Photo Jottings!

Sony NEX 55-210mm F/4.5-6.3 OSS review

Posted by Kurt on February 21, 2012 in Reviews

I posted the Sony NEX 55-210mm review earlier at the old site, so if you have a few minutes, check it out.

The Sony NEX 55-210mm F/4.5-6.3 OSS telephoto zoom lens is relatively inexpensive, and provides image stabilization, super quiet focusing, along with a nice build quality.  Considering the price point of this lens, the optical performance is generally strong throughout the focal range, especially at the long end, which is probably where most people will be using it if they have the standard kit zoom available too.

If you have a travel zoom, like the Tamron NEX 18-200mm or the Sony NEX 18-200mm, and find yourself using it mostly at the long end, the Sony 55-210mm would be a much better choice if sharpness is your major concern.

This lens has been selling like hot cakes, and B&H Photo’s inventory has been wiped out, but I’ll try to keep up with the status and let you know when any new stock becomes available.

Sample test crops from the Tamron NEX 18-200mm and Sony NEX 55-210mm

Posted by Kurt on February 18, 2012 in Reviews

I took a few test sample shots using the long end of the Tamron NEX 18-200mm, (reveiw) and Sony NEX 55-210mm.  The Tamron suffers a little along the sides when zoomed in, especially near 200mm, so I wondered if the new Sony 55-210mm would be substantially better around that focal length, making it worth buying for telephoto shots, as opposed to just using the more convenient Tamron super zoom.  In the sample test crops, I’ve included the centers, mid-sections and corners, all at F/8, which is the sharpest aperture for both lenses at this length, although there isn’t much difference from F/6.3, diffraction is noticeable at F/11, mostly on the Tamron.

Although the Tamron is at a disadvantage because of the slightly shorter focal length, the centers look like they have basically the same detail.  As you move away from the centers, the Sony becomes noticeably sharper, and at the extreme corners…

Great deal on Adobe Lightroom 3.

Posted by Kurt on February 12, 2012 in Jottings

If you want to ‘jack’ some of your picture colors without wrecking the rest of the colors, or fix the awful color casts as a result of HDR, Lightroom is a great way to do it.  It also supports distortion correction, ACR RAW conversions, converging verticals, (all great for architectural or Real Estate photography), and graduated color filters; great for making that sky stand out!  Many Landscape photographers use this software to make their pictures pop.   It’s actually easier to use than photoshop; I have both, and although PS does a lot of stuff, the smaller programs are usually more precise and easier to use.  Offer expires on the 14th.

Here’s another sale item you might want to check out, the Sigma 17-50mm F/2.8 OS HSM; I’m going to review this lens when I get some spare time.

Tamron (NEX) 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III VC review

Posted by Kurt on February 9, 2012 in Reviews

The Tamron 18-200mm e-mount lens review is finally done.  The skies have been mostly cloudy here lately, so it took some time to get all the test shots I needed.

This lens has optical characteristics that are very similar to the Sony 18-200mm NEX, also reviewed at the old site.  Which one is better?  Let’s put it this way; optically they’re about the same, but if a smaller and lighter package is important to you, try the Tamron; however, if you like taking sweep panoramas, get the Sony version.  Tamron screwed up something in the lens protocol, and the panoramas are improperly exposed, blurry and badly stitched as a result.  Tamron claims they’re working on a fix, so we’ll see.

The good news is that the lens compensations adjustments in select NEX cameras correct the Tamron for CA, distortion and light fall-off or ‘shading’ as Sony calls it.  It’s probably using the same corrections as the Sony 18-200mm.

The Tamron 18-200mm is optimized for sharpness at F/5.6-6.3, which is fairly impressive, and seems to be better than the Sony at the long end around F/6.3.  At the wide end, (18-50mm), both lenses are very sharp across the frame, but both seem to lose contrast as you zoom out to 200mm, especially off-center.  I don’t have the Sony NEX 18-200mm anymore, so I didn’t compare the two directly.

More thoughts on the Sony 500/F4 lens

Posted by Kurt on February 8, 2012 in Jottings

Most people probably aren’t aware of the fact that this lens is a classic example of a ‘halo’ product.  In this case Sony is trying to bump up its market perception from amateur grade cameras and accessories, to a major player in professional camera gear.  By introducing the 500mm F/4, Sony gets free publicity, and people begin to associate Sony with higher grade photographic products.

At $10k or more each, it’s doubtful Sony plans on selling very many of these, and I’d  guess they don’t care if they sell a single one, again, it’s all about improving Sony’s market perception, or how one thinks about Sony’s camera gear; In my opinion, it’s the very purpose of this lens.  It’s also why they’re…

The Sony 500mm F/4 mock-up finally becomes real!

Posted by Kurt on February 7, 2012 in Jottings

Sony today announced the long awaited by few 500mm F/4 lens.  I’m sure it’s a good performer, probably like the 300/2.8, but the reported list price will be around $17 grand.  Here in Arizona you can buy a house for that much.  I’ll bet the actual selling price in the US will be around $10-12k.

So will I be reviewing one?  The Sony press release says it’s built to order, but I think the 300/2.8 says the same.  If I can get one, I’ll review it!  See the official press release after the jump, and a much larger image.

Sony A77 with 16-50mm SSM lens, and update news

Posted by Kurt on February 5, 2012 in Jottings

The Sony A77 kit with 16-50mm F/2.8 SSM lens is in stock here, (now out of stock, you snooze, you lose), you’ll save $100 over buying both separately.  I don’t think I’ll be reviewing this camera as I have too many irons in the fire right now, which brings me to the updates; the Tamron 18-200mm e-mount review will be available mid-week or so, then it’s on to the Sony 55-210mm NEX lens.

It looks like the NEX-7 review will be finished mid-February.

Also coming up is a product shot how-to, using an inexpensive shooting tent with lights.  And don’t forget the cool little Canon G1-X!

Tamron 18-200mm e-mount (NEX) samples

Posted by Kurt on February 1, 2012 in Images

Here are a few sample shots from the new Tamron 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 VC lens and NEX-7.  All images are right out of the camera, standard creative style.  These samples were all hand-held, so they aren’t official.  The distances are a little long, and atmospheric issues are present.

So far, the optical performance seems similar to the Sony model, meaning the long end lacks contrast, but the short end is pretty sharp.  Focusing on the long end is spotty, just like the Sony.

Good news, the NEX-7 corrects the distortion…

Sony NEX CZ 24mm F/1.8 review

Posted by Kurt on January 30, 2012 in Reviews

I’ve completed the Sony NEX CZ 24/1.8 lens review, and it’s available on the old site.  I’m still working on the right lens review format and width issues for this site, (I won’t be able to have the wide crop tables on the bottom like you see on the current review format), so you’ll have to hop back and forth for the next couple of weeks until I finalize things.

Here’s a little tid-bit that will make some people mad: I’m glad I don’t have the Sony 35/1.4 G lens anymore, if I would’ve compared the Sony 35mm F/1.4 G using the A900, and the NEX CZ 24mm F/1.8 using the NEX-7 at apertures of F/1.8-4, the 35mm F/1.4 G would literally look like it was focused improperly, there would be that much difference at those apertures!  Both cover the same area and have the same megapixels, so it’s a fair comparison.

Believe it or not; I’d prefer this combo…

Sony NEX LA-EA2 adapter initial thoughts

Posted by Kurt on January 28, 2012 in Reviews

Here at Photojottings, the most requested photo accessory to review (lately) is the LA-AE2 adapter, which seems to be very appealing to Sony alpha users that plan on jumping on the NEX cameras, especially the NEX-7.   This adapter allows Minolta AF and Sony a-mount lenses to auto-focus when mounted on the newer NEX cameras.  Currently, Sony’s US website is listing this product as compatible with the NEX-7 and NEX-5N only.

I’ve tested this adapter on the NEX-7 and 5 different Sony lenses so far, along with using the Sony A580 as the ‘standard’  for AF speed and accuracy.  Right now, based on my limited use, the LA-EA2 adapter really works well, in fact, I find no difference in focusing speed and accuracy between the NEX-7 with adapter and Sony A580.  Note; If you have any comments or requests, please let me know while I still have the adapter!  …