NEX-5N and Canon 40mm STM Lens

Canon 40mm f/2.8 STM Lens on NEX-5N by Bob Israel

Bob I. posted some samples from his newest lens, the Canon 40mm f/2.8 STM lens. STM designates the stepper motor in the lens which allows the new Canon T4i to mimic the Sony NEX's continuous autofocus during video.

The Canon 40mm STM is mounted on the NEX-5N via the Conurus / Metabones EOS to NEX E-mount Smart Adapter. The Smart Adapter allows the NEX to control the aperture of the EOS lens. See our previous post here. The 40mm STM is a pancake lens and is less than an inch in thickness.

Here are some samples from the Canon 40mm f/2.8 STM Lens, Conurus/Metabones EOS to NEX Smart Adapter, and the NEX-5N.

Photos by Bob Israel

Thanks Bob I!

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!

Wireless Sony NEX Video Record via Infrared

NEX-7 Video Record via Infrared Remote by Lucky Luke

One thing missing from the Sony NEX remote is the ability to trigger video recording on the camera. Well a few people have found solutions. Below is eglijeg's solution using a Harmony Remote. He outlines the steps and they have been confirmed to work by other people. We do not have a Harmony Remote to test it, maybe someone can find a solution for a Comcast Remote.

I got this to work fantasically with a Harmony 890 though.

Some of you have figured out, there is already the NEX-5 as a device in the Harmony programming software. It is under VCR. This has all of the standard remote buttons programmed in it. Add this device to your remote in the harmony software program (don't update your remote yet though if you want the record feature to work)

Next, in order to get the video record button log into

http://members.harmonyremote.com first, then go to

http://members.harmonyremote.com/EasyZapper/Infrared/ManualInfrared.asp?ReturnUrl=ShowInfrared%2Easp

Now, select "manual" for the key code entry type

enter the code below for the movie record button in the "data value" field under the pronto data type:

0000 0068 0000 0015 0060 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0030 0400

Then set the add this code to the "VCR" device.

Now you can go back into the Harmony software and you can assign a button to start recording video. I renamed the VCR to "NEX"

Update your remote and you should be good. Excellent!

Here's a remote code posted by hot. We are not sure how to use this.

SONY code for

0000 0001 shutter
0011 0110 2sec shutter delay
0001 0010 video on/off

Thanks eglijeg, hot, and lucky luke!

Sony NEX-7 vs Olympus OM-D EM-5 Video Comparison

If you have not read our NEX-7 vs OM-D EM-5 comparison read it first before watching the two videos below. Grab your popcorn and watch the APS-C vs Micro 4/3 heavyweights do battle.

Sony NEX-7 vs Olumpus OM-D EM-5

We prefer all the advantages of the APS-C's sensor over the Micro 4/3 and that's why we shoot with the NEX-7.

Schneider Kreuznach 14mm Lens for NEX Cameras

Sony NEX-7 with Schneider Kreuznach 14mm Super Angulon Mockup

Another lens manufacturer is joining the Sony NEX E-mount family. The 99 year old Schneider Kreuznach lensmaking firm from Germany is creating a 14mm Super Angulon with a maximum aperture of f/2.0 for the Sony NEX system. The lens will have an effective focal length of 21mm on the NEX's APS-C sensor. Early news states that the lens will be autofocus and will be the first of a range of lenses from Schneider for the E-mount. The rest of the range will be announced this September at Photokina.

Above is a mockup of the Schneider Super Angulon on the Sony NEX-7. This is a very preliminary image and the Schneider final product may be totally different.

Schneider Kreuznach 14mm f/2 Super Angulon

Schneider Kreuznach will join Tamron and Sigma as a 3rd party manufacturer of Sony NEX E-mount autofocus lenses.

Download Sony NEX-F3 Manual in PDF

Sony NEX-F3 Parts and Controls

Here is the Sony NEX-F3 instruction manual in Adobe PDF. It provides descriptions of the cameras controls, basic operation, and general usage recommendations. The NEX-F3 manual in PDF can be previewed and downloaded here via Google Drive.

USB charging for NEX cameras introduced with the Sony NEX-F3, shown below.

Sony NEX-F3 USB Charger and AC Adapter

The alpha manual for the Sony NEX-F3 provides further instruction on using the camera. The alpha manual shows how to use the extensive features of the NEX-F3. The alpha manual for the NEX-F3 can be previewed and downloaded here.

Below is a new feature for the NEX system introduced by the Sony NEX-F3.

Sony NEX-F3 Auto Portrait Framing

Some picture effects available on the NEX-F3.

Sony NEX-F3 Picture Effects

Meet NEX Junior Sony DSC-RX100

Sony DSC RX100 vs Sony Alpha NEX-F3

Here is the new Sony DSC-RX100 aka NEX Junior. The RX100 is an enthusiast fixed lens compact camera with a 1" sensor, 4x larger than the average point and shoot. The camera comes with a fast Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 3.6x optical zoom lens, 28-100mm f/1.8-4.9. The RX100 produces 20.2 megapixels JPG and RAW images with native ISO range of 125-6400. It can also captures 1080p HD Video at 60 frames per second.

We dubbed it the NEX Junior since it shares most of the features with the NEX system cameras in a smaller and lighter form factor. Here is a quick comparison between the DSC-RX100 against the new Alpha NEX-F3.

Sony DSC-RX100 vs NEX-F3 Rear View

Combatants	Sony Alpha NEX-F3	Sony DSC-RX100
Number of effective pixels	16.1 megapixels 4912 x 3264 pixels	20.2 megapixels 5472 x 3468 pixels
CCD Sensor	APS-C CMOS Sensor 23.4 x 15.6 mm	1" Type CMOS Sensor 13.2 x 8.8 mm
Crop Factor	(1.5x) 18-55mm Lens = 27-82.5mm FOV	(2.7x) 10.4 - 37.1mm Lens = 28-100mm FOV
ISO Range	100 - 16000	125-6400 (80-25600 with Multi Frame Noise Reduction)
Lens Mount	Sony NEX E-mount	Fixed Zoom Lens
Flange Focal Distance	18mm	-
Focusing	25 Point Contrast AF and Manual Focus	25 Point Contrast AF and Manual Focus
Image Stabilization	In Lens (Optical Steady Shot)	Optical Steady Shot
Shutter Speed	30s to 1/4000 with Bulb Mode	30s to 1/2000 with Bulb Mode
Continuous Shooting Speed	10 frames per sec.	10 fps.
LCD	Tiltable 3" Diagonal 921,600 Pixels	Fixed 3" 4:3 1,228,000 Pixels
Viewfinder	Optional Electronic OLED 2.4m dot	None.
Video Capability	1920 x 1080 / 60p-24p AVCHD and MPEG4	1920 x 1080 / 60p AVCHD and MPEG4
Dimensions	4.61 x 2.64 x 1.65 in. (117 x 67 x 42 mm)	4 x 2.3 x 1.4 in. (102 x 59 x 36 mm)
Weight	11.08 oz (314 g) No Lens	7.51 oz (213 g)
Battery Life (CIPA)	470 Shots per charge	330 Shots per charge
Price	$600 with 18-55 OSS Lens	$650

Sony RX100 Lens Extended vs NEX-F3 with 18-55mm Lens

Sony DSC-RX100 Hands On Video

Check out the Sony Store for complete specs of the DSC-RX100 Camera.

$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!

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.

Windows Phone Wallpapers by Sony NEX and Levi Freeman

Here's a nice story of a NEX photographer and graphic designer, Levi Freeman, getting recognized by the Windows Phone design team. Mr. Freeman carries the designation of producing the first set of official Windows Phone wallpapers with the design team's full endorsement.

from the Windows Phone blog:

Our fans have created some fantastic Windows Phone wallpapers over the years. Today we’re unveiling a new nature series from Windows Phone fan and London-based graphic designer Levi Freeman. What’s unique about these is that they’re the first to carry our design team’s official seal of approval. We also hope they’re the first of many collaboration efforts with artists to come.

Read the official Windows Phone announcement here.


from Levi Freeman

This is the short account of the story behind how my photographs ended up on Windows Phone. It explains the beginnings, meetings and the joy of shooting with my camera knowing full well that millions of people will perhaps set them as their own lock screen wallpaper. As well as the wallpapers themselves.

Read Levi Freeman's story here with the set of wallpapers. The link describes how you can easily download these wallpapers to your Windows Phone.

Here are some samples of Levi's official Windows Phone wallpapers.

Levi Freeman's Official Windows Phone Wallpapers