Sony NEX-7 Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 Polarising filter
Driving around the Cotswolds yesterday we passed a sign that said Adlestrop 1/2 mile. Being aware of the poem we drove down and had a look. Though not mentioned at all in the verses, its a small, pretty Cotswolds village and we took some pictures.
Sony NEX-7 Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 Polarising filter
The weather forecast had indicated a warm sunny day with almost non-stop blue sky. In reality it was somewhat different with big black clouds blocking out the sun for long periods during the day. We managed to get some decent shots but this involved a lot of driving, chasing the light.
Sony NEX-7 Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 Polarising filter
Sony NEX-7 55-210mm zoom
It was freezing cold and we were both pretty tired after what had turned out to be a long day. However just as we were about to leave the Cotswolds we suddenly saw a wonderful view down into the Vale of Evesham with pools of light illuminating parts of the landscape. We stopped for a tremendous 1/2 hour of photography bliss.
Sony NEX-7 55-210mm zoom
Sony NEX-7 55-210mm zoom
Sony NEX-7 Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 Polarising filter
Sony NEX-7 55-210mm zoom
Sony NEX-7 55-210mm zoom
Everytime I use the NEX-7, I wonder why I bother with anything else. It is a simply superb camera and it works quickly, efficiently and once I'd got it set up, in an unfussy way. And of course it takes these 24MP images. My initial reservations about the colour have been mostly resolved, by setting up a bunch of preset parameters in Adobe Camera Raw that produce images to my taste. However these images here are out of camera jpgs. with the setting on vivid. (Being an unrepentant colour saturation junkie!!)
I was also glad that I'd taken along the 55-210mm zoom, as it proved perfect for the pictures that we were taking. It makes a nice two lens kit with the Zeiss 35mm.
This morning I cancelled my pre-order for the Olympus OM-D. Not because I don't want it, I do, but because I really have too many cameras (so whats new!) and it isn't really going to add anything to what I have already. I can't see that I won't end up with one eventually, but at this moment in time, common sense has (temporarily!) prevailed.
I have however used my deposit to buy the Olympus 12-50mm zoom, which is a tremendously useful lens for landscape / location photography. The lack of wide apertures isn't a problem for me, as I'll be using it mostly at around f/8-11. It means I can replace the Panasonic and Olympus kit zooms I have currently and have a small and light (It only weighs 212g) lens for many of my excursions.
This did have something to do with how pleased I was with the NEX-7 pictures. I feel somewhat guilty at having had mine for nearly two months now when they still aren't in stock, in any kind of decent quantities. I'm also still amazed at the price I paid for it which was £100-150 less than UK dealers have it advertised for. I can only repeat, for the benefit of those who still haven't got theirs, that it is worth waiting for. Having this resolution and functionality in a camera this small still amazes me, and apart from anything else its one of the nicest cameras I've ever used in terms of feel and simplicity. It just does what its supposed to and turns out wonderful images.
I'll leave it there since I'm not having a good time currently with car and laptop repairs needed and I don't want to tempt fate. However I am very pleased with it, and while accepting my delay hasn't been as long as many others I did have to wait several months for it.
Words - David
Images - David and Ann
Words - David
Images - David and Ann