My Sony unedited gallery is up and my review of the Sony NEX-5R micro four thirds digital camera

The premise of Sony's Unedited challenge was to show people how the camera is capable of taking images that don't need to be edited. While I may have more photography experience than the average consumer, I faced a large hurdle in that I was completely unfamiliar with the NEX-5R but had to go out and take great pictures with it immediately. As it turned out Sony knew what they were doing because the camera made it easy to get some really beautiful shots while I was figuring out how it worked.

My "the unedited 408" gallery on display at Valley Fair Mall.

If you go to see the exhibit at the Valley Fair Sony Style Store look for the NEX-5R camera on display. Behind it you'll spot a small tablet showing my gallery and my co-408 photographer, Rachel King's photos. If it's not playing you'll need to hit the arrow in the center of the screen to start the slideshow.

I'll admit I'm disappointed that the 408 galleries aren't featured as prominently on a large  screen the way some of the other slide shows are in other stores I saw on Twitter like the Unedited 310 and Unedited 206. But, my disappointment with how the pictures are being displayed doesn't detract from how much I enjoyed using the camera itself.

My "the unedited 408" photo gallery is playing in-store through April 10, 2013. It contains 50 unedited images taken with the SONY NEX-5R camera over the span of seven days.

WHERE DID I PHOTOGRAPH?

While I had the option to photograph Bay Area wide, I chose to focus on the 408 area code because I wanted to give the South Bay a chance to shine. The challenge parameters were no iconic images, branding, logos, and preferably no people. I decided to try to photograph a combination of places that I personally love and some that were new to me suggested by friends specifically for this challenge. I enjoyed discovering some of them so much I had to include them. Other locations like the Campbell Heritage Theater and Don Burnett Bridge look so different close up people who have driven past or under them couldn't recognize them which I thought was neat. That we can re-discover things we think we know by seeing them from a different perspective or time of day opens up many possibilities especially when it comes to photography.

Only the image of 23 Skidoo is from my official gallery.

Here are the cities and individual locations I photographed with links to their websites in case you'd like to visit them too and discover more of the 408's coolest places and spaces:

CAMPBELL
23 Skidoo (Vintage Boutique)
Frost Cupcake
Heritage Theater
Light Rail Station
Los Gatos Creek Trail (Swan)
Michi Sushi
Psycho Donuts
Simply Smashing Boutique

CUPERTINO
Don Burnett Bicycle-Pedestrian Bridge (Suspension bridge over HWY 280)

GILROY
Gilroy Gardens
Pacheco Pass (Orchard)
Saint Mary’s Cathedral

LOS GATOS
Andalé Mexican Restaurant (Horchata)
Campo di Bocce
Fleur de Cocoa
Summit Bicycles
Vasona Park (Kitai, my dog)

SAN JOSE
Alum Rock Park (Fern)
Emma Prusch Farm Park (Turkeys)
Fallon House & Peralta Adobe
Japantown
 - Daruma street art (Southeast corner of 4th St x Jackson St)
 - Internment Barrack at Japanese American Museum
San Jose Municipal Rose Garden
Santana Row
 - Consuelo Mexican Bistro (Pozole)
 - Mosaic Lizard Fountain
 - Giant Chess Set
TechShop

SARATOGA
Cooper Garrod Vineyard & Stables
Hakone Gardens
 - Koi
 - Turtles
 - Bamboo
Heritage Orchard
Montalvo Arts Center
 - Love Temple Gate
 - Adam and Eve Sculpture
Mountain Winery Amphitheater
Night view of Silicon Valley (From the Mountain Winery)

SUNNYVALE
Los Palmas Dog Park
Weird Stuff

At the Mountain WInery waiting for the sun to set.

CAMERA REVIEW

The NEX-5R is a great camera for someone who wants a higher performing camera than a pocket camera but doesn't want the bulk and complicated features of a DSLR. The beauty of the NEX-5R is that you can start out purchasing the smaller micro four thirds' SLR lenses or purchase an adapter and use standard lenses from Sony's Alpha DSLR line on the micro four thirds body. Later, if you become an avid photographer and want to pursue taking your pictures up to a more professional level, you can upgrade your body to a DSLR and continue using the Alpha DSLR lenses you've already purchased.

Another benefit is when you purchase the camera a Sony Sales Representative will give you a complimentary, introductory tutorial to help familiarize you with your new camera.

And because Sony doesn't want you using your nifty new camera only in auto-mode, more in-depth, in-store training can be purchased in the form of Sony's Photo and Video Essentials class for $34.99. You'll receive a one-on-one training session with your new camera (weekday mornings and afternoons are best), an 8 GB HDSC memory card, a microfiber lens cleaning cloth, and 5GB of cloud storage on PlayMemories Online to easily view, store and share your photos and videos from home or when you're out and about with your smartphone, tablet, PC or HDTV.

How did I like the camera after using it for a week and a half?

PROS

• Lightweight.:This camera would be very easy to keep in a purse on a day to day basis.
• Easy to use: The camera is so intuitive I barely needed to use the manual to find the controls and function commands.
• Excellent picture quality. It's a 16.1 megapixel camera so the clarity is very sharp. 
• Great design: LOVE that the user can remove the memory card and change the battery without having to remove the tripod plate attachment.
• I felt the camera/lenses offered an exceptional clarity in the photos especially when combined with a monopod or tripod. Freehand, I think because of how light the camera is it was harder to achieve the stability I have with my Lumix system which meant some images early on weren't as sharp as I would have liked them to be. This improved as I became more familiar with the camera.
• The camera comes with a detachable flash.
• Though I haven't used it yet, wifi access to upload images to The Cloud are undeniably great! (My Lumix does not have wifi capabilities)
• Being able to purchase an optional remote (My Lumix is not remote capable)
• Loved the LCD that flips to compose self portraits.
• The sweeping panorama function can create some spectacular results.

Overall I was very pleased with the range of photos I was able to take. The Picture Effect Modes were very handy particularly the Toy and Pop options. The Toy mode creates a shadowed vignette around the picture while the Pop function saturates the image as you're taking it.

CONS

• The LCD screen suffered a small (1/2" long) scratch the third day I was using the camera. Not sure how it happened since I was keeping it in a soft camera bag but it surprised me as I've used one Canon and two Panasonic cameras for the past 7 years without ever damaging the screens in this manner.
• When I purchase a camera the first thing I purchase for it is a back up battery so I was surprised that an external battery charger was not included with the camera (but are available to purchase separately). Instead you receive a charging cord that allows you to charge the battery while it's in the camera. This is fine for when you're home but can be limiting if you need to charge your backup battery while you're camera is in use. You won't be able to do both.
• Though I love the feature, I was disappointed I couldn't make manual adjustments while using the Sweeping Panorama mode. 
• I wish there was a touch screen or single button option to adjust the white balance instead of having to access the menu and scroll.
• Having a control button or touch screen access to change the focal point would be more convenient than having to click into and scroll through the menu.

For a consumer to use as a point and shoot the NEX-5R is so easy and intuitive I have no qualms about recommending for people who don't currently know how to shoot in manual mode. I'd also suggest it for people who don't ever want to have to learn the science behind how to use manual controls to set their ISO, aperture and shutter speed. Accessing and changing these settings on the NEX-5R are comperable to websites that use a click-and-build approach instead of HTML. You don't have to be a pro to be able to make adjustments since you can clearly see them on the display screen as you turn the dials.

If you have any questions about the camera or want to see it in person, the staff at Valley Fair is fantastic! Everyone I met was very friendly and someone knowledgable will be able to help you. This is the official Sony link to a Facebook invite to stop by the store to view the images on the tablet: https://www.facebook.com/events/475792799154863/

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Disclosure: While I'm not receiving payment for participating, I am receiving compensation in the form of the camera and lens to use for the project and to keep after. This does not mean I am obligated to give a positive review of the camera or lens. My opinions are my own and accurate regarding my experience with the NEX-5R.  #Sony408 #SonyStore

Related posts are:

Final Results from the Sony NEX-5R Unedited408 (4/28/13)

My #Sony408 Unedited photo exhibit is just a day away (3/28/13)

A beginner's "How to Photograph Sunsets" tutorial (3/26/13)

My Sony Show is just one week away! (3/21/13)

It's in the 408: Where am I? (3/19/13)

I'd love your feedback: Am I capturing the 408? (3/12/13)

Capturing the 408 with Sony's NEX-5R (3/9/13)

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I'd love your feedback: Am I capturing the 408?

I'm taking 50 unedited pictures that celebrate the 408 area code to create an exhibition that will run in my local Sony Store in just a few weeks. My mission is not to shoot the most obvious or iconic places recognizable as being in the 408, but to find and convey the more sublime. . .

"It’s about identifying and celebrating your city’s unique life, unedited."

The whole concept of 100% unedited images is quite intimidating but, I'm finding, very doable. The NEX-5R has a quick learning curve. In just three days I can already see the improvement I'm making in the pictures I'm taking as I get to know how the camera handles day by day. I've been experimenting shooting in Manual and Superior Auto (not the same as Intelligent Auto). As a bonus there are also some really fun, built in, use-as-you-shoot Picture Effect Modes that are like having Instagram type filters right in the camera.

Hakone Gardens

I've been photographing koi at every pond I've eve seen them in for decades, with no less than seven cameras, and have to say this image is my most favorite I've ever taken. I'm really impressed the NEX-5R was able to capture the range of light and darkness so beautifully as the fish swam into a shaded area of the pond. What is also shocking to me is the clarity. Considering they were underwater, moving, and I wasn't using a neutral density filter I was stunned with this result.

Campbell Heritage Theater and reflection ponds at night.

I thought this location would be recognizable to anyone who had ever been there before but guess what? Even though hubby took his U.S. citizenship oath here, he had no idea where I took this picture. Now he wants to go back and photograph it too. LOL

Just driving down Campbell Ave. and seeing the glass orbs in the reflection ponds always makes me happy as the South Bay doesn't have a lot of public art that I pass by on a regular basis. The fact that they light up at night is a bonus. But go see them during the day too. The glass is gorgeous with colorful solid areas and streaks that shimmer like metallic, two toned organza ribbon.

The historical Central Park Orchards surrounding the Saratoga Library

Agriculture is such a big part of living in the Bay Area but how to depict this in the middle of winter? I thought finding an old orchard would be a good way to convey the area's rich past and present. All of the year round fruits and vegetables grown make living here a locavore's delight.

So what do you think? I have four more days to shoot and thirty more pictures to take.

These are the cities listed online as comprising the 408 area code. Some like Saratoga, Los Gatos, Campbell, and parts of San Jose I'm quite familiar with. Others like Gilroy, Morgan Hill, Sunnyvale, and south and east San Jose I don't really know at all:

Campbell
Gilroy
Los Gatos
Milpitas
Morgan Hill
Monte Sereno
San Jose
Santa Clara
Saratoga
Sunnyvale

I don't want to miss anywhere or anything important so please feel free to leave suggestions in the comments or send them to me privately, on Facebook, or on Twitter. Just think not iconic locations and no branding (logos or company names).

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Disclosure: While I'm not receiving payment for participating, I am receiving compensation in the form of the camera and lens to use for the project and to keep after. This does not mean I am obligated to give a positive review of the camera or lens. My opinions are my own and accurate regarding my experience with the NEX-5R.  #Sony408 #SonyStore

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And in case you're curious here's all you need to know to visit the featured locations:

Hakone Estate and Gardens - website
21000 Big Basin Way
Saratoga, CA 95070
Phone: 408-741-4994
There is an $8 admission fee but parking is free

Campbell Heritage Theater - website
1 W. Campbell Avenue
Campbell, California, 95008
Phone: 408-866-2700

Saratoga Library & Central Park Orchards - website
13650 Saratoga Avenue
Saratoga, CA 95070-5099
Phone: 408-867-6126

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Final Results from the Sony NEX-5R Unedited408 (4/28/13) with all 50 images.

Capturing the 408 with Sony's NEX-5R

Somebody pinch me! I'm so excited to have been chosen by Sony to photograph what makes the 408 (area code) a great place to live!

I picked up a Sony NEX-5R Micro Four Thirds camera system at the Valley Fair Sony Store and I'll be using it to take pictures of my favorite places and things to do, eat and see in the 408 for the next week.

I'll confess I was a little worried about having to learn how to use a new camera in a week's time. It took me months to feel comfortable using the Lumix camera I've been shooting with for the past year. As it turns out, my worries were wasted energy.

The Sony NEX-5R 18-55mm and 55-215mm f/4.5-6.3 Telephoto Lenses

I have to say thank you to the staff at the Sony Store Valley Fair for helping me out with a demo. I asked for the basics like how to switch between the auto and manual shooting modes, auto and manual focus, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance. A 10 minute brush up with the camera's manual pretty much brought me up to speed. Testing the dials and buttons I quickly realized just how intuitive and user friendly the NEX-5R is.

In the next week I'll be sharing some of the camera's features and how the project is going including a few sneak peeks of some of the pictures I've taken.

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Final Results from the Sony NEX-5R Unedited408 (4/28/13) with all 50 images.

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Disclosure: While I'm not receiving payment for participating, I am receiving compensation in the form of the camera and lens to use for the project and to keep after. This does not mean I am obligated to give a positive review of the camera or lens. My opinions are my own and accurate regarding my experience with the NEX-5R.  #Sony408 #SonyStore

Yes, that's a magnetic, fisheye lens on my phone!

I've been posting images taken with my iPhone and the tiny magnetic lens for the past few days. Most were featured in my visit to San Juan Bautista. When I take it out in public people definitely notice it and have questions about how it works so I wanted to show you just how easy it is to use.

I found it online in the Photojojo camera accessories store. I've always wanted a fisheye lens but here's the thing, the MFT (Micro Four Thirds) 180º lens for my Panasonic GF2 camera retails for $629 and I didn't think I'd use it often enough to justify that price. Panasonic introduced a fisheye adapter for $149 but it only has a 120º view. But Photojojo's lens retails for $25 and has a 180º view. Sold!

The lens is 1" in diameter and has a magnetic ring on the more narrow back end. For most phones the standard mount ring stickers work fine. For the iPhone 4 and 4s a small notch is removed to allow the light from the flash to work when the lens is not in place.

The silver side is magnetic, the white is the sticker backing for the adhesive side.

The magnet attaches to a metal ring that attaches to your phone with adhesive. You'll receive two iPhone 4/4s notched rings and two standard rings.

When you place the ring on your phone you'll want to make sure to align the cut out to not interfere with or block your camera flash / flashlight if you have an iPhone 4 or 4s.

This is the back of the lens. That small inner ring is the magnet. Some geeky friends at dinner wondered if it would interfere with the compass built into the iPhone. It did a little as they floated the lens near the camera but not severely. While completely off or attached there wasn't any noticeable interference.

You just place the lens over the ring and it will hold in place.

A side view.

The magnet is definitely strong enough to hold the lens to the camera but not so strong that I would store it there. The lens can be knocked off fairly easily so I remove it between shots if I'll be walking or moving around a lot.

Once the lens is on the camera the one thing you will want to do is make sure it's perfectly aligned around the opening of the built in camera lens. If you don't align it evenly the lens can cast a shadow along one side of your picture.

The magnetic lens also comes with a small, flat, disc to stick to the back when the lens is not in use to protect it.

It's so easy!

And the front comes with a plastic lens cover.

It snaps on over the face of the lens.

The only thing it doesn't include is a carrying case.

So I sewed a small silk pouch to tuck it into when not in use.

Safe and sound in my purse.

And what kind of pictures will the lens take?

Shooting in low light works better than without it because the fisheye is a wide angle lens so it lets in more light. Also the wider an object is, like a building, the more of it the fisheye will include because of its wide angle capabilities.

Shooting tall objects, like this LED wrapped palm tree at night, turns them into dynamic forms. The closer you are to something tall the greater the distortion effect of the fisheye will be.

Snapseed Tilt Shift Filter

If you're into street photography and use editing apps like Snapseed, Instagram or Histagram the fisheye is a must! Read more about this image in my Urban Art: Street Koi post.

Photographing small objects close up can make them look larger than they are.

And if you know people who like to make goofy faces in pictures the fisheye will exaggerate their expressions.

The fisheye turns ordinary into extraordinary.

So cool. I used it like crazy on a day trip to San Juan Bautista.

CLICK HERE to learn more about this lens on the Photojojo website and use the FAQ link to answer any questions you may have. There are also magnetic macro and zoom lenses that come as a 3 lens kit for the iPhone, a remote shutter release, a tripod attachment and a boom mic. All for the iPhone!

Snapseed Photo Editor for the iPhone

I've been holding out for what feels like forever (or at least a year) on using any of the photo editing apps for phone cameras like Instagram, Hipstamatic, Camera Awesome and Snapseed. I see the vintage'ish and nostalgic looking pictures from these apps all over Facebook and Twitter but I've resisted using them simply because I haven't made the time to learn how to use my phone camera or the apps.

The Original Popcorn Photo

So today I took a stab at using Snapseed on this really over and underexposed picture I took with my iPhone. The raw image is flat, boring, and just plain yucky looking.

After I dropped a Snapseed vintage filter over it (in my phone) then tweaked it a bit more in Photoshop (on my laptop) this is what I ended up with. Pretty cool! Now I can see why people use these apps particularly for phone pictures that are, due to the limitations of the camera, less than perfect.

The Snapseed + Photoshop Processed Photo

So far I've loaded Instagram, Camera Awesome and Snapseed onto my phone. I think I'll wait a bit to decide if I need Hipstamatic. Do you have a favorite iPhone photography app that you think I should have too? I'm definitely open to suggestions :)

Photo Tip: Don't miss a great photo op

As a blogger, here's how I never miss a photo opportunity: I always carry my camera with me. Always.

My former Lumix DMC-LX3 point and shoot camera.

When I carried a smaller point and shoot it was really easy to do. I kept my little camera (and a spare battery) in a little camera bag and would throw it in my purse or jacket pocket.

The Panasonic Lumix GF2 micro four thirds camera system.

Because it's much smaller than a DSLR I thought switching to the GF2 micro four thirds camera system would allow me to upgrade the quality of photos I take and would continue to allow me to bring the camera with me everywhere I go.

Guess what? My new four thirds system fits in this 7.5" x 10" bag . It holds the camera body, zoom lens, macro lens and a spare battery.

Just like that.

And the pouch fits in my purse. Just like this.

Unfortunately you can't do this with a DSLR. I know. I bought one, took it out once and never used it again. It was too heavy and cumbersome for everyday schlepping around.

So if you're like me, a blogger who wants better pictures, or you're someone on the fence about upgrading your hobby camera from a point and shoot to a DSLR, take a look at the micro four thirds systems before you make the leap to a full sized DSLR.

Having a camera small enough to keep with me at all times is my best tip on how I avoid missing out on photographing great bloggable moments :)

Help! The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 vs Sony NEX 5 Digital Cameras

It's time to upgrade the camera I use to shoot all of the pictures I take for The Flirty Blog so I'd like to ask my friends (espcially professional photography and videography friends) if they can weigh in on which camera they think would best suit my needs.

The Contenders: I've narrowed my search to two cameras, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 and the Sony NEX 5.

I wish I could have that music from 2001 a Space Odyssey playing as you read this because that's how I feel when I think about these cameras. LOL

I want to move to a Micro Four Thirds (4/3) camera system. The size of the camera is small enough I can keep it and a couple of lenses right in my purse without having to carry an additional camera bag. Size is why I decided to let my hubby have my Canon T1i DSLR body I just purchased last year. More than it is heavy, I don't care for how its size feels too obtrusive at many of the events I attend, especially when other professional photographers are the official documentarians at said events. Smaller (less obtrusive and lighter) than the T1i and more powerful than my current point and shoot, with the option of using interchangeable lenses? I think a 4/3's camera is exactly what I need.

But which one should I purchase? Currently I'm leaning strongly towards the Lumix. But...

The Sony is faster and, most importantly, has a significantly larger sensor and higher resolution. I feel like nothing should matter more than the sensor size.

So why the confusion?

The Lumix has a superior touch menu navigation system. The menu is important, because I often reset my white balance and exposure settings room by room when shooting an event and even as the lighting conditions change in a single room. The Lumix also has 4 image ratio settings compared to the NEX 5's 2 settings. My current camera has three and I adjust the image ratio constantly, almost shot by shot. For convenience the Lumix has a built in flash (the NEX 5 doesn't).

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

The Lumix also has far more lens options (19 instead of 3) including a 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. Macro lens, and you know how I love my close up food shots and close ups in general.

What to do, what to do...

Perhaps the most important aspect is that I'm looking at this in terms of once I buy the Panasonic or the Sony I'm buying into a system. Are the odds better that Sony will come out with more lenses down the road, or will Panasonic develop a camera body (with a bigger and better sensor) that the lenses I purchase now will be compatible with later?

Lumix Micro Four Thirds Lens Options

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So I'd like to ask: For the type of pictures I take for my blog, any opinions which would be the better camera for me? Or do you think either would work equally well?

Panasonic Lumix GF2 - Specifications

Sony NEX 5 - Specifications

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Edited to Add: I went with the Panasonic Lumix GF2 and couldn't be happier. In addition to the body here are the lenses I use and what I use them for:

LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm / F4.0-5.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S (everyday zoom lens)

LUMIX G VARIO 100-300mm / F4.0-5.6 / MEGA O.I.S. (wildlife telephoto lens)

LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (food and product macro lens)

LUMIX G 14mm / F2.5 ASPH (I almost never use this pancake lens)

Manfrotto MM294A3 Aluminum 3 Section Black Monopod

Manfrotto 494RC2 Ball Head with Quick Release (for Monopod)

Upgrading to the Panasonic LUMIX DMC LX3

Just doing my part to help stimulate the economy :o)

Guess who just got a new playmate? My Canon Powershot that's who! If ever there was an overworked point and shoot digital camera it would have to be mine. I take it everywhere and shoot everything with it! So I got it a new best buddy, the Panasonic LUMIX DMC LX3. We're going to get acquainted today and hopefully you'll start seeing clearer, wider angled pictures in my blog from now on.

I know I could have ordered it online to save on the sales tax... But I decided to support our local economy and purchased it at San Jose Camera and Video. I've bought several items there over the years and have to say their customer service has always been good. Their website showed they carried the LUMIX in black, but I wanted silver. So imagine how happy I was when I walked in and the salesman told me they only had it in silver! YAY!

LOL I took this picture of the purchase of my new camera, with my old camera, so I could blog the purchase of the new camera. Ha ha ha...

The staff here is knowledgeable and have always given me helpful tips when I've walked in ready to purchase an item.

And a big Thank You to Andrew Hsu of Studio MSV for recommending this model to me in a past blog post when I asked for help!