Luca Rossini in Alaska.
Blogosphere Loves Sony 🙂
Yesterday we had a busy day watching all previews and image samples. Today let’s give some space to a positive and romantic energy: Luca Rossini wrote a nice blog entry (Click here) about how Sony discovered his work and proposed him to go to Alaska to test the NEX-6. It’s a nice story that may inspire some of our readers! Thanks to Luca and to Sony for proving that there is still some romanticism on the web 🙂
And…sometimes it is really better to learn about a camera in that way instead of reading reviews and high ISO comparisons!
Also Carl Garrard (Click here) is finally back in love with Sony: “Hell I even ordered the NEX6 because it answered ALL of my criticisms of the NEX mount (that camera nd the new lenses). I’d be a hypocrite had I made the criticisms I’ve been making then, after Sony addressed them not give them a chance by trying the bodies out at least.”
Now some of you are going to hate me because I am linking to…”his majesty” Ken Rockwell wrote something positive about Sony: “This is a camera worth watching. I don’t know if Sony has finally pulled it off, or if it has enough little glitches as in the A55 to make it still second-fiddle to Nikon and Canon’s true DSLRs. I really love electronic finders if they’re done right; they let me see playback and menus without having to take the camera away from my eye.”
And so the well known photographer Matthew Jordan Smith will do his first fahsion shooting with the A99.
NEX-6:
Talking about the NEX-6…it likely the best camera in terms of price-features balance. Many found the price of the RX1 too high considering that it is a fixed lens camera (price check at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK ,Wex Germany). And some people here would have loved it to see a lower price for the A99 after seeing the price of the new D600 (Click here). But I haven’t heard any single complaint about the NEX-6 price! The general perception is that $999 for a camera like that with superb electronic viewfinder and nice compact 16-50mm pancake zoom is absolutely fair…I go even further and say it’s a bargain 🙂 Even the $120 discounted ([shoplink 14142 ebay]here on eBay[/shoplink]) “older” NEX-7 looks too expensive now! Fact is, the NEX-6 is the the most popular new Sony camera according toAmazon ranking (Click here). So check out the preorder NEX-6 links at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Wex Germany Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals if you are considering to grab the new NEX!
VG900:
Camera is listed at BHphoto and Amazon but still no preorder option.
—
A99 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex UK, Wex Germany, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
A99 with kit lens links Alphacameradeals.
RX1 Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Wex Germany Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 with kit lens Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex Uk ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-VG900 Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, Wex Uk and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-VG30 Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony E-mount 16-50mm Amazon, Adorama, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals .
Sony E-mount 35mm Amazon, Adorama, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony E-mount 10-18mm Amazon, Adorama, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony A-mount 300mm f/2.8 Amazon, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH.
56 Responses
NICE!
Hi, thanks for the article!
Just a note, probably I wasn’t clear since my english isn’t perfect 🙂
I didn’t film the video, I used the NEX-6 to take the photographs used in it (together with the other photographer Mike Palmieri) and I was featured in the video while using the NEX-6 (to take those same pics).
In my website I posted the whole reportage of Alaskan wilderness and fishermen I took with the NEX-6 🙂
The film has been shot by the awesome director Matt Uhry!
Will correct the post! Thanks!
Very nice !!!. Could be my next purchase to go with my A77. I’m skipping an upgrade to the A99 as it’s too expensive. This is an exciting pocketable camera.
To me, NEX-6 indeed was the star of the event… a complete camera.
yeh, i’m trying to wait till the next generation sensors get released, stacked stuff with a noticeably better dd/colors/snr (hopefully). so far i stick to my ccd sony camera for i really enjoy its colors. i need peak focusing/evf badly cos i use manual lens only for big macro and the light often is not enough to focus well (i shoot stuff like this: http://500px.com/saifun). in general i dislike the cmos stuff but this nex6 thing looks really attractive due to its pack of features.. i guess i’m going to play with raws when they are available to see if i can get the colors i like from it and if i can, i might buy it :).
Interesting that they chose to shoot the video with a NEX-7. Surely it’s a better sales message if they used the 6.
Perhaps there are more differences than we think between the two!! 🙂
hello Railton, we used the NEX-7 to film the video because we needed the NEX-6 to be featured in it, and we only had two, one for each photographer 🙂
A slip-up from Sony then. They should have sent 3, one for Matt also. 😀
Kerpow! Now that put the conspiracy theorists back in their place.
Luca, what can you say about AF speed with new lens?
i wanna know about power zoom such as IQ because i use Panasonic x 14-42mm.
Compact don’t have best image quality.
Agreed. The Panny 14-42X is suppose to be a complete dog.
It’s also a PZ for pezio-electric motor. Barely gets 3/5 stars on that lens. The original 14-45mm was a decent lens on on the GF1.
We really need a reasonably priced go to lens for the NEX.
Hope Sony could do some major firmware update on NEX-7.
That Quick Navi menu on NEX-6 looks good to me, maybe they should put this function on NEX-7 as well.
http://www.dpreview.com/previews/sony-alpha-nex-6/6
The last hope is still that video button customization, I really hate that button on such position of NEX-7 ><"
Definitely getting a NEX-6. Great job Luca, Mike, Matt, and the crew!
From a videography perspective, it seems the NEX-6 looses the audio input jack. I was wondering if something like the balanced audio accessory was planned for the NEX-6 or maybe even the same accessory or if the NEX-6 was capable of clean uncompressed HDMI output like the A99. I like the idea of the NEX-6 for a walkabout and scouting tool, but it sure would be convenient to do impromptu production shooting or B-cam work with it too when planned to do so. I would be fine with external HDMI recording as a solution if this is an option.
Well, if you want to read complaints about prices I’d like to suggest that the NEX-6 kit with SEL-P1650 makes the NEX-5R with SEL-1855 much too expensive. Therefore Sony should simply offer the NEX-5R with a silver Powerzoom as kit lens for the same price. Good complaint?
Sorry if I missed this, but has it been confirmed whether NEX-6 has touchscreen or not? Sony’s website just did a flip-flop, now indicating that it does not have touchscreen, while NEX-5R does. Perhaps they are cleverly positioning these cameras, but I still find it hard to believe they would rip touchscreen off NEX-6.
Horses for courses, but I’d prefer no touchscreen and like the fact that they have moved away from the Tri-Navi to a more functional / dedicated knob. All in all, the NEX-6 is mostly a step up from the NEX-7 in this respect minus the lack of audio jack.
from http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666486669#features
Advanced Control DialMode control dial and Quick Navi assure quick and intuitive operation comparable to DSLR cameras Control dial, Fn (function) button and touch screen (including touch shutter function) combine to greatly facilitate operation and speed getting the shot.
So there is touch screen after all?
Admin, try to ask your sources how likely it is that Sony will
release a NEX FF still/video camera next year please 🙂
(not a camcorder, but a NEX9 or what the name will be)
But for now, a NEX6 with the new 16-50mm kit lens and add
the new 10-18mm lens and you have excellent equipment for video work.
I am sitting on the fence… got to see some reviews.
Questions:
1) Any reports on the IQ of the PZ 16-50mm ?
2) How much better IQ in the 6 with this lens than existing 5N w/18-55?
Those are my concerns before ordering. All the extra’s are fine, but I want better IQ bottomline if I’m going to upgrade.
if you are happy with your 5 I wouldn’t upgrade for at least a year unless you REALLY need wifi and the viewfinder(gps?) . So many thing happening at Sony. I use a eye-fi card now when I do need wifi connection in cameras now and its great and they aren’t so expensive anymore on buy.com.
I’ll probably stick with the 5N because the more I read about the Panny 14-42X pancake zoom, the less hope I have for the Sony 16-50.
Probably will just get the new 35mm for NEX.
Nice work Luca. The 6 is definitely on my short list. Now my ongoing saga continues. Why I weigh my next DSLR/LT. Sony’s 99 is in the lead because of current 5 sony lens collection and use of Sony reward points. I have high hopes. I was considering the 800 and 5DM3. But thanks to the great Ken Rockwell, I need to do some research to find out who this guy is. He must be knowledgeable for Andrea to link to him. Thank God I did not listen to him on the 5DM2 otherwise I would not consider his opinion at all. Otherwise I would just consider his remarks on the 5DM3 as a continuation of blind love. Anybody that queer for a camera proves that the 5DM3 is a must have. He obviously is in the middle of a bad breakup with the 800. Therefore, despite my early feelings for the 800 I must cross it off my list. Thanks for the info Ken. And I thought the 800 looked like an excellent camera. What was I thinking. OK down to the 5DM3 and the 99.
If your Sony glass is good, then stick with A99, but wait for the dust to settle.
Just read Carl’s previews and he addresses something that was a little disappointing to me also. The lower than expiated frame rate and evidently not so buff buffer. He mentions that there will be cries for improvement in this area with a firmware update. My question is: Can buffer performance be improved or increased with firmware?
Poke: Mark Weir (Sony USA) and I have talked alot about what can be done on firmware, and the answer is “a lot can be done with firmware”.
So yes indeed it can be addressed, only it may take time to write the code and test it.
Canon’s 7D firmware update of late is a perfect example of what can be done with firmware in which it doubled the buffere capacity. Pentax did it with the K5 too, increasing it by about 60%.
Carl Garrard
Carl G, Thanks for the answer and it is good to know. Hopefully Sony will keep up with the 99 with updates better than they did with the 900/850 with their unprecedented 1 whole FW update. Are you planning a review of the 99 after its release?
You’re welcome bud.
Planning? Hehe, uh, well I don’t really plan much in way of reviews anymore. What comes my way of interest I’ll review. What short time I had with the A99 in hand interested me, I’ll say that much.
I’ve had proposals from Nikon, Pentax, and Fuji for reviews and I just told them that I’d review whatever camera that interested me the most at the time I had it in hand.
It’s better not to plan in this industry and be spontaneous (speaking for myself at least). So many cameras and so little time with a full time career and family to boot :).
Looks like the 18-135mm is next on my radar but that could change overnight.
Carl
If you are in need of burst shooting Full frame isn’t going to matter all that much. and if you need more you just tell it to crop sensor and you get 10fps
At 6fps you get just over 2.5 seconds of burst shooting which is good, buffer clearing time is another consideration. Truth be told most people wouldn’t need more buffer but you aren’t going to convince anyone with a complaint about the buffer depth they don’t need more when the competition has more buffer depth.
Best specs just sell, whether or not people use them to the fullest. That sucks but thats the way it is. If you want to safeguard sales of your camera to the maximum, include specs that directly compete with or beat your competitor.
Carl Garrard
Just my Theory on the RX1. Sony sells Leica processors (fact) Sony makes Camera’s (from what I recall) Leica tells sony. We will buy this but you can’t make a full frame interchangeable lens camera for x month years ever? Only thing that makes me wonder about this is that most Camera companies make their money on lenses. So Leica is just as happy to sell you lenses for your Sony et al as it is to sell you sell a camera. While I am a nikon guy for my 35mm stuff. (just have to many lenses to ever go Sony unless its for video vg900 maybe) I have gone new for my carry around camera and I have yet to find a fault that makes me think I went the wrong way. (plus I get my discount) But I have yet to even consider buying a slr slt digital camera. I still shoot film for that. I have my Leaf Aptus and my sony NEX and then a boat load of everything from my contax g2 to my wisner 8×10 and I use them all. When I know it really counts for my personal work I shoot film. When I know I need turn around time I shoot Leaf. When I’m out and about its the nex with my lens adapters or even the kit 18-55 (which I can show you does a GREAT job for how its used.) But then I use Capture one and DXO to process my shots and I have profiled all my lens. Wow that was a tangent. Anyway. the first part is my theory on partially why the rx1
AFAIK, Sony uses Zeiss lenses, not Leica.
Sony make the chip in the leica camera. Sony might have made a deal to not make a full frame mirror-less that would then compete with Leica who buys Sony sensors. Does that clear it up a bit? But Leica can make money selling lenses for a Sony Camera that are used with adapters like my Zeiss Contax lenses on my NEX 7.
For those wondering about why Sony left out the audio input jack, here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJBPF83m-iw
It’s the only option for now, but I guess it must be way better than the two pinhole mics on the camera’s body.
damn that voice is annoying as hell. Anyway just get this. http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=8198552921644673994&N=4294941328&catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&accessory=true
Congrats Luca – very nice work and great job!!
About how long will it be before DXO comes out with their test results? Will it be after release? My only concern right now is the iso performance. I could use good 6400 and fast /accurate low light focusing. So far I am hopeful.
Latest info seems to indicate that NEX-6 has no touch screen in the end…
Nobody at Sony actually uses manual focus ? It is almost impossible to use this function with non centered subjects. And it’s definitely not fast enough when you manage to do so…
Also, I have no idea how they expect Apps to perform on this device…
Too bad. Deal breaker for me. Let’s wait for NEX-6N then :'(
(Apart from this, great video 🙂 )
Then only God knows how Luca manages to do his 365 blog with a touchscreenless NEX-7!
AFAIK, NEX-7 offers a specific way to move focus spot using two dials.
When using EVF, it’s a very good solution.
When using main screen, it’s only an ok solution.
I don’t have this function on my NEX-5. And the fact is using manual focus is a pain in the ass.
Now, maybe NEX-6 will get this function too. But the fact remains : why on earth did sony have not added the touch screen ?
Even Sony is confused about this choice !!!
“Yes, NEX-6 have touch screen.”
Then “No, sorry, it doesn’t”
No touch screen for NEX-6 ?
-> Poor user experience with manual focus (worse than 5R)
-> Poor user experience with Apps (worse than 5R)
=> Leave some space for next year NEX-6N… (maybe NEX-6R will come with GPS…)
I’m just too disappointed and frustrated now. I know this NEX-6 will be outstanding. But it could have been just perfect :'(
“it’s only an ok solution. I don’t have this function on my NEX-5. And the fact is using manual focus is a pain in the ass.”
could you please explain that one? i really don’t understand. i just use OVF and a manual focus lenses so i don’t really know what this thing is about. what causes you the troubles?
Don’t know what camera you use. But NEX-5 has no OVF.
So… Press shoot button to mid-course. See that AF is not ok. Keep my index on the damn button (take care not to release it). Try to move my thumb to the dial (thumb contorted now). Move my left hand to rotate the focus ring. Try to move focus spot with dial while not moving the cam (that’s the tricky part). After that, just do MF and take shot…
Doable…yes. But a pain in the ass.
Other option is to switch to flexible spot AF. which is ok, but you better not need to switch back to other AF modes too often. There are just not enough physical buttons on NEXs for this.
Seriously… what is the additional cost of a touch screen layer ? $5 ? Just don’t see why they did not add it.
i know that there is no ovf on nex, i’m just trying to figure out the problem. about me, i still use a350 and so far i’m pretty happy about it. i don’t get all that stuff with the focus spot, just don’t understand what it is for. why not just focus with the evi? also, i guess there should be a peak focusing to help with that too. why some dials and focus spots? i ask cos i just don’t get it.
Carl – any chance you can clear up something about the A-99 dual PDAF? (Yes, I know, wrong thread, but I see you’re here….)
The Sony website indicates with a footnote that the AF-D mode only works with certain lenses, quite clearly. AF-D mode is denoted as AF “depth assist” (D is not for ‘dual’). But elsewhere it has an AF ‘Range’ feature described, and does NOT have that footnote about lenses.
So I’m a bit confused. Will or will not all the sensor-plane points ‘work’ in any way, on lenses other than those specically defined (e.g. to assist in AF-S mode for example). Will or will not the AF ‘Range’ feature to use front and back dials as a focus limiter work with other lenses (and if so, with only the normal PDAF sensor points or also the in-plane points).
Their footnoting leads me to believe that only the extra AF-D ‘tracking’ feature works with the limited lenses, not the on-sensor points ‘in general’. But I might be wishing myself into believing that.
Any clarifications possible???
@rtrski- Unfortunately I don’t have the A99 in hand but I’ll talk to the powers that be here and see if I can get them away from Photokina to answer that question :). Such a busy time of year, you know I’m not DPR or IR staff so in times like these it’s tough to get an answer- but I’ll try my best.
Fyi- I sent my boys at Sony HQ in San Diego your question, if I get an answer Ill either post it here or on AMW or photographic-central.com since it’s a very important question (in fact your question is on a list I already have compiled to them).
Cheers!
Carl
Carl: Thanks very much! I’m quite interested in the A99. Tell them I’m about a fingers-breadth away from clicking pre-order. BUT I admit, I do mostly now have Sigma lenses (with my a55).
Hope you enjoy the week. Rgds, RTR
Does anyone know if NEX6 shuter click is still loud like NEX5?
Another video made with the a99: http://youtu.be/FBJI_wVtDl8?hd=1
Looks quite nice, though that may just be the subject matter shining through.
I still don’t understand why they took the touchscreen or the flipscreen.
Actually I know. as the difference isn’t that wide between 5 and 6, they are kind of making people choose. But was the NEX-6 is more expensive it should have what its little brother has anyway.
I will be definitely getting the NEX-6 to replace the NEX-7 I just dropped on auction (and recovered most my initial investment as well.). The improved menuing system, the touch screen, WiFi and pancake zoom kit lens are just some of the compelling reasons for the NEX-6 purchase to replace the 7.
Besides WIFI, I don’t see any reason to trade NEX 7 for NEX 6. The 24M CMOS in NEX 7 is still superior IMO.
The story behind the NEX 6 promo video. Admin you may want to add this video to the above.
http://youtu.be/R_KMeQGYMGg
Hmm… so much news about the camera bodies and that new E power zoom. I was really more excited about the 10-18/4, but there is no discussion about it. It’s also not rated a G lens. Kinda got me worried. Oh well, I preordered it anyway.