My experience replacing my DSLR with a NEX-6 for Portraiture

[kaptnkain]

So I got an NEX-6 for the holidays from my girlfriend. Considering it's much more modern (and dense) sensor than my 40D, I thought I'd give it a shot as my main rig.

Wow was I surprised! The NEX fulfills all of my needs without fail. My only gripes would be not having enough buttons, and being about .5cm too short - however, a simple leather half case fixes this.

But anyways, on to the good stuff - the actual results. Each of these shots was taken with a Rokinon (Samyang) 85mm T/1.5 Cine lens. If anybody is wondering, the optics on this lens are the exact same as the Rokinon/Samyang/Opteka/Bower/Etc. 85mm F/1.4. Without a doubt, this lens is one of the best portrait lenses for a crop sensor camera that allows for consistently accurate MF at this DoFs (think focus peaking and MF assist). Virtually no distortion or vignetting.


A Girl Named Hope by I.Cherkasov, on Flickr


Middledistance by I.Cherkasov, on Flickr


Burying Luck by I.Cherkasov, on Flickr


Nice Guys by I.Cherkasov, on Flickr


Young Blood by I.Cherkasov, on Flickr

Safe to say, I absolutely love the NEX-6.

Thanks for looking :salute:

 

[Nettar]

Very nice portraits, kaptnkain! I really like them. Yes, an 85mm lens on that format is particularly attractive for portraits outdoors, not least because of the knife-like way it separates in-focus and out-of-focus areas, at large apertures. And the bokeh of that lens is very nice. You're handled this particularly well. (But unless one's studio is rather long in at least one direction, the lens is perhaps a bit long for indoor portraits on APS-C format!) Nettar

 

[kaptnkain]

Yes, the lens is a tad long for indoor full body portraiture. But beauty portraits are still great with the 85mm.

 

[kaptnkain]

Just a thought - For those who are more accustomed to FF shooting, the MetaBones SpeedBooster makes for an excellent companion to the NEX-6. Since the SB condenses the image onto the NEX's APS-C sensor, your lenses actually get sharper! It's pretty awesome actually - here are some completely acceptably sharp shots with the Nikkor 50mm F/1.2 with a speedbooster. It's a serious improvement in resolving power over the Nikkor on a regular FF camera.


After All by I.Cherkasov, on Flickr


When We Escape by I.Cherkasov, on Flickr

 

[f/otographer]

Incredible imagery kaptnkain. Verily am I impressed.

 

[Tim]

Impressive images, I like them. Excuse my lack of understanding but does this Rokinon 85mm on the NEX6 equate to about a 135 in 35mm film terms? Its a bit confusing as the lens is listed as a Sony NEX mount so do they express the 85mm as native to the NEX?

Just looking to clarify as it has a 135mm like seperation. Thanks

 

[kaptnkain]

Yes, the NEX has a 1.5x crop sensor, so the 85mm is equivalent to a 127mm lens on a 35mm.

Many of the photos above are actually expansions, too.

 

[kaptnkain]

One from today to share. It was such a boring and grey overcast day...


Take Me Somewhere Nice by I.Cherkasov, on Flickr

 

[kaptnkain]

Had a chance to go up to a local park with some cool props today.


Dreams by I.Cherkasov, on Flickr

 

[mazor]

wow kaptnkain, are these all speed booster and nikkor lens? very sharp indeed! lovely bokeh

 

[kaptnkain]

No, the last two are with the Rokinon 85mm.

 

[kaptnkain]

Picked up a Rokinon 35mm F/1.4.

This thing is SHARP! Compared to my Canon 35mm F/1.4L, it's just as good or better.


Awakening by I.Cherkasov, on Flickr

 

[Lax Jought]

Great photos in this thread but this one in particular - I don't know, the prop invoked something a little more than the other photos.

Had a chance to go up to a local park with some cool props today.


Dreams by I.Cherkasov, on Flickr

 

[kaptnkain]

Thanks! The color of the bow works very well with the foliage and the trees

One more with the 35mm:


Southern Sun by I.Cherkasov, on Flickr

 

[kaptnkain]

Another with the 35mm F/1.4:


The Wanderlust by I.Cherkasov, on Flickr

 

[kaptnkain]

85mm, same shoot:


Guinness by I.Cherkasov, on Flickr

 

[kaptnkain]

I've been bored. I haven't been motivated. So look at some candids.


Time to Pretend by I.Cherkasov, on Flickr


Claire on Red. by I.Cherkasov, on Flickr


Steven on Red. by I.Cherkasov, on Flickr

 

[kaptnkain]

Jaleesa in Red. by I.Cherkasov, on Flickr

 

[kaptnkain]

Steven on broken wall. by I.Cherkasov, on Flickr

 

[kaptnkain]

Not quite portraiture:

Not sure where to post this, but this is my other hobby. Lets me feel like a kid again outside of my 9-5 routine.


Never Fallin' by I.Cherkasov, on Flickr