Profesional Cameras In Your Pocket With Sony NEX-7

Sony has announced the much leaked NEX-7 enthusiast-targeted mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. It packs a 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor and 2.4M dot OLED electronic viewfinder into its magnesium alloy body and yet still finds room for a pop-up flash and Alpha hot shoe. This unique combination of sensor and processor assures ultra-rapid shooting responses, plus flawless image quality with ultra-low noise when shooting still images or Full HD video. Extending from ISO 100-16000, the ultra-high sensitivity range makes it easy to capture clean, low-noise images in dimly lit interiors or at dusk. Responses are accelerated further by a shutter release lag of just 0.02 seconds – the fastest of any interchangeable lens digital camera in the world. Quick, precise AF is enhanced by new Object Tracking that keeps accurate focus lock on a selected target, even when it’s moving in the frame. The NEX-7 offers quick, easy control over creative settings via an intuitive new TRINAVI control. Two control dials on the top of the camera are complemented by a control wheel. 

Pushing the navigation button cycles quickly through various shooting modes, allowing enthusiasts to make custom adjustments and control images with the flexibility of a DSLR camera. The NEX-7 uses a new shutter arrangement, with an (optional) electronic first curtain. In other words, the camera no longer has to close the shutter then open it again to start the exposure, and according to Sony this decreases shutter lag from 100ms to just 20ms. This isn't completely new technology - Canon's live view capable DSLRs have been using it since the EOS 40D of 2007 - but it's very welcome to see it implemented in this type of camera. 

Further indication, if any were needed, of the NEX-7's serious intentions is provided by the co-announced Carl Zeiss-branded E 24mm F1.8 lens (also known as the SEL24F18Z). This offers a field of view equivalent to a 35mm lens on full frame, and places the NEX-7 squarely up against the likes of the Fujifilm FinePix X100 (with its fixed 23mm F2 lens), as well as the E-P3. The NEX-7 will also be sold with a black version of the standard E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS kit zoom. The NEX-7 will be available in November for $1350 with a 18-55mm kit lens or $1200 for the body alone. Meanwhile the NEX-5N will be available in September with the same kit lens for $700, or on its own for $600.

Basic Specifications
Resolution:	24.30 Megapixels
Kit Lens:	3.00x zoom 18-55mm (27-83mm eq.)
Viewfinder:	LCD
LCD Size:	3.0 inch
ISO:	100-16000
Shutter:	30-1/4000
Max Aperture:	3.5
Dimensions:	4.7 x 2.6 x 1.7 in. (120 x 67 x 43 mm)
Weight:	14.6 oz (415 g)
MSRP:	$1,350
Availability:	11/2011

The default assignments for the three Tri-Navi dials change depending on the shooting mode you're in. Here's a table listing assignments for each dial in each major camera mode:

Sony NEX-7 Default Tri-Navi Dial Assignments
Shooting Mode	Left Dial	Right Dial	Rear Dial
iAuto	No Function	No Function	No Function
Program Auto	Program Shift	Exposure Compensation	ISO
Aperture Priority	Aperture Value	Exposure Compensation	ISO
Shutter Priority	Shutter Speed	Exposure Compensation	ISO
Manual	Shutter Speed	Aperture Value	ISO
3D Sweep Panorama	Right/Left direction	Exposure Compensation	? (prototype bug)
2D Sweep Panorama	Right/Left-Up/Down direction	Exposure Compensation	? (prototype bug)
Anti Motion Blur	No Function	Exposure Compensation	No Function

Here are the dial assignments for each of the optional settings groups:

Sony NEX-7 Optional Tri-Navi Dial Assignments
Settings Group	Left Dial	Right Dial	Rear Dial
Focus Settings	Focus Area Select	Left/Right focus position	Up/Down focus position
White Balance	White Balance Preset	A/B color adjust	G/M color adjust
D-Range (DRO)	Level (1-5)	Exposure Compensation	DRO Off/DRO/HDR
D-Range (HDR)	EV Spread	Exposure Compensation	DRO Off/DRO/HDR
Creative Style	Creative Style Selection	Amount (+/-3) of parameter selected by rear dial	Sharpness, Saturation, Contrast
Picture Effects	No Function	Select among options for current Picture Effect	Choose Picture Effect (Miniature, Partial Color, etc.)
Custom	(see below)	(see below)	(see below)

In Custom mode, you can assign any of 9 functions plus "Not Set" to any of the three dials. The only restriction is that you can't assign the same function to more than one dial. The nine functions that can be assigned to the control dials via the Custom option are:

Sony NEX-7 specification highlights

• All-new 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor (shared with the SLT-A7 and A657)
• ISO 100-16000
• Built-in 2.4M dot OLED EVF with eye sensor
• Electronic first-curtain shutter (cuts response time from 100ms to 20ms)
• 'AVCHD Progressive' 1080p60 HD movie recording with built-in stereo mic
• Tilting rear screen
• Three-dial user interface
• Built in flash and Alpha hotshoe
• Infra-red remote control receiver
• Microphone input socket
• Exposure Compensation
• Autofocus Mode
• Metering Mode (pattern)
• White balance preset (Auto, Daylight, etc.)
• DRO/Auto HDR mode (Off/DRO/HDR, but also Off/ DRO Level 1-5, Auto HDR/ HDR EV spread 1-6)
• Creative Style preset
• Picture Effect
• Quality (JPEG Fine/JPEG Standard/RAW/JPEG+RAW)
• "Not Set (in case you don't want to assign any function to that dial)

Bottom line, the NEX-7's new Tri-Navi interface offers more flexibility and configurability than anything we've seen to date on a Compact System Camera.

The Sony NEX-7 is a Compact System Camera unlike any other yet produced. Up to now there has broadly been two types of CSC: DSLR style and compact camera style, the key difference between them apart from shape, being the inclusion of a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) in the former. The NEX-7 is a hybrid of the two styles. It takes the compact styling of the rest of the NEX range as a starting point, but blows it up in size and adds an EVF. In outward appearance its styling and sober black-only finish is reminiscent of M series Leicas and immediately conveys that this is a serious camera aimed at a different and more advanced audience that CSCs have targeted thus far. 

Alpha Mount Adaptor

One of the appeals of the NEX system is that its shallow body enables the attachment of adaptors for pretty much any lens mount. Sony's new LA-EA2 Alpha mount adaptor features its own translucent mirror and AF module so that any Alpha lenses attached to it behave like they do on Alpha cameras, with the superior phase detection AF. But with the right mount you can fit all kinds of lenses, both current and obsolete, and it is envisaged that the NEX-7 will be popular with owners of Leica M series lenses in particular.

The NEX-7 we handled is an early pre-production model and we were not allowed to put an SD card in it to assess to image quality, as there's still some tweaking to be done to the firmware, but from a handling and usability perspective the NEX-7 is impressive. Its discreet form makes it an ideal street photographer's camera. The tilting 921k dot LCD screen facilitates candid shooting but the inclusion of that superb EVF, which we have already seen on the Alpha 77, makes it a great option for those who would never consider buying a camera without a viewfinder. 

Adapter For Addition Lens

Adapter with addition Lens

Sony NEX-7 With Tele Lens

Macrophotography Tools & Equipment

After studying macros photography, now I will discuss about the basic tools & equipment needed when performing techniques macro photography. Some tools are required when techniques macros are:

1. CAMERA

Basically all kinds of good analog camera, Pocket / digital prosumer, or DSLRs can be used for this purpose. But the SLR (Single Lens Reflex) camera either analog or digital techniques are preferred in macros,  

why?
Because we get what we see through view-finder, this will have a big impact if we was observed on a particular object that we want to immortalized in accordance with which we see.

Look modern DSLR available now at market, which provides a preview DoF (Depth of Field Preview), is useful in Macrophotography especially for beginners who are still groping in the DoF.

2. LENS

The lens is vital for Macrophotography, because in science is all related to the precision is very determine the final outcome. Special lens or a more famous for its macro lens is the part that is not can be left out of the world Macrophotography seriously.

Now many are provided with facilities zoom lens macros as well, for it required consideration carefull when selecting it, because after a zoom lens will never be as good as with a fixed focal length lens.

What is the focal length is appropriate?

Macros Lens available in the market is in the range:

1. 50-60mm

2. 80-105mm

3. 135-200mm

Range 1 is usually used for non moves object or tends to be static, because the distance required fairly close to the object.

Range 2 is commonly used in Macrophotography, because it can be used for distance sufficiently "far away" to take photos of the shy / move / sensitive object to our presence.

Range 3 is the most ideal for field work, Because the distance that a freely taken.

3. ACCESORIES (LENS AND SPECIAL TOOLS)

In addition to the camera & lens as a basic tool in macro shooting techniques, photographers also need additional accessories as a support in taking of images include:

A. Stacked Lens

Stacked Lens is a prime lens with a fixed focal length which later combined with the reversed lens to produce more than 1:1 magnification.

Enlargement can be produced is by calculated as follows:

MAGNIFICATION = FOCAL LENGTH of PRIME LENS (LENS STACKED): FOCAL LENGTH of COUPLED LENS (LENS Reversed)

Example:

Prime Lens: 200mm/f4

coupled Lens: 50mm/f1.8

Magnification = 200mm: 50mm = 4x (4:1)

B. Reversed Lens (lens reversed)

Reversed lens used if we want magnification (enlargement) is more than size life-size (1:1) with a very detailed quality awesome. From the experience of a prime lens 50mm / f 1.8 as the best option.

C. EXTENSION TUBES & BELLOWS

Entension Tubes (ET) or the now available Autofocus Extension Tubes (AET) and Bellows are Additional elements that are used to obtain enlargement of our wills in a way that combined with a prime lens.

D. TELECONVERTERS or MULTIPLIERS

Teleconverter (TC) is the element that is used for magnification combined with a prime lens, the figure optical up quite complex. Commercially available TC 1.4X and 2.0x TC. The use of TC will affect the light entry, resulting in a drop in the f-stop. At 1.4X TC, f-stop will drop to a stop; at 2.0x TC, drop to 2 stops.

E. TRIPOD AND MONOPODS

Use of Tripod or monopod if possible is absolute. Slightest vibration will affect the outcome of Macrophotography. For that Tripod will be very helpful at all.

F. FLASH

In unfavorable weather conditions or light less, the use of flash is absolute. Use Flash is good and true will produce images nice and natural. Flash used can be from a built-in flash on camera, external flash, modified or External Flash Special Flash for a more Macrophotography known as Macro-Flash.

Learning About Macro Photography

Macrophotography is a close-up photography or techniques retrieval of objects at close range, the object macrophotography usually very small, where the size of objects on the negative is larger than life size / original, with a ratio of 1:1 up to 25x (25:1) enlargement. The last one can be categorized into the Extreme Macrophotography which takes a lot of tools and special techniques to get it.

Macro is the term used manufacturer Canon, while the micro is used by Nikon. Understanding of both same thing in the world of photography.

In a series of EF lenses, including lenses EF-S, there some macro lenses with different focal length and maximum magnification photography varied to adjust all the subjects and situations. Macro lens not only serves to bring distance, but can also be used as a lens for shooting landscape and portrait photography.

It is important to note when taking photos with a macro lens is to control depth of field. Taking photos with a 1:1 macro lens size of 180mm will provide depth of field is less than 1mm (maximum aperture). Making the area behind the subject blur allows us to highlight the subject.

When taking a picture of a product or object and want to ensure that the whole subject of focus, position the camera so the location of the subject parallel to the lens plane camera. For that need to be considered carefully, because if the camera is shaking all of a sudden though only caused by the position adjustment of the smallest focus, the result will be out-of-focus photography.

This is the most important basic rules include while the central focus of interest rates when taking photos or animal eyes when taking pictures of animals. If area that is to difokus small, autofocus can be used at different locations depending frame. More high magnification image of the more higher the risk of shaking the camera when the lens using a long focal length.

The general way to determine speed for handheld photography is the minimum shutter speed limit 1/focal length. But for macro photography, this does not applicable unassisted electronic flash or a tripod solid and the use of cable release to stop the blur caused by movement.

How to Create Your Own Photo Studio?

In making the Studio Photos, it is not difficult, we simply provide the room with a size of 3 × 4 meter. While the camera we can using SLR cameras, or DSLR camera. Then prepare lens 35-70mm lens (depending on the object as well). Lighting room could try Broncolor, Hensel, Bowens or other brand.

To overcome the huge costs in preparation for the Lightning, we simply use a lamp with a softbox made of Styrofoam.

Then put a white styrofoam on the right, left, and over the object, then point the light to one Styrofoam, which serves to give the effect of reflection / or the effect of soft light into the object.

If the object reflects light, put styrofoam on the back side and front of the object, to avoid the effects of light excessive / over exposure.

If it does not have a flash meter, check the product photography lighting studio has a guide number how many, usually light with GN-80, set the maximum and with a distance of 1-2 meters from the object, f / number 11-16 or bracketing just to be safe from f / number 8-16.

For other additional tools if we want to develop to be more pro studio, we can prepare:

- 3 units of studio lights: 750 watts, 500 watts and 250 watts.

- Refletor 2 units (such as bowl for retaining / umbrella adapter).

- 3 Stand lamp manfroto

- Boom Stand manfroto 1 unit ( Buffer similar letter "T" existing ballast, works for top lighting, or used to shooting table top).

- Umbrella reflector at least 2 pieces (standard). For basic umbrella there are 3 types :
 

1. Outside black, inner silver : harsh lighting effect

2. Outside black, inner white : a bit softer effect
3. Outside slightly translucent white, inner white : soft lighting effect

- Softbox 1 unit: 60X90 or 100X120 brands chimera or other brands.

- 1 Snoot to fill in, or directional lighting effects.

- 1 Set table top.

- 1 Set background stand.

- 1 Unit lightmeter : Minolta / Sekonic.

- Some kind of background Photos Studio.

Thats it, now you can have your own photo studio :D

Learning for Bokeh & Macro

After i look and learning from my article, i try to practice to take a shoot bokeh & macro photo style. Now i wanna show my result.

i take this photo in my friends wedding, i love chocolate, so i take this picture :D

This photo I took when I was hiking on Mount Pangrango, in the morning a beautiful and sunny, here I want to capture natural freshness and taste is still preserved.