There was a biting wind coming off the water and everyone was bundled up. We were very lucky to get a FREE strategic parking spot as we made our way over to the Restaurant
Sony NEX-5n, Nikon Zoom and Nikon AiS-NEX adapter
Until recently I had always been a Nikon user but when I upgraded my Camera for a trip a couple of years ago the new model did not arrive in time so I ended up with a Canon EOS dSLR. At that time I didn't know anything about Alternative lenses but I am happy that I am able to use lenses from other camera systems and attach them to either my Canon, or Sony NEX. This day while waiting to order our meal
I took a quick photo with the NEX 5n with the 18-55 kit lens, set at 18mm (35mm = 28mm)
Then I took out my Nikon 70-300mm zoom, attached the Nikon-NEX adapter
and mounted it on my NEX 5n. I usually shoot in "A" Aperature Priority Mode. I manually focused the lens and handheld it at effective 400mm (set at 300mm) and took another shot out the window
you can barely make out the sailboats on the prev photo . After brunch we went across the street and mounted my NEX 5n on a tripod with the Nikon 70-300mm zoom attached
Notice the out of focus orangy freighter "dead ahead". Now here is a photo at "full" zoom
Sony NEX 5n, Nikon 70-300mm using Ais-->NEX adapter, at full zoom
It is very easy to focus manual focus lenses using the NEX 5n as it has "focus Peaking". You can adjust sensitivities and change the focus peaking colour. I have it set to medium & Yellow
NEX 5n LCD screen "UNFOCUSED"
and here is what focus peaking looks like
as you manually focus, all the edges which are "focused", turn Yellow. It is easy and fast. The yellow is merely a focusing aid, there are no yellow edges in any of your images
I am able to mount lenses from other manufacturers onto my Sony NEX 5n. I have many prime lenses; Nikon Ai/Ais, M42 Pentax, Zeiss & Leica m39/L39 which can be mounted using various adapters, as the sensor to flange distance is very short. The APS-C sensor of the NEX system has a crop factor of 1.5x. On M4/3rds systems the crop factor is 2x but the sensor is much smaller. In fact the NEX sensor is larger than the ones used on Canon EOS dSLRs, crop factor being 1.6x Let me know if you have any questions using Alternative lenses
Wow, Bob. How's that for a coincidence? See my blog.
ReplyDeleteMartha:
DeleteWOW ! That's great. It's a wonderful camera that has a lot of options. Let me know if you need any help programming the custom functions
Well that is interesting. I haven't herd of focus peaking. Very interesting feature.
ReplyDeleteSteel CupCake:
DeleteSony has built a lot of features into the NEX 5n that are not available by other manufacturers. Focus Peaking allows you to easily use manual focus lenses. Many consider the NEX-5n to be a sort of "digital back" for virtually any lens
Bob, that's amazing! Do you think I could get an adaptor to use Canon lens on the Sony NEX5? Do you always have to use a tripod? Thanks, El D
ReplyDeleteJon:
DeleteIf you click that link I inserted and go down to the 7th post, there is a chart showing you what lenses can be used for which camera systems. Certain Canon lenses can be mounted on the NEX system. I have several adapters so I am able to use; Nikon Ai/Ais, Zeiss, Pentax M42 & Leica M39/LTM39.
Bob, that looks amazing? Do you think I could get an adaptor for Canon lenses on the Sony NEX5N? Iguess you normally need to use a tripod because of the relative size and weight of the lens compared to the tiny Sony body - or can you get decent shots hand-held? Thanks El D
ReplyDeleteJon:
DeleteI only used the tripod because of the 400mm effective telephoto and I needed to be able to photograph the camera & lens combo to show you. The first photo taken inside the restaurant was "hand-held". If you are steady enough you won't need a tripod, but it is better to use one, if it is handy. I often use my Leica 90mm elmar 2.8 and I hand hold it. I purchased all of my adapters on eBay from vendors in China. Most include shipping charges and they ship via: Express Post.
Wow, now that's a zoom lens.
ReplyDeleteI want to see you taking a picture of your camera taking a picture.
Trobairitz:
DeleteOkay Smartie. See, size does matter . . .
Pretty cool. I had never heard of "focus peaking" before. That is a pretty nice feature. Whenever I try manual focus on my D60 during low light, I'm usually dissatisfied with the results.
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
Richard:
DeleteFocus peaking is great using manual lenses. It is hard to focus with dSLRs because the focusing screens don't have the ground glass like "in the old days" because of auto focus. If you replace the focusing screen you lose the focus points. If you go to rangefinderforum.com you will see that a lot of Leica shooters are ditching their M8 and M9's for the NEX 5n & NEX7 and using their Leica lenses because of the focus peaking function
Bob, I've got the Nikon adapter for my Olympus Pen M4/3 camera. Great fun to use my Nikon lenses on the Oly which has an electronic "focus zoom" to aid in manual focusing. Works pretty well but not as cool as the Sony focus peaking. Sadly, my 75-300 Nikon G lens won't work with Oly because the G series doesn't have an aperture ring. I just wish I'd have hung onto the old Minolta f1.2 lens I sold a couple of years ago. I'd get the Minolta converter and that would be a slick set up.
ReplyDeleteThis photo was taken with the Oly Pen fitted with a Nikon 50mm f1.8 prime:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldgliderguy/5319531822/in/photostream/lightbox/
Hah! Camera nerd talk, all your other readers are sound asleep by this point!
Doug:
DeleteI have lots of lenses which have aperatures. All of my EOS ones are like your "G" lenses, electronic aperature. There is a trick they use on the EOS, perhaps it may work with your Nikon "G". They mount the lens on their Body, then stop down the lens, say to perhaps 5.6, you may have to use DOP button to stop down, then dismount your lens and it should stay at your selected aperature. I haven't tried it but you may have to leave your camera on while you unmount it. Give it a try. Otherwise you could just shoot it "wide open". It would probably be F4.-5.6 anyway, so not so bad.
They say those old Olympus OM lenses are the best, then comes Minolta. I still have SMC Super-takumar M42 50mm 1.4, and some Leica Summicrons. My Zeiss Y/C mount with adapter 25mm 2.5 is stunning, as is my Leica Tele-elmar 90mm 2.8
Bob, thanks for the tip on pre-setting my G-series lens and then using it on the Oly. I'll give it a try!
ReplyDeleteDoug:
DeleteI hope it works. You may have to "Hold" your DOF preview lever when you unmount the lens
Bob - it's not so much about "the gun" it's "the gunner" that counts. You have an eye for artistic photographs. Really, I think you could use a kodak point and click and get results...though techno-gadgets are really fun!
ReplyDeleteVS Lady:
DeleteThank you. As long as you understand the limitations of what you are using, then you can work around it. I do have P&S cameras but often you have to trick it to get it to do what you want. Manual settings are easier. Can't wait to find out where you are going this year