subscribe 0330 333 1113 (^) I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I 1 June 2019 4545
IN THE FIEld Testbench
to 6,000mm, but this obviously can’t match
the image quality of the optical zoom range.
With such a vast focal range, the P1000 is
a wildlife photographer’s dream, enabling
shooters to capture frame-filling images of
subjects like small birds from a great distance
away. Even with a big zoom like a 150-
600mm lens, paired with a 2x teleconverter
and used on a crop-sensor APS-C, a focal
length of around 1,800mm is the best DSLR
users can hope to achieve. The P1000
smashes this and, thanks to the fact that you
can now shoot in raw (NRW) format – a
feature that was unavailable in the previous
P900 model – the P1000 delivers impressive
image quality, with a maximum file size of
4608x3456 pixels enabling photographers
to make prints up to A3 in size.
It takes a little time and practice to retune
your brain into what is actually achievable with
this camera. Being able to keep your distance
from wildlife subjects stacks the odds of
bagging a frame and not scaring them away
well in your favour, and I do have to admit that
being free from the weight of a more hardcore
DSLR set-up is a refreshing feeling.
The P1000 is not without its frustrations
though and these mainly stem from the
contrast-detection autofocus system. Of
course, focusing at such long focal lengths is
no easy feat for the camera, but photographers
are strongly advised to explore the various
autofocus settings to get the best results. At
longer focal lengths, I preferred to use the
Target Finder feature paired with the full-time
AF mode, as I found it locked on to subjects
quicker than the other options. However, when
shooting subjects closer to the camera at a
wider focal length, switching to Single AF
worked more successfully. The contrast-
detection AF system is not bulletproof and
photographers will have to live with not getting
the shot every time. Even in strong, midday
lighting conditions there were times when the
lens showed signs of struggling to establish
focus. That said, I got far more hits than misses
and I was able to quickly learn which mode
worked best for individual situations.
Other niggles included the awkwardly placed
Record Video button, which is directly above
the Playback Review button, and I found myself
recording snippets of video as I tried to review
my images multiple times. Don’t get me wrong;
I’m impressed Nikon included the dedicated
Video Record button, but this would have
been better placed on the camera’s top plate
instead. The placement of the pop-up flash is
also quite unusual as it’s very forward –
presumably to project the light past the
‘The P1000 enables you to capture frame-filling images
of subjects like small birds from a great distance away’
Taking some time to learn the autofocus options will help you to increase your hit rate
Nikon P1000 at 300mm, 1/500sec at f/5.6, ISO 400
A very steady hand is required when handholding the camera and using it at long focal lengths
antfer
(Antfer)
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