Ben Herrmann
Forum Pro
OK for all you die-hard Samsung Homies, you're probably thinkin,' "What in the hell is Ben doing, giving his comments (quasi-review) on an outdated camera - the NX30?" And you wouldn't be wrong in thinking that. After all, most of us tend to become focused on the latest and greatest - and once something evrn newer has been released, somehow our current electronic offerings seemingly fall by the wayside (not for all of us though).
As I've often remarked on this and other forums, in the past I've been blessed with being able to have acquired many different brand cameras over the years, and as a result, I've been able to make some interesting comparisons - let alone enjoy many of them. I came to Samsung shortly after the NX300 was released and it was with that instrument that I realized what a pleasure it was to shoot with the NX line of cameras.
Since that time I've wound up with the NX500, NX30, and EX-2F also - and by God, I've enjoyed using them all. But for this posting, I'd like to focus on the NX30 - a camera that received a wide range of reviews - ranging from so-so to great, and no two reviewers were on the same page. As a result, I don't think this camera sold the way it could of (and should have).
Those of you who still maintain the NX30, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. What a superb photographic instrument. It feels great in the hands, has a great tilting EVF (which can really come in handy at times), has an enticing and gorgeous way of rendering colors, and provides superb IQ. It's only short coming, IMO, is in the area of cleaner higher ISO scenarios when compared with the competition. Now if you shoot in RAW mode, files can easily be cleaned up.
I tend to periodically forget about my Samsung gear - mainly because I'm betting most of us are now focused on other brands - brands that are quite active and releasing many interesting products. Yet when we do return and reach for a given Samsung camera, at least for me, I just get a smile on my face. The other day I grabbed the NX30 and the moment it landed in my hands and I turned it on, it was like rediscovering a new, advanced camera that was just released. Let's see, the NX30 AF is super fast, the touch-screen functions are second to none (even today), the IQ (particularly in RAW mode) can just have you gawking at the monitor in sheer admiration, and there are so many other facets about this camera that will leave you quite content.
My reasoning in writing this little missive is that there are still quite a fewNX30's out there for sale (many of them new) and if you're a die-hard Samsung user, you may want to consider looking at the NX30 again. Now obviously, if you have the NX1, then getting the NX30 would be a step-back. But if you are a user of most of the other NX models, I strongly (enthusiastically) suggest that you revisit consideration for the NX30 - you'll be happy you did.
At last glance, looking at eBay USA, the NX 30 offerings are here:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...TitleDesc=0&_osacat=31388&_odkw=samsung+nx300
What's interesting to note is that although this camera is 4 years old, look at the prices it's still bringing. And the thing is, this camera is still relevant today - as are several other NX offerings. Mannn does this peave me off - knowing how advanced and ahead of their time Samsung was and now they are gone from the camera market. So I elected to give this camera 4.5 stars - even though it has a few minor shortcomings. In the end - for me - it's all about the IQ. And here is where this baby shines.
I guess it wouldn't be a review without some images. I'll post a few here - some of which you'll recognize from postings in the past. I love the dynamic colors. Do note here however, that my images are all in the Adobe RGB color mode. Most new browsers are capable of showcasing this color profile - but some may not be. If you have a monitor that cannot properly display the Adobe RGB profile, then the colors may actually look a bit muted. All the newest browsers are capable of showcasing this Adobe profile - to include Edge and various Firefox variants (Firefox, Waterfox, Pale Moon, Cyberfox, and Commodo Ice Dragon). And if yours doesn't, in particular the Firefox variants, it is easy to go into the "about:config" section and punch in the right information for the browser to be able to do so.
All images below shot in RAW mode and converted with ACR in Photoshop CC. Images were then saved for web usage at 2000 x 1360 x 24 at a 95% quality setting. Shooting data - AWB, RAW, Aperture Priority Mode, apertures ranging from F6.3 - 8 at ISO's ranging from 100 to 800.
To bring up a larger and sharper version, click on the "original size" link below each image.
Scene: Yates Mill County Historical Park, Raleigh, NC. This is a scene of the Yates Mill Grist Mill, which is still in operation today. One of the most photographed sites in Wake County, NC. At any given day you'll see this place crawling with photographers of all skill levels as they aim to capture the best angle of this structure (I was no different).
Scene: An August wine concert taken at the Round Peak Vineyards in Mt. Airy, NC. Skull camp mountain is in the background. It was a hot, hazy day when this was taken - but the atmosphere (and the wines) were superb!
Scene: Front view of the wine and craft beer tasting area, along with the wine production facility at Round Peak Vineyards in Mt. Airy, NC.
Scene: Flint Hills Vineyards in East Bend, NC. This is the wine tasting facility located in an old historic farmhouse just next to the vineyards.
Scene: Miss Angel's Heavenly Pies in old downtown Mt. Airy (Mayberry), NC. As you may or may not know, Mt. Airy is where the legendary American actor, Andy Griffith was born. He modeled his show featuring the mythical town of Mayberry after Mt. Airy. As a result, Mt. Airy is often referred to as Mayberry and draws many tourists year round. One of the attractions is this Miss Angel's Heavenly pies and they make pies out of anything - and they are so damned good that you'll be coming back for more. They also have a website where they will ship the pies to you.
Scene: Another angle of the Yates Mill Grist Mill in Raleigh (Wake County), NC.
Scene: Another view of Yates Mill Pond located in Wake County, NC. They have a huge nature trail around this place with different vantage points at various locations.
--
Sincerely,
Bernd ("Ben") Herrmann
Fuquay Varina, North Carolina USA
As I've often remarked on this and other forums, in the past I've been blessed with being able to have acquired many different brand cameras over the years, and as a result, I've been able to make some interesting comparisons - let alone enjoy many of them. I came to Samsung shortly after the NX300 was released and it was with that instrument that I realized what a pleasure it was to shoot with the NX line of cameras.
Since that time I've wound up with the NX500, NX30, and EX-2F also - and by God, I've enjoyed using them all. But for this posting, I'd like to focus on the NX30 - a camera that received a wide range of reviews - ranging from so-so to great, and no two reviewers were on the same page. As a result, I don't think this camera sold the way it could of (and should have).
Those of you who still maintain the NX30, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. What a superb photographic instrument. It feels great in the hands, has a great tilting EVF (which can really come in handy at times), has an enticing and gorgeous way of rendering colors, and provides superb IQ. It's only short coming, IMO, is in the area of cleaner higher ISO scenarios when compared with the competition. Now if you shoot in RAW mode, files can easily be cleaned up.
I tend to periodically forget about my Samsung gear - mainly because I'm betting most of us are now focused on other brands - brands that are quite active and releasing many interesting products. Yet when we do return and reach for a given Samsung camera, at least for me, I just get a smile on my face. The other day I grabbed the NX30 and the moment it landed in my hands and I turned it on, it was like rediscovering a new, advanced camera that was just released. Let's see, the NX30 AF is super fast, the touch-screen functions are second to none (even today), the IQ (particularly in RAW mode) can just have you gawking at the monitor in sheer admiration, and there are so many other facets about this camera that will leave you quite content.
My reasoning in writing this little missive is that there are still quite a fewNX30's out there for sale (many of them new) and if you're a die-hard Samsung user, you may want to consider looking at the NX30 again. Now obviously, if you have the NX1, then getting the NX30 would be a step-back. But if you are a user of most of the other NX models, I strongly (enthusiastically) suggest that you revisit consideration for the NX30 - you'll be happy you did.
At last glance, looking at eBay USA, the NX 30 offerings are here:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...TitleDesc=0&_osacat=31388&_odkw=samsung+nx300
What's interesting to note is that although this camera is 4 years old, look at the prices it's still bringing. And the thing is, this camera is still relevant today - as are several other NX offerings. Mannn does this peave me off - knowing how advanced and ahead of their time Samsung was and now they are gone from the camera market. So I elected to give this camera 4.5 stars - even though it has a few minor shortcomings. In the end - for me - it's all about the IQ. And here is where this baby shines.
I guess it wouldn't be a review without some images. I'll post a few here - some of which you'll recognize from postings in the past. I love the dynamic colors. Do note here however, that my images are all in the Adobe RGB color mode. Most new browsers are capable of showcasing this color profile - but some may not be. If you have a monitor that cannot properly display the Adobe RGB profile, then the colors may actually look a bit muted. All the newest browsers are capable of showcasing this Adobe profile - to include Edge and various Firefox variants (Firefox, Waterfox, Pale Moon, Cyberfox, and Commodo Ice Dragon). And if yours doesn't, in particular the Firefox variants, it is easy to go into the "about:config" section and punch in the right information for the browser to be able to do so.
All images below shot in RAW mode and converted with ACR in Photoshop CC. Images were then saved for web usage at 2000 x 1360 x 24 at a 95% quality setting. Shooting data - AWB, RAW, Aperture Priority Mode, apertures ranging from F6.3 - 8 at ISO's ranging from 100 to 800.
To bring up a larger and sharper version, click on the "original size" link below each image.
Scene: Yates Mill County Historical Park, Raleigh, NC. This is a scene of the Yates Mill Grist Mill, which is still in operation today. One of the most photographed sites in Wake County, NC. At any given day you'll see this place crawling with photographers of all skill levels as they aim to capture the best angle of this structure (I was no different).
Scene: An August wine concert taken at the Round Peak Vineyards in Mt. Airy, NC. Skull camp mountain is in the background. It was a hot, hazy day when this was taken - but the atmosphere (and the wines) were superb!
Scene: Front view of the wine and craft beer tasting area, along with the wine production facility at Round Peak Vineyards in Mt. Airy, NC.
Scene: Flint Hills Vineyards in East Bend, NC. This is the wine tasting facility located in an old historic farmhouse just next to the vineyards.
Scene: Miss Angel's Heavenly Pies in old downtown Mt. Airy (Mayberry), NC. As you may or may not know, Mt. Airy is where the legendary American actor, Andy Griffith was born. He modeled his show featuring the mythical town of Mayberry after Mt. Airy. As a result, Mt. Airy is often referred to as Mayberry and draws many tourists year round. One of the attractions is this Miss Angel's Heavenly pies and they make pies out of anything - and they are so damned good that you'll be coming back for more. They also have a website where they will ship the pies to you.
Scene: Another angle of the Yates Mill Grist Mill in Raleigh (Wake County), NC.
Scene: Another view of Yates Mill Pond located in Wake County, NC. They have a huge nature trail around this place with different vantage points at various locations.
--
Sincerely,
Bernd ("Ben") Herrmann
Fuquay Varina, North Carolina USA
