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.