SONY NEX 3, 5 C3 or 7 Which to buy...

[wendy_abbott]

<p>Hi All.. I am starting a new thread (my previous one: <a href="../sony-minolta-slr-system-forum/00ZX05">http://www.photo.net/sony-minolta-slr-system-forum/00ZX05</a> ) as I think I am going down the route of a NEX rather than a DSLR.</p>

<p>My Q's are:</p>

<ol>

<li>Will my Minolta MD lenses (with relevant adaptor of course) fit all these models of NEX?</li>

<li>What is the difference between a NEX 3 and C3?</li>

<li>Is there any benefit in getting a 5 over a 3/C3? </li>

<li>Likewise, does anyone know anything about the NEX 7 </li>

</ol>

<p>4.a(Has the NEX 7 been released yet? I see the floods in Bangkok are possibly holding up the launch?)</p>

<p>I think the NEX is going to be for me, I just want to make sure I get the best one for my money ;)<br>

(I don't have to have the 'latest gear/model. But do want to get the best features for shooting manually with my old lenses. PS - I don't think it will bother me that the camera infact will be nearly 'all lense', as for me this is the part that I have always felt was the major part of my creative work.) (Of course I will try before I buy, as if it just feels too wierd/can't get on with it - no point going down that route. But I have a feeling it will suit me ;)<br>

Thanks to all for your replies. (It has been very helpful in getting to this stage the feedback on the above thread.)</p>

[wendy_abbott]

<p>Ooops... Have just seen the price of the NEX 7.<br>

Forget it!<br>

(Want a VFM camera/Have a lower budget ;)<br>

Still would be grateful for replies to other Q's... Thanks...</p>

[cwphoto]

<p>I bought a NEX 5 one year ago as a light substitute w/big sensor for a DSLR. For that function I am well pleased. However I would not have it as my main camera for what I do. Cannot adapt to a monitor vs viewfinder & also the range of available lenses is limited. I do have an adapter for my Nikon lenses but find it awkward.<br>

Again, a great substitute when I want to go light when backpacking or just want an unobtrusive camera.</p>

[quicoalvarez]

<p>Wendy:<br>

I only tested the Nex-5 and Nex-3 and they are good cameras, but consumer targeted. The new ones, 3C and 5N, have a better sensor, with higher MP count and better (higher, with less noise) ISO settings. But what I hate in all of them is the complicated way to get the basic controls, navigating through the menu and that none have a EVF. You can buy it as an accessory for Nex-5N and -C3. The Nex-7 beats all the rest: it is a more serious, robust and reliable camera, with a sensor of 24 MP, perhaps not so good in high ISO, but (for me) enough, and the controls are natural to use and customizable. The price is higher, but a -5N with the EVF (a must for me) costs the same. The Nex-7 is implemented with the Sony hotshoe for flash an accesories that the rest of the mdels lack.<br>

For me, the best buy is the Nex-7.<br>

All of them can use every Sony/Minolta A mount lens, with iris control with the Sony's LA-EA1 adapter, with AF function limited to some lenses. There is a new adapter from Sony too, the LA-EA2, that allows autofocus in phase detection (more accurate and quick) with all A mount lenses.</p>

[fmueller]

<p>Your Minolta MD lenses will not be useful to you on any digital camera. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I know, because I had a very extensive collection of Minolta manual focus lenses reaching from 16mm fisheye to 400mm tele, and have sold almost all of them. This doesn't mean you can not attach the lenses to a number of digital cameras, but they will loose some of the functions - sometimes infinity focus, sometimes the angle of view will be reduced, but in all cases you will loose automatic diaphragm control, and you will have to use stop down metering. If you don't know what that means, I would recommend you google 'stop down metering'. I think in practice you will likely find this a deal breaker. It is for most people, even though it is a point of pride for folks on internet forums like these to discuss theoretical options for attaching lenses to cameras, which greatly confuses the newcomer.</p>

<p>As an aside, the Minolta MD mount (manual focus) and the Minolta A mount (auto focus, now used by Sony), have only one thing in common in that they were both developed by Minolta. There is less compatibility between the systems than for example between the Nikon F mount and the Canon EOS mount.</p>

<p>The NEX system is an exciting new option that I know little about (except that is of no more use to owners of MD lenses than many other digital camera systems). Personally I went to the canon EOS system when leaving Minolta manual focus. Most of the Minolta manual focus camera bodies were fairly compact, and I liked that. My main shooters were an XD-11 and a XD-7. The Canon Rebel series of cameras are similar in that, and they come at a decent price. I started with an Rebel XT, and am now shooting a T1i. The XT is still a very capable camera and comes <a href="http://www.keh.com/camera/Canon-Digital-Camera-Bodies/1/sku-DC029991014550?r=FE">used at a bargain price</a> these days. When switching systems, I also made the change from mostly primes to mostly zooms. Modern zoom lenses are excellent optically, and in the EOS system zooms are a lot more economical than a large collection of prime lenses. For example a <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/647013-USA/Canon_3560B002_EF_S_15_85mm_f_3_5_5_6_IS.html">EFs 15-85mm</a> equals a full frame or film lens of 24-136mm. That's all most people will ever need.</p>

[dmanthree]

<p>I had a NEX 5 and despite the interface shortcomings, I really liked it. I would still have it, but I've preordered a 7. I'll let you know how it is when I get it, but it looks killer.</p>

[wendy_abbott]

<p>Thanks all for your replies. Very useful as always...<br>

Frank - I understand where you are coming from.<br>

Found this on this site for those who also want to know about stop down metering.<br>

<a href="../nikon-camera-forum/005h4U">http://www.photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/005h4U</a><br>

Frank ... Quico mentions that all A mounts are possible with the Sony lense adaptor, but does not mention MD (manual lense). Can you confirm either way?<br>

I hear what you say about perhaps coming to the conclusion my initial investment would be better spent elsewhere. (And to say goodbye to my Minolta lenses.)<br>

I have a Canon 350D which is perfect for my 'day job' (photographing interiors of rental/sales properties), but I just cannot get used to it as my main 'personal camera' (Not happy with quality from lenses, the feel of the body, too bulky/heavy etc, etc.) Hence wanting to try and switch to something else which gives as 'Good As' (or hopefully better ;) than the DSLR I have, but without the weight/size etc.<br>

Will keep on asking questions until I come up with the answer ;)<br>

Thanks again all for your feedback/comments.</p>

<p> </p>

[leslie_cheung]

<p>What do you shoot? That will very well determine whether AF is needed. If you need AF, the nex and your MD lenses won`t do no matter the cost. You want to prioritize your gear needs based on your photography needs</p>

<p> </p>

[fmueller]

<blockquote>

<p>Frank ... Quico mentions that all A mounts are possible with the Sony lense adaptor, but does not mention MD (manual lense). Can you confirm either way?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>As I said before, the Minolta MD mount (manual focus) and the Minolta A mount (auto focus, now used by Sony), have only one thing in common in that they were both developed by Minolta. The two sytems are totally and completely incompatible. What you hear about the Minolta A mount has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on your MD lenses.</p>

<p>One catch with the old MD lenses is that the entire business of aperture control is mechanical, meaning there are bits and pieces from the camera sticking into the lens, and vice versa, that move things around. In modern cameras this tends to be done electronically, meaning there are only electric contacts for the communication between camera and lens. That's why no modern camera can control the aperture of an MD lens.</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>I have a Canon 350D which is perfect for my 'day job' (photographing interiors of rental/sales properties), but I just cannot get used to it as my main 'personal camera' (Not happy with quality from lenses, the feel of the body, too bulky/heavy etc, etc.)</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Alright, that is useful to know. The Rebel XT I was warmly recommending for you is just another name for the 350D you already own! It was my main camera for years after I gave up on my Minolta XD, and while not a Minolta XD, I love, love, love the 350D! It is the smallest and lightest DSLR I have ever seen, and I still find the picture quality superb - especially for a camera of that price. The low light capabilities are far superior to anything possible with color film. </p>

<p>As to the lenses, I don't know what you are using, but some of the EOS lenses are second to none. Wide angle prime lenses are a little hard to come by, seeing that it's a APS-C camera with 1.6x crop factor, but the EFs 10-22 fills the entire wide angle realm quite nicely. To cover that range in the Minolta system, I used to lug a 17mm f4, 20mm f2.8, 24mm f2.8, 28mm 2.0 and 35mm f1.8. </p>

<p>For a mid range zoom, I am quite happy with my EFs 17-85 IS. Image Stabilization is great, and apart from barrel distortion at the wide end (correctable in post processing), the lens really doesn't have any major flaw. Of course if money were no issue, a EFs 15-85 IS would be even nicer.</p>

<p>For those cases where I want to shoot a prime, I have an EF 32/2 and EF 50/1.8. The latter is the bargain in the EOS world - think MD 85mm f1.7 and available under $100 new! I could babble on, but I'll spare you the rant about fantastic Canon tele lenses. I'll hope you will be as happy with the NEX as I am with EOS, but like me you will need to budget for new lenses!</p>

<p>PS: Just wondering, some people make the mistake of buying big, heavy EF zoom lenses for the Rebels, in case one day they might 'upgrade' to a full frame DSLR. If you have a monster like the EF 24-105/4 L or EF 24-70/2.8 L on your 350D, that might explain your dissatisfaction. These lenses offer great image quality, but they have inconvenient zoom ranges for APS-C bodies, and due to their size and weight, they just don't feel right on a little Rebel in my opinion.</p>

[bill_tuthill]

You can get an adapter for MD or MC lenses to Sony NEX, and the C3 has peaking to assist with manual focus. I would not do it myself, but I'm puzzled why Frank is so adamantly opposed to the idea. The Novoflex page on B&H says it supports autoexposure.

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/737922-REG/Novoflex_NEX_MIN_MD_Adapter_for_Minolta_MD.html

[fmueller]

<blockquote>

<p>I would not do it myself.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I rest my case!</p>

[frank_skomial]

<p>There is a big difference between autoexposure, and stop-down metering. Link to B&H provides details, just read them carefully.</p>

[wendy_abbott]

<p>Hi All,<br>

I respect Franks opinions. (That is afterall why we ask Q's when we are seeking an answer ;) I would truely love to think tho Bill that I can 'work around it' if I get the right adaptor/use the 'right mode' on the NEX with my MD lenses. (There is another page somewhere on the forum where people are using all sorts of lenses in an experimental kinda way on the NEX (even a film camera lense ;) and getting OK results.) I am not mediocre enough to want just OK, as I would expect to use my lenses for the purpose I want to - i.e portraits and landscape, and be happy with the system.<br>

I will keep searching and hopefully get to try out my theories as/when. <br>

Will keep you updated :)<br>

If you have any more thoughts, please do keep posting.</p>

[fmueller]

<p>I have no doubt it's perfectly possible to use MD lenses on a NEX - and other interchangeable lens cameras - in an experimental kind of way. I am also sure they can yield excellent results. I just don't think it is practicable to use them for everyday shooting.</p>

<p>I recently had a lengthy email conversation with a guy who collects early 20th century lenses and adapts them for use with Canon EOS DSLRs. He got some pretty interesting effects, and I can totally see how hunting down those lenses and tinkering around with them is a fun way to enjoy the photo hobby. But the focus here is on the gear, the resulting image comes second. If I am not mistaken, Wendy's focus is different.</p>

<p>I honestly don't see the point of buying into a camera system that excels by being small and inconspicuous, and then using comparatively big, unwieldy lenses that force you to mess around with stop-down metering, making it virtually impossible to get some grab shots. Your mileage may vary.</p>

[wendy_abbott]

<p>Hi Again all, Thanks Frank for futher input. You are right that I want it as an every day (pro sumer camera), and not just for tinkering around. Re the large lense on a very tiny body - I get that it might seem a bit of a strange thing to do/want/be prepared to have. But I need to explain a bit about my (very personal) feeling on photog and how I have shot pics over the past 3 decades. I have always felt at 'one' with my SLR (sadly not so with the 350D SLR - hence needing to find something that feels right,) to the point that the lense has always been to me the main part of the process. I have a closer affinity with focusing and guaging what is the best f stop/shutter speed to get the results I want. Over the years it became instinctive and this is what I would like to get back to. The small body may infact suit me? As I did at times feel, even with the Minolta that the body got 'in the way' of my personal approach to photography.<br>

There you go.<br>

I was up for a Sony Alpha (300/400 DSLR), but someone put the idea forward of the NEX and it has grown from there.<br>

I guess I won't finally know though, until I have it in my hands, with the Minolta lense on. (I may change my mind on the spot.)<br>

As they say - If you don't try and get what (results) you want, you are likely to get what you don't.</p>

[quicoalvarez]

<p>Frank, I think you are confusing Wendy, because you are not used to mirrorless cameras.</p>

<p>Since mirrorless cameras do not implement a reflex viewfinder, an electronic one instead, stop-down metering is not an issue, because the viewfinder (or lcd screen) lights up or down depending on the amount of light that reaches the sensor, and you can see directly the actual depth of field without pressing any DOF button. It is true that a EVF is not like an optical one, and there are some issues in low light and in high contrast situations, but technology is going over these negative points with better viewfinders, as the new Sony cameras seem to have. For the other side, perhaps auto-focus and automatic exposure are not an issue, too, for a photographer with enough knowledge and experience, as Wendy seems to be.</p>

<p>Believe me, with a good adapter (Novoflex are the best ones for me) there are no issues and you can use high quality glass without buying it new. I have been shooting with a micro 4/3 camera with MD lenses (Rokkor 35/2.8, MD 50/1.7, Rokkor 58/1.4 and MD 135/2.8), Contax-G lenses ( Planar 35/2.0 and Sonnar 90/2.8), as well as some wideangles that I had to buy because of the crop factor of so little sensor. The difference in distance from the Nex E mount and the Minolta MD mount is even higher than the one between micro 4/3 and MD mounts and, believe me again, I never had a problem with any spring or lever from the lens protruding into the camera. I repeat, perhaps you need it, but I never needed (in 23 years as a proffessional and almost 35 since I developed my first 35 mm. film) that the camera moved the aperture dial for me. Autofocus is right for telephoto sports photography and perhaps for wildlife and some extreme situations, but I <strong>never</strong> used it for portraiture or street and press photography (except for sports).</p>

<p>The last fact is that the Rebel that you are recommending to Wendy has a sensor that comes from the Stone Age, compared with the one that the NEX-7 haves. You can check the DxOMark sensor rating of the Sony A77, whose sensor is the same as the one implemented in the NEX-7, here: http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Compare-Camera-Sensors/Compare-cameras-side-by-side/%28appareil1%29/734|0/%28brand%29/Sony/%28appareil2%29/692|0/%28brand2%29/Canon/%28appareil3%29/693|0/%28brand3%29/Canon. Although I do not give absolute trust to these ratings, it can be an orientative index for sensor quality. The sensors from sony have a crop factor of 1.53, compared with the higher of the Canon Rebels with a crop factor of 1.61. The Canon Rebel series are a bit cheaper, but if one needs to buy lenses so good as the MD, the budget grows exponentially.</p>

[wendy_abbott]

<p>Hi Again guys, Just a few final Q's before I take the plunge. What is the difference between a NEX 3 and C3 (although I think I answered my own Q before on this?) I am guessing the NEX 5/C5 is the newer model and more desireable (NEX 7 is out of my budget.) I have narrowed down a supplier or two that I think I can buy from (second hand, but come with good guarantees.) All are Emount right? (And OK with adaptor for my MD lenses.)<br>

Sorry if I am going over old ground, it has been a roller coaster deciding which camera is 'for me' in the circumstances. (Just wish the Canon had been more user friendly for my needs.)<br>

Will let you know what I go with eventually, and outcome of 'experiement' :)</p>

[bill_tuthill]

Best way to compare is http://dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras but what this does not say is that only the new models (C5, 5N, 7) have peaking to assist with manual focus. Hope it works out for you!

[wendy_abbott]

<p>Thanks all again. Quico/anyone who may know? I was given this link on my previous thread (see top of this one re Sony Alpha DSLR's - where I started on this journey ;)</p>

<p><a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Minolta-MD-MC-Rokkor-Lens-Sony-NEX-3-NEX-5-Adapter-/330490239314">http://www.ebay.com/itm/Minolta-MD-MC-Rokkor-Lens-Sony-NEX-3-NEX-5-Adapter-/330490239314</a><br>

The poster said this was an example only of an adaptor for my needs, but not a recommendation as such. I can see there is a big difference in price between this adaptor and the (German?) made Novoflex you mention (the Novaflex being almost as much in price again as the NEX body ;) <br>

Does any one know from personal experience will I have trouble with the cheaper adaptor? <br>

I am loathe to spend extra money, as again, sadly, it all comes down to budget. But I don't want to be throwing good money after bad.<br>

:)</p>

[wendy_abbott]

<p>Further news,<br>

I am being told by my local camera store that they have never stocked the NEX 3, as their customers are mainly prosumers and only like the more rugged/metal body of the NEX 5. (They were a bit lacking tho when it came to helping me with an adaptor for the MD lenses ;)<br>

Sounds good advice to me (I will be carrying it around alot and likely to have it as my main camera so it has to last! :)</p>

 

[gregg_pechenik]

<p>Hi Wendy,</p>

<p>I was in the same boat. I picked up a used nex-3 body a couple weeks ago to suppliment my 5D use. I LOVE IT! .. it's not for action shooting .. but once you get the hang of live view + mf assist it's a lot of fun .. add a tripod and pictures are very sharp (if you want that : P ) .. there are so many adapters it's re-donk (as the kids say, lol) ...</p>

<p>What's really surprised me is I don't even miss the Full Frame ... I do wish it had a hot shoe, but I can pop a slave w/ the flash light.</p>

<p>All that said .. would I buy another one? .. YES! - Infact, I'd been thinking of upgrading to a 5dII but yeah know, I may have to go for Nex-7 (just for the EVF and hot shoe).</p>

<p>Here's one: Mamiya 80mm 2.8 (645) > eos > tilt nex ..<br>

<img src="http://cravephotodesign.com/imgs/blog/nex_80tilt1.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="393" /></p>

[bill_tuthill]

Gregg, based on the DPreview studio scene, the Sony A77 is better than the Canon 5DmarkII up to about ISO 800, when the 5D's larger sensor takes over. I expect the NEX-7 to be even better - lacking translucent mirror, its sensor gets about half a stop more light.

[peter_maxwell1]

<p>I have recently bought an NEX 5 and have some mixed feelings about it. I love the form factor and the way it sits in my hand. I also love its dynamic range and low light capacity. But there are things I like much less about it. Both standard kit lenses (the 18-55mm and the 16mm) are in my view pretty compromised and have overall poor resolution in the mid - outer part of the image unless stopped way down. You can get away with this by using auto ISO and relying on that to keep shutter speeds reasonable but that still screws things up if you want shallow DOF.<br>

I guess this is a result of need for a physically small lens that covers a physically large sensor while keeping price down.<br>

I am also less than confident about the camera's auto focus. I find that when using multi focus I lose many shots - they are simply too blurry for my liking. Things sharpen up a bit when you elect to use a single central spot and positon that carefuilly, but that only works in program and aperture mode (probably in manual and shutter as well although I have not tried them.) Change to one of the scene based modes or intelligent auto etc and the camera switches to multifocus points (it gives you no choice)<br>

I will persist and am buying an adapter for Leica M lenses and look forward to using it with focus peeking. Heres hoping it makes up for its sins in that department. But as it stands I have to say I think there may be better options out there if you are a picky shooter and propose to use the kit lenses a lot even though part of me still likes this range of cameras.</p>

[quicoalvarez]

<p>Wendy:</p>

<p>I am sorry because I could not give you an answer before (I was out for business). About your question about the MD to NEX adaptors, the difference in price between Novoflex and the cheaper brands is, here in Europe, about 1 to 1/2, but the difference, in terms of reliability, is much higher than this. I was told by a friend using a cheap MD to micro 4/3 adaptor that he never had any issue, but I did have some fitting problems with the same brand.</p>