My "custom" EVF, NEX-5 vs. NEX-5N

[kanzlr]

then I wonder why Sony sells one...

but yes, this case looks nice indeed!

--
http://photos.berny.at

 

[headofdestiny]

This is OT, but what case is this?

Also slightly OT, but don't operate a NEX in a half-case like this!

I'm sure you know that most digital cameras generate a lot of heat -- e.g., a NEX in video capture with an EyeFi card in it gets very warm. Unless it is very cold out and you want to keep the battery warm, you want that heat to dissipate as fast as possible. Most semiconductor components degrade much more quickly when operated at higher temperatures, so you could be dramatically increasing the probability of developing permanent sensor pixel defects, etc. -- not just getting shorter video record times.

In fact, the LCD itself traps enough heat so that pulling it out a bit from the camera back noticeably improves video time-to-overheat on both my NEX-5 and A55.

These half-cases barely cover any of the camera body, except for the front-side grip area. They are mostly just a tray that the camera sits on and attaches to via a tripod screw. I've been using cases like this for over a year without issue, and I'm not too worried about it. Even Sony themselves sell cases like this.

 

[headofdestiny]

Hi Douglas, interesting, so you finally decided for the ZM 35/2 and against the ZM 35/2.8. Is it the additional stop or are there other reasons for preferring the 35/2? How does the ZM 50/1.5 perform on the NEX? Did you test the ZM 50/2 by any chance? Thanks, JH

Yeah, I went with the 35/2 mostly so I could start narrowing down lenses and use just one 35. It also seems sharper than the 35/2.8 at the edges on nex, and it has a lot less vignetting.

I haven't used the 50/2, but it is no doubt sharper at many apertures. I went Sonnar for the speed and look, since I'll primarily be using it for portraits. At around f2.8-f4, the Sonnar does sharpen up nicely, but it isn't technically super sharp wide open. The CV 50/1.5 is a better choice for wide open sharpness, although it does seem the Sonnar is sharper at the edges stopped down.

 

[tammons]

No you can not flip when mounted.
It mounts in the tripod hole.

Also with the one I got I could not see snot through it.

I had an old RB67 viewfinder with the right dioptor and managed to get that lens element in there after mucho fitting etc.

I like it. Used it for birding the other day.

--
http://www.troyammons.com
http://www.pbase.com/tammons

 

[JH2010]

Thanks for the detailed answer. Good to know that your observations for the 35/2 are in line with the photozone review (I was a bit puzzled about the "weak" results of the 35/2.8, even though they tested it on a Nex5 and not a Nex5N). ZM 50/1.5: yes, this one is more about character than about sharpness @f1.5.

Hi Douglas, interesting, so you finally decided for the ZM 35/2 and against the ZM 35/2.8. Is it the additional stop or are there other reasons for preferring the 35/2? How does the ZM 50/1.5 perform on the NEX? Did you test the ZM 50/2 by any chance? Thanks, JH

Yeah, I went with the 35/2 mostly so I could start narrowing down lenses and use just one 35. It also seems sharper than the 35/2.8 at the edges on nex, and it has a lot less vignetting.

I haven't used the 50/2, but it is no doubt sharper at many apertures. I went Sonnar for the speed and look, since I'll primarily be using it for portraits. At around f2.8-f4, the Sonnar does sharpen up nicely, but it isn't technically super sharp wide open. The CV 50/1.5 is a better choice for wide open sharpness, although it does seem the Sonnar is sharper at the edges stopped down.

 

[ProfHankD]

I didn't say your camera will explode if you use it with a case, but you are reducing video record time and total lifespan of the camera -- as will shooting with the LCD flat against the camera body or letting your camera body get hot from exposure to direct sunlight.

The Sony case bottom will certainly hold-in much of the battery heat, but is pretty open around the sensor, so perhaps we're talking 5% to 10% difference with the case bottom vs. uncovered. If you close the case top on your still-warm camera, the difference will be MUCH more dramatic; I'd expect the camera to cool several times slower than without the case. The closed case can also hold in moisture, and warmth + moisture is 2/3rds of the formula for fungus and mold problems.

Put another way, don't abuse your camera, but you'll get better performance using it without coverings. In fact, the same goes for use of "UV" or "skylight" filters -- they might protect the lens, but they also degrade IQ by adding two glass/air interfaces and a flat surface that can reflect the sensor, etc. These are not huge differences, but they are usually measurable and sometimes very significant.

 

[Annex]

Out of interest what did you request from this site (can't see the FDA-EV1S mentioned by name), did you cut the leather yourself?

It looks excellent imo, big improvement from standard.

p.s. this is where I got the leather. I'm not affiliated with them in any way:

http://cameraleather.com/

 

[ProfHankD]

I see many vendors of this "V4 2.8X LCD Viewfinder Extender" on eBay, with prices as low as $17.50 US... so I just ordered one.

I just got back from a trip and had the new toy waiting in my pile of mail.
Initial comments:

1. The view is huge and bright ... it makes the NEX-5 feel a lot like a medium-format SLR.

2. Unfortunately, the image does not look very sharp . The LCD simply isn't made for that level of scrutiny -- not enough pixels. It's a lot like having a slightly too coarse focus screen. Although you're not very aware of the pixels, detail only gets so sharp, not perfectly sharp.

3. I was disappointed to discover that the eyepiece does not have diopter correction. Not a big deal, but it would have been nice.... It works fine wearing my glasses.

4. The mounting is four powerful magnets that stick to a metal frame you are supposed to permanently bond to the display... a very restrictive design. The frame is thicker than I expected, and just screwing it into the tripod mount (without gluing it onto the display) seems to work fine while still allowing it to be removed for tilting the LCD. Bracing the camera against your face works with this viewfinder.

Overall, it's a nice tool, if rather bulky. I might engineer a different mounting scheme for it -- it would be nice to be able to tilt the LCD even with this viewfinder mounted. It is worth having if you don't mind the extra bulk.

 

[headofdestiny]

Yep, I had an old square of the leather laying around and cut it myself.

Out of interest what did you request from this site (can't see the FDA-EV1S mentioned by name), did you cut the leather yourself?

It looks excellent imo, big improvement from standard.

p.s. this is where I got the leather. I'm not affiliated with them in any way:

http://cameraleather.com/