Based on the availability of this RC, I’d expect the full release within a month.

* Caution: this is not a final release of Lightroom 3.2, but a release candidate. It may contain bugs and you would be wise to backup you Lightroom catalog and images before using it.

Replacement Batteries

First up, in the past week we’ve seen some unbranded replacement NP-FW50 batteries, which is great news given the power-hungry tendency of the NEX. A few notes of caution though: I’ve always bought unbranded batteries and used them without incident but there’s always the risk that they could destroy your camera and break your warranty. Although with the Sony batteries retailing around €70 and eBay versions for €15 then I think I’ll definitely be trying the knock-off versions. I noticed that the batteries vary in terms of power; the official Sony NP-FW50 is rated at 1080mWh so you’ll want to check that your eBay version matches that. Also, I’m curious as to whether the eBay knock-off will be able to provide accurate battery readings… I see some items mention that they are “completely decoded” so I suspect that some batteries may have problems in this respect.

Rear Lens Caps

Another oddity about the NEX systems is that they don’t come with either a rear lens caps or body cap. These are now inevitably available on eBay and will be useful to anyone with multiple lenses.

Lens Adapters

At this stage, I don’t think there is another lens mount that you can’t adapt to fit the NEX: Canon, Nikon, Minolta Rokkor, Leica… they’re all here on eBay. I’ve found this blog to be a good source of information on the various adapters and lens mounts on the NEX.

Remote Triggers

One thing I miss with the NEX is the ability to use a remote release. Luckily, the NEX-5 comes with an IR port that supports the same remote as other recent Sony cameras. Various knock-off remotes are available on eBay but I’ve ordered this one. Unfortunately, none of them support interval shooting (for timelapses) like my fancy Hahnel Giga T Pro.

But there is another way: Instead of using Manual Focus, choose Direct Manual Focus (DMF) and Spot Focusing. In shooting mode, click the bottom button (should be labelled ‘Focus’) and you can now move the focus point around. Half-pressing the shutter will cause the autofocus to attempt to lock-on although we’re not too interested in that. Now, with the shutter half-pressed, move the focus adjustment on the lens and you will get the MF Assist preview but, crucially, it will now be positioned over the spot focus point not the centre of the image. If you can live with DMF instead of pure Manual Focus, then I think this is a good workaround.

1. Built-in Panoramas. The NEX can take panoramic photos by automatically stiching together images as you sweep around the room. No more needing a tripods, hassles with sitching software. Just take the panorama in-camera and it’s ready for upload!
   In camera Panorama
2. Fantastic low-light functions. The NEX has a built-in HDR mode which allows you to balance the exposures between a dark room and bright outdoors.
   Normal photo: notice the dark shadows and blown-out skyIn-camera HDR: more detail in the shadows and backgroundRegular Exterior shot: preserving the house details has overexposed out the skyExterior HDR: maintained shadow and sky detailIn addition to the Auto-HDR mode, there’s handheld-twilight mode for low-light shots and great performance at high-ISOs for particularly dull rooms.
3. High quality Video. The NEX can shoot high-definition 1080i video for walkthrough video tours
4. Wide-angle lenses. Normally, I’d recommend the 18-55mm lens but interior photographers could really benefit from the 16mm lens, which can also take a ultrawide-angle or fisheye adapter for getting the whole room in the one shot!
5. Compact size. Despite all this functionality, the NEX will easily fit into a jacket pocket or handbag so you’ll always have it with you when you need it

1. that it places all the weight around your neck (admittedly, not a problem with the NEX)
2. they tend to get in the way particularly if you bend down and the camera swings out
3. and they make the camera obvious to everyone. 

You can mitigate #1 by replacing the standard strap with a softer neoprene one which has a little bounce in it but really neck straps don’t suit me. In general I think wrist straps are the way to go for the NEX as they won’t limit your shooting options like a hand strap does (particularly, when shooting at low-level or above head height). The NEX has a slightly unusual vertically-mounted lug on the side so you’ll need to ensure that you’re strap can connect to these (see the end of the post for 2 straps which I was going to recommend but can’t because of these issues). In general, thin cord, small straps or small rings should fit… large split rings are out though.

So, I’ve done some research and come up with a selection of straps that I think are perfect for NEX owners:

Camdapter CamStrap

For my SLR I use a hand strap from Camdapter which attaches to the tripod mount but also serves as a quick-release plate for my Manfrotto tripod – an ideal combination. I can’t recommend these straps highly enough for SLRs but for the NEX, I think they are just way too big and restrictive. Luckily, Camdapter have a smaller version aimed at point & shoot cameras which I think would work well for the NEX. It consists of a small plate that fits on the bottom of the camera using the tripod screw, and a strap which wraps around your hand connected to the side of the camera. My only hesitation is that the strap will need connect to the NEX’s lugs which are half-way down the body rather than at the top. If this handstrap is too restrictive, you can choose the more flexible CoolStrap using the same bottom plate.

Gordy’s Wrist straps

Gordy’s wrist straps are small, simple, well-made and customisable leather straps. You can choose from different lengths, leather colour, thread colour etc. They are also very strong and he has pictures of the strap supporting a 15lb monitor… I think my little NEX will be in good hands! The straps are very reasonably priced and include worldwide shipping (a nice touch).

OpTech Cam Strap

This wrist strap is constructed from neoprene which makes it soft and  flexible. There’s also a small slide adjustment to ensure it doesn’t slip off your wrist. It’s also cheap!

Handmade Funky Wrist Straps

Etsy is a marketplace for handmade crafts and it’s the perfect place to go for a funky-looking, fashionable wrist strap that will compliment your NEX.

CoolLanyard VEL Celtic Wrist Strap

CoolLanyard have a large range of strap available but I’ve chosen this one which consists of a neoprene wrist protector attached to a nylon cord. There’s even a bit of kevlar in there to stop the neoprene “bouncing” too much! The cord can be adjusted by means of a slidelock to maintain a solid grip on your wrist.

Luigi’s Leica Straps

There are two things you need to know about Luigi’s straps: 1) everyone seems to rave about them and 2) the website is a shocking mess straight from 1995. The straps themselves are handmade Italian leather and are available if a range of sizes, styles and  colours. They don’t come cheap though!

Highkey Camera Straps

Ok, so I gave out about neck straps but if you really like them it’s worth looking at Highkey where you can get your own design printed on the strap! Or you can go for the WTD strap (What the Duck? It’s required reading for all photographers)

The Y-Strap*

The Y-strap is ideal for carrying small cameras unobtrusively. It is constructed as a loop of webbing which is worn over the shoulder and across the chest. The camera attaches to this webbing via a split-ring and is free to move. When it’s not in use, the camera hangs down at your hip, out of sight and out of the way. When you need to shoot, you just raise the camera up and it slides along the strap, making it very quick to get into a shooting position.

My only concern is that the split ring which attaches to the camera to the strap may be too big to fit the lug on the side of the NEX.

The Wrist Wonder*

The Wrist wonder is from the same person as the Y-strap and it constructed from the same webbing material. Probably the greatest asset of this strap is the slide lock which lets you easily change the size of the strap, ensuring it remains useful even in the depths of winter with thick coats and gloves!

* unfortunately, after some correspondance with the designer, the Y-strap and Wrist Wonder probably won’t be suitable for the NEX cameras. It looks as if the split ring will be too big to fit the lugs on the side of the NEX. However, I’ve left these here as bonus straps because I really love the concept and you might find a way around the attachment issue.

UltraPod II

The UltraPod II is part of an extensive range of folding tripods by Pedco. The 3 tripod legs fold down to 7″ length and the integrated ball-and-socket head provides compositional flexibility and supports 4lbs of equipment. As an added bonus, the Ultrapod II comes with a velcro strap which is used to secure the folded tripod to a post or tree.

Buy now at: B & H | Morris Photo (UK)

Joby Gorillapod SLR Zoom

The Joby Gorillapods are ideal companions for the NEX. They are very flexible accessories (sorry, bad pun!) with legs that wrap around 360° allowing you to attach the tripod to branches or lampposts in addition to using the legs as usual. The legs can be bent around for storage or even wrapped around the strap of your camera bag. There’s also an optional ballhead for added flexibility. I’ve recommended the SLR-Zoom version here as it will also support your SLR kit (up to 3kg) and heavier e-mount lenses in the future. The regular SLR version should be suitable for the NEX+18-55 lens (up to 800g), whilst you could risk a NEX-5+16mm lens on the original version (but, frankly, I wouldn’t)

Buy now at: B & H | Jessops(UK) | Amazon.co.uk | Warehouse Express (UK)

Manfrotto 709B Digi Table Tripod

The other Manfrotto tripod in this round-up is the 709B… a more traditional tripod with folding legs and a flexible ball head. It folds up to 20cm in length and is capable of supporting up to 2kg

Buy now at: B & H | Amazon.co.uk | Warehouse Express (UK)

Slik Mini Pro III

The Slik Mini Pro III is a solid tabletop tripod with integrated ball head, capable of supporting up to 3lb/1.3kg. The central support has a suction cup for improved stability on smooth surfaces.

Buy now at: B & H | Amazon.co.uk | Warehouse Express (UK)

Tamrac ZipShot

The Zipshot is unusual in this roundup as it extends to over 1m tall from a compact length of just 38cm. By simply unlatching the retaining straps, the tripod unfolds to its full height in seconds. It comes with a ball head and is capable of supporting 3lbs/1.3kg. Perfect for those needing a little more height with the NEX or who aren’t near a convenient tabletop!

Buy now at: B & H | Warehouse Express (UK)

“Bendy Legged” Tripods

These tripods are made from a fixed tripod head supports by 3 flexible wire legs. They are sold by many manufacturers and have the advantage of being small, light and easy to carry. The fixed head means that the only way of adjusting the position is to adjust the legs and it’s not possible to change to a portrait format. Unfortunately, the weight of a NEX-5 + 18-55 lens is a little more than I’m comfortable supporting with these little guys. Having said that, it works fine on a stable platform (like a table) when there’s no danger of a strong breeze knocking it over. A good last resort I’d say.

Manfrotto 797 Modo Pocket

The Manfrotto 797 tripod is an ingenious little device which folds down into a credit card-sized package. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer much in the way of flexibility but for simple support situations, this little guy nicely compliments the NEX’s diminutive form and supports up to 500g (probably safer with the 16mm lens but the 18-55 should also work).

Buy: B & H | Amazon.co.uk

Leica Mini Tabletop Tripod

This gorgeous little beauty is one for the elite among us. It is a pocket-size table tripod with fixed legs and a flexible ball head. It is designed for small digital compacts but I’d expect it to cope with a NEX. Unfortunately, with any Leica product comes the Leica price: $130!

Buy now at: B & H

Leica Tabletop Tripod with Legs

Another Leica product but this features folding legs and a cheaper price ($109) but unfortunately the ball head is sold separately (more $$$)

Buy now at: B & H

Bottle top tripod

There’s lots of these around in small online stores and eBay. Essentially, they clip on to the top of a plastic drinks bottle which (when full) should hold your camera. I’ve included them really as a curiosity because I wouldn’t recommend trusting your NEX to one of these, no matter how convenient they are. If the bottle topples over, it’s an 8″ fall for your NEX, and possible further off a table.

Kata

Kata deserve lots of kudos for being the only company which includes the NEX-3 and NEX-5 in their camera bag chooser. They are extremely sturdy, although more functional-fashion than flowery patterns. Here are a few which caught my eye:

Hybrid-537 DL

The Hybrid is a very interesting bag as it’s actually two bags in one: a larger bag for your SLR and a smaller bag which would be perfect for the NEX. The two bags can be combined into a single large shoulder bag or worn separately. For a photographer with both an SLR and NEX kit this bag would appear to be a perfect fit!

Buy now at: B & H | Warehouse Express (UK)

DT-211

A sling type bag with easy access and several compartments allowing the storage of a NEX and several lenses/accessories. I’m particularly partial to the sling-style bags as they combine easy access with a comfortable weight distribution.

Buy now at: B & H | Morris Photo (UK)

T-212

Another sling but with a difference: it is designed to be worn across your chest for very quick and easy access. It’s a bit smaller than DT-211 above but it will still omfortably fit a NEX and accessories.

Buy now at: B & H | Warehouse Express (UK)

H-10

A neat holster-style design, with external accessory pockets (for batteries etc) and built-in padding and internal divider. It can be worn on the belt or over the shoulder and features Kata’s built-in raincover/sunshield.

Buy now at: B & H | Warehouse Express (UK)

Lowepro

Lowepro make a large range of camera bags, although they tend towards the functional rather than fashionable end of the market. Lowepro have suggested a number of bags and I’ve picked out my favourites here:

Apex 100 AW

This is a decent looking bag, with internal dividers, a built-in cleaning cloth and built-in waterproof cover (I have this on my Lowepro Slingshot bag and it is a lifesaver!)

Buy now at: B & H

Apex 110 AW

You guessed it, an slightly larger version of the Apex 100!

Buy now at: B & H | Warehouse Express (UK)

Tamrac

Tamrac have suggested the following bag for NEX owners:

Aero 94

A neat holster-style bag with a removable divider, mesh accessory pockets and 3 modes: carrying handle, shoulder strap or belt loop.

Buy now at: B & H | Warehouse Express (UK)

Other Options

I’ve also found that you can pick up some recommendations by browsing Micro four-thirds user forums to see which bags they use. A NEX is generally smaller than a m4/3s camera but our lens are a little bigger. Although it is a little big, the Domke F-3X Super Compact Bag gets good reviews from m4/3′s owners:

Or you could even buy an official Olympus m4/3′s retro camera bag

There’s also some interesting bags available in Japan which are made specifically for the NEX range. This one looks perfectly designed to fit the NEX and another lens or accessory:

• 3D Sweep Panorama function has been added;
• Improvement of ‘normal’ 2D Sweep Panorama shooting;
• Decreased power drain when the camera is switched off;
• Quicker start-up in low-light conditions.

The headline feature is obviously the 3D Sweep Panorama functionality (you can see a preview of it here) but, to be honest, it doesn’t really interest me as it requires a special Sony 3D TV. I’m trying to work out if there’s any hardware limitation to showing these 3D photos on a computer and using the appropriate glasses.

Also, improvements to the 2D Sweep Panorama mode are to be welcomed although I haven’t encountered any issues with this functionality.

It’s interesting that there’s “decreased power drain when the camera is switched off”. Most people would assume that once the camera is off, there is no power drain. Personally, I haven’t noticed this issue but others have seen a marked drop in battery power when the camera was left overnight.

Also, the quicker start-up time in low-light is a welcome sight. It is definitely noticeable that the camera takes longer to wake-up in low-light or when the lens cap is left on.

A small warning:

You will need a Windows 7/Vista/XP machine to update the NEX firmware. This is a little disappointing as there’s no other reason why NEX owners should require a Windows PC. You might be able to run the firmware updater with Parallels or enother Windows-emulation environment but with something as sensitive as a fireware update, I wouldn’t be willing to risk it. You could potentially “brick” your NEX camera permanently. Much better to find a Windows-owning friend to help!

You will also need a fully charged battery (minimum 3 bars) or AC adapter before the update can proceed.

Update:

My firmware update went smoothly and the camera is fine. The startup time seems to be about 1sec without the lens cap on, and less than 1.5secs with it on… which I think is an improvement. It certainly feels much more responsive.

The new 3D panorama mode is accessed from the mode dial:

The new 3D Sweep Panorama mode

When holding the camera at ground level, the flip-up screen is a huge bonus. I tended to hold the camera like a joystick and used my thumb over the top of the camera to trigger the shutter.

When I was carrying the NEX-5 & 18-55 lens around (not shooting), I found that gripping the lens was the most secure and comfortable way. I also found that it would fit snugly into the pocket of my shorts and very easily into a jacket pocket. It is still a very pocketable camera even with the 18-55 zoom! Obviously, it won’t fit into your jeans pocket but I’d never put a camera there anyway.