glenerrolrd
Workshop Member
As I box up my brand new Sony Nex 7 to return to the dealer , it seemed worthwhile to check my experience with what others are seeing . Quick background my primary system is the M9 and Leica lenses , use LR4 for processing and hoped that the Nex7 would allow me to have a 180FOV (using the 135APO) . I hoped for better ISO but the early adopters convinced me not expect that .
This is what I have experienced ....not at all scientific and clearly open to questionable technique.
1. Focus Peaking ...intending to use only manual focus with 50-135mm Leica M lenses . Focus peaking is exceptional in some situations ..generally at closer distances with a clear edge or highlight to catch . Shooting at a distance ..I found it almost impossible to accurately focus on a target on the beach at anything over 100FT . At the closest focusing distances with a predominate target its pretty great...but a fisherman walking on the beach at 50 yards with a 135 apo wide open ....maybe one in 3 or 4. I am sure I have much to learn here .
2. Camera motion ....hand held getting camera motion with a 50 mm at 1/250 .. the 135 needs 1/500 ....I am used to the high MP small pixel challenge from my S2 but this seems worse and for what . The M9 is 18MP and the Nex 7 at 23MP.
3. Noise ... properly exposed files at even ISO 400 show degraded IQ from noise . This kills its high IQ in low light .
4. Color ....with LR4 and the adobe standard profile ..this has to be the worst color I ve experienced in years . With a custom profile created with a color checker passport and a custom preset ...I could get a good file but this was anything but easy . My Fuji X100 was easy and ISO up to 3200 was very usable .
From my limited testing I don t believe this is good addition to my M9 kit and thus I am returning it . It always depends on what your needs and expectations are and its easy to see the potential but haven t found this camera brings enough to the party to continue working on it .
Are my findings consistent with others or do I need to take another look?
This is what I have experienced ....not at all scientific and clearly open to questionable technique.
1. Focus Peaking ...intending to use only manual focus with 50-135mm Leica M lenses . Focus peaking is exceptional in some situations ..generally at closer distances with a clear edge or highlight to catch . Shooting at a distance ..I found it almost impossible to accurately focus on a target on the beach at anything over 100FT . At the closest focusing distances with a predominate target its pretty great...but a fisherman walking on the beach at 50 yards with a 135 apo wide open ....maybe one in 3 or 4. I am sure I have much to learn here .
2. Camera motion ....hand held getting camera motion with a 50 mm at 1/250 .. the 135 needs 1/500 ....I am used to the high MP small pixel challenge from my S2 but this seems worse and for what . The M9 is 18MP and the Nex 7 at 23MP.
3. Noise ... properly exposed files at even ISO 400 show degraded IQ from noise . This kills its high IQ in low light .
4. Color ....with LR4 and the adobe standard profile ..this has to be the worst color I ve experienced in years . With a custom profile created with a color checker passport and a custom preset ...I could get a good file but this was anything but easy . My Fuji X100 was easy and ISO up to 3200 was very usable .
From my limited testing I don t believe this is good addition to my M9 kit and thus I am returning it . It always depends on what your needs and expectations are and its easy to see the potential but haven t found this camera brings enough to the party to continue working on it .
Are my findings consistent with others or do I need to take another look?