NEX 7 with MD 35/2.8 and Sigma Mini Wide 28/2.8

[david_smith110]

<p>I mainly shoot old manual focus lenses in my photography and the NEX 7 has become my main camera due to this. With an ability to mount almost any lens ever made, a small and well thought out form factor as well as the handy little focus peaking feature this camera is just a joy to use. Over the last few days I pulled out a couple of lenses that I havent used in either a while or at all.</p>

<p>The Minolta MD 35/2.8 is a relatively small and very well built lens that becomes a very standard 52.5 on the NEX's apsc sensor. While not terribly fast, neither is it slow. It is also handy in that it has a very close focusing distance of around 9 or 10 inches. With a 49mm filter ring it also easily accommodates my Minolta Close UP lens No.2 which adds in a some decent macro. I cant remember exactly where I picked this one up but it was part of my manual focus Minolta lens buying addiction that I am not (and will never be) over. Something about old Minolta glass is just endearing and timeless. Anyway, the last time I used it was months ago so I took it out today to give it another go, remembering my very nice results from that previous shoot.</p>

<p>The other lens, a Sigma Mini Wide 28/2.8 in Contax/Yashica mount, was a 10 dollar garage sell acquisition. I did a few test shots when I got it but never really used it after that. Somewhat unfairly I might add due to picking up a Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58/2 in M42 mount at the same garage sell for only 25 bucks that quickly rocketed to the top of my favorite lens list. But I dragged the Sigma out a few days ago and ran it through it paces, actually turning its focusing ring in anger this time and shooting some halfway serious stuff. This Sigma is surprisingly well made and feels good mounted on the camera. It to can focus very close and actually has a 1:4 macro ability that lets you really play with perspective of everyday small items.</p>

<p>This is not a scientific test of these lenses, just a post showing some examples of my art. You will probably notice that I shoot wide open or close to it most of the time. These lenses perform decently in my opinion, with the Sigma having some noticeable softness most times but its no big deal. If you were shooting for critical sharpness then I probably wouldnt recommend picking up a clean copy of one of these. But if you want a well made decent lens that becomes a standard prime on a NEX with some added macro ability you cant go wrong by putting one in your bag. Definitely recommended. The MD 35/2.8 however performs admirably well in my opinion and reminded me why I like using the little thing. Its all moot really as you can digitally manipulate the results from either one to make a much better photography. Indeed, most of the shots are straight from the camera with a little sharpening applied to most and may a little saturation or contrast enhancement here or there on one or two. So without further ado here are some samples from these little gems.</p>

<p> </p>

[david_smith110]

<p><strong>Minolta MD 35/2.8</strong><br>

<strong> </strong><br>

<strong><br /></strong><em>last day of summer</em><br>

<img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8035/8010837251_e79ea915f9_c.jpg" alt="" width="534" height="800" /><br>

<br>

<em>small part of a big world</em><br /><br>

<em><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8040/8010842730_2bd3e769c7_c.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="534" /></em><br>

<em> </em><br>

<em>alight</em><br>

<em><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8445/8010843232_8ab7733e92_c.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="534" /></em><br>

<em> </em><br>

<em>fairy door</em><br>

<em><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8031/8010842520_f81eceb23d_c.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="534" /></em><br>

<em> </em><br>

<em>hanging around (cropped)</em><br>

<em><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8306/8010836209_02879475cd_c.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="600" /></em><br>

<em> </em><br>

<em>I came upon a strange tree in the woods</em><br>

<em><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8455/8010841784_b07cb97287_c.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="534" /></em><br>

<em> </em><br>

<em>catching the light</em><br>

<em><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8456/8010840994_e2c2ae11c1_c.jpg" alt="" width="534" height="800" /></em></p>

[david_smith110]

<p><strong>Sigma Mini Wide 28/2.8</strong></p>

<p><em>fingers of the conscious mind</em><br>

<em><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8450/7989265888_377ec50ddf_c.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="534" /></em><br>

<em> </em><br>

<em>animus</em><br>

<em><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8435/7989266256_0751b4687a_c.jpg" alt="" width="534" height="800" /></em><br>

<em> </em><br>

<em>emergence</em><br>

<em><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8303/7989264328_d3324cde86_c.jpg" alt="" width="534" height="800" /></em><br>

<em> </em><br>

<em>grass drinking from the closest star</em><br>

<em><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8302/7989260669_61cc9edf34_c.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="534" /></em><br>

<em> </em><br>

<em><br /></em>Hope you enjoyed the photos. If anyone has any examples from these two lenses then I would love to see them posted here. Thanks.</p>

[m_m3]

<p>Good examples. Nice signature processing.</p>

[Karim Ghantous]

<p>I think I prefer the Sigma. Its bokeh looks a bit 'cleaner'.</p>

[federico_prieto]

<p><em>catching the light... </em>very nice picture<br>

Thanks a lot for the info....</p>

[david_smith110]

<p>Thanks MM. I dont usually do a lot of processing, but the little I did hear turned out pretty good.</p>

<p>Karim, good call on the Bokeh. It is definitely smoother and less busy then the Minolta. I love my old minolta glass but I need to make a point to take my C/Y mount lenses out more. I think the Sigma 28mm and my Yashica ML 50/1.7 would make a powerful, light combo to carry around with my NEX that would give me pseudo macro, a nice 'normal' lens and a very decent portrait/mild telephoto option.</p>

<p>Federico, thank you for the compliment. That is one of my favorites. I used the Toy Camera effect on the NEX and this is straight out of the camera with only some sharpening. I lover the Toy Camera effect as it makes some colors pop, especially blue, and gives a nice dark vignette. </p>