Comments for Echenique dot com

Comment on Sony NEX-7: First Impressions by M. Durr

M. Durr — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 02:51:45 +0000

I second that, even though its spec sheet shows it’s just a bit smaller than the Sony 18-200, according to many user reports on DPReview it actually looks and feels significantly smaller.

Comment on Sony NEX-7: First Impressions by Carlos Echenique

Carlos Echenique — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 02:49:19 +0000

Viv,
if you want to keep the kit small, you may want to look at the Tamron 18-200 E-mount lens. I have heard some pretty good things about it. I am hoping to get one in for testing soon.

Comment on Sony NEX-7: First Impressions by M. Durr

M. Durr — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 02:43:09 +0000

Doh!!! I completely forgot this first review was with manual lenses only.
It’s funny though, because this review actually applies more to me personally. I will only be using legacy glass on my 7 as well (taking advantage of the “collectable” nature of the black lens and hopefully selling it for a bunch on amazon).
For my first setup I have all Nikon mounts: 18-70 f/3.5-4.5 for all around, 50mm f/2 AI (art-y and portrait), and for sports a Tokina 80-200 f/2.8.
Really hoping I can learn to manual focus fast enough with that Tokina. We’ll see how fast that manual peaking functions!
I’m going to hold out on getting an e-mount lens until Sigma and Tamron get more lenses out to help drive the market cost down. At that, if I’m going to get auto-focus, I might as well get the LAEA2 and a good G lens, as phase detection is all I need for sports photos.

Comment on Sony NEX-7: First Impressions by Carlos Echenique

Carlos Echenique — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 02:37:29 +0000

Now Durr is making me blush.

I did not test the autofocus speed because I did not have any AF lenses at the time of publishing only manually focused legacy glass.

I have received the Zeiss 24mm and the Sony 16mm is on its way. The Zeiss is nice and contrasty which helps AF a great deal. It’s the perfect lens to complement the NEX-7. It does hunt in lowlight sometimes and I wouldn’t shoot the ballet with it (I am hoping the upcoming A99 will suit me more in that respect) but as a street cam, this may be the first really credible challenger to the Leica digital M’s.

Comment on Sony NEX-7: First Impressions by M. Durr

M. Durr — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 02:07:15 +0000

I agree, it sure is.
Carlos’ opinion seem spot on with the rest of many early user reports. I’m surprised no mention of autofocus speed was brought up though…
Can’t wait for my kit pre-order either, I’m 45th on the Abt.com list, so we’ll wait and see!

Comment on Sony NEX-7: First Impressions by Durr

Durr — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 01:58:30 +0000

Hello M. Durr………My great-grand mother’s maiden name was Durr. My grand father was named John Durr Wise, and I am the 3rd. Small world, for sure………

I am looking forward to getting my hands on the NEX-7. I trust Carlos’ opinion. He’s a great photographer and a greater guy!

Comment on Sony NEX-7: First Impressions by M. Durr

M. Durr — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:46:12 +0000

which is understandable given it’s 24MP.

Comment on Sony NEX-7: First Impressions by M. Durr

M. Durr — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:45:16 +0000

Well darn.

Comment on Sony NEX-7: First Impressions by Carlos Echenique

Carlos Echenique — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:43:36 +0000

You may want to try the Sweep Panorama with a fast lens.

Comment on Sony NEX-7: First Impressions by Carlos Echenique

Carlos Echenique — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:41:45 +0000

Actually, Durr is his middle name, not his family name.

Comment on Sony NEX-7: First Impressions by Viv

Viv — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:00:25 +0000

I should have mentioned that the Pano’s on the A77 tend be blurred more times than not and I am not sure why, my little Sony 9V does an excellent job eveytime

Comment on Sony NEX-7: First Impressions by Viv

Viv — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:55:15 +0000

Your point of view is very comforting to someone like myself moving up from point and shoot. I received the A77 for Xmas and just received the 2.8 16-50ssm lens which I may upgrade to the CZ 16-80 on advice that that is a sharper lens, however the camera I am waiting for is the Nex 7 but made the mistake of ordering the kit which is experiencing the biggest delays, I would like to put the very best travel lens on it that I can, be it a Nikon or Sony product (can’t afford Leica) could you suggest a lens that would do the best job….Viv

Comment on Sony NEX-7: First Impressions by M. Durr

M. Durr — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:39:58 +0000

Never thought I’d see another Durr that wasn’t in my family…interesting…

Comment on Sony NEX-7: First Impressions by Carlos Echenique

Carlos Echenique — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:27:28 +0000

Randy,
You are quite correct. I stated as much saying that NEX-7 is not medium format. I only stated that the files from the NEX-7 exhibit some of the characteristics of medium format digital files (file size, malleability, noise characteristics) but it performs like a DSLR in other respects.

DR in MFD is way beyond what the NEX-7 can offer.

Comment on Sony NEX-7: First Impressions by Randy

Randy — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:48:14 +0000

Please don’t compare megapixels to Medium format chips. I would bet any Phase one or leaf back in production would step all over a NEX. I know My aptus 65s at iso 50 KILLS anything in terms of what people LIKE TO LOOK AT. The smoothness of tonal because of the physical size of the chip is just better. even when you shoot with the noise the tonal smoothness of these chips is just better. On top of that Phase one has an 80MP back. How is 24.5 even close to that?

Comment on Sony NEX-7: First Impressions by sonyalpharumors | Blog | New NEX-7 news roundup and (out) of Stock status!

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:46:08 +0000

[...] Echenique (Click here) posted a NEX-7 first impression: “The Sony NEX-7 is a strange beast. As a Percy Jackson fan (and general mythology buff), I would call this a chimera rather than a camera. Its image size, image qualities, and file malleability encroach well into the low-end of medium format. Its sensor size, interchangeable lenses and bokeh characteristics plant it squarely in DSLR territory. Its body size and handling is definitely in the compact camera arena. So what is it? Well like the mythical chimera, its all of the above.” [...]

Comment on Sony NEX-7: First Impressions by Carlos Echenique

Carlos Echenique — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 04:32:02 +0000

Both the 5N and the 7 are excellent cameras but they are two different beasts. The sensor in the 5N behaves like a DSLR sensor while the monster sensor in the 7 behaves more like a medium format sensor. I am not knocking medium format, all I am saying is that Sony is sitting on their front porch.

I have heard many good things about the Tamron 18-200. I am waiting for a review sample from their marketing department.

Comment on Sony NEX-7: First Impressions by Sara

Sara — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 01:10:36 +0000

While I’m waiting for the 7 I decided to buy a 5N and am switching from my Nikon D300s, and all that extra weight. I’m a little concerned about what you say about glass. When I got the 5N yesterday I also got the Tamron 18-200m lens, because it was the lightest weight glass. Was this a poor choice?

Today my test shots came out better than with my Nikon 180-200mm on my D300s. I’m over the top jazzed since I’m doing lots of traveling and tired of schlepping.

Can’t wait for the 7, my husband will upgrade his point/shoot to the 5N or I’ll use it for my wide angle lenses.

Thanks for the review.

Comment on Sony NEX-7: First Impressions by Carlos Echenique

Carlos Echenique — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 07:42:05 +0000

Hmmm, sounds like someone is getting a kickback somewhere in the supply chain of Sony France. Sorry to hear you got caught up in that Phillipe. At least you have the 5N to console you while you wait for the 7 to show up on your doorstep.

Comment on Sony NEX-7: First Impressions by philber

philber — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 07:18:42 +0000

Thanks for a very informative read, Carlos!. I ordered my NEX 7 the day it was announced, but so far no luck. In France so far Sony have only sold a few dozen through their own Paris Sony store, including multiples to guys who promptly put them up on auction sites. Not clever!
My sense is, as you say, that this is a thoroughbred. Everything needs to be absolutely right for the result to be up to the camera’s full potential. Which is why I will probably keep my 5N alongside it for high ISO, wide angle, and generally “easier” shooting.