jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I just watched the 1hr 40 min interview with Trey Ratcliff, discussing his switch from Nikon D800 to Sony NEX-7. I'd like to hear what UHH members think about their NEX-7, and what lenses they use.

ReFlections Loc: From LA to AL

Jerry, where can I find that interview? Is it still avail.?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

ReFlections Loc: From LA to AL

Thanks Jerry for always keeping us up to date!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I try. The original link was posted by Steveo52.

HOT Texas Loc: From the Heart of Texas

Jerry, I don't have the 7 but I got the 6 and just love it, I haven't picked up one of those 5lbs dlsr after the day I got it, The NEX-6 comes with a 16-50 OSS lens that's super light weight and awesome.

I also shoot a lot of Minolta manual focus lenses with it.

It really has put the fun back into photography for me.

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

I've just watched the first 30 mins of that video, and seen enough. I already KNOW that mirrorless camera systems can, depending upon the way you want to use your camera, provide equivalent, or near enough that it doesn't really matter, image quality for everyone.

I can't answer your question, Jerry, 'cos I have a Fuji mirrorless camera with an APS-C sensor, and no experience with the Sony models.

What I would like to say is that there are a few UHH members who ask the questions "What is mirrorless?" and "Why consider mirrorless over a DSLR?" There's one member who for months has been referring to these cameras like this - "lots of us (not sure where he gets that from) feel that these cameras are over price, over rated point and shoot toys, a fad that will eventually go away". He, and many others, need educating about mirrorless camera systems, and this video gives good answers to those questions from a couple of guys who have credibility in the photographic market place.

I suggest you place this video, if you're able, into the FAQ section on this site for the benefit of other members.

Oh, and if you yourself are thinking of going in that direction, be sure to check out as one of your options the Fuji X series cameras and lenses !

Rob O' Loc: Freakin' Hot Arizona

Jerry, I have a NEX-3, so the sensor is much lower resolution, but it's a very usable camera. One big difference is that the 7 has a viewfinder, while the 3 must use the LCD. Best part is that any lens you currently have will work (albeit in manual) on the NEX with a cheap adapter. So if you have that old Leica or Contax or Canon L lens (I use my Minolta MD 50mm 1.4) it works great. Manual focus got you put off? With focus peaking, manual focus has never been easier or faster. The sensor is the same as the a77 but benefits slightly from the lack of translucent mirror on the NEX. The NEX 7 is definitely not a toy.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Mirrorless cameras are top sellers in Asia. I'm sure they'll catch on everywhere eventually.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That's clever of them allowing for adaptors to make using other lenses possible.

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

I've been using an NEX-7 for over a year now, and love it. It's light, it's easy to use, and despite some iffy reviews on the kit 18-55 lens, I've been more than pleased with the resulting images, many of which have been posted here.

I've also used a number of old Minolta lenses (require the adapter for the E-mount) and again, more than happy with them, particularly as they're so inexpensive on Ebay.

Complaints of noise at very high ISO haven't been an issue for me, as I rarely--if ever--shoot in low light. The few low light shots I've done have been satisfactory, but if I did a lot of low-light stuff, I might have chosen a different make, at least based on the reviews.

The focus peaking aid is fantastic, as my eyes aren't what they used to be, and auto-focus doesn't always get the job done.

The bottom line question is always 'would you buy it again' and the answer is definitely yes.

Nosaj Loc: Sarasota, Florida

Although I don't use a Sony NEX-7, I use a mirrorless camera as my "bridge" camera when not shooting with my main DSLR (neither Nikon nor Canon). On the mirrorles body I can use the same sharp prime lenses I use on the DSLR: 35mm f2.8; 40mm ltd; 50 mm f/14.; and 70mm ltd f2.3, and the results are stunning. While on vacation at a resort earlier this year, I met someone using a new Nikon 800 with a rather impressive lens setup, while I was using my mirrorless with a 50mm lens. When we viewed our images on a lounge TV, the results were astonishlingly identical. (My "mirrorless" bridge camera body was priced under $500!!)

Radioman Loc: Ontario Canada

I am a senior in my late 70's. While your question is about the NEX-7, my experience with the NEX-5 may be pertinent:

In 2011 I bought a Sony NEX-5 because it was small and light. It took some very nice photographs, comparable with the Nikon my son had at that time. There were only two lens available - with the promise of a third some time in the future.

While it was a good 'point and shoot' camera, I was having problems wading through the menu's to find the settings I wanted to use. Henrys Camera has a camera show in Toronto every year that I go to with with my son. I went to the Sony Camera stand to ask some questions and get some help - but was told by their 'professional' that they could not really help me as it was a 'consumer level' camera. Hmmm

The following week I went back to the camera store and traded it in for a Nikon D5100. ( reason for choosing Nikon over Canon!! My son and I can share lens, flash etc. )

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That's exactly what Trey says.

altheman Loc: Christchurch, New Zealand

I use a Sony Nex7 and bought if for very same reason that Trey Ratcliff is giving. Yes mirrors are a thing of the past. Technology is catching up and passing dSLR technology very quickly at the moment. Yes the NEX7 has its faults most of which probably could fixed with a firmware update and others if they got some advice from photographers out in the field before they released them.
When I started out in photography in the mid seventies the Olympus OM1 had just been released and its main selling point was its size, I can't believe the size of dSLRs today. I mean a D800 is damn near the size of a Pentax 6x7! It be wont be long folks and we will be back in an age of small capable cameras.