More DSC-RX1 Hands On with CameraDiner

Video by CameraDiner

CameraDiner was a Photokina 2012 and was lucky enough to get a hands on with the Sony DSC-RX1. The RX1 was not a functioning unit but it still gave a good impression. It felt heavier than was expected. The RX1 lens hood, thumb grip, and Zeiss optical viewfinder was also on hand for the demonstration.

Thanks CameraDiner!

$40 off NEX Fisheye Conversion Lens VCL-ECF1

Here's a nice deal if you have the E-mount 16mm f/2.8. The Sony VCL-ECF1 fisheye converter for the 16mm provides a 180° field of view. The VCL-ECf1's regular price is $150, it is available from Amazon at $110.

The picture below by CrepeFace shows the VCL-ECF1 attached to the 16mm lens next to the 18-55mm OSS lens.

16mm with VCL-ECF1 vs 18-55mm OSS Lens

Thanks CrepeFace!

Sony NEX-7 Wired Shutter Release Mod

Sony NEX-7 Wired Shutter Release by Trunk at GetHypoxic.com

Trunk contacted us again with his new mod. This time it's a wired shutter release for the Sony NEX-7. It was about a year ago that we posted Trunk's wired shutter release for the Sony NEX-5.

If you are using the NEX-7 in modes other than P,S,A, or M the wireless Sony NEX Remote will not work and the Self-Timer is also inaccessible.  Trunk has the solution for the NEX-7.  He goes through a step by step procedure on modding the NEX-7 for a wired shutter release.  The process is very complex and will void your warranty.  Do it at your own risk or contact Trunk as he may offer the modification service.

 Check out gethypoxic.com for Trunk's NEX-7 wired shutter release.  Here are some pictures by Trunk showing the insides of the NEX-7 and the finished product.

Images by Trunk at GetHypoxic.com

Thanks Trunk!

Sony NEX-C3 USB Stick

Sony NEX-C3 USB Stick

Here is a nice USB stick from Sony. Unfortunately this is not available for purchase according to alsotyCheng. He was lucky enough to receive it as a gift.








Below is the real NEX-C3.


Thanks alsotycheng!

Sony NEX 30mm Hood on 16mm Pancake Lens

Sony 16mm Pancake with ALC-SH113 Hood

Are you looking for more flare protection for your Sony 16mm f/2.8 E Pancake lens? The 16mm pancake does not come with a lens hood but Alphaman came up with a solution. He used the ALC-SH113 hood from the Sony NEX 30mm Macro Lens on the 16mm Pancake. The provides full coverage from the side and has a rectangular cutout in the middle. The 16mm and the ALC-SH113 hood does not cause vignetting. The combination looks great.

Photos by Alphaman of 30mm Macro Hood on 16mm Pancake

ALC-SH112, the flower petal hood for the 18-55mm OSS E-mount lens will also work with the 16mm pancake but it does not provide the same coverage as the ALC-SH113 hood.

Thanks Alphaman!

Sony NEX-7 RRS L-Plate

Sony NEX-7 with RRS L-Plate Mount

Here is a nice accessory for your new Sony NEX-7. The L-plate from Really Right Stuff (RRS) provides a stable mounting platform for the camera in the landscape and portrait orientations. The need to tilt the tripod head for a portrait shot is eliminated with the L-plate meaning more stability.

Here is Really Right Stuff's description of their L-plate.

L-Plate Set for Sony Alpha NEX-7. This modular L-Plate mates beautifully with the new NEX-7 camera. This custom L-plate was designed to fit Sony NEX7's ultra-thin body as snugly as possible, but still make room for opening and positioning its LCD panel. The gap below the LCD screen provides clearance for the screen to be tilted up or down; with L-plate installed, you can still hold the camera over your head and swivel the screen so that it can be seen from below.

LCD clearance for tilting

Check out RRS for more details on the Sony NEX-7 L-Plate.

Replace Sony NEX LCD Protector

eviltig shows us how easy it is to change the LCD protector of an NEX camera. The standard plastic protector peels off, although the "booger is on there." Clean any residue and stick on the glass lcd protector. Below are the before and after pictures of this modification.

Sony NEX with Standard LCD Protector

NEX with Aftermarket Glass LCD Protector

Thanks eviltig!

Underwater NEX-5 Photos by Scott Evans using a Nauticam Housing

Here are some great photos by Scott Evans using the NEX-5. He has taken his NEX-5 to the waters of the Red Sea and Gibraltar protected by the Nauticam NA-NEX5 underwater housing.



Here is a video of the Nauticam NA-NEX5 housing in action.

Sony NEX-5 with Nauticam Underwater Housing Video

Don't worry NEX-5N users, there is an NA-NEX5N underwater housing.

Nauticam Housing for the NEX-5N

Check out more of Scott Evans' NEX-5 photos at scottevansphotography.co.uk.

More info about the underwater housing at Nauticam USA.

Thanks Steve!

Sony NEX Essential Accessories

So you're ready to order your new NEX camera, what else do you need to complete your kit? Here's a list of essential NEX accessories which each kit should have.

What you need in your NEX kit.

1. Class 10 SD Memory Cards - You will definitely need memory cards for you NEX - it will not come with one. We suggest using high speed and high quality SD cards for maximum photo and video performance. It's also a good idea to get multiple cards instead of just one high capacity card in case a problem occurs.
   
2. Extra Sony NEX NP-FW50 Battery - your NEX camera will come with a battery but if you plan on shooting for a whole day, it's always good to have a backup.
   
3. Sony NEX E-mount body cap and rear lens cap - your NEX camera will unfortunately not come with a body cap or a rear lens cap. It's a good idea to have the caps available for storage purposes. You can easily separate the NEX body from the lens and it will make for a very compact package to carry. If you buy E-mount lens adapters, they will not come with rear lens caps so be ready. If you get the twin lens kit, the 2nd lens will come with a rear lens cap.
   
4. Sony NEX Remote - Need a critical shot with minimum camera movement - use a tripod and a remote. Taking pictures of you and your family? Make it easy by remotely triggering you camera by using this remote - no need to run or hand your camera to a stranger. The remote is also handy for bracketing shots for use with HDR photos.
   
5. Mini-HDMI to HDMI cables - be ready to share your NEX pictures by connecting your camera to your TV by using an Mini-HDMI to HDMI cable.
   
6. Camera Bag - So where does all this go? In any bag of your choice. You will need one with lots of pockets for all the little things your NEX needs.
   

What else do you have in your NEX bag? Send us an email with a picture of your kit.

Sony NEX-5N Unboxing Video

Let's see what comes inside a new Sony NEX-5N with 18-55mm OSS Lens Kit. The video shows the following contents of the NEX-5N Kit.

• Software Disc
• Warranty Card
• Instruction Manual
• Accessories Coupon
• Lens and Accessory Guide
• Flash with Case
  
  
• Shoulder Strap
• Battery Charger
• W Series Battery
• USB Cable
• Lens Hood
• Lens Cap
• 18-55mm OSS Lens
• NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5N with Optional 55-210mm OSS Lens

Sony NEX Arca Swiss Cold Shoe and L-Bracket

Here are some pictures by Terry of new Arca Swiss accessories for the Sony NEX. The cold shoe adapter uses the same interface as the standard flash. Screw it in and now you have a place for an accessory viewfinder, similar to the Sony FDA-SV1.



The Arca Swiss L-bracket provides a solid platform for attaching the NEX to a tripod. The camera can easily be changed from landscape to portrait orientation without moving the tripod head.



The Arca Swiss NEX Cold Shoe and NEX L-Bracket will be released next month. The pricing has not been announced.

Thanks Terry!

Time Lapse Video with Sony NEX-5 and Pclix XT

Time Lapse Video with Sony NEX-5

Here's another time laps video with the Sony NEX-5. This video was created by myreiseblog. The NEX-5 was triggered via infrared using a Pclix XT intervalometer.

The images from the NEX-5 were edited and the cool zooming effect was done in the video editor. We can see the Sony NEX's auto-HDR being utilized.

Thanks myreiseblog!

Sony HVL-F20S Flash for NEX Cameras

Sony HVL-F20S Flash

Sony NEX HVL-F20S Flash avaiable now.

With the announcement of the Sony NEX-C3 comes a new accessory flash for the NEX cameras. The new Sony HVL-F20S flash is a larger, more powerful flash for the NEX system. The Guide Number of 20 (50mm, at ISO 100) is a considerable increase from the GN7 (in metres at ISO 100) of the basic external flash (Sony HVL-F7S) provided with the NEX-C3, NEX-3, and the NEX-5. The new HVL-F20S also has an adjustable head to provide flash bouncing abilities. The new flash, as with the old flash, draws power from the NEX's camera's battery - just clip it and go. It is scheduled to be released in the summer.

From the Sony press release:

Also available as an option, the new HVL-F20S is a style-matching flash that clips onto the camera’s Smart Accessory Terminal. Powered directly by the camera, the flash requires no batteries, achieving an ultra-compact size and light weight when you're travelling. With a generous GN20 (50mm, at ISO 100, m) flash power rating and adjustable head, it’s ideal for creating natural fill-in and bounce flash effects with portraits and everyday shooting subjects.

Below shows the new HVL-F20S and the standard HVL-F7S flash on the new Sony NEX-3.

Sony NEX Viewfinder with Magnifier

Doug F sent us an email showing his NEX-5 viewfinder. It's reminiscent of the Hasselblad Waist Level Finder where you focus using the lcd surrounded by a hood and if needed you can flip up a magnifier.

The components to make this viewfinder are a hacked clearviewer, the magnifying element, and a Sony NEX LCD hood. The whole unit folds up neatly and doesn't add bulk to the svelt NEX body.

If you're using manual focus lenses, shooting should be a bit faster since you don't have to magnify the image 7x or 14x.

The Doug F viewfinder is also easily detachable from the NEX-5 since it is only mounted using the LCD hood connections.

Sony NEX LCD hood.

Click here for more information on the Clearviewer.

Thanks Doug F!

Sony NEX Wired Shutter Release

Sony NEX Wired Shutter Release Interface

Trunk from Get Hypoxic emailed us about his NEX hack. He disassembled the NEX to add a wired shutter release for his camera. The starndard infrared remote for the NEX-5 is too slow for certain applications and a hardwired remote is the solution. A hardwired remote is also the only way to trigger the shutter release for the NEX-3, which does not come with an IR receiver.

Watch the video of the disassembly, wiring, and assembly of the NEX-5 at gethypoxic.com.

Trunk testing the NEX shutter release

The NEX disassembly and assembly is for experts, and wiring a shutter release is a notch above that. Contact Trunk at gethypoxic.com if you're interested in a wired shutter release for your NEX camera.

Sony NEX Aftermarket Battery Grip

Sony NEX Aftermarket Battery Grip

Here's the Ownuser battery grip for the Sony NEX-3 and NEX-5 camera. It seems that grip can use two NPFW50 batteries to extend your shooting time. It also provides a better grip for shooting in the vertical position. All we see are wholesale prices which price each NEX battery grip down to $132.

Check out PCHome.com.tw for more information on the Ownuser Sony NEX Battery Grip.

Please email us if you have one.

Here is the Ownuser website where you can buy the battery grip for $99 shipped. We don't know all the details, so buyer beware.

Sony NEX with Loreo 3D Macro Lens Cap

Sony NEX-5 with Loreo 3D Macro Lens 9006

We received an email from J.E. "Elendito" showing us the Loreo 3D Macro Lens in a Cap in action with the Sony NEX-5. You can see how well it does 3D in photo and video mode.

Here was our previous post on the Loreo 3D Lens Model 9005 used on the NEX.

Sample photos from NEX and the Loreo 3D Macro Lens Cap.

On another note, we love how YouTube supports 3D Videos.

Thanks J.E.!