DC with NEX-7+Zeiss, Leica glass, part 1

[behyer]

I spent last week in Washington DC and had some opportunity to shoot with my NEX-7. I have three lenses, the Zeiss 24/1.8, a Zeiss Biogon 35/2 and a Leica 90mm f2. Here are some pix from the trip.

[behyer]

... and three more.

[jja]

Thanks for posting these. I'd like to hear more about the Nex 7 in use. For instance, do you focus through the EVF or do you use the screen? How fast is the camera in candid situations where quick focus is essential?

[behyer]

Well, the only picture among these that required quick focusing is the one of the Japanese tourists at the Lincoln Memorial, and that was shot with the 24/1.8, which is autofocus. And it was plenty quick. Otherwise, I use the EVF most of the time, and I find it's pretty easy to focus with the peaking feature on. I put it on the lowest setting, with white as the highlight color, and don't have many issues. It's not perfect but it's my default setting for a reason.

But I do use the screen a fair amount, more than I expected I would. With its ability to fold out, it's great for low angles or situations where discretion is warranted. The shutter is really quiet also, so that helps.

Otherwise, I like the way the NEX-7 handles, especially with the legacy glass. It's replaced my 7D/17-55 as my travel camera, and I find myself using it in commercial applications more and more. The video is good too; I like that I can work with ISO values instead of gain, and control shutter and aperture directly in a manner that I'm used to (as a stills guy). I'll be shooting commercial projects with it before the year is out.

[rogue_designer]

Originally Posted by jja

Thanks for posting these. I'd like to hear more about the Nex 7 in use. For instance, do you focus through the EVF or do you use the screen? How fast is the camera in candid situations where quick focus is essential?

Focus peaking with manual focus lenses is very fast (I usually use the EVF) - as fast as any rangefinder. And of course, you can scale focus just as you would with any other body (factoring in the crop).

[bigeye]

Originally Posted by behyer

...I like that I can work with ISO values instead of gain, and control shutter and aperture directly in a manner that I'm used to (as a stills guy)...

Wonder when a camera manufacturer will pick up that we need a 3rd dial to control ISO directly and easily...


.

[unixrevolution]

Originally Posted by bigeye

Wonder when a camera manufacturer will pick up that we need a 3rd dial to control ISO directly and easily...


.

I've always dreamed of a 3-dial camera, where the dials also press-in. Pressing it in or letting it pop out toggles Automatic. Otherwise, it is controlled manually. The 3 dials are aperture, shutter, and ISO.

No messy exposure modes, no silly scene modes...which ones are set to auto and which aren't defines how the camera behaves.

[peter_n]

Originally Posted by rogue_designer

Focus peaking with manual focus lenses is very fast (I usually use the EVF) - as fast as any rangefinder. And of course, you can scale focus just as you would with any other body (factoring in the crop).

+1. I also just use the EVF (with grid switched on) and peaking is as quick as an M no question.

[dexdog]

Originally Posted by rogue_designer

Focus peaking with manual focus lenses is very fast (I usually use the EVF) - as fast as any rangefinder. And of course, you can scale focus just as you would with any other body (factoring in the crop).

+2...focusing as described above is very fast and easy.

[Lss]

Originally Posted by bigeye

Wonder when a camera manufacturer will pick up that we need a 3rd dial to control ISO directly and easily...

It's already there on Epson R-D1. Of course, the one on R-D1 simply reuses a film camera design, which is not easy to access without looking. Exposure compensation is also nicely included on the shutter speed dial. No need to have a separate dial, as shutter priority is not possible. A modern digital should really have four dials for aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation (with auto on the first three).

[rogue_designer]

ISO on the nex 7 can be controlled quickly with the main panel wheel, no menus. At least it is when in Aperture priority and manual.

[peter_n]

The issue there is that it can be too easy to change the ISO.