The V3-F1A adapter is available again

 

I started to make these flash adapters back in 2013 and continued making it long after the last Nikon 1 cameras left the production lines. The adapter was made in three versions, functionally no change, only quality improvements were made along the route. The volume was low, but considering the cameras were no longer made or sold, I was surprised that there were people asking for buying the flash adapter long after the last Nikon 1 V1, V2 and V3 was sold.

 

 

Nevertheless, some time ago I came to the conclusion that it is not worth the efforts for me to continue making the V3-F1A and decided to stop. But after I sold the last one I continued receiving requests about it, and my answer was always the same: "Sorry, it is no longer made and is not available any more".

 

Good news for those interested in the V3-F1A.

 

The other day I was cleaning my drawers and found some ready made parts, so I decided to assemble these and make them available ready for sale. So for all of you still interested in the V1-F1A, I know have a few available again.

 

  

 

Please nota that once these units are sold I will probably not make new ones, so hurry if you want one. The reason for not making them is that it is simply too much work. It takes a lot of time and effort to make the actual adapter foot on my DIY CNC mill because it is too complicated, requires a lot of manual handling, very high precision, tool changing and rotating, so it takes a lot of time, and it is simply not worth it for me.

 

What is the V3-F1A?

 

For those of you who don't know what the V3-F1A is, here is a short description.

 

This adapter is designed to be used as a flash adapter on Nikon 1 V1, V2 and V3 camera models. It will allow the user to attach a small standard flash unit with a maximum weight of 120 g (4.2 oz), including batteries. A PC cord or a radio trigger must be used if the user wishes to use heavier flashes. By not complying with this, the adapter or the camera may get damaged due to the weight and the forces involved.

The hotshoe can be used to support a radio trigger. If you wish to trigger 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.

 

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. As an example, the Nikon SB-300 and SB-400 don't have this mode, so they can only be used in full manual mode with this adapter. As another example, the Nikon SB900 has this mode and can be used with the adapter but still not in iTTL mode.

 

Type of flashes the V3-F1A can be used with

 

Use the V3-F1A 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 irreparable 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 on the Nikon 1 cameras, 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 voltages.

I have previously written about how to measure trigger voltage in case you feel confident about doing it on you own, read this article before you start.

 

http://adapting-camera.blogspot.com/2013/04/beware-of-flash-trigger-voltage.html

It is also very important that you read some previously written posts regarding this adapter and the functionality. The two most important ones are the following:

https://adapting-camera.blogspot.com/2014/10/tips-about-using-v1-f1a-flash-adapter.html

https://adapting-camera.blogspot.com/2014/11/possible-shutter-speeds-when-using-v1.html

You must also read the manual of not only the camera, but also the flash and the trigger, if you plan to use a radio trigger. I can not test every flash and radio trigger on the market, you must make sure you know how your trigger and flash is working. I am using the Youngnuo YN622N-TX controller unit and two Youngnuo YN622N transceivers. I also have several flashes, some are about 40 years old, and they all work well, but there is no way I can test everything and every combination. Here is a link to a post about the use of Youngnuo YN622N-TX controller unit and two Youngnuo YN622N transceivers, the post contains also a link to a Youtube video showing the use.

https://adapting-camera.blogspot.com/2017/02/using-v2-f1a-adapter-with-yn622n-remote.html

 

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, traceable post. I will use the Swedish Post and will charge you what they are charging me.

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

Price and payment

 

I accept payments in EUR or USD only, no other currency will be accepted, orders paid in any other currency will be rejected. Payments must be made through PayPal, no direct money transfer, checks or any other means are 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 15 EUR or 15 USD for shipments outside Sweden. I will ship with registered, traceable post only.

The price for each unit is 95 EUR or 95 USD, depending on your location. Payments must be made in EUR within EU and USD outside EU. This price excludes the shipping and handling, the total price will be calculated when I have your personal data. If you order more than one unit, you will only pay one shipping fee.

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.

 

A final note about the V3-F1A

 

This is a do-it-yourself product. No warranty is given, other than that I guaranty I tested the flash adapter, not only before shipping it, but also during each stage the manufacturing process, 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 since I only have the Nikon V1 and my test bed to test it on.

Please note also that the manufacturing marks and scratches on the adapter are the results of DIY manufacturing using a CNC mill. The marks and scratches are not defects and will not affect the functionality. The adapter foot protection is 3D printed. It is not the most beautiful part, but it does well what it meant to do.

Remember also that a deal is a deal, if you bought it, it is yours. I will NOT take it back, not even for a reduced price. This may sound harsh, but I have bad experience and this is the "lessons learned" from my experience. It is up to you to decide to buy it, and if the conditions are not acceptable, please don't buy this adapter.

 

WARNING:

 

Apparently there are some false rumours created on the internet, saying that the latest firmware of Nikon 1 V1 camera, which is 1.40 at the moment, prevents the camera from triggering a non-Nikon flash. This "information" is a lie created by persons who have no clue, the adapter works fine even with the latest firmware. I keep my camera gear up to date to make sure I test everything with the firmware the equipment is recommended to be used with by Nikon. In other words, at this moment every firmware release works with this adapter and I honestly don't expect Nikon to ever create one which would stop this adapter from functioning on your camera, at least not until they start selling original Nikon flash adapters.

Please note that the images are click-able. If you are interested in seeing more detail, just click on the images and larger ones will become visible for you.