'While stocks last'

[WaltKnapp]

They had the 24-70mm mounted up and the size imbalance is huge. But they can't make it autofocus, or even provide a green light focus confirmation.

David

For me the AF is a minor issue. I can do MF quite well with nearly all of what I shoot, though I do use AF as much as it's able. But I am perfectly well aware of how few people are as confident with their MF and for whom AF is a big, big deal.

Since they have all the software source code and tech knowledge of what's going on it seems very strange that they should have any problems. Maybe contrast detect just can't keep up with the speed of the SSM. I don't have the 24-70 yet but recently got the 16-35 at quite a bargain off ebay, and it's SSM is fast on the a700.

Of course I'm also not a video shooter anymore. Been into video several times and film movies before that, just not interested. And don't expect to become interested. Been there, done that.

I'm just going to watch and see where NEX goes. Right now it's not a camera that attracts me for a number of reasons. But it might grow into one. After all a micro bellows lens is definitely the right size scale for it, though the lack of a macro ringflash could be a problem

If you think the 24-70Z was huge on the NEX, there are a couple photos floating around with the 70-400G and 70-300G mounted on it. Now that's huge, the camera looks like a funny shaped lenscap on those

Walt

[Greg Beetham]

Yeah true enough, I can MF quite ok as well, but I got the distinct impression that Sony was trying to portray these NEX's as a kind of snappy little action cam, movies and snaps of kid action, playing in the yard, school sports, events etc. and for that kind of thing with a large sensor (much reduced DOF as compared to a small sensor camera), you really need quick and accurate AF, not only that, you really need good feedback to the user by the camera as to what it is actually focusssing on.
So far I'm not convinced that Sony has achieved that goal, at least with these cameras, they take two or three seconds (maybe more), to wake up from sleep mode so you can take a photo, which not very impressive for an action camera.
The user interface is almost totally reliant on the rear screen for composition so I would expect that the focus point in use would be displayed on that screen along with focus confirmation indication, (especially for video), but so far I don't think that is the case either.
And apparently Sony abandoned the much acclaimed DSLR menu user interface (much of it inherited from KM), replacing it with something that is not nearly as user friendly.
If you take the above on board along with the relegation of A-mount lenses too being almost useless, I can't see them in their present form being a great success with current DSLR users....they'll most likely sell some, they might even sell quite a few, but not nearly as many as they would have if they'd done the job better.
Greg

[David Kilpatrick]

Focus points are displayed and can be moved round (over more of the picture area than any other - 25 points 5 x 5 matrix full screen). In wide area focus mode, you just get a big green zone confirmation which always looks like a small crop from the full frame.

The sleep mode is a combination of things - first, the camera wakes up when you touch the shutter; then, the LCD/sensor comes to life and makes an auto gain adjustment, the image changes from usually dark to normal brightness; but to focus you must then make a definite 'first pressure' (not just first touch) on the shutter, upon which it initiates focus, displaying the green confirmation point/s or rectangle, and also recomputing the gain and exposuree/WB so the images changes a bit more. Then you can complete shutter pressure, but quite often I pressed all the way in error, which results in a mess normally.

I do not know, because I failed to check, whether the lens is automatically set to its smallest aperture during sleep mode. If not, there may be a risk to sensor, which is uncovered (no shutter until you fire - which initiates shutter close, shutter open, shutter close, shutter open... quite a clunky crisp sound, no need for fake shutter noises at all). Direct sun coming into a wide aperture wide angle lens like the 16mm f/2.8 when walking around would surely be unwelcome hitting the sensor, whether active or not.

David

[Greg Beetham]

Yeah, you have to have the shutter open so you can have LV...but that means when you want to take a single shot, button pressed all they way, it has to close the shutter and do whatever has to be done with the sensor for single exposures, then the photo can be taken, an open and closing of the shutter, after which the shutter re-opens again...phew, is that correct David?
Is there any indication that it is ok to go ahead and take a shot or is it up to the operator to sort of get used to the camera?

Anyway it's good that there is focus confirmation and focus points dispayed on the rear screen. I got about half way through reading your report, David, and got interrupted here multiple times and hadn't managed to get back and finish it, I guess you would have covered that aspect a bit further on....
Greg

ps. There's still the (reportedly) klutzy menu system and the A-mount lens debacle though.

[pakodominguez]

Yeah, you have to have the shutter open so you can have LV...but that means when you want to take a single shot, button pressed all they way, it has to close the shutter and do whatever has to be done with the sensor for single exposures, then the photo can be taken, an open and closing of the shutter, after which the shutter re-opens again...phew, is that correct David?

DK is talking about the lens when the camera is in sleep mode, closing the aperture in order to protect the sensor. In shooting mode, the camera function as you describe.

Regards

[Greg Beetham]

Yes I got that part Pako, about the sensor being exposed, it's exposed all the time anyway active or not it seems, what I don't know about and can't comment on is whether the sun would have any detrimental effect on the sensor in sleep mode, and if it does have some effect, how much of an effect etc. I guess you could say the secondary sensor in the A550 is exposed nearly all the time as well to such an effect, but I haven't heard if that has turned out to be a problem.
The part I was talking about and hadn't realized before, which David also mentioned, (besides the potential sun on the sensor) was the necessity for the shutter too perform four shutter actions to take one photo.
Greg

[David Kilpatrick]

The secondary sensor in the A380/550 etc is not exposed to light except when in use. It only receives light when the porroprism surface which can be tilted is tilted by moving the Quick Focus LV switch.

David

[Greg Beetham]

Yeah good point, I guess I meant that if one is in the habit of using that feature often/a lot. I think the A550 has two secondary sensors as well, (If I'm remembering the diagram correctly), the one in the bottom of the camera might be exposed to (albeit reflected) light on an almost continual basis, apart from when the mirror is in the up position perhaps.
Greg