Jim Funston wrote:
I get you....
Blue... I am not new here and saw the Nex 7 issues but as I said I "reluctantly" bought a NEX 7 based on two owners of the camera's recommendations for the specific usage I wanted to use it for. Both of these users sold their N7's within months of recommending them to me... (lesson learned: go with your gut feeling rather than recommendations).
Interesting, and true.
Anyway I have enjoyed the N7 for its strengths and have utilized workarounds for it's weaknesses like vertical stitching 45mm shots together to get a wide angle perspective with detail but file sizes are huge and this method takes added time at the shot and in post processing.
I get good results with the E24, the A35, the S19 & S30 as wide angle primes go, and I have learned to get the best out of the E16+UWA on the N7. And sometimes the E18200.
I don't use the Voigtlander, Contax and Zeiss ZM lenses on the N7 at all, for obvious reasons. They work rather well on the 5N and 6.
Both which I am getting tired of doing and I had hoped the 10-18 would not need added PP time being a dedicated Sony lens at the price of some very formidable UWA like the Tokina 11-16 (which I own in A mount) and the Sigma 8-16. It has been a long wait only to see magenta cast, poor flare control, and poor overall image clarity mixed with mustache distortion. Personally, I can get near the same results with my 16mm (which is a good copy) and the wide angle accessory lens and save myself $849 usd. I was hoping for far more out of this lens especially when they announced the retail price.
So true, the N7 has put a damper on Sony's leading sensor design. What if the Nex-6 had come out first, none of these issues would even have existed? If they released the 7 today, they could compensate in camera (both for JPG and RAW). Or top it off at 20Mp, rather than 24Mp.
I really don't want a N6 at 16mp (should of bought the 5n instead of the 7 as I was about to do) because the way I use NEX cameras is mostly on a light tripod with the LCD tilted out at or below waist level for my scenics (like a very small view camera or medium format). I rarely use the NEX7's viewfinder and never the hotshoe I have A series cameras for that type photography (sports, flash, wildlife, macro). The NEX to me was a old mans(which I am) lightweight "hike in" scenic camera system that should of given excellent IQ.
Do you print so large that the extra pixels really matter? It shows at 100% view, not if the entire image is viewed, due to printer or monitor resolution limitations.
I got the 5N because the 7 was delayed at the time, and was quite pleased to see its improvements over the 5, especially where the WA RF lenses are concerned. The weaknesses of the 7 therefore mattered less to me, they were just annoying, I got the EVF for the 5N.
But not being able to use Sony's own WA E mount lenses (16mm and now 1018 zoom) is a big let down. I already had resigned to only use E mount lenses on the 7, and to use legacy SLR glass, and not RF lenses.
Without a high quality wide angle dedicated lens the system starts to fail in this genre and the user is forced to increase size and weight and use adapted SLR glass or stitch legacy RF images together. If I am going to have to do that all the time I might as well go back and buy a full frame slr and a its own dedicated quality wide angle lens ...the weight is only ounces in difference and for scenics 24mp+ full frames give good/great results inherently. I really had hoped for more out of the NEX system by now and have patiently waited and used workarounds to get acceptable images while waiting. Now, I have to wait even longer....... for a "maybe will work on the N7" again.
Agreed, or a 'new' N7. Like a new 5 came around, the 5N. But you can't use the RF lenses on the SLR camera, that was a big part of the Nex attraction.
To the OP and others who have this lens and are using them on a N7 please don't get my comments wrong. I feel the lens will give acceptable image quality for most users usages and tastes with a bit of extra post processing time. If you are happy with what you are seeing or don't mind extra post processing steps I am extremely happy for you. Honestly!!!! I mean it.
I mind, I can accept in camera processing, but mandatory post processing is overkill to me.
But even in the 60's I went to medium format film gear because I did not like grain or what I was seeing in my 35mm shots. I admit to being overly sensitive to certain image characteristics like noise (please don't get me started on my a77 and noise), sharpness, clarity, etc to the point where I even consider myself anal about it. The N7 in my opinion is an exceptional camera when used with the Contax G 45mm or 90mm and I have few complaints but results less than those shot with this combo are just not acceptable for me.
I agree, but Fuji is at 16Mp, and this does not seem to hinder people taking great pictures with it.
I really hope the Zeiss 12mm is a winner... I will really be a happy camper if it is .... if not look for a K-Jim's NEX liquidation sale in 2013
So do I the Nex-7 is still an impressive, breakthrough, camera design, and a great camera to have and operate.