If you didn't wait for NEX7 what did you get?

With no confirmed date for NEX7 I am unsure what to go for?

I had the A77 but with lens attached it's just too heavy.

So the 5n looks like the best compact available?

What did you go for instead of NEX7?

Ian

ianbrown said:

With no confirmed date for NEX7 I am unsure what to go for?

I had the A77 but with lens attached it's just too heavy.

So the 5n looks like the best compact available?

What did you go for instead of NEX7?

Ian

Click to expand...

This is a big debate

Go for the Nex-5N, it will become a handy second camera, and don't be shy to pick up a 3/5/C3 for the same reason, they can be had at discounts. They will share all the lenses. And you may prefer the size, especially for casual shooting.

But if you want a dSLR capable camera, you'll need PDAF. You'll need the LAEA2 adapter or pick up a full-fledged dSLR . In A-series, look at the A-55. Again, you can share the A-mount lenses and have autofocus with the adapter.

The Nex-7 is still expected to ship in December, but I am delaying my order, as I will be traveling the later part of the month. (Still have two lenses on order though.)

Otherwise, look at discounts among dSLR's - I see some heavy discounts already being advertised.

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I bought a A77. My opinion is quite the opposite of yours. I was expecting it to be haevier and bigger. Will probably keep it until I can buy a NEX-7.

Purchased the 5n without the evf and that caused me to sell if off fairly quickly. X10 was next. OVF did not live up to the hype and of course the picture quality was not that of 5n.Sold that.

Back looking at Nex but evf continues to be unavailable here in US. Also considering a65 until 7 arrives. The a65 is a better value than 5n with evf...in my opinion.

ianbrown said:

With no confirmed date for NEX7 I am unsure what to go for?

I had the A77 but with lens attached it's just too heavy.

So the 5n looks like the best compact available?

What did you go for instead of NEX7?

Ian

Click to expand...

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HDaRt

I bought the 5N + EVF 1 month ago but am currently selling it. I found it too small and a bit too insubstantial (I'm coming from owning an A900). Have now got a Panasonic GH2 which suits my handling style as it's essentially a mini A900!

For my GH2 I've bought a 14-42X and a Panasonic 7-14. I'm VERY happy with the results.

I have a NEX7 on pre-order but I'll probably cancel it.

I had been thinking of the 7 but I only use M lenses so I went with the GXR with the M module. It's native to the M lenses and the pictures I have seen that have been taken with the GXR just had a different feel to them. Hard to really put my finger on the difference, I came from a Nex 3 that was fine except for the 28 and 21 mm lenses. Plus I like having the EVF, I have kept my Nex 3 so I will see how they compare in the long run.

wbill

I'm now considering the Nikon V1 even though I'm in no rush.
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Peter
Ontario, Canada

Sarnia said:

I bought the 5N + EVF 1 month ago but am currently selling it. I found it too small and a bit too insubstantial (I'm coming from owning an A900). Have now got a Panasonic GH2 which suits my handling style as it's essentially a mini A900!

For my GH2 I've bought a 14-42X and a Panasonic 7-14. I'm VERY happy with the results.

I have a NEX7 on pre-order but I'll probably cancel it.

Click to expand...

Wow! Surprised that you sold that 5N+EVF combo and went with the GH2 and prefer it. I have both cameras and I prefer the 5N +EVF for stills and the GH2 for video. I think the files out of the 5N are terrific! The shutter action is better too, in my opinion. Though I do think the UI is better on the GH2, and that 7-14 zoom is SWEET!

To the original poster, I think you can't go wrong with the 5N or GH2 or as another poster noted, the A65. That might be a really nice option, cost-wise and feature-wise.

The only thing I'd warn you on, is once you start using a smaller camera like a 5N or GH2, you have a harder time justifying taking out the larger DSLR. As for most situations, the IQ is really 'right there' compared to the DSLR.

But it does appear that buyers are starting to lose some excitement for NEX 7 due to the delay. Also some recent reviews have not been glowing, overflowing endorsements. I still think it's a winner and if it were made available at the same time as the NEX 5N, I would have DEFINITELY gone that way. Now I'm wavering whether to keep it on order. The thrill of getting one is fading and the 5N is really good.

HDaRt said:

Purchased the 5n without the evf and that caused me to sell if off fairly quickly. X10 was next. OVF did not live up to the hype and of course the picture quality was not that of 5n.Sold that.

Back looking at Nex but evf continues to be unavailable here in US. Also considering a65 until 7 arrives. The a65 is a better value than 5n with evf...in my opinion.

ianbrown said:

With no confirmed date for NEX7 I am unsure what to go for?

I had the A77 but with lens attached it's just too heavy.

So the 5n looks like the best compact available?

What did you go for instead of NEX7?

Ian

Click to expand...

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HDaRt

Click to expand...

Order from Taiwan thats what we did off Ebay...I am with you, my wife says the LCD is OK for her, I can't shoot with an LCD...the EVF is much better...being old and blind and shaky doesn't help....lol...
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Just to politely disagree, to my knowledge, Sony has not released any official announcement regarding availability.

So I don't think we can really expect December availability, unless it really comes from the mouths of Sony.

blue_skies said:

The Nex-7 is still expected to ship in December, but I am delaying my order, as I will be traveling the later part of the month. (Still have two lenses on order though.)

Click to expand...

I canceled my NEX 7 order (made with Amazon Oct 3) since I figured I had no chance of getting one before Feb or March. Got the 5N plus EVF (the v/f from Hong Kong). I currently plan to use only manual lenses, CV 15, CV 28, CV 50 plus a Tamron Adaptall 90 macro.

I never use bracketing. For critical (tripod, landscape) work I use a Pocketspot meter. I have never shot video (though I might; my daughter teaches video). I pretty much always shoot RAW; I might be tempted to use these special effects like hand held twilight and sweep panorama though based on some examples shown here (thanks Rich).

The touch screen on the 5N I do find useful, more than I thought.

Initial tests of the 5N and 7 showed the 5N has equal if not better edge performance. I use Cornerfix, made profiles for the CV 15 Heliar and the CV 28 Ultron (f2) but in fact mostly those profiles are not needed (especially the 28, as expected).

I've concluded for my rather specific purposes the 7 offers no added benefit compared to the 5N.

In future, I do plan to purchase the announced "G" midrange zoom. At that time, I will review AF performance of whatever cameras are current in the line (or; whatever firmware updates have been implemented to the 5N and/or 7).

So my path forward could be the 5N replacement and not the 7 or it's replacement. For now I'm keeping my D700 though, for the tracking AF with my 300/f4

I picked up a 5N for now, but still have a pre-order in place on the 7. I got the 5N with several of the E-mount lens which at least provided a discount on the lenses which I will also be able to use on the 7. I will keep both to have 2 bodies when needed and also they may prove useful in different situations. The 24M of the 7 when I will want to crop or blow up really large (I have done some 30x40 prints) and the 5N for it low light capabilities. Just started playing with the 5N and I am really impressed with it so far. In particular, between manual assist and focus peaking, it is very easy to work with manual lenses and have been having fun with and old Konica AR 50mm 1.2 lens that my dad had. I expect it to be even better with the 7 and the built in EVF. I haven't had a chance to really examine the images yet, but at first glance they look better then my Canon 40D and definitely better at low light and high ISO.

I got the NX-5N; the lenses are all usable with the 7. I might keep the 5N when the 7 finally arrives.

Rich

I now have two 5Ns. First one the wife took as her own. She put it on iAuto & away she went. Amazed is all I can say about ther reactions. & She has been a P&S type from the start (Sony then Panasonic) & would not learn my DSLRs!

So B & H got a quick order for the second for me. Both were with both kit lenses & I ordered the EVF & WA adapter. All are fun stuff but seriously amazing IQ. (esp. High ISO - low light)

I now have the street, event (that bans DSLRs) & Low Light monster (5N) plus the A55 for everything else. Life's good - until I decide that I want one of the new A8x or A 9x FF guys next year!

Still Headless Rick

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My ageing Ricoh GX100 needs replacing, I am struggling pros cons X10 Fufi vs the Sony NEX. Any deciders ...
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Paul Bentley

After looking very hard at both the 5N and Ricoh GXR I bought a NEX-5N and the EVF.

While I like the images I can make with this camera, it isn't a long term keeper for me. I can't use as a primary camera one that I can't mount a proper flash or off camera flash cable or wireless trigger on. It also is a bit too small, and lacks the additional control features of the 7 that are important to me.

IQ / support for my rangefinder lenses is great however.

I cancelled my NEX-7 order with Sony and purchased the NEX-5N along with the 55-210mm lens. I've also got the 50mm f1.8 on order and Fotodiox adapter for Nikon lenses on the way. I'm really liking the 5N the more I use it. I think I'll wait to see how it all shakes out or wait for the next iteration of the NEX-7.

Even before the delays the wait was too long for me. The 5n presented a good opportunity to appraise the quality of the nex system while waiting for the nex-7. I'm making do without the evf for now but I reckon I'll either have to get one or trade in towards a nex-7 a few months after they become widely available. In the meanwhile I'll focus my funds towards a 55-210mm, the 24mm Zeiss and perhaps the 50mm f/1.8.