Any advice on NEX 5??

TrueLoveOne · Expire: 2013-12-24

The fact that I can't use my Minolta MD lenses and some PK mount lenses without a glass piece in the adapter has always annoyed me a bit. So I never bought these adapters. I knew that some day I might just buy something like a NEX.
The NEX is said to be the most versatile camera for using lenses with all kinds of mounts, and now that second-hand body-only prices have dropped under 200 euros ( I have seen several now) the time has come to raise funds for a NEX.

Or not? My choice for now is the NEX 5. But I really based that choice only on hearsay, and by what I have read on this forum, flickr and looking at pictures, i cannot think of any alternative.

Is there any good alternative? A camera that gives me the opportunity to use all of the lenses I want?

Are there things that I need to know? The adapters are on ebay for prices around 10 dollar each, from China / Hongkong. Are these any good?

Please share your opinions and experiences!!

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

I bought a NEX5 earlier this year, I wasn't actually looking for one but an absolute bargain in a shop tempted me ( £250, brand new in the box. It was a return from a TV shopping channel ) At the time I was without a DSLR as my Pentax had died, so I got the NEX5. And I love it. It's a bit of forgotten camera in the NEX line up, overshadowded by the 5N, but it's still a good option. The main camera frame is magnesium alloy rather than polycarbonate on the 3 range and I've had lenses as big and heavy as a Tair 300 on the NEX5 without any problems, but I do support heavy lenses by the lens and not the NEX if possible.
I'm pleased with the picture quality, the sensor is good, high ISO is reasonable, the features are 'enough'. It's possibly the bargain of the NEX range ?
I use it with M42, PK, OM and Minolta MD. I would say the MD lenses are my favorite. I have adapters made by Fotga for the MD, which is very good, and the rest are Pixco that I got at a decent price and very quick delivery from 'Jack The Hat Photography' who is on ebay but I go through his web site. He's UK based and I've always had good deals from him.

http://www.jackthehat.co.uk/

.....

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

It has shortest register distance from m4/3, samsung nx and sony nex. Virtually you can use any lens, plenty of adapter available on Ebay, and if you wish to play with those lenses what you can't find adapter , buy VNEX system from Henry.

http://forum.mflenses.com/the-vnex-system-t54300.html
http://forum.mflenses.com/vnex-showroom-for-enlarger-lens-pictures-t54330.html

I not miss any DSLR , but I have two NEX-3 I use them 90% of time, I have a Samsung NX 100, let say 15% and 5% used by Panasonic G1, so NEX is that good.

http://forum.mflenses.com/sony-nex-focusing-aid-t36934.html

std · Joined: 09 Feb 2010 Posts: 1826 Location: Bulgaria

If i need to get a Nex I would look for at least Nex-5N.
The Nex-3 and Nex-5 has a sensor which is not very good for wide angle rangefinder lenses.

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

std · Joined: 09 Feb 2010 Posts: 1826 Location: Bulgaria

Sure it works but there is a color shift at the edges.
like this for example taken with Nex-3 and Contax G Biogon 2.8/28.
In the real world the snow is not pink Very Happy

On nex3, nex-5, and nex-7 you need to use Cornerfix to deal with it.

See this thread: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3342118

TrueLoveOne · Expire: 2013-12-24

Okay! Thank you all!!

So the NEX is really the best choice for multiple lens mounts.

As for the rangefinder lenses: I do not have any, and I am not planning on buying any, so that will not be a problem for me to worry about!

Attila: you have a NEX3, and you are obviously satisfied, cause you have even 2 of them! I must look into the differences (and prices) between the 3 and 5, maybe that's an option too, because I do not feel like spending a lot of money at the moment.... Wink

std · Joined: 09 Feb 2010 Posts: 1826 Location: Bulgaria

Nexes are good for manual lenses and also compatible with almost everything. They give very good dynamic range, sharpness and low high ISO noise . Even the first generation Nex-3 is very good.

About RF lenses - after some time you may want to buy them because of size/weight and better IQ compared to SLR lenses so don't say never yet Smile

Everything else is a personal preference. For me Nex still lacks essential features like sensor stabilization, good jpeg and dust cleaning and and I personally prefer Olympus Pen. A FF Nex will be another thing so I'm still open if Sony starts to sell one - but that will be in next 3-4 years. Till then i will keep my Pen Smile

yinyangbt · Expire: 2012-12-27

I have a nex 3 . You find on this everything you want , if you don't need 1080 HD and content with 720 (or whatsever , I don't need it) and magnesium alloy body (nex5) .The 5 has also a bit of bigger grip (wich I don't need , I handle the camera from the lens press the shutter with the thumb compose on the LCD flipped up at waist/belly level ).
Check the prices first , maybe you'll want to save something for the next nex (the FF one?).

TrueLoveOne · Expire: 2013-12-24

Thanks! I have just been reading dpreviews report on the NEX 3 and 5, and there are not so many differences! The videomodes are nothing for me... so the advantages here on the 5 are not important.

I guess i can start looking for a NEX 3 as well.... unfortunately there seem to be less second hand 3's than 5's in my country!

We'll see... have to sell some stuff first Wink

yinyangbt · Expire: 2012-12-27

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

Like I said earlier, I bought the NEX5 'because it was there' It was the only camera in the shop. So I didn't have any research to base my purchase on, it was an impulse buy. But having used it a great deal, and having handled a NEX3, I prefer the body of the NEX5 with its bigger grip - I have big hands though. And because it was never the big seller compared to the NEX3 and both the N versions of the 3 and 5, it's cheaper on the used market.

fermy · Joined: 17 Feb 2012 Posts: 1974

The key differences for me between 3 and 5 are better grip on 5 and availability of remote release. It's also slightly smaller, which may or may not make a difference in pocketability. I had NEX-3 briefly (bought it to get 16mm pancake on the cheap) and didn't like the grip in comparison. I thought these two features were well worth about 30 Euros price difference.

Aanything · Expire: 2014-05-30

IMHO the options are nex 5 or nex 5N: if it feets comfortably in your budget and you are somewhat interested in one the new features of the 5n (especially low iso and video mode) get it.
Else, get the 5.

martinsmith99 · Expire: 2013-11-18

std · Joined: 09 Feb 2010 Posts: 1826 Location: Bulgaria

Most of the time i was using it on iso 200 Smile

Image quality is very good till 1600 ( in jpeg you will not see any chroma noise even if you zoom to 100%),
and on 6400 there is still a fine detail.

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

I was just amazed at the high ISO performance of the 5, especially after the Pentax K10 which began to suffer at 400. But I was a film user who grew up using 100 and 200 film - and a tripod. I still do with the NEX and keep the ISO down if I can, but sometimes I hand hold at 1600 and get great results.
I suppose there's always the desire to go for higher and higher ISO's and MP, which comes at a price. For the money, the NEX does what I want and more.