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Archive 2011 · NEX-5N or NEX-7

zhangyue
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · NEX-5N or NEX-7

Hi, all,

I just acquired some Voitglander M lens. I'd like first give NEX a try to see how I like those lens and Manual focus experience. (Too much for me to switch to Leica M)

I use manual lens on my D700, and just recently sold all my Nikon 2.8G zoom with no regret. I want to try either NEX-5N or NEX-7, but don’t know which one I should choose:

1. I don’t need 24M file, it is good to have but not necessary for me.
2. EVF, If it is anything like my OVF of D700, I will for sure buy NEX-7. How does it work? Is there any lag? Is it like OVF of APS-C DSLR or it can be better theoretically? I have ZERO experience on this. I am seeking help from members here.
3. If no EVF, Just LCD. How is manual focus experience compare to DSLR, say D700.
4. What will you choose and why?

My major use for this is for traveling and taking family pic with kids. Below are some shots I have made with D700 and manual lens just giving you an idea how I am going to use it.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6075/6129515370_938d2d628e_z.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6090/6119491684_3a9dff90af_z.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6076/6146546260_41764d2130_z.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6087712165_4762694efb_z.jpg

Thank you for any help
Michael

Sep 14, 2011 at 01:59 PM

deadwolfbones
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · NEX-5N or NEX-7

Like you, I also have a D700 and I just recently purchased a 5N to use with my Nikkor and Pentax manual focus lenses.

The 7 is tempting, but a) it's not released yet, b) the samples from the 24MP sensor have not impressed me, and c) I don't really care for EVFs. That said, if the 7 gets real raves when it finally does come out, I might splurge on the upgrade.

Sep 14, 2011 at 02:19 PM

cputeq
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · NEX-5N or NEX-7

The *only* thing that temps me about the 7 is the control setup and the hot shoe.

From a looks standpoint, the EVF also..but from sheer usability, the 5N addon looks more useful and comfortable, though I haven't bought it...yet.

A 5N sensor in a 7 body - hell yes. (and add a damn virtual horizon while you're at it, sheesh)

Sep 14, 2011 at 02:27 PM

zhangyue
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · NEX-5N or NEX-7

Thanks for your reply, Ben.
a) it's not released yet.
Agree, but spec is there.
b) the samples from the 24MP sensor have not impressed me
Where is the sample? Can you specify it a little bit why is not impressed?
c) I don't really care for EVFs
This the most important potion I want to know. Why?

Sep 14, 2011 at 02:29 PM

dasrocket
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · NEX-5N or NEX-7

For me, higher ISO IQ is more important than base ISO resolution so 24mps is not necessary but the EVF, Hotshoe and onboard flash are the catch. I am holding off for the 7 to see what the IQ will be like.

To your question, the EVF will NOT be like your D700. It will be better and worse. Only way to know is to look through it when it comes out.
I also owned a D700 at one point and it has a very nice OVF, but trying to accurately focus an UWA or a very fast longer prime with the OVF is futile. My hit rate with the NEX 3 on my Nikkor 55 1.2 for example was much higher than either the D700 or the D3 through the OVF.

I intent to go for the EVF regardless, so for me, the price between the 5V + EVF is not too far from the 7.

Sep 14, 2011 at 02:31 PM

zhangyue
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · NEX-5N or NEX-7

Thanks for your reply cputeq, dasrocket.
Looks like this is a interesting thread. Sony has already draw quite bit of attention now, I guess this will be a huge success for them.
I understand Sony's EVF is not out yet, just hope can get some info from people use EVF before to see if it will work for me.
dasrocket, i only see good part of EVF, but where is the bad :-)

5N+EVF will be around $850-$900 is I buy from Sony's promotion (now) and sell the auto lens.(Might just keep the pancake) versus 7's $1200 body only.
The balance start tilt to 5N.

Sep 14, 2011 at 02:41 PM

Jeff Kott
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · NEX-5N or NEX-7

dasrocket wrote:
To your question, the EVF will NOT be like your D700. It will be better and worse.

But with image magnification and focus peaking, it will certainly be better for manual focus.

I recently got a 5N with external EVF. After using MF lenses with my D300 and Pentax K5 (Katz Eye split prism focus screens on both) it is remarkable to me how easy and reliable manual focus is with the Sony OLED viewfinder.

FYI, I decided to go for the 5N now so I could use it until the NEX 7 comes out and the new sensor is reviewed. If the sensor in the NEX 7 is as good as the one in the 5N, I'll probably get the NEX 7 just because a built in EVF will be more convenient for me. At that point, I can either sell my 5N and external viewfinder or keep it as a back up body for long trips. In the meantime, I'm loving my 5N. You might consider doing the same.

Sep 14, 2011 at 02:41 PM

deadwolfbones
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · NEX-5N or NEX-7

zhangyue wrote:
Where is the sample? Can you specify it a little bit why is not impressed?

Sure, you can find some samples here: http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/1316007300.html
You can also see some studio samples with the same sensor in the A77 here: http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/AA77/AA77A7.HTM

At high-ISO there's a lot of blotchiness and lack of detail that you don't see, for instance, with the 5N

c) I don't really care for EVFs
This the most important potion I want to know. Why?

Because I've never used one that even approached the quality of a good OVF. The best I've used is the GH2's, which is very, very good for an EVF, but it still gave me a headache to use it. The NEX-7's is supposed to be revolutionary, but I'll play the waiting game till I see some reports from people who have previously felt the same as me.

Edited on Sep 14, 2011 at 02:49 PM · View previous versions

Sep 14, 2011 at 02:43 PM

ulrikft2
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · NEX-5N or NEX-7

deadwolfbones wrote:
Sure, you can find some studio samples here: http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/AA77/AA77A7.HTM

At high-ISO there's a lot of blotchiness and lack of detail that you don't see, for instance, with the 5N

Because I've never used one that even approached the quality of a good OVF. The best I've used is the GH2's, which is very, very good for an EVF, but it still gave me a headache to use it. The NEX-7's is supposed to be revolutionary, but I'll play the waiting game till I see some reports from people who have previously felt the same as me.

There is a dpreview thread where they did a scientific analysis of those samples, the a77 resized to nex5n-size is exactly the same/similar.

Sep 14, 2011 at 02:46 PM

deadwolfbones
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · NEX-5N or NEX-7

ulrikft2 wrote:
There is a dpreview thread where they did a scientific analysis of those samples, the a77 resized to nex5n-size is exactly the same/similar.

That's cool, but it doesn't really make a difference to me. I have no need for 24MP (or even 16MP, really), so I don't have a need to pay the price premium for it, especially if there's no image quality gain.

Sep 14, 2011 at 02:51 PM

zhangyue
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · NEX-5N or NEX-7

Thanks for all reply. Jeff Kott, deadwolfbones, ulrikft2
Jeff,
it is remarkable to me how easy and reliable manual focus is with the Sony OLED viewfinder.
How about minor action shot? will it better? is there any Lag?
I'll probably get the NEX 7 just because a built in EVF will be more convenient for me.
Is it big? how is fit on body? firm? Or you prefer it on side?

Sep 14, 2011 at 02:58 PM

dasrocket
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · NEX-5N or NEX-7

zhangyue wrote:
dasrocket, i only see good part of EVF, but where is the bad :-)

There is no equivalent (yet) to the clarity and natural view through a FF OVF. Also slight lag (even minimum lag is still lag) and noise in darker settings.

Sep 14, 2011 at 03:03 PM

philber
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · NEX-5N or NEX-7

Zhangyue, if you take pictures of kids like the ones above, I need to learn fast MF from you. Congratulations!
As to the comparison between MF on a DSLR and MF on a NEX, the NEX wins every time IMHO. First because it is WYSIWYG, like LiveView, which a viewfinder, however good, isn't always. Else one wouldn't need micro-adjust. Second, because the focus peaking feature helps. And I prefer shooting form the waist than at eye level.
However, I would be surprised that even a very good EVF can be as satisfactory as your Nikon's OVF....
Hope this helps...

Sep 14, 2011 at 03:12 PM

Jeff Kott
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · NEX-5N or NEX-7

zhangyue wrote:
How about minor action shot? will it better? is there any Lag?

Is it big? how is fit on body? firm? Or you prefer it on side?

I haven't tried any action shots, so can't comment. If I'm going to take action shots, I'll switch to one of my Nikon DSLR's and an AF lens. If I had to take an action shot with the NEX and MF lenses, I would prefocus with a wide DOF. I don't have any Sony lenses that AF on the NEX.

The viewfinder screws into the camera and is very secure. But since it sticks out, I wouldn't want to give it a hard bump. The reason I say it's inconvenient is that I pack the camera and viewfinder separately in a small Lowepro sliplock pouch and when I want to take a photo I have to attach the viewfinder which takes about 15 seconds. It would be more convenient for me to pull the camera out of the bag with the VF ready to go.

Sep 14, 2011 at 04:27 PM

zhangyue
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · NEX-5N or NEX-7

Philber, thank you for your reply. Look like NEX will be a good fit to me. I think NEX-5N with EVF makes more sense for my need.
And, thanks for the compliment. You are too kind. What you see is just the keeper.

Jeff, Thanks for the answer, it is make sense to me that stick out EVF is not that good for the bump proof.
In terms of action shot, I have to say many occasions auto won't help. I use lots of AF-C with 7, 11, 51 focus points on with AF-C and AF_ON button and continuous high speed shooting (you are Nikon guy, you know what I am saying) At the end of day, I have tons of pic to pick my pity keeper

and success rate was even lower. And I never really think how to capture and just let the camera do it for me. Zoom also make me lazy to frame it right, cause I always think I can zoom it, but many time forget the angle and frame. I think less but push button more.

I don’t realize this until I find my keeper rate is higher and I am better after use manual lens. I would agree Manual can't do tele_action shot and it will be hard for sports as well, not impossible, just harder. but for my use, I prefer manual now, actually, even for kids shooting. I am choose the difficult path

My keeper rate is steady improving.

A good example: I took this wide open f1.4 use ZF85, I frame it earlier and prefocus, I don’t need worry about the auto change anything I wanted. I am the master, but not the machine.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6068/6087709577_2af6a18cfd_z.jpg
Sorry for the off topic post. I guess it is still relevant since this is alter forum, and we are talking about NEX system with manual lens

Again, thank you for all your feedback, really appreciate.

Sep 14, 2011 at 04:48 PM

Lotusm50
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · NEX-5N or NEX-7

I think it is premature to judge NEX-7 IQ. I think we need to keep our powder dry on that issue.

With viewfinder (even if an EVF - at least I can put it up to me eye), better control layout & features, and the "promise" of higher IQ (I know, more pixels isn't always better), I've pre-ordered the 7.
If it disappoints, I swap it for a 5N.

Sep 14, 2011 at 05:20 PM

freaklikeme
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · NEX-5N or NEX-7

Lotusm50 wrote:
I think it is premature to judge NEX-7 IQ. I think we need to keep our powder dry on that issue.

+1. We'll just have to wait for November and see for ourselves.

Sep 14, 2011 at 05:36 PM

Tariq Gibran
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · NEX-5N or NEX-7

We have sort of been over this before but I really have to wonder why Sony would allow the publication of so many pre-production images from all the bodies which use the APS 24MP sensor if the images are not representative with regard to IQ. Seems like a huge marketing error to not embargo the release of hi res images if they are not up to snuff. I notice that Dpreview has just joined in by publishing full res jpegs from the NEX-7 which are terrible, even more terrible than the usual for Dpreview in fact, like something out of a p&s, tiny sensor camera.

Sep 14, 2011 at 05:53 PM

wayne seltzer
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · NEX-5N or NEX-7

Lousy initial sample pics seems like the norm these days. I think the initial ZA 24/2 shots were lousy, same with some of the Samy/Rok 35/1.4.

Sep 14, 2011 at 06:18 PM

abam
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · NEX-5N or NEX-7


	http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6087712165_4762694efb_z.jpg

nicely done.

Sep 14, 2011 at 06:24 PM

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