Samsung at Exposure-Toronto

Ok, then can you get Samsung to stop using shills to post on forums?

Maybe those resources can be diverted into fixing EX1 firmware holes, then making sure releases aren't scattered around different sites around the world with different dates, and that we actually know what is being improved upon before we install it.

Look at how many pages any firmware thread is here and you'll see.

It would be nice is some holes in the EX1 FW could be patched, maybe that dark bar along the bottom removed, like people have been asking for since release, in fact, and maybe more steps between ISO settings. The latter is probably a bigger deal, but who knows, since the FW updates seem like they are for performance, but who would know, since we don't actually know what they address?

Otherwise, thanks.

Hi Loring,

I didn't get the name of the person I only briefly spoke with. I too was a disappointed at the lack of traffic at your booth. When you de-brief with your people did you attribute the apparent lack of interest in Samsung only to being new to the mirrorless market? I am curious as to the other possibilities from your perspective. From my perspective as an amateur photographer and a consumer here are some of my insights:

1. The NX cameras and lenses seem to be hitting the market in a very slow trickle. The 200 is just coming to market, the lenses seem to be delayed...no news at all on the NX20. So one new camera body, one new lens (is it even available everywhere?) and a number of unspecified release dates for others. I compare this to the Nikon mirrorless system...2 body styles in multiple colours with a set of lenses all announced together...or the new Olympus Pens...3 announced all at once with staggered release dates and new lenses. As a consumer it makes an impression on me, it makes a splash in the market

2. There are lots of positives. NX offers good image quality. The lenses are good performers overall. Your user interface is one of the best out there. The ergonomics of all the 1st gen NX cams are great. My NX100 is very easy to use and it's very easy to access all the important shooting parameters.

3. Why no EVF? The optional one for the NX100 was of a poor quality...looks like no EVF for the 200. Why not? I would buy a high quality one that enhances the shooting experience. I simply do not enjoy shooting with the camera held out at arm's length, I want a viewfinder. I've managed to adjust with my NX100, but no EVF is preventing me from shooting the way I would like to.

4. Samsung flash leaves me baffled. I know very little about it. I cannot seem to find any samples online of pics that use the Samsung flash system. It seems as though they do not sync with each other, or cannot be used to trigger one another. It doesn't look like the little flash included with the NX200 can be used on the NX100. Let's just say that Samsung flash is less than inspiring.

5. Can you give us any solid updates on what is happening with Samsung in the very near future? What about the NX20? How about this rumoured retro camera we heard about?

I'll stop here as I don't wish to go on too long. Samsung seems like it has a lot of issues to iron out, and to tell you the truth, I am no longer very certain that I want to wait around for you guys to sort things out. I like my NX100 but I doubt I will be putting any more money into my Samsung system. As I mentioned in my original post, I purchased a lens for my Nikon DSLR. I went to the show ready to spend a bit of money and I did. One of my options was to buy a Samsung lens but I was put off by my experience at your booth so I spent my money elsewhere. My frustration with Samsung has been on a slow, steady increase and I'm at the point where I am ready to walk away.

I also think it would be a good idea for you to drop in this forum and respond to the many posters here who have both good and bad things to say about your cameras. I think it would go a long way to building your brand and inspiring some confidence in your customers.

snake_b said:

Ok, then can you get Samsung to stop using shills to post on forums?

Click to expand...

I wish

snake_b said:

Maybe those resources can be diverted into fixing EX1 firmware holes, then making sure releases aren't scattered around different sites around the world with different dates, and that we actually know what is being improved upon before we install it.

Click to expand...

I agree with where you are coming from - but marketing and engineering are completely different beasts. I doubt that one will equate to the other.

Write exactly what happens with the EX1 that you are having issues with - I will replicate it here and send it up to Korea. That is the best I can do - and these guys do listen but some boats take longer to steer than others...

snake_b said:

Look at how many pages any firmware thread is here and you'll see.

Click to expand...

No offense but many DI companies have issues - Nikon and Canon both have had to fix and refix things in firmware. I am one of the lucky 1DmkIII owners that did not have a focusing issue - so don't think Samsung is alone in fixing things after the fact...

snake_b said:

It would be nice is some holes in the EX1 FW could be patched, maybe that dark bar along the bottom removed, like people have been asking for since release, in fact, and maybe more steps between ISO settings. The latter is probably a bigger deal, but who knows, since the FW updates seem like they are for performance, but who would know, since we don't actually know what they address?

Click to expand...

Send me a reasonable list of bugs (not feature requests) to [email protected] and I will do everything I can - but end of the day, I am not a heavy hitting exec so I can't guarantee anything...

snake_b said:

Otherwise, thanks.

Click to expand...

I think it's extremely sad, if that's true. Than a camera is supposed to be obsolete in 6 months from when it hits the market? I don't agree at all. Just think if Canon or NIkon thought this way for their cameras...but also many other minor players in the camera market are much more responsive than Samsung, for FW upgrades and so on.

I really, really hope that with NX system Samsung becomes like all the other major competitors and can release updates also for the earlier models, like the NX100.

"No offense but many DI companies have issues - Nikon and Canon both have had to fix and refix things in firmware. I am one of the lucky 1DmkIII owners that did not have a focusing issue - so don't think Samsung is alone in fixing things after the fact... "

Of course, and I addressed that. However, it's not fair, nor is it right to compare Samsung to anyone else, as if the norm is the only thing to strive for (and this norm is getting worse as time goes on). A company should focus on itself and make sure products are right. If not, there should be firmware updates that one can rely on to fix them, as well as to even enhance usability, as problems often only come up in the actual real world. In this case, the EX1 has been around for a while, yet things we're asking for, which I named above, aren't being addressed.

However, I'll take up up on the offer. I can't imagine Samsung will do anything, considering how poor FW releases are, how no one really knows what's going on, and few strive to tell Korea what needs to be done. It almost seems to be run by the people that run the facebook pages, to be honest, who only make the company look bad. A post about "planking"? Seriously? People have died planking and the people running the facebook pages are asking people about planking? So the company is taking a sharp turn towards these social networking cams for teenagers and because of this, I can't imagine Samsung cares much anymore about high end development beyond finishing what they started and experimenting a bit.

I forgot: it also would be nice if there could be a fix for the aperture- when at higher zoom ranges, after being at smaller apertures, then first going to the largest one in that zoom range, THEN stepping the zoom down, it won't return to the widest aperture again. For example, go to f6.9 @72mm, then open it back up to 2.4, then go back to 24mm. The aperture won't return to f1.8. It'll be in the 2 range.

Also, it would be nice if the EX1 didn't hunt in macro, focus sharply, then go back to hunting.

snake_b said:

How are you guys trying to build your name?

Unfortunately, the only thing I see is Samsung pushing the MV800 and trying to woo away people who would be taking myspace voodoo photos with a cameraphone.

If you're on this forum, then the multiple pages of negative posts, every time there's a firmware update should be of no surprise.

However, your post about the show doesn't even really address a pretty believable situation that took place in the show. It's believable due to what we're seeing your company doing and how it treats users of the higher end models.

Click to expand...

Hello? There's a guy here from Samsung willing to listen to your specific concerns . Name them - don't linger on hyperbolic generalizations that are disrespectful and vague. Samsung is telling you personally they want to hear your issues. Maybe he's not the CEO, but it's a good shot at being heard nonetheless.

First, I'd like to thank Samsung people for taking time to participate here. That said, I can name specific issues: NX200 has very low PR presence in the USA. It needs more media attention, namely writeups and positive articles like how it's the first 20MP model under $1000, above par lenses for well below par prices, speed, etc.

It shouldn't be up to forum people to push the model, and so far there's only one guy who who's bought one, only because he got it from Henry's in CA, apparently the only place selling them. That's very poor product distribution. If this was a T4i or a NEX-5X, people would be able to find it at Best Buy or Amazon within days of release. My local BB has had the 5N for some time now.

Fix the firmware problem yesterday. People shouldn't have to need an intermediate firmware rev to upgrade to the latest one, and if they do, it should be easy to find. And upgrade the older model firmware to include a few of the NX200 improvements like 8X MF assist zoom.

Make an OVF for the NX200 like the one for the E-Pens. Who cares if it's not the latest OLED EVF or has to use hash marks for various focal lengths? At least it's SOMETHING people can accessorize with, like the NEX, m43 and other brands. All the other new mirrorless cameras have things you can get to enhance them, except the NX200. Make a loupe or something. Even a nice case... Lack of extras makes a camera that costs as much as the NX200 look like an experiment, not a long term investment. And speaking of investment, $699 would've been OK. $899 really wasn't, at least not for this particular model.

Leak us a bit about the NX20 or NX1/R1. We like to hear about what's coming down the pipe, even if the details are vague. Please stick to lens and body release dates when possible, and let us know when you can't. That's all we ask.

Our demands aren't too much, I think. We are the 99% Oops, I mean Samsung owners.

HELLO. Read the posts.

Read the post even above yours!

snake_b said:

HELLO. Read the posts.

Read the post even above yours!

Click to expand...

The fact that you posted this within seconds of mine tells me you certainly did NOT read mine. You're still being general, pessimistic, whiny and disrespectful to Loring.

No, I can actually read quite fast. Thanks for the concern, bill.

snake_b said:

It doesn't matter what you think, nor does your speculation matter. Unless you work for Samsung, then it serves you nothing to white knight for them.

Click to expand...

As said by the black knight himself, whose opinion somehow matters?

Black Knight, White Knight, both knights are going after similar things. In the end they both want Samsung to do something about the lack of response to their customer base. If enough voices are heard, maybe we can influence the change in Samsung no? If you guys are the knights, I'll be a nameless peasant joining the revolt against our lords. Or the ones pleading for better treatment from our masters.

The whole thread has kinda meandered off a bit...

Maybe someone who has genuine bugs with the latest firmware could start a thread...?

Like EX1 firmware version x.x bugs and NX10 ....

You get the idea. Then instead of complaining we can actually help Samsung to fix issues that have come to light. End of the day it's what we all want - lack of respect, white knights, lords whatever.

Let's try to make a positive out of this.

Do email me as well and I will reference the threads once you guys create them, send the whole thing to the DI dept in Korea and we'll see what happens. Samsung wants to win in the market and the only way we can do that is to fix our weaknesses - so first step is to help us see where we are weak...

Please keep it matter of fact and business like - b an m'ing isn't going to accomplish anything.

and please note - it is almost 9pm my time - I long ago left work. Let me restate again - I am not customer service and I am not on this forum in any official manner. I just work for Samsung, love photography and am a long time member here.

Thank you!

I don't understand you guys. Being an outsider means lower prices and more innovations. It means you have to make bold moves, I like that even though there's a risk for bugs or feature/gimmick flops.

This need for 100% bug-free products is ridiculous IMO. I have had Olympus, Pentax, Nikon, and Panasonic.....bugs, bugs, bugs, bugs. You just work around them. If you're a professional and invest $3000+ ......then your demands should be higher of course, but Samsung is not targeting pro-users (yet).

I hope Samsung will continue releasing good lenses and keep the cost down by not jumping on the metal-build trend. Plastic/composite is just fine. I also salute the decision of NOT offering an EVF to the NX200. If you can buy all kinds of accessories to the NX200 then what's the point in a NX20?

Kind regards
.lars

There was a lot of LOL and Fail in that post.

snake_b said:

There was a lot of LOL and Fail in that post.

Click to expand...

Not only in that post but in many of your previous posts as well. I am glad you admit your own faults. Now get out and spend your energy on taking pictures instead of whining.

Kind regards
.lars

It's no longer 1988.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5P5eQiKNQs

And interesting assumption that I don't take pictures. All message boards, no matter what the theme, has people that will say such a thing, not understanding that people can't occupy their lives with anything 24 hours a day and devoting some time to something else is not indicative of not devoting any time to the forum theme.

Camancha said:

snake_b said:

There was a lot of LOL and Fail in that post.

Click to expand...

Not only in that post but in many of your previous posts as well. I am glad you admit your own faults. Now get out and spend your energy on taking pictures instead of whining.

Kind regards
.lars

Click to expand...

NX200 need further development, I see many noise pattern on white areas, you can see on the white lamp shield on nx200 sample pictures.
--
hpchan

Not sure which sample photos you mean but most of the ones out (nearly all) were shot on pre- production cameras. The 200 is just starting to ship now...

Look for later examples before judging IQ