The Samsung scenario - ponderings and/or recommendations

Good to see I'm not the only one who decided to go that way despite all the doom and gloom and outbreak of communal depression here, understandable as it is.

So, after some serious pondering I unexpectedly decided to disregard my own advice and bought the NX1 and the 50-150S this weekend. I needed the first as I really wanted the latter for action shots, mostly because my 50-200 is slow (although not AF wise) and really not so super in terms of IQ, and because the alternative, the new Nikkor 70-200 2.8 VRII for my Nikons would have been much bigger and heavier (over 1.5 kg, and the lens itself is also much more expensive). And the other reason is that I like my brilliant little NX500 and the many lenses for it I already own so much that I decided to keep the system. And although Samsung could have, should have produced more lenses etc., I disagree with categorical statements that it is not a workable system for the NX1/500, as it is in fact quite good unless someone wants some fast specialty glass beyond the 60 macro, 85 1.4 and the 10 fisheye or the S lenses.

So far I've only had a bit of time to play with and test the NX1 and the 50-150S (I noticed some difference in AF speed and accuracy before and after I updated the FW), and all I can say is: wow, what a polished, fast, quiet and smooth lens that is, with lovely colours, contrast, sharpness and bokeh, and the NX1 handles absolutely great, no probs whatsoever coming from the NX500. Despite some button/wheel layout differences, they are clearly siblings. The image stabilization is a true miracle on this lens, sharp images at 1/30s at 150 mm. I haven't tried out video yet, but will do so soon.

The NX1 and 50-150S have been evaporating from the shelves in town since the news broke, so I just went for them.

Andrea