New firmware with Focus Peaking

[River Dog]

Now it's really a joy to manual focus... Perfect with my summilux50 and tele elmarit. 90

No need to recompose after focusing, everything is fast and precise (don't know with wide angles)

Really nice shot and great lighting - was there any post-production? This demonstrates the faster focussing with the peaking function. It's a whole new camera for me now and I just bought the 16mm (24mm equivalent) as a cheap, wide prime. Don't like the fact that it automatically goes into the magnifier when you turn the focus ring in semi-autofocus, but it's still a solid package.

The higher ISO performance is also very impressive. With APS-C sensor this is now a competent digital back for my film lenses, as well as a high quality P&S with the 16mm.

I was tempted to trade it for a X100 before the firmware upgrade, but I will now stick with the versatile, tilting EVF (TLR style) and the interchangeable lens capability. The latter being a very reasonable expectation of the X100 for that price, as I am more interested in investing in the longevity of good glass.

I bought my NEX-3 as a refurbished Sony item, so with the 16mm it has cost me £350 ($560) versus around £1000 ($1600) for the X100 in the UK.

The dedicated Zeiss lenses planned for the NEX make for an interesting future on this platform.

Cue another test shot of the cat on the 16mm at f2.8, ISO 1000 & 1/30sec. No problem with peaking on the wide angle, wide open.

 

[Kent]

Kudos to Sony!!
That upgrade was worth the waiting.
It's fantastic!

 

[luuca]

Really nice shot and great lighting - was there any post-production?

thanks, light was very nice, but there was a bit of color tweaking in lightroom

 

[kshapero]

How are we a week later?

 

[kossi008]

I've got mixed feelings about the focus peaking. It really does help to get the shot when speed is the issue. But I sometimes find it distracting when trying to compose at a more leisurely pace... Still better to have this option than not, I guess...

 

[pvdhaar]

The big plus of focus peaking is that you don't have to use the 7x/14x magnification as much to focus accurately. With longish lenses, 7x and expecially 14x magnification makes the image jumpy.. OK, maybe I'm not keeping the camera steady, but not having to magnify does help in not getting seasick.

The real bees knees of the V04 firmware to me however, is the picture effect mode. When deciding between NEX and Oly-Pen, that was what almost tipped the balance in favor of the EPL1. Sure, these effects can be done in post processing, but having modes like 'toy camera' on the go is such fun..