NEX 3N and 25mm Snapshot Skopar

[NeeZee]

Anyone tried that combination?

I could get a 3N used for next to nothing (<100€) and thought I might give it a try for fun. I heard that the NEX 5N gives better results than the first gen 3 or 5 with wide M and LTM lenses. Is this also the case with the 3N?

By the way, I am aware that the 3N lacks features that other NEXes (e.g. the 5N) have. If I like the concept and results I might consider a NEX 6 later on but at the moment I'm only interested in whether putting my Skopar on a 3N would be a good idea.

Thanks!
Thomas

 

[sevo]

The 3N and 5N are generally assumed to have the same physical sensor, so the optical properties are the same.

 

[NeeZee]

Sounds good. If the internet talk about the 5N giving better results with these lenses is actually true, that is 😉

 

[sevo]

The old 3, C3 and 5 weren't bad either - the difference among them is marginal, where adapted lens use is concerned. The 7 was the one which really disappointed with RF wide angles.

 

[Addy101]

The original Nex 5 and Nex 3 had a 14mp sensor, the 7 a 24mp sensor, the C3, F3, 3N, 5N, 5T and 6 had the 16mp sensor. The 16mp is considered the best for wide angle lenses. For < €100,- it is a no brainer...

 

[NeeZee]

The original Nex 5 and Nex 3 had a 14mp sensor, the 7 a 24mp sensor, the C3, F3, 3N, 5N, 5T and 6 had the 16mp sensor. The 16mp is considered the best for wide angle lenses. For < €100,- it is a no brainer...

Thanks, I might just go for it.

The only reason I'm still pondering is, that I'm not sure I'm gonna enjoy the digital experience at all. This will be my first digital camera not built into a phone... Not a huge investment though.

 

[kuuan]

The original Nex 5 and Nex 3 had a 14mp sensor, the 7 a 24mp sensor, the C3, F3, 3N, 5N, 5T and 6 had the 16mp sensor. The 16mp is considered the best for wide angle lenses. For < €100,- it is a no brainer...

right! and I confirm, the f4/25mm snapshot Skopar works very well on NEX5N. The 3N has the disadvantage that it doesn't have any nor takes the optional EVF, but IQ will be very good!

 

[pvdhaar]

Anyone tried that combination?

I could get a 3N used for next to nothing (<100€) and thought I might give it a try for fun.

You'll be hard pressed to find another camera that's more fun and yet underneath its outer skin is such a serious shooter at <100€..

I've shot with the original CV25/4 in LTM mount on the original NEX-3, and there was nothing wrong with the images whatsoever. Focusing was a breeze with focus peeking enabled.. The only caveat are the crop factor, making it effectively a 35, and the somewhat limited close focus abilities of the lens.

 

[NeeZee]

Thanks, very encouraging indeed. Do you guys have experience with LTM adapters for the NEX? There are really cheap ones on ebay, are they worth checking out? I don't wanna go the two adapter route as I only own LTM and no M lenses...

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

I got one of those E to LTM cheapies when I borrowed my neighbors NEX 5n. It worked OK as far as I was concerned. I plan on using it with my NEX 7 when it gets here later this week. I did order a couple of the mid-$30's adapters for my M and Nikon F lenses when I bought my camera.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

NeeZee, strictly FWIW, I had such a good time with the 5N that I bought some E/FE lenses and a new A6000 body. And, with this, I still use the 5N a lot.

My suggestion: Check for how well the focus peaking feature works. To me this is the deal maker/breaker for using MF lenses on these bodies. Focus peaking works superbly on my two cameras.

Agree with the comment: Most fun you can have for the price.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Adapters: If you are scale focusing, then precision is needed. If you want to get closer, then it's the focusing adapter. Otherwise, the cheap ones are well made, not necessarily precise.

Since I'm using focus peaking on the LCD or EVF, I don't need the precision; the cheap adapters are working very well. Suggest you try to $30 option first, and shift up if you find a need.

 

[kuuan]

Thanks, very encouraging indeed. Do you guys have experience with LTM adapters for the NEX? There are really cheap ones on ebay, are they worth checking out? I don't wanna go the two adapter route as I only own LTM and no M lenses...

I am using a very cheap one bought via the 'bay' from Hongkong. I am very happy with it, can't fault it in any way.
...

However I also really dig the use of a helicoid adapter giving close focus to rangefinder lenses. I have not found any cheap LTM>E mount helicoid adapter, therefore I am using a Leica M > NEX helicoid adapter ( abt. 25 usd ) and stack a ( 6 or 7 usd ) LTM>M adapterring. Those cheap Leica M>E mount helicoid adapters are called junk by some, it actualy does have a tiny bit of play, but I am still very happy with it. There are sturdier and more expensive options around.

 

[NeeZee]

Thanks to all for the quick replies!
Think I might go with a cheap adapter to test it. I've read about the focus peaking but never saw it in action. Does it make sense to use it when the lens is stopped down? I've got a few 50mm lenses for M39 as well but even on film that focal length is rather on the narrow side for my type of shooting so I'm not sure if I'm going to use them much on the NEX. If the camera is fun I will also look into the AF prime options a bit more. The Sigma 30/2.8 looks like a lens I might like for example.

 

[NeeZee]

I've read about the close focusing adapters, too. With my IIIf I never found the 1 meter minimum distance limiting but who knows - probably that little digital wonder will change the way I shoot, so I'll keep that option in mind.

 

[pvdhaar]

Thanks to all for the quick replies!
Think I might go with a cheap adapter to test it. I've read about the focus peaking but never saw it in action. Does it make sense to use it when the lens is stopped down?

Yes it does.. And better still, it works as a charm with lenses wide open. With focus peeking, I get a 100% focus hit rate on my 85/1.4.. can't evn get close to that using the focusing screen of my SLR..

 

[kuuan]

..I've read about the focus peaking but never saw it in action. Does it make sense to use it when the lens is stopped down? I've got a few 50mm lenses for M39 as well but even on film that focal length is rather on the narrow side for my type of shooting so I'm not sure if I'm going to use them much on the NEX. If the camera is fun I will also look into the AF prime options a bit more. The Sigma 30/2.8 looks like a lens I might like for example.

Actually I almost exclusively focus wide open and find it more accurate specially if a fast lens is used close to wide open. When using the rel. slow and wide Snapshot Skopar focusing stopped down will be alright. Generally I find enlargement to be the more powerful aid and most usually use both together.
A 50mm lens on APS-C makes for a very good portrait lens, the 30mm Sigma is great, the 19mm and 60mm too.

 

[burancap]

...the 30mm Sigma is great, the 19mm and 60mm too...

I have not the shot the 60, but yes, the 19 and 30 are great! Consider their entry level price point -and you have two of the best bang/buck lenses ever made. Must haves in E mount! IMHO, of course!

 

[rjschell]

I successfully use the CV 25/4 and 35/2.5 on my Nex6. I do recommend the Photodiox Pro Leica M39-Sony adapter for better parallelism & centering over the adapters with set screws. The Pro is not adjustable, but if the lens index markers don't end up at the 12 o'clock position, you can rotate the lens rear plate via the 4 screws. Corner sharpness is typically a little smudgy wide open, but is noticeably better with better adapters.

 

[YYV_146]

Thanks to all for the quick replies!
Think I might go with a cheap adapter to test it. I've read about the focus peaking but never saw it in action. Does it make sense to use it when the lens is stopped down? I've got a few 50mm lenses for M39 as well but even on film that focal length is rather on the narrow side for my type of shooting so I'm not sure if I'm going to use them much on the NEX. If the camera is fun I will also look into the AF prime options a bit more. The Sigma 30/2.8 looks like a lens I might like for example.

I use peaking to focus wide open then stop down to shoot. If I'm in a pinch I switch to full scale focusing. When you're stopped down the peaking indicators fill the frame and I don't really enjoy that.

Try out the Sigma 30. It is an amazing lens. And you really can't go wrong with one of the older NEX cameras. I tried the original NEX-3 and immediately started getting rid of my Canon gear. For the past two years I've shot nothing but E-mount cameras with adapted lenses.