About Me

Saturday, April 27, 2013

NEX-5R / NEX-6 Direct Upload Issues to Facebook

If you are having problems authorising Playmemories Cameras App on Facebook through your NEX-5R/6 cameras, I have found a solution to overcome this problem.

This solution worked for me and I have tried it using my two difference Facebook accounts and now I can upload to either from my NEX-6.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how I got mine to work:

Step 1. Press Menu and go to Application

Step 2. If you haven't downloaded the Direct Upload app, download it first.

Step 3. The Direct Upload app will show you the photos that you have on your memory card, press the square checkbox on the left to select the photos you want, press NEXT

Step 4. At the moment the only available Network Service is Facebook, Sony said that there will be more in the future.

Screen showing that it is trying to connect to Facebook

Step 5. You will be presented with the Facebook login page. Enter your Facebook credentials and press Login.

Step 6. This is the ISSUE.  You are presented with a blank screen (others have reported not seeing anything at all except a blank white screen).  Basically you're stuck on this screen.


This is where the programmer in me kicked in.  I know that FB apps have ID's and if I can find it, I can just use my browser and use that to authorise the app instead of Sony. I found the URL by logging in and turning off my Internet Connection :) The whole URL is about 341-characters long excluding my session-id.  I have shortened it for you

Jump into your browser and click this link.  I have written it down and tested it so the link should work for everyone. Authorise PlayMemoriesApp on FB using your browser.

Step 7.  Enter your username / password in Facebook. The site is the mobile site of Facebook, it doesn't really matter as we are only here to authorise the app and nothing else.

If you logged in succesfully, you will see this screen. Just press OK. This screen is asking you to allow the PlayMemories Cameras App to access your profile, friends list, News Feed, etc.
This next screen is asking you to allow the PlayMemories Cameras App to post on your behalf.  YES we do want it so press OK.
This screen appears afterwards.  I don't really know why it is coming up with a security warning but the text above it says SUCCESS. 

To check that it has been authorised, you should see it on your APP SETTINGS on your Facebook acount.

NOW BACK TO OUR NEX CAMERAS 

You will need to login again to FB but this time you won't see screen 6 (see above).

This screen allows you to place the photo you are uploading to a specific album! Good thinking Sony!



And that's it.  I have uploaded two photos already and have remove the app from my Facebook and did the same steps and it works.

I hope it works for you.  Please let me know by leaving a comment below



Wednesday, January 16, 2013

NEX-6 external mic solution

One of the things that's missing in the NEX-6 is the mic input jack.  Sony has introduced on CES2013 an  external mic, the Sony ECM-XYST1M that uses the new multi interface hotshoe.  It retails for around US$149.00


Sony USA is accepting pre-orders with a delivery date of March 15, 2013.


image from Sony USA website

I am not sure yet if the power is drawn from the camera or it can be powered on its own.  I would love to test this and try it against the Zoom H1 which I currently use.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

a good zoom lens for your NEX - the SEL55210

If you are looking for a zoom lens for your NEX camera that is a native e-mount, you only have 4 options at the moment;

  1. Sony SEL 18-200
  2. Sony SEL 18-200 (LE)
  3. Tamron 18-200
  4. Sony SEL 55-210
I got mine as part of a dual lens kit for the NEX-6.

I won't waste your time in reading the technical specs as they are all over the internet. Just go to any Sony website and you can even do a comparison between the 3 Sony branded lenses.

The NEX SEL55-210 zoom lens is an underrated lens in my opinion.  The image quality I am getting from this lens is superb.  This is not a FAST LENS so when you want to use it in lowlight you have to bump up the ISO, which is not a problem with the NEX-7 and the newer and better High-ISO capable camera the NEX-6.

The weight of the SEL55-210 is perfect for the NEX camera compared to the 1st-generation SEL18-200.  Another advantage of the lens is the filter size which is 49mm, same as the SEL24F18 and the 18-55 Kit lens.  I have this lens on my camera instead of the 18-55!  

The SEL55-210 also has a OSS (Optical Steady Shot) which is great for both photo and video.  

Most of the photos taken were from the recent family holiday we had at Singapore and Hong Kong.  The only post processing done on the photos were to remove the sharpening in LR 4 and cropped.

Photos taken with the NEX-7:






Photos taken from NEX-6:






If you are in the market for a NEX Zoom lens and your budget is around $400-$500 USD, this lens comes highly recommended!  This is the ONLY ZOOM lens I have for my NEX system, the only thing that can replace this on my bag will be if Sony comes out with a G-lens for the NEX System!

Saturday, January 5, 2013

SLRMagic and NEX .. what's next?

While in Hong Kong, I managed to get in touch with SLRMagic's Product Manager, Andrew Chan. He hand delivered my new SLRMagic 35 T 1.4 lens!  The lens is packaged beautifully and initial impression is quite positive. I've been in contact with Andrew before through email but meeting him in person was great.  He's a lovely person to talk to during coffee and I was also able to find a little bit more about the company and their plans for the NEX mount. 

A brief history on what SLRMagic lens lineup so far for the NEX system:
  1. SLRMagic 35/1.7
  2. SLRMagic 28mm Bokehmorphic
  3. SLRMagic 35mm T 1.4
  4. SLRMagic Hyperprime 50mm 0.95
Their next release will be the SLRMagic 23mm f/1.7 lens.  Not having seen and use this lens myself, I am assuming that this will be a cheaper alternative to the Sigma 30mm and the Sony Zeiss 24/1.8 that is currently available.  I have heard of this lens before but SLRMagic has gone back to the drawing board to re-design the lens as initial reviews weren't favorable.  I commend them from doing this as instead of releasing a 'so-so' lens, they instead went back and fix whatever issues were reported.  This shows that the company really wants to be taken serious by NEX users.

SLRMagic will be concentrating on CINE lenses as other brand (e.g Zeiss CP.2, Angieux, etc) are out of reach for most people, price-wise.

As a treat, here's a sample video I took of the SLRMagic 35 T 1.4 lens with the NEX-7 @ 1.4.  It shows very good bokeh and colours!


Test Video : NEX-6 and SLRMagic 35 T 1.4 from Cris Gruba on Vimeo.

Sony's UWA (SEL1018)

 Before I went on my overseas holiday trip, I took these shots of the festive decorations around Melbourne City Square. I only had the NEX-7 and SEL10-18 and my Sony RX1.   I know that the SEL1018 and NEX-7 is not the BEST combination as with any other wide angle lenses on the NEX-7.  


Out of Focus SEL10-18 @ f/4.0 

More photos of the NEX-7 and SEL1018 all at f/4.0

SEL 10-18 @ 10mm

SEL 10-18 @ 12mm
SEL 10-18 @ 14mm

SEL 10-18 @ 16mm

I am bringing this lens with me on my holiday and will post more photos when I get back.  From memory, at f/8 the issue seems to have disappear.  And also, I have tried using a more greenish-color temp/filter as my WB instead of AWB and this seems to do a better job on the sides for my liking.  Maybe its just me but I am happy with this lens and the NEX-7 combination. 

The SEL1018 works flawlessly with the NEX-6 (which I also have).






Category List

Sony (20) nex-7 (14) NEX (6) nex-5n (6) rx100 (6) nex-6 (4) A77 (3) SEL10-18 (3) compact cameras (3) A57 (2) bokeh (2) nex-5 (2) rumor (2) slrmagic (2) zeiss 24 (2) 18-200 (1) 55-210 (1) A55 (1) Google (1) Google TV (1) RX1 (1) SLT (1) TV (1) cine lenses (1) clear image zoom (1) direct upload (1) external mic (1) magenta cast (1) minolta (1) mirrorless (1) nex-5r (1) nikon (1) playmemories (1) snow (1) sony nex zoom lens (1) sony rx1 (1) sony slt (1) voigtlander (1)