EVF usage - pictures tend to be tilted/slanted.

Hi, I have the EVF for the NEX-5N and used it during the Christmas holidays. On checking my holidays pictures (all taken using the EVF), I realized that many of the pictures are slanted because I am not holding the camera horizontal. I don't have this "problem" before when I was using my GF1 and using the GF1 LCD (I am not trying to compare NEX-5N with GF1 - just want to give a reference to the problem).

I always shoot with the 1/3-rule guidelines turn on. I did some "investigation" and realized that for the GF1, the 1/3-rule guidelines are white lines and I am using the LCD screen and these allow me to see clear if my camera is not held horizontal.

On the NEX-5N, I have two issues:

1) the EVF looks great but the view seem "smaller" and any slide tilt can't be easily seen and

2) the NEX-5N 1/3-rule guidelines are actually black in color and usually get "lost" in the image in the EVF.

Can anyone tell me if we can change the NEX-5N 1/3-rule guidelines color to white? I search the camera but did find the setting.

Anyone else experienced the same problem and have any suggestion how to "make sure" the camera is held horizontally so that the pictures do not get slanted?

I realized it is a problem of me holding the camera but I really need some help here. Many thanks in advance.

cympoints said:

Hi, I have the EVF for the NEX-5N and used it during the Christmas holidays. On checking my holidays pictures (all taken using the EVF), I realized that many of the pictures are slanted because I am not holding the camera horizontal. I don't have this "problem" before when I was using my GF1 and using the GF1 LCD (I am not trying to compare NEX-5N with GF1 - just want to give a reference to the problem).

I always shoot with the 1/3-rule guidelines turn on. I did some "investigation" and realized that for the GF1, the 1/3-rule guidelines are white lines and I am using the LCD screen and these allow me to see clear if my camera is not held horizontal.

On the NEX-5N, I have two issues:

1) the EVF looks great but the view seem "smaller" and any slide tilt can't be easily seen and

2) the NEX-5N 1/3-rule guidelines are actually black in color and usually get "lost" in the image in the EVF.

Can anyone tell me if we can change the NEX-5N 1/3-rule guidelines color to white? I search the camera but did find the setting.

Anyone else experienced the same problem and have any suggestion how to "make sure" the camera is held horizontally so that the pictures do not get slanted?

I realized it is a problem of me holding the camera but I really need some help here. Many thanks in advance.

Click to expand...

Noticed the same. The quickest solution is to frame wider and use a PP Horizon corretion tool to remedy this.

Another trick that works, even without grid lines, is to line up the image in the viewfinder with a line at the horizon, and use both hands. Rotate left/right with your entire body, and up/down with both arms. It seems to keep the horizon better leveled.

Nex gridlines only are in black.

I would have liked to see the leveling tool of the 7 also in the 5N.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1042&message=40161211
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Cheers,
Henry

Another way to keep your photo level is to use the "square grid" which has a central vertical line. Align the central vertical grid line with a straight vertical edge in the photo - like a corner of a window or building - and the horizon will also be level. This only works with the central line as your photo may contain converging verticals (vertical perspective).

I use this technique as the beginning of the vertical grid lines can usually be seen against the sky and it works when the horizon isn't visible in the photo. Of course there has to be some sort of a man made structure in the scene. If there isn't, you still have horizontal lines available as well.
--
Björn

http://www.bmupix.com

I share your pain on the black only gridlines. Can't understand why Sony can't do an XOR of the grid color with the underlying pixels to get a guaranteed contrast. (Or at least allow white grid lines, which I think would be far more visible in most images.

tesilab said:

I share your pain on the black only gridlines. Can't understand why Sony can't do an XOR of the grid color with the underlying pixels to get a guaranteed contrast. (Or at least allow white grid lines, which I think would be far more visible in most images.

Click to expand...

The NEX is the only camera I can tolerate leaving the grid turned on, because it is unobtrusive - just like the fine (black) lines on the focus screens of cameras with optical reflex finders. White lines get in the way, I can't stand them.

It just reaffirms the truism that you can't please all the people all the time, but Sony's implementation of gridlines certainly pleases me ;-)

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John Bean [GMT]

If they let you choose peaking color they could at least let you select black or white grid lines.

samson33 said:

If they let you choose peaking color they could at least let you select black or white grid lines.

Click to expand...

A choice of black, white or XOR would be ideal.

samson33 said:

If they let you choose peaking color they could at least let you select black or white grid lines.

Click to expand...

Choice is always good, but given the current lack of choice I'm just glad that it's the one I would have chosen anyway.

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John Bean [GMT]

In most scenes, there will be a horizontal line - eg horizon / roof etc that you can make parallel with the top of the screen.

Thanks everyone. I didn't realized the "square grid" option - indeed, this provides more lines for reference and alignment and I will use this option. However, the real solution looks like the main thing to do is to work on my camera holding techniques Thanks again.

i had that problem with my dslr [d-300] so i put a spirit level on the hotshoe and saw i was tilting left side down about an inch. after a month i was corrected with my stance. maybe you could attach a sm bubble level temporary on top of your 5n till your stance is better?

cympoints said:

Hi, I have the EVF for the NEX-5N and used it during the Christmas holidays. On checking my holidays pictures (all taken using the EVF), I realized that many of the pictures are slanted because I am not holding the camera horizontal. I don't have this "problem" before when I was using my GF1 and using the GF1 LCD.

Click to expand...

I blame the concept of the viewfinder. Yes, indeed, there are plenty of folks who absolutely MUST have a viewfinder, won't buy a camera without one, but several years ago, one thing became ABUNDANTLY clear to me:

I can't shoot straight with a viewfinder.

Every shot crooked, every time.

But, when I use a good LCD screen with gridlines (like the NEX cameras have), I easily shoot straight, shot after shot.

Let me tell you, my photographic life absolutely SOARED when I finally managed to realize that I could shoot much better and easier via an LCD screen, with the camera held out in front of my face, well within my field of vision. And then Sony came out with the NEX-5 (and later 5N), which was EXACTLY what I needed -- DSLR quality without the bulk, weight and crooked results of a viewfinder.

So, I suggest "ditching the viewfinder," and trying to see how well you can manage with the LCD screen. I also recommend using the "Square Grid" gridlines -- I like the extra lines it gives me, and I can still comprehend a good "thirds" composition with them.

I also recommend putting the screen brightness into "manual" mode, then turning the brightness up to its highest point. I haven't found a situation yet where I couldn't see the screen well enough to compose a shot with that setting, and it really hasn't been "too bright" for me, either. And, if you ever really need to blast through strong sunlight, just turn it to the retina-searing "Sunny Weather" setting, and see if that won't work for you.

Between its tilting ability (which you can also use to try to banish reflections), its resolution, and its available brightness, I think the NEX LCD screen is more capable to work in strong sunlight as any other LCD on the market. I'm completely happy with it, and I can definitely shoot straight with it!

Tom Hoots
http://thoots.zenfolio.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomhoots/
http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/4330317199/albums