Today I took my Sony Nex-6, Canon 135mm f/2 L Lens, and the Fotodiox Lens adapter out for some Raw Image Quality Testing. The Sony Nex-6 has a New 16mp sensor and it’s capable of pumping out incredible image quality, but the optics in front of the sensor is what focuses the light for the sensor. The better optics equals better image quality. Pretty simple really, but not necessarily practical 
The Canon EF 135mm f/2 L Lens is not exactly small or light weight, but it’s know for being one of the sharpest lenses in the Canon EF Lens Line-Up.
The Sony Nex Camera System has an 18mm Sensor to Flange distance (E-Mount), which allows it to accept almost all lenses with the use of a proper Lens Adapter. Owning a bunch of Canon pro lenses it was a no brainier to get a lens adapter asap, so I could use them on my Nex camera!! Be sure to check out my Sony Nex E-Mount Lens Adapter Guide >> to find out what Lens Adapter types you might need!!
Take a look at what the full frame 135mm lens looks like mounted to the Sony Nex-7 with my Fotodiox Lens Adapter.
Sony Nex-7, Fotodiox Lens Adapter, Canon EF 135mm f/2 L Lens
Sony Nex-6 Camera and Lens Settings
For these Nex-6 sample images I had the Cannon 135mm Lens set to f/8. I did this by mounting the lens to my Canon 5D Mark II and setting the aperture to f/8. I then pressed the depth of field preview button and simultaneously took off the lens. This trick leaves the lens set to whatever aperture you were previewing, in my case f/8! I then mounted the lens to the fotodiox lens adapter and then to the Sony Nex-6.
I also had to change some of the camera default settings in order for the camera to work “without a lens”. By default the Nex-6 comes with a feature called shoot without lens, and it’s Turned Off. You will need to turn this ON! Next your going to want to turn on Focus Peaking which will help dramatically with manual focus. It basically overlays colored lines on the sharp spots to help you focus faster and more accurately. Not only does focus peaking work, it makes using manual lenses almost easy!!
I have a video tutorial that will walk you through the set-up process step by step if you need more detailed instructions: How To Set Up the Sony Nex Camera for using Lens Adapters >>
Sony Nex-6 Raw Image Quality Sample
Check out the image quality on these Nex-6 Raw Photos when using Top Quality Optics!! I was hand holding the camera when I took all these photos as well.
Be sure to Click on these Raw Sample Images for the true 100% Crops!!
Sony Nex-6 w/ Fotodiox Lens Adapter and Canon EF 135mm f/2 L Lens @ f/8
Sony Nex-6 w/ Fotodiox Lens Adapter and Canon EF 135mm f/2 L Lens @ f/8 – 100% Crop
Sony Nex-6 w/ Fotodiox Lens Adapter and Canon EF 135mm f/2 L Lens @ f/8
Sony Nex-6 w/ Fotodiox Lens Adapter and Canon EF 135mm f/2 L Lens @ f/8 – 100% Crop
Sadie Girl in direct sunlight. Note the highlight detail and natural colors the Sony raw file produces in Lightroom 4 default settings. Also, how sharp the whisker detail and eyes are!!
Sony Nex-6 w/ Fotodiox Lens Adapter and Canon EF 135mm f/2 L Lens @ f/8
Be sure to Click on these Raw Sample Images for the true 100% Crops!!
Sony Nex-6 w/ Fotodiox Lens Adapter and Canon EF 135mm f/2 L Lens @ f/8 – 100% Crop |
Sony Nex-6 w/ Fotodiox Lens Adapter and Canon EF 135mm f/2 L Lens @ f/8 – 100% Crop |
The Sun was getting low and was painting some killer light all over the place. I couldn’t really find anything that good, but this had some sharp lines, shadows, and hot spots!! The Sony Nex-6 Dynamic Range is excellent!!
Sony Nex-6 w/ Fotodiox Lens Adapter and Canon EF 135mm f/2 L Lens @ f/8
Sony Nex-6 w/ Fotodiox Lens Adapter and Canon EF 135mm f/2 L Lens @ f/8 – 100% Crop Top Left |
Sony Nex-6 w/ Fotodiox Lens Adapter and Canon EF 135mm f/2 L Lens @ f/8 – 100% Crop – Center |
Sony Nex-6 w/ Fotodiox Lens Adapter and Canon EF 135mm f/2 L Lens @ f/8
Sony Nex-6 w/ Fotodiox Lens Adapter and Canon EF 135mm f/2 L Lens @ f/8 – 100% Crop |
Sony Nex-6 w/ Fotodiox Lens Adapter and Canon EF 135mm f/2 L Lens @ f/8 |
Tri-pod Shots
Lastly I took these Nex-6 Raw photos inside the house a few minutes ago using a tri-pod to make sure I got sharp shots!!
Sony Nex-6 w/ Fotodiox Lens Adapter and Canon EF 135mm f/2 L Lens @ f/8
Sony Nex-6 w/ Fotodiox Lens Adapter and Canon EF 135mm f/2 L Lens @ f/8 – 100% Crop
I shot this next Raw sample photo with the Canon 135mm f/2 L lens @ f/2 for comparison purposes, and to show off the super narrow depth of field!!
Sony Nex-6 w/ Fotodiox Lens Adapter and Canon EF 135mm f/2 L Lens @ f/2
Sony Nex-6 w/ Fotodiox Lens Adapter and Canon EF 135mm f/2 L Lens @ f/2 – 100% Crop
Sony Nex-6 w/ Fotodiox Lens Adapter and Canon EF 135mm f/2 L Lens @ f/2 – 100% Crop
Closing Remarks:
Quality optics make a pretty big difference right??
I sure think they do, and these few sample photos illustrate what the Sony Nex-6 16.1MP Sensor can do with Pro Grade Glass!! I’ definitely get more sample photos before my full Sony Nex-6 Review, so don’t worry about that. I also need to get some photos in the studio with the wireless flash.
Be sure to check out my Sony Nex E-Mount Lens Adapter Guide >> to find out what Lens Adapter types you might need!!
If you would like to see more photos taken with the Sony Nex-5n and the Canon 135mm f/2 L lens, click this link: Sony Nex-5n, Fotodiox Lens Adapter, Canon EF 135mm f/2 L Lens – Sample Photos
Nex-6 (body only) ~$848 US @ BHPhotoVideo >> | Amazon >> | Adorama >> | Ebay
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Thanks,
Jay
About the Author
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Thanks for this page!
As a new NEX-6 moving from a Pentax K20D, I still wonder if I made the right choice but not vs the K20D because the NEX-6 runs circle about it but against other possible options.
My research showed me it was the best option for me but you always think about it more after the purchase.
So far I am impressed by the features and how easy is to get stunning images.
Glad to see there is even more you can squeeze of it using RAW and with the Lightroom profile, even better!
Hello Gabriel,
Thank you very much for the kind words
I totally know what you mean about caring more once you purchase something!! Or second guessing etc.. The Pentax K20D is a really nice camera from what I can tell. I’m surprised you say the Nex-6 runs circles around it!! As good as it is, that is a little surprising.
I was honestly surprised at how good the raw images were on the Sony Nex-6. Don’t get me wrong, I knew they were going to be good, but man they are incredible!! Shadow detail and highlight detail seems to be better than my 5d Mark II by a significant amount.
The Sony Jpeg engine really does over process a bit in my opinion. I usually shoot RAW for my personal photography, so it’s stands to reason I would prefer the less saturated, less sharpened look. A lot of people prefer the jpeg Pop and want even more which is understandable. I usually develop my photos towards that direction anyhow, but prefer the control and enjoy the process
Thanks again for the comments Gabriel,
Jay
thanks for the detailed breakdown…i am interested in the fotodiox adapter but am confused about something on their site…i also have a wide angle ef-s lens (in addition to some L lens)
does it mean it won’t fit…or just won’t work for ef-s lenses
thanks
Thanks Mike,
My Fotodiox lens adapter works with EF-S lenses and says it doesn’t on the website. Not really sure why that is though Mike,
Best,
Jay
Looking great
I too am getting the 135mm f2 L and Fotodiox adapter setup.
I am also getting the FD adapter and have been getting some cheap FD lenses from Yahoo auctions and eBay.
http://www.arufu.net/alf-no-ikikata?category=Photography
By the way, for entering Exif Data to the shots made using these manual adapters I am currently looking into this seemingly nifty trick http://photolifetoys.blogspot.jp/2012/08/manual-lens-data-exif-to-aperture-quick.html Hope you don’t mind, but I will be linking to above great article from my site.
Thanks for the comments Alf,
Now worries about the links as it’s clearly not spam. I also appreciate you sharing the tip on the metadata as well!!
Your going to love that lens, but does have a bit of a learning curve so be patient and remember to have your shutter speed pretty high if your hand holding
Jay
thanks, will do
My FD adapter should arrive any day now. and my canon 135mm f2 EF should be back from service in a weeks time. Really looking forward to giving it a go.
Yeah, the metadata input I will give a try after the adapter arrives, and do a writeup on it.
// Alf