BajaNomad - Sony NEX 7, got one?

Sony NEX 7, got one?

CortezBlue - 8-25-2013 at 12:53 AM

Thinking of buying the NEX 7 to add to my camera collection

Do you have one?

What are your thoughts?

PS, I am not dumping my Nikon D800, just trying to find a camera to carry with me at all times in my truck

[Edited on 8-25-2013 by CortezBlue]

[Edited on 8-25-2013 by CortezBlue]

Skipjack Joe - 8-25-2013 at 08:36 AM

Cortez,

I looked into it a bit. Why would you want one? It's too big to be a pocket camera and doesn't take the quality images of the larger DSLRs.

It's like a "tweener" in baketball: too big to be a point guard and too small to be a dominant rebounder.

DianaT - 8-25-2013 at 08:46 AM

After a lot of thought, research and chatting with another nomad, I bought the Sony Nex 6 and I am very happy with it. Even the two kit lens are not bad, IMHO.

I don't have a full frame camera, but I love my Canon 60D, but it is just too heavy for me to carry when hiking or at certain events.

And the difference for me is also good for walking around and shooting people. If I have my 60D with my big ole 70-200 white lens on, it is intimidating to many. The sony with the small 70-200 is not intimidating.

Igor is correct, it is not a pocket camera, but it sure feels a lot better around my old arthritic neck and so far, I am happy with the pictures. I have not had it very long and am still learning more about it.

I will definitely keep and use my Canon 60D, but I won't take it hiking!

monoloco - 8-25-2013 at 09:17 AM

For a compact walking around camera, I think I'd prefer the rx100m2:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/984408-REG/sony_dsc_rx...

CortezBlue - 8-25-2013 at 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Cortez,

I looked into it a bit. Why would you want one? It's too big to be a pocket camera and doesn't take the quality images of the larger DSLRs.

It's like a "tweener" in baketball: too big to be a point guard and too small to be a dominant rebounder.

Well I have been following this photographer:
http://www.stuckincustoms.com/

And he has a pretty compelling story to tell.

Don't get me wrong I absolutely love my D800 and would never sell it. However, while walking around Washington DC this summer killing time while my wife was in a conference, I kept thinking about the photographer that was dumping his D800 for the NEX7. While sweating with all of my lenses on my back and my Nikon around neck, I made the decision that it was time to have a travel down size camera.
I think once you look at the web site and admire the photos and reviews he has done, you will get the drift.

PS I also want a camera that I can keep in my vehicle all the time so I am always ready for what comes at me.

CortezBlue - 8-25-2013 at 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by monoloco
For a compact walking around camera, I think I'd prefer the rx100m2:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/984408-REG/sony_dsc_rx...

Hard to resist this deal at Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B005IKZU8O/sr=8-1/qid...

I ended up paying about $930 with the lens and with Amazon's great reputation I can always send it back within 30 days if I am not happy.

The NEX 7 is a totally different camera in comparison. With the E Lens adapter I can use my Nikon lenses on the Sony as well. 24mp, RAW capable and tons of options.

monoloco - 8-25-2013 at 05:49 PM

The NEX body is smaller than the D-800, but if you have to pack your Nikon lenses you really aren't going to be saving that much in weight. The NEX-7 is a nice camera, but it seems like for what little weight you are saving you might as well use the D-800 for the better resolution and more features. How many of the lenses for your full frame camera are compatible with the crop sensor on the NEX?

DianaT - 8-25-2013 at 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CortezBlue

Quote:

Originally posted by monoloco
For a compact walking around camera, I think I'd prefer the rx100m2:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/984408-REG/sony_dsc_rx...

Thanks for that website. In my research I found a number of people who ended up selling their old equipment in favor of one of these mirrorless cameras. I am not ready to do that, but every time I pick up the Nex 6, it sure feels good!

Anxious to see how you like the Nex 7. Oh, I know I can get an adapter for using my canon lens if I want, but one has to use manual focus. It is the same for the Nex 7

I doubt I will buy the adapter and I will just use the canon lens with the canon camera.

[Edited on 8-26-2013 by DianaT]

CortezBlue - 8-25-2013 at 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by monoloco
The NEX body is smaller than the D-800, but if you have to pack your Nikon lenses you really aren't going to be saving that much in weight. The NEX-7 is a nice camera, but it seems like for what little weight you are saving you might as well use the D-800 for the better resolution and more features. How many of the lenses for your full frame camera are compatible with the crop sensor on the NEX?

It is an option to use the Nikon Lenses but not something that I would do all the time. However, when I go down to Baja I always carry my D800, GoPro, Hasselblad and now the NEX 7 and two tripods and 1 monopod

I like to buy prime lenses so I have several older nikon lenses that will work just fine, only about 2 that won't

I have bought the 16mm 2.8 and it comes with the 18-55

I can't wait to connect my 70-200 2.8 nikor onto the Sony. I may even take a picture of it.

Skipjack Joe - 8-25-2013 at 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CortezBlue

Quote:

Not many would rate the NEX-7 above the D800 as he does.

One thing I learned is that the lens that comes with the camera, 18-55mm isn't very good. The Zeiss lens that gives those eye popping results is $900. Since the images he shows have been post processed it's hard to tell what the camera setup can do on it's own. I found dpreview.com to be easier to understand.

I suppose that it depends on how you plan to use the camera. For photojournalistic images likes those of people in Asuncion going about their daily lives NEX-7 is a winner. For baja desert landscapes taken with tripod the D800 is a superior camera in my opinion.

One final comment:

A flyfisherman is often asked the question "which fly pattern catches the most fish". And the answer is "the one that's in the water".

The best camera is the one that is being used.

wessongroup - 8-26-2013 at 08:11 AM

Which ever ya use ..... I like the "pictures" ... just saying ... thanks to all

CortezBlue - 8-26-2013 at 08:10 PM

Comments:

Wow, so many comments.

I think like most things in life there are so many sides of any story.

I think that my Nikon D800 will be my "current" favorite and there is no way that I would trade it for any other camera including the NEX 7.

However, I think that cameras for photographers, is like cars for auto enthusiasts.

The next new camera is like a drug, you got to have it!

Bottom line, I am excited about taking the NEX out on my Bombardier into the desert or down the beach. Not having to worry about my Nikon being lost or stolen. This is small enough to haul around yet technically sharp enough to take quality photos.

Promise, once I get it and start playing with it I will post some photos. I will try to do some comparisons between the Sony and the Nikon.

Stay Tuned

DianaT - 8-30-2013 at 10:12 AM

Here is a good answer to some of your questions about the Nex 7

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=68887

I wondered why tripledigetken was not responding on this thread --- he was off using his Nex 7 to photograph the Grand Canyon. :biggrin:

DENNIS - 8-30-2013 at 10:17 AM

Just buy it. We deserve our toys. :biggrin:

Bruce R Leech - 8-30-2013 at 10:53 AM

canon has some good pocket cameras that shoot raw, that is the main thing I look for in a pocket is it must shoot raw

tripledigitken - 8-30-2013 at 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
Here is a good answer to some of your questions about the Nex 7

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=68887

I wondered why tripledigetken was not responding on this thread --- he was off using his Nex 7 to photograph the Grand Canyon. :biggrin:

Diane,

Well I have read the thread and of course I have an opinion.

Is the NEX7 the best camera, NO!

Their just tools for a job. Is the NEX7 better than the D800, well that depends..........

The D800 is just too heavy for my kind of travel/adventure shooting. It's a beast and is considerably bigger than my D7000. I decided I was not going to get another camera bigger than my D7000, or another DSLR of any size.

The quality of the images of the NEX7 falls in the middle of the D7000 and the D800.

I will keep the D7000 for concert and wildlife shooting. The NEX7 has proved to me that it is just fine for landscape photography. For landscape, unless you are going to print larger than 20", you couldn't tell the difference from a D800. You do have to use quality lenses with the NEX7 to get the highest quality images. The Zeiss 24mm 1.8 is my favorite lens with the Sigma 19mm 2.8 a close second.

Also, the NEX7 is not a pocket camera. It is a interchangeable lens mirrorless, that has the same size cropped sensor as the D7000, for instance, but while the D7000 is 16mp and NEX7 is 24mp. The dynamic range is improved over the D7000 as well.

My camera bag with the Sony, with lens coverage from 18mm to 210mm is about 1/3 of the weight and 1/2 the size of the Nikon bag I used to carry.

After using the Sony for the past year, I'm a happy camper!!!

[Edited on 8-30-2013 by tripledigitken]

Skipjack Joe - 8-30-2013 at 12:57 PM

Has anyone liked the canon 6d? It's lighter as well and has a full frame sensor.

Nex 7 is getting 24mp on a 24mm sensor by creating smaller pixels.

All things being equal a full frame sensor has over two times the number of pixels than a 24mm sensor

23x15 = 345
35x23=805

I know that larger sensors mean higher ISO usage but I believe I read somewhere that the image is sharper as well. I believe that one of the limitations of pocket cameras is that they cram a lot of pixels into a small area.

tripledigitken - 8-30-2013 at 01:13 PM

Whatever camera you get, be it mirrorless or DSLR you will take fine photos with it. When and if the DSLR becomes too heavy, then you will look for alternatives like many have.

(I'm not trying to convince anyone to buy the NEX7 over another camera.)

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Has anyone liked the canon 6d? It's lighter as well and has a full frame sensor.

Nex 7 is getting 24mp on a 24mm sensor by creating smaller pixels.

All things being equal a full frame sensor has over two times the number of pixels than a 24mm sensor

23x15 = 345
35x23=805

I know that larger sensors mean higher ISO usage but I believe I read somewhere that the image is sharper as well. I believe that one of the limitations of pocket cameras is that they cram a lot of pixels into a small area.

[Edited on 9-1-2013 by tripledigitken]