NX20/10 in Indonesia (10 pics)
Jan 2, 2013
A couple of months ago I took a short holiday in Indonesia and took both the NX10 and NX20 with me, along with the 18-200, 16, and 30mm lenses. (and 18-55 kit lens, but I didn't use it).
Some thoughts from this - I found using the 30mm /16mm on the NX20 and keeping the 18-200mm on the NX10 worked very well for making best use of the primes but still being about to capture everything I wanted, but carrying both camera bodies was a bit too much for comfort, as well as drawing some curious comments from people who seemed to think I must be a professional photographer... Maybe using an NX200 or 1000 as a second body would save a bit of weight, but the 18-200 lens is still quite heavy, so I'm thinking about picking up a cheap / second hand micro four thirds body and the equivalent superzoom lens as a secondary camera, so I can use the NX20 with the wider lenses and primes that seem to be where the system's strengths are. I think the Nikon 1 should theoretically be a perfect partner for the NX system, but the pricing's still a bit off and the only superzoom available is huge.
In good light at anything less than 100% magnification I could barely tell the difference between pictures from the NX10 and NX20, I got better pictures at low light/ high ISO with the NX20 than I ever did with the NX10, so I feel the upgrade was justified.
The removal of the remote control socket from the NX20 was surprisingly annoying. The app for android phones is not a replacement, as it only works in full auto. Other than that, I don't think I have any real complaints about the NX20. Smaller RAW files would be nice, it's taken months to process all the photos I've taken and I had to upgrade my computer to do it, but I can't really blame Samsung too much for this!
Some pictures - I was staying in Yogyakarta (Jogjakarta) and visiting places fairly nearby. Links are to google plus albums with more photos, in case anyone is interested.
Borobodur Temple: The temple itself was huge and difficult to photograph in its entirety, but the view from the top and the carvings were extremely impressive
https://plus.google.com/photos/116304752992793995407/albums/5813215027995382849


Prambanan Temple: likewise very impressive, and less crowded, particularly if you walked away from the main temple. The second photo illustrates the problems I had with the absence of a remote control, if you zoom in to 100% you can just about see me, but in order to take this photo I had to position the camera on the timer then run around to the steps, inside, and out to the balcony.
https://plus.google.com/photos/116304752992793995407/albums/5813211643659485649


Mount Merapi: nearby vocano that erupted fairly spectacularly in 2010
https://plus.google.com/photos/116304752992793995407/albums/5828638043544617841

Dieng Plateau: volcanic area with an extremely strong smell of sulfur....
https://plus.google.com/photos/116304752992793995407/albums/5828638043544617841


Ramayana ballet performance: a nighttime performance at Prambanan temple. An excellent opportunity to test high ISO performance with the 18-200 lens I'm reasonably happy with these, although I wouldn't blow them up to poster size and look at them with a magnifying glass.
https://plus.google.com/photos/116304752992793995407/albums/5828638633110600545

Jogjakarta City: the city itself was very interesting, with the most notable feature being the street art. As I was wandering around taking pictures of graffiti, I heard a shout and looked up to see a group of soldiers waving at me. I was a little worried I might be in line for a bribe shakedown or similar, but no, they just wanted me to take their picture
https://plus.google.com/photos/116304752992793995407/albums/5828634357901734625

