Contax G to Sony NEX Autofocus Adapter

DEO Techart Contax G to E-mount AF Adapter by MX Camera.

Contax G rangefinder fans take a seat. Your autofocus lenses have been brought back to life with an upcoming Sony NEX E-mount autofocus adapter. The video above from MX Camera shows the NEX-7 controlling the Contax G 45mm f/2 lens in autofocus mode. We hope to discover more about this adapter soon. We'll have to wait two weeks.

We have the manual focus adapter for Contax G lenses and we love the images that come from the lenses by Carl Zeiss.

Taken with a Contax G 90mm on Sony NEX-7.

Sony NEX-7 with M-Rokkor 28mm

All shots are from the Sony NEX-7 with a M-Rokkor 28mm f/2.8 and a close-focusing Leica M mount adapter. Happy holidays everyone and thanks for following the blog.

Sony NEX-FS700 Parkour and Bjork

Something for a Sunday afternoon, parkour and Bjork by Yvon Labarthe.

What Shutter Sound? Sony DSC-RX1

Sony DSC-RX1 Shutter Sound

GPSVista compares the standard shutter sound of the Sony RX1 and the lack of shutter sound when it is disabled. The shutter sound can be silenced by turning off Audio Signals via Setup Menu #3, shown below.

Sony RX1 Setup Menu #3

Thanks GPSVista!

Sony NEX-6 vs Fujifilm XE-1 by The Camera Store

Sony NEX-6 vs Fujifilm XE-1 Video

The Camera Store put up the $1000 Sony NEX-6 against the $1400 Fujifilm XE-1. They found that the NEX-6 was a better all around camera while the Fujifilm XE-1 was a step ahead in the still photo department.


Check out the spec comparison we did for the NEX-5R vs the XE-1 here.

NEX-5R Kit for $649 on Black Friday

Sony NEX-5R Kit for $649 on Black Friday

Here is the only NEX specific Black Friday ad that we found. Best Buy will be selling the Sony NEX-5R kit, camera and 18-55mm OSS lens, for $649 next week on Black Friday. They are also including a bag and a memory card with the kit. It is a $100 over the standard price at Best Buy.

Amazon is currently selling the NEX-5R body only for the same price.

Here is the NEX-5R User Manual, a good read while you are plotting on how to acquire the NEX-5R on the US's busiest shopping day. Good luck!

Sony NEX-6 Infrared Conversion by IR-Photo.net

Sony NEX-6 Disassembled for Infrared Conversion

Wiebe from IR-Photo.net uploaded his Sony NEX-6 infrared conversion tutorial video and here it is. Check out 4:59 for a surprise.

Visit IR-Photo.net for a more detailed NEX-6 disassembly and infrared conversion tutorial.

Thanks Wiebe and IR-Photo!

Sony NEX-7 Firmware v1.00 vs v1.01

Sony NEX-7 Firmware v1.00 vs v1.01

Matthew D. uploaded a video of his Sony NEX-7 before and after the Firmware v1.01 update. The video shows the great improvement in the Auto-Review time with v1.01 - it's almost instantaneous.

Sony NEX-7 Exposure Bracketing Improved

The exposure bracketing of the NEX-7 has also been improved. The limit at v1.00 was +/- 0.7 EV but with v1.01 the NEX-7 is now capable of +/- 3.0 EV. This feature will benefit HDR (high dynamic range) photos.

Sony NEX-7 Movie Button Disabled

The NEX-7's movie button can now be disabled by going to MENU > SETUP > MOVIE BUTTON > ON / OFF.

We are still waiting to see what the "wide angle lens image improvement" did.

Here was our post about the NEX-7 V1.01 Firmware release.

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.

NEX-7 with Voigtlander Sigma and Fuji Lenses in Turkey

NEX-7 with Voigtlander 15mm, Sigma 30mm, and Fujinon 50mm lens

Here is a set of pictures by Emmanuel C. taken in Turkey with his Sony NEX-7. He brought along a pair of adapted manual focus lenses: Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 Super Wide Heliar and the Fujinon 50mm f/1.9 lens. He also used the native E-mount autofocus the Sigma 30mm f/2.8 DN lens. This provides a nice set covering 22.5mm, 45mm, and 75mm equivalent field of view.

Check out Emmanuel's website at EmmanuelChampagne.fr.

Sony DSC-RX1 Specs Revised and Misc. Info

It looks like Sony is still massaging the Sony DSC-RX1 features. The RX1's top shutter speed has been raised to 1/4000 sec when the aperture is f/5.6 or smaller on the Carl Zeiss 35mm Sonnar lens. The shutter speed is 1/2000s when the lens aperture is larger than f/5.6 down to f/2.

Zeiss 35mm Sonnar's 9 Aperture Blades Create a Circular Shape

The other revision to the RX1 is the focus wheel on the front of the camera. The production RX1 will let you select from Autofocus (AF), Direct Manual Focus (DMF), and Manual Focus (MF). DMF Mode allows the user to fine tune AF by adjusting the manual focus ring on the lens after the RX1 has locked focus.

Focus Wheel Changed on Sony RX1

We found a few more images of some DSC-RX1 accessories.

What Comes with the FDA-V1K Zeiss 35mm Optical Viewfinder

RX1 Thumbgrip TGA-1 Swings Open to Access Buttons

Here is a new sample image from the Sony RX1. Click for the full 24 mp, 6000x4000 pixel image.

DSC-RX1 ISO 100 1/15s f/4.0 +0.7 EV

Other miscellaneous DSC-RX1 info:

• 1.4x Smart Teleconverter = 49mm EFOV
• 2x Smart Teleconverter = 70mm EFOV
• Video Focal Lengths
• 16:9 Video: 44mm with stabilization ON, 37mm with it OFF
• 4:3 Video: 48mm with stabilization ON, 45mm with it OFF

Below is a video showing the full frame advantage by Focus Pulling.

Full Frame Advantage Exemplified by the NEX-VG900

Download Sony NEX-5R Manual in PDF

Sony NEX-5R Parts ID from User Manual

Here is the unofficial Sony NEX-5R manual from the FCC filing. The Sony NEX-5R is a NEX-5N with an additional control wheel and function button from the NEX-7. The NEX-5R also has a new 16.1 MP sensor, WiFi for PlayMemories Camera Apps, rear lcd touch shutter, and hybrid autofocus. The rear LCD touch screen flips 180° for self portraits similar to the NEX-F3.

Saving Images to Computer via WiFi using PlayMemories Camera Apps

Touch Shutter Function on Sony NEX-5R

Click here to download the unofficial Sony NEX-5R User Manual. This is subject to change without notice.

Sony NEX-5R Intro Video

Sony NEX-5R with 18-200mm OSS Lens

Create Cinemagraphs with Sony NEX via PlayMemories Apps

Create Cinemagraphs with Sony NEX Cameras

The PlayMemories Camera Apps website posted a new app teaser that will be coming out later this year. Sony calls it Cinematic Photo but it's widely known as cinemagraphs. Cinemagraphs are still photos with minor movement and is usually displayed as an animation. The video above shows a cinemagraph of pouring from the PlayMemories Camera Apps website. Everything is still with the exception of the flowing orange juice. PlayMemories Camera Apps are available on the Sony NEX-5R and the NEX-6.

Create Cinemagraphs with the Sony NEX-5R or NEX-6

Check out the PlayMemories Camera Apps teaser website and see the cinemagraph in action.

Here are some cinemagraphs from Jamie Beck & Kevin Burg - not made with the Sony NEX.

from Cinemagraphs.com

Download Sony NEX-6 User Manual in PDF

Sony NEX-6 Parts Diagram

Here is the preliminary Sony NEX-6 user manual courtesy of the FCC filing. The NEX-6 has WiFi and had to go through FCC approval. The NEX-6 uses the NEX-5R's sensor, and the EVF of the NEX-7. It introduces hybrid autofocus (phase detect and contrast detect), the new mode dial, and multi-interface hot shoe to the NEX system. The camera also includes the ability to use PlayMemories apps which takes advantage of the WiFi interconnectability.

The NEX-6 Kit comes with the new 16-50mm Power Zoom lens - retractable and compact.

Sony NEX-6 Shooting Mode Functions

Click here to download the unofficial NEX-6 manual in pdf. This is subject to change without notice.

Sony NEX-6 with 10-18mm wide angle zoom lens

Thanks hot!

New Sony DSC-RX1 Sample Shots

Sony DSC-RX1 Sample Images Slideshow from Sony Electronics

Sony RX1 with Zeiss 35mm f/2 Sonnar Lens Sample Images from Sony

We posted the first Sony DSC-RX1 sample images two weeks ago and now Sony Electronics has published more samples from the full frame, fixed lens, compact wonder. The images seem to be jpegs straight from the DSC-RX1. They show very nice out of focus rendering, minimal artifacts at high iso, and great lens performance from the autofocus Zeiss 35mm f/2 Sonnar lens.

Sony RX1 Bokeh

Sony RX1 at f/4 ISO 100

Sony RX1 ISO 6400 Sample

Pre order your Sony DSC-RX1 for a December 19, 2012 ship date.

Thanks Sony!

NEX 16-50mm 35mm 10-18mm Lenses

New Sony NEX Lenses with the Old
Photos by Alpha604

Here are the newly announced Sony NEX lenses with the 16mm pancake and the 24mm Zeiss ZA E. The three new lenses are all native E-mount, feature Optical Steady Shot (OSS), and come in black.

The smallest of the new lenses is the 16-50mm Power Zoom lens. The lens is very compact yet provides an equivalent fov of 24mm to 75mm. The retractable zoom lens has a very small filter thread of ø40.5mm, similar to Minolta CLE lenses.

The lens to the right of the 16-50 PZ is the 35mm f/1.8 lens. This lens provides an efov of 52.5mm - perfect for street photography. It has a filter diameter of ø49mm similar to the 50mm f/1.8 OSS and the 30mm macro - both are being discounted at the moment.

The last and the largest of the new NEX lenses is the 10-18mm wide angle zoom lens. The efov is 15mm to 27mm, perfect for close quarters shooting. The lens has a constant maximum aperture of f/4 and a large front element with a ø62mm filter thread. The wide angle zoom's length is comparable to the 24mm Zeiss.

New Sony NEX Lenses Size Comparison

Which of the new Sony E-mount lenses are on your wish list? All the lenses are shorter in length than the 24mm Zeiss Sonnar. The image below should give us an idea of the size of the new lenses on a Sony NEX.

Zeiss 24mm Sonnar size as reference

Thanks Alpha604!

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!

Sony NEX-5N Images from Dinito1980

NEX-5N Images by Dinito1980

Here are some sample images from Dinito1980 of flickr. The images are created using the Sony NEX-5N and a Sony 100mm f/2.8 macro lens. We love the colors from the Sony NEX sensor and Dinito1980 makes good use of that.

Sony 100mm f/2.8 Macro used for the images above.

See more of Dinito's work at DINITO1980's flickr Gallery.

Zeiss 12mm 32mm 50mm for NEX Cameras

32mm f/1.8 Zeiss Planar Autofocus Lens on the Sony NEX-7
(rendered)

Here is more good news from Photokina 2012. Zeiss will expand their line of E-mount autofocus lenses from 1 to 4 by summer of 2013. Here is what we know so far about the new Zeiss lenses:

• Optimized for APS-C sensors and made in E-mount.
• Focal lenghts to be offered:
• 12mm f/2.8 Distagon (18mm efov) ø67mm filter
• 32mm f/1.8 Planar (48mm efov) ø52mm filter
• 50mm f/2.8 macro (75mm efov)
• Zoom lenses are being considered.
• Autofocus with manual override.
• High quality and lightness are driving factors.
• Each lens will be comparable in price to the Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 ZA E lens, around £1000.
• Made in Japan.

We were off by a few mms on the focal lengths when we posted about this a ten days ago. The prototype lenses will be on display at the Zeiss booth at Photokina.

Here is the interview with Carl Zeiss' Dr. Pollman with respect to the new Zeiss lenses for Sony NEX cameras.

Video from Zeiss booth at Photokina 2012

Leica M - Target of the NEX System

The new Leica M

This is the new Leica M camera and this is where the NEX system should be headed. The Leica M has technologies proven in NEX cameras such as focus peaking, detachable and tiltable electronic viewfinder, accepting other lenses via adapters, and a movie mode. The Leica M adds the following to the NEX system: a full frame sensor, rangefinder focusing system, a weather proof body, and a GPS accessory. The Leica M will be around $7000, around 6x the cost of the Sony NEX-7. Kudos to Leica.

Voigtlander 21mm Ultron NEX Friendly?

Voigtlander 21mm f/1.8 Ultron

Here is a new Leica M mount lens from Voigtlander. It is a fast f/1.8, 21mm wide angle lens. This translates to 30mm (effective FOV) for the Sony NEX sensor. The big question is, will it play well with the APS-C sensor? We are hoping that it does and give us a fast, wide angle lens similar to the Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 ZA E. The manual focus and aperture, Leica M mount, Voigtlander 21mm f/1.8 Ultron will cost £1149. It is almost twice the weight of the Zeiss 24mm.



21mm f/1.8 Ultron Specs from Voigtlander Germany:

Due to its large diameter elements, you can shoot with available light even in severe light condition, and also shallow depth of field and super wide angle, this mix of features offers you a chance to emphasize main things with great bokeh.
Any kind of aberration is corrected properly by the construction of 13 elements 11 groups with Aspherical element.

13 elements in 11 groups with Aspherical lens
Full Metal Barrel with high stiffness and durability
Manual Focus only but Smoothly and Perfectly focusing
10 aperture blades brings you a beautiful Bokeh

Lenshood included (non-detachable)

Focal Length	21 mm
Aperture Ratio	1:1.8
Smallest Aperture	F22
Lens Construction	11 groups, 13 elements
Picture angle	91°
Aperture blades	10
Closest distance	0.5 m
Focus range	∞ - 0.7m
Diameter	69.0 mm
Length	78.4mm (with lenshood)
Weight	412g
Filter size	58 mm
Mount	VM

RX1 35mm Sonnar Lens MTF Chart

Sony RX1 35mm Zeiss Sonnar Autoocus Lens

Sony RX1 35mm Sonnar Lens MTF Chart
at f/2 and f/8; 10 and 30 lp/mm

Here is the calculated MTF Chart for the 35mm f/2 Sonnar lens on the Sony DSC-RX1. We will try go give a quick explanation of the RX1 MTF charts above. The red lines show how well contrast will be reproduced by the lens. The green lines show sharpness or resolving power of the lens. The higher on the chart the better. The horizontal axis represents the point from the center of the lens. This tells us the corner performance of the lens.

The Sony's RX1 35mm Zeiss Sonnar lens as described in the press release:

Complementing the full-frame sensor is a fast, bright Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* lens with a fixed focal length of 35mm – a versatile choice for portraits, street photography and everyday shooting. Recordable dynamic range is reduced at sensitivity levels below ISO100. Full-frame Image Sensor APS-C Image Sensor3 Derived from the German word “Sonne” (“sun”), the Sonnar name reflects the ability of the lens to capture as much light as possible. This premium lens features newly designed optics including an Advanced Aspherical (AA) glass element. This contributes to the camera‟s extremely compact palm-sized dimensions while keeping extremely high performance of the lens.

The lens‟s wide F2 maximum aperture and 9-bladed circular aperture enable beautiful "bokeh‟ (defocus) effects. A Macro switching ring on the lens barrel instantly shortens minimum focusing distance to just 20cm (from image plane), making the Cyber-shot RX1 ideal for capturing small close-up subjects with exquisite detail.

Below are actual measured MTF charts for the other 35mm f/2 compact lenses, the Zeiss Biogon and the Leica Summicron. Calculated and measured mtf charts should not be compared but we wanted to see what the Sony and Zeiss engineers were targeting when they designed the 35mm Sonnar lens for the RX1.

Zeiss 35mm Biogon ZM Lens MTF Chart
at f/2 and f/4; 10, 20 and 40 cycles/mm

Leica 35mm Summicron MTF Chart
at f/2 and f/5.6; 5, 10, 20 and 40 lp/mm

The MTF Chart for the Sony DSC-RX1 is from the Sony Hong Kong RX1 Press Releasewhich contains a lot more information about the new RX1.

MTF Charts Explained by Carl Zeiss AG.