Aug 6, 2021 | 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, Nikon 1 V3, Nikon 1 V3 Hodgepodge, Praying Mantis
Nikon 1 V3 Hodgepodge | Praying Mantis The praying mantis is named for its prominent front legs. By any name, these fascinating insects are formidable predators. They have triangular heads poised on a long “neck.” And, they can turn their heads 180 degrees,unique among insects, to scan their surroundings with two large compound eyes and three other simple eyes located between them. Oddly, they have only one ear located on the underside of its belly, just forward of its hind legs. Typically green or brown and well camouflaged among the plants where they live, the mantis lie in ambush or patiently stalk their quarry. They use their front legs to snare their prey with reflexes so quick that they are difficult to see with the naked eye. Their legs are further equipped with spikes for snaring and pinning their prey in place. Moths, crickets, grasshoppers, flies, and other insects are their usual prey.
Praying Mantis’ Life The praying mantis lives from the spring into the fall. It hatches from an egg sack with the coming of warm weather, looking like a tiny adult without wings. It molts, or gives up its old and outgrown skin for a new and larger one, six or seven times as it grows to adulthood. Once mature, it seeks a mate. In some species, the male and female engage in a ritualistic courtship dance, stroking each other fondly with their antennae before they finally mate. The male may make the ultimate sacrifice, serving as a meal for his mate, or he may make his escape, flying away to safety. Come fall, the female crafts her egg sack, an sculptural jewel perhaps half the size of your little finger. Like a master craftsman, she places her eggs by the dozens in a carefully braided pattern. She covers the sack with a froth that dries and hardens like plaster. She leaves the sack attached to the twig or a trunk of a tree to await the spring hatch. After this climactic act of her life, she will die within a couple of weeks. The preying mantis in the image is likely living in the last few weeks of her life.
The Back Story This Praying Mantis was crossing a road about the time I walked by on a late afternoon walkabout. Luckily, the 30-110mm lens was on the camera so I could stay far enough away from it. I used a short burst of clicks while laying on my stomach on the road. At the time of the click, that leaf had just blown near the Praying Mantis. A moment later, it was gone. For more insect images, see Nikon 1 V3 for Insects | a 7 Image Story. Note: I post an image everyday at hankconrad.com.
Details…
| Event | Daily Walkabout |
| Location | Local Road |
| Date/Time | 11/01/2015 3:40pm Local Time |
| Weather | Fair Skies | 64°F | Moderate Winds |
| Method | Used a short burst of clicks while laying on my stomach on the road. |
| Gear | Nikon 1 V3 with a 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6 lens |
Exposure
| 110mm (297mm) f/5.6 1/800s -0.33ev 400iso |
| Post | Sharpened the eyes and lightened a bit. |
Apr 21, 2019 | 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, Daily Image 2019, Nikon 1 V3, Nikon 1 V3 for Insects, Praying Mantis
Nikon 1 V3 for Insects | Praying Mantis This Praying Mantis was crossing a road about the time I walked by on a late afternoon walkabout. Luckily, the 30-110mm lens was on the camera so I could stay far enough away from it. At the time of the click, that leaf had just blown near the Praying Mantis. A moment later, it was gone. For the whole story with all images, see Nikon 1 V3 for Insects | a 7 Image Story.
Apr 21, 2019 | 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, 7 Image Stories, AF-S 50mm f1.4G, AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR, Bee, Butterflies, Caterpillar, Damselfly, Dragonfly, IMHO, IMHO, Nature, Nikon 1 V1, Nikon 1 V3, Nikon 1 V3 for Insects, Praying Mantis, Yellow Jacket
Nikon 1 V3 for Insects| a 7 Image Story The Nikon 1 V3, and the V1 before it, captures a wide variety of image types quite well. With the right lens and a little patience, it will capture really nice insect images. The camera body and lenses are relatively small and light to carry. On a local hike to capture wildlife and/or insect images, only one or two lenses will likely be required. One goes on the camera and the other in your pocket. See my walkabout kit list below. Now, I’m not a serious insect photog and do not own a macro lens. Still, I like to capture insect images when the opportunity arises. Of course, without a macro lens (called micro lens in the Nikon world), those really close 1:1 magnification images are not possible, no matter what the camera body.
The V3 is my preferred carry camera for capturing daily walkabout images. It handles much like a DSLR in continuous mode. Although a bit noisy at higher ISOs, the image quality is quite good, particularly for posting. The 2.7 crop factor helps improve images where getting closer is not an option. Thus, the V3 allows me to capture wildlife, landscape, and some insect images on my walkabouts.
In a nutshell, what makes the Nikon 1 V3 suitable for capturing insect images::
- The Nikon 1 V3 is relatively small and light to carry.
- With it’s 2.7 crop factor, it adds inexpensive reach to telephoto lenses; actually any lens.
- It’s easy to carry with a telephoto lens attached, like the AFS 70-300mm & FT-1, using the sun sniper shoulder strap.
- Image quality seems quite good unless a really large print is required.
- The tilting LCD reduces the time spent focusing those awkward angles; particularly for focusing insects on ground level.
- A short video makes a nice addition to some posts.
- Of course, most Nikon AFS lenses work nicely, using the FT-1 adapter.
The V3 presents a few more challenges over my DSLRs! The Nikon 1 V3 requires a bit more camera discipline than a my DSLRs. The controls sometimes move during normal handling so the photographer must often check to ensure the settings are correct. Panning in low light can be demanding and a high ISO generates a good bit of noise. The small camera frame, attached to a long, heavy telephoto lens, does not seem balanced; making handling a bit tricky. The Nikon AFS 70-300mm works nicely, whereas, the AFS 70-200mm; not so much. Also, care must be taken not to break the camera mount with a heavy telephoto lens. Always carry it by the lens or the FT-1, not the camera. Higher ISO images sometimes require a pass through noise reduction in post processing. Changing the battery and/or the MicroSD card in the field takes some time and care. Build quality is more consumer than professional. If dropped, it can break.
What’s next? Nikon appears to have discontinued the Nikon 1 V series; too bad. A V4 camera could have addressed several V3 issues to become a really great camera. It’s not yet clear what my next walkabout camera will be; maybe another V3.
Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category Nikon 1 V3 for Insects.
Click any image below for a slide show!
My Nikon 1 V3 walkabout kit fits into a very small Lowepro camera backpack. The camera equipment includes a Nikon 1 V3 Body, Nikon FT-1 Adapter, 1 VR 10-30mm f3.5-5.6 PD-Zoom, 1 VR 30-110mm f3.8-5.6, AFS 50mm f1.4G, and a AFS 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR. The supporting equipment includes a Nikon Speedlight SB-N5 Flash, LitePanels MicroPro Hybrid, Sennheiser MKE 400 Directional Mic, Sun Sniper Shoulder Strap, Extra Nikon EN-EL15 Battery, Nikon MH-25 Charger, Extra SD Cards, Lens Cleaning Supplies, and a Headlamp with red & white light. A small MeFOTO tripod has its own bag. Find more Nikon 1 V1 and V3 experiences posted under IMHO. On local walkabouts, I usually only carry the camera with a lens and one other lens in my pocket.
Apr 9, 2018 | 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, 7 Image Story Posts, Daily Image 2018, Insects, Nikon 1 V3, Praying Mantis, Project 365 Learnings
Project 365 Learnings | Praying Mantis on Walkabout This Praying Mantis was crossing a road about the time I walked by on a late afternoon walkabout. Luckily, the 30-110mm lens was on the camera so I could stay far enough away from it. At the time of the click, that leaf had just blown near the Praying Mantis. A moment later, it was gone. To learn more about what I have learned after completing five Project 365 projects, see Project 365 Learnings | a 7 Image Story.
Oct 14, 2016 | 1 VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6, Daily Image 2016, Nikon 1 V3, Praying Mantis, Walkabout
Praying Mantis On my walkabouts, I keep an eye out for Praying Mantis, but the only place I seem to be able find them is on the road or sidewalk.
Nov 6, 2015 | 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, Daily Image 2015, Insects, Nikon 1 V3, Praying Mantis
Praying Mantis This mantis was posing for me. It seemed to want its portrait taken, again!
Nov 1, 2015 | 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, Daily Image 2015, Insects, Nikon 1 V3, Praying Mantis
Praying Mantis Tonight’s walkabout turned out to be rather unusual. A Praying Mantis was crossing a road about the time I walked by.
The praying mantis is named for its prominent front legs. By any name, these fascinating insects are formidable predators. They have triangular heads poised on a long “neck.” And, they can turn their heads 180 degrees,unique among insects, to scan their surroundings with two large compound eyes and three other simple eyes located between them. Oddly, they have only one ear located on the underside of its belly, just forward of its hind legs.
Typically green or brown and well camouflaged amongst the plants where they live, the mantis lie in ambush or patiently stalk their quarry. They use their front legs to snare their prey with reflexes so quick that they are difficult to see with the naked eye. Their legs are further equipped with spikes for snaring and pinning their prey in place. Moths, crickets, grasshoppers, flies, and other insects are their usual prey.
The praying mantis lives from the spring into the fall. It hatches from an egg sack with the coming of warm weather, looking like a tiny adult without wings. It molts, or gives up its old and outgrown skin for a new and larger one, six or seven times as it grows to adulthood. Once mature, it seeks a mate. In some species, the male and female engage in a ritualistic courtship dance, stroking each other fondly with their antennae before they finally mate. The male may make the ultimate sacrifice, serving as a meal for his mate, or he may make his escape, flying away to safety. Come fall, the female crafts her egg sack, an sculptural jewel perhaps half the size of your little finger. Like a master craftsman, she places her eggs by the dozens in a carefully braided pattern. She covers the sack with a froth that dries and hardens like plaster. She leaves the sack attached to the twig or a trunk of a tree to await the spring hatch. After this climactic act of her life, she will die within a couple of weeks. The preying mantis in the image is likely living in the last few weeks of her life.
Sep 20, 2013 | Daily Image 2013, Insects, Nikon P7000, Praying Mantis, Walkabout
Sometimes, the best camera is the one in your hands. This Praying Mantis was just walking beside the sidewalk on my walkabout.
