Samsung 12-24mm Warning

The lens is a great image quality lens, especially given its modest price, but has had two issues for me now. The first is the rear element group fell off (only attached with 3 small bits of glue, resembling hot glue or some similar type of adhesive), and the second was when removing from my NX1 the lens broken into two pieces.

The mount is more positive and snug on the NX1 meaning there is a bit more friction on the mount. I gripped the lens by the barrel and turn, and imagine my surprise when I ended up with just the lens barrel in my hand.  None of my Samsung brand lenses are tight on the mount, and I actually prefer the NX1 mount, but they do have a small bit more resistance going on and off.  An aftermarket Fotodiox Pro Canon FD adapter hardly fits anymore (not made to Samsung tolerances).

This is the only Samsung lens I have really had issue with quality wise, and this is the second time I have had issue with it. I did slip on an incline and my bag with this lens in it struck the ground and knocked the rear element group off, but all the other lenses in my bag were fine, including the 85mm which took the more direct hit I presume.

So I reserve recommendation on this lens, if you are really careful with it I think it will be okay, but be very light handed with yours, and be sure to grip it by the ring printed with 12-24mm when handling it on the camera body. Avoid putting strain on the lens barrel.

oops

Plastic pin on lens side

Plastic pin on mount side, notice how the metal mount is only attached to the cheap plastic pin, and the screw means the plastic pin is very thin and weak at the point where it mounts, so it just sheared right off with some twisting force.