Jeff Kott wrote:
Tariq,
How would you compare the Sigma to the NEX kit lens at 19 at smaller apertures, say 5.6 or so?
The only time I used the kit lens was when I owned the original NEX-5 so I can't offer a direct comparison as used on the NEX-7. I'm pretty sure though that the Sigma is sharper and more contrasty. On the 5, I found the kit lens a great all around lens but my copy - while I thought I had an exceptionally sharp one - did not have the brilliance/ clarity I'm used to from my alt lenses. Contrast was soft, color a bit on the muted side. The Sigma's have surprised me because they do give the stronger color and contrast I'm used to seeing from my better alts. As far as use at various apertures, the central area is very sharp/ pretty much optimal by F4 and I think you would want F8 for best across the frame sharpness.
He also reviews the EM5 and X2. I can't say his samples are much better than Huff though and I don't completely agree with one or two points.
Still, it's been one of the best lenses I've used in any system and I'm someone who Hates CA but LR4.1 has made it so easy to remove I don't really care about the CA anymore.
He also reviews the EM5 and X2. I can't say his samples are much better than Huff though and I don't completely agree with one or two points.
Still, it's been one of the best lenses I've used in any system and I'm someone who Hates CA but LR4.1 has made it so easy to remove I don't really care about the CA anymore.
An interesting comment from this review:
"With that said though, I need to say that the bokeh quality of this lens is absolutely wonderful at f1.8. It doesn’t remind me of anything that Zeiss makes though nor does it have their characteristic micro-contrast."
Is the last sentence one of the points you disagree with? Does the lens lack the typical Zeiss micro contrast?
That's probably me pushing the file too much. It's background ca should be greenish.
Strangely background ca never really bothered me that much because it just sorta melts into the bg in general when I view the file. In focus fringing has always been my pet peeve.
Do you still have your Sigma 19? It would be interesting to see some side by side shots at F5.6 or so compared to the ZA 24 with the same or default processing to see color and microcontrast differences. Perhaps you did something like that for yourself?
Tariq Gibran wrote:
I'm using both Sigma's on the NEX-7 and I'm very happy with both. The 19 is about as good as your going to get right now for that focal length on the NEX-7. You will likely be very happy with it unless your expecting tack sharp extreme corners. The vast majority of the frame looks really good. Both Sigma's are no brainers for still's imo. Video using AF is an issue with the Sigma's though. For versatility with Video, you may wish to pick up the NEX-7 kit lens set which also gives you stabilization - that is, unless the new "G" zoom shows up before you buy....Show more →
Thanks, I think it will work for me. Right now I still have the Epson 3800 so only 17" wide for prints. Would like to be able to go bigger eventually and I think this will get me there.
theophilus wrote:
Thanks, I think it will work for me. Right now I still have the Epson 3800 so only 17" wide for prints. Would like to be able to go bigger eventually and I think this will get me there.
Is a class 10 SD card sufficient for the video?
I don't shoot a lot of video but I think "class 10" maybe doesn't mean as much as folks think it does. Within that category, there is a huge range of speeds. The "class 10" card I'm using is a Sandisk Extreme Pro and has a a spec of 95MB/s, which is fairly fast for an SD card. Other "class 10" cards might be half that speed or so - but I suspect they would work fine.
You should have no problem at all with printing on the 3800 in using 17"'s on the short side. With the best lenses and good technique on the NEX-7, very nice prints about twice that size are possible (maybe 30" on the short side, so 30x45 @ 240ppi).
I went and handled one today at my local store with the Sony 50mm. I really like it and the focus peaking is cool compared to the X100.
They also have a demo OM-D, and I just didn't like how it handled at all. The side grip seems like a must-buy for that camera. Also the 12-50 is huge, there was basically no size advantage over the NEX-7 with it's kit lens, and I prefer the EVF on the side. That cleared up any remaining doubts on my decision so the X100 and my EOS lenses are headed to the B&S. Keeping my Zuiko and C/Y Zeiss glass for a camera that doesn't exist yet.
What are people using for remote release for bulb-mode shots? I've seen the iphone IR thing for the headphone jack but is that just an intervelometer? I love night photography, not really into time-lapses.
theophilus wrote:
What are people using for remote release for bulb-mode shots? I've seen the iphone IR thing for the headphone jack but is that just an intervelometer? I love night photography, not really into time-lapses.
I just use the self timer but, besides the obvious Sony IR remote, something inexpensive like this should work:
theophilus wrote:
The self-timer is programmable for 10+ minute exposures? Or do you just mean you hit the shutter button twice manually?
No, for long exposures you would want to use a separate IR release and set the camera to Bulb. Pressing the remote once starts the exposure, pressing it again should end the exposure. I'm curious to hear of other folks experience with long night exposures though as I would expect noise to be a major issue at something like 10 minutes.
So I received the C3 + Sony 16 + Sigma 30 yesterday. Here are some initial thoughts after getting to grips with the camera and shooting some test shots.
Firstly, I actually like the way the C3 handles despite the small grip, lack of control points and clumsy menu structure. I particularly like the following (NEX users are probably familiar with these, sorry about reiterating old facts):
- The left and right directional buttons can be customised. I have AF/MF selection set on the left and drive mode set on the right.
- The quick menu (custom menu, as they call it) works very nicely and remembers the last setting. I have ISO set as the first item, and changing ISO is a matter of pressing the middle button, scrolling to the desired setting and pressing the shutter button. Very snappy.
- In MF mode, touching the focus ring on the lens activates a 7.5x magnification, and a halfway shutter press (or a 2s wait) brings back the full display. Manual focusing is a positive experience, especially with the Sigma.
- The live histogram is just the right size for determining the exposure during shooting.
Things I don't like that much (or which came as a surprise).
- The camera is actually surprisingly heavy. I've never handled a MILC before, so I really didn't know what to expect. The kit definitely feels substantial.
- The shutter sound is quite loud. Just like any dslr, even though there's no mirror to move.
- Shooting modes cannot be programmed into the custom buttons. If I could have it my way, I would have programmed A/M toggle onto one of the directionals buttons. Furthermore, shooting mode selection can only be programmed into the lower soft button. I wonder why.
- It's too easy to press a directional button while scrolling the selection wheel. This is perhaps the most aggravating issue related to handling. I hope the wheel smoothens up in use.
- Bracketing is only limited to 0.7 EV. Why not 2 EV! The bracketing drive mode works very well otherwise, but the range limitation is just stupid.
Shooting with the C3 feels nice and the display is bright and detailed. The lenses - especially the Sigma - are very good and the raw files are easy to work on. It's a wonder that such a kit can be had for under 600 eur - just for the price of an average lens.
tomrock wrote:
I don't have a C3, but on the 5N and the 7, pressing the middle of the control circle thingy is a shortcut for Shooting mode.
I programmed the right button (on the 5N) to be ISO speed.
I agree about bracketing. That would be so easy to fix in firmware.
The problem is that, if you use the middle of the control circle (the C button) for shooting mode, you can't use that as a bank for five other settings. On my NEX-7, I press on the right side of the control wheel for shoot mode, but I don't know if that is an option on the C3.
