Month: February 2012

NEX-7…I’m Loving It!

 I’ve only had the Sony NEX-7 for a couple of days, but I’m liking every part of it. I’ve read a lot of “rave” reviews and, mostly in forums, a lot of negative comments. But, from my perspective, it is a terrific camera!
It has 24 Megapixels with excellent higher ISO capability, 10 frames-per-second, lots of in-camera processing features (my favorite is the auto hdr), and size…it is so small and light! With the 16mm pancake lens it will fit in my pocket.

Some naysayers say that with the larger lenses like the 18-200mm, the size is no longer a factor, but it’s still much smaller and lighter than a normal DSLR with an 18-200 zoom on it, so I can live with that.
Sure, there is a shortage of E-mount lenses available (for now) but there are several adapters that allow you to use many amazing lenses made by other manufacturers. In fact, the Sony alpha-mount adapter even adds phase-detection focusing to the mix!
The other thing is the “Tri-Navi” control system. You pretty much have to try it to appreciate it, but it gives you very quick access to most of the settings you would use while shooting, like:
  • program shift, exposure compensation, and ISO
  • Image quality and auto-HDR settings
  • focus and metering
  • white balance
  • and more
All without ever having to take your eye from the viewfinder…very nice!
And, speaking of the viewfinder, this new EVF (Electronic ViewFinder) is truly amazing. I know, it’s not on a par with a good optical viewfinder in all situations, like bright contrasty light or in low light situations. However, it gives you something that not even the best optical finders can provide – WYSIWYG. In general, what you see in the viewfinder is what the image will look like on your computer. Adjust the exposure or white balance and, instantly, you see how that image will look with those settings. In my opinion, that is very important! Some say, “Pro photographers don’t need that”. Well, maybe not, but I bet even the pros will get more and more enthusiastic about this capability as it is improved and more cameras have it.
These images are from Sedalia, Colorado. They were shot, using the auto-HDR feature of the NEX-7 with a total of 6 EV spacing in 3 images. Then most of the processing was done with Lightroom 4 (beta) and the Spicify preset in Topaz Adjust.
These were with the new 18-200mm E-mount Sony lens and I’m very happy with it – great color and sharpness.
Thinking of switching cameras? I don’t think the NEX-7 would disappoint you! 🙂

Others WILL be Crushed

The Sedalia Grill in Sedalia, Colorado, is a well known hangout for “bikers”, especially on those warm Colorado weekends that just beg for a ride. They serve good food, cold beer, and some live music at times.
If you do decide to come to the Sedalia Grill and you’re NOT driving a motorcycle, just be careful where you park! The bikers get priority up close, next to the building. 🙂
This sign is on the side of the building: “Biker Parking Only – All Others Will Be Crushed”. I think they’re kidding… but you never know for sure, so I won’t be the one testing it.
*(Note the motorcycle reflection in the window.)


The other thing I like about this place is their east exterior wall. 
As you can see, it’s been painted top to bottom in the American Flag and must be at least 15 feet high and 30 feet long! Now, there is some good old fashioned American patriotism on display!

Finally!

Sony NEX-7 w/16mm f/2.8 lens
I started trying to find the Sony NEX-7 in mid December. Oh, I could find it back then, but it was on Craigslist for about $1,000 over retail…no thanks!
So, finally, about two weeks ago, I read that B&HPhoto was accepting orders and placed mine right away. At the time, the estimate was for delivery in late Feb. or early Mar.
Then, today it came!
The battery is still charging, so haven’t had a chance to put it through its paces yet, but I’m looking forward to that.
I’ve read many positive things and excellent reviews about this camera, but one of the deciding factors was how well the sensor image quality did on DxOMark.com. There, it rated 8th overall, and that was against some very serious competition including the Nikon D3X and some Phase One cameras.
The other main factor for me was size. After owning the Sony NEX-5N for awhile, I fell in love with the compact form factor and could hardly keep my hands off that camera. 🙂 So, now it’s the NEX-7 for me and, hopefully, the end of my semi-compulsive camera switching…well, for a while anyway.

Old Shack

I found this old shack on a hill, not too far from Crested Butte, Colorado. Actually it’s near Taylor Park Reservoir, situated about equi-distance from Crested Butte, Gunnison, and Buena Vista.
At the time, I was just too lazy to walk up closer so I used a telephoto lens for this shot. The “unplanned” result was this compression of distance, making the clouds look like they’re right on top of the shack.
This is a single-image HDR using Nik HDR Efex Pro.  The processing in HDR Efex is what helped to really bring out all of the texture in the image, especially the clouds.

Hope Town Lighthouse – A Beacon in the Dark

The Hope Town Lighthouse is located on Elbow Cay near the island of Abaco in The Bahamas.
It is one of the few operational kerosene powered light houses in the world. It is also one of only three “manual” lighthouses in the world, requiring someone to use a hand crank to rewind the spring that drives it.
Besides being an important safety beacon for sailors in the area, it is obviously also very picturesque. Plus, you can tour the lighthouse and go clear to the top where the view is pretty amazing!
The lighthouse sits next to a very protected harbor that offers a great place for sailors to weather that next storm.
So, what are you waiting for? Head to the Bahamas for some “fun in the sun”!

Photography 101…The Missing Piece

Sony E-Mount 16mm f/2.8

First, if you think you might learn something here, you’ll probably be disappointed. Sorry about that. 🙂

This is a camera lens. It sucks in the light from in front of the lens, flips it around upside down and backwards, and focuses it on a small area behind. We’ll call this area the sensor (could be digital – could be film).

Now, in this photo, you may notice that something is missing . . . you got it, the camera! More specifically, however, the missing piece is my “next” camera, the Sony NEX-7.

I used to have the NEX-5N and loved that camera. Like new lovers, every time I saw it I could hardly keep my hands off of it. ☺ It is very small and takes wonderful images, but I found I can’t live without a viewfinder. After using one for about 50 years, I may not be able to adapt to just using the screen for all of my photo work. . . but that’s just me.

Unfortunately, I had to sell the 5N to begin to raise money for my “next” camera. If you’ve known me very long, you would also know that I do that quite often. I’m sort of a borderline compulsive switcher when it comes to camera gear.

So, that brings us to my next camera, the NEX-7. There are several reasons I decided to do this upgrade:
    •    The viewfinder – electronic, but very well done.
    •    built in flash (plus a hot-shoe)
    •    better camera controls – Sony calls them “Tri-Navi”
    •    24 Megapixels
    •    Size – slightly larger than the 5N, but still very small

The sad news is – I probably won’t get this “new toy” for another month. I’ve been looking since before Christmas and was finally able to preorder it about 10 days ago, but still have some time left to “anticipate”.

Having Options

I’m always a bit nervous when I’m in the car while my wife drives … I have to be REALLY tired to sleep. 🙂 And I shouldn’t be that way because she really is an excellent driver (well, mostly).

Today, I was looking at my computer keyboard and it occurred to me why I might be like that. I flew airplanes for 33 years and for about half that time, I was the guy in charge. Many times in the Air Force, I would be the leader of a flight of four F-4’s. Then, with Delta, I was the Captain for the last 12 years. I made the decisions.

So the keyboard made me think, “Having options is a function of being in command, i.e. in control of your situation.”

So, “Honey”, please don’t get mad – it’s just a lifelong habit. I really do trust you . . . really. 🙂