Kisaha wrote:
Marty4650 wrote:
The Samsung NX-1 might rightfully be considered the best MILC camera ever made. It is truly a remarkable achievement. And most of the Samsung NX lenses are very, very good. It really is a crying shame that Samsung discontinued their camera production. But that is done, and there is no use crying over spilled milk.
And while it might be tempting to buy an NX-1 today, I would advise against it, unless you already are deeply invested in Samsung lenses. To be clear about this, if you already owned an NX-1, then continue to use it. You have one of the very best MILC cameras ever made. If you already own some other NX camera, and have a bunch of Samsung lenses, then buying an NX-1 could also make sense. But if you are in neither group then it could be a mistake.
Here is why I advise against buying into any dead system, and especially this one:
- There are no bargains available for NX-1, NX-500, or the best Samsung lenses. These are still commanding relatively high prices and have NOT depreciated any more than similar Nikon or Canon gear. So you really won't be saving much over some other "fully supported system."
- The system really is dead. There will be no more bodies, lenses, or firmware upgrades. It is a system without any growth opportunity, which defeats the entire purpose of owning an ILC. You might as well buy a high end fixed lens camera and call it a day.
- Just from reading this forum I see reports that current owners are having real problems with service and support. The mobile app doesn't always work right, and the workarounds are difficult. Tech support calls go unanswered or ignored. Parts and repairs are hard to find. Samsung seems to have no interest in supporting the system. They seem to have washed their hands of it.
Now, I'll be honest with you. The NX-1 is a great camera, and if I could find a used one for $600 I would jump right on it despite all the problems I listed above. But you can't find them at any really good price. Used ones are still going for $1,400 or more!
If you want to spend that much money on a used MILC camera, you are better off buying a high end Fuji, Sony, Olympus, or Panasonic model.
Very well put Marty, wise words!
There are a couple of issues, though, and I am talking about APS-C cameras here, as m43 is not an option for me (S35 video shooter, APS-C photo shooter), and the same time you have to invest on expensive Metabone adapters and other system's lenses that do not work as a native system does. So I always check my options on Canon, Nikon, Fuji, Sony (in that order too!).
Something similar to the NX system costs a lot more. The high end cameras you are mentioning aren't exactly NX killers. They are not the whole package, they are better in one or two things, have a feature of two more, but in the end they are not up to the NX1 game.
They are a lot of bargains, just not in the usual places (ebay) because on ebay, an add has the potential to be viewed by a billion (1.000.000.000) people, so the demand should be higher. Try local newspapers, or local photo forums, plenty of bargains there.
The issues with the phone apps are because of the newer Android version, most companies do take their time developing newer apps, and Samsung still offers the best wireless options than any other company. Last year they updated the app and offered a newer firmware update, we will see about Nougat, but not even phone companies update their phones to the newer Android version, I wouldn't expect a camera to be updated for ever. I run Android Kit Kat anyway. In the end, everyone has an older phone around.
2 of my most used lenses (by far) are the fish eye and the 16-50S 2-2.8f. Similar lenses AREN'T available on the other systems. I have 3 other most favored NX lenses, the 30mm, the 12-24 UWZ and the 45mm. I am closely following the M series by Canon, the 22mm can be a replacement for the 30mm, and they do have a very capable and cheap UWZ in the 11-22, but they lack everything else, and when I invest on a system, I want NATIVE lenses, not adapted (except legacy lenses from the 70's and 80's, which is another story). Fuji is close in lenses selection, great UWZ too (best in APS-C?), but not an overall better workhorse 16-50 zoom, not a fish eye, not at the video capabilities, ergonomics of NX (touch screen, battery, X-T2 needs extra battery grip for more than 15min video etc etc)
Most of NX cameras in Europe are still in warranty, they still do fix cameras, in case they can't be fixed, you can have 100% of the value on your receipt.
Everything else I agree. I wouldn't advice anyone buying a dead system from the beginning, except the few that can really find a bargain, and know exactly what they are buying.
P.S I jump on a very used NX1 and a broken 18-200mm, and just received them! Tomorrow I will be using them as a C cam on an 2 hours performance. I hope it will go well, or I just throw out of the window a few (lot) hundred euros.
Slightly off topic, but kisaha, did you figure out what was wrong with the manual focus on the 18-200mm? To he honest I've only ever used mine in auto mode as my main use is for video and the auto focus seems to be spot on.
