nex 5 - first impressions

[ampguy]

huge screen, one button to 7x/14x mag. very small and light.

I've only taken a handful of indoor images, and seems good at 200-1600 ISO, even on auto iso in a dark room, it allowed me to go down to 1/20th and cranked the ISO to 1600.

Not sure what the menu issues are, the only one where I need multiple presses are to change the ISO and review needs two presses, though I think I can fix that after I read the manual.

Works great with an LTM lens with an RJ adapter.

I don't think this will replace an M8, although the images might be as good. The feel of it without a vf is just odd to focus and frame with a MF lens. With the kit 16/2.8 it's fine, because you can use it like a p&s and let it autofocus.

Not sure what the hubub about the menus are, all I use is A mode, and the dial and down button let me switch between A and EV comp much easier than the M8 menus. Changing ISO is a pain, but no more so than on the M8.

I can see what the hubub is with the lack of VF though. I'm not sure if I could really focus this with M/F lenses on the LCD in bright daylight, already have my doubts about that.

Everything else seems great so far though. What adapters, cases, 3rd party batteries, lens/body cap sources do you folks find work well to accessorize this?

 

[sleepyhead]

Thank you for yor impressions, especially those regarding manually focusing.

I have been thinking of getting this camera to use some old Zuikos and Leica lenses on. A question: if one did't use the 7x/14X mag due to ned to focus quickly (like a moving kid), would manual focusing with some degree of accuracy still be reasonably feasible?

Thanks again.

 

[kshapero]

Thank you for yor impressions, especially those regarding manually focusing.

I have been thinking of getting this camera to use some old Zuikos and Leica lenses on. A question: if one did't use the 7x/14X mag due to ned to focus quickly (like a moving kid), would manual focusing with some degree of accuracy still be reasonably feasible?

Thanks again.

yes it would, but once you download firmware 1.3 you customize a button for manual focus assist, then it is quick and easy. Hyper focal works well also with a 35mm lens.

 

[ampguy]

Yaron, Akiva is probably right, but I think with practice. My first few minutes with a MF lens is that I would agree you could keep focus on something moving (not sure about a fast kid or animal, but say a moving car at constant rate), but for me, I'm concerned that I might lose the ability to 'compose' the way I'm used to with a VF/RF while still focusing.

With the VF/RF you get the extra portion outside the framelines, even if in your periphery, while with the LCD alone, you lose that frameline/periphery relationship.

Akiva, I have v2 firmware still, and I have the 1 button 7x/14x, is there something more if I upgrade to the v3 firmware?

Thanks!

 

[pvdhaar]

Akiva, I have v2 firmware still, and I have the 1 button 7x/14x, is there something more if I upgrade to the v3 firmware?

Thanks!

I was wondering the same.. I've got the ver. 01 firmware on the NEX3 and the B key already toggles between magnified and normal view..

I've got both 'MF assist' and 'Release w/o lens' set.

For what it's worth, if the 16/2.8 is attached, and 'AF/MF select' is set to 'DMF', then turning the focus ring immediately gives a magnified view. Probably because of how I set 'MF assist'..

 

[ampguy]

did some reading

did some reading

Seems that v3 will let you customize what the center button in the round cursor/jog thing does, e.g. set to bring up ISO in any mode. Also, they call the 7x/14x or have something new called MF assist which sounds like a customized 7x/14x where you can set the exact mag, and duration that it stays up.

I'll probably go for the upgrade after doing some more reading, would hate to lose the fixed 7x/14x and have to manually setup a custom config.

I was wondering the same.. I've got the ver. 01 firmware on the NEX3 and the B key already toggles between magnified and normal view..

I've got both 'MF assist' and 'Release w/o lens' set.

For what it's worth, if the 16/2.8 is attached, and 'AF/MF select' is set to 'DMF', then turning the focus ring immediately gives a magnified view. Probably because of how I set 'MF assist'..

 

[wintershrooms]

I did the upgrade soon after getting my NEX-5. I now have the center button customized to change ISO. Makes it so quick -- even quicker than switching ISO on my Canon 50D. You can also customize the center button for a second action (and toggle it between the two customized actions) but I prefer to leave it set for ISO alone.

Manual focus is always the bottom button next to the LCD.

Using the NEX-5 with manual focus lenses has become second nature now. I leave the camera on Aperture Priority mode, click my lens to whatever aperture I want, set the ISO depending on the light, and let the camera decide on a shutter speed based on its own evaluative metering. (I tried spot metering with the NEX-5 and found that it didn't work well with my workflow.) If I need to compensate (usually brighten the scene a little for backlit portraits), then I simply press the down button to select EV compensation, roll the wheel clockwise to +0.3 or +0.7 EV, and continue with my shot. If I find that the camera is picking shutter speeds in the 1/15-1/20 range, I'll bump the ISO up a stop. Easy peasy.

With this setup, I rarely have to go into the menu system.

 

[kxl]

My soft keys:

B (bottom) - manual focus assist (when using adapter); precision focus (when using 16mm kit lens) - precision focus = digital zoom for the 16mm.

C (center custom) - ISO / White Balance / Flash Comp.

I know others who have set: B for ISO and C for WB/HDR/Flash

 

[kshapero]

You guys are getting the hang of it. Lets see some shots.

 

[dexdog]

My soft keys:

B (bottom) - manual focus assist (when using adapter); precision focus (when using 16mm kit lens) - precision focus = digital zoom for the 16mm.

C (center custom) - ISO / White Balance / Flash Comp.

I know others who have set: B for ISO and C for WB/HDR/Flash

This is my set-up for the custom keys, too. Works well, and makes using the camera easy with my Canon LTM lenses

 

[sleepyhead]

Thanks everyone for your answers and insights. I'm seriously considering the NEX-3 or NEX-5.

 

[ampguy]

thanks all, I'll probably upgrade right away, and use the center button to toggle between ISO and WB initially.

 

[Warren T.]

I'm glad you finally pulled the trigger on one 🙂. I look forward to seeing your shots from it.

 

[mto'brien]

ampguy (and others), i strongly recommend a screen protector. the nex screen is pretty soft like the M8 and scratches easily.

i got one of these (as opposed to a sticky type), it clips on perfectly and is pretty rugged:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hard-LCD-Protec...242?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a60be9a4a

seriously, the naked screen is very scratch prone. i know this from experience. :bang:

 

[ampguy]

Thanks Matt

Thanks Matt

I ordered one of those, and have an iphone adhesive cover on as a protector until the new one arrives.

I updated the f/w to v3, and I might be missing something, but by gaining the custom features (very cool), did I lose the 7x/14x function and now just have manual precision focus via wheel, but no instant 7x/14x toggle?

I have beeps off in the menus, any way to disable the beep upon power off?

Any good sources for a wrist strap or cases that don't get in the way of shooting?

My next adapter will probably be a Nikon F to E-mount, anyone compare the R/J with the jinfinance ones, or are they the same?

ampguy (and others), i strongly recommend a screen protector. the nex screen is pretty soft like the M8 and scratches easily.

i got one of these (as opposed to a sticky type), it clips on perfectly and is pretty rugged:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hard-LCD-Protec...242?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a60be9a4a

seriously, the naked screen is very scratch prone. i know this from experience. :bang:

 

[mto'brien]

i only have the adapters that rainbow imaging sells on amazon (not sure the brand, but they are cheap and ship from u.s.), so i can't compare them to any other brand. so far, they have worked great. i am planning on a nikon adapter, too. my super-tak looks very nice with the m42 adapt, i'm really interested to see what nikkor will do!

I don't know what would have caused you to lose the 7x 14x button. when i upgraded, that stayed the same. but, now you can assign that button to a function in the menu system, maybe you can set it back there.

 

[splitimageview]

Everything else seems great so far though. What adapters, cases, 3rd party batteries, lens/body cap sources do you folks find work well to accessorize this?

Contax G adapter with 35/2 Planar. 🙂

 

[sleepyhead]

Does anyone know if a Leica 21mm f/3.4 super angulon lens can be used with the NEX with an appropriate adapter?

The rear of the SA protrudes pretty far back into my M4-P...

That lens and a 35mm Summicron (which I also own) and I think I would be a happy camper...

 

[ampguy]

OK, so with the M adapter on, the zoom assist does go to 7x/14x (good!), but I don't get the variable 1x-10x focus zoom, just the toggle, with pure MF lens, but does come back with the 16/2.8 kit lens, which is fine.

Seems like the ultimate backup for an M8 or RF. My only concern is how viewable the LCD will be out in the sunlight.

Seems great for use as a travel, landscape camera, with wide lenses, but for portraits, I think I will be more comfortable with a vf/rf system.

 

[kxl]

OK, so with the M adapter on, the zoom assist does go to 7x/14x (good!), but I don't get the variable 1x-10x focus zoom, just the toggle, with pure MF lens, but does come back with the 16/2.8 kit lens, which is fine.

1x-10x zoom is a digital zoom not optical, so it needs electronic communications between body and lens -- at this time, I believe it works with the 16mm kit lens only.