LizaWitz
New member
I've been using my NEX-5 almost exclusively with the SEL18200 lens. I purchased this setup because I wanted something small and compact, highly portable, yet a single-lens solution for all kinds of shooting situations. I also wanted a good solution for video, as this is about %50 of what I shoot.
The summary of my experience is: This lens has exceeded my expectations, as does the NEX-5 in most respects.
The concern with a lens like this is shooting in low light situations. However, for photography, I've found that using the "night shot" mode works well whenever shutter speed dips lower than I feel comfortable. However, I've been forced to update what "comfortable" means. Previously I tried to keep shutter speed above 1/30th of a second, but I'm finding now that accidental shots at 1/15th, 1/10th of a second and even 1/8th and 1/5th of a second are coming out fine.
Why? The lens has super steady shot. The "super" in the name is not just a marketing term. It is pretty spectacular. When engaged, it is like the camera is on a floating platform, and all high frequency movement is eliminated (except where such movement extends past the range that can be controlled....but that range is larger than you need.)
This also means the footage is much better than expected. AND I don't have to carry a tripod! I worried and shopped and shopped to try and find some sort of a tripod solution that would work with our "living out of a single backpack" lifestyle. Eventually just left without even a monopod, and havent' regretted it.
Yesterday I was crossing a bridge and saw some kids in a park in the direction that I'd came from building a snowman. I just zoomed all the way in--200mm/300mm is usually way too much zoom for shooting video. But I was able to get great steady shots because of this lens.
Super Steady Shot alone is worth the price of the lens.
I bought the camera body separately, as there was no package that included the lens, so I also have a 16mm lens. This I've now given to my partner. The 16mm is nice in a few situations, but only where I want to hide the camera and not have people realize I'm shooting. Because it lacks super steady shot, it is less useful of a lens for me (even with the slightly wider angle.)
Speaking of stealth shooting.... when the NEX was announced there was a chorus of Those People on DPR saying that this lens was useless and ridiculous and huge, etc. Well, it is big. When it is on the camera, you treat it as a lens with camera attached, not as a camera with lens attached. I hold the lens to shot, I hold the lens near the base where it is thinner, and then adjust the zoom or focus and control the camera with the other hand.
However, the whole thing is small enough that it lives in my coat pocket. No need for a separate camera bag. It is obvious I have something bulky in my pocket, but nobody looks twice, even when in a more seedy area. Of course when I pull it out of the pocket, the aluminum machining screams "steal me!" .... but this is a totally great stealth setup.
I find switching WB and shooting modes a little slow, but I haven't yet made use of the new custom buttons with the new firmware so hopefully that will fix it.
The camera is very nice, but this lens is really fantastic. It is everything that I wanted it to be.
This validates my purchase in the NEX system. I tend to keep cameras for awhile, but when I replace the body I won't feel too bad... but lets hope this lens doesn't get stolen because I want to keep it for a decade.
The summary of my experience is: This lens has exceeded my expectations, as does the NEX-5 in most respects.
The concern with a lens like this is shooting in low light situations. However, for photography, I've found that using the "night shot" mode works well whenever shutter speed dips lower than I feel comfortable. However, I've been forced to update what "comfortable" means. Previously I tried to keep shutter speed above 1/30th of a second, but I'm finding now that accidental shots at 1/15th, 1/10th of a second and even 1/8th and 1/5th of a second are coming out fine.
Why? The lens has super steady shot. The "super" in the name is not just a marketing term. It is pretty spectacular. When engaged, it is like the camera is on a floating platform, and all high frequency movement is eliminated (except where such movement extends past the range that can be controlled....but that range is larger than you need.)
This also means the footage is much better than expected. AND I don't have to carry a tripod! I worried and shopped and shopped to try and find some sort of a tripod solution that would work with our "living out of a single backpack" lifestyle. Eventually just left without even a monopod, and havent' regretted it.
Yesterday I was crossing a bridge and saw some kids in a park in the direction that I'd came from building a snowman. I just zoomed all the way in--200mm/300mm is usually way too much zoom for shooting video. But I was able to get great steady shots because of this lens.
Super Steady Shot alone is worth the price of the lens.
I bought the camera body separately, as there was no package that included the lens, so I also have a 16mm lens. This I've now given to my partner. The 16mm is nice in a few situations, but only where I want to hide the camera and not have people realize I'm shooting. Because it lacks super steady shot, it is less useful of a lens for me (even with the slightly wider angle.)
Speaking of stealth shooting.... when the NEX was announced there was a chorus of Those People on DPR saying that this lens was useless and ridiculous and huge, etc. Well, it is big. When it is on the camera, you treat it as a lens with camera attached, not as a camera with lens attached. I hold the lens to shot, I hold the lens near the base where it is thinner, and then adjust the zoom or focus and control the camera with the other hand.
However, the whole thing is small enough that it lives in my coat pocket. No need for a separate camera bag. It is obvious I have something bulky in my pocket, but nobody looks twice, even when in a more seedy area. Of course when I pull it out of the pocket, the aluminum machining screams "steal me!" .... but this is a totally great stealth setup.
I find switching WB and shooting modes a little slow, but I haven't yet made use of the new custom buttons with the new firmware so hopefully that will fix it.
The camera is very nice, but this lens is really fantastic. It is everything that I wanted it to be.
This validates my purchase in the NEX system. I tend to keep cameras for awhile, but when I replace the body I won't feel too bad... but lets hope this lens doesn't get stolen because I want to keep it for a decade.