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Fun With Sony Cameras

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Vivek

Guest
Re: Fun with the NEX cameras....

I updated the FW. The very reason for this post is, in contrast to Samsung NX10, for which accessing the FW was an impossible task, Sony' is easy and fast (as it should be).

I have no idea if the update would do anything good (no plans for a Bravia TV purchase. :( ).

My preliminary conclusion on the camera use is:

1. Of limited use for street photography.

2. Panorama shots need still subjects (I was shooting moving trams yesterday. They were moving in the "wrong direction". :ROTFL:).

The little NEX' UV response and the ability to shoot in near UV with a wide lens is just more than I could have asked for. :)

Sony impress!:thumbs:
 

TRSmith

Subscriber Member
Re: Fun with the NEX cameras....

I've been tracking this thread and admiring the photos. However, and I mean no offense, I have been around here long enough to have seen some of you embrace other new cameras with tremendous enthusiasm only to discover the same cameras in the For Sale thread just a few months later.

Does this Sony feel more like a "keeper"? Or, is it simply another interesting camera to add to a comprehensive list?

Best,
Tim
 

Terry

New member
Re: Fun with the NEX cameras....

Tim,
My take....
I think it is going to depend on a few things. My motivations might be somewhat different than others. I can use all the lenses from my A900 kit on the NEX which means it counts as a travel backup to my A900 in a tiny package.

So far it is looking the most promising for wide angle rangefinder lenses a place where m4/3 has not been good. You really needed to use longer than 35mm on m4/3 so essentially the equivalent of 70mm which wasn't so practical. I've seen samples that look pretty good (except haven't seen a lot of the corners) with the 28 elmarit. The M adapters are just hitting users hands right now. So the ability to potentially use the wider lenses on a bigger sensor is enticing.

The sensor is noticeably better than m4/3.

The availability of native lenses is as expected a few years behind....the m4/3 kit lenses are also optically better.

The issues with the user interface IMHO are way overblown. Can some things be changed absolutely, is it unsuable? absolutely not. In reality when setting up the camera and it is very straight forward - most people aren't really needing the manual.

All that being said,
Sony could come up with a wildcard body for Photokina that could have people scrambling to change bodies...which I guess makes this body less of the ultimate long term keeper.

And...I am not selling my m4/3 system until I feel like I have a full NEX system for day to day use.....wide angle, long, fast normal have no native solution.

Will be interesting to get other reactions.
 
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Cindy Flood

Super Moderator
Re: Fun with the NEX cameras....

I've been tracking this thread and admiring the photos. However, and I mean no offense, I have been around here long enough to have seen some of you embrace other new cameras with tremendous enthusiasm only to discover the same cameras in the For Sale thread just a few months later.

Does this Sony feel more like a "keeper"? Or, is it simply another interesting camera to add to a comprehensive list?

Best,
Tim
Tim,
For me, the NEX is just another step in the right direction, but it is not a "keeper". To be a "keeper", it would have to have an integrated EVF and image stabilization built into the body. In the digital age, I doubt there will ever be a "keeper" again. (I have had an M8 since 2006. That is a long run for a digital camera, but I don't expect to have an M8 forever.) Right now the NEX is the closest to having the features that I want in a small camera body. The ability to use my M lenses with a larger sensor is the highest on my priority list.
 

TRSmith

Subscriber Member
Re: Fun with the NEX cameras....

Thanks for your replies Terry and Cindy. Sounds a bit like the verdict is still out. And the one line that stands out for me is Cindy's suggestion that in the digital age, there may not ever be anything that can be classified as a "keeper".

I admit that I find that disturbing. I can't help comparing the evolution of digital cameras to the evolution of personal PCs. For a long time it seemed as if every computer purchase of the latest and fastest model was rendered irrelevant by something even faster and more powerful within a few months. Eventually that trend seemed to stabilize and now the options being offered are less about speed and more about form factor. Which allows me to feel pretty comfortable with my existing work station, feeling no pressure to change. I keep wondering (hoping?) if/when digital cameras will reach a similar stage.
 

Cindy Flood

Super Moderator
Re: Fun with the NEX cameras....

... I keep wondering (hoping?) if/when digital cameras will reach a similar stage.
I think we are moving in that direction. Some people are still happy with 5D five years later, M8 four years later, D700 three years later. These cameras all still deliver.
Now what I'm wanting is a change in form. I want smaller, but not at the expense of file quality. I want to be able to use my quality lenses on a small form and have an interface that works for me. Anymore, I don't think in terms of MP as much as form and function.
 

douglasf13

New member
Re: Fun with the NEX cameras....

I'm with Cindy, too. There needs to be a dramatic leap in sensor tech before I feel like replacing my A900. It's darn near perfect for me as a DSLR. Now I want great IQ in a tiny package, and the NEX seems to be the closest yet.
 

ustein

Contributing Editor
Re: Fun with the NEX cameras....

>And glass!

This is the main issue with the NEX cameras right now. No top zoom with AF available for this cameras right now. The sensor it pretty good.
 

Terry

New member
Re: Fun with the NEX cameras....

I'm with Cindy, too. There needs to be a dramatic leap in sensor tech before I feel like replacing my A900. It's darn near perfect for me as a DSLR. Now I want great IQ in a tiny package, and the NEX seems to be the closest yet.
This one's for you Douglas...
Also extension tubes arrived yesterday and work well. Very happy with this lens on NEX and extension for macro solution.

Sony 50mm f1.4 with A to E mount adapter.... just about the same size as the 18-55 lit lens.

 

barjohn

New member
Re: Fun with the NEX cameras....

Tim,

My take closely mirrors Terry's and Cindy's. Before I elaborate I want to comment on your computer statement. While form and function are very important to me (hence my choice of iMacs for my wife and I), computers will only be fast enough when I don't have to spend anytime waiting on them. No beach balls, no hour glasses, no moving bar, etc. What I want happens instantly and they are waiting for me to make my next move. Since I work with computers all day almost every day those seconds add up to a lot of frustration. Therefore, for me, computers aren't there yet!

The NEX is the closest thing I have found in a small body mirror-less camera to what I am looking for. IT's IQ is very high as is its DR (sensor, not lenses). Could they be better? Yes, but I could probably live with this level). Physical size is about as small as possible if you plan to use legacy lenses at all and even native lenses are limited in how small they can get given this sensor size, on the other hand, when you go back and look at some of the small 35 mm film cameras they managed to design and make small lenses that covered a full frame. (not counting the 1/2 frame cameras). The holy grail would be an optical view finder that matched the FL and included a focus confirmation indication. Short of that a really high quality EVF but the body would need to be larger for both optical and EVF unless Sony eliminated the LCD completely which would be a novel approach. I like the clean design and as I use the camera more I find I don't miss most of the buttons. Ergonomic changes I would make would include adding one more button to the lower bottom right and moving the playback button down to where the movie button is and moving the movie button up in front of the power switch, sort of two shutter buttons, one for movie and one for still. When no flash is attached, pushing the dial rocker button to the right would bring up ISO. The new bottom button would be user programable and in at least one implementation could be used to format the card (format is too buried) with another choice being to select white balance. I would also add two lugs to the lightest side of the camera so one option would be to carry the camera in portrait orientation. For the normal high quality pancake lens (when it comes) I would add a zippered leather case like the Leica CL's. It provides protection when being carried around, slides up the strap or snaps off for shooting and adds no weight to the camera. Then a small belt pouch could be used to carry the additional lenses. If Sony manages to build and offer a small very high resolution EVF that optically appears larger to the eye, that would definitely move toward making this a longer term keeper. I suspect the electronics are there to support one. While one could always want faster performance this camera is fast enough that it would be very low on my priority list. Built in IS, on the other hand would be high on my list as it allows for smaller lenses and improves the usability of legacy lenses. I know this is a long winded answer but I think it answers your question.
 
V

Vivek

Guest
Re: Fun with the NEX cameras....

I've been tracking this thread and admiring the photos. However, and I mean no offense, I have been around here long enough to have seen some of you embrace other new cameras with tremendous enthusiasm only to discover the same cameras in the For Sale thread just a few months later.

Does this Sony feel more like a "keeper"? Or, is it simply another interesting camera to add to a comprehensive list?

Best,
Tim
This is a keeper for me (I rarely sell a camera as all get "used" up. The NX10 was a true exception.). As I keep saying (sarcasm aside) Sony did not disappoint me.:thumbs:

Fabulous UV response of even the stock camera and yes, I plan to convert it with a clear filter! That and the 16/2.8's UV transmission makes it very worthwhile for me.

There are "normal" focal length lenses for near UV and there are telephoto/macro lenses (an UV-Nikkor 105/4.5, for example). There no lenses that are UV capable in the wide area for any format. Am I smiling? I am ecstatic!:) The lens alone is worth the bother for me.

Is this a "regular" camera? I don't even consider the NEX as a "camera" (no offense to anyone). It is fabulous sensor in a tiny package for specialist use.

The Panasonic G1 is a real camera.

Not the NEX. At least as it is delivered, with no body caps or rear lens caps. The absent EVF does not help either.

The 16/2.8 with an EVF would have been revolutionary. Sony clearly missed the boat.

The only reason I went for it was because Panasonic screwed up the G2 with no real improvements over the fantastic G1.

I am glad that I did.
 
V

Vivek

Guest
Re: Fun with the NEX cameras....

The puny screw in flash does a fabulous job as a fill flash! :thumbs:

With the 16/2.8 or c-mount manual focus lenses, exposures (within its range) are spot on!

Sony should sell bigger versions of this flash!
 
V

Vivek

Guest
Re: Fun with the NEX cameras....

On another matter, RJ ('jinfinaces" on eBay) informs me that his NEX to pen F adapter is ready!
 
V

Vivek

Guest
Re: Fun with the NEX cameras....

Not a single shop in the Netherlands has a spare Sony battery available!:thumbdown:
 

Cindy Flood

Super Moderator
Re: Fun with the NEX cameras....

On another matter, RJ ('jinfinaces" on eBay) informs me that his NEX to pen F adapter is ready!
He is shipping Pen-F to me on Tuesday! I can't wait. M should arrive any day...I did not ask for expedited service on it.

Not a single shop in the Netherlands has a spare Sony battery available!:thumbdown:
Robert (Monza) sold me one last week. You could get one from him, if you don't mind shipping it over the big pond.:thumbs:
 

douglasf13

New member
Re: Fun with the NEX cameras....

This one's for you Douglas...
Also extension tubes arrived yesterday and work well. Very happy with this lens on NEX and extension for macro solution.

Sony 50mm f1.4 with A to E mount adapter.... just about the same size as the 18-55 lit lens.

Looks great, thanks! That thing really is tiny! I've come to a pretty outrageous decision. Once I make sure for certain that NEX corner performance is good with a 35mm M lens, I'm going to sell my ZA 24-70 and buy the NEX-5. I haven't used that (or any) zoom in over a year, so I think it is warranted. My main A900 setup is the 20mm 2.8, 50mm 1.4 and 85 1.4, with the occasional Zeiss Jena 135mm 3.5. With NEX, I can get close to that with the 16 2.8, a fast 35mm M lens, the 50 1.4, and the occasional 85 1.4. Outside of loosing AF, that should be a great and comparable sister kit to my A900. I nearly sold everything I own for an M9 kit six months ago, and I think having the dual A900/Nex-5 setup makes more sense for me.
 

ustein

Contributing Editor
Re: Fun with the NEX cameras....

Good news for NEX video on Macs:

If you use ClipWrap you can easily and fast convert the MTS files to .MOV and play with Quicktime.

The major aliasing of course remains.
 

retow

Member
Re: Fun with the NEX cameras....

Sony NEX 5 with 16mm, set to 7fps, shot from the hip, portrait mode, cropped. On the way home from the Boston Sony Style store where I just picked up the 16mm. I think I'm going to like it:).
 
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barjohn

New member
Re: Fun with the NEX cameras....

I don't know if you did much PP but this is visibly sharper than images we get from the 18-55 mm.
 
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