Interchange of experiences and feature wishlist

• I would like to be able to adjust the Auto ISO range up to 3200. And I don't mind if the NEX doesn't tell me wich value it has selected since it will always be the lower possible one depending of your aperture & shutter speed setting (including those semi values : 250,320,640,... which you can't select manually).

• I would also like to be able to set a minimum shutter speed for the times I shoot with my non IS telephoto lens in low light conditions. So I could stick in aperture mode all the time, not worrying about a speed slower than my focal lenght.

• I wish the exposure bracketing has the same +/- 5EV range that the auto HDR has. And allowing for 5 shots, not just 3.

• And finally, I want to be able to shut the LCD off.When feeding the liveview to a bigger screen through HDMI in video mode, or when the NEX is on a tripod and triggered with the remote for timelapses, I don't need the LCD to suck the battery juice.

PS: Sorry for my experimental english. :x

boardsy said:

Not unreasonable I guess, it would be a nice button option - but you can do it, as I explained, in DMF without switching modes. But maybe your camera is faulty, as your focus assist is flaky in DMF mode, unlike for everyone else.

Click to expand...

Actually, I got my camera out to play with it a little - I'd had a theory that I remembered to test after reading your post & replying ... I suspect that the shutter release on the NEX behaves a bit differently than on the Alpha, and that I'm actually releasing it (even though my finger is still on it) when DMF doesn't work for me. I'll have to see if that holds true, but DMF was working just fine when I tried it out.

But still, DMF only locks focus so long as you have your finder on the shutter release. I want to be able to AF on something, then lock it & leave it locked. On my A700, I hit the DMF button which toggles AF off. On a camera without the DMF button, I'd have to put the camera into MF mode. That's a small nuisance with the fiddly little dial on the front; a bigger nuisance with menu diving.

• Dennis

--
Gallery at http://kingofthebeasts.smugmug.com

Dennis said:

boardsy said:

You can, after a capture, allow the shutter to the half-way mark to keep the previous focus locked. Or use full Manual Focus which also won't re-focus.

Click to expand...

Yes, which is why I want to be able to switch from MF to AF without menu diving. Quick switch to AF when needed; quick switch to MF to hold focus or play with MF ... it's not an unreasonable request.

Click to expand...

isnt thats what DMF kind of does? I know it doesnt stay at that focus after taking a image but it allows you to MF if you dont like the AF... and automatically do the 7x zoom for u too

I have only but a few requests to make my life happier
I second the rest in:

• Allow user adjustments to key settings in all scene modes - EV, ISO, focus area, metering mode, etc. - I second user zackiedawg here
• less noisy shutter - this camera is wonderful for street photography, but even in the subway I got heard and it's embarassing
• faster focus would help a lot...
• exposure compensation more than the ridiculous 2 - it doesn't take anything to do it, does it?

And I suggest these three:

• option for spot focus in Movie mode . When pressing the shutter while filming, it just focuses wherever it decides and not on what I'm shooting. Even if it's only center focus, it would help
• It would make my life easier if you include a user menu in the list of menus where the user can choose to put anything from all the other menus. It's a very elegant solution to all kinds of menu problems and it would fit everybody!
• last but most important - please make ALL directions of the dial customizable . I understand that you don't want to put a lot of buttons to keep the minimalistic design. So, don't. Just give me the four directions! Why on earth would I need a Flash shortcut (to the right) when the Flash is only optional and I don't use it more than once in 1000 shots?!?!?! And honestly I don't change the display option as much as many other options.

Also, I have some suggestions for the PMB software . When choosing what to import, the software shows dates but I can't collapse or expand them . I'd like to be able to, because there may be many pictures from one single day which I don't want to import and I have to scroll like crazy. Also, the software thinks SO slowly to let me choose that it drains heavily from the battery. I think it would be better to be able to choose first from a list of directories (i.e. dates) and then which photos.

Also I'd love an option for checkmarking photos for selection, not having to use ctrl+click (and ruin everything at some point of selecting).

Regards,
Manna

odobo said:

isnt thats what DMF kind of does? I know it doesnt stay at that focus after taking a image but it allows you to MF if you dont like the AF... and automatically do the 7x zoom for u too

Click to expand...

It doesn't keep focus locked if you remove your finger from the shutter release. I'm more interested in that (AF then lock) than in altering focus manually.

• Dennis

--
Gallery at http://kingofthebeasts.smugmug.com

By the time ACR can open JPEG files. however the HDR feature would be nice to give out ARW or 32bit HDR files.

Just saw a nice teaser on Vince Laforets site about the RED XHDR files. Also here the problems come from moving subjects. RED and other companies that are not named try to eliminate halos of moving subjects by software.

Dear SONY please find ways to give us dynamic range as our eyes can see it in oneshot mode.

At least the NEX-7 should switch automatically to JPEG mode when enabeling the HDR feature.
Thanks a lot
Greets
Michael

I'd be happy for the camera to be a little bigger if necessary to fit the following in.

I'd swap to mft if they could do this.

Two control dials (programmable) and at least two other programmable manual controls

Don't care about sensor size, mft or APS-C both fine, but I want DR and low light performance at least as good as current Nex. On Nex I think current performance more a factor of the sensor design than the size.
Better af speed and absolutely minimal shutter lag
IBIS for legacy lenses.
Focus peaking
built in hdr mode

No interest in video But: something like the Sony twilight and anti blur modes and good bracketing modes Including multi focus if possible
Panorama mode as good or better than the Nex

Articulated lcd screen (tilting just acceptable). Must be at least as good as current Nex
A folding metal pop up shade and viewer as per the old tlr cameras.

If I have the above 2 items I dont want an evf, but accept that others still might, so let's make any evf detachable.

If the low light performance is as good as the current Nex, I don't particularly want a built in or detachable flash, but again, accept that others might want this.

No interest at all in cluttering up camera controls with built in "art" modes, but quite happy to have these available in the software for PP
quiet shutter (Nex much too loud).
Mag alloy body, preferably weather sealed.
inbuilt ND filter

What have I got wrong or missed? I've left lenses out at this stage. I'm not overly unhappy with what is already available.
--
Mike Fewster
Adelaide Australia

Surely Sony produces the best APS-C sensors on the market, and the NEXes are fine cameras. however DR is still poor (which is a general problem for all digital cameras). And features like AUTO HDR are just interim solutions. This is the most serious drawback for me to invest real money into an existing system. This won't change until we get something real.
Greets
Michael

The HOT part of hotshoe is the electrical contacts.

The COLD shoe you describe would have no way of firing a flash without the use of a PC cord.

--

The greatest of mankind's criminals are those who delude themselves into thinking they have done 'the right thing.'

• Rayna Butler

Mike Fewster said:

Don't care about sensor size, mft or APS-C both fine, but I want DR and low light performance at least as good as current Nex. On Nex I think current performance more a factor of the sensor design than the size.

Click to expand...

Larger sensor better performance, including lower noise and better dynamic range. Going to a 4/3 sensor would be a huge step back, plus Sony will never go 4/3.

Mike Fewster said:

IBIS for legacy lenses.

Click to expand...

That would most likely require a somewhat larger body.

Mike Fewster said:

No interest in video But: something like the Sony twilight and anti blur modes and good bracketing modes Including multi focus if possible

Click to expand...

Video (full HD 1080P) is a must for me in this type of camera. No video, no sale.

I would also like to have full control over exposure - shutter, aperture and ISO. And include a high bit rate full HD option, say 25 Mbps or higher.

Mike Fewster said:

A folding metal pop up shade and viewer as per the old tlr cameras.

Click to expand...

An included accessory... ok. But not something permanently attached.

Mike Fewster said:

If I have the above 2 items I dont want an evf, but accept that others still might, so let's make any evf detachable.

Click to expand...

A builtin EVF is a must for me. Not builtin = no sale.

Mike Fewster said:

No interest at all in cluttering up camera controls with built in "art" modes, but quite happy to have these available in the software for PP

Click to expand...

Agree, keep all this stuff for the PP software.

Mike Fewster said:

quiet shutter (Nex much too loud).

Click to expand...

Agree. It is surprising how loud these shutters are.

Mike Fewster said:

inbuilt ND filter

Click to expand...

Probably not practical, given the size of the sensor.

Mike Fewster said:

What have I got wrong or missed? I've left lenses out at this stage. I'm not overly unhappy with what is already available.

Click to expand...

More quality fast pancake primes.

--

The greatest of mankind's criminals are those who delude themselves into thinking they have done 'the right thing.'

• Rayna Butler

Is it me or what you guys want/request already exist (a55/t3i etc) or coming soon (rumored a77)?

Build in EVF check
Fast AF check
1080p check
IBIS check
Slightly larger body for all that check

Nope,

no SLR body. NEX is fine. No mirror, smaller body. May live with slightly slower AF. But more innovative userinterface and more DR. NEX-7 as Minolta A2 is fine for me. Modular would be great. FX even better.

If higher DR isn't possible now, I'd like to see a userinterface that involves a HDR mode on the SPAM wheel. Where you can adjust HDR settings with live view control and RAW output. HDRx video would be nice in 2k.

I originally posted this over on mft where the ideal camera was being discussed. I'd swap to mft if it included the following. However I see the developments as more likely to come from the Nex Pro

GodSpeaks said:

Mike Fewster said:

Don't care about sensor size, mft or APS-C both fine, but I want DR and low light performance at least as good as current Nex. On Nex I think current performance more a factor of the sensor design than the size.

Click to expand...

Larger sensor better performance, including lower noise and better dynamic range. Going to a 4/3 sensor would be a huge step back, plus Sony will never go 4/3.

Click to expand...

The sensor in the Nex is only a little larger than the mft (you need to compare side length, not area. Most of the better performance comes from better sensor technology, not the extra size. I agree that Sony wont go mft now, but mft can raise their sensor performance

GodSpeaks said:

GodSpeaks said:

IBIS for legacy lenses.

Click to expand...

That would most likely require a somewhat larger body.

Click to expand...

I'd accept that. It also means smaller lenses. On balance, about the same and overall, cheaper.

GodSpeaks said:

GodSpeaks said:

No interest in video But: something like the Sony twilight and anti blur modes and good bracketing modes Including multi focus if possible

Click to expand...

Video (full HD 1080P) is a must for me in this type of camera. No video, no sale.

I would also like to have full control over exposure - shutter, aperture and ISO. And include a high bit rate full HD option, say 25 Mbps or higher.

Click to expand...

agreed. I want direct control of those (still) functions, which is why I'd like dual control wheels, even if this increased camera size a little.

GodSpeaks said:

GodSpeaks said:

A folding metal pop up shade and viewer as per the old tlr cameras.

Click to expand...

An included accessory... ok. But not something permanently attached.

GodSpeaks said:

If I have the above 2 items I dont want an evf, but accept that others still might, so let's make any evf detachable.

Click to expand...

A builtin EVF is a must for me. Not builtin = no sale.

GodSpeaks said:

No interest at all in cluttering up camera controls with built in "art" modes, but quite happy to have these available in the software for PP

Click to expand...

Agree, keep all this stuff for the PP software.

GodSpeaks said:

quiet shutter (Nex much too loud).

Click to expand...

Agree. It is surprising how loud these shutters are.

GodSpeaks said:

inbuilt ND filter

Click to expand...

Probably not practical, given the size of the sensor.

Click to expand...

But as many of us need to carry a ND fileter anyway, I'd go for having it built in just for the convenience plus the extra versatility this gives with a camera that starts at 200iso

GodSpeaks said:

GodSpeaks said:

What have I got wrong or missed? I've left lenses out at this stage. I'm not overly unhappy with what is already available.

Click to expand...

More quality fast pancake primes.
Others have mentioned, and I forgot, iso in the viewer.
--

The greatest of mankind's criminals are those who delude themselves into thinking they have done 'the right thing.'

• Rayna Butler

Click to expand...

--
Mike Fewster
Adelaide Australia

I originally posted this over on mft and I was including what I liked on the Nex and what I still wanted.

I can't agree that auto hdr is just an interim function. At best, wider hdr is likely to be achieved with something like the Apical system that Sony already uses with its dial in variable dr range. The auto system seems very good and bracketing exposures must alsways give a wider dr than a single exposure can achieve.

Michael Kaminski said:

Surely Sony produces the best APS-C sensors on the market, and the NEXes are fine cameras. however DR is still poor (which is a general problem for all digital cameras). And features like AUTO HDR are just interim solutions. This is the most serious drawback for me to invest real money into an existing system. This won't change until we get something real.

Click to expand...

Not quite sure what you are getting at here. Sony's auto hdr is the best I have seen. They have the Apical DRO+system as well. After that there is multi shot bracketing with manual control of the stacking in something like photomatix.

Michael Kaminski said:

Greets
Michael

Click to expand...

--
Mike Fewster
Adelaide Australia