studio460 Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 <p>I just picked up the Sony NEX-3N tonight from Best Buy. Holy auto-focus! This thing focuses about twice as fast, at normal distances, and about <em>three</em> times as fast, at close-focus distances, as my fancy-schmansie Nikon Coolpix 'A' does! I've read online reviews on both cameras until I was blue in the face, but <em>NO</em> review can tell you what just a few minutes with a camera in your hands can tell you. Turn off all the consumer-ey gizmos, and this thing really performs. The NEX-3N is currently on sale at B+H for only $319, and is soon to be replaced by the Sony Alpha A5000 ($498) in a similar, if not virtually identical, form-factor--due out 19 March 2014.</p><p>Key differences:</p><p>Sony Alpha NEX-3N ($319):<br /> • 16.1 MP.<br /> • 4-FPS continuous, up to 9 frames.<br /> • Base ISO of 200.</p><p>Sony Alpha A5000 ($498):<br /> • 20.1 MP.<br /> • 3.5-FPS continuous, up to 15 frames.<br /> • Base ISO of 100.<br /> • BIONZ X image processor.<br /> • Wi-Fi, NFC.</p><p>Most of the other features remain the same (e.g., 460,800 LCD resolution, 25 CDAF points, etc.). Right now, I only have the 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens. Tomorrow, I should receive my Sigma "Art" 60mm f/2.8 DN (90mm-equivalent), E-mount lens, and Fotodiox Nikon F-mount adapter. Stay tuned for product and image samples . . .</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelging Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 <p>You are going to love the images you get with your old nikon glass. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou_Meluso Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 <p>Ditto on the Nikon lenses. Also check out the other Sigma lenses-19mm and 30mm. Superb quality, fast AF and low $$$. Enjoy your NEX!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studio460 Posted February 7, 2014 Author Share Posted February 7, 2014 <p><img src="http://studio460.com/images/NEX-d2.jpg" alt="" /><br> Sony Alpha NEX-3N + Sigma 60mm f/2.8 DN (left); Nikon Coolpix 'A' (right).</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studio460 Posted February 7, 2014 Author Share Posted February 7, 2014 <p><img src="http://studio460.com/images/NEX-d1.jpg" alt="" /><br> Sony NEX-3N + Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS [iSO: 1,000; f/4 @ 1/60th].</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studio460 Posted February 7, 2014 Author Share Posted February 7, 2014 <p><img src="http://studio460.com/images/NEX-sig2.jpg" alt="" /><br> Sony NEX-3N + Sigma 60mm f/2.8 DN [iSO: 400; f/2.8 @1/100th; uncropped].</p> <p><img src="http://studio460.com/images/NEX-sig1.jpg" alt="" /><br> [100% crop]</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studio460 Posted February 7, 2014 Author Share Posted February 7, 2014 <p><img src="http://studio460.com/images/NEX-n1.jpg" alt="" /><br /> Sony NEX-3N + Fotodiox G-compatible, F-mount adapter + Nikkor 105mm f/1.8 AI-s</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studio460 Posted February 7, 2014 Author Share Posted February 7, 2014 <p><img src="http://studio460.com/images/NEX-n2.jpg" alt="" /><br /> Sony NEX-3N + Nikkor 105mm f/1.8 AI-s [iSO: 800; f/1.8 @ 1/200th].</p> <p><img src="http://studio460.com/images/NEX-n3.jpg" alt="" /><br /> Sony NEX-3N + Nikkor 105mm f/1.8 AI-s [iSO: 800; f/1.8 @ 1/200th].</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studio460 Posted February 7, 2014 Author Share Posted February 7, 2014 <p>Sony Alpha NEX-3N: First Impressions</p> <p>• Overall, a very impressive camera!<br /> • Excellent image quality; Nikon D7000-esque quality in a very compact package.<br /> • Super-fast AF; beats my Nikon Coolpix 'A' in focusing speed, hands-down.<br /> • Controls/UI layout is surprisingly good, providing quick access to most-needed functions.<br /> • ISO AUTO function works! Excellent implementation of "program shift" mode.<br /> • Tilt-up LCD provides TLR-like shooting experience--I use it a lot!<br /> • Focus-peaking makes manual-focus a breeze--even better than a split-prism with a microprism collar!<br /> • The NEX' focus-assist feature is super-cool (briefly zooms to 100%, then reverts back to full-screen).<br /> • Sigma 60mm f/2.8 lens' sharpness is excellent!<br /> • Using F-mount Nikkor lenses on this tiny compact is a blast!<br /> • No included charger--must charge battery in-camera.<br /> • Cannot turn off fake shutter sound.<br /> • X-sync tops out at 1/160th.<br /> • No hot-shoe.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce_rubenstein Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 <blockquote> <p>• Sigma 60mm f/2.8 lens' sharpness is excellent!</p> </blockquote> <p>Wait till you shoot with more light and there's no camera shake. The is where the Olympus OM-D cameras with their IBIS are handy. I can get tack sharp, hand held shots with that lens @1/15 sec. with my OM-D's, and I'm a not so steady anymore 60.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studio460 Posted February 7, 2014 Author Share Posted February 7, 2014 <p>Michael said:</p> <blockquote> <p><em>You are going to love the images you get with your old nikon glass.</em></p> </blockquote> <p>Thanks! Yeah, I'm having a blast trying all of my AI-s Nikkors!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studio460 Posted February 7, 2014 Author Share Posted February 7, 2014 <p>Louis said:</p> <blockquote> <p><em>Also check out the other Sigma lenses-19mm and 30mm. Superb quality, fast AF and low $$$. Enjoy your NEX!</em></p> </blockquote> <p>Thanks! Yes, I'm very impressed with Sigma these days. However, the next lens I'm eyeing is Sony's ultra-wide, the 10-18mm f/4.0 OSS (15-27mm equivalent). A bit pricey though, at $848, but, wow, that's a super-wide zoom!.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studio460 Posted February 7, 2014 Author Share Posted February 7, 2014 <p>Bruce said:</p> <blockquote> <p><em>[This] is where the Olympus OM-D cameras with their IBIS are handy.</em></p> </blockquote> <p>Unfortunately, sonyalpharumors.com reports that the soon-to-be-announced, Sony Alpha A6000 (which will replace current NEX-6/NEX-7 series models) apparently will <em>not</em> have IBIS. So, the Sony APS-C product line is relegated to lens-based stabilization only, for the time being. I've been following NEX-series developments since their introduction in 2010, waiting for their lens line-up to fill-out. But, nearly four years later, still, Sony makes no fast portrait-length, mid-tele.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce_rubenstein Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 <p>I also have the Sigma 30/2.8. Nice lens, but on high contrast transitions there is a noticeable amount of CA. Some cameras will remove it when they process JPGs, if they don't, you'll have to remove it in post.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studio460 Posted February 8, 2014 Author Share Posted February 8, 2014 <p><img src="http://studio460.com/images/NEX-n5.jpg" alt="" /><br> Sony NEX-3N + Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 AI-s.</p> <p><img src="http://studio460.com/images/NEX-n6.jpg" alt="" /><br> Sony NEX-3N + Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 AI-s [iSO: 800; f/1.2 @ 1/160th]</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studio460 Posted February 8, 2014 Author Share Posted February 8, 2014 <p><img src="http://studio460.com/images/NEX-n8.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="466" /></p> <p><img src="http://studio460.com/images/NEX-n9.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://studio460.com/images/NEX-n10a.jpg" alt="" /></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studio460 Posted February 8, 2014 Author Share Posted February 8, 2014 <p><img src="http://studio460.com/images/NEX-n11.jpg" alt="" /><br> Sony NEX-3N + AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred_c1 Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 <blockquote> <p>Sony makes no fast portrait-length, mid-tele.</p> </blockquote> <p>The 50/1.8 OSS is fast enough for most people.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studio460 Posted February 8, 2014 Author Share Posted February 8, 2014 <p>Fred said:</p> <blockquote> <p><em>The 50/1.8 OSS is fast enough for most people.</em></p> </blockquote> <p>Sure, f/1.8 is plenty fast--I would just like something a bit longer than a 75mm-equivalent. I would prefer to shoot portraits with something more in the 105-150mm (full-frame equivalent) range.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred_c1 Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 <p>Deleted</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric_arnold Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 <p>ralph, that's no longer a compact camera, is it?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studio460 Posted February 10, 2014 Author Share Posted February 10, 2014 <p>Sony Alpha NEX-3N + Sigma 60mm f/2.8 DN: Daylight exteriors . . .</p> <p><img src="http://studio460.com/images/NEX-bh4.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img src="http://studio460.com/images/NEX-bh2.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="465" /></p> <p><img src="http://studio460.com/images/NEX-bh1.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="465" /></p> <p><img src="http://studio460.com/images/NEX-bh3.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="465" /></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studio460 Posted February 11, 2014 Author Share Posted February 11, 2014 <p>Sony Alpha NEX-3N: Day 5</p> <p>Didn't have any time to shoot anything over the weekend (worked on my car all weekend: replaced front-suspension bushings, soldered in a new headlight relay, installed cold-air intake, cleaned MAF/throttle body, etc.). Took my NEX-3N to work today with only the Sigma 60mm f/2.8 mounted for my first daylight exterior tests (all shot in manual mode):</p> <p>• Daylight exterior performance of the Sigma 60mm f2.8 is excellent; above images viewed at 100% are impressive.<br /> • Shooting in daylight without a Hoodman loupe or monitor hood is extremely difficult (due to low LCD screen visibility).<br /> • AF performance seemed slower on daylight exteriors (compared with night interiors).<br /> • Very pleasing colorimetry on people.<br /> • Good highlight handling.<br /> • Excellent auto white balance performance.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studio460 Posted February 11, 2014 Author Share Posted February 11, 2014 <p><img src="http://studio460.com/images/NEXv7000.jpg" alt="" /><br /> Sony NEX-3N + Sigma 60mm f/2.8 DN vs. Nikon D7000 + AF-S 60mm f/2.8G Micro-Nikkor.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studio460 Posted February 12, 2014 Author Share Posted February 12, 2014 <p><img src="http://studio460.com/images/NEX-rr2.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="467" /><br> Sony NEX-3N + Sigma 60mm f/2.8 DN</p> <p><img src="http://studio460.com/images/NEX-mmn1.jpg" alt="" /><br> Sony NEX-3N + Sigma 60mm f/2.8 DN</p> <p><img src="http://studio460.com/images/NEX-smb2.jpg" alt="" /><br> Sony NEX-3N + Sigma 60mm f/2.8 DN</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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