Birth of the ILC

Just over a decade ago, Sony started disrupting the industry with the birth of the rangefinder mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (ILC) in three products Alpha NEX-5, Alpha NEX-6, and Alpha NEX-7. With the camera came the E-Mount lens standard that not only allowed a variety of Sony Alpha lens combinations, but with inexpensive adapters, nearly any lens from multiple manufacturers including Nikon, Canon, Sigma, or Panavision.

Over the ensuing years, Sony refined the ILC to the current product line of Alpha 7 series including the much anticipated Alpha 7S III. If not for the global pandemic, Sony would have had many in person experiences to try out the new line of camera, but the next best thing is a virtual event, many of which are coming up. Here is a summary:

Samy’s Open House

Band Pro One World Open House, 4 PM, 10 December 2020

Samy’s Holiday Education Event, 10 December to 16 December (hours vary)

ILC Sony Alpha NEX-5T

I’m typically late to the party or not invited at all. Over the last decade I’ve been waiting for video equipment to meet my budget and technical needs. In the 1980’s I used some great Panasonic S-VHS camcorders at University. Then came the 1990’s and DV, where I used a imported Sony DCR-VX700 which was so cutting edge at the time, did not include a IEEE-1394 port. In the late 2000’s I purchased the HDSLR Nikon D7000, which offered a glimpse of the possibilies with H.264 recording. For 2015, I’ve moved on to a Sony NEX-5T, just on the verge it’s discontinuation.

When the NEX-5T dropped in price by half to around $239 after incentives, I was ready to order. This ILC uses an E-Mount lens on a full APS-C which integrates into a whole family of E-Mount and A-Mount lens from Sony and Minolta. Sigma Corporation makes a compatible family of prime Art Lenses at a $200 each price range too (19mm f/2.8, 30mm f/2.8, and a 60mm f/2.8). A Zacuto Z-Finder and directional Sony ECM-SST1 stereo microphone complete the ILC rig. For somewhere shy of $600, you have a AVCHD 1080/24p or 1080p 60p camcorder, rivaling the broadcast worthy $2,850 NEXFS100. Video posts soon.