NEX Body and Rear Lens Cap Available

The unicorns have arrived at the Sony Style store. The Sony NEX Body Cap, part number ALC-B1EM, and the Rear Lens Cap, part number ALC-R1EM, are now available at Sony Style. These are necessary if you are using lens adapters since those do not come with any caps.

Hopefully the Sony NEX-3, NEX-5, and NEX-VG10 kits will have both caps included in the box.

Of course you can also search on eBay for third party Sony NEX E-mount caps.

Sony NEX-VG10 Sigma 50-500mm Bigma Video

Here is some footage that Steve N shot with his NEX-VG10 and the Sigma 50-500mm ultra zoom lens aka Bigma. The Bigma used is a Nikon mount so it does have an aperture ring but focusing is all done manually. Steve points out:

...Sony hasn't equipped the VG10 with focus confirmation or focus assist: there is no peaking or image enlargement which would help immensely when working with MF lenses...perhaps a firmware update can address this!

Sony stated at Photokina that they will be working with third party lens makers so we can expect focus confirmation, and aperture control on adapted lenses.

Sony NEX-VG10 with a Sigma 50-500mm Zoom aka Bigma

Click here for more pictures of the combination above.

Sony NEX-VG10 with Sigma 50-500mm Bigma

Here are Steve N's pictures of his Sony NEX-VG10, a Nikon F mount to Sony E-mount lens adapter, and a Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 APO Ultra Telephoto, aka the Bigma. This would give an equivalent of 90mm to 900mm zoom lens on the NEX-VG10 with it's 1.8x crop factor. We'll post videos soon...

Check out Steve N's work!

Sony NEX-5 7 Frames Per Second Burst Shooting

Davide C. emailed us to show how to use the Sony NEX-5's 7 frames per second burst shooting mode. He set the Drive Mode of the NEX-5 to Speed Priority Continuous and used Photoshops "load into stack" function to finish the image. The lens used was the Sony E-mount 16mm f/2.8 pancake - a guess from the EXIF.

He mentioned that the NEX-5 buffer fills up after 15 large JPEG shots, we were wondering if using a faster card like the Sony Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX would be a remedy. The shots turned out very well even with this minor setback.

This is what the shutter looks like at 7 frames per second burst.

Check out more of Davide C.'s photos.

Sony NEX-VG10 Firmware 02 Update

Sony NEX-VG10 Camcorder with LA-EA1 Lens Adapter and Carl Zeiss 24-70mm f/2.8

Sony released the Firmware Version 02 update for the NEX-VG10 Camcorder. This update allows the NEX-VG10 to autofocus Sony SSM and SAM lenses via the LA-EA1 lens adapter. The LA-EA1 lens adapter has to be updated to firmware version 02 as well. Use the links below to get the US versions of the firmware and instructions of how to perform the update. Please make sure you use the correct firmware and read the instructions carefully.

Microsoft Windows NEX-VG10 Firmware Version 02
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=NEXVG10&upd_id=6231&os_id=45

Microsoft Windows LA-EA1 Firmware Version 02
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=LAEA1&upd_id=6248&os_id=7

Macintosh OS NEX-VG10 Firmware Version 02
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=NEXVG10&upd_id=6243&os_id=50

Macintosh OS LA-EA1 Firmware Version 02
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=LAEA1&upd_id=6250&os_id=50

Sony NEX-5 gentLED Auto Intervalometer

Sony NEX-5 Time Lapse Video using gentLED Auto Intervalometer by xironmonkyx

Here is another intervalometer for the Sony NEX-5 for creating time lapse videos. It is a gentLED Auto infrared trigger. Here are the main features of the gentLED Auto:

• Variable delay from 2 seconds to 30 minutes
• Built-in on-off switch and battery (included with unit)
• RED LED indicator when the unit has triggered the camera
• Weighs only 0.6oz, 18g (including battery)
• Comes complete with velcro pads, and Operating Manual - all you need to take picture

Here is the operating manual for the gentLED auto. Check out Gentles Limited for more info on the gentLED auto.

Unfortunately the NEX-3 does not have an IR receiver.

Sony NXCAM Handycam NEX with Larger Sensor Announced

The newest NEX in development is the NXCAM Camcorder. It uses the same E-mount as the NEX-3, NEX-5 cameras, and NEX-VG10 camcorder but it has a slightly larger sensor. The CMOS sensor in the NXCAM is a Super 35 format which is 0.980 x 0.735 in (24.89 x 18.66 mm). The current Sony NEX sensor dimension is 0.92 x 0.61 in. (23.4 x 15.6 mm). The NXCAM will shoot AVCHD at 1080p at 60p/30p/24p and 50p/25p. Since NXCAM uses the same lens mount as the other NEX cameras we can expect more lenses to be in development.

Sony NXCAM Camcorder with E-mount Lenses

Here is the official Sony NXCAM HD press release from Sony EU:

NXCAM HD camcorder under development, featuring E-mount lens system
17 November 2010

Sony to expand 35mm large format sensor camcorder lineup

Sony Corporation announced today that it is developing a new type of E-mount interchangeable lens camcorder for professional use that is equipped with a Super-35mm equivalent large format CMOS sensor. This new addition to Sony’s professional “NXCAM” line will be available in the middle of 2011.

Already a key player in the 35mm digital cinematography business with the highly acclaimed “CineAlta” F35 and SRW-9000PL for high-end digital cinema production, Sony has just strengthened its lineup in this category with the recent PMW-F3 announcement. In addition to this, with this new “NXCAM” HD camcorder now (still under development), Sony looks to further strengthen its position in the entry-level segment by providing an affordable yet highly capable professional solution for many applications including independent film, music video and corporate communications all looking for the cinematic look.

This “NXCAM” HD camcorder under development will be equipped with a Super-35mm equivalent sensor, a widely used film stock size in the film industry that is perfectly designed for capturing motion picture. This new sensor will have extraordinary performance in terms of picture quality and sensitivity, and is able to create rich “Bokeh” effect (beautifully defocused image) that is perfect for artistic story-telling in motion picture.

Thanks to the adoption of the E-mount interchangeable lens system that is identical to the “α” series NEX-5, 3 and “Handycam” NEX-VG10, the E-mount lenses will be compatible with this new professional camcorder. In addition, a very short flange back distance (the distance between lens mount surface and sensor surface) let various “α” A-mount lenses be mounted via a mount adaptor (LA-EA1). Furthermore, it is also possible to attach many other lenses using third-party mount adaptors*1. With such flexibility, users will be able to experiment with various creative expressions by exploiting the characteristics of different optics.
* 1: Not all types of adaptors and lenses are guaranteed.

The recording format for this new HD camcorder will be AVCHD, a widely supported format by many non liner editing software vendors and the same format as HXR-NX5 “NXCAM” camcorder.
There is also a plan to implement 1080p (60p / 30p / 24p*2 or 50p / 25p) recording modes.
(MPEG4-AVC/H.264 compression will be used for these modes.)
*2: 59.94p / 29.97p / 23.98p respectively.

NEX Hasselblad XPan Fuji TX1 Lens Adapter

Sony NEX-5 with Hasselblad XPan 90mm f/4 lens

If you are lucky enough to own a Hasselblad XPan or a Fuji TX system, you can now use those lenses on the NEX E-mount camera system with a new lens adapter. The XPan or TX lenses come in 30mm f/4, 45mm f/4, and 90mm f/4 focal lengths, which translated to 15mm, 24.5mm, and 45mm on the XPan / TX in panorama mode. These would be 45mm, 67.5mm, and 135mm equivalent on the Sony NEX's APS-C sensor.

Hasselblad XPan System Photo by By Matthew Joseph aka Fotodudenz

NEX-5 Stitched Panoramas by G. Kemp

NEX-5 Auto-HDR Panorama with Nikon 10.5mm Fisheye
Check out the VR version.

Check out these amazing panoramas by G. Kemp using a Sony NEX-5 and a Nikon 10.5mm f/2.8 G ED Fisheye lens. He uses the NEX-5's Auto-HDR feature for each shot then stitches them together with editing software. A Nikon G to Sony E-mount lens adapter is used to the lens on the NEX-5.

Check out more photos from G Kemp!

DIY Sony NEX Intervalometer

hel1x sent us info on his "do it yourself" intervalometer for the Sony NEX-5 using a generic wireless infrared remote. He was trying to decipher the switch-science intervalometer website but decided that he can build his own time lapse controller for the NEX-5. The circuit controls when the shutter button is depressed, by shorting the connection. The interval can be between 6-14 seconds.

Here are some pictures of his device. This also works for other Sony Alpha cameras not just the NEX.

Generic Remote for the NEX-5

Thanks hel1x! Maybe he can send us the wiring diagram? :D

Sony NEX-5 Dual Lens Kit Available on Amazon

Sony NEX-5 Dual Lens Kit Box

You can now save some tax money by buying the Sony NEX-5 Dual Lens Kit from Amazon. The kit comes with the NEX-5, 16mm pancake lens, 18-55mm OSS lens, rear lens cap, lens hood, flash, battery, charger and strap. The total comes to $799 which comes with free shipping and since it's Amazon, sales tax will not be charged. That is $150 less than buying the single lens kit and the 2nd lens separately.

Photo from NEX-5 unboxing by Alpha Mark.

Sony NEX-5 Leica APO Telyt-R 400mm Lens

Sony NEX-5 with Leica APO Telyt-R 400mm f/2.8

If you want an easy to handle 600mm equivalent focal length camera setup try the Leica APO Telyt-R 400mm f/2.8 with the Sony NEX-5 since the lens actually has a handle. A lens adapter is used from the Leica-R lens mount to the Sony's E-mount. Also to ensure you can hear the birds in the video try the ECM-SST1 Compact Stereo Microphone for the NEX.

Thanks Khun K!

Sony NEX Micro Four Thirds Lens Adapter

Sony NEX-5 with the Panasonic 14-45 micro 4/3 lens

Here's a new adapter for the Sony NEX E-mount. It's the micro 4/3 lens adapter for the Sony NEX cameras. We are not sure if the image circle will cover the larger APS-C sensor found in the NEX. Unfortunately the eBay listing does not provide sample photos.

Now lets imagine that it does provide a large enough image for the NEX - wouldn't you want to use the new Voigtlander 25mm f/0.95 Nokton on the NEX for a low light 37.5mm equivalent lens?

Voigtlander 25mm f/0.95 Nokton micro 4/3 mount

Sony NEX-5 vs Panasonic Lumix GF2

Sony NEX-5 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Size Comparison

Panasonic repackaged the old Lumix DMC-GF1 (µ) micro 4/3 sensor into a new smaller body and will sell it as the new Lumix DMC-GF2 in January 2011. Let's see how the GF2 stacks up against the Sony NEX-5.

Combatants	Sony Alpha NEX-5	Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2
Number of effective pixels	14.2 million pixels	12.1 million pixels
CCD Sensor	23.6 x 15.7 mm APS-C CMOS Sensor	17.3 mm x 13 mm Panasonic N-Mos sensor
ISO Range	200 - 12800	100-6400
Lens	Sony E-mount with Interchangeable lenses	(µ) micro 4/3 Lens Mount with Interchangeable Lenses
Image Stabilization	In Lens	In Lens
Shutter Speed	30s to 1/4000 with Bulb Mode	60s to 1/4000 with B and T modes
Continuous Shooting Speed	7 frames per sec.	3.2 frames per sec.
LCD	Tiltable 3" Diagonal 921,600 Pixels 16:9 ratio	3" Diagonal with touch panel 460,000 Pixels 3:2 ratio
Electronic Viewfinder	Not yet, come on Sony!	Optional EVF
Video Resolution	1920 x 1080 / 60i	1920 x 1080 / 60i
Dimensions	4.4 x 2.4 x 1.6 in. (111 x 60 x 40 mm)	4.4 x 2.7 x 1.3 in. (113 x 68 x 33 mm)
Weight	12.9 oz (365 g) with lens 8.1 oz (229 g) Body Only	12.9 oz (365 g) with lens 9.4 oz (265 g) Body Only
Price	$699 with 18-55 OSS Lens Available Now	Unknown - will be released on January 2011

Here is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 press release.

Some Lens Adapters Fitted on the NEX

Most of these NEX E-mount lens adapters are available from Amazon.

Thanks daviddkilpatrick!