Some Initial NEX-7 Thoughts

I’ve had the camera in my hands for a few days now.  Here are some initial thoughts.

At first, I was a bit disappointed actually.  This is the camera everyone is going nuts for, I thought?!?  What’s so special?  It actually feels kind of odd in my hand, very solid, but very different too.  The lens is large, the body tiny.  Can this work?

Then there is the interface.  No, there is nothing wrong with it (in fact, compared to some it is quite excellent).  My problem is that it is almost identical to the one on the cheap Sony camcorder (which I just returned to Costco).  Not really “pro” friendly – just friendly.  Could this really be powerful enough for serious work?

As soon as I got it, I read the documentation I received from Sony over several times.  I made sure I knew where everything was and how everything worked.  The menus are quite extensive and you can only get so far on your own.  A quick read-through of the documentation is a must with this camera.

Then I started taking some pictures.  Very nice, very responsive.  Now the auto-focus is not the best in low-light, but it much better than most.  You will want large aperture lenses for this baby if you are going to need to shoot dark.  Alright I thought, time for a field trip.

I took the camera to Helix in Chicago, one of the better-known, large camera stores in the city.  They were running a special photo fair that weekend with reps from many camera companies (unfortunately not Sony).  Let’s see how the NEX-7 stands up.

At the event I played primarily with the Fuji X100 and the Leica M9.  Now, I have to tell you, while I love the images I’ve seen out of the Fuji, the NEX-7 was much, much better (for me at least).  The Sony seems much more solid in the hand, better balanced, faster in almost everything.  The Fuji was, well “twiddly” at best.

Then I moved on to the Leica.  Now I had experience with the M8.2, but not the 9, just never got on my radar.  It is one hell of a machine.  From the fit, finish, controls, everything says quality.  However, speed of the electronics (writing to the card), lack of high-ISO and other issues would prevent it from being anything more than a specialty camera.  Again, I would choose the NEX-7 over the Leica M9 for most tasks.

It is now one week away from my outing to Cuba.  I have played, poked and prodded the camera as much as I can.  My brief learning period is over and it is now time to take some serious shots.  Later today I will be getting the SEL55210 to try out as well as a Fotodiox lens adapter to try the camera with some third-party lenses (hopefully some extreme wides) as well.

If I am lucky I will have time before I leave to take some more serious shots and post them here, though the Chicago weather is currently conspiring against me on this one.

Stay tuned…

Surprise Arrival!

This morning we received a new arrival.  Sony, quite graciously, sent a pre-production NEX-7 for evaluation and review during my upcoming trip to Cuba.

So far I have only had enough time to take it from its box, charge up its batteries and have it pose for a quick photo.  I have just over a week to learn as much as I can about this camera before it is pressed into some serious service in Cuba.

You see, prior to the disaster in Thailand I had ordered my own NEX-7 for this trip.  I needed a camera capable of taking professional photos alongside my Canon gear – but one with which I could “travel lite” and not be as obviously a “photographer” when needed.  Once Sony learned that I would not be able to obtain one in time, they were extremely helpful in getting me this evaluation unit to put through its paces.

For my part of the bargain, I agreed to share my experiences with you and my photos once I return from the trip.

So, that’s it.  What do you want to know? (no, I don’t know when yours will be coming)  So, far I only have the kit lens, but I may invest in one or two others if I can before I leave.  Let me know what you would like to know, and perhaps I can answer your questions.

Enchanted – Images of New Mexico (Preview)

As promised, I am uploading 3 sample images to the Blog from my upcomming book.  These are just a few random images.

The book will be broken up into four categories: Santa Fe, Taos Pueblo, Pure New Mexico, History of Man.  (not so sure about the last two names – still working on it.)

These represent a variety of images taken around New Mexico from 2002-2011.  New Mexico is a very special place, one with a tremendous variety and attraction for photographers in general.

I hope to have the book done and sent to the printer by the end of the year.  Heading off to Cuba in December, preparing for the next book, so a busy, busy end-of-year.

Sorry!

Wow!  It has been forever since I started this Blog, since I’ve entered anything into it.  I started this Blog when I revamped my web-site (previous site did not have a Blog).  My web-designer thought it would be good to incorporate one into my site.

“Everyone is doing it!” I remember him saying.

Problem for me is that I am often too busy to write about what I am too busy doing.  Generally, travelling, shooting, processing, publishing, etc.  So, let me say I am sorry for letting this go so long.

My new book is coming together.  I will be posting some images and thoughts about it in the next few days.  Then, at the end of the month a trip I have been hoping to take for many years.  There has been a lot of planning on this one, and there should be a new book as well.

End of 2011 is shaping up to be an exciting time!

New Web-Site is On-Line

Alright, after an extended absence, my new web-site is now up and on-line!

First, let me thank Sam Dunn of One Mighty Roar for the excellent job.  It was not easy, as I had some particular needs, but he really did an outstanding job.

As you can see, the new web-site is less about the weddings, events, and assignments (though I will hopefully be posting some political photos in the next few months) and more about the art prints.  Don’t get me wrong, I am still doing weddings, events, and assignments – it is just that my photographer friends have been after me to focus more on my artistic side, so here you go – now stop bugging me…

Seriously though, I hope to be changing out the galleries a couple of times a year in order to keep things fresh.  If there are any suggestions for images you would like to see, please contact me and let me know.