My father in law and the Sony NEX 3n

A few days ago my father in law wanted my help buying a camera.  He wanted something smallish that would take great photos.  Henry's Outlet Centre had the very nice (and very stylish) Fuji XF-1 for just $225, which seemed like a great deal, given MSRP is $499, and I thought this would suit him perfectly.  So in we went, expecting to buy it, but we were in for a surprise....

We found that the Sony NEX 3n with the extra compact 16-50mm power zoom lens was on sale for $299.  This seemed like a screaming deal, given that they are normally an already cheap $499 and have only just been launched a couple months ago.  Alone the lens retails for $330.

Sony NEX 5n with Sigma 19mm f2.8

While the Fuji XF-1 is a good camera, the Sony NEX 3n is a big step up in terms of image quality and especially low light performance.  The 16mp APS-C sensor is truly excellent in low light, and can capture tons of detail, if the lens you're using can resolve that far. So I talked him into spending the extra $75, and he's come away with an amazing camera for not a lot of money.

Compared to my NEX 5n, it is slightly bigger and has a built in flash, but misses out on the high resolution touch screen and a few other features.

Sony NEX 5n with Minolta 135mm f4 LTM

 While I don't think my father in law will stray far from auto mode, the NEX 3n allows him to take his photography a long way if he so chooses.  All in all, a great purchase.

Major annoyance - stuck adapters.

One of the biggest pains in rear I have with my equipment is getting Leica LTM-M mount adapters stuck on Sony NEX to Leica M adapters.  As the LTM-M adapter is very thin, it is difficult to grab on to and apply any force.  The most success I have is putting LTM-M adapter on a lens, then freeing the M-E mount adapter most of the way, before loosening off the lens.  If I am lucky it will only take a couple minutes and no busted fingernails.  If I am not, I could be there a while and it will involve pain.

Pre-Spring grasses - Sony NEX5n with Monolta Rokkor Chiyoda 13.5cm f4 (LTM mount)

Time to shoot something weird - Minolta Chiyoko Tele-Rokkor 13.5cm f4

A few days ago I went down to the local Fish and Chip shot for our weekly dose of greasy batter, and decided to take the camera to occupy my time for a few moments. With a little one and another coming, I need to grab every spare moment I can get.  I was in the mood for a weird lens, so I grabbed the Chiyoko (later Minolta) Tele-Rokkor 13.5cm f4 in Leica LTM mount and put in on the NEX5n.

Its actually a pretty good lens, more than decently sharp and the bokeh is reminiscent of most telephoto lenses of this vintage, which is to say it has an olde worlde kinda character.  While this particular lens is quite clean, it could probably do with a CLA as the focus movement is a little stiff and jerky.  Interestingly this lens only has a 4 digit serial number, so I am sure not many were made.

Minolta Rokkor 13.5cm f4 for Leica Screw Mount

Before Leica’s partnership with Minolta for the M Mount CL and associated lenses, Minolta made cameras that were essentially a copy of a Leica IIIc / IIIf.  These “35 series” cameras were made between 1947 and 1958. They also made a series of Leica Screw Mount lenses for this camera, including the Tele-Rokkor 13.5cm f4 that I have.   

My copy is a very early as it only has a four digit serial number, and it is marked “Chiyoko”, an amalgam of CHIYOda KOgaku, the name of the company.  Interestingly it has the original lens cap which is marked “Minolta”.  The other give away that this lens is early is the fact that it has a maximum aperture of f4.  This lens became an f4.5 in the mid 1950’s.

Compared to the pre-war Leica 13.5cm f4.5 Hektor I also have, the Minolta is much more compact (by a little over 30mm) and it is 1/3 stop faster.  However it has a much further minimum focus distance (8ft vs 5ft on the Leica) and 10 aperture blades vs approx 15 on the Leica.  Overall image quality isn’t too dis-similar, the Leica flares more, however image quality on the Minolta is better further away, but not as good near minimum focus distance. 

Speaking of minimum focus distance, to me, that’s the big let down on this lens.  Eight feet is too far away for most portraits, and it is close to useless indoors.   However, for a 60 year old lens, it is still capable of producing nice images on the NEX.