Photo sharing: Sony Alpha

[KAT4DISNEY]

The EVF for my Sony NEX-5N is traveling west across the country to me. Can't wait to see how it functions!

 

[saintstickets]

Gatlinburg, TN and it was as cold as it looks...

 

[zackiedawg]

I was experimenting with the high ISO of the new A580, and must say even when pushed to the ridiculous levels, it's shockingly usable! They've come a long way from my old A300, that's for sure. Here are some extreme low light shots - Sigma 30mm F1.4, wide open and at ISO12800, of my cat Mickey:

And one at F1.7 and ISO6400:

I'm currently sorting through my hundreds of Disney photos from my A580's first trip to Disney this past weekend, and my NEX3's 3rd trip to Disney. It was a revelation - I actually shot hundreds of night shots, including scenics, handheld with no tripod...the results were shocking for me, as a long-time dedicated tripod night scenic shooter!

 

[Amy]

Ok, I'm still dealing with a bit of a learning curve in switching from a Canon SX10 IS to my Sony NEX5. but here's a really weird photo, and I can't understand what happened. We visited Oglebay Park in Wheeling, WV, for their winter festival of lights. I used the Night View setting, and I put the window down. I saw this weird reflection on some other photos, and I had already taken off my UV filter by this time (I thought the reflection might be from the extra glass in front of my lens). But this is really weird; notice how you can see the reflection of the candy canes upside down. There's no mirror in the NEX, so it can't be a reflection from that. Strange!

And notice the auras around the blue and green lights, but not the orange:

Oglebay is in the midst of converting their light displays to LED lights - maybe the type of light has something to do with this?

 

[Amy]

Now here are some nice shots from Oglebay:

The lobby and some cool ornaments:

And more of the light displays; all were shot using the Night View setting:

And this was shot with my 55-210 zoom, thru a window. A Pileated woodpecker - I've never seen one of those around here. Beautiful!

 

[johamna]

I recently swapped from my Nikon D7000 to the Sony NEX system (the 5N, specifically). This was taken with the LA-EA2 + SAL1650. I've gotta say, I love it!


Times Square by Hamilton!, on Flickr

 

[HPS3]

Hamilton, how is the adjustment from the D7000. I am thinking about selling my D5100 for the 5n. Did you keep your Tokina 11-16 to use manually with your 5n? Also what are your thoughts on the PD autofocus with the adapter compared to your D7000.

 

[johamna]

Hamilton, how is the adjustment from the D7000. I am thinking about selling my D5100 for the 5n. Did you keep your Tokina 11-16 to use manually with your 5n? Also what are your thoughts on the PD autofocus with the adapter compared to your D7000.

Hey HPS3!

Incredibly enough it was effortless. Most of the adjustment was rewriting muscle memory -- the interface on the camere itself is painless.

The biggest differences lies in the how you adjust settings with the camera and actually frame your shot. For instance: on the D7000 you have two dials to control your shutter and aperture, whereas on the 5N you have one click wheel with a toggle to switch between the two. It feels intuitive and you don't really lose "time" on the shot because, the other difference, makes up for it a huge way.

When you're framing on the 5N, you're using the LCD Screen and it's showing you a live preview of EXACTLY how your photo will come out. This is huge! The D7000 (and other SLRs) can mimic this somewhat, but will cap your shutter speed and has huge lag between the shutter press and shot. So the adjustment here, obviously, is to not try and nudge your eye into a viewfinder and hold it a bit more like a P&S.

Once you get the hang of it, like I have, it's very, very hard to imagine going back to a (non-electronic-)viewfinder. This is where the two dials to one comes back, because whereas on a smaller SLR you would have to use a button to swap from the shutter->aperture and STILL figure out your shot, the 5N will show you exactly what you're taking, bokeh and all. You're pretty much always left with exactly what you wanted, because you saw a 1:1 preview.

I did keep the Tokina 11-16 but have yet to use it -- I've been having tons of fun with the LA-EA2 and my Sony 16-50 2.8 + Sigma 50 1.4 instead.

The PDAF (w/ LA-EA2) vs CDAF (w/o) on the 5N is NIGHT and DAY -- I can't see myself going back to just the body without some super fast E-Mount glass to compensate. With the SAL1650, particularly, it's lightning fast. Against the D7000 it's highly comparable, if not as quick, for AF-S. AF-C it's a tad slower, but still quite good.

Some will argue that using it how I am, with Alpha-mount Glass and adapter, reduces the value of how the "system is meant to work", but I any many others say that that's the actual beauty of it. If I want to go extremely light, I'll throw on an E-Mount lens -- however if I don't mind extra load for better glass/AF, that option is available to me as well.

Even with the SAL1650, which is meaty, I'm still coming in with a lighter equipment load and arguably better performance against my D7000. The EVF is huge in this regard, again, because I'm able to setup my shot very quickly, frame it just right, shoot and walk away -- there's no second guessing or adjusting my exposure after reviewing a cap.

From the 5100->5N, I'd say it's a no brainer, especially if you invest in the LA-EA2 and some glass (you have my absolute highest recommendations for the SAL1650, it's an amazing lens). From the D7000, if you don't need to impress a client with a "bigger" and "more legit looking" body nor shoot sports for a paycheck, I'd say it's a great move, as well.

Here are some shots I've taken with the camera since getting it, all with the LA-EA2+SAL1650:



I hope has answered your question

 

[HPS3]

Hamilton, I just sold my D5100 tonight. I'm going to order the 5n. I have enough left over money to buy either the OLED viewfinder or the LAEA2. I can't make up my mind. Can you give me your opinion. I plan on using my Nikon lenses manually. I'm just nervous I will miss my D5100 but it's too late, it's gone!

 

[johamna]

Hamilton, I just sold my D5100 tonight. I'm going to order the 5n. I have enough left over money to buy either the OLED viewfinder or the LAEA2. I can't make up my mind. Can you give me your opinion. I plan on using my Nikon lenses manually. I'm just nervous I will miss my D5100 but it's too late, it's gone!

You won't regret it!

The LA-EA2 works with Sony Alpha-mount lenses only, so if you aren't buying (or have) any of those, it isn't worth it. Having said that, the Sony FDA-EV1S (the EVF) is literally next on my list -- I've shot with the 5N in the sun and while it handles incredibly well, there are certain situations where I think the VF is necessary.

So if you have Sony Alpha-mount lenses, get the LA-EA2, it'll transform the 5N from a monster into a...bigger monster? Otherwise the EVF is the way to go.

For your Nikon lenses, though, I'd go with this: http://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Adapter-Nikkor-Including-NEX-VG10/dp/B003Y2YE3A/ref=pd_vtp_p_2

 

[HPS3]

Thanks Hamilton! I'm about to place my order through Sony Store. I think I'll order the white one.

 

[HPS3]

Well I couldn't wait. I cancelled my Nex 7 order and bought a 5n with OLED viewfinder. I am still undecided if I really like the viewfinder or not. I'm just used to the OVF I guess. As far as the camera goes I love it. The body feels solid. I like the button layout except for the stupid record button that my thumb seems to hit repeatedly. I like that you can set the B and C soft keys to your liking. I somehow find the button layout easier to use than on my D5100. I will be ordering the HVL-F20S flash for my upcoming WDW trip because with some of my older Nikon lenses the kit flash casts a shadow. Well I haven't had time to go out and shoot so I'll post some shots just playing around.

This is with Tamron 60 f2 Macro:

Pretty Eyes by Harry Shields, on Flickr

Another with the Tammy:

Eye Washer by Harry Shields, on Flickr

This is with a Nikon 135 f2.8 Series E (cheap legacy lens):

Carwash by Harry Shields, on Flickr

 

[HPS3]

I'm still trying to get used to this camera. I love it. I find myself playing with it more than my DSLR's. I was just playing around with the Tamron 60 macro and an off camera Yongnuo 467 Flash.


Beautiful Orchid by Harry Shields, on Flickr

 

[johamna]

Beautiful shots HPS3! I'm glad you're loving the 5n -- it's an incredible camera. I find that I take my NEX with me everywhere, whereas my old Nikon used to stay at home a lot because it always felt like taking it was a pain.

Crazily enough, 17th Street Photo called be on February 10th, a day before my trip, and said I was next on the list for a 7 and they had one more in stock. I tried very hard to resist, but I took the plunge!

To be entirely honest, it's not entirely better than a 5n with the EVF. The dials are nice and make setting up a shot a bit quicker, but I found myself jabbing the screen many, many times only to remind myself that it doesn't have a touch screen like the 5n. I think ultimately I'll keep both and keep the LA-EA2 on the 7, with an E-Mount on the 5n, this way swapping lens isn't a pain.

Keep shooting, I want to see more shots!

Here's one from AK at night, with the 7:

Animal Kingdom: Expedition Everest by Hamilton!, on Flickr

 

[HPS3]

Hamilton, I saw that you got the 7 on your Flickr page. I was checking out your shots which are always great. I was out yesterday trying to take some shots at a parade but I was fighting the sun. Not so much seeing the EVF but having to underexposed for the sky and use fill in LR3 for the rest. I hate shooting in Midday but I had no other options. I'll post some shots later.

 

[saintstickets]

Still playing with my a55...

 

[HPS3]

Hey Bill, good to see you post something. Hey, have you been down to the city lately? I went yesterday and caught some of the day parades but left before Bacchus. They had all of the make up parades from Saturday's bad weather. I didnt get too many good shots because I'm still learning the 5n and the sun was ruthless. I was shooting into the sun. This is what I was fighting the whole time.


Throw Me Somethin! by Harry Shields, on Flickr

 

[johamna]

Magic Kingdom: Behind the Towers by Hamilton!, on Flickr

 

[zackiedawg]

Now that I've got the NEX-5N, and the SEL 55-210mm lens, I've been trying it out more often as a second camera to my A580 when I'm out birding. The 55-210mm lens is perfect for this - light and reasonably compact to hang around the neck, but still with decent enough reach for some bird shots, and the quality is very good. In the right conditions and with the bird being a wee bit closer, the quality is nearly a match for the A580 (no surprise, since they share the identical sensor!):

And a few from the backyard, just for fun:

All shots NEX-5N with SEL55-210mm lens, shot in JPG.

 

[HPS3]

Justin, awesome shots! I have been seeing your photos over on the Nex Forums, and I'm always impresses. You are so knowledgable and full of info. Your wildlife shots, especially the ones with the 5n are just amazing. It's hard to believe this little camera is capable of those photos. Especially the bird in flight shot. The bokeh from the 55-210 looks great. It looks as good as the Sigma 70-200 that I had. One thing I love about this camera is that I can enjoy a $40 f1.8 lens on it.