Photo sharing: Sony Alpha

[vandort]

I really like this photo. It evokes very positive emotions for me. I can sense the humidity and cold feeling in the air. Thanks for sharing.

 

[zackiedawg]

Thought it might be fun to take a photo of my entire Alpha kit - both my A550 and my NEX3, along with all of the lenses I use with each of them, plus adapters and teleconverters:

Of course, since both cameras had to be IN the shot, I had to use my ultracompact to take the photo!

 

[Khokhonutt]

Thought it might be fun to take a photo of my entire Alpha kit - both my A550 and my NEX3, along with all of the lenses I use with each of them, plus adapters and teleconverters:

<pic>

Of course, since both cameras had to be IN the shot, I had to use my ultracompact to take the photo!

Nice. Which E-Mount lenses do you have for your NEX?

Your reviews prompted me to make a change to my camera setup. While I loved my DSLR setup's capabilities, for me the whole setup was just too big (too big to bring on the motorcycle, too big to haul around the parks, etc). I found myself leaving the camera at home, more than I brought it with me. I wanted to downsize, but didn't want to totally give up what I had learned while shooting with a full size DSLR.

With that in mind, I put most of my kit up for sale and have a NEX-5 on the way. I love the option to shoot video with the same body (with pretty impressive results), but still have good control over my photos and the ability to shoot in RAW format. I ordered the kit with the 16mm & 18-55mm lenses and for now I plan on holding on to my Minolta beercan and get a converter for it.

Hopefully the smaller form factor will mean I have my camera in hand more often. I'm looking forward to getting used to the new toy.

 

[zackiedawg]

Nice. Which E-Mount lenses do you have for your NEX?

So far, I only bought my NEX with the 18-55mm kit lens. I figured it was the most useful/flexible combo for me for typical walkaround use - it doesn't have the telephoto of the 18-200, but is far more portable. The 16mm was interesting, but the prices were good with the 18-55, and the two lens kit just wasn't quite worth it for me as I truly wouldn't use the 16mm very often.

Most of the lens kit I've built up so far has been older lenses from two different mounts - Pentax and Konica. The Pentax mount I already had - I have a '77 Pentax ME Super and some lenses to use, so that adapter was easy...the Konica adapter was because it was one of the smaller adapters available in 35mm, and the lenses were held in high regard - but are available super-cheap.

Your reviews prompted me to make a change to my camera setup. While I loved my DSLR setup's capabilities, for me the whole setup was just too big (too big to bring on the motorcycle, too big to haul around the parks, etc). I found myself leaving the camera at home, more than I brought it with me. I wanted to downsize, but didn't want to totally give up what I had learned while shooting with a full size DSLR.

Understandable. For me, the NEX is a second body, as I couldn't live without a DSLR - too much wildlife and action shooting which needed the long lenses and fast focus abilities. But I do have those times that traveling with something smaller and lighter is just a nice release, and other times where I want a second body on me, but carrying two large DSLRs doesn't sound too enticing.

With that in mind, I put most of my kit up for sale and have a NEX-5 on the way. I love the option to shoot video with the same body (with pretty impressive results), but still have good control over my photos and the ability to shoot in RAW format. I ordered the kit with the 16mm & 18-55mm lenses and for now I plan on holding on to my Minolta beercan and get a converter for it.

Sounds like a decent plan. If you do get a Minolta/Sony A mount adapter, it is probably worth pitching in for the eMount one available through Sony - it's pricier than the cheap ring adapters, but maintains aperture control on Maxxum lenses, and even allows autofocus when paired with any of the A-mount SAM/SSM lenses. I didn't have any SAM/SSM lenses, so I didn't bother with that adapter myself...since I'm keeping the DSLR, it will still use all the Minolta/Sony glass.

I strongly advise getting the firmware 3 update. If you want to maintain manual control over the camera, it makes a world of difference - without it, it feels so restricted, like a P&S model - once you do the firmware, it feels like an advanced enthusiast tool - all the relevant camera controls can be placed at one-button access.

And eMount looks to have a good future - not only will Sony be releasing more eMount lenses in the near future, including some nice Zeiss primes...but Sigma, Tamron, Tokina, etc have all signed on to building eMount-spec lenses, so the future lens map looks pretty decent for the format. And aside from that, the miniscule registration distance means lots of fun with any 35mm or rangefinder lens ever made! I even think the little guy looks quite awesome in a modern-retro style when paired with a nice 35-year-old lens:

 

[Khokhonutt]

If you do get a Minolta/Sony A mount adapter, it is probably worth pitching in for the eMount one available through Sony - it's pricier than the cheap ring adapters, but maintains aperture control on Maxxum lenses, and even allows autofocus when paired with any of the A-mount SAM/SSM lenses.

Agreed. I've read there were differences and am planning on getting the Sony converter.

I strongly advise getting the firmware 3 update.

I've read your posts regarding the firmware. My plan is to upgrade that as soon as I get the camera.

eMount looks to have a good future - not only will Sony be releasing more eMount lenses in the near future, including some nice Zeiss primes...but Sigma, Tamron, Tokina, etc have all signed on to building eMount-spec lenses, so the future lens map looks pretty decent for the format.

I agree. That's one reason I'm going to just use the old Minolta lens for now, work with that. The eMount 18-200mm looks nice, size wise, but it's out of my price range for now. I'll be interested to see comes available over the next year or so.

I even think the little guy looks quite awesome in a modern-retro style when paired with a nice 35-year-old lens:

<pic>

You're right, that's a cool shot with the old lens and new body. Very retro/modern looking.

Thanks again for all your info. I always appreciate your input on this and other topics.

 

[Khokhonutt]

One other thing I forgot to mention, in regards to the lenses. The one thing that drew me to the 16mm (and ultimately the reason I decided to go with the package with both lenses) is the Sony wide angle conversion lens they have for use with that lens.

They were also running the package for sale ($150 off), which helped me with my decision.

 

[zackiedawg]

With the current sale, I'd likely have picked it up myself. When I picked up the NEX, they were running a $499 sale for 1 lens, so that was in my price target - picking between one or the other, I went with the 18-55.

 

[Khokhonutt]

With the current sale, I'd likely have picked it up myself. When I picked up the NEX, they were running a $499 sale for 1 lens, so that was in my price target - picking between one or the other, I went with the 18-55.

I know what you mean. I was trying to decide between one lens and the other, when I saw the sale. That certainly made the decision easier.

 

[henryk67]

Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland.

 

[Khokhonutt]

I've had my NEX-5 for a few weeks now, but really haven't had a ton of time to play with it. I did take some prom shots of my daughter today, though. I realized I had left it auto for several of the settings, more than I planned, but I'm still pleased with the results.

My daughter and the newest member of our family, Bear:

Little Miss Attitude:

Lucky Guy:

 

[Amy]

hi all! Hope you all don't mind me barging in on this thread, but I just ordered the NEX5 on Sunday, and I'm so excited to see the fantastic photos Justin has taken with his NEX3. Can't wait for my NEX 5 to come so I can start playing!

A little background: I'm a former film SLR user - Pentax ME Super, switched to the Kodak film zooms when I got tired of carting around my kids and all that camera gear, got into digital with a Canon A70. I've been a Canon girl since, my latest is a Canon SX10 IS (upgraded from an S3 IS). I've been on the fence about getting a dSLR, but I've been holding back because I remember why I quit using my film SLR - all the gear you have to carry around. Last fall, since I hadn't use my ME Super in years, I finally sold it and my lenses to a friend's son who is taking a film photography class in college.

Then Saturday we were in Best Buy and I wandered over to look at the cameras and I fell in love with the NEX 5!! Came home and did some research on the internet, and ordered it the next day. The NEX 5 with the 18-55 lens is actually smaller than my SX10 IS. And now I want to kick myself for selling my ME Super - I could have had extra lenses to use on my NEX 5!! Ah, hindsight is 20/20, right?

Anyway, DH still has his old film SLR and lenses. Where would be the best place for me to look for a lens mount for my NEX 5 so I can use his Minolta bayonet mount lenses?

I'll be posting photos as I learn to use my camera - it's supposed to be delivered between Friday and Monday. I'm excited, because this will be the first camera where I can take photos in RAW, and I can't wait to experiment.

Looking forward to joining you all here as I learn to use my new camera! Can't wait for it to get here!

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Not intended to take away from your obvious excitement but, the NEX 3 is formally discontinued. The NEX 5 is all but. The NEX 3c is expected to debut next month and the NEX 7 (replacing the 5) is expected between June and September. I have a 5 too but if I was just now purchasing, I would likely wait for the 7.

 

[Amy]

Not intended to take away from your obvious excitement but, the NEX 3 is formally discontinued. The NEX 5 is all but. The NEX 3c is expected to debut next month and the NEX 7 (replacing the 5) is expected between June and September. I have a 5 too but if I was just now purchasing, I would likely wait for the 7.

Typical. Sigh.....oh well. That's the way it is with all gadgets these days, isn't it? As soon as you buy something, the "new and improved" version comes out the next week.

 

[zackiedawg]

Congratulations on the camera! It is too bad about getting rid of the Pentax lenses, but no worries - if you find yourself enjoying using manual lenses, they are still amazingly cheap on the used market...you can get some fine lenses for $5-50 each.

As for the Minolta lenses your husband has, all you need to do is confirm the mount (MD, SR, MC), then check Google, Amazon, or eBay for an adapter for NEX. You can't really pick a bad one - the adapters for the NEX system are nothing more than a metal spacer or ring, of varying thickness based on the registration distance needed for each given mount. There is no glass, no electronics, etc in the adapter, so $20-40 will usually do it. Fotodiox, Rainbow Imaging, Novoflex - all are fine, and there are others.

I don't worry about new cameras coming and old ones discontinued - it doesn't sound like you do either. It's precisely the fact that the NEX3 was being discontinued that helped me decide to buy it - the low price made it very worthwhile. You should have lots of fun with it. Make sure you load firmware 3 to the camera right away to get the menu changes and custom buttons. And be sure to play with the handheld twilight mode, antimotion blur mode, and HDR mode, and using the high ISO - it's really where this camera shines.

A few church interior shots, handheld at ISO3200:

And ISO4000:

 

[Khokhonutt]

Congrats on the new camera, Amy. I'm a recent NEX-5 convert myself. I downsized from a full sized DSLR and couldn't be happier at this point. I'm still learning my way around the camera, but the results Justin has posted and what I've been able to shoot so far show the potential.

As Justin mentioned, I've had good luck with Amazon, ordering NEX accessories. I picked up one of the Sony Alpha mounts for a lens I kept from my old kit and their prices were competitive.

 

[Amy]

Thanks Justin and Jeff! I can't wait for my NEX 5 to get here so I can start playing! I ordered a book on RAW so I can figure out when I want to use RAW - right now, all I know is that with RAW you can adjust a lot more than with a JPEG, it uses a lot more memory on the SD card, and there's a lot of post-processing involved. So it sounds like I'll be saving RAW for "special" photos, but I want to know what I'm doing.

I'll have to have DH dig out his old camera and do some Googling to see what exactly a "bayonet" mount is.

Justin - I love those church pics you posted! Did you run them through Noiseware or is that how they are right out of the camera? If that's straight out of the camera, I'm going to be VERY happy with my NEX 5!! Churches, museums, oh the possibilities!!!

Keep an eye out for some photos from me soon!

 

[zackiedawg]

I'll have to have DH dig out his old camera and do some Googling to see what exactly a "bayonet" mount is.

My guess is it will be the Minolta SR mount - which is compatible with the MD adapters. The Minolta MD to NEX adapter covers MD, MA, and SR Minolta lenses, and you can find them for $25-40 on Amazon or similar providers.

Justin - I love those church pics you posted! Did you run them through Noiseware or is that how they are right out of the camera? If that's straight out of the camera, I'm going to be VERY happy with my NEX 5!! Churches, museums, oh the possibilities!!!

Straight out of the camera, handheld, shot in JPG mode too! Those were some seriously high ISO tests I was playing around with, using the 'handheld twilight' mode...these modes are insanely good - and will provide you with comfortable shooting up to ISO6400 with NO noise reduction or processing needed...and can even yield usable ISO12800 shots right out of the camera.

 

[Amy]

OH BOY!!!! My NEX 5 came yesterday! Kind of bummed since I had to charge the battery overnight and couldn't play with it, but tonight's the night!!!

 

[zackiedawg]

A few with my Sony NEX3...

Rainy hibiscus in my backyard, with Chinon 135mm F2.8 lens:

Boat headed out to sea on a sunny day (with 18-55 kit lens):

My cat Mickey sitting on the billiard table watching me (with 18-55 kit lens, ISO1600):

And a few with my A550 (all with Minolta 300mm F4 APO lens, Minolta APO II 1.4x TC):

Purple gallinule momma with two chicks:

Young alligator:

Double-crested cormorant grooming itself:

Green heron up close:

Tricolor heron in flight:

My backyard during a nighttime thunderstorm (with Tamron 10-24mm lens):

 

[Amy]

Nice photos Justin!

Well, I got my NEX-5 almost 2 weeks ago, and then my dad had some health problems so I haven't been able to practice as much as I would have liked. Here a few of my first shots:

This is at ISO 640

Trying out macro. What I really like is that when the camera is in iAuto mode, it senses when you're taking a macro shot, so you don't have to look thru the menus to figure out how to switch to macro mode and then back to aperture priority.

One thing I've noticed with this camera is that the colors seem to be washed out. This was taken at ISO 1600; nice and sharp, no noise, but the grass is a bright green, not the darker green it was when I took the photo in the late evening shade.

I took this one this morning, using exposure compensation (I can't remember if this one is -0.7 or -1.3, I was using both). I really like the way the colors came out, so now I know to under-expose my shots just a touch or else they'll be really washed out.

So far, I like the camera but I'm still learning my way around the controls. Sometimes it doesn't seem very intuitive where they placed some of the settings, but I'm learning. I only have the kit lens so far (the 18-55), and I REALLY miss the zoom on my Canon SX10 IS (it has a 20x zoom). Looks like a new lens will be in my future......

I'll post more photos once I have an opportunity to get out and use it more than just around my house.