Noctilux and Nex 5n awesome combination

[algrove]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

And why not, playing with RAW files is not everyones idea of fun. I can live with RAW but like minimum PP and smaller file size.

 

If pressed for time or ignorant or post processing challenged straight out of camera is good feature to have - this includes some commercial photographers as well as majority of amateurs. I would assert that majority of digital camera users are shooting JPG regardless of the cost of lens they use.

 

So, good camera should be able to produce good JPG files with zero or minimum of PP, there are such cameras and it appears that NEX-7 is not one of them. It may or may not have good RAW but JPG didn't knock my socks off.

 

Thanks for your input. Points well taken. I have stopped shooting JPEG because of long trips and just so much storage, but on those trips JPEGs are good for sharing on the spot. Look forward to reading your comments after test driving the Ricoh GXR.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Sp12]

And why not, playing with RAW files is not everyones idea of fun. I can live with RAW but like minimum PP and smaller file size.

 

Not even Nikon's JPEGs are remotely comparable to their RAWs in terms of file quality and detail at large enlargements, especially for less than 2-month old cameras with outdated NR engines. If one is willing to spend the huge amount of cash for a M lenses but then wants to basically cripple their IQ by shooting JPEG then they're of a different breed than most Leica users.

 

I would assert that majority of digital camera users are shooting JPG regardless of the cost of lens they use.

I would assert according to Dxomark over 95% of cameras don't shoot anything but Jpeg.

 

So, good camera should be able to produce good JPG files with zero or minimum of PP, there are such cameras and it appears that NEX-7 is not one of them. It may or may not have good RAW but JPG didn't knock my socks off.

I don't agree with that first sentence. One of my favorite cameras (the IQ180) can't produce jpegs at all! Jpeg implies no PP. You can always take a raw file down to the level of a Jpeg, but you can never move up. You can always take a raw file and make 7 quality variations of it with completely different moods, but the JPEG will have only one reasonably high-quality variant.

 

Of course, now we're getting off into the settled Jpeg vs RAW debate.

[lct]

...Jpeg implies no PP...

What did we do when our cams had no raw? Save your jpeg as a tif file and tweak. Not as handy as with raws for sure but PP definitely yes.

[jaapv]

That would not help- the data lost by being in JPG cannot be recovered by converting to TIFF...

Before our cams had raw (1995??) we shot film for quality.

[jaapv]

And why not, playing with RAW files is not everyones idea of fun. I can live with RAW but like minimum PP and smaller file size.

 

If pressed for time or ignorant or post processing challenged straight out of camera is good feature to have - this includes some commercial photographers as well as majority of amateurs. I would assert that majority of digital camera users are shooting JPG regardless of the cost of lens they use.

 

So, good camera should be able to produce good JPG files with zero or minimum of PP, there are such cameras and it appears that NEX-7 is not one of them. It may or may not have good RAW but JPG didn't knock my socks off.

With modern postprocessing programs like LR and C1 there is no noticable workflow or time difference between a raw file or a JPG as starting point, so it is nonsensical to throw the quality advantage out of the window. Even in a worst-case scenario like being on the road with an iPad the Photoraw app will make a raw file as easily read as a JPG. The only reasons I can think of to shoot JPG is when one wants to use Pictbridge printing. But in that case maybe you should not be printing at all.

Or if you are a war correspondent and need to upload your files to your editor by cellphone. But in that case maybe you should have taken your photographs with your cellphone.

Or if you have run out of spare cards. But in that case maybe you should have been carrying more.

[jaapv]

I really love the focus peaking and high ISO of the Nex 5n and am finding it works really well with my Noctilux f1.0 at f1.0. I use an M8 but I must say I am getting more in focus with the 5n with peaking and I really love the high ISO quality. To improve handling, I added an Ownuser battery grip. With the Ownuser, the Nex 5n is much better to hold with a Noctilux attached. This camera is not an M replacement, but in certain situations, especially if I want high ISO and want a different way to focus an f1.0 lens, the Nex is great, especially for the price. I might even buy an Nex 7 for my Noctilux as well!

 

It may well be an excellent camera, but boy, is that thing ugly!

[mmradman]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

With modern postprocessing programs like LR and C1 there is no noticable workflow or time difference between a raw file or a JPG as starting point, so it is nonsensical to throw the quality advantage out of the window. Even in a worst-case scenario like being on the road with an iPad the Photoraw app will make a raw file as easily read as a JPG. The only reasons I can think of to shoot JPG is when one wants to use Pictbridge printing. But in that case maybe you should not be printing at all.

Or if you are a war correspondent and need to upload your files to your editor by cellphone. But in that case maybe you should have taken your photographs with your cellphone.

Or if you have run out of spare cards. But in that case maybe you should have been carrying more.

 

As I said processing RAW is not everyones idea of fun no matter how easy it has become, personally I do RAW when I have need for it. My argument is that for mass market camera to be credible you would expect decent JPG. Imaging Resources review stated the same thing about out of camera JPG.

 

Let's not forger size difference between JPG and RAW files sizes can hamper downloading & file transfer in certain situations. There is ISO speed and there is date transfer speed.

[lct]

That would not help- the data lost by being in JPG cannot be recovered by converting to TIFF... Before our cams had raw (1995??) we shot film for quality.

Jpegs are jpegs but you don't loose any data when you save an original jpeg as a tiff file and did not you use any digicam before your M8? I did (Digilux 1, Sony DSC-V1) and i did not do less PP with Photoshop then.

[lct]

AFAIC i always shoot raw for fun but for legal photos i need untouched OOC jpegs and there are better cameras than Leicas for that.

[andybarton]

Here is a nice pic for Christmas.

 

Is this with the Nex7 or Nex5? I am now confused.

[lct]

Nex-5N according to Exif Viewer.

[Shade]

I really like the results, though they are less leica-like in their tones imho, but very nice regardless. The ownuser setup looks ugly though sorry..