NEX-7. Yeah baby, YEAH!

[douglasf13]

I'm very attracted by the NEX-7 EVF, being built-in and high resolution, as I'm by the 24MP; but, as my main objective is to use my M-lenses as well the Voigtlaender 15 and Zeiss 18, the image quality based on the micro-lens design trumps everything. Although I was ready to get the GXR M-Module, considering I already have the GXR, I would still want to see whether the M-Module really does have an advantage in terms of image quality for M-lenses. Handling and user interface, at which the GXR excels, is also a factor, but the assignable 3-dials on the NEX-7 look good also.

What is "MFD".

—Mitch/Bangkok
Rainy Season

We don't know how the nex-7 will perform at the edges, but the nex-c3 is a big improvement over the earlier cameras, so most expect the nex-7 to also be an improvement. We'll see.

 

[jsrockit]

I can't wait to look through this camera... the EVF will make or break this camera for me.

 

[jpfisher]

The attraction of the NEX-7 is 24MP vs the 12MP of the GXR M-Module and the built-in 2.4 million dot OLED EVP against a much lower quality clip-on EVP of the GXR M-Module. How does manual focusing compare?

The OLED EVF is really, really nice. Much better than others I've used. Sadly I didn't get to see how it works in really dimly lit situations, which can be a challenge for EVFs--but it's heads-and-shoulders above the EVF in the Panasonic G2. Crisper, brighter. I was able to attach an M lens via an adapter and focus easily without having to magnify the image.

NEX-7 feels very natural in the hand. Reminds me more of a CL than an M in size. Should pair well with a lens the size of the 40mm Summicron.

Need to sell off some gear before my better half approves the purchase, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to put any M9 dreams on hold and go for the NEX-7. Not going to sell the M8 (or the M3, or the CL), as I do still want a digital rangefinder. Recently did a wedding for a friend with the M8 and NEX-C3 as a two body kit and it went well--adding the eye-level EVF can only be a good thing.

 

[jsrockit]

The OLED EVF is really, really nice. Much better than others I've used. Sadly I didn't get to see how it works in really dimly lit situations, which can be a challenge for EVFs--but it's heads-and-shoulders above the EVF in the Panasonic G2. Crisper, brighter. I was able to attach an M lens via an adapter and focus easily without having to magnify the image.

That's good to know.

 

[splitimageview]

The OLED EVF is really, really nice. Much better than others I've used. Sadly I didn't get to see how it works in really dimly lit situations, which can be a challenge for EVFs--but it's heads-and-shoulders above the EVF in the Panasonic G2. Crisper, brighter. I was able to attach an M lens via an adapter and focus easily without having to magnify the image.

In my experiences, dim light is where EVFs excel. I did some side by side comparisons a couple of years ago with a Panny G1 and manual focusing was possible and accurate with the EVF in much dimmer conditions than with optical.

NEX-7 feels very natural in the hand. Reminds me more of a CL than an M in size. Should pair well with a lens the size of the 40mm Summicron.

Need to sell off some gear before my better half approves the purchase, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to put any M9 dreams on hold and go for the NEX-7. Not going to sell the M8 (or the M3, or the CL), as I do still want a digital rangefinder. Recently did a wedding for a friend with the M8 and NEX-C3 as a two body kit and it went well--adding the eye-level EVF can only be a good thing.

That's my plan as well: CLE for film, NEX7 for digital.

 

[jarski]

Visoflex also got reincarnated. even the "screwdriver" is there 😀

Dpreview:

Sony has also announced the LA-EA2 adapter that promises fast autofocus with all existing Alpha mount lenses. This uses the company's SLT technology, with a fixed 'translucent' mirror and built-in phase detection AF sensor, plus an AF motor for 'screw-drive' lenses.

 

[jpfisher]

In my experiences, dim light is where EVFs excel. I did some side by side comparisons a couple of years ago with a Panny G1 and manual focusing was possible and accurate with the EVF in much dimmer conditions than with optical.

My problem has always been the refresh rate on the G2 EVF in dim light. Gets very choppy.

 

[kshapero]

7 pre-ordered. Never done this before.

 

[kshapero]

Couldn't resist:

 

[splitimageview]

7 pre-ordered. Never done this before.

My bet is you'll find this a good decision. 🙂

 

[jsrockit]

7 pre-ordered. Never done this before.

Congrats, should be a nice camera. Which combo did you get (or do they sell just the body)?

 

[douglasf13]

I pre-ordered, too, which I've never done before. I went with the nex-7 + the kit zoom, simply because I want the zoom and its stabilization for quickie home movies. For stills I'm sticking with primes.

 

[kshapero]

Congrats, should be a nice camera. Which combo did you get (or do they sell just the body)?

just the body, one step at a time. I would like to just keep using my manual focus M mount lenses.

 

[__--]

I was ready to buy the M-Mount module for my Ricoh GXR until I saw the specs for the NEX-7. The camera has some dazzling features, which I don't need to repeat here but, for me, it's too early to decide, because we don't know anything about quality of the NEX-7 RAW files, and only little about those of the GXR M-Mount. I will also want to know how well the focus peaking works on both cameras. An initial statement on Digital Outback Photo indicates the user found the GXR M-Mount focus peaking good for a 50mm lens but not so good for a 28mm lens, but to reach a judgment is still premature because the case may be that one has to develop skill in using focus peaking.

Ii is likely that the NEX-7 will not have corner problems with wide-angle M-lenses because Sony solved this problem for the NEX-C3 with offset micro lenses, which I would assume this solution is also on the NEX-7, The following long thread has some interesting information:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1030741

—Mitch/Bangkok
Heading for the Shade

 

[efirmage]

I was ready to buy the M-Mount module for my Ricoh GXR until I saw the specs for the NEX-7. The camera has some dazzling features, which I don't need to repeat here but, for me, it's too early to decide, because we don't know anything about quality of the NEX-7 RAW files, and only little about those of the GXR M-Mount. I will also want to know how well the focus peaking works on both cameras. An initial statement on Digital Outback Photo indicates the user found the GXR M-Mount focus peaking good for a 50mm lens but not so good for a 28mm lens, but to reach a judgment is still premature because the case may be that one has to develop skill in using focus peaking.

Ii is likely that the NEX-7 will not have corner problems with wide-angle M-lenses because Sony solved this problem for the NEX-C3 with offset micro lenses, which I would assume this solution is also on the NEX-7, The following long thread has some interesting information:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1030741

—Mitch/Bangkok
Heading for the Shade

Makes me excited to see this kind of test on a 7. The debate in my mind is now whether to invest in a NEX 7 or stick with film for the long haul and get a medium format camera.

 

[__--]

Makes me excited to see this kind of test on a 7. The debate in my mind is now whether to invest in a NEX 7 or stick with film for the long haul and get a medium format camera.

I thought that I would go back to film when last December I bought a beautiful black Hasselblad 903-SWC in Paris, the first camera purchase that I made on impulse. But after shooting a few rolls through it, I started traveling so frequently that it became difficult to deal with film and then the best B&W darkroom printer in Bangkok died in a car crash and the second one moved to Laos — I had planned to have darkroom prints made and not to scan. So, now, I'll have to sell this wonderful camera, as with digital I can do post-processing when I travel. In any case, this experience cured me of the desire to go back to film, as I don't want to spend so much time scanning: a full resolution scan with my old Imacon FlexTight Presicion 3 takes over 15 minutes.

—Mitch/Bangkok
Heading for the Shade

 

[porktaco]

1. actual viewfinder, with adjustable diopter

2. cheap m-mount adapters available

3. smaller body, better (presumably) image than m4/3

must...

resist...

gas attack...

 

[efirmage]

I thought that I would go back to film when last December I bought a beautiful black Hasselblad 903-SWC in Paris, the first camera purchase that I made on impulse. But after shooting a few rolls through it started traveling so frequently that it became difficult to deal with film and then the best B&W darkroom printer in Bangkok died in the car crash and the second one moved to Laos — I had planned to have darkroom prints made and not to scan. So, now, I'll have to sell this wonderful camera, as it's with digital I can do post-processing when I travel. In any case, this experience cured me of the desire to go back to film, as I don't want to spend so much time scanning: a full resolution scan with my old Imacon FlexTight Presicion 3 takes over 15 minutes.

—Mitch/Bangkok
Heading for the Shade

I'm in the same boat with my 35mm film photography. Scans and post take forever.
I'm deciding whether I want more or less work to do.
On the one hand, it's all about making images and if I am able to produce great work with a partially digital workflow that would be fantastic. On the other hand there is an undeniable gain in resolution and print size gained with medium format.

I'll let the tests roll in before I come to any conclusion, but I'm leaning towards the NEX.