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Sony NEX LA-EA2 adapter review
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, NEX-5N, with a NEX-C3 update in the future. NEW, Sony’s Asia website has firmware updates for the adapter use on the original NEX-3/5, and NEX-C3.
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! …
Sony NEX CZ 24/1.8 and Sony CZ 16-35mm F/2.8 samples
Here is probably the last full size sample from the NEX-7 (now available for pre-order) and CZ 24/1.8 that I’m going to post before the lens review comes out. It’s also part of the final review set.
This time the comparison is with the uber expensive Sony A900 and Sony CZ 16-35mm F/2.8 lens, at 35mm, which closely matches the 24mm coverage, although the 16-35 at 35mm covers just a little more real estate than the 24mm.
Both images were taken in RAW, and converted in ACR 6.6, no other adjustments were make other than the conversion to jpegs.
Exposures were the same, at the same F/4 aperture. The Sony CZ 24/1.8 is nearly….
Sony NEX-7 and Sony A900 ISO comps
For those of you wondering about how the NEX-7 handles high ISOs as compared to the A900, look no further. I’ve made some comps of both RAW and jpeg images, cropped from the center, with no changes other than converting the RAW (using ACR 6.6) to jpeg for posting. I shot the scene in RAW+jpeg, and the jpeg is right out of the camera.
The Sony CZ 24/1.8 was used on the NEX-7, the Sony CZ 16-35mm (at 35mm) on the A900. The coverage area is very similar on both cameras.
The NEX-7 seems slightly sharper if you look really close, no doubt due to the excellent prime lens…
More NEX-7, CZ 24/1.8 samples
I have two additional samples from the NEX-7 and CZ 24/1.8 (now in stock, along with the A77 body, and A77-16-50mm lens) showing the differences between a RAW and jpeg. The RAW image was converted in ACR, color fringing corrected, mildly sharpened and saved as a level 8 jpeg. The jpeg is part of the RAW+jpeg in which I shot these pics, so it’s actually just one shot. Note; I don’t care for Sony’s IDC, it doesn’t offer any significant improvements over jpeg, that’s why I use ACR, it offers the best compromise in my opinion.
If you examine both (boring, but relevant) images carefully, you’ll notice the converted RAW shows much more detail. I’m guessing you’re losing about 6-8MP by saving your…
NEX-7 initial thoughts
I had time this weekend to go through the NEX-7 and form some opinions on the menu system, overall operation and image quality. The actual review will be in the old site format, as I’m still trying to figure out a new review template for this site, and I want to be able to post it in a timely manner.
First off, let me point out something of mild importance; the NEX-7 comes in a presentation case with a black velvet-like lining. Fortunately, I always shoot some product shots before actually using the review item to avoid having to remove dust and fingerprint smears, and as I checked the shots in magnified view, I saw the tiny black fuzz from the lining all over the camera. Be sure and use a blower bulb or vacuum cleaner to clean the camera before you take off the body cap, otherwise, you might wind up with a sensor full of this stuff. I’m not sure how well the sensor cleaning feature works. Note to Sony; wrap the camera in plastic when using this type of parts board.
On to more pleasant thoughts now; the NEX-7 is slightly lighter in weight than I was expecting, that’s good!
When using the ‘front curtain shutter’ feature, it’s very quiet.
The OEL (organic electro-luminescence) viewfinder is bright and very sharp, although no match for the A900 in good light. With that said, I much prefer the OEL or LCD for low-light and magnified focusing….
Quick samples from the NEX-7 and Sony CZ 24/1.8
Here are a few samples from the NEX-7 and Sony CZ 24/1.8 lens. These were hand-held while on an afternoon hike, so I’m not considering these ‘official’ and part of the review.
The full images below were converted to level 8 jpegs from RAW in ACR 6.6, with color fringing adjustments as the original jpegs have. The out of camera jpeg files are too large to post, (about 10mb each), so I would’ve had to compress the images a second time, and I didn’t want to do that.
Don’t compare between shots along the bottom of the images as they aren’t in focus, use the middle area. I see a very sharp, and large central area, especially between F/2.5-4.5. From F/1.8 to F/2.5 the sides are a little soft, but look quite good at F/4. Stopping down to F/5.6 doesn’t seem to provide additional sharpness unless you look closely in the extreme corners.
The camera jpegs are pretty good looking. The color fringing correction works well…
