Got me a Nex toy...

[agorabasta]

Found a first very real fault - the flash doesn't work properly. Only one of about ten shots is exposed properly, the rest look like shot without flash and are deeply underexposed.
The flash obviously fires at correct strength but out of sync with shutter. All flash modes are equally affected, all 'shoot modes' are equally affected.

I've read at DPR forum that somebody also had 'dark' shots with flash...

I've got a Nex5 with FW1.03, and I'd like to hear from all Nex users here.

Update: the flash gets 100% out of sync only with the 18-55 lens and only at 55-53mm range, from 52mm and down - it's OK. That's a little crazy, but clearly a FW fault related to ADI flash function. The 16mm lens is OK. Shooting with no lens attached is also OK (and I believe I see a TTL preflash), so manual-with-adapter use should be no problem either.

[Greg Beetham]

I'm just wondering at what point the lens becomes f5.6 in the zoom range, as the flash is only a GN10 (from memory), that is only sufficient at ISO100 for a distance of 1.8 meters @ f5.6, you can double the usable distance using ISO400, but that's still not far, only 3.6 meters with the lens fully open.
Greg

[Danjojo_Resurrected1]

Further reason why I'm never going to take the flash out of the box unless it's in the way. Flash is definitely an after-thought for these models.

We'll see if anybody else posts confirming it with their camera also.

[Greg Beetham]

I wouldn't write the flash off entirely, it could be quite useful at ISO400 (not a high ISO on APS-C these days), especially at lens extensions of aroung standard FL like 30-35mm for normal perspective and snapshots of people in darkish locations...just have too remember that it's not going too illuminate from big distances...up to 10-12 feet should be fine.
Greg

[agorabasta]

Yet another update - things don't look good. Flash fires in sync (and shows in captured images) only in rear-sync mode. (As I earlier pointed, there's FL limitation with the 18-55mm.) I must also mention that there are no partially flashed frames that could happen in case of shutter problems - if the flash gets in sync, that sync is perfect.
If the flash is set to 'fill' or 'slow' - it always fires out of sync, no matter what lens (or no lens) used. It apparently fires ahead of shutter. The 'auto' flash in iA mode may fire or not, depending on the mode it actually chooses.

I really need the other FW1.03/FW1.04 users' experiences, as it may well be a problem with my cam only or it could be a problem with a limited batch of them.

[OneGuyKs]

Yet another update - things don't look good. Flash fires in sync (and shows in captured images) only in rear-sync mode. (As I earlier pointed, there's FL limitation with the 18-55mm.) I must also mention that there are no partially flashed frames that could happen in case of shutter problems - if the flash gets in sync, that sync is perfect.
If the flash is set to 'fill' or 'slow' - it always fires out of sync, no matter what lens (or no lens) used. It apparently fires ahead of shutter. The 'auto' flash in iA mode may fire or not, depending on the mode it actually chooses.

I really need the other FW1.03/FW1.04 users' experiences, as it may well be a problem with my cam only or it could be a problem with a limited batch of them.

There are more users on DPR forum with Nex. You might post it there. If they can't reproduce it, it might be your camera. Try replacement in that case.

[agorabasta]

I'm just wondering at what point the lens becomes f5.6 in the zoom range, as the flash is only a GN10 (from memory), that is only sufficient at ISO100 for a distance of 1.8 meters @ f5.6, you can double the usable distance using ISO400, but that's still not far, only 3.6 meters with the lens fully open.
Greg

The cam reports f/5.6 only at 55-54mm. The range 40-30mm gets f/4.5; the 30-20mm is f/4.

[Greg Beetham]

Ah that sounds like it might indeed be a gremlin in the works, almost like it's using up too much power in the pre-flash and non left over for the main flash, or doing a main flash during the pre-flash sortof....
Greg

ps. I caught your reply, how does it go at ISO400 'fill flash' @ f4 on a subject at 10-15 feet, that should put it well within range, if it won't work there with those settings, then there is something wrong I'd say.

[agorabasta]

ps. I caught your reply, how does it go at ISO400 'fill flash' @ f4 on a subject at 10-15 feet, that should put it well within range, if it won't work there with those settings, then there is something wrong I'd say.

The 'fill-flash' setting doesn't work at all, the flash then fires totally out of sync. The 'rear-sync' fills in quite nicely, it even needs some -1EV flash comp.

[Greg Beetham]

Hmm rear-sync is non HSS flash, but you are also supposed to be able too use standard slow shutter flash with 'fill-flash' how bright is the ambient light? dull room without any lights on, or reasonably bright, I'm thinking it might want to use HSS flash if the ambient value is too bright, but then it should switch up automatically...what shutter speed is it using?
Greg

[agorabasta]

Hmm rear-sync is non HSS flash, ...

The kit flash is not HSS-capable at all. We don't even know if the cam itself is capable of HSS of any sorts.
The cam measures 1/60s in dark room and 1/160s in bright daylight for both 'fill-flash' and 'rear sync' modes, no diff at all. The in-between shutter speeds it may choose are 1/80s and 1/125s - that's all. So it's essentially impossible to use it for fill with the sun behind the subject.
And there is no separate flash comp adjustment possible, you just get the AE comp. But you may use some hand-made coloured caps

[Greg Beetham]

Well looking from here that falls under the heading of 'needs to be sorted' category...sorry, over to Mr. Sony I think.
Greg

[agorabasta]

The flash comp still is there, but it's accessible through the 'brightness/color' menu only. Quite a stupid decision on their part as they could easily use the same key sequence as for the AE comp modified by pressing the flash button...

[bfitzgerald]

One of my local shops is getting a NEX in soon so I'll have to have a play with it and see just how good/bad it really is.
Sony have not been outdoing themselves handling wise lately..so I'll be a tad cautious and say I know I won't like it

But I think Greg is dying to get his hands on one!

[Greg Beetham]

Actually I have no particular need of one Baz, I am quite happy with the cameras I've got. What I was hoping for was a trouble free intro of the NEX, then Sony could get back to doing things that I woiuld like on the DSLR side of things, there is some unfinished work there too be done I think. I was also hoping that if the NEX was a great success, those calling for video in DSLR's would use a NEX instead, but I've got a feeling we'll probably get some sort of video anyway with it's inevitable impact on still taking features.
Greg