Thinking of buying the Samsung Pro815

I am thinking about buying the Samsung Pro815 and wanted to know if it is a good camera. I keep hearing that Samsung is a bad brand but I don't believe it. I want to know if the owners of this camera like it or regret getting it. And would you recommend this camera? lso I would like to know what it is that you like and dislike about it.
Thanks,
Jessica

Hello Jessica,

Those of us who have the Pro815 generally really like it. Those who have never picked one up tend to disparage it. In my experience (going on 2 years) it is a good, general-purpose pseudo-DSLR. The strongest feature is the lens. To get anywhere near that range or quality, you'd be looking at getting at least 2 lenses for a DSLR, and they would cost more than the camera. The large screen is amazing. The controls are fairly complete, simple to use, and effective.

On the negative side, low-light capability is marginal. ISO settings above 200 are very noisy, I have mine set permanently at ISO 100. Auto-focus tends to be slow and unreliable in low light. Manual focusing is easy and effective, except when you want something razor-sharp. Since there is no image zoom capability to aid focussing, I find that getting exact focus is a bit of a challenge. For normal shooting, it's not an issue, but I'm taking archival pictures of violins, so focus is critical (and challenging). Zooming in to focus then zooming out for the shot doesn't work, since the focus doesn't track exactly and the range scale is only approximate.

So in summary, would I get one now? Probably not. But then, the state of the art has changed enormously in 2 years. 2 years ago, it was by far the best choice available for my purposes. For the price, it's still a good deal. For perspective, my sister just purchased a Pentax K10 with a nice lens, but she paid about twice what I did. So, for the price, the Pro815 is a great choice.

I hope this helps!

Regards,

Joe

Jessica,

I just read your other post, and have a few additional comments.

First, the Pro815 is built like a tank. Much more solid than my sister's K10.

Second, if you aim to sell your images, you really need a "good" DSLR. I'm afraid a $600 budget won't cover that. On the other hand, you should be able to get the Pro815 for that, and it would be a perfect camera to learn with.

Third, have you considered getting a good film SLR? You could probably pick up an excellent (used) camera and a couple of good lenses for well within your budget. There's nothing wrong with film.

Lastly, have you taken any courses? A good course would help you avoid some of the mistakes the rest of us have made.

In any case, welcome to the photography community!

Joe

MrDuck85 said:

Hello Jessica,

Those of us who have the Pro815 generally really like it. Those who
have never picked one up tend to disparage it. In my experience
(going on 2 years) it is a good, general-purpose pseudo-DSLR. The
strongest feature is the lens. To get anywhere near that range or
quality, you'd be looking at getting at least 2 lenses for a DSLR,
and they would cost more than the camera. The large screen is
amazing. The controls are fairly complete, simple to use, and
effective.

On the negative side, low-light capability is marginal. ISO settings
above 200 are very noisy, I have mine set permanently at ISO 100.
Auto-focus tends to be slow and unreliable in low light. Manual
focusing is easy and effective, except when you want something
razor-sharp. Since there is no image zoom capability to aid
focussing, I find that getting exact focus is a bit of a challenge.
For normal shooting, it's not an issue, but I'm taking archival
pictures of violins, so focus is critical (and challenging). Zooming
in to focus then zooming out for the shot doesn't work, since the
focus doesn't track exactly and the range scale is only approximate.

So in summary, would I get one now? Probably not. But then, the
state of the art has changed enormously in 2 years. 2 years ago, it
was by far the best choice available for my purposes. For the price,
it's still a good deal. For perspective, my sister just purchased a
Pentax K10 with a nice lens, but she paid about twice what I did.
So, for the price, the Pro815 is a great choice.

I hope this helps!

Regards,

Joe

Click to expand...

I have only had a little time with the pro, but enough to know its pretty decent, with some niggles too. I think the dp review of it is reasonably fair and just, on balance that is.

My question to the op is what are you looking for? Big zoom? And that you have many options here..or well a few. The pro is decent, somewhat dated IQ wise..as joe says higher ISO isnt really very good, but then nothing was 2 years ago either!

Let us know what you are thinking about..maybe we could throw a few ideas in your direction.
--



Clint is on holiday! Soon to return! ;-)

Joe, I typed out a full response yesterday but decided not to post it due to the OP being new to digital cameras so I was afraid that even though experienced photographers like the camera, she may not. The reason I am quoting your post is that it was almost like you copied the one I didn't post! I agree with your assessment and it was almost exactly the same thing I wrote...weird. Anyway, one tip I had posted a long time back regarding manual focus is that you can use the digital zoom for focusing, then switch the digital zoom off. Just push the magnifying glass icon twice, focus, then push the magnifier again to switch back to normal, it works incredibly well.

Don

MrDuck85 said:

Hello Jessica,

Those of us who have the Pro815 generally really like it. Those who
have never picked one up tend to disparage it. In my experience
(going on 2 years) it is a good, general-purpose pseudo-DSLR. The
strongest feature is the lens. To get anywhere near that range or
quality, you'd be looking at getting at least 2 lenses for a DSLR,
and they would cost more than the camera. The large screen is
amazing. The controls are fairly complete, simple to use, and
effective.

On the negative side, low-light capability is marginal. ISO settings
above 200 are very noisy, I have mine set permanently at ISO 100.
Auto-focus tends to be slow and unreliable in low light. Manual
focusing is easy and effective, except when you want something
razor-sharp. Since there is no image zoom capability to aid
focussing, I find that getting exact focus is a bit of a challenge.
For normal shooting, it's not an issue, but I'm taking archival
pictures of violins, so focus is critical (and challenging). Zooming
in to focus then zooming out for the shot doesn't work, since the
focus doesn't track exactly and the range scale is only approximate.

So in summary, would I get one now? Probably not. But then, the
state of the art has changed enormously in 2 years. 2 years ago, it
was by far the best choice available for my purposes. For the price,
it's still a good deal. For perspective, my sister just purchased a
Pentax K10 with a nice lens, but she paid about twice what I did.
So, for the price, the Pro815 is a great choice.

I hope this helps!

Regards,

Joe

Click to expand...

--
'The primary purpose of any business is to make a profit.'
Canon CEO Fujio Mitarai

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home ;jsessionid=GX90G0k1Qp!1508707039?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=186095&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Hi Don,

Thanks for that tip. I vaguely remember seeing your post of it before, but then promptly forgot about it. My studio for photographing the violins is temporarily in storage pending relocation, but I will be sure to try this trick in the fall when I get everything set up again. I still have about 25 of my father's instruments to photograph, so I'll have lots of opportunity to try this.

Regards,

Joe

Hi Joe, I see you've done a lot of work on your website since I last visited it. It looks really good. I guess I need to visit this forum more often.

Regards, Don
--
'The primary purpose of any business is to make a profit.'
Canon CEO Fujio Mitarai

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home ;jsessionid=GX90G0k1Qp!1508707039?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=186095&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

MrDuck85 said:

Jessica,

I just read your other post, and have a few additional comments.

First, the Pro815 is built like a tank. Much more solid than my
sister's K10.

Second, if you aim to sell your images, you really need a "good"
DSLR. I'm afraid a $600 budget won't cover that. On the other hand,
you should be able to get the Pro815 for that, and it would be a
perfect camera to learn with.

Third, have you considered getting a good film SLR? You could
probably pick up an excellent (used) camera and a couple of good
lenses for well within your budget. There's nothing wrong with film.

Lastly, have you taken any courses? A good course would help you
avoid some of the mistakes the rest of us have made.

In any case, welcome to the photography community!

Joe

Click to expand...

I have had a Pro815 for several months. ( I also have a Sony DSC W-100, and several film cameras, iscluding SLRs.

As the Pro 815 is in a run-out phase of the cycle, it is a lot of camera for the money (originally > twice the current asking price)

It is very well built (no dinky little doors or rubber plugs)

Huge zoom (28mm to 420mm)

Almost as many "manual" options as a DSLR, and much more than most film SLRs.

Huge battery (last you all weekend).

Get a 2gb memory card and get > 500 shots.

Image quallity is most acceptable straight out of the box.

Very easy to use (Once you have been through the manual -camera in hand- a few times).

It has several excellent "macro" options.

It handles "backlighting" very well.

I have taken indoor scenes, handheld, using no more than a 25watt incandescent bulb+the light from the TV screen (0.8 sec exposure): a bit grainy, but acceptable.

Great macros!

It has an excellent on-board flash with flash exposure compensation!

One thing, for sure, this camera will allow you to grow photographically for some time to come!

The other day, I took some excellent, deliberate, "sunburst" shots, with the sun just peeping into the frame, producing a great 12 or 13-pointed star effect in one corner, with the rest of the scene adequately exposed.

It really is a great camera for the money! I simply can't fathom the so-called experts' need to put-down some of the "minor" manufacturers.

Whatever you do, at this point, DO NOT GO for a film SLR: film is relatively expensive (each shot costs you and is "a shot in the dark"- literally. Digital costs nothing per shot, unless you decide to print it, but you can select which to print and which to ditch). Digital gives "instant" feedback at no charge, so you can afford to "blaze away" and learn from your mistakes immediately. You can fill up your entire card (> 500 shots) and decide to print one or two best ones & ditch the rest, or whatever. Film is great as an alternative for old nerds (like myself) and possibly, later, you may wish to try it also, as another option: but not now.

The Pro-815 is not "perfect", but nor is any "consumer" priced camera, whether digital or film. (I notice, as reported in DPreview, that even the top-end DSLRs have faults, some quite serious.)

Thank you for your comment. If it's ok I would like to see some pictures that you have taken with the Pro815.
Thanks again,
Jessica

http://www.pbase.com/cameras/samsung/pro815
--
'The primary purpose of any business is to make a profit.'
Canon CEO Fujio Mitarai

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home ;jsessionid=GX90G0k1Qp!1508707039?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=186095&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Dear Jessica,

Check out the "Calling all Samsung Pro 815 Owners Post Your Pics Today" thread on the "Other Digital Cameras" forum, this website: you'll be amazed.

Thank you for this site, the pictures on there are beautiful.

You're welcome, just make sure that if you change directories that you are still looking at pictures from the Pro 815 as they may be from a different camera.
--
'The primary purpose of any business is to make a profit.'
Canon CEO Fujio Mitarai

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home ;jsessionid=GX90G0k1Qp!1508707039?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=186095&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Mikelis said:

Dear Jessica,

Check out the "Calling all Samsung Pro 815 Owners Post Your Pics
Today" thread on the "Other Digital Cameras" forum, this website:
you'll be amazed.

Click to expand...

I couldn't find the thread you are talking about.

Here is The forum link Mikelis mean:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1001&message=21662144

Pro815 is an amazing camera, my wife use her own, and I have my own too!
Easy to use and get great pictures.

Cilck The link below and Take a look at our site with our own photo from Pro815 and ask if You have more questions about 815.
--
Best Regards JB
Sample Photo: http://www.kaosdesign.no/815

Thank you for the link to the thread. I also looked at your site and your pictures are beautiful. Looking at all the pictures I've seen I think I'm going to buy this camera. Can you tell me about it? What do you like and dislike about it? I really appreciate your comments.

Jessica

Thank's for Your comment I have try to show The wide-tele-macro capabilitet on 815 and also pictures in low light, hand held and with tripod. There is lot of amazing photo on The other link's too.

There is nothing I really dislike with Pro815. You get an really great camera for The price.
I agree with The other guys have wrote before.

When you have this camera its all up to You; use it and try it out, and capture pictures.

And when You have The camera in hand, There will be lot of owners on this forum to help and give You tips, and answer if You have questions.

--
Best Regards JB
Sample Photo: http://www.kaosdesign.no/815

Thank you, I hope to have it as soon as possible, I really want this camera. I want to say thank you to everyone that has responded and I hope I have this much support when I get the camera.
Thank you again,
Jessica

Mikelis said:

Whatever you do, at this point, DO NOT GO for a film SLR: film is
relatively expensive (each shot costs you and is "a shot in the
dark"- literally. Digital costs nothing per shot, unless you decide
to print it, but you can select which to print and which to ditch).
Digital gives "instant" feedback at no charge, so you can afford to
"blaze away" and learn from your mistakes immediately. You can fill
up your entire card (> 500 shots) and decide to print one or two best
ones & ditch the rest, or whatever. Film is great as an alternative
for old nerds (like myself) and possibly, later, you may wish to try
it also, as another option: but not now.

Click to expand...

I will second that, big time. Unless you are a pro and have some reason for film photography, it is an expensive and unwise path to follow today. For any kind of reasonable photography, digital is excellent now. I myself found that with a digital camera I became a much better photographer very quickly, because I was able to take many more photos and see what works / what doesn't. When you can take 200 shots for basically free, or you can take 36 for $10 or $15, guess which way you're going to develop your skills faster? And which way you're going to spend a ton of money - for photos you can't easily share, alter, or enhance? Using film these days just doesn't make sense when good digital cameras are available.

Midwest said:

Mikelis said:

Whatever you do, at this point, DO NOT GO for a film SLR: film is
relatively expensive (each shot costs you and is "a shot in the
dark"- literally. Digital costs nothing per shot, unless you decide
to print it, but you can select which to print and which to ditch).
Digital gives "instant" feedback at no charge, so you can afford to
"blaze away" and learn from your mistakes immediately. You can fill
up your entire card (> 500 shots) and decide to print one or two best
ones & ditch the rest, or whatever. Film is great as an alternative
for old nerds (like myself) and possibly, later, you may wish to try
it also, as another option: but not now.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Midwest said:

I will second that, big time. Unless you are a pro and have some
reason for film photography, it is an expensive and unwise path to
follow today. For any kind of reasonable photography, digital is
excellent now. I myself found that with a digital camera I became a
much better photographer very quickly, because I was able to take
many more photos and see what works / what doesn't. When you can take
200 shots for basically free, or you can take 36 for $10 or $15,
guess which way you're going to develop your skills faster? And which
way you're going to spend a ton of money - for photos you can't
easily share, alter, or enhance? Using film these days just doesn't
make sense when good digital cameras are available.

Click to expand...

Is a very unwise strategy. With film you have to make your shots count. Gattling gun shooting is no way to learn the skills in this game.

Course its handy, but I would encourage people not to bang out 400 shots in an afternoon out doing scenics..if you shoot sports..well you have reason to take more, but for landscapes, you are doing something very wrong if you go about it that way.

Likely 400 shots will end in the bin...;-)

I still do some film, its nice..and it keeps me tuned into really "thinking" about composition and light..not just banging away pray and spray.

One good shot is worth a thousand crappy ones..

Shot like film with digi..make each one count as best you can.

--



Clint is on holiday! Soon to return! ;-)