Sony NEX 7 with Sony/Zeiss 24mm

[Country Parson]

My NEX 7 just arrived this afternoon. So I put the Zeiss 24mm on it and got some quick shots around the farm. My first impression of the controls is very positive. I like to two dials since I almost always shoot aperture priority. I have the three controls I use the most, Aperture, Exposure comp. and ISO right at my fingertips. Works for me. The screen is the same as the NEX5N so far as I can tell, and the viewfinder is good, but I prefer to use the screen. It is nice to have the viewfinder there when needed, but I did not need it this evening. Here are three samples.

 

[Armanius]

I think I'll cut and paste my comments from Ray's thread about "God" onto here. Hehehehe!

Congrats Dan! I knew you'd cave in!

The NEX7 is a very very nice camera. I would have kept it, if I was going to use it as an AF camera. That sensor can resolve soooo much detail!

 

[Country Parson]

I saw the comments on Ray's thread. The Samsung is up for sale now. I like being able to adapt my Nikon and Pentax lenses on the NEX. The focus peaking continues to be a major attraction for me. But it appears that it does not show up in the viewfinder, unless I have missed that setting someplace. I'll post some with adapted lenses later, but wanted to start with the Zeiss 24mm.

 

[Ray Sachs]

Looking really good Dan. If Sony had a selection of prime lenses a bit more to my liking, I very well may have gone that route.

-Ray

 

[Armanius]

Dan, the peaking's shimmer is less pronounced on the EVF, which was one of the reasons I sold the NEX7. I like using the EVF over LCD. The shimmer is non existent when magnified.

 

[krugorg]

Great initial images, Dan! Glad you are enjoying the new kit.

 

[bilzmale]

Congrats Dan - very nice shots.

 

[Julien]

NEX-7+Zeiss is a tasty combo And I really loved the handling on this camera. Too bad for Samsung.

 

[davect01]

Looking great, nice combo.

 

[adanac]

Lookin' good. It's early days for you but when you've had it for awhile I hope you'll post more about living with the camera, how AF is working out for you, etc. I came this close to allowing my pre-order to stand but cancelled it when my GXR showed up. I do miss the responsiveness of the NEX cameras.

 

[Country Parson]

Lookin' good. It's early days for you but when you've had it for awhile I hope you'll post more about living with the camera, how AF is working out for you, etc. I came this close to allowing my pre-order to stand but cancelled it when my GXR showed up. I do miss the responsiveness of the NEX cameras.

I plan on starting a thread comparing the NEX 7 with the Xpro 1 as I am using both alternately these days. I like them both, but each has strengths the other lacks. Here are a couple of shots from this weekend with the NEX 7 & Zeiss 24mm. I like the close focusing capabilities of the Zeiss 24 as can be seen with the chicks.

 

[krugorg]

Nice images, Dan! Very cool on the close focus.

I can't remember if you owned the X100 before? I am guessing it was somewhat planned, but interesting how well the X100 fits in with the XPro1 primes at launch. A nice little progression there and a compact option.

On the other hand, it would be nice to have 1 camera that was blazing fast, AF and operations (NEX or m4/3 in my case).

 

[Country Parson]

Krugorg, I did own the X100, but sold it a few months ago. Yes it would be nice to have one camera that satisfied every criteria, but I am afraid we have to think of them as tools, each good at some things but none good at everything. Here is another shot with the NEX7 & 24mm taken this afternoon in Charlotte, NC and very heavily cropped.

 

[krugorg]

Dan, how do you compare the shutter sound on the XPro1 versus the NEX7?

Krugorg, I did own the X100, but sold it a few months ago. Yes it would be nice to have one camera that satisfied every criteria, but I am afraid we have to think of them as tools, each good at some things but none good at everything.

I meant to say that it would nice to have at least 1 body/camera in your kit that gives you fast AF/operations. I agree with you... funds permitting, it is nice to have a couple different tools to work with, each with their strengths. I think it is going to be a while before one compact/mirrorless system can cover everything (or even nearly so). Of course, the mythical unicorn/Canon CSC could emerge at Photokina.

 

[Country Parson]

Krugorg, Both shutters a pretty quiet. I think the NEX7 is slightly quieter, but I have not done a side-by-side comparison under controlled conditions. OK, I just pulled them out and tried them at my desk. They are about the same. They have a different pitch, the XP1 being a deeper sound. No significant difference for practical purposes. On the street no one would hear either one.