NX1100 in the Peak District

Auster Pilot wrote:

CMurdock wrote:

northlondon43 wrote:

CMurdock wrote:

The quality of these images is horrid, and I find that disturbing because I just ordered this camera. Even though they are taken at fairly low ISOs, they all have that watercolor look. I've seen much better pictures come from this camera. What are you doing to cause this?

Hey I can understand if you don't like certain photos if a) they're not your thing subject wise b) there's a very obvious 'technical' flaw (though that's ok if intentional) c) overly pp (again fine if intended) but 'horrid'? Come on what's up with you?

I was referring to the image quality, not the composition. I'm more than a little disturbed to see such technically poor pictures come out of the NX1100 given that I just spent $300 to buy one. The JPGs will probably be good enough to photograph the products that I sell; but for pleasure photography, I'll have to shoot RAW.

I have seen other sample images from this camera that were vastly better, and I don't understand why the image quality of these pictures is so poor.

I hadn't ignored your response to my original posting - I just hadn't had enough time to investigate your concerns.

I can see the effect you may have issues with. I've seen it in other photos from Samsung NX cameras, but also from Canon DSLRs and others.

I think it is a result from a specific set of circumstances. In particular I have seen the watercolour effect when:

The image contains very small pattern objects (such as grass blades or tree leaves) where there is insufficient dimension to record the item in detail in the image.

There is either some movement of the items in the pattern (such as blades of grass or leaves moving in the wind) or the patterned items are not optimally focussed,

I think in the images I took with my NX1100 all of these aspects may have contributed to the effect.

So I agree the effect is there (and is so in the RAW images from which they were processed). I think it may be emphasized in certain lighting conditions.

Where we differ considerably is that compared to some other cameras where I have seen something similar, I actually like the "watercolour" outcome from the NX1100. Other cameras just smudge the result in a more unpleasant way.

It's probably the first time I have noticed this with my NX1100, but on review with my RAW processor, I can see it in other similar landscape images I have taken with the NX1100. I've also conducted a search in Flickr for other landscape images taken with the NX1000/NX1100 and can see the effect in some of them. But when looking at other landscape images taken with other (DSLR) cameras I have seen it there as well. I think you should assume that in similar circumstances you will achieve a similar effect.

And you really can only see this when pixel-peeping on a computer monitor. I have viewed these same images on a 42" HD screen and they look fine. The effect also largely disappears if viewing the image from 50% size or less on a PC monitor. But as I said, I don't find the effect unpleasant and there I suspect we will disagree.

First of all, Neil, my reaction was/is a visceral one which has nothing to do with the composition of your pictures, which I think is fine.  I just find it hard to understand what I'm seeing, as I have seen other landscape pictures from the NX1100 that were much better, and because I just (yesterday) purchased the camera, which hasn't even arrived yet.  I hate to think that I've made a mistake.  I purchased it from a seller which charges a restocking fee, so I can't return it without losing money.

The watercolor effect is unacceptable in any camera, in my opinion, and certainly in a camera with an APS-C sensor.  It's a clear indication of ... well, I was going to say poor JPG processing, but you say that the effect is in the RAW files too.  One thing I've learned is that some camera manufacturers tinker with the RAW output as well as the JPG output, and maybe that's what Samsung has done.

I wonder if what I'm seeing is camera shake.  Or perhaps the lens is sub-par.

Anyway, if you want to see superb image quality, check out the pictures from the Sigma cameras with Foveon sensors.  They are the cleanest images I've ever seen.  I would have bought one but I don't have $800 to $1200 to spend.