p.3 #1 · Giving up 5D II for NEX? My experience in Japan
Alwang said:
"I'd definitely agree that the CZ16-80 can't compare to a good prime, but I think your copy looks a little soft compared to the shots I've gotten with that lens; I'll have to go back and see if I can dig up some comparisons"
Yes I do think there is something off - not sure what - like I said - that was one of the first shots I took with the @65/cz16-80. As I learn how to use this camera I will have more to compare. Meanwhile the 5D II is still my IQ King!
p.3 #2 · Giving up 5D II for NEX? My experience in Japan
Philippe, a 18mm or an uncoupled SLR lens is probably not a good start to try out a digital M. Maybe your dealer could lend you the M for the weekend in Berlin. Then you could try out some of my lenses. Alternatively he should give you a 35mm or 50mm lens.
p.3 #4 · Giving up 5D II for NEX? My experience in Japan
I'm with you, Philipe. My main setup for years was an A900 with 20/2.8, 50/1.4 and 85/1.4 (and occasionally the 135/3.5 and CZ 24-70,) and I sold it all off, because it was sitting on the shelf.
Digital has become so good that even the NEX-5N's littler sensor is giving me great results with the CV 15/4.5, either the ZM 35/2.8 or CV 35/1.4, the ZM 50/1.5 and the Contax G 90, and I can fit all of that in my smallest Artisan & Artist bag. Plus, a back-up NEX body takes up little space.
I rarely print over 13x19, and I think most would be hard pressed in deciding which camera prints "better." Sure, there may be differences in look, but I'd say those differences are mostly a matter of preference, rather than one being better or worse. The only real disadvantage in IQ at my print size would be for those trying to eek out the shallowest DOF possible, and that's not really my style in most cases.
p.s. The 5N EVF has really helped solidify my decision to move away from DSLR. It's been nice to have as an option, and it particularly helps with vertical shooting.
p.3 #6 · Giving up 5D II for NEX? My experience in Japan
AhamB wrote:
You won't be able to stop down the ZE100/2 (right?), so I don't really see the point of adapting it to a NEX... I'd exchange it for a ZF100/2 then.
p.3 #7 · Giving up 5D II for NEX? My experience in Japan
pdmphoto wrote:
I don't believe that a 21 megapixel, full frame, with great HD video is on its "last legs" any time soon. Zeiss glass is great, but too heavy. The new ZE 35/1.4 is almost twice as heavy/big as my old Rollei 35/1.4. Seems you would rather switch cameras than lenses?
makes sense to switch cameras first if you want size savings since the NEX-5N is about 1/5th the size of the 5D while as you say the c/y not quite 1/2 the size of the ZE. sadly there is no 23mm f/1 for the NEX, but if one doesn't use the ZE 35/1.4 for f/1.4 the m 24 elmarit might be a pretty sweet way to make the whole kit ultra small.
p.3 #8 · Giving up 5D II for NEX? My experience in Japan
vallejo wrote:
There is a Fotodiox adpter with an iris...
it doesn't put the iris in the optical center of the lens though. this means it will degrade image quality, sometimes unnoticeably, other times quite noticeably depending on the lens design.
p.3 #9 · Giving up 5D II for NEX? My experience in Japan
lovinglife wrote:
Doug - I have heard some great things about the nex 5n EVF - have u used it yet?
Hi. Yep, the EVF is fantastic. It really fills in the gap for when I don't want to shoot waist-level with the LCD. The 5N really is a weird, Hassie/Leica/digicam hybrid of sorts, with the EVF.
The EVF is pretty darn close to reality in good light, with the advantage of real time info displays. I do turn the contrast of the cam to -3 so that it opens the EVF shadows up more (i'm only a raw shooter, so jpeg settings don't matter to me.)
p.3 #10 · Giving up 5D II for NEX? My experience in Japan
sebboh wrote:
makes sense to switch cameras first if you want size savings since the NEX-5N is about 1/5th the size of the 5D while as you say the c/y not quite 1/2 the size of the ZE. sadly there is no 23mm f/1 for the NEX, but if one doesn't use the ZE 35/1.4 for f/1.4 the m 24 elmarit might be a pretty sweet way to make the whole kit ultra small.
There is also the new Zeiss 24/1.8 native lens option coming. It isn't tiny, but it is still quite a bit lighter and smaller than a DSLR lens.
p.3 #12 · Giving up 5D II for NEX? My experience in Japan
douglasf13 wrote:
The 5N really is a weird, Hassie/Leica/digicam hybrid of sorts, with the EVF.
How do you figure that? The Hasselblad association I get - because of the waist level viewfinder, sure, but Leica? They're worlds apart in terms of use, feel and design. Apart from both being able to use M mount lenses I see them as essentially opposites with DSLRs bridging the gap between them.
p.3 #13 · Giving up 5D II for NEX? My experience in Japan
AhamB wrote:
You won't be able to stop down the ZE100/2 (right?), so I don't really see the point of adapting it to a NEX... I'd exchange it for a ZF100/2 then.
I might end up doing that. For now I just want to see how the lens performs on the 5n sensor.
p.3 #14 · Giving up 5D II for NEX? My experience in Japan
denoir wrote:
How do you figure that? The Hasselblad association I get - because of the waist level viewfinder, sure, but Leica? They're worlds apart in terms of use, feel and design. Apart from both being able to use M mount lenses I see them as essentially opposites with DSLRs bridging the gap between them.
Leica in terms of size, using M lenses, and occasionally using an SBOOI with zone focusing. Hasselbald in terms of a waist level finder and using the EVF tilted like the Hasselblad 45 degree angle prism...plus my evf mod linked above kinda looks like an H1.
p.3 #15 · Giving up 5D II for NEX? My experience in Japan
Although one should not forget that the NEX 5N and 7 are brand new designs, and the 5DII on its last legs in terms of commercial life. So, at the back of my mind sits the fact that 5DIII can't be that far away, and that it should at least catch up in those areas where the Sony is ahead.
I don't really get this comment.
Where the Nex has an obvious advantage over the 5DII is size - the canon is a brick. But how will the 5DIII improve on this?
Where the 5DII has an obvious advantage over the Nex 5n is in having an optical viewfinder and the option of shallower depth of field. How will the 5DIII improve on this very much?
Other smaller advantages of the 5DII, like IQ, better high ISO may well be improved on by the 5DIII and the advantage extended, but they won't turn a disadvantage into an advantage.
p.3 #16 · Giving up 5D II for NEX? My experience in Japan
Thanks for sharing Philippe, I've been waiting for this
Lots of good info here for me to browse -and plenty of really nice images too!
I think although we share the fondness of the 5N and even some lenses, we shoot very differently. I never use tripod (except for an occasional portrait shot), for me it takes away the fun of photography which for me should be more spontaneous. So with that said I'll comment on the points (using denoirs notoriously precise bulleting).
1) Does it encourage you to go out and shoot?
It really does due to the size. Handsome packet too, especially with a leather grip. Small and non-intrusive it's fun for street waistlevel street photography and for me introduced new forms of photography. Downside is AF where even the 5D2 is a masterpiece, as well as when flash(-es) are needed. A draw.
2) Number of keepers
5%? I'd say I get much more but the 5D2 gives me a tad more. A draw.
3) IQ
I'm impressed. Shadow handling is beyond the 5D2 but the rest is an edge for the 5D2. IQ for me also means what the lenses vs sensors do. There's no way the NEX can cope with what the 5D2 does with eg a 24/1.4 or 35/1.4. On the NEX proside, excellent lenses can be had for a few 100's euros. With some exceptions the same is rather 1000+ euro for the 5D2. Still, an edge for 5D2.
4) How does the camera feel to use?
Menu system is a joke. Leather grip or not it's still a bit quirky to hold/handle. I'm sure we all have our ticks, one of my worst is accidental push of the movie-button. The touch screen is great for magnifying a part of the image where you want to focus, but the palm below the thumb "touches" it almost as much as deliberate actions. Waist level or table photography is a 5 star gem. Any focal length. The 5D2 is a flagship in all respects, but it's of course huge. It has gotten some grey hair with age, but it's still a much more refined and effective image machine. Edge 5D2.
In summary I cant sell the shelfed 5D2. But the NEX is the one that follows me everywhere. Tomorrow I'll do a small portrait shoot for a magazine and I need AF, flash/flash cable due to the busy people I'm going to shoot - hence 5D2. In two-three NEX generations we might have sensor-IS, much refined UI, flash interface and some other innovations fitted in a similar form factor. Then maybe, but it would have to take on the mighty 5DMkIV then
Oops, this became a lengthy post, sry for that. Thanks for reading and thanks again Philippe.
EDIT: The NEX with alt glass does a whole lot of things very well, but it simply cant do this:
p.3 #17 · Giving up 5D II for NEX? My experience in Japan
wfrank wrote:
Thanks for sharing Philippe, I've been waiting for this
Lots of good info here for me to browse -and plenty of really nice images too!
I think although we share the fondness of the 5N and even some lenses, we shoot very differently. I never use tripod (except for an occasional portrait shot), for me it takes away the fun of photography
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I agree with almost everything u say and also agree that the 5D2 has some of the finest IQ available today. I also like the picture you have posted.
By your last sentence - I assume u are referring to the DOF which you are saying cannot be achieved by the NEX? Wouldn't the answer to that would depend upon the focal length and type of lens mounted on the NEX ?
p.3 #18 · Giving up 5D II for NEX? My experience in Japan
why I gave up the 5d.
1) nailing focus was tough even with the ee-s screen.
2) white balance was not as good as the nex.
3) size.
4) weight.
5) price.
6) m lenses.
7) rokkor lenses.
p.3 #19 · Giving up 5D II for NEX? My experience in Japan
Philipe, I really like your images, don't get it
a wrong way, but much more than your Paris shots.
Maybe you need a fresh breath?
Maybe I don't like Paris (true)?
Ended up selling my watch you didn't help
me fix in Paris...
