NEX thoughts

dxq.canada

dxq.canada

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Hmm, after collecting these rangefinders I am thinking of getting a cheap mirrorless.

I have been looking over the Sony NEX lineup. Not sure if the older cheap ones are great, usage wise, with legacy lenses.

Would an old NEX-3 or 5 suffice?
Is there any real advantage on going up to a C3 or 5N or 5R ?
Is it that easy/difficult to use manually ?
 
What does "these rangefinders" mean? Each new rendition of the NEX series has new features. Only you can decide. I had an original NEX 3 with legacy lenses and it worked quite nicely if you don't mind the Toy R US menus. Focus Peaking made manual focus oretty simple and effective.
 
I chose the NEX 5n for this purpose. 16 MPx, LCD screen articulates, the focus-peaking works very well for manual focusing with legacy lenses. A nice package.
 
If I remember correctly, starting w/ the 5n, it was better w/ the super wides 12-21 then the original sensor of the 3 and 5 for rf lenses. I think 28 on up were fine.

The LCD is only so-so in bright sunlight. U may want to go to at least 5n to get option of external evf. In any case, if u are planning to use bright line ovf's, then u need a shoe mount adapter even for the 5n.

Menus are pure stupidly IMHO.

If u are shooting a wide range of rf lenses, u are better off w/ Ricoh gxr w/ the m module. It was specifically designed to handle rf lenses. Just get a ltm to m adapter for it and u are good to go...

I have used Nex, Fuji, m43 and Ricoh gxr for rf lenses. If I am planning to use a range of lenses that include wide angles, the nod always goes to Ricoh. Ricoh in general.. But I do tend to change it up if I end up using 28 or greater.. Such as the Fuji or Olympus m43...

Some feel the focus peaking on the Nex is better.. I tend to like the Ricoh the gets right now, but I think I am in the minority. My Nex really doesn't get used much these days..

Gary
 
Na, no ultra wide ... the widest I have is the Canon 35mm.
I think if I was to go with an EVF, I would just get the 6 or 7 ... but I am not looking at spending that much.

I like the peaking on my Sony a57, so I think it would be as good on the NEX.

KEH has a bunch of NEX bodies for cheap.
 
The menu system on their dslrs is far better then the Nex menu. The RX family and new a7 menu system is far better as well.

If I remember correctly, they made marginal improvement on their LCD between the first gen to the second (where the 5n is).

Gary
 
My favorite is the 5r, with the add on electronic viewfinder.

I have the 7 but I prefer the files from the 5.

I also have the 5n but the added control wheel on the 5r is very nice when shooting with older manual focus / manual aperture lenses.

The 6 has one of those "moron" mode dials which I dislike so did not get that one. I shoot in M 95% of the time with the NEX.

You get used to the menus.

I suggest shooting in RAW only.

Over and out.
 
dxq.canada said:
Hmm, after collecting these rangefinders I am thinking of getting a cheap mirrorless.

I have been looking over the Sony NEX lineup. Not sure if the older cheap ones are great, usage wise, with legacy lenses.

Would an old NEX-3 or 5 suffice?
Is there any real advantage on going up to a C3 or 5N or 5R ?
Is it that easy/difficult to use manually ?
Click to expand...

The old ones are fine and work well, but best is the "5n" which can often be found just as cheap.
 
Hmm, I was wondering about the lack of dials/controls.

Is it a simple as put the camera in Aperture priority, focus using peaking, change aperture dial, then shoot ?
 
I started with an NEX 5 and have used it extensively with legacy lenses. Works fine except the main dial on mine has become a bit sticky and unresponsive. My favourite lens is an old Canon FL mount 58mm f1.2. Superb rendering. I have since added an F3 to the collection and two NEX lenses (apart from the standard zoom that I do not much like). I bought a Sony 50mm f1.8 and a Sigma 30mm f2.8. Both have a well deserevd reputation for superb image quality. The Sony is relatively expensive and the Sigma is very cheap. Both are excellent. In general I am happy to give the NEX range the big thumbs up.

Shot with the NEX 5 and the Canon lens


Classic cat by yoyomaoz, on Flickr

All blur


City impressions 1 by yoyomaoz, on Flickr
 
dxq.canada said:
Hmm, I was wondering about the lack of dials/controls.

Is it a simple as put the camera in Aperture priority, focus using peaking, change aperture dial, then shoot ?
Click to expand...

You don't need no stinkin controls, man :D

Seriously they work great. The 5n has a touch screen, which is invaluable, believe it or not. Plus you can program various buttons.

I shoot either in P or S, if I need to control shutter. I rarely use native lenses.

With 5n you can add a viewfinder later if you want: it's a good one. Older ones won't take it.

5n is best of all of them with RF wides.
 
Another vote for the 5n. Its still my only digital camera and, unlike most people, I much prefer the separate EVF to the integrated on as it articulates. Everything in my "Digital B&W Work" signature tag is from the 5n mostly using a 21mm. I don't find it lacks controls - the only thing I tend to change when using it is the EV, which is easily done from the wheel. Also just remembered that I glued the video button so it doesn't work - nothing more frustrating than cant take a shot because you've inadvertently turned on video recording.
 
I started with a 5N & the add-on EVH - had it for a year and liked the output, then tried a friend's 6 - bought one immediately b/c better handling and built-in viewfinder. Still have both but use 6 about 80-90% and 5N remainder.
 
There's nothing wrong with an original model 3; a very solid camera that's the fastest of the model 3's, and goes to 7fps max. Image quality is more dependent on lens choice than on which of the NEXes you get. Big plus: separate charger, not a built-in, so you can charge and shoot at the same time. With the focus-peaking firmware update, using legacy lenses is a breeze. The LCD is a bit difficult to read in full sun when left to auto, but the brightness can be cranked up with the sunny weather setting.

Depending on what you want to do with it, I can see two reasons that may make you not want to go with the original 3; can't use any form of remote control (get a model 5 if you need that), and doesn't have the image distortion correction software built in required for some recent AF lenses like the 16-50PZ..

All in all, I'd say that if you can get a 3 cheap, grab one and spend the rest on lenses. And last but not least, don't forget to factor in the price of an adapter.
 
The 5n had the 16mpx sensor that turned out better with (wide angle) rangefinder lenses that the 14mpx sensor of the first generation or the 24mpx of the Nex 7. I use the F3, but no RF lenses....

The menu is what most people complain about. I don''t think it is that bad: just set it the way you like and shoot away.

And get the Sigma 19/2.8 for your wider needs!
 
With the cost of the 19 and 30 Sigmas, I would consider them. I shoot Voigtlander, C/Y, Contax G, and Minolta MD on my Nex 7, but prefer native E-mount lenses. Focus peaking is OK, but it blocks so much of the view that I prefer AF center spot and focus/recompose.

BTW, if you shoot street, be sure to try the flip screen for waist-level shooting. One of the very best features of these cameras.

John
 
With the 5N and manual lenses I always shot in shutter priority, auto ISO. Rear (flat) dial controls the shutter speed, lens ring adjusts aperture; similar to TAv mode on a Pentax SLR.

I programmed one of the rear buttons for frame magnification. That was helpful as well.
 
jpfisher said:
With the 5N and manual lenses I always shot in shutter priority, auto ISO. Rear (flat) dial controls the shutter speed, lens ring adjusts aperture; similar to TAv mode on a Pentax SLR.

I programmed one of the rear buttons for frame magnification. That was helpful as well.
Click to expand...
Why shutter priority? That makes it basically manual. I usually use my Nex's with legacy lenses in A-mode, let the camera decide on shutterspeed - I would like to be able to set the minimum shutterspeed with autoISO on my F3, but you can't have everything...
 
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