Anyone with thoughts on Nex 5N?

[HPS3]

I have been researching the Nex 5N and 7 for awhile. I just can't make my mind up. Should I get the 5N now or wait for the 7? How easy is it to use the touch screen to change settings(aperture,shutter,ISO)? I want to use my Nikon lenses on it with the peaking. How easy is correctly focusing this way? I am keeping my D5100 so this will be my carry everywhere camera.

 

[jakoky]

Well, after lots of reading and research, my 5N should arrive today or tomorrow ...I am very excited, I am coming from an advanced point and shoot....I can let u know what I think once I finally get to play with it ( btw, it is was very hard to find anyone with one of these in stock)

 

[zackiedawg]

I have been researching the Nex 5N and 7 for awhile. I just can't make my mind up. Should I get the 5N now or wait for the 7? How easy is it to use the touch screen to change settings(aperture,shutter,ISO)? I want to use my Nikon lenses on it with the peaking. How easy is correctly focusing this way? I am keeping my D5100 so this will be my carry everywhere camera.

From what I've seen, the touch screen should be very easy for changing settings - but remember too, you can disable it or use direct keys or jog wheel instead if preferred. The nice thing I find about the NEX-5N is how customizable the control buttons are, which allow you to set the camera up the way you want to use it - and major controls such as WB, EV, ISO, drive mode, metering mode, etc can all be programmed to direct buttons for quick one-touch access.

The camera actually is very simple to function in any Priority mode, since turning the jog wheel adjusts the priority setting and the ISo can be programmed to one of the customizable buttons - you actually never even need the touch screen. I find it even better with manual lenses, since you can stick the camera in Manual mode, and adjust the shutter with the jog wheel, ISO with the customized button, aperture and focus on the lens. AP will allow the camera to choose shutter and/or ISO, and S priority will allow you to set aperture on the lens, shutter with the jog wheel, and keep the camera in Auto ISO to set the ISO as needed.

As for peaking, I love it. I have about 20 manual lenses I use with my NEX, ranging from 28mm to 200mm, and I find peaking most useful overall for the longer focal lengths, as it is a much faster option for focusing than zooming in. Zooming is still the mode to use for accuracy - when you have all the time in the world and just want to get the focusing correct, but peaking allows you to very quickly get the focus on target for a subject that might move quickly, such as wildlife or birds. I did some focus peaking testing with my 200mm Vivitar Series One F3.5 lens in my backyard, using it to focus on birds and squirrels which are constantly fidgeting and moving around...it worked very accurately and reliably:

 

[Revan]

You should check out the DPReview forums (specifically the Sony NEX subforum) lots of info. One thing though, there was a disaster in the NEX-7 manufacturing plant and now there are incredibly long lead times on all NEX-7's. Not sure we will see any in stock before sometime next year.

 

[HPS3]

Thanks everyone! Zackiedawg, thankyou for your in depth info. I plan on using my Nikon lenses also. Do you think the 55-210 is worth buying and the EVF? I am going to go after work and try to pick one up.

 

[zackiedawg]

Personally, I'm really wanting that EVF. For normal travel/walkaround shooting it isn't really necessary - but for those days I'm using the NEX in place of the DSLR, and especially when using longer lenses like the 55-210mm, it would seem to be much much better ergonomically for shooting. I've got the NEX3, so I can't use the EVF - so the NEX-5N is actually high on my list as a replacement, and the EVF is almost definitely going to be bought with it.

 

[HPS3]

Zakiedawg, I went a little while ago and bought the silver 5N. I got 10% off at BB and walked out the door at $687.88. Right now the battery is charging so I havent played with it yet. I plan on bringing it to work with me tomorrow and taking some shots. I will let you know my thoughts tomorrow. I also ordered an adapter to use my 35/1.8 and fisheye.

 

[zackiedawg]

Excellent! What was the 10% off for - normal sale? And did they have the EVF in stock? I assume you got the 18-55mm kit with it too...I look forward to hearing more about it.

Also remember - the camera really starts to transform when you start customizing the buttons to your taste - I've known a few folks, including myself, who really didn't like the handling and controls of the cameras until they started the custom buttons - once you put all the crucial controls where you can get at them fast and with one touch, it starts to feel much more like a 'real' camera rather than a P&S with a big sensor.

 

[HPS3]

The 10% was a returned camera. I brought it back today because I think something was wrong with the screen. It was real grainy, my D5100 live view made it look terrible. Today I returned it and got a new one so the battery is still charging. I'll Let you know tonight what I think. My store didn't have the EVF.

 

[thomas998]

I have been researching the Nex 5N and 7 for awhile. I just can't make my mind up. Should I get the 5N now or wait for the 7? How easy is it to use the touch screen to change settings(aperture,shutter,ISO)? I want to use my Nikon lenses on it with the peaking. How easy is correctly focusing this way? I am keeping my D5100 so this will be my carry everywhere camera.

Was torn myself... I'm thinking it might be best to wait until they work the bugs out of the first production runs. I heard about the clicking noises when the 5n is used for video and panned.... I'm more interested in the 7 so I can use my alpha flash on it... but still will likely wait until the first ones are out and I read reviews that all is well.

 

[k5jm]

I think Pete (WebmasterPete) puchased the 5N. He purchased his telephoto lens while we were in London for a fraction of what he could get it for in the States.

Here are some of his pics with the camera..

http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/g1360-cities-of-knights-and-lights.html

Pete and I dualing. Pete with his Sony and me with my 7D.

 

[mrxnyc]

Could anyone offer any thoughts on the following, to help out a novice?

I am planning on purchasing an NEX-5N with the 18-55mm lens for an upcoming back-to-back Disney World trip and Disney Cruise, and then to use as a camera to learn and grow with. Although I'll keep the 18-55 for long-term use, I am actually considering also purchasing the 16mm wide angle lens, and taking only that lens to Disney. This is mainly because the bag we will be carrying is quite small, and we need to save space.

That said, would the 16mm lens be a bad idea as the only lens on this trip? My novice-brain is thinking that the 16.1 MP sensor will allow me to be somewhat unconcerned with how the images are shot (in terms of zoom), as I can then crop them at home. Of course, I realize this may not allow me to frame shots the way I might want them.

Also, I am embarrassed to admit that I am not really sure if a 16mm "wide-angle" lens is any different in terms of perspective, etc. than an 18-55mm when in the 18mm position. For example, would the 16mm change the feel of a picture, make people look different, etc.?

Thanks (very, very much) for any feedback, as we will be capturing some important memories on this trip...

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

FYI - I just posted several photos from the NEX 5N on the Sony photo sharing thread. I purchased the camera just before our Disney trip and LOVED it!

Could anyone offer any thoughts on the following, to help out a novice?

I am planning on purchasing an NEX-5N with the 18-55mm lens for an upcoming back-to-back Disney World trip and Disney Cruise, and then to use as a camera to learn and grow with. Although I'll keep the 18-55 for long-term use, I am actually considering also purchasing the 16mm wide angle lens, and taking only that lens to Disney. This is mainly because the bag we will be carrying is quite small, and we need to save space.

That said, would the 16mm lens be a bad idea as the only lens on this trip? My novice-brain is thinking that the 16.1 MP sensor will allow me to be somewhat unconcerned with how the images are shot (in terms of zoom), as I can then crop them at home. Of course, I realize this may not allow me to frame shots the way I might want them.

Also, I am embarrassed to admit that I am not really sure if a 16mm "wide-angle" lens is any different in terms of perspective, etc. than an 18-55mm when in the 18mm position. For example, would the 16mm change the feel of a picture, make people look different, etc.?

Thanks (very, very much) for any feedback, as we will be capturing some important memories on this trip...

I used the 16mm exclusively at Universal b/c of their bag policies. I don't like to use the lockers and with the 16mm I could carry the camera in a bag with me. There are always compromises when you use a prime vs. a zoom. For me I don't mind so much and will crop when needed. And Disney for the most part is a place that I use a wide angle much more than zooms other than at AK. For that alone I always bring a longer zoom. I think you're correct that with the 5N you'll be able to crop pretty freely. Non-zooms drive my DH crazy when he can't get it framed exactly as he wishes.

The 16mm will not be that different compared to the 18mm but it will allow you to get very close to a person and you will have more distortion then so keep the distance from the subject in mind. If you are further away you probably won't notice much if any difference.