This short, 4.5 minute video
shows how to use the V1-F1A flash adapter on a Nikon 1 V1 camera. Enjoy
listening to music while watching the movie.
For more information about the adapter and how to get one, please follow the link below.
http://adapting-camera.blogspot.se/2015/08/the-v1-f1a-is-dead-long-live-v2-f1a.html
Please note that this is NOT a Nikon product.
Friday, 31 October 2014
Sunday, 26 October 2014
Some advise about using the V1-F1A flash adapter
If you are using the Nikon original flashes SB-N5 or SB-N7 then the Nikon 1 V1 camera will recognize the flash unit and will prevent you from selecting shutter speeds outside the flash sync speed limitations, which is maximum 1/60s if you are using the electronic shutter, or 1/250s if you are using the mechanical shutter.
If on the other hand you are using the V1-F1A flash adapter and a suitable external flash or a radio trigger, then the camera will not recognize the adapter, the radio trigger or the flash and will let you use any shutter speed selectable on the camera. This is normally not a problem as long as the shutter speed is below the flash sync speeds. If however shutter speeds outside that limit are selected then the recorded image will record the shutter mechanism movement, or the electronic shutter simulated movement. This happens because the camera will always trigger the flash, regardless of selected shutter speed. This is the way the camera is designed and is not a fault of the adapter or the camera. On the other hand, the user must be aware of this, since the user must keep track of selected shutter speed.The effects of this phenomenon can be more or less disturbing, but should be generally avoided because the black band you get on the bottom of the image with mechanical shutter used, or the top of the image with electronic shutter is not just a shadow, there is no image under the black band so you cannot recover what was there when you took the image. Also, the more the difference is between the maximum flash sync speed and the one selected on the camera, the wider the black band becomes. This is only causing problem if you are using higher shutter speeds, lower than the flash sync shutter speeds cause no problems.
This behavior is normal and is not an error in the camera or the adapter.
Some example images
Electronic shutter used, camera set to 1/60s, flash triggered using a radio trigger and there is no black band, the whole image area is evenly lit.
Mechanical shutter used, camera set to 1/250s, flash triggered using a radio trigger and there is no black band, the whole image area is evenly lit. 
It does not matter which flash is used, I have tested this with several and they all cause the same banding. This behavior is normal, the specifications of the camera are not changed if the V1-F1A flash adapter is used.
About using a TTL flash or radio trigger
Please note also that iTTL is not possible, even if you are using an iTTL compatible radio trigger and an iTTL compatible flash. You must disable the iTTL function when you are using the V1-F1A flash adapter. Contact your manuals regarding how to disable that function. I don't have any iTTL compatible radio trigger, and testing of all possible combinations of flashes and radio triggers is not possible for me to do. If your radio trigger does not allow you to disable the iTTL function then you must use the PC contact on the side of the V1-F1A flash adapter to trigger your flash or you must buy another kind radio trigger.
The V1-F1A adapter used for taking the above flash sync sample images is now available. Read about the details here:
http://adapting-camera.blogspot.se/2015/08/the-v1-f1a-is-dead-long-live-v2-f1a.html
Thursday, 23 October 2014
Introducing the V1-F1A generic flash adapter for Nikon 1 V1 or equivalent cameras
Please note that the V1-F1A is no longer made. I am now making a new version which is called V2-F1A. The functionality is the same as the V1-F1A but the quality is better. If you are interested in the V2-F1A please visit:
http://adapting-camera.blogspot.se/2015/08/the-v1-f1a-is-dead-long-live-v2-f1a.html
I will not remove the below post because of historical reasons, but if you are interested only in what is available now then you can ignore this and go directly to the post about the V2-F1A.
The adapter you have been waiting for is finally available. It is only available in limited numbers since mass production is not possible for now. With the help of this adapter the Nikon 1 V1 (or equivalent) camera can use almost any flash, and can even be used in a studio with strobes or in other multi-flash environment.
TTL is not supported, you must use the flash in manual, or in Auto mode if the flash you are using has that mode. Most flashes, but far from all, have a thyristor automatic mode; check out the manual of your flash if you are not sure. As an example, the Nikon SB-300 and SB-400 and SB-500 don't have this mode, so they can only be used in full manual mode with this adapter.
The hot shoe can be used to support and directly trigger a radio trigger. If you wish to use a heavier flash and don't have a radio trigger, you can use the PC contact on the side of the adapter to attach the flash to the adapter.
Use the V1-F1A adapter only with flashes which are designed to be used on digital cameras. Don't take a chance with any old flash because you may cause unrepairable damage to your camera, or in the best case, to the adapter. Old flashes can have several hundred volts high trigger voltage, which would be directly hazardous, not only for the camera, but also for the users of the camera. These cameras are not made for those types of old flashes, so make sure you know your flash well. The adapter has a built in protection diode, but don't take chances, the protection diode is not a 100% warranty against far too high trigger voltage.How to order
If you are interested, please send me a mail using the contact information below. Please don't pay in advance before I confirmed that I have an adapter reserved for you. After I received payment, I will need one work day to pack it and to ship it to you, using registered post. I will use the Swedish Post and will charge you what they are charging me.
Please note that I will only sell this unit to buyers from Australia, the Americas (the whole continent), New Zealand, countries of European Union, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho. No exceptions made from this list.
Price and payment
I accept payments in EUR, GBP, USD or SEK. Payments must be made through PayPal, no direct money transfer, checks or any other means are accepted. You are paying the PayPal fee, payments without the fee will not be accepted. Shipping and handling costs will be added, this cost is not possible for me to predict, I will charge you what the Swedish Post charges me, which at this moment is approximately 13 EUR, 10 GBP or 15 USD for shipments outside Sweden. I will ship with registered, traceable post only.
The price for each unit is 83 EUR, 62 GBP, 95 USD or 785 SEK, whichever you prefer. This price excludes the shipping and handling, the total price will be calculated when I have your personal data.
Prices and the terms are non-negotiable, if you think this is not acceptable for you or you think the price is too high, please don't buy it.
Contact information
adapting(dot)camera at gmail(dot)com
Please note: the mail address above must be modified by you. You must replace the (dot) with real dots, the spaces before and after 'at' must be removed and the word 'at' must be replaced by @ sign. This is done to prevent internet robots from sending me spam mail. After your modification the mail address will look like: axxxxxxx.cyyyyy@gmail.com
IMPORTANT NOTE
This is a do-it-yourself product. No warranty is given, other than that I guaranty I tested the V1-F1A flash adapter before shipping it, and I guaranty that it is working on my Nikon V1 when I ship it. I have no possibilities to test it on the Nikon V2, V3 or any other future models since I only have the V1.
If you want to watch a short video about how this adapter can be used just click below. Enjoy the music and watch me using the V1-F1A flash adapter on my Nikon 1 V1.
Please note that this is NOT a Nikon product.
Some final words
The V1-F1A is no longer made. I am now making a new version which is called V2-F1A. The functionality is the same as before but the quality is better. If you are interested in the V2-F1A please visit:
http://adapting-camera.blogspot.se/2015/08/the-v1-f1a-is-dead-long-live-v2-f1a.html