zwarte_kat
Well-known
Seriously, I had a GH1, M8 and Ricoh GXR mount, But the 5N just feels like a newer generation camera. High speed burst rate, 16MP like it's nothing, super responsive, turns on in a snap, comes back from sleep in a snap, little to no shutterlag... and sooooo tiny, it's just unbelievable how small and light it is!
Got the Haws Factory Helicoid adapter too, and the awesomeness continues...
Checked the HD video on my monitor, much better then I expected! And 60P? Goodbye Canon 550 DSLR! (actually I am keeping it for now, but still...).
Of course no cam is perfect, my gripes so far:
-The menu button. I wish it was the lower button, or that it could be re-assigned. I want to have the focus assist zoom there, now the focus assist is on the lower button, which is hard to reach. Anyone know if this is possible? I have a Japanese version, so the menu is hard to read for me.
-The metal release switch of the Hawks adapter bothers my finger, making the camera hard to hold.
-Not a problem of the Camera, but the M lenses I use are so small that they probably cannot be used for a focus rig for video. I guess I had to be careful what I wished for! :0
Of course, I can always add a canon or Nikon Lens, but the whole point for me was mobility. Will have to think this over.
From what I read the HDMI output is good quality, but the interface overlay is burned in. It would have been a ridiculously gorgeous video shooter if we could have tapped the HDMI to a recorder. Why Sony why!!! It just takes a little firmware upgrade...
Regardless, really an amazing camera for the price!
Got the Haws Factory Helicoid adapter too, and the awesomeness continues...
Checked the HD video on my monitor, much better then I expected! And 60P? Goodbye Canon 550 DSLR! (actually I am keeping it for now, but still...).
Of course no cam is perfect, my gripes so far:
-The menu button. I wish it was the lower button, or that it could be re-assigned. I want to have the focus assist zoom there, now the focus assist is on the lower button, which is hard to reach. Anyone know if this is possible? I have a Japanese version, so the menu is hard to read for me.
-The metal release switch of the Hawks adapter bothers my finger, making the camera hard to hold.
-Not a problem of the Camera, but the M lenses I use are so small that they probably cannot be used for a focus rig for video. I guess I had to be careful what I wished for! :0
Of course, I can always add a canon or Nikon Lens, but the whole point for me was mobility. Will have to think this over.
From what I read the HDMI output is good quality, but the interface overlay is burned in. It would have been a ridiculously gorgeous video shooter if we could have tapped the HDMI to a recorder. Why Sony why!!! It just takes a little firmware upgrade...
Regardless, really an amazing camera for the price!
Pablito
coco frío
I find the image quality of this camera to be outstanding. I use the EVF. Agree with your wish list.
laoyou
Member
with the EVF are you able to focus without focus peaking or magnification, just like an OVF?
bugmenot
Well-known
With regards to the video, I have used my NEX-5N for interview projects as an alternate, hand-held video camera. The 24mbps FX 1080/24p option and the 28mbps PS 1080/60p video files stand up to edits and abuse quite well, and I have been able to interchangeably use them with footage from professional video gear seamlessly.
craygc
Well-known
To a large degree, yes. At wide apertures - f/2, f/1.4 - magnification can be necessary, especially in lower light. Its easy to turn on and lightly depressing the shutter release turns it off. I also find the articulation of the EVF extremely useful. Its not an OVF but it is very good...
segedi
RFicianado
It is a very nice camera. I've been using the 30mm Sigma lens on it almost exclusively. And I chose the focus point by setting it to variable and then clicking where I want it to focus on the touchscreen.
I can't accurately focus using the EVF without magnification. I really like the buttons and how magnification works on the GXR much better.
The Hawk's Helicoid is the best. Really like using it with M lenses.
Enjoy the camera - I am!
I can't accurately focus using the EVF without magnification. I really like the buttons and how magnification works on the GXR much better.
The Hawk's Helicoid is the best. Really like using it with M lenses.
Enjoy the camera - I am!
dweekie
Member
Have you checked out the twilight handheld option yet? That combined with a Hawks helicoid and CV 35mm/1.4 is my go anywhere snapshot camera at night. It gets pictures few cameras can even dream of getting without a lot of help.
peterm1
Veteran
I have the NEX 5 and like it a lot. But there are some serious gripes - especially when using the standard kit lenses. The standard lenses struggle to cope with such a large sensor and it shows in the performance. So much so that I do not even bother with little 16mm wide angle. The 18-55mm is better. With it I have ofound that I found I get much better results by (a) using aperture priority and stopping down a bit and (b) using a single central focus point so I know exactly what the damn thing is focusing on. Also there are slowing more lenses becoming available for it at reasonable prices including a highly regarded Sigma 30mm.
As a result I find it altogether a much better camera when used with adapters and Leica etc glass. Which is fine in one way as that IS an important reason why I bought it but it would still be nice if the kit lenses coped a little better.
Another issue I have had (as have many others judging by what I have found on the internet) is that the rear LCD has a permanent / semi permenant flexible plastic cover (similar to the removable ones you can buy) over the glass of the LCD. This has a kind of multi coating on it. Problem is the coating rubs off very easily leaving the LCD looking dreadful. I had this issue when I removed a protective cover of the sticky edge glue on type. Its a design flaw which whould be rectified but as far as I know never has been. Fortunately the plastic can be removed.
You will find lots of posts like this if you go looking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGukHaHf7w0
As a result I find it altogether a much better camera when used with adapters and Leica etc glass. Which is fine in one way as that IS an important reason why I bought it but it would still be nice if the kit lenses coped a little better.
Another issue I have had (as have many others judging by what I have found on the internet) is that the rear LCD has a permanent / semi permenant flexible plastic cover (similar to the removable ones you can buy) over the glass of the LCD. This has a kind of multi coating on it. Problem is the coating rubs off very easily leaving the LCD looking dreadful. I had this issue when I removed a protective cover of the sticky edge glue on type. Its a design flaw which whould be rectified but as far as I know never has been. Fortunately the plastic can be removed.
You will find lots of posts like this if you go looking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGukHaHf7w0
kanzlr
Hexaneur
I replaced my 5N with a GXR Mount.
While I agree that the EVF on the 5N is nice, image quality wise it is a draw, with advantages to the GXR below ISO 3200.
But the Sony is an ergonomic disaster, whereas the GXR is the nicest to use compact camera I ever handled. I much prefer it to my M8 (that I already sold, subsequently).
While I agree that the EVF on the 5N is nice, image quality wise it is a draw, with advantages to the GXR below ISO 3200.
But the Sony is an ergonomic disaster, whereas the GXR is the nicest to use compact camera I ever handled. I much prefer it to my M8 (that I already sold, subsequently).