{"id":15654,"date":"2012-03-28T01:43:54","date_gmt":"2012-03-28T05:43:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/?p=15654"},"modified":"2025-08-09T11:07:30","modified_gmt":"2025-08-09T15:07:30","slug":"nikon-j1-and-85mm-f1-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/nikon-j1-and-85mm-f1-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Nikon J1 and 85mm f\/1.4"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Nikon 85mm f\/1.4D on a Bower Nikon to C Mount Adapter on another C Mount Adapter to Nikon 1, When that I add up all the pieces, this is a pretty expensive combo. :\/<\/p><\/div>\n

Technical Notes: \u00a0At some point I would like to get the Nikon FT1 adapter, so I can use my existing Nikon lenses on the little J1–but not at the high price of $250. \u00a0That adapter wouldn’t be of any use to my older D lenses anyway, as they become manual focus. \u00a0Not much better with the newer G lenses either, since you are limited to single point autofocus. \u00a0I know by messing around with these oddball combinations we are depriving ourselves of the really quick out of the box AF on the Nikon 1, but it’s still fun to get the nice visual characteristics (bokeh!) of the full frame lenses and of course save a little money.<\/p>\n

My newest combo came about when I remembered that there is such a thing as a Nikon F to C Mount adapter, for the old 16mm Bolex movie cameras. \u00a0I then thought I could mount a lens on it, and then in turn, mount that into the recent C Mount to Nikon 1 adapter. Success! \u00a0Everything is manual–focus, ISO, and exposure, but not a problem for controlled situations. \u00a0Perhaps in a future firmware upgrade Nikon will give the J1 a realtime histogram or just an exposure meter for Manual Mode.<\/p>\n

Why this combo makes sense is because you seemingly have a “230mm” f\/1.4 in a silent camera with 10fps RAW+JPEG. \u00a0If you photograph a lot of speakers at the podium or any noise sensitive situation like a theater play, this is quieter than any Leica or X100. \u00a0The light gathering power of 1.4 isn’t going to make up for the small sensor in some situations, but it still lets in oh, about 16 times more light than any awful kit lens. \u00a0And I know ISO 1600 is usable for most things.<\/p>\n

The following images are just quick tests. \u00a0The Nikon 1 is all about color, and while I like the unique swirly bokeh in the C Mount TV lens, this combo is taking a 2.7x center crop of one of the best primes out there. \u00a0Like I mention in the caption above, when you do the math this is actually a very expensive kit, but one could get roughly the same look with any of the mechanical adapters and some great old affordable Nikon AI-S glass like the 50mm f\/1.4 and f\/1.8, 85mm f\/1.8, or the current crop of off brand 85mm f\/1.4’s from Bower, Rokinon, Samyang, etc.<\/p>\n

More pictures, hopefully of people, as I spend more time with this kit.<\/p>\n

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Mounting an 85mm on the J1 with simple mechanical adapters. It works! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15655,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[279,320,151,7],"tags":[125,123,265,37,293],"class_list":{"0":"post-15654","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"hentry","7":"category-design","8":"category-gear","9":"category-photography","10":"category-photos","11":"tag-85mm-f14","12":"tag-bokeh","13":"tag-j1","14":"tag-nikon","15":"tag-photo-gear","17":"post-with-thumbnail","18":"post-with-thumbnail-large"},"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/02w.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pelE0-44u","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13094,"url":"https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/nikon-j1-review-by-a-girl\/","url_meta":{"origin":15654,"position":0},"title":"Nikon J1 Review (…by a girl) :)","author":"Boon.Vong","date":"October 28, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Random photo hangout with the Nikon 1 J1. Comparisons with other cameras with different sensor sizes.","rel":"","context":"In "Gear and Resources"","block_context":{"text":"Gear and Resources","link":"https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/category\/gear\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/w_b-vong.com_pix_nikon_1_hangout_02.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/w_b-vong.com_pix_nikon_1_hangout_02.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/w_b-vong.com_pix_nikon_1_hangout_02.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":127954,"url":"https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/nikon-z5-sample-photos-and-rolling-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":15654,"position":1},"title":"Nikon Z5 Sample Photos and Rolling Review","author":"Boon.Vong","date":"February 19, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Happy Lunar New Year everyone, I've been shooting\/editing photos from Nikon cameras for well over 20 years now. (Examples can still be found right here on this \/Journal) From consumer digicams, to prosumer bridge cameras, to the affordable DSLR revolution back in the early 2000s. Is it my favorite camera\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Gear and Resources"","block_context":{"text":"Gear and Resources","link":"https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/category\/gear\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Nikon-Z5-Sample-Photos-Review2026-02_094_Boon-Vong.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Nikon-Z5-Sample-Photos-Review2026-02_094_Boon-Vong.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Nikon-Z5-Sample-Photos-Review2026-02_094_Boon-Vong.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Nikon-Z5-Sample-Photos-Review2026-02_094_Boon-Vong.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Nikon-Z5-Sample-Photos-Review2026-02_094_Boon-Vong.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":135139,"url":"https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/nikon-nikkor-85mm-f-1-4d-on-z5\/","url_meta":{"origin":15654,"position":2},"title":"Nikon Nikkor 85mm f\/1.4D on Z5","author":"Boon.Vong","date":"July 11, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Hi everyone, just quick posts while we are trying to get through another hot Georgia summer.\u00a0 These next few posts will be gear oriented, me showing off what has recently been thrifted or gifted! That and finally revisiting camera+lens combos that I've had on the to-do list for quite sometime.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Gear and Resources"","block_context":{"text":"Gear and Resources","link":"https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/category\/gear\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Nikon-Nikkor-85mm-AF-1.4D-Z5-Samples-001_Boon-Vong.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Nikon-Nikkor-85mm-AF-1.4D-Z5-Samples-001_Boon-Vong.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Nikon-Nikkor-85mm-AF-1.4D-Z5-Samples-001_Boon-Vong.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Nikon-Nikkor-85mm-AF-1.4D-Z5-Samples-001_Boon-Vong.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Nikon-Nikkor-85mm-AF-1.4D-Z5-Samples-001_Boon-Vong.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":70901,"url":"https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/fujifilm-gfx-50s-various-nikon-mount-lenses\/","url_meta":{"origin":15654,"position":3},"title":"Fujifilm GFX 50S + Various Nikon Mount Lenses","author":"Boon.Vong","date":"September 26, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Here are some photos of the random combos I've put together with the GFX and F mount lenses.\u00a0 The first is a Tokina 500mm f\/8 lens.\u00a0 (Thanks Robbie for gifting me this lens a few years ago)\u00a0 It turns into a 400mm and it's not that bad if you avoid\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Gear and Resources"","block_context":{"text":"Gear and Resources","link":"https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/category\/gear\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Fujifilm-GFX50S-Nikon-Mount-Lenses-07-b-vong.com-Boon-Vong.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Fujifilm-GFX50S-Nikon-Mount-Lenses-07-b-vong.com-Boon-Vong.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Fujifilm-GFX50S-Nikon-Mount-Lenses-07-b-vong.com-Boon-Vong.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Fujifilm-GFX50S-Nikon-Mount-Lenses-07-b-vong.com-Boon-Vong.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15353,"url":"https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/nikon-1-and-c-mount-lens\/","url_meta":{"origin":15654,"position":4},"title":"Nikon 1 and C Mount Lens","author":"Boon.Vong","date":"March 5, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Nikon J1 and Cosmicar 25mm f\/1.8 Television Lens for some unique color results.","rel":"","context":"In "Gear and Resources"","block_context":{"text":"Gear and Resources","link":"https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/category\/gear\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/w_b-vong.com_pix_v_23.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/w_b-vong.com_pix_v_23.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/w_b-vong.com_pix_v_23.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":134981,"url":"https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/sony-canon-tv-lens-12-5-75mm-f-1-8-sample-photos\/","url_meta":{"origin":15654,"position":5},"title":"Sony (Canon) TV Lens 12.5-75mm f\/1.8 Sample Photos","author":"Boon.Vong","date":"July 11, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Hi everyone, just quick posts while we are trying to get through another hot Georgia summer.\u00a0 These next few posts will be gear oriented, me showing off what has recently been thrifted or gifted! That and finally revisiting camera+lens combos that I've had on the to-do list for quite sometime.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Gear and Resources"","block_context":{"text":"Gear and Resources","link":"https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/category\/gear\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sony-TV-Lens-12.5-75mm-001_Boon-Vong.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sony-TV-Lens-12.5-75mm-001_Boon-Vong.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sony-TV-Lens-12.5-75mm-001_Boon-Vong.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sony-TV-Lens-12.5-75mm-001_Boon-Vong.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sony-TV-Lens-12.5-75mm-001_Boon-Vong.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/02w.jpg",290,290,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/02w.jpg",290,290,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/02w.jpg",290,290,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/02w.jpg",290,290,false],"medium":["https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/02w.jpg",290,290,false],"large":["https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/02w.jpg",290,290,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/02w.jpg",290,290,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/02w.jpg",290,290,false],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/02w.jpg",290,290,false],"vantage-thumbnail-no-sidebar":["https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/02w.jpg",290,290,false],"vantage-slide":["https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/02w.jpg",290,290,false],"vantage-carousel":["https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/02w-272x182.jpg",272,182,true],"vantage-grid-loop":["https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/02w-290x272.jpg",290,272,true],"yarpp-thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/02w-120x120.jpg",120,120,true],"sow-carousel-default":["https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/02w-272x182.jpg",272,182,true],"sow-blog-portfolio":["https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/02w.jpg",290,290,false],"sow-blog-grid":["https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/02w.jpg",290,290,false],"sow-blog-alternate":["https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/03\/02w.jpg",290,290,false]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Boon.Vong","author_link":"https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/author\/admin\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"Design<\/a> Gear and Resources<\/a> Photography<\/a> Photos<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Mounting an 85mm on the J1 with simple mechanical adapters. It works! :)","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15654","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15654"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15654\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15655"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15654"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15654"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.b-vong.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15654"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}