Ken Ford
Refuses to suffer fools
Financially out of reach from what I've seen, and I would still need more glass. I can't see how an M8 could work for me.
kanzlr
Hexaneur
I've posted this a few times already, but why not once more 
I had the NEX5N + EVF and used it for M lenses. This worked nicely, only problem was lenses that have deep depth of field. For example a 28mm f2.8 lens. Wide open it was ok to focus with Sonys peaking, but stopped down to f4 it was almost impossible.
I bought a GXR M just because it was offered to me at a good price in and I was curious.
Long story short: I sold the NEX and still have the GXR.
Ergonomics of the GXR are much better. The viewfinder is worse by specs, but it does not exhibit the strong colors and contrasts the Sony OLED has which makes it easier on the eyes (altough I miss the resolution and auto toggle).
The EVF is really the ONLY thing the NEX had over the GXR, and this was not as clear cut as it seems.
Sony = bigger, higher resolution
GXR = easier on the eyes, better with high contrast scenes, better with glasses
but what sold me on the GXR was their mode 2 focus assists. This is not a peaking like sony has, but a high pass filtered image. It works supremely well. Focusing even the 28mm at f4 is easy without zooming in.
second thing that the GXR does better and is important to me: for perfect focus you want to magnify the view sometimes. The NEX does this by pressing a programmable button. Push it, and it magnifies, push it again and it zooms out.
on the GXR it is also tied to the shutter: if you are zoomed in, and you half press the shutter, you see the zoomed out, clear view of the subject. release the shutter, and you are zoomed in again with all the focusin aids you have enabled. awesome for classic focus-recompose technique.
I had the NEX5N + EVF and used it for M lenses. This worked nicely, only problem was lenses that have deep depth of field. For example a 28mm f2.8 lens. Wide open it was ok to focus with Sonys peaking, but stopped down to f4 it was almost impossible.
I bought a GXR M just because it was offered to me at a good price in and I was curious.
Long story short: I sold the NEX and still have the GXR.
Ergonomics of the GXR are much better. The viewfinder is worse by specs, but it does not exhibit the strong colors and contrasts the Sony OLED has which makes it easier on the eyes (altough I miss the resolution and auto toggle).
The EVF is really the ONLY thing the NEX had over the GXR, and this was not as clear cut as it seems.
Sony = bigger, higher resolution
GXR = easier on the eyes, better with high contrast scenes, better with glasses
but what sold me on the GXR was their mode 2 focus assists. This is not a peaking like sony has, but a high pass filtered image. It works supremely well. Focusing even the 28mm at f4 is easy without zooming in.
second thing that the GXR does better and is important to me: for perfect focus you want to magnify the view sometimes. The NEX does this by pressing a programmable button. Push it, and it magnifies, push it again and it zooms out.
on the GXR it is also tied to the shutter: if you are zoomed in, and you half press the shutter, you see the zoomed out, clear view of the subject. release the shutter, and you are zoomed in again with all the focusin aids you have enabled. awesome for classic focus-recompose technique.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Interesting requirement.
Perhaps the rumored next version of the Digital Pen would be just what you're looking for. But this is in the future, not relevant to the question at hand. I'm just saying.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
I have to say that if I was in the market for something like the OP describes ... the OM-D would be it.
I'm not the least bit put off by the 4/3 format and I think the sensor will be a gem. The Xpro I'm not so keen on for some reason and to me those Nex's look a lens wiith a camera attached!
Did I sense a change of tune, Keith?
I seem to remember at one time you're dismissing the m4/3rd system because of the sensor size.
But I'm with you on the Nex cameras look. Althought Nex 7 is a bit better, size wise.
Ken Ford
Refuses to suffer fools
I lied.
After giving this a lot more thought last night and today, I've decided the Fuji is just too far out of reach for me financially. That, added to the results I'm seeing from the new Sigma 30/2.8 pushed me over the edge into ordering an NEX7. I can see myself using this 30/2.8 and a Sony 50/1.8 the majority of the time.
I came to the realization that non-native MF lens use is going to be a sideshow for me, so I can live with the implementation of MF focus aids in the NEX. I'm not entirely sold on peaking yet, I'll probably rely mostly on magnification for the moment when using legacy glass.
I really don't have much of a desire for the kit lens, but at $150 it's worth having to make selling the camera easier down the road if needed.
Thank you all for your thoughts - they were a great help!
After giving this a lot more thought last night and today, I've decided the Fuji is just too far out of reach for me financially. That, added to the results I'm seeing from the new Sigma 30/2.8 pushed me over the edge into ordering an NEX7. I can see myself using this 30/2.8 and a Sony 50/1.8 the majority of the time.
I came to the realization that non-native MF lens use is going to be a sideshow for me, so I can live with the implementation of MF focus aids in the NEX. I'm not entirely sold on peaking yet, I'll probably rely mostly on magnification for the moment when using legacy glass.
I really don't have much of a desire for the kit lens, but at $150 it's worth having to make selling the camera easier down the road if needed.
Thank you all for your thoughts - they were a great help!
kanzlr
Hexaneur
GXR Mount is native MF
TEZillman
Well-known
Ken,
Thanks for mentioning that the Sony Outlet had Nex 7s in stock. I live a couple miles north of the mall and ran down there to have a look at one. It sure is a nice little camera.
Thanks for mentioning that the Sony Outlet had Nex 7s in stock. I live a couple miles north of the mall and ran down there to have a look at one. It sure is a nice little camera.
Ken Ford
Refuses to suffer fools
Tom, we're practically neighbors - we should try to meet up sometime!