sper
Well-known
So I'm spending a week with an NEX 3 and the 18-55 (borrowed from my job at B&H). After one night with this camera I can tell it's great. I loved it in low light, and it's automatic flash pictures were great. I found it totally usable at 6400, I don't know about a large print, but worlds beyond what I expected.
The only thing I have to complain about is the lens, and lens selection. 18-55 ƒ3.5-5.6? Really? If I wanted this basic slow zoom I could have bought a Nikon or Canon. And with only one prime, plus nobody making E lenses yet, it's almost like they're TELLING us to adapt M lenses. I'm not usually a distortion snob but man, at 18mm this lens might as well be a reverse fisheye. Don't bother taking pictures of signs buildings, they'll look a little pudgy.
I haven't been too bothered by the design. It's annoying to have to go into the menu to change ISO but the M8 was like that. I've adapted fairly quickly to it.
What I love is how discrete it is. So far my most discrete subway/street camera is my Motorola Droid with the Vignette App, just pretend you're playing Angry Birds! (and no, I'm not kidding, I actually think this is a great camera if you accept cell phone image quality). But with the waist level shooting and goofy design I can quite easily grab shots I would otherwise no too shy to get, and the image quality is better than what I've seen from a m43rds camera. I find anything resembling a DSLR to be like wearing orange hunting garb in most peoples eyes.
Anyways my only question is have you folks found it to be worth it adapting your M lenses? I've got CV 50mm 1.5, 28mm ƒ2, and 21mm ƒ4. Those coupled with either the Sony 16 or zoom could be all I need. But is the quality there with the adaptors? It seems like it is from what I've seen online but i'd love some opinions on that.
I'll post more pictures through the week, as I plan on having this camera in my bag at all times.
Oh yes, before I buy, is the NEX-5 worth it? I have a 5D2 for 1080P and honestly I don't care about video too much. Any other differences?
The only thing I have to complain about is the lens, and lens selection. 18-55 ƒ3.5-5.6? Really? If I wanted this basic slow zoom I could have bought a Nikon or Canon. And with only one prime, plus nobody making E lenses yet, it's almost like they're TELLING us to adapt M lenses. I'm not usually a distortion snob but man, at 18mm this lens might as well be a reverse fisheye. Don't bother taking pictures of signs buildings, they'll look a little pudgy.
I haven't been too bothered by the design. It's annoying to have to go into the menu to change ISO but the M8 was like that. I've adapted fairly quickly to it.
What I love is how discrete it is. So far my most discrete subway/street camera is my Motorola Droid with the Vignette App, just pretend you're playing Angry Birds! (and no, I'm not kidding, I actually think this is a great camera if you accept cell phone image quality). But with the waist level shooting and goofy design I can quite easily grab shots I would otherwise no too shy to get, and the image quality is better than what I've seen from a m43rds camera. I find anything resembling a DSLR to be like wearing orange hunting garb in most peoples eyes.
Anyways my only question is have you folks found it to be worth it adapting your M lenses? I've got CV 50mm 1.5, 28mm ƒ2, and 21mm ƒ4. Those coupled with either the Sony 16 or zoom could be all I need. But is the quality there with the adaptors? It seems like it is from what I've seen online but i'd love some opinions on that.
I'll post more pictures through the week, as I plan on having this camera in my bag at all times.
Oh yes, before I buy, is the NEX-5 worth it? I have a 5D2 for 1080P and honestly I don't care about video too much. Any other differences?
Ronald_H
Don't call me Ron
It's darned good at hi ISO's isn't it? It's in fact the best camera I have ever owned in that regard. Significantly better than my Nikon D200. No D3s quality, but amazingly good.
Yes, I want to use M lenses on it too. Just ordered the adapter, it will arrive the 20th of December. Just in time for X-mas
If you download firmware version 3, you don't have to go into the menu to change ISO because two of the buttons on the back become fully customizable. I set mine up so that I have ISO control at my fingertips!
I don't know yet if the adapter is worth it, but I expect it will be.
The NEX-5 is not worth it. You get a metal body and a different video format that eats more memory but is hardly better in quality (see dpreview for details). Btw, video is very good and usable on these cameras.
I bought a NEX-3 in red, just to make people think I'm just a fool with a funny camera. But in fact is better than my D200 in almost every respect.
Arjay
Time Traveller
INteresting info!
I am also thinking of using this camera with M lenses. I have three questions for those who have already used this camera:
I am also thinking of using this camera with M lenses. I have three questions for those who have already used this camera:
- How loud is the camera's shutter noise?
- What about shutter lag (assuming the lens is aready focused)? Is it fast enough for candid street shooting?
- Does the camera offer an auto-ISO mode, and how programmable is that mode? Is it possible to preset a maximum (longest permitted) shutter speed as well as a max. allowed ISO value? What happens if the max ISO value is insufficient - will the cvamera either use a slower shutter speed or boost ISO notwithstanding, just to get the shot?
goffer
Well-known
I had my NEX-5 for about 2 months before selling it. Lovely camera but I never used due to the lack of viewfinder. Composing with a screen, a beautiful screen at that, just didnt do it for me.
1. The shutter is pretty loud.. I would say as loud as my D700. But out in the streets I didn't find it an issue.
2. I only shot it was my M glass, but word around the internet is the shutter lag isn't bad.
3. It has a programmed "Auto ISO" feature but you can not set a minimum shutter speed
Ronald_H
Don't call me Ron
I had my NEX-5 for about 2 months before selling it. Lovely camera but I never used due to the lack of viewfinder. Composing with a screen, a beautiful screen at that, just didnt do it for me.
1. The shutter is pretty loud.. I would say as loud as my D700. But out in the streets I didn't find it an issue.
2. I only shot it was my M glass, but word around the internet is the shutter lag isn't bad.
3. It has a programmed "Auto ISO" feature but you can not set a minimum shutter speed
1. Yep, surprisingly loud. Like a SLR in fact. Not like an M at all.
2. I don't find lag an issue. In fact I haven't found lag an issue since my Sony DSC-S75...
3. True. the kit lens is stabilized though.
sper
Well-known
It's loud, but I'm not worried about that. It's silly form makes it discreet in my opinion.
The key to fighting lag (even on a point and shoot digital) is just allowing the auto focus to lock in before exposure. If you do this, you will find even the cheapest cameras are decently fast. I can't tell you how many mom's I've had to teach this to at the camera store.
The stabilizer surprised me! I figured it would be silly in a standard range zoom, but it works pretty well.
I'd love to see some NEX M lens samples.
The key to fighting lag (even on a point and shoot digital) is just allowing the auto focus to lock in before exposure. If you do this, you will find even the cheapest cameras are decently fast. I can't tell you how many mom's I've had to teach this to at the camera store.
The stabilizer surprised me! I figured it would be silly in a standard range zoom, but it works pretty well.
I'd love to see some NEX M lens samples.
CK Dexter Haven
Well-known
I would have bought one a few months ago, except for the surprising lack of a 'normal' prime. Why they didn't have a 30mm 1.8-ish lens at the NEX release baffles me.
So, the NEX, at present, for what i need, represents more of a 'compromise camera' than does the Samsung NX10, which i also liked. The Samsung does have a pancake 30mm. The compromise with the Samsung, though, is that it can't be adapted to use M-mount lenses....
So, i'm still waiting.
So, the NEX, at present, for what i need, represents more of a 'compromise camera' than does the Samsung NX10, which i also liked. The Samsung does have a pancake 30mm. The compromise with the Samsung, though, is that it can't be adapted to use M-mount lenses....
So, i'm still waiting.
goffer
Well-known
I'll post a few of my M samples:
[click image for higher resolution]
Nothing special, just shot to test for sharpness.
[click image for higher resolution]
Nothing special, just shot to test for sharpness.
Arjay
Time Traveller
What kind of manual focussing aids does the camera offer for users who are shooting with M lenses plus converter?
douglasf13
Well-known
Sony announced a lens roadmap for 2011-2012 at Photokina. Most expect the Zeiss in this picture to be around a 24mm f2 (35mm equiv.) and it arrives in 2011.
Last edited:
douglasf13
Well-known
The bottom soft button turns into a 7x magnification view, and pressing it twice goes to 14x. Along with the Sony 16mm, I use 5 or 6 rangefinder lenses on the NEX-5 and really like it. The tilt up screen is great for waist level shooting.
Sonnar2
Well-known
A very good screen plus fullsize loupe (7x at first click, 14x on seccond click). The brigther the light the more you need the loupe.
goffer
Well-known
I found it pretty easy to focus without the MF assist which basically works like most zoom functions do in a live view. It helps, but I never found myself using it do to the screen being so sharp.
sper
Well-known
Here are some pictures I finally got online.
Untitled by marksperry, on Flickr
Untitled by marksperry, on Flickr
Untitled by marksperry, on Flickr
Untitled by marksperry, on Flickr
Untitled by marksperry, on Flickr
So you can see how bad the distortion is at the wide end, but on the plus side this is a great street camera, and a great night camera. Plus the auto flash exposure does a good job of slow synching to bring in the ambient light.
Untitled by marksperry, on Flickr
Untitled by marksperry, on Flickr
Untitled by marksperry, on Flickr
Untitled by marksperry, on Flickr
Untitled by marksperry, on Flickr
So you can see how bad the distortion is at the wide end, but on the plus side this is a great street camera, and a great night camera. Plus the auto flash exposure does a good job of slow synching to bring in the ambient light.
Paddy C
Unused film collector
The distortion is wicked.
Lenses, currently, are the problem. If you can get past the styling. Which I don't mind so much. From everything I've read about it, it is an outstanding camera. When, and if, the lens line catches up I may have to take a look.
Lenses, currently, are the problem. If you can get past the styling. Which I don't mind so much. From everything I've read about it, it is an outstanding camera. When, and if, the lens line catches up I may have to take a look.
j.scooter
Veteran
Thanks to this thread, I have just cashed in 15 years worth of saved airmiles, my nex 3 will be delivered in 3-4 weeks. That gives me plenty of time to get a nex-m42 adapter as I have a couple m42 lenses that will go nicely with the 16 kit lens.
sper
Well-known
Cool! Hope you enjoy it. I'm planning on getting one as soon as I get the cash on hand. I just need to decide if I want the zoom or the pancake.
kxl
Social Documentary
Firmware Upgrade Available
Firmware Upgrade Available
if you haven't yet upgraded your NEX3/NEX5's firmware, it is now available if you are interested. Highlights:
Versions available for Windows and Mac OS2, the free upgrade adds several performance enhancements. The last 3 (Programmable soft key, menu start and manual focus) on the list below deserve some APPLAUSE.
Autofocus is now supported when using the NEX-5 and NEX-3 with 14 lenses from the full range of A-mount optics by Sony and Carl Zeiss that includes telephotos, primes and zooms.
Aperture settings can be maintained during HD movie recording, and system menu operation has been streamlined alongside other usability improvements.
Single-shot autofocus is supported with 14 optional A-mount SAM and SSM lens models3 when used with the optional LA-EA1 Mount Adaptor. Single-shot AF is also possible while in movie recording mode by pressing the shutter button halfway down. Support for AF operation with A-mount lenses also requires a separate firmware upgrade for the LA-EA1.
Aperture priority with video recording
HD video can be shot while maintaining constant aperture, either in A (aperture priority) mode or in iAuto mode with background defocus activated. This aids the simple creation of beautiful background defocus effects during movie recording.
Soft key settings
It’s possible to customise functions of two of the three soft keys on the camera’s rear panel. Functions that can be assigned include Shooting Mode, Shooting Tips, Precision Digital Zoom, ISO, White Balance, Metering Mode, Flash Compensation, DRO, Auto HDR, Creative Style, MF Assist and AF Area.
Menu start
When ‘Menu’ is selected, there is now the option to display either the main menu screen or the last parameter set. This simplifies quick readjustment of recently-selected functions and settings.
MF Assist
An enlarged image portion can be displayed on screen with user-selectable duration while in MF (Manual Focus) Assist mode. MF Assist operation has also been improved. The previously-chosen magnified image portion can now be maintained when MF Assist is re-selected, making repeated checks of fine focus quicker and more convenient.
Firmware Upgrade Available
if you haven't yet upgraded your NEX3/NEX5's firmware, it is now available if you are interested. Highlights:
Versions available for Windows and Mac OS2, the free upgrade adds several performance enhancements. The last 3 (Programmable soft key, menu start and manual focus) on the list below deserve some APPLAUSE.
Autofocus is now supported when using the NEX-5 and NEX-3 with 14 lenses from the full range of A-mount optics by Sony and Carl Zeiss that includes telephotos, primes and zooms.
Aperture settings can be maintained during HD movie recording, and system menu operation has been streamlined alongside other usability improvements.
Single-shot autofocus is supported with 14 optional A-mount SAM and SSM lens models3 when used with the optional LA-EA1 Mount Adaptor. Single-shot AF is also possible while in movie recording mode by pressing the shutter button halfway down. Support for AF operation with A-mount lenses also requires a separate firmware upgrade for the LA-EA1.
Aperture priority with video recording
HD video can be shot while maintaining constant aperture, either in A (aperture priority) mode or in iAuto mode with background defocus activated. This aids the simple creation of beautiful background defocus effects during movie recording.
Soft key settings
It’s possible to customise functions of two of the three soft keys on the camera’s rear panel. Functions that can be assigned include Shooting Mode, Shooting Tips, Precision Digital Zoom, ISO, White Balance, Metering Mode, Flash Compensation, DRO, Auto HDR, Creative Style, MF Assist and AF Area.
Menu start
When ‘Menu’ is selected, there is now the option to display either the main menu screen or the last parameter set. This simplifies quick readjustment of recently-selected functions and settings.
MF Assist
An enlarged image portion can be displayed on screen with user-selectable duration while in MF (Manual Focus) Assist mode. MF Assist operation has also been improved. The previously-chosen magnified image portion can now be maintained when MF Assist is re-selected, making repeated checks of fine focus quicker and more convenient.
zosta
Member
I've the nex-5 with the 16 pancake from about two weeks.
I can say that it's a fantastic tool, very small, good feeling, and the lack of EVF is not so terrible.
Works very well with high ISO (1600 and above) and the pancake is very sharp in the center (even wide open) and not so sharp in the corners.
For me is not a problem, I do not make rigorous architecture photo.
I've ordered from ebay an adapter to use the two PK lens of the K1000.
Some shots:
I can say that it's a fantastic tool, very small, good feeling, and the lack of EVF is not so terrible.
Works very well with high ISO (1600 and above) and the pancake is very sharp in the center (even wide open) and not so sharp in the corners.
For me is not a problem, I do not make rigorous architecture photo.
I've ordered from ebay an adapter to use the two PK lens of the K1000.
Some shots:
kshapero
South Florida Man
Does the Sony Nex 3/5 have in-body image stabilization?