. However, for enthusiasts, hobbyists, and those looking for a versatile all-in-one solution, the Nikon P1000 is a camera well worth considering.

In short, the Nikon P1000 camera has exceeded my expectations and will be my go-to companion for days to come with my dogs. And even if I don't feel like slinging a heavy bag full of equipment on my back, I'll be taking the Nikon P1000 with me without any doubts. Its extraordinary zoom range, impressive macro capabilities, and convenient all-in-one design make it an ideal companion for me at the moment. Also, this is the first camera that my partner enjoys playing within those few moments when he is at home and has time to try something. And that,... that makes me enjoy the Nikon P1000 twice as much.