Sony NEX owners thread

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drb5

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David
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I know technically the NEX is an Alpha, but it is far from the same type of camera and thus the reason for starting this thread.

I actually intended on GETTING the camera first before putting this thread up, but as it's now over a week late, i figured i could be posting it up anyway.

I wanted to explain my placing firstly, for buying such a camera...

I'm a Canon man at heart, but recent times have been hard(as with pretty much everyone) and the money used for cameras was best used elsewhere. Now with Christmas coming up and having not had a cam for a few months, i decided i could jump back into togging a bit. :)

Previously, i had stuck myself to a 5D2 and then a 5D, but with only one lens...a 1.8 nifty fifty. This kept the size and weight of the cam to a minimum, but still giving me enough speed and decent enough quality, that i'd be happy with.

With the holidays coming up and reading plenty reviews, browsing loads of pictures and getting a quick test in Jessops, i decided to give the NEX-5 a try with just the 16mm 2.8 lens, in silver.

My budget had been around £300-400 and although i had passed the 500D, 550D and D3100 around in my mind(actually preferred the D3100 to both Canon's btw), i thought the NEX had just the same capabilities as the considered DSLR's, but in a very small package. I've had a GF1 and E-PL1, so i knew roughly what i was getting into.

Consistently checking camerapricebuster and Google, Amazon came out the cheapest for the single lens kit. I DID think about buying the twin lens kit and selling the 18-55 onwards, if it would make the camera and 16mm cheaper, but only bestbuy had it at £550 and this was out of stock constantly and really not a viable option, even with the Sony VAT back offer...it still would have came out roughly the same price, as the Amazon kit.

I plumped for the kit from Amazon and after 2 weeks since ordering, i'm still waiting. :( I HAVE howver had time to receive my SDHC memory card and browse 'tinernet looking for a replacement battery...the NP-FW50.

Going price is £60 and this battery actually also qualifies for the Sony VAT back offer. It doesn't give you a huge amount of cash back, but it all add's up! I did mess up though! Jacobs Digital was actually selling it at £44, but i dawdled and they put it back up to 60. :crying: I'm now looking at cheaper alternatives, but so far the most likely contender is a Hahnel at around £30. I'm going to waiti it out however and see just how bad the battery is. I would prefer to have a second original battery to keep the warranty up, should something go wrong, but i grudge paying so much for just a battery.

Has anyone found a good replacement, of a good source for buying an OEM battery at a decent price?

ATM, Jessops have by far the best price for both the silver and black twin lens kit.
http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/prod1371.html
Incase the page changes, it's shouwing on Jessops site at £569, but with discount code CSC6, this comes down to £534.86. With the Sony VAT back, that comes down to £455.20!!! A frikkin bargain and bl88dy typical, if you ask me. :( For anyone considering a NEX, this is definately the best option and with the VAT increase come the new year, you;d be daft not to take one.

Anyway, apologies if this isn't what you want to read and also, if i should stick to the Alpha owners thread.

Please contribute what you can and hopefully this coming week, i'll be able to show what the camera is capable of. :cool:(y)


Some current Sony Nex Flickr groups...

http://www.flickr.com/groups/alpha-nex/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1379448@N25/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/sony_nex_panoramic/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/nex-old/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1548589@N23/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/nex-5/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1467826@N21/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1455154@N24/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/sony-evil/
 
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i have been thinking of buying the Nex-5 or the E-PL1 but still cant make my mind up but have been leaning towards the E-PL1 mainly due to price.

what made you go for the Sony? was it just because you have already had the E-PL1 or other reasons..

thanks
 
the EPL1 was a great camera and I had it hooked up with the Panasonic 20mm 1.7! Together they were a perfect combo, but the gf1 was a better built unit. It would produce fantastic images, but the Oly felt too plasticy and I tend to shoot a lot of low light stuff which showed that 4/3's dont really do low light very well....for me anyway.

Having read and seen the high iso performance of the NEX, I knew it was worth a try. It's been compared to mid level current DSLR's, so your gauranteed to be happy with the results. The only other camera I could want is another 5D and I can't afford that and it doesn't do video...something I will be using. :)

Have you held the Oly?
 
Yes i've had a quick hold of one and didn't really notice it feeling plasticy, I was however drawn very much towards the Sony at first with the panoramic mode and flip up screen. Just having surfed around the forum seems a lot of peeps own the Olympus.
That said the GF1 with the 20mm lens looks good too.

Only reason I've not bought yet is I can't make my mind up lol
last camera was a 450d but I'm done with bulky SLR's...
 
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This is the best place for direct info from owners....
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1042

Browsing the Flickr groups i listed will show you what can be acheived with the NEX.

One issue i see coming up a lot, is the ease of use with the menu system....or lack of rather! I find this off-putting as i had to get used to the controls of both the GF1 and the EPL1. Neither are exactly the same as a proper DSLR.

If your coming from a 450D, you'll probably be happy with any tbh. I just reckon the NEX can be used in more situations and give better results throughout...and i ain't even got it yet! ;)
 
Well it's finally here! Absolutely love the look...very cool and stylish when in silver with the silver pancake. Lovely weight to it and very well made.

Going to take a while to get used to it. Also need to preset the soft keys with my custom functions.

Gotta find a decent case for it too. Scared of damaging it now...

Here's a couple quick JPEG's directly from the camera, with no PP.

5280439837_e003997a72.jpg


5281044514_82937022a3.jpg


5281047134_cbd98f3076.jpg


5281049256_f313529db5.jpg


Full sized images here...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/drb5/
 
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Concerning the replacement battery, I recently bought this for my A33, and a full charge lasts longer in the camera than the Sony original battery.
 
I think they look brilliant but dont think its worth jumping ship from Canon for one
 
No, i wouldn't "jump ship" either, but as a compact camera(as long as you stick to the smaller lenses), i think it's definately one of the best.

I'll take a few shots later on in RAW at different ISO's and post them up.
 
would be interested in the results. as a compact it seems amazing, im a fan of sony cameras in general. the newer range of DSLR's are looking very good too
 
Unfortunately the twin lens kit was still £565 when i was ordering, otherwise i'd have went for the Jessops deal and sold the 18-55. Although it's supposed to be a touch sharper than the 16mm, i knew i wouldn't use the zoom as much to warrant keeping it and the extra cost....prefer the compact size with just the pancake.

My kit works out at £365 after VAT back...very nice. :cool:

It's build quality is comparable to the GF1, but more subtle looks/streamlined, because it does without all the dials. Some may see that as a problem, but we can adapt. ;)

As a side note for folks considering one, but not sure if you should go for the 3 or the 5. I decided on the 5 because the ergonomics felt better for my hands and that you can use an IR remote. The 3, although larger in size than the 5, is thinner with a smaller handhold. The 5 also does AVCHD video rather than just MP4. At the moment, it's only the NEX-5 kits that have the VAT back too and not the 3, so my kit works out only £15 more, than the 3 with 16mm....a bargain. :)
 
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EPL1 was a great camera and I had hooked up with Panasonic 20mm 1.7! Together they were a perfect combo, but the G1 has a better built unit. It would produce great pictures, but felt too plasticy Oly and I tend to take a lot of low light, which showed that 4 / 3 of the lights do not really care very low.
 
Tried the video just breifly, but seems good and it actually plays on WMP!!! The video from the 5D2 was as choppy as h*ll on WMP. :D

Currently uploading some test shots to Flickr and the largest file size is 17MB...taking a while to say the least. ;)
 
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These shots are RAW straight from camera and no processing in LR3.

ISO 1600
5283228269_33af0b65df.jpg

ISO 3200
5283830356_7f601272a2.jpg

ISO 6400
5283236879_fc0fe80d76.jpg

ISO 12800
5283242375_0139df4db2.jpg
 
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Again, the following are RAW straight from camera and no processing in LR3.

ISO 1600
5283303829_fde61eb05e.jpg

ISO 3200
5283895944_879c66a56b.jpg

ISO 6400
5283292065_6eb7d84b57.jpg

ISO 12800
5283286221_53f43f3207.jpg
 
puddleduck said:
Sony's VAT back offer finishes in 2 days for these.
Click to expand...

Woah, hadn't realised the offer was there. I think that speeds along my decision a bit. Was going to buy one of these after xmas anyway. Cheers for the heads up!


Looks a great little camera. I am in the process of downsizing and selling off some of my larger kit due to the fact I rarely carry it because of bulk. A camera of this quality that slips in to my jacket pocket is just what I need. Might eventually replace the DSLR...
 
Indeed it could...just need's some more available E mount lenses and it should be good for it. :cool:
 
I've got a stash of m42 lenses I plan to use for it. Adapters available on ebay so I should be set.
 
Oh you've got me jealous now mate!

Got an SLR Magic coming for my NEX...hopefully make for some interesting shots.
 
Well i got my new toy for the NEX today(a good week or two earlier than expected!) the SLR Magic!!! :D First thing you notice is how SMALL it is! Solid wee thing and it comes with a metal, screw-in front cap and hood.

Here's what it looks like...
5285941947_5befa56452.jpg


And here's what 1.7 is like on the NEX...
5285947247_811a9b6d19.jpg


5286550452_282788fa82.jpg


5285954873_a594d7d29f.jpg


It might not be the sharpest or give the most beautiful bokeh, but it produces a lovely finish to the shot. Going to REALLY enjoy using this gear. :cool:
 
Best Buy are ment to be selling the NEX-5 and 18-55mm from 6pm tonight for £350.
 
I bought the Nex 5 on xmas eve from best buy, I got an excellent deal as I can claim vat back of £52 & quidco of £35 final cost being £263 :)
It has been dispatched & I will receive it tomorrow. I was meant to be buying a full dslr but the price was too good to resist.
What type of case are you using? The cases I have seen are so ugly.
Also, do you get a front cap cover to protect the sensor when the lens is removed?
Thanks

Carole :)
 
Molly47 said:
I bought the Nex 5 on xmas eve from best buy, I got an excellent deal as I can claim vat back of £52 & quidco of £35 final cost being £263 :)
It has been dispatched & I will receive it tomorrow. I was meant to be buying a full dslr but the price was too good to resist.
What type of case are you using? The cases I have seen are so ugly.
Also, do you get a front cap cover to protect the sensor when the lens is removed?
Thanks

Carole :)
Click to expand...

Can you claim back the VAT? I thought it was just the Nex-5 + 16mm kit that is VAT reclaimable?
 
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