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geekhack Community => Off Topic => Topic started by: cactux on Thu, 12 April 2012, 05:25:01

Title: Buy or not Sony NEX?
Post by: cactux on Thu, 12 April 2012, 05:25:01

I am considering buying a Sony NEX, since I do not have a decent camera at home. I like the form factor and the possibility of add lenses.
What do you think, is anything out there similar less expensive and very good quality
I read this article (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/SonyNex5Nex3) and it look very nice

Title: Buy or not Sony NEX?
Post by: JaccoW on Thu, 12 April 2012, 07:04:13

I own a Sony Nex-5 first generation. They are excellent cameras, great in low light because of the sensor, but you need to take a few things into account:
- Because of the APS-C sensor lenses will always be larger than for example m4/3 or compact cameras
- Which also means they are not entirely pocketable. I wear mine around a wriststrap or a very thin neckstrap and put it in my coatpocket.
- If you are planning to use it in very sunny conditions you might have trouble framing. Same as with a compact. Even though it is something that has not bothered me thus far.

Which model are you planning on buying?
The Nex-5n is probably one of the best options right now, because you can always add an external viewfinder if necessary. (mind you, they do not come cheap)

Title: Buy or not Sony NEX?
Post by: cactux on Thu, 12 April 2012, 07:39:07

^ I am considering buying the 5k or 5a or 5. The 5n is way too expensive.

Title: Buy or not Sony NEX?
Post by: JaccoW on Thu, 12 April 2012, 09:34:18

What is the price difference between the two for you?

The 5k is with the 18-55 lens and the 5a the 16mm.
While the latter is very compact I would suggest getting the zoom lens. Much more practical and better optical quality in general.
Like I said before, the 5n is the newer model and might be replaced soon.

That said, I really like the Nex-5 with 18-55 lens I have and it is quite a nice toy if you want to dabble with old lenses.
Especially with the latest firmware. :)

Title: Buy or not Sony NEX?
Post by: Malphas on Thu, 12 April 2012, 11:34:52

Eh, I'd be basing my decision more on which interchangeable lens system I want to commit to, rather than how good the body is (within reason) at this stage. I wouldn't really be comfortable going the the Alpha NEX system when there's Micro 4/3 more widely supported and when Nikon are coming out with their own EVIL system.  But then, I'm not a huge Sony fan, so maybe it's just me.

Title: Buy or not Sony NEX?
Post by: whiskerBox on Thu, 12 April 2012, 11:39:35

I am right there with you cactux I have been thinking about buying one of these for months! I just can't make myself pull the trigger.

Title: Buy or not Sony NEX?
Post by: Reptile on Thu, 12 April 2012, 13:31:28

I have the Nex 3 and I love it. Now I am not a huge photographer but I like the options of different lenses. I also have a metabones adapter for Nikon F mount and I can also say it works well with my 28mm f/2.8 AiS lens.

The Nex 3 or even Sony in general was not my first choice but I got an insane deal from craigslist that popped up when I was searching for a camera. Overall I am pleased and would buy another Sony camera.

My current keyboard photography setup:

(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16307641/IMAG1016.jpg)
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16307641/IMAG1010.jpg)

Title: Buy or not Sony NEX?
Post by: 7bit on Thu, 12 April 2012, 13:55:25

Quote from: cactux;573627

I am considering buying a Sony NEX, since I do not have a decent camera at home....

You won't still have a decent camera, because it does not have a viewfinder!

Better save your money and get a Fuji XPro 1, or if it is pricewise out of reach, get an X100.

Title: Buy or not Sony NEX?
Post by: keyboardlover on Thu, 12 April 2012, 13:59:53

If spending that much, Y U No Get DSLR?

Get a Nikon D3000. I have one and they rock!

Title: Buy or not Sony NEX?
Post by: 7bit on Thu, 12 April 2012, 14:18:33

Quote from: keyboardlover;573932

If spending that much, Y U No Get DSLR?

Get a Nikon D3000. I have one and they rock!

I'd get a used Nikon before I'd get the stupid D3000.

Nikon has got the advantage that you can buy relatively cheap used lenses with great performance for quite low prices.

Maybe Ripster sells his D200, now that he is retireing from GH and did not make any Lego pictures for quite a long time ....

Title: Buy or not Sony NEX?
Post by: keyboardlover on Thu, 12 April 2012, 14:33:08

Y U call D3000 stupid?

Me like it :(

Title: Buy or not Sony NEX?
Post by: 7bit on Thu, 12 April 2012, 15:25:44

Quote from: keyboardlover;573961

Y U call D3000 stupid?

Me like it :(

D40 is older, cheaper and better than the D3000.

Get the D3100 instead, or better a used D90.

ps: If you like it and don't miss anything you are fine!
:-)

Title: Buy or not Sony NEX?
Post by: limmy on Thu, 12 April 2012, 16:05:30

Quote from: Reptile;573894

Show Image

(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16307641/IMAG1010.jpg)

That light box and the lighting look great! Are you taking a lot of keyboard photos lately? How does 28mm work for keyboard photos?

@OP
I don't know much about recent camera systems, but I am pretty satisfied with my D200 + Tamron 17-50 2.8. I take a lot of indoor photography without additional lighting and I appreciated advantages of fixed and fast aperture lens. If your photos are going to be taken mostly indoors, you would probably benefit from lens with faster aperture. Lens with faster aperture are generally heavier, bulkier, and more expensive though.

I am not sure if Sony has a lot of lenses, but if you are going to invest significant amount in a camera system, you might want to consider lens group. If you are not so much into photography and if you are less likely to invest in lenses, you might be fine with a single body and a bundle lens and probably shouldn't worry about lens lineup.

Title: Buy or not Sony NEX?
Post by: Reptile on Thu, 12 April 2012, 18:08:50

Quote from: limmy;574016

That light box and the lighting look great! Are you taking a lot of keyboard photos lately? How does 28mm work for keyboard photos?

Here is a few I have taken recently with the 28mm. Overall I am pleased with the pictures I get being that I spent under $500 for everything. Camera, lighting, lens, tripod etc.
http://imgur.com/a/00zZR#0 (http://imgur.com/a/00zZR#0)

Title: Buy or not Sony NEX?
Post by: REVENGE on Thu, 12 April 2012, 23:27:50

I own the NEX5n, the 18-55mm, and the 50mm OSS.

If you don't need fast autofocus or long lenses, I would go for the 5n. Grab the 50mm, it's great for portraits. I wouldn't go for the original 5 or 3 unless they're cheaper by 30% or more.

If you have a focus on video, get the GH2. When hacked, it meets or exceeds the 5D Mark III in terms of video quality.

Title: Buy or not Sony NEX?
Post by: cactux on Fri, 13 April 2012, 04:54:16

Thanks a lot guys for your valuable comments :-). 7bits the average ebay prices of the your recommendations are:

* D90 = 500 USD
* D200 = 400 USD
* D3100 = 400 USD