What are your best NEX tips?

I'm new to the NEX arena. I sold my Nikon D90 + lenses, and bought an NEX6 with the 16-50mm kit lens. So, a lot is new to me, and a lot is different. I much prefer the size and weight of the Sony, but I am still getting used to the settings, the EVF, shooting on an LCD screen, and so forth.

Consequently, I was hoping to pull on the experience of the group to get up and running a bit quicker. What tips would you give to someone who is new to the NEX system? What consistently gets you the best results? What do you see as the main strengths and weaknesses of the camera?

So far, I do like it. I'm not sure I like the power zoom yet. The lag you get when twisting the barrel is something I am not used to, and makes me wonder about getting a manual zoom, but maybe I should just experiment more with the rocker switch.

Any thoughts, tips, or suggestions appreciated.

jwylie23 said:

I'm new to the NEX arena. I sold my Nikon D90 + lenses, and bought an NEX6 with the 16-50mm kit lens. So, a lot is new to me, and a lot is different. I much prefer the size and weight of the Sony, but I am still getting used to the settings, the EVF, shooting on an LCD screen, and so forth.

Consequently, I was hoping to pull on the experience of the group to get up and running a bit quicker. What tips would you give to someone who is new to the NEX system? What consistently gets you the best results? What do you see as the main strengths and weaknesses of the camera?

So far, I do like it. I'm not sure I like the power zoom yet. The lag you get when twisting the barrel is something I am not used to, and makes me wonder about getting a manual zoom, but maybe I should just experiment more with the rocker switch.

Any thoughts, tips, or suggestions appreciated.

Click to expand...

I'd highly recommend the book

http://friedmanarchives.com/NEX-5-6/

It gives you about all you'll need to REALLY understand your NEX-6 and it's a joy to read.

Andreas

Edit: Any question you might have in addition will be answered quickly and qualified by the friendly posters on this forum :-D

Stop thinking shooting DSLR.

Start thinking small, one handed shooting, low down with the tilting screen, overhead with the tilting screen, panning while spinning on your heel, macro at the end of your arm, one handed...

....its just fun using such a compact package that has a choice of composing thru the EVF or the rear screen.

Use this lightness to shoot in ways you never could with a big heavy DSLR.

jwylie23 said:

I'm new to the NEX arena. I sold my Nikon D90 + lenses, and bought an NEX6 with the 16-50mm kit lens. So, a lot is new to me, and a lot is different. I much prefer the size and weight of the Sony, but I am still getting used to the settings, the EVF, shooting on an LCD screen, and so forth.

Consequently, I was hoping to pull on the experience of the group to get up and running a bit quicker. What tips would you give to someone who is new to the NEX system? What consistently gets you the best results? What do you see as the main strengths and weaknesses of the camera?

So far, I do like it. I'm not sure I like the power zoom yet. The lag you get when twisting the barrel is something I am not used to, and makes me wonder about getting a manual zoom, but maybe I should just experiment more with the rocker switch.

Any thoughts, tips, or suggestions appreciated.

Click to expand...

I would get at least one fast prime like the Sony 35 or 50, learn the features that you didn't have on your D90 like focus peaking, sweep panorama, and download the timelapse app .

Buy Sigma 30, always shoot RAW, be aware of "multi metering" since it tends to underexpose or expose for the highlights.

--
Tommie

Sonyshine said:

Stop thinking shooting DSLR.

Start thinking small, one handed shooting, low down with the tilting screen, overhead with the tilting screen, panning while spinning on your heel, macro at the end of your arm, one handed...

....its just fun using such a compact package that has a choice of composing thru the EVF or the rear screen.

Use this lightness to shoot in ways you never could with a big heavy DSLR.

Click to expand...

I like that! Sounds like fun!!

Thanks for all the great tips so far. I look forward to sharing more in this forum.

On my 5n, do not know if it works with the 6 too, disable assist light (AF Illuminator). Focusing is much faster ex post.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/40270462

Ciao!

--
Viva la evolución!

Try using Sports Mode for ultra-fast AF in good light conditions.

Try using Superior Auto mode for the easiest best results in very low light conditions.

my best tip is as follows - - - TURN OFF THE AF ASSIST LIGHT

I don't know why, but the AF assist light actually seems to hurt the cameras ability to focus in low light. With the light turned on you will often times get a huge dashed focus area box and there is no way to tell where the camera has focused - - turn the light off and you get the normal focus area box and the camera locks focuses much better.

that is my best NEX tip

Ok. Turned off the AF illuminator. I definitely would not have thought of doing that. The big green box was kind of annoying, and I don't really notice any difference in focussing speeds without it, so I will leave it off for a while and see how it goes. Thanks.

TommieH said:

Buy Sigma 30, always shoot RAW, be aware of "multi metering" since it tends to underexpose or expose for the highlights.

Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with Multi Metering. Sony has this metering correctly. It does reduce highlights. Put DRO on Auto together with Multi Metering and you're good.

jwylie23 said:

I'm new to the NEX arena. I sold my Nikon D90 + lenses, and bought an NEX6 with the 16-50mm kit lens. So, a lot is new to me, and a lot is different. I much prefer the size and weight of the Sony, but I am still getting used to the settings, the EVF, shooting on an LCD screen, and so forth.

Consequently, I was hoping to pull on the experience of the group to get up and running a bit quicker. What tips would you give to someone who is new to the NEX system? What consistently gets you the best results? What do you see as the main strengths and weaknesses of the camera?

So far, I do like it. I'm not sure I like the power zoom yet. The lag you get when twisting the barrel is something I am not used to, and makes me wonder about getting a manual zoom, but maybe I should just experiment more with the rocker switch.

Any thoughts, tips, or suggestions appreciated.

Click to expand...

I have a D90 and Nex5. I'm just learning the D90. I don't know how much you used the D90 so ignore the things you already have figured out.

Consistently best results will require more than a single lens. Sony 55-210 is good second lens and not super expensive but adds a lot of options.

Main strength for the Nex is small size and the ability to use the camera with the tilt screen in a discreet way. I get many shots looking at the tilting screen that I wouldn't get staring through a viewfinder at someone. Down side is people don't respect it like a 20 pound brick with a massive lens sticking out so if you are trying to look professional the Nex6 won't do it. The small size also means you will take the Nex places you wouldn't take the Nikon.

If you feel the urge to play with old manual glass the Nex is a lot of fun. If you are going this route a $20 adapter, a $50 lens (Konica 57mm is one of my favorites) and spend some time playing around. You'll get some nice shots.

Pack a microfibre cloth to clean lenses and screens.

Have fun.

Grant.

Thanks Grant. Good advice. I had the Nikon 55-200 VR for a long time, so I agree that the 55-210 will be a useful purchase when the time comes for new glass. It is. Already on the short list

I'm not worried about looking professional, it's just for my own fun and enjoyment, but if I can get the same quality (or better) than I did with the D90 then I will be happy.

I have seen a lot of what Trey Ratcliff does with his NEX7. I know a lot of that is in the post processing, but it still shows some of the potential of these cameras and I am looking forward to spending more time with it to see what it can do.

jwylie23 said:

I'm new to the NEX arena. I sold my Nikon D90 + lenses, and bought an NEX6 with the 16-50mm kit lens. So, a lot is new to me, and a lot is different. I much prefer the size and weight of the Sony, but I am still getting used to the settings, the EVF, shooting on an LCD screen, and so forth.

Consequently, I was hoping to pull on the experience of the group to get up and running a bit quicker. What tips would you give to someone who is new to the NEX system? What consistently gets you the best results? What do you see as the main strengths and weaknesses of the camera?

So far, I do like it. I'm not sure I like the power zoom yet. The lag you get when twisting the barrel is something I am not used to, and makes me wonder about getting a manual zoom, but maybe I should just experiment more with the rocker switch.

Any thoughts, tips, or suggestions appreciated.

Click to expand...

Investigate 'Hand-Held Twighlight' mode and the 'HDR' function: these are both JPG-only modes but they both work very well for their intended purposes. Hand-Held Twighlight will take 5 high-ISO pictures in rapid succession in low-light situations and then overlay them to create a single, lower-noise image. HDR takes three bracketed photos in rapid succession and again overlays them to create a subtle HDR image which removes blown highlights and offers more shadow detail

Panorama shots: set the direction to 'up' and then hold the camera in 'portrait mode' whilst panning horizontally (press shutter with your thumb) - if you are careful this will allow you to get rather effective 'ultra-wide' shots using the 16mm end of your zoom. Be careful of moving objects within the picture so this is no good for street scenes, but works (very!) well for lanscapes. Remember to set focus and exposure in the middle of your scene by half-pressing and then holding the shutter before your start

The 'Level Display' is very useful: this shows an 'artifical horizon' display in the VF or on the LCD and is particularly relevant when shooting with the LCD and holding the camera away from your body as it helps you to ensure your images are straight. I also find it useful in portrait mode as I often mess-up when I hold the camera in this orientation

'Rule of thirds' gridlines can be set in the display (like in many Nikons)

'Hold camera at waist height with LCD angled upwards' for the most stable shooting position. Moveable LCD allows lots of low and high angle shots without discomfort - take advantage of this great benefit

Set DMF to 'on' in the AF/MF Select options and set MF Assist 'on' and MF Assist Time to 'No Limit' (my personal preference on the last one). This way the screen will automatically magnify when you attempt to turn the focus dial and you will be able to get the focus very precise

Some of the Picture Effects are quite nice: particularly 'Toy Camera' (heavy vignette) and 'Posterize' (wild, block primary colours which get interesting when you under/over expose and deliberately defocus - great with manual lenses). The 'live view' provided by the EVF and LCD of the NEX bodies means that you can see a real preview of how the different 'picture effects' and 'creative styles' (b/w, Vivid etc colours) will impact the image you are taking so play with these when you take the photo rather than 'guessing' and then 'waiting to do it in Post-Processing!' Don't let snobbery from ignorant quarters prevent you from enjoying these useful creative tools!

Do not be afraid of 'M' mode: the live histogram makes this much nicer to use than in a DSLR. You can enable the live histogram in the display

The NEX-6 has a 'Quick Navi' screen: this needs to be enabled in the display options but then will give you an overview of all the current settings on the LCD (whilst the EVF displays the image) and allows you to adjust any of the camera parameters much quicker than going into the menus or using the custom buttons

For Autofocus Area chose 'Centre' or (better) 'Flexible Spot': the camera is not very good at chosing the best area to automatically focus on in my opinion, but others do not agree on this

This was fantastic. Quite a few things that I have yet to learn about my lovely Nex 6. Still loving my 16-50 kit lens. Thanks a lot parallaxproblem.

Thanks parralaxproblem. Very helpful. I was wondering how to do portrait panorama sweeps, so now I know! Should have thought of that.

Did not know about DMF, but I just tried it and already think I will use that a lot. Very handy. Thanks again.