Sony NEX-7 with Leica 60mm Macro Elmarit-R

Here are a few shots from Old Sturbridge Village using our newly acquired Leica 60mm f/2.8 Macro Elmarit-R on the Sony NEX-7. The Leica 60mm Macro is said to have "excellent image quality at close-up range..." and "superb results at greater distances" when stopped down. We used the Macro Elmarit-R wide open all day at f/2.8 and only stopped down to f/5.6 when the depth of field was needed. The NEX-7 was set to Aperture Priority and ISO 100 outdoors or Auto ISO indoors. A basic Leica R to E-mount lens adapter was used.

NEX-7 with Leica 60mm at f/2.8 ISO 100

The NEX-7 with the Leica 60mm is a nice match in good light. We had no problem of keeping the shutter speeds up at f/2.8 in snowy New England.

NEX-7 with Leica 60mm at f/2.8 ISO 800 to 1600

The Leica 60mm Macro Elmarit-R has a long focus throw and focusing indoors takes some practice with moving subjects. The focus ring is well damped and provided nice feedback for critical focus.

NEX-7 with Leica 60mm at f/5.6 ISO 100

NEX-7 with Leica 60mm at f/2.8 ISO 400-800

We don't shoot Macro too much but that can change with the Leica 60mm with the 1:1 adapter. Here are shots at f/2.8, f/8 and f/22 at minimum focus distance.

NEX-7 with Leica 60mm at f/2.8 with 1:1 Adapter at Minimum Focus Distance

Sony NEX-7 with Leica 60mm Macro Elmarit-R

Above is the NEX-7 with the Leica 60mm Macro Elmarit-R. We enjoyed shooting with the lens and it will be added to the NEX travel kit.

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.

Sony NEX-3N Camera with PowerZoom Lever

Sony NEX-3N Promotional Video

Here is Sony's latest temptation for point and shoot users. The NEX-3N is the fourth generation of the entry level NEX cameras. The NEX-3N has a zoom lever, similar to point and shoot cameras, that controls the Sony 16-50mm PowerZoom interchangeable lens. There is also the Sony 18-200mm PZ lens which can be controlled by the NEX-3N. The NEX-3N is the first NEX camera to support the new “TRILUMINOS Colour”. TRILUMINOS Colour along with a BRAVIA TV with TRILUMINOS Display will provide expanded palette of vivid, ultra-realistic colours when videos and still images from the NEX-3N camera are played back.

The NEX-3N will sell for $499 with the 16-50mm Power Zoom lens.

• Super-compact interchangeable lens APS-C camera weighs just 210g
• No-fuss self-portraits with 180° tiltable LCD screen and zoom lever
• Large Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor with 16.1 effective megapixels and high sensitivity, for detail-packed, low noise photos and Full HD video
• Beautiful compositions made easy with new Auto Object Framing
• Light, compact body with pop-up flash

Sony NEX-3N with Flash Up

Sony NEX-3N Technical specifications

	NEX-3N
Image sensor	Exmor APS HD CMOS with approx. 16.1 effective megapixels
Autofocus system	Contrast-detection with 25 AF points
ISO sensitivity range	Still images: ISO 200 – 16000 Movies: ISO 200 – 3200 equivalent
Movie recording format	AVCHD 50i/25p
Optical viewfinder	N/A
LCD screen	7.5cm / 3.0-type 460K-dot; tilt angle up 180°
Continuous shooting	4 fps (approx.)
Picture Effect	11 modes, 15 effects
Dimensions	109.9 x 62.0 x 34.6 mm (approx.)
Weight (with battery and memory card; approx.)	269 g
Weight (body only; approx.)	210 g
Battery life (approx.)	480 shots (CIPA standard)
Connections / interfaces	Multi/Micro USB* (allows charging); HDMI Type D *Supports Micro USB compatible device
Built-in flash	GN4; ISO 100·m / (GN6; ISO 200·m)

Sony NEX-3N with 16-50 Power Zoom Lens

NEX-3N vs NEX-F3 vs NEX-C3 vs NEX-3 Size Comparison

Discounts on Sony NEX Cameras

Image from Map Camera

The current line of NEX cameras are currently on discounts. It's a great time to buy and learn your cameras during the cold days of winter and be ready for spring.

$200 off Sony NEX-7 Cameras

Sony is offering a $200 discount on Sony NEX-7 cameras. The NEX-7 with 18-55mm OSS lens is now $1,148. The MSRP is $1349.

The NEX-7 body only is now priced at $998. The MSRP is $1199.

$100 off Sony NEX-6 Cameras

Sony is offering a $100 discount on Sony NEX-6 cameras. The NEX-6 with 16-50mm Power Zoom lens is now $898. The MSRP is $999.

The NEX-6 body only is now priced at $748. The MSRP is $849.

$100 off Sony NEX-5R Cameras

Sony is offering a $100 discount on Sony NEX-5R cameras. The NEX-5R with 18-55mm OSS lens is now $648. The MSRP is $749.

The NEX-5R body only is now priced at $548. The MSRP is $649.


The new Sony 20mm f/2.8 Pancake is also available for pre-order at $348.

NEX Cameras and Lenses Firmware Update February 2013

Sony has released seven firmware updates for Sony NEX cameras and lenses. Here is a quick summary of the changes.

Sony NEX-7 Camera Firmware v1.02

• Support for 16-50mm Power Zoom lens, image compensation and mechanical retraction
• Adds auto-exposure bracketing ranges of 1.0EV, 2.0EV, and 3.0EV
• Improves indication for using the "Flexible Spot" setting
• Improves image quality when using a wide angle lens
• Improves response for showing auto review images
• Adds the capability to enable or disable the MOVIE button

Sony NEX-6 Camera Firmware v1.01

• Support for hybrid af compliant lenses: SEL1018, SEL35F18, SELP18200, SEL30M35, SEL50F18, SEL18200LE

Sony NEX-5R Camera Firmware v1.01

• Support for hybrid af compliant lenses: SEL1018, SEL35F18, SELP18200, SEL30M35, SEL50F18, SEL18200LE

Sony NEX-5N Camera Firmware v1.02

• Support for 16-50mm Power Zoom lens, image compensation and mechanical retraction
• Updates the RAW data format version. After installing this update, distortion correction of RAW data is available with Image Data Converter version 4.2 or later
• Adds auto-exposure bracketing ranges of 1.0EV, 2.0EV, and 3.0EV
• Improves the AF response for situations where the distance of the subject changes considerably
• Improves stability when operating the camera using the [Lens Compensation: Distortion] "Auto" and [Picture Effect] "Miniature" settings at the same time
• Improves camera operations when using the [Exposure Compensation] and [Intelligent AF] settings

Sony NEX-F3 Camera Firmware v1.01

• Support for SELP1650 image compensation

Sony 30mm f/3.5 Macro Lens Version 02

• updates the firmware for the SEL-30M35 E-mount lens to version 02 which provides the Fast Hybrid AF function. Note: Only when attached to the NEX-6 or NEX-5R.

Sony 50mm f/1.8 Lens Version 02

• updates the firmware for the SEL-50F18 E-mount lens to version 02 which provides the Fast Hybrid AF function. Note: Only when attached to the NEX-6 or NEX-5R.

So there are seven new firmware updates for you NEX products. Go to the Sony eSupport website or your regional Sony support website, enter the part number of the product you want to update, navigate to the drivers and software tab, and click on Firmware. Read the instructions multiple times and have your NEX camera fully charged before starting the upgrade process.

Sony NEX-6 Milky Way Time Lapse

Milky Way Time Lapse by David H.

Here are the settings David H. used on his NEX-6 with the help of PlayMemories Camera Apps.

Camera settings: 16mm, ISO 1600, f3.5, 30sec.To extend the battery life I made a cover to put over the EVF to trick the camera. This turns off the light on the back of the main screen and conserves a lot of power. I did this using the Time Lapse app on 40 second intervals (10 seconds longer than exposure time to allow the camera to process images). Still trying to figure out if you can use the Time Lapse app in RAW format.

Here is a video showing the NEX / Time Lapse App interface.

NEX PlayMemories Camera Apps Time Lapse

The Time Lapse App is available for $9.99 from the PlayMemories Camera App store. PlayMemories Camera Apps are compatible with Sony NEX-5R and NEX-6 cameras.

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!