Just got a lightly used 16mm lens from a guy in NY for a good price and I'm glad I did.

It's my only "native" lens I own for the VG20 - meaning it's the only lens I own that has auto-focus. And boy howdy does it focus - far and away better then some of the lens I've used on the Canon. The NEX lens use a different method to focus and it allows for far quicker focus pulls.

That said, Canon lenses are all over the place in terms of focus speed, so I'm not condemning the whole lot, but it sure is a nice surprise to have a lens so snappy. It works perfectly in photo mode, really making the VG20 a true hybrid camera.

Other nice features:

- it's nice and wide without producing the "fisheye" effect that bad wide angle lenses sometimes do.

- It's tiny (it's one of the so-called "pan cake" lenses). Weighs maybe an once. Normally I like a big heavy lens, but for wide angles it's nice to have small. Why? B/C stedi-cam type shots benefit from wide angle lenses, and stedi-cams benefit from small, balanced lenses. Two checks for that here.

- And because the VG20 is so small, it should be very easy to "fly" the camera on my stedi-cam.

- It's (relatively) fast at F 2.8. Wide angle lens tend towards being slow, so 2.8 is considered pretty fast for this focal length.

- It was cheap. I got it used for $150; new they go for as little as $250 (although supplies are limited, so some retailers have jacked up the price to $400). For reference, a new model Canon 14mm 2.8 lens is going for $2,200, while the Samyang 14mm is going for $430 (with no auto focus). So quite a bargain all things considered.

- Sony sells a E-Mount Wide Angle Conversion Lens for $110 which makes the 16mm lens even wider - essentially making the same focal length as a 14mm lens on a full frame camera. Which is very wide indeed.

- You can also get a fish-eye conversion lens for the same price.

- It looks cool. All silver, very sleek.

Negatives:

- No hard stops on the focus rings - it will spin all the away around. In fact, no markings either. Now this isn't such a big deal on a wide angle lens, because everything tends to be in focus, but it is something to consider.

- It's plastic. Prolly wouldn't break if you dropped b/c it's so light, but this lens would never be confused with a hammer.

- No manual aperture. Now, most new lens have electronic aps, so it's not a flaw per se, but I like manual, actual physical, control over the F stop.

- E mount lens can only be used on E mount cameras, or micro 4/3s mounts (via an adapter). So don't plan on porting any E lens over to Canon or Nikon cameras.

Sample stills:
View image: DSC02472 (http://postimage.org/image/5po6ookq7/)
View image: DSC02480 (http://postimage.org/image/d6xe3wa9b/)
View image: DSC02445 (http://postimage.org/image/6dx17mjfz/)
View image: DSC02483 (http://postimage.org/image/sogaturcf/)

Sample video:
storm footage - YouTube

Short video test of the Flycam Nano with a VG-20 mounted. This is where the small size of the camera and the 16mm NEX lens really comes into play:

Short test of the Flycam Nano using the Sony VG-20 - YouTube

Overall, easier to balance (and therefore use properly) then a Canon DSLR. All settings were full auto as it was only a test.

For those who don't know what a Flycam Nano is, here's a nice review of the unit (note that prices have gone up since he made this video - it goes for about $190 now):

Flycam Nano Review - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QZ2JI6u2YB8)

I found this battery on Ebay, has anyone ever used it or will it work on the VG20

4500mAh Battery NP-FV100 FV50 FV70 For SONY HDR-CX110, HDR-CX130/B, HDR-CX160/B | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/4500mAh-Battery-NP-FV100-FV50-FV70-For-SONY-HDR-CX110-HDR-CX130-B-HDR-CX160-B-/120881330250?pt=Batteries_Chargers&hash=item1c2516b84a#ht_9396wt_954)

or this they say it will work with the VG10

NP-FV100 Battery w/Charger for Sony Handycam NEW | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/NP-FV100-Battery-w-Charger-for-Sony-Handycam-NEW-/300574512042?pt=Batteries_Chargers&hash=item45fba313aa#ht_3158wt_1187)

I have a "Power 2000" NP-VF70 knock-off, and it works fine (although it doesn't last as long as the Sony counter part). That said, I have heard other VG20 users say that other brands of 3rd party batteries don't work.

Seems like a heluva deal if it works anywhere near as well as the actual Sony. Let us know how it works if you end up getting it....

john

I asked in the XDCAM EX forum about this as well as the AF-100 but wanted to look closer at the VG-20. Is anyone using the VG-20 as a b-camera with an XDCAM EX camera?

I understand the filmic difference with the sharp XDCAM but what about color matching and sensitivity? I had a TM700 b-camera but in studio lighting, the TM700 (understandably) wasn't sensitive enough to use with the EX1R. I now use a 5DM2 which is about equal at ISO 400 and f2.8. So I wonder if the larger sensor VG-20 would be sensitive enough to produce a good image as an EX1R in the same lighting.

Anyone using these two together?

Thing about the VG20 is that it only has one real picture style. So it would be more about matching the EX cameras to it. I have the mkii but not an Ex camera. I consider the Vg20 equal to or better than theCanon in terms of sensitivity and less noisy with a finer grain in the higher ISO/gain settings.

Hi
This question may have been covered - but it seems there are conflicting views.

I have a VG10 and was planning to get a Sony 70-400 G and the LA Ea2 adaptor for wildlife (hobby) filming. I want auto focus to work.

I have read that the la ea2 will lock aperture at 3.5.

But to be clear - does it absolutely lock it at 3.5, or is that the largest aperture it will allow with AF? ie using the 70-400 will I be able to have it on autofocus and set the aperture priority to say f8?

cheers
Dave

It is a fantastic cheap & sharp lens. Booting the Nex takes 1-2 sec more and Autofocus is good

LensRentals.com - NEX-7 Lens Imatest Results (http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/04/nex-7-lens-imatest-resolution-comparison)

Hi Werner,

Absolutely agreed. I've just used the lens on a short film paired with my VG20 and it really is very nice indeed. Sharp without being too digital and clinical. Still feels like it has a bit of life in it. Particularly pleasing bokeh stopped open as well :)

Henry

Got a call literally 2 hours before the event, so it's def not a polished as I'd like (particularly in the sound department - ran out of the house w/o the dead cat), but it certainly shows how well the camera can perform in blazing heat:

2012 Memorial Day Ypsilanti Township on Vimeo

Couple of technical facts:

- Temp - well over a hundred on the camera (no shade at all, record hot day)

- Cinetone used for the entire shoot

- Rokinon 35 mm prime only lens used plus Cokin matte box/ND filter

- Standard battery used

- 32 GB Transcend card (plenty of room)

- Edited w/ Vegas, no color correction used - just simple cuts/fades.

Don't think I'd use Cinetone again - better to achieve that effect in post - but it's certainly usable if you like that particular look.

Hey guys, thought you might want to take a quick peep at this very short vid on how I got a Predator SFX shot using the VG20 and Vegas:

PREDATOR effect using Sony Vegas - YouTube

If you start a recording and then plug in an external mic it wont be recognised until you press the stop button and then start again, i found this out the hard , i just thought i would note it the cameras internal mic is used

Excellent tip - I had no idea it worked that way.

Made test outside my studio with my VG 20 Tokina @ F4.0 11-16 mm 2.8 shutter 1/2000 Gain 0 sunny day.
Not so bad as i thought. Will test it later with Nex5N to.

In general viewing on the computer has much more Aliasing and less sharpness than on HDMI Screen!

I use normaly VariND filters instead of high shutter speeds, but with the super wides i'm not shure if this is a good idea.

VG 20 Tokina @ F4.0 11-16 mm 2.8 shutter 1/2000 Gain 0 some Aliasing
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/30801792/tok_11-16.mov

VG 20 Sigma @ F0.0 8-16 mm 2.8 shutter 1/320 Gain 0 more artificial details
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/30801792/sig%208-16.mov

Hello,

Please forgive me if this post is in any way inappropriate, for wheeling and dealing. But I am trying to obtain a new lens. It appears that Sony may not sell this lens separately. I would like to work out a deal with someone who is going to buy a VG30 or a EA50 (preferably), and who doesn't want the lens. I understand that the lens is one of the main draws, but I also know that quite a few people out there don't care for the original SEL18200 lens, and this seems to be the same lens with power zoom. Perhaps my best bet is someone who was planning to buy the VG30 without the lens in the first place and would like to get their VG30 with a discount once parted out.

I will pay above the $900 bundle price on the VG30.

Please contact me if you may be interested.

Thank you,

William Koenig
william_koenig@hotmail.com

I am sure Sony will offer that lens soon since the VG900 has the power zoom button like the VG30 and this will work well in APS-C mode on it.

We had a big Thanksgiving party as a thank you for our volunteers. One of the decorations for the party was a giant pumpkin. At the end of the party, the boss, perhaps jokingly, said "wouldn't it be cool to throw it off the roof?".

So....on the last day of work before the Christmas break, we did as he suggested.

The video is a bit rough, and the edits were rushed. I'm posting this here so people can see what the camera looks like in natural light in a fast paced environment. There was no time for color grading, or anything to enhance the video. The VG-20 was in auto the whole time. Most of the sound was captured from the VG-20 as well. I can't tell you how impressed I am with its built in mic.

There were 3 cameras used -the VG-20 for most of it, with an a77 on the ground during the drop, and a GoPro at ground zero.

The time frame was rushed:
10:30am start filming
11:00am the drop
11:15 to 12:00pm capture footage
12pm-1pm Lunch
1pm to 4pm - edit, compose music, render and post video.

thanks,
~Jay

enjoy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChYYXCLdC7g

Hi All - in the manual on page 75 it clearly states that 'You can adjust the automatic exposure level to brighter or darker by touching + if the backlight is bright or - if the subject is dim'

Now there are no physical + or - buttons on the camera so I've scoured the menus but cannot find this adjustment!

Anyone help?

The manual may be referring to the wheel, jog it up and down. It also might not work with 3rd party or non-NEX lenses.

Will mess with it at the shoot tonight to find out more!

Hi all

Took the little Sony VG30 up in the Jetranger Helicopter over the Great Barrier Reef here in Cairns Queensland. Footage was all shot handheld with the stock 18-200mm lens on.

What a great little camera, best footage I have ever got from a heli without a gyro.

Engagement Rejection Helicopter Flight Vlasoff Cay Cairns Great Barrier Reef - YouTube

Awesome scenery...
Great camera!

Hi

Here is the little Sony VG30 in action again with the stock 18-200mm lens.
Had it on the Glidecam HD 2000 hooked to a Merlin vest and arm.
Dumped the raw 50P 28mbps AVCHD clips in EDIUS and this is what it spat out :-)

The Block Party Cairns Skate Park 2013 Demo Shoot Sony VG30 - YouTube (http://youtu.be/jXTJDQTp0Io)

Can i please ask what fellow VG 10/20/30 owners use to clean dust/oil marks off the sensor?, ideally anti-static to help stop a recurrence would be nice.

My VG30 is prone to getting odd marks popping up which show on the image in plain areas like the sky etc, seems to be recurring more and more, never noticed it so much previously on the VG20, just bad luck I guess.
Can't find any reference in the manual, but I thought I read somewhere that the camera should do a auto vibrating clean on switch off like the NEX-7?

Thank you in advance for any help and advice!

I use a simple air bulb blower. Cheap, simple, and works like a charm. Lots of varieties, but the cheap one work fine.

Giottos Rocket Air Blower - (Medium) 6.6" AA1910 B&H Photo

Very nice!

I like the smooth moves of the camera combined with the slomo and the aggressive music.
Really well done.

Did you use any picture tweaking on the VG30?

Hi, anyone interested in a EA50 bought two months ago, I had only three marriages, I have poor eyesight and can not seem to cope well with autofocus, I have not found suitable for the way I work very fast and reportage ....
Sony Ea50eh kit
sal 16-50 oss f2.8
adapter sony laea2
adapter for Nikon
adapter for canon

for price contact ninodfr@iol.it

sorry for English use a translator

Hello,
Does anyone know whether the VG30 uses 4:2:2 subsampling or 4:2:0?
I believe I read that the VG900 uses the former, and aside from the sensor they appear to be fairly similar.
Thank you in advance.

The VG series all "print" 4:2:0 to the SD card. I've seen nothing to indicate that the VG900 prints 4:2:2 to the SD card (it's not on the B&H or Sony website that I could find, and it's not listed in the manual).

Many people have stated that they believe the VG lineup does output a 4:2:2 signal if recording to an outboard hard drive (like a Ninja). Haven't tested myself, but I'd say it's a good bet it does.

Be very wary of assuming that Sony will stay consistent with their different cameras - even if they use they exact same hardware - I believe that they tinker with every single model just enough to make each unique (although the VG20/30 are quite close).

Unlike the Canon DSLRs, which all seem to be more or less cut from the same cloth in any particular generation, there can be major differences with Sony.

Hello,
I am new to this section of the site and to the NEX-VG900 and as such have a few questions that I hope other users can answer:
1. when using an E-mount adapter to connect a 35mm lens to the cam I assume that the VG900 has to be set to APC mode?
2. I have attached a Leica M 28mm F2 lens to the E-mount adapter and have been experiencing some difficulty focusing same. With the focus assist peaking set to minimal, objects in both the foreground and background (near and distant) appear to be in focus but, if focus expand/magnification is employed what previously appeared—via the focus assist with minimal peaking—to be in focus may in fact not actually be.
Is this a function of the wide angle lens or a camera/firmware bug?
3.Are there any users who have found or are using relatively light weight "A"mount motorized zoom lenses in the medium tele range that provide a sharp, contrasty image with the 900 and if so, which one or ones would they be?
Thank you in advance.

Addendum: I believe that #2 above has been resolved. Switching from an inexpensive Leica M to E adapter to a variety that has been canned by many—Fotodiox pro—seems to have rectified the issue. I suspect that the original adapter was not up to snuff as it pertains to flange tolerance.
As for #3 above, the Sony lens that comes with the VG30—albeit an apc lens—can be purchased for use with the 900 and is allegedly fully functional as it pertains to focus and exposure automation. The more costly, and considerably heavier fixed aperture Sony Alpha 70-200mm lens apparently will not invoke the autofocus when used with the "A" adapter that accompanies the camera. An odd Sony oversight. Hopefully it will be addressed in the future.
But in the end, the VG900, while no substitute for my F3, is as light as a feather and could conceivably be carried around all day long without the arm fatigue and gaggle of accessories demanded by the F3. And the slightly soft image described by others—likely the result of the lacking in-camera sharpening—can easily be addressed in post by a touch of sharpening.

I was just looking at some VG20 pictures in Adobe RAW. I noticed that all the color values are 8 bit. (0-255)

Is this true? Is this camera locked down to 8 bit RAW capture? I would have expected 12 bit.

Anybody know?

CT

Cliff, you need to be specific here as to what camera settings you are using. AVCHD recording is 4:2:0 8 bit but by selecting .ARW (4:3 raw), your still photos can be output at up to 48bit depth

Sony used their own version of RAW images probably because of licensing requirements and that is a .AWR file. This needs to be processed by Sony Image Data Converter software and the result is 8, 16 or 48 bit depth photos, depending on your compression and colour space requirements. eg: 16bit sRGB or Adobe RGB .JPGs or a 48bit uncompressed .TIFF

PS: For best results, select 'raw' in camera and output to an uncompressed tiff in IDC

Hello there,

this is my problem with the vg30 and with the FS100 .............


both of the cameras was working well with a very cheap EF TO NEX adapter.........till i bought the speedbooster ...........

I bought this magical adapter for my fs100 but from curiocity to see how it does perfom with the vg30 i gave it a shot on that camera as well to see how it is............

everything works great with the speedbooster but after that my old cheap adapter seems that doesnt work on the FS100 OR THE VG30 anymore.............. and i dont know how and why and i dont know what to do.

any of my EF lenses on the VG30 or the FS100 now with that cheap adapter give me a really dark image even in bright light.............. its seems that the camera insteed of having the IRIS open at 2.8 is now on other number that i can not control cause my adapter a very basic cheap adapter.

is anybody out there had the same experience like me?

Yup. I think I may do a blog post about this. It's a lot to explain, and I don't even know for certain, but
I have my suspicions as to what is happening. Short version is, I have had several different brands of
EF to NEX 'smart adapters' basically just quit working and suddenly you can no longer control F-stop and
it gives you the F:- reading. The Metabones adapter suddenly quit working on two lenses that it worked
perfectly on. I bought an RJ adapter, and it worked great.....and strangely enough, the Metabones
started working again. Then they both quit working. My suspicion is that all the Chinese smart adapters
are using the same 'electronics'. Anyways, I sent my Metabones back for service and I will let you know
what happens when I get it back. There is something a little 'hinky' going on for sure. And it is happening to
many different people. The adapters work great for awhile, and then just suddenly quit working at some
point. If you read this article, you can see the author references iris problems with the Metabones.

News Shooter | The Sony FS700 = A perfect documentary tool? (http://www.newsshooter.com/2013/06/05/the-sony-fs700-a-perfect-documentary-tool/)

"This is a full frame comparison video between the Canon 5D mark III and Sony NEX VG-900. The 5D Mark III captures 91Mbps in H.264 MP4/MOV format, and VG-900 captures 28Mbps in AVCHD format. To make it fair in this video, both cameras shot it with Atomos Ninja 2 with 220Mbps ProRes HQ format. Hope you guys enjoy the video ^.^

Lens used: 1980s Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.4
DSI Pictures Entertainment 2013
Filmed and Edited by Steve Chan
Music By Berni Law
Special Thanks: Steve Burlinson
www.dsipictures.com "


Canon EOS 5D Mark III VS Sony NEX VG900 (Recorded by Atomos Ninja 2 ) - YouTube

Does anyone know for sure whether the Sony Mirroring Memory Sticks (MS-PX64) will work properly with the VG30?

Would appreciate your assistance!

I'd like to know if focus peaking and zebra can be used at the same time on the VG30.
I think focus peaking would be key for me so if the zebras can't be used at the same time how do you check exposure?
thanks

Hi - Does anyone know of a lens that has Autofocus for the VG900 that doesn't require the camera to operate in APS-C mode? I'm unsure of the difference between E mount and A mount - i assumed E-mount was for APS-C and then saw an advert for the E-Mount 24-70mm that states it's for full frame! Would this then fit the VG900 and if so would the AF work?

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/10/16/sony-announces-five-full-frame-e-mount-fe-lenses-and-updated-70-200mm

The main reason i want to buy this camera is to ditch my VG20, and replace it with a camera that should work so much better in low light which is great with my Canon EF lenses (with the right adapter) but I also want an option for that run and gun moment when AF comes into it's own

Pete

The Vg20 certainly does allow both on together so I assume the VG30 will too. (with histogram switched on too)

Got some blizzard pickup shots last Sunday for my 5th full length horror film, tentatively titled "Stahlgeist," during one of the many storms to get us here in Michigan.

Used and old Canon FD 24-200 lens with a $15 dumb adapter:
Winter storm feb 2 2014 - YouTube

I was out in it for about 2 hours. The camera got completely covered in ice and snow, including the touch screen. I'll say one thing for these little cameras, they are tough. Got back into the house, wiped it down, and it's like new. I can now say I've shot with the VG20 in record heat (Memorial Day almost 3 years ago it was record hot), and last Sunday during perhaps the worst winter ever recorded in this state.

Not too bad.

I just bought a vg30 on eBay as a second camera with my fs100. I really like the camera.
I didn't realize when I bought it that the seller didn't have any of the accessories that came with the camera.
Anyone know Sony parts phone number where I can get the stuff I need?
I tried eBay and bh, but can't find things like component cable, ordinal manual ( I have the link to online, but always carry manuals in each camera bag),mic cover, remote control.
Thanks
Bruce Yarock

Has anyone tried any of the 2x zoom lens extenders for the sony mount lenses?
I see several on line and don't know which is the best. It looks like they all allow auto focus.
Thanks
Bruce Yarock

Hey guys, looking to solve an issue I'm having with capturing in 50p [PS] REC mode where the manual settings will not respond. A dialog pops-up stating press the Manual button to change Exposure. Shutter Speed and IRIS produce the similar response when manually changed but none of these parameters are set to Auto. Similarly, shooting in 25p [FX] REC mode doesn't reproduce the same issue. Tell me this is operator error.