NEX-5R Tokyo Time Lapse by gsuraki

Miniature Tokyo by gsuraki

Here's an interesting use of the PlayMemories Time Lapse app available for both the NEX-5R and NEX-6.

Thanks gsuraki!

Sony NEX-3N Review by Engadget

Sony NEX-3N Review by Engadget

Let's see what Engadget has to say about the handsome and compact Sony NEX-3N.

Sony DSC-RX1 vs Leica M Type 240 via CameraStoreTV

Sony DSC-RX1 vs Leica M Type 240

TheCameraStoreTV posted their review of the Leica M Type 240. They also brought along the Leica M9 and the Sony DSC-RX1 to compare. The Leicas were fitted with the Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux, while the RX1 comes with the Zeiss 35mm f/2 Sonnar. The RX1 image had a slight advantage over the M Type 240 in both low and high ISO shooting.

Check out the full review by the Camera Store below.

Leica M Type 240 Reviw by The Cameras Store

Sony NEX-3N Hands On Videos

Sony NEX-3N Hands On

Sony posted their hands on video of the new Sony NEX-3N camera. They discuss the new features that sets the NEX-3N apart from the previous NEX-3 cameras.

• Area specific noise reduction.
• Auto portrait framing.
• Auto macro framing.
• Auto tracking framing.
• Lens zoom lever.
• Available in April with the 16-50mm power zoom lens for $499.
• Available in all black or white with a silver lens.

Below is What Digital Camera's hands on look at the Sony NEX-3N.

Black Sony NEX-3N with 1650mm PowerZoom Lens

Thanks Sony and What Digital Camera!

Check out specs and more pictures of the NEX-3N from our previous post.

Sigma 60mm DN Lens for Sony NEX Cameras Announced

Mockup of Sigma 60mm on NEX-7

Sigma is adding a third lens to their Digital Neo series for E-mount cameras. It is the 60mm f/2.8 macro in native E-mount. The lens is similar to the one found in Sigma's new DP3 Merrill.

Here is Sigma's description of the 60mm DN.

Sigma 60mm F2.8 DN- Featuring the natural perspective of mid-range telephoto lenses, together with a shallow depth of field, this lens allows the photographer to capture a single part of a subject with great bokeh effects. It has an angle of view equivalent to 90mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). The minimum focusing distance is 19.7 inches; the maximum magnification is 1:7.2. This lens also contains Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass, which helps minimize axial and transverse chromatic aberration.

Mockup of Sigma 60mm on NEX-5R

Sigma Corporation announces four new lenses at CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show 2013

YOKOHAMA, Japan — Jan. 29, 2013—Sigma Corporation of America a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world’s most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, today announced the release of four new lenses for the ART product line, including three lenses for mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras and one lens for DSLR cameras with APS-C size sensors. This announcement comes at the start of the CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show 2013 this week in Yokohama, Japan.

The new and updated Sigma lenses include the 30mm F1.4 DC HSM, which will be available in Sigma, Canon and Nikon mounts, and the 30mm F2.8 DN, 19mm F2.8 DN and 60mm F2.8 DN lenses, which are available for Sony E-Mount camera systems. Pricing and availability on all of these lenses has yet to be announced.

The 60mm F2.8 DN lens is entirely new to the Sigma lineup, while the 30mm F1.4 DC HSM and the 30mm F2.8 DN and 19mm F2.8 DN lenses are existing focal lengths that have been redesigned with enhanced optical performance and included as part of Sigma’s new Global Vision category restructuring. All three DN lenses incorporate telecentric optical designs and a linear, auto focusing motor that ensures accurate and quiet focusing for video recording. They also boast metal exteriors and a simply shaped focus ring, with varying textures to distinguish each part of the lens. In addition, DN users can choose between a black or silver finish to match their favorite equipment.

“We’re really proud of the super sharp lenses we’ve produced in the past year and these new Art lenses will continue to impress our fans and critics alike. They’re ideal for the landscape, portrait, still-life, close-up and casual photographer who values creative, dramatic outcomes above compactness and multifunction,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. “The lenses are entirely made in Japan and they boast the new product line’s sleek design and enhanced quality control. We’re quite proud of these changes – and additions – to our lens lineup; they’re further evidence of Sigma’s forethought in this fast-moving industry.”

Mockup of Sigma Art DN Lenses on NEX-7

The Sigma 19mm and 30mm DN E-mount lenses have been upgraded and added to the Sigma Art line. The previous Sigma 19mm and 30mm are discontinued and were available at a discount. The improvements are a new metal body, quieter autofocus mechanism for videos, and enhanced optical performance.

Here is Sigma's description of the new 19mm DN and 30mm DN for Sony NEX cameras.

Sigma 19mm F2.8 DN – This high-performance, wide-angle lens has an angle of view equivalent to 28.5mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). As a wide-angle lens with excellent mobility, it is ideal for studio photography, architecture and starry skies. Its minimum focusing distance is 7.9 inches and its maximum magnification is 1:7.4.

Sigma 30mm F2.8 DN – This high-performance, standard lens has an angle of view equivalent to 45mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). This lens, which is perfect for casual and formal portraiture, documentary photography, travelogues and everyday shooting, includes a double-sided aspherical lens that enhances its optical performance. Its minimum focusing distance of 11.8 inches and its maximum magnification is 1:8.1.

Sigma, we would love to see that Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM in native E-mount as well.

Thanks Sigma!

Fuji X100s Digital Split Image Focusing

Fuji X100s Digital Split Image Focusing Demo

Here's a nice feature of the upcoming Fuji X100s that we'd like to see in a future NEX camera. They are using the PDAF sensor to create a digital split image to mimic classic manual focus slrs and rangefinders. You can also see that they've finally included focus peaking to one of their cameras. All NEX cameras include focus peaking since June 2011.

How The DSC-RX1 Is Assembled

Assembly of the Sony DSC-RX1

Here's a treat from the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show, Sony posted a video of the assembly of the DSC-RX1.

Play it backwards and we have a disassembly video. Use at your own risk. :D

Sony NEX-7 Firmware v1.01 Released

Sony NEX-7 Updated to Firmware v1.01

Sony addresses some user requests with the new NEX-7 v1.01 update. We are most interested in the bracketing improvement and the wide angle lens image quality. Let us know how v1.01 works for you.

This utility upgrades the NEX-7 firmware to version 1.01, and provides the following benefits:

• Addition of capability to enable or disable the MOVIE button
• Addition of exposure settings of bracket shooting (three frames /1.0EV,2.0EV, 3.0EV)
• Improvement of response for showing auto review image.
• Improvement of image quality when using a wide angle lens.
• Improvement of indication when setting “Flexible Spot”.

Download the Sony NEX-7 Firmware Version 1.01 Mac OS Version, Windows Version.

Read the installation procedure twice before attempting to install as a precaution.

Sony NEX-5 Near Infrared Video by Bob Trongone

Here's an interesting application for the Sony NEX-5, infrared video. The camera was converted to see near infrared while keeping all of the functions of the NEX.

IR I-78 by Bob Trongone

Details from Bob T's Vimeo

Infrared footage of Interstate 78 West seen in eastern Pennsylvania.
Capture device: A Sony NEX-5 modified to see near infrared.
Filter: MaxMax X-Nite XDP

IR NY17 Bob Trongone

Thanks Bob T!

Nice place via NEX-5N on Hexacopter

Nice place by ak&fpv

Great video work with the Sony NEX-5N on a hexacopter by ak&fpv. Calming and soothing.

Check out other videos by ak&fpv.

Sony NEX-7 with Anamorphic Lens Footage

NEX-7 3.55:1 Ratio Video via Sankor 16D Anamorphic Lens

Check out this footage shot by Dave Dueck with his NEX-7, Fujinon 55mm Lens, and a Sankor 16D anamorphic lens. The NEX-7 was set to shoot video at 1080p/24p and converted to 720p for vimeo. For complete details go to Dave's vimeo page.

shot by Dave Dueck

Penguins and the Sony NEX-VG20 Camcorder

Kings of South Georgia by cotton coulson

Here's a nice video shot with the Sony NEX-VG20 Camcorder in South Georgia Island with National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions by Cotton Coulson. Here is what he has to say about the VG20:

Using the Sony NEX VG-20, demonstrating what can be shot with this camera in remote regions. All taken with standard Sony lenses, edited with Final Cut X, no grading, wanted to show how the camera performs right out of the box. Remember also that this camera takes beautiful stills.

The form factor is impressive. It's like shooting video with a Leica rangefinder camera. Only negative feedback is managing some of the controls off the LCD screen, especially in harsh weather conditions, but on the flip side, the camera is so portable, making video something fun to do again.

Sony NEX-VG20 with Sony 18-200mm OSS

Thanks Cotton!

4K Ready NEX-FS700 NXCAM Camcorder Introduced

4 Days with the NEX-FS700 by Andrew Young

This is the newest camera of the NEX system. It is a pro level camcorder dubbed the Sony NEX-FS700 NXCAM. The camera builds on the NEX-FS100 with most of the requested features like the built-in ND filter and the 3G-SDI interface. The NEX-FS700 is also 4K ready, soon 4096 x 2160 video can be captured with an NEX camera.

The video above by Andrew Young shows the versatility of the NEX-FS700 for video - 240fps in HD, 400fps in 480p, autofocus tracking with Alpha mount and E-mount lenses, most adaptable lens mount, lightweight and compact.

The video below is a walkthrough of the NEX-FS700 which shows the user interface. There is a zoom rocker which means that a new E-mount powered zoom lens for video is inevitable.

Features of the NEX-FS700 Camcorder:

• 4K “Exmor” Super 35 CMOS sensor
• Super slow motion at 10x at full HD or 40x at lower resolutions
• E-mount interchangeable lenses offer a wide choice of lenses
• Built-in ND filters
• 3G-SDI interface and HDMI
• SEL 18200 lens supplied
• Zoom Rocker for future E-mount lenses

Sony NEX-FS700 Walkthrough with .Sardo.

NEX-FS700 NEX-FS100 Side by Side

Thanks Andrew and Sardo!

Sony NEX-7 Grip by Rewo

Sony NEX-7 ReWo Cage / Grip

Is the Sony NEX-7 too small for you? ReWo of Germany created the grip / cage above to help film makers with the NEX-7. The cage provides mounting points and lens support with full access to the NEX-7's controls. The item is not for sale yet. Contact ReWo if you are interested.

Thanks EOSHD!

Sony NEX Cinematic Video Tips from thedigitalvisual

Here are the recommended NEX settings to achieve the same visuals as the footage above.

• Picture Profile: Portrait
• Menu > Brightness and Color > Creative Style > Portrait
• Contrast = -3
• Color = 0
• Sharpness = -3
  
• Video Settings at AVCHD 1080/24p or 60p for slow motion scenes.
  
• White Balance set to Auto.

The footage was color corrected in Adobe After Effects CS5 which can handle AVCHD files. The files were exported using Apple Pro-Res 422 (HQ).

The editing was done in Final Cut Pro X. It was exported to H.246 for web uploads.

Thanks thedigitalvisual!

NEX-7 Flying in Bermuda with Quadrocopter

Sony NEX-7 on a Cinestar 6 Hexacopter UAV

Quadrocopter / GravityShots takes us around the island of Bermuda courtesy of the Sony NEX-7 mounted on a Cinestar 6 hexacopter. You can see what this rig looks like here. The video was captured using the 18-55mm OSS lens and is at 1080p and 60 frames per second.

Check out quadrocopter for more information.

Thanks GravityShots!

NEX-FS100 vs Arri Alexa-Panasonic AF101-Canon 5d II

Sony NEX-FS100 vs by Niklan B.e.M.

Our German skills are based on Google Translate but if you are interested in filmmaking the video will be easy to translate. Niklas and his colleagues tested the Arri Alex, Canon EOS 5d Mark II, Panasonic AG-AF101 and the Sony NEX-FS100 in the following categories:

• Rolling Shutter
• Low Light Capability
• Dynamic Range
• Skin Tones

Here is what Google Translate gave us when we entered the summary from the video:

Panasonic AG-AF101 €5400

• Poor Compression
• Lacked Detail
• Unnatural Look

Canon EOS 5d Mark II €2500

• Poor Compression
• Balanced Picture
• Good Dynamic Range

Sony NEX-FS100 €5500

• Good Compression
• Natural Look
• Good Dynamic Range

Arri Alexa €50000

• Best Compression
• Best Look
• Best Dynamic Range
  

Thank you Niklas!

Sony NEX-7 Video Tips from Luminous Landscape

Sony NEX-7 with 50mm f/1.8 OSS Lens

Luminous Landscape posted their review of the NEX-7's video capabilities. They have an overall favorable review of the NEX-7. The article is very informative - read it.

Here is what they say about the NEX-7 as a video camera.

The Sony NEX-7 is a decent camera for shooting video. Like all DSLRs and CSCs it has its limitations, but it's not as bad as some. The scaling that Sony uses to go from 24MP down to about 2MP for video does produce some artifacts, but in many ways is better than the line skipping that Canon uses.
...
The reality is that in its price range it's an excellent choice. There are the usual video DSLR problems of moire, aliasing and rolling shutter, but no worse than many, and better than some. Indeed the highly regarded Canon 5D MKII's video quality is, in my opinion, worse than that from the NEX-7 in many respects.

Here's a summary of tips we learned from Luminous Landscape NEX-7 the Video Camera Review:

• Set the NEX to 16:9 mode. The LCD preview will match the video for framing.
• Shoot in M (manual mode), set the ISO, aperture, and shutter speed desired, and then rotate the variable ND until you have the appropriate exposure.
• Equipment
• Sony E 18-200mm OSS for a general purpose video lens, for its silent AF and OSS.
• Sony 50mm f/1.8 OSS and Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 ZA Sonnar for speed and field of view.
• Turn of OSS when shooting video with the NEX on a tripod.
• For maximum malleability in color correction, set the NEX Creative Style to Natural and set Contrast, Saturation and Sharpness each to -3. Adjust color in your editing / grading software e.g. Final Cut Pro X.

Standard vs Natural Creative Style by Luminous Landscape

Serious about video?

consider the Sony FS100. It has a full raster sensor of 3.43 M pixels (2464 x 1394), which means that no scaling is required, reducing colour artifacting. The relatively large pixels also mean extreemly good low light sensitivity as well. It has a full range of cine oriented controls and features and is simply head and shoulders a better video camera than the NEX-7, or any video DSLR for the matter.

Read the complete NEX-7 Video Capabilities review with video samples at Luminous Landscape.

Thanks LuLa!

Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Uses a NEX-3

While watching the trailer for the new "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo", 4004's keen eye saw the NEX-3 being used by Rooney Mara - Lisbeth Salander. This is a remake of the Swedish film which was excellent. The film deals with strong subjects and is rated R for good reason.

The movie was filmed a while ago when the NEX-3 was new. Maybe the NEX-C3 or even the NEX-7 will be in Lisbeth's hands in the following films of this trilogy. Don't blink or you may miss the NEX-3.

NEX-7 at ISO 3200 on a Hexakopter

Jeff S. sent us an email to show the latest Sony NEX-7 video by Gravity Shots. Gravity Shots placed the NEX-7 on a Cinestar Hexakopter and went night flying. The camera was set to ISO 3200, and shutter speed at 1/25, to shoot 1080 and 24 frames per second. The 18-55mm OSS lens was set at max aperture.

The footage and the house looks great. The continuous autofocus and image stabilization makes for a smooth looking ride.

Here was Gravity Shots first footage of the NEX-7 on a Hexacopter.

Find out more at facebook.com/quadrocopter.

Thanks Jeff!