Oh no!!! what have I done? just ordered a.......

EX1/tl500!!!

Just recently I found that walking around with my new FujiX10 so much fun for street candids and not having to carry heavy DSLR gear around was a treat. But!!! even though the X10 is very low profile and a superb camera there were still times when I needed to be more incognito after advice from members on DPR and long hrs of reading I settled on the Samsung. £250 delivered with a 8Gb card thrown in. To be honest I'm not really expecting IQ to be as good as the X10 because I am blown away by it but from images I've seen so far I think it should do nicely for people candids where I like to use B&W a lot. I like the f1.8 lens which should nicely compliment the f2 on the Fuji. I think the swivel screen should help me to stay invisible at times.

Dave
--
I feel so much better now that I've given up Hope

http://www.pbase.com/davechilvers/latest_images

I have had both of these cameras and still have the TL500. Great handling camera but in no way approaches the X10's IQ. If it had the articulating LCD I would have kept it. I now have the NX200 and am using a tripod/monopod to shoot as a workaround for its lack of it and an evf. Follow the advice posted in this forum about color adjustment for the TL500 or look for odd rendtions of the sky.

Enjoy.

--
HDaRt

I fully suspect most of your images taken with the EX1 will produce images very close to the X10 and probably better at times when taking the X10 white orb's into consideration. . The X10 may very well produce slightly improved images overall in some situations but unless you view images to the extreme (pixel peep) on screen , you and very few others will ever know which ones are from which camera especially in any reasonably sized print.

There's always something better out there for sure but IMO the EX1 produces the biggest bang for the buck.

I would have thought the Olympus XZ-1 is the main contender now in affordable fast lens compacts and is what the EX2 could have been. The primitive video would rule the EX1 out in my view. OK many may say they do not need HD video but it comes free so to speak in contemporary cameras. You can also get a good EVF with the Olympus so it would be the one I would go for. Contrary opinions would be welcomed.

Veducci said:

There's always something better out there for sure but IMO the EX1 produces the biggest bang for the buck.

Click to expand...

Greynerd said:

I would have thought the Olympus XZ-1 is the main contender now in affordable fast lens compacts and is what the EX2 could have been. The primitive video would rule the EX1 out in my view. OK many may say they do not need HD video but it comes free so to speak in contemporary cameras. You can also get a good EVF with the Olympus so it would be the one I would go for. Contrary opinions would be welcomed.

Veducci said:

There's always something better out there for sure but IMO the EX1 produces the biggest bang for the buck.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Well, It's been my finding that most of the smaller chipped cameras tend to struggle a touch with video anyway. I will always at least be carrying the X10 as well which is not too bad on video.

Having said that I do from time to time shoot video and use my 5D2 and without putting too fine a point on it once you've seen the video quality from the 5d2 to be honest everything else fades into oblivion unless something unusual happens that needs to be captured on video I probably will never use either the X10 or the EX1 for video.Add to this the extra cost and the one big reason I(or maybe others) warm to the camera is the flip out screen which I wanted for close encounter candids and alike (although the Oly does look nice though) horses for courses.

edit + ACR supports the EX1 at the moment.

Dave

--
I feel so much better now that I've given up Hope

http://www.pbase.com/davechilvers/latest_images

Old Timer63 said:

Dave Chilvers wrote:

Add to this the extra cost and the one big reason I(or maybe others) warm to the camera is the flip out screen which I wanted for close encounter candids and alike (although the Oly does look nice though) horses for courses.

Click to expand...

I would be very interesed to hear your comparison of the TL500 and X10 after you have had time to get a feel for them in real use.

Brian

Thanks for your thoughts. I was in Germany recently and bought the French magazine 'Chasseur d'Images'. They include the Samsung EX1 and the Oly in their top ten favourite (chouchou) compacts so the Samsung still competes with the best. The 24mm wide is an advantage and the screen. The Oly though goes out to 112 mm at f2.5 which could make it a good bokeh portrait lens for the grand children.

I must start looking at the relationship between sensor size, focal length and depth of field.

I think I should avoid looking at 5D2 video as what you have never seen you are not going to grieve over. My PC does not work with greater than 720p anyway.

Cheers,

Mike

Dave Chilvers said:

Greynerd said:

I would have thought the Olympus XZ-1 is the main contender now in affordable fast lens compacts and is what the EX2 could have been. The primitive video would rule the EX1 out in my view. OK many may say they do not need HD video but it comes free so to speak in contemporary cameras. You can also get a good EVF with the Olympus so it would be the one I would go for. Contrary opinions would be welcomed.

Veducci said:

There's always something better out there for sure but IMO the EX1 produces the biggest bang for the buck.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Well, It's been my finding that most of the smaller chipped cameras tend to struggle a touch with video anyway. I will always at least be carrying the X10 as well which is not too bad on video.

Having said that I do from time to time shoot video and use my 5D2 and without putting too fine a point on it once you've seen the video quality from the 5d2 to be honest everything else fades into oblivion unless something unusual happens that needs to be captured on video I probably will never use either the X10 or the EX1 for video.Add to this the extra cost and the one big reason I(or maybe others) warm to the camera is the flip out screen which I wanted for close encounter candids and alike (although the Oly does look nice though) horses for courses.

edit + ACR supports the EX1 at the moment.

Dave

--
I feel so much better now that I've given up Hope

http://www.pbase.com/davechilvers/latest_images

Click to expand...

Obviously the XZ1 is a valid contender and probably is the most popular choice but it does lacks the 24mm wide you get on the EX1 and I know I'm not alone feeling this being the big kicker in the equasion. On the other hand it's no secret the lackluster video of the EX1 and Dpreviews exceptionally poor samples from their test camera have had to hurt it's popularity, sales , and ranking.

Greynerd said:

I would have thought the Olympus XZ-1 is the main contender now in affordable fast lens compacts and is what the EX2 could have been. The primitive video would rule the EX1 out in my view. OK many may say they do not need HD video but it comes free so to speak in contemporary cameras. You can also get a good EVF with the Olympus so it would be the one I would go for. Contrary opinions would be welcomed.

Veducci said:

There's always something better out there for sure but IMO the EX1 produces the biggest bang for the buck.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Veducci said:

Obviously the XZ1 is a valid contender and probably is the most popular choice but it does lacks the 24mm wide you get on the EX1 and I know I'm not alone feeling this being the big kicker in the equasion. On the other hand it's no secret the lackluster video of the EX1 and Dpreviews exceptionally poor samples from their test camera have had to hurt it's popularity, sales , and ranking.

Greynerd said:

I would have thought the Olympus XZ-1 is the main contender now in affordable fast lens compacts and is what the EX2 could have been. The primitive video would rule the EX1 out in my view. OK many may say they do not need HD video but it comes free so to speak in contemporary cameras. You can also get a good EVF with the Olympus so it would be the one I would go for. Contrary opinions would be welcomed.

Veducci said:

There's always something better out there for sure but IMO the EX1 produces the biggest bang for the buck.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Yeh! poor samples really do hit a cameras wish listI read just about everything I could on the EX1 over the weekend and all but one review rated it very highly. I remember seeing the early samples from the X10 and almost cancelled my pre order and thank the Lord I didn't.Even at 100% on a large calibrated screen they look good. I reckon the iQ of the Samsung will maybe be on par with my wifes G9 which will be a bit disappointing after the X10 but for what I want it for and a bit of PS it should do the job.

Just out of interest I used to use one of those false lenses (they looked normal but had a blocked end where the front element should have been) and a mirror mounted towards the front and looking out of the side like a periscope ( you screw it into the front of a normal lens) I must dig it out. My first one was stolen in a break in and I put up a question on here as to where I could get another one and a guy from New Zealand sent me his one all free of charge as a favour( what a gent)

I'll find a link to an image from it.

here http://www.pbase.com/davechilvers/image/4599222

--
I feel so much better now that I've given up Hope

http://www.pbase.com/davechilvers/latest_images

brianj said:

brianj said:

Dave Chilvers wrote:

Add to this the extra cost and the one big reason I(or maybe others) warm to the camera is the flip out screen which I wanted for close encounter candids and alike (although the Oly does look nice though) horses for courses.

Click to expand...

I would be very interesed to hear your comparison of the TL500 and X10 after you have had time to get a feel for them in real use.

Brian

Click to expand...

Brian

No problem mate, I'll know pretty quick how the IQ is.

--
I feel so much better now that I've given up Hope

http://www.pbase.com/davechilvers/latest_images

Greynerd said:

Thanks for your thoughts. I was in Germany recently and bought the French magazine 'Chasseur d'Images'. They include the Samsung EX1 and the Oly in their top ten favourite (chouchou) compacts so the Samsung still competes with the best. The 24mm wide is an advantage and the screen. The Oly though goes out to 112 mm at f2.5 which could make it a good bokeh portrait lens for the grand children.

I must start looking at the relationship between sensor size, focal length and depth of field.

I think I should avoid looking at 5D2 video as what you have never seen you are not going to grieve over. My PC does not work with greater than 720p anyway.

Cheers,

Mike

Click to expand...

Mike

If you like a bit of video then DONT what ever you do pick up a 5d2 I read a thread over the weekend where a guy had purchased a spare 5d2 and is keeping it boxed in the cupboard for when the first one wears out. If money was no object I would follow his example because with the right lenses(Contax and Leica) I can tell you it is at the pinnacle as far as I'm concerned. Actually my wife told me to order a spare one and she would find the money from somewhere(worse thing she could ever have said but I'm resisting the temptation I'm nearly 67, had a mild heart attack last year so my existing one should take me to the pearly gates

Dave

--
I feel so much better now that I've given up Hope

http://www.pbase.com/davechilvers/latest_images

Congrats!

I love my EX1. Like you my work camera is a 5D mkII although I'm officially retired now (36 years in the business).

Back in the day my work cameras were Hasselblads, but you didn't carry your Hassy with you to the grocery store or for a walk in the park holding hands with your better half. Back then it was a Rollei 35 that fit in your pocket always loaded with a roll of Kodachrome. And you got attached to that Rollei in a way that was different than how you felt about your work cameras.

Same thing now with my EX1. The 5D is put away, the EX1 is right hear on my desk and I used it today. I never leave the house without it and it's honest to say it's my main camera (5D not for sale).

The IQ from the EX1 is exceptional for a small sensor camera. I shoot RAW files that I process out to 12 megapixel TIFFs via Capture One. Here's one from a couple weeks ago (full size). I deliberately re-processed this one for this thread and I purposely did not remove any CA from the photo. DPreview won't take the full-res photo here so I'm dropping a link in. Look at the far left edge of the photo where there's a little piece of a sign showing -- zoom in -- note the CA control. Can the X10 do that?

Joe

Good luck with it. I find it extremely good for BW street shots.



















--
The image is more important than the equipment.

http://www.stefancarey.zenfolio.com

and is on charge (typical, today I have an upset stomach:-(

So just the out of the box first thoughts. This thing is very very like my X10 and feels superb in the hand. I only hope that the images are not like those taken through the bottom of a beer bottle

While it's charging I dug out my accessory shoe view finders to try them. I have a 21mm Voigtlander and a 35mm Voigtlander finders and they look and feel great on the camera. Also I have an old made in Germany finder with a red label with Kodak written in it and it switches between about 35mm and 80mm. Not sure I will use them much but the 35mm one would be a great street focal length finder.

I'll report back at my findings once charged and when the sun comes up again but well impressed at the look and feel so far " inspired"

Dave
--
I feel so much better now that I've given up Hope

http://www.pbase.com/davechilvers/latest_images

Very close is a good way to rationalize the choice of EX-1 over the X10, but, that depends on how one defines 'very close'. As the user of both, the difference is fairly significant for my preferences. Forget about the orb thing that some will get hung up on. These cameras aren't ideal for night shooting. Dynamic range, noise and sharpness of the X10 are its strong points over EX-1.

Veducci said:

I fully suspect most of your images taken with the EX1 will produce images very close to the X10 and probably better at times when taking the X10 white orb's into consideration. . The X10 may very well produce slightly improved images overall in some situations but unless you view images to the extreme (pixel peep) on screen , you and very few others will ever know which ones are from which camera especially in any reasonably sized print.

There's always something better out there for sure but IMO the EX1 produces the biggest bang for the buck.

Click to expand...

--
HDaRt

HDaRt said:

Very close is a good way to rationalize the choice of EX-1 over the X10, but, that depends on how one defines 'very close'. As the user of both, the difference is fairly significant for my preferences. Forget about the orb thing that some will get hung up on. These cameras aren't ideal for night shooting. Dynamic range, noise and sharpness of the X10 are its strong points over EX-1.

Click to expand...

I agree that a bit more DR would be nice in the EX1, and blotchy chroma noise in high ISO could be improved, but I don't see any problem with overall sharpness, I think it is exceptional:





Brian

OK, in return I could say : Why get hung up on a little better noise and DR . You gotta accept the extra size and the WDS in exchange. I have no problem with DR or noise with a bit of judicious PP in PSE and Noiseware. Sharpness is a wash. And Yes, fairly significant difference IS how one defines it or how one exaggerates it.

I figure I can have my cake and eat it too (24mm) plus f1.8-2.4 in a smaller package at nearly half the cost. ($339 for the EX-1 at B&H today)

Close enough is good enough for me being there's usually some kind of tradeoff in the deal.
I find it interesting that you did not keep your X10 being such a fan of it .

Personally I love the X10 for the integral VF and other features and I might even get one after they get the WDS sorted but as with every other camera I've upgraded to, none were ever significantly superior to the previous one. I've only ever seen incremental improvements .

HDaRt said:

Very close is a good way to rationalize the choice of EX-1 over the X10, but, that depends on how one defines 'very close'. As the user of both, the difference is fairly significant for my preferences. Forget about the orb thing that some will get hung up on. These cameras aren't ideal for night shooting. Dynamic range, noise and sharpness of the X10 are its strong points over EX-1.

Veducci said:

I fully suspect most of your images taken with the EX1 will produce images very close to the X10 and probably better at times when taking the X10 white orb's into consideration. . The X10 may very well produce slightly improved images overall in some situations but unless you view images to the extreme (pixel peep) on screen , you and very few others will ever know which ones are from which camera especially in any reasonably sized print.

There's always something better out there for sure but IMO the EX1 produces the biggest bang for the buck.

Click to expand...

--
HDaRt

Click to expand...

Every camera reviewer at least on this site will compare IQ at the extreme end to other selected cameras in that class . It keeps the forums active and interest high. While we are often able to see differences it's usually insignificant in the real world of actual use and to a lesser degree in print unless the camera is a real dog.

It's a constant splitting of hairs among forum members and imaginations and exaggerations can run wild. Still, it's enjoyable.

--Stefan

That's more or less what I want it for and for B&W and in all honesty the sharpness looks fine on your images. 100% IQ comes 2nd to content when I'm just walkabout. If you see the right moment in time then capturing it is the first order. Of course for planned record shots, landscape and alike it's FF all the way.

Dave

I feel so much better now that I've given up Hope

http://www.pbase.com/davechilvers/latest_images

Thank you David

When you are ready it may be worth your while to try setting to camera to underxpose by 0.7 EV (especially if you are using RAW) to reduce overexposure and to set aperture to 2.8, where the lens apparently is at its sharpest (I am doing so at the moment.). (Highlight recovery looks easier to do in Lightroom than Silkypix BTW)

I am also considering this lens cap:

( http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Self-Retaining-Auto-Lens-Cap-SAMSUNG-EX1-TL-500-/250932310342?pt=UK_Photography_Lens_Caps&hash=item3a6cbb3146 )

as the supplied cap drives me a little crazy as it takes too long to remove.

Good luck!

Dave Chilvers said:

--Stefan

That's more or less what I want it for and for B&W and in all honesty the sharpness looks fine on your images. 100% IQ comes 2nd to content when I'm just walkabout. If you see the right moment in time then capturing it is the first order. Of course for planned record shots, landscape and alike it's FF all the way.

Dave

I feel so much better now that I've given up Hope

http://www.pbase.com/davechilvers/latest_images

Click to expand...

--
The image is more important than the equipment.

http://www.stefancarey.zenfolio.com