NX500 as the near perfect compact camera

Kisaha wrote:

On a very mild situation, https://youtu.be/OhJkqa9wLXw

X-T3 4K 30p

11:21min warning and 21:22min shut down

X-T3 4K 60p

06:18min warning and 10:34min shut down

X-T4 4K 60p Dual Recording/IBIS

04:15min warning and 08:46 shut down

Actual comment at 03:50: "I did 3 tests. What survived the harsh test was only the NX1 that was shooting these cameras."

That's what you want from a workhorse camera.

Great video Kisaha, thank you for sharing

What survived the harsh test was only the [Samsung] NX1 that was shooting these cameras

"If you don't read the newspaper, you're uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you're misinformed." -Mark Twain

For me the NX500 is almost the perfect camera. If it had weather sealing it would be perfect. Of cause the same applies to the lenses. Great performers for the price and size. Shame they don't all have some sort of weather protection.

I have no interest in video, so any short-comings there don't apply to me. Fast auto-focus is also a non-issue for my type of photography.

I have 4 main cameras; a Pentax K3 & a K5 and a Samsung NX1 & two NX500s. I find myself using the NX500 increasingly more often of late. The only time I reach out for my Pentax gear is when there's a possibility of rain on my trips.

Apart from being smaller and lighter with some cracking small primes, the main reason is focus accuracy. Either I'm rubbish at fine-tuning my lenses on the Pentax cameras or the bodies are out of tolerance beyond the max of 10 that the fine adjustments will let me go. I find it very frustrating when I see many pictures back focused despite my best efforts. I can't recall the last out of focus NX shot.

Got my eyes on a 16-50mm S lens so the NX1 may well see more action in the near future.

I hope to still be shooting with my Samsung kit in 10 years time. To date I've had a single failure, lens or body. I hope that's not tempting fate!

...hilarious.  For some of us, it seems that the tools me have (photographic-wise, that is) seem almost akin to one of our appendages (I'll let you imagine which appendage I'm referring to here guys).

The bottom line here is that Samsung is now defunct in the camera department and has been for several years.  And there's nothing you or I can do about it all.  And yes, many of us who are still using Samsung cameras appreciate the tech involved, not to mention our preferences for the Samsung color tonality.

But it's a done deal my fellow photo homies and the writing has been on the wall for a long, long time now.  Now you can hold on to your Samsung cameras like some would hold on to their guns (me included on that one) - and in the process, disparage every other brand of camera in that last ditch effort to defend that appendage - orrrrrr, you can open your eyes and finally transition to experiencing the marvels and enjoyable experiences that other brands have to offer.

As many of you know, I am currently using a variety of cameras from the Samsung NX line (i.e. I have the NX500, NX30, and NX Mini remaining), along with a half dozen cameras from the Fuji X system, cameras from the Canon EOS M line, and...a half dozen models from Olympus in the M43 line (although after hearing that Olympus, after 85+ years has sold off their camera division, I am now worried...).  In other-words, I've been a certified international camera slut since 1969 when I first start shooting 35 MM while a Marine stationed in VietNam.  And I've not slowed down ever since.

In each case, I've found there is much to enjoy in embrace among all of the brands, in particular, with the Fuji line of cameras.  In fact, I've said it often on various forums, that if I were forced to have to sell off all of my different brand cameras except for just one brand - well, it would be Fuji hands down.

Now in getting back to the Samsung NX500, do I love that camera?  Hell yes, I do, but as a stills photographer only, I do find it lacking in areas such as higher ISO scenarios and dynamic range capabilities.  I love using the NX500 for scenes such as landscape and architectural situations.  However, anymore, when it comes to photography, I find myself reaching for one of the many Fuji cameras I have.  Fuji's high ISO capabilities are superb and that brand is the one I reach for when I know I have to shoot in low light.  And in addition, the dynamic range I can pull from Fuji RAW (RAF) files are exemplary.

And I'm betting that each one of you reading this thread - who use other brands as well - will attest to the joy (and fun) they experience while using those brands, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that!!!!!

But alas, with two specific hobbies that I have - that of being an audiophile plus a photographer - I am torn back and forth between both camps.  Right now - at this moment, I am focused more on the audio side of the house and am doing a series of blogs on a variety of digital to analog converters (DAC's) that I am using.  My audio experiences anymore are centered around my desktop PC.  In fact, as I type this reply, I am listening to Schubert's Trout Quintet on a pair of Edifier R2000DB's and a Velodyne subwoofer under my desk.  That is being fed with an iFi ZenDAC using Audiquest USB and RCA upgraded cables.  The sound is beyond stirring as I'm breaking out with goose bumps.  So why did I mention this, 'cause I'm now seriously considering selling off all of my remaining "mint" Samsung gear - NX500 and all.  I thought it would never come to this, but I'm just not using them anymore, and I may eventually sell off the rest - except the Fuji gear.

So enjoy what you have - whether it be NX gear, or whatever.  But no need to get defensive about it all as they are all just material things.  Human relationships are much more important.

Have a great day everyone...

Oh, by the way - below is a scene of what my desktop looks like anymore - and this is a huge shift from conventional audiophile behavior.  More and more folks are shifting their focus to high quality audio gear to their desktop environments.

Ben Herrmann wrote:

...hilarious. For some of us, it seems that the tools me have (photographic-wise, that is) seem almost akin to one of our appendages (I'll let you imagine which appendage I'm referring to here guys).

The bottom line here is that Samsung is now defunct in the camera department and has been for several years. And there's nothing you or I can do about it all. And yes, many of us who are still using Samsung cameras appreciate the tech involved, not to mention our preferences for the Samsung color tonality.

But it's a done deal my fellow photo homies and the writing has been on the wall for a long, long time now. Now you can hold on to your Samsung cameras like some would hold on to their guns (me included on that one) - and in the process, disparage every other brand of camera in that last ditch effort to defend that appendage - orrrrrr, you can open your eyes and finally transition to experiencing the marvels and enjoyable experiences that other brands have to offer.

As many of you know, I am currently using a variety of cameras from the Samsung NX line (i.e. I have the NX500, NX30, and NX Mini remaining), along with a half dozen cameras from the Fuji X system, cameras from the Canon EOS M line, and...a half dozen models from Olympus in the M43 line (although after hearing that Olympus, after 85+ years has sold off their camera division, I am now worried...). In other-words, I've been a certified international camera slut since 1969 when I first start shooting 35 MM while a Marine stationed in VietNam. And I've not slowed down ever since.

In each case, I've found there is much to enjoy in embrace among all of the brands, in particular, with the Fuji line of cameras. In fact, I've said it often on various forums, that if I were forced to have to sell off all of my different brand cameras except for just one brand - well, it would be Fuji hands down.

Now in getting back to the Samsung NX500, do I love that camera? Hell yes, I do, but as a stills photographer only, I do find it lacking in areas such as higher ISO scenarios and dynamic range capabilities. I love using the NX500 for scenes such as landscape and architectural situations. However, anymore, when it comes to photography, I find myself reaching for one of the many Fuji cameras I have. Fuji's high ISO capabilities are superb and that brand is the one I reach for when I know I have to shoot in low light. And in addition, the dynamic range I can pull from Fuji RAW (RAF) files are exemplary.

And I'm betting that each one of you reading this thread - who use other brands as well - will attest to the joy (and fun) they experience while using those brands, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that!!!!!

But alas, with two specific hobbies that I have - that of being an audiophile plus a photographer - I am torn back and forth between both camps. Right now - at this moment, I am focused more on the audio side of the house and am doing a series of blogs on a variety of digital to analog converters (DAC's) that I am using. My audio experiences anymore are centered around my desktop PC. In fact, as I type this reply, I am listening to Schubert's Trout Quintet on a pair of Edifier R2000DB's and a Velodyne subwoofer under my desk. That is being fed with an iFi ZenDAC using Audiquest USB and RCA upgraded cables. The sound is beyond stirring as I'm breaking out with goose bumps. So why did I mention this, 'cause I'm now seriously considering selling off all of my remaining "mint" Samsung gear - NX500 and all. I thought it would never come to this, but I'm just not using them anymore, and I may eventually sell off the rest - except the Fuji gear.

So enjoy what you have - whether it be NX gear, or whatever. But no need to get defensive about it all as they are all just material things. Human relationships are much more important.

Have a great day everyone...

Oh, by the way - below is a scene of what my desktop looks like anymore - and this is a huge shift from conventional audiophile behavior. More and more folks are shifting their focus to high quality audio gear to their desktop environments.

I like that set up Ben! But it kinda looks like you're on the floor?

Or is it akin to The Office's megadesk?!

I leaned back, using a Fuji X-2s camera in Aperture Priority Mode, ISO 6400, the Fringer EF-to FX adapter, with a Canon 10-18 F4.5-5.6 IS STM wide angle lens at 35 MM.  If I used the 10 MM end (equivalent to 15 MM), the distortions would have too great to even fix, so I choose the 36 MM equivalent end of things and it wound up perfect.  Shot at ISO 6400.

Wahid Khan 1961 wrote:

For me the NX500 is almost the perfect camera. If it had weather sealing it would be perfect. Of cause the same applies to the lenses. Great performers for the price and size. Shame they don't all have some sort of weather protection.

I have no interest in video, so any short-comings there don't apply to me. Fast auto-focus is also a non-issue for my type of photography.

I have 4 main cameras; a Pentax K3 & a K5 and a Samsung NX1 & two NX500s. I find myself using the NX500 increasingly more often of late. The only time I reach out for my Pentax gear is when there's a possibility of rain on my trips.

Apart from being smaller and lighter with some cracking small primes, the main reason is focus accuracy. Either I'm rubbish at fine-tuning my lenses on the Pentax cameras or the bodies are out of tolerance beyond the max of 10 that the fine adjustments will let me go. I find it very frustrating when I see many pictures back focused despite my best efforts. I can't recall the last out of focus NX shot.

Got my eyes on a 16-50mm S lens so the NX1 may well see more action in the near future.

I hope to still be shooting with my Samsung kit in 10 years time. To date I've NOT had a single failure, lens or body. I hope that's not tempting fate!

Hi Ben,

Cool setup but I must object to the kitty mouse mat! 

What is that "skin" over your keyboard? Does it keep the dust/spills to a minimum? My keyboard is so bad a new strain of Covid could immerge..

Yes, I purchased it online (can't remember where) and they make these for different model keyboards (mine is an ergonomic Logitech type). It fits right over the keyboard and attaches in the back. It keeps out all the grunge, dirt, dust, scaly skin, etc. You wouldn't believe how much this skin saves your keyboard from all those items. Sometimes I just blow off the skin - but the keyboard is as new.

As for the kitty mouse pad - hey, I'm a cat person - what can I say.

Kisaha wrote:

We know NX is dead for 4 years now, it is not a shock anymore. Tell us something new.

The cameras are still relevant, and for some uses, and for some of us, it is difficult to move to something else when it doesn't offer any substantial difference, until recently at least.

When you have to move a whole professional setup, including lenses and cameras, that is a huge decision, anyone can buy a few cheap bodies and kit lenses for a lot of brands, but not a lot can do that with the more expensive line up of each brand.

Squeezing whatever value NX was offering, and still does, all these years, made it an exceptional buy, and I was honestly surprised that took the industry so much time to catch up with the NX, and still hasn't in some aspects. It is truly remarkable.

I mentioned above all the issues X cameras have that make video specialists reluctant to move full on to Fuji, and probaly that never happen now that Nikon and Canon is in the game.

Unfortunately, Olympus is gone, and there will be another one soon. It may be some other brand, but Fuji doesn't seem like doing that good either.

Optical Design and Electronic Imaging is just 4% of the company, and that includes TV lenses - which Fuji is really strong with huge history - and other related products.

Fuji was playing "alone" a long time in the APS-C mirrorless business, when Sony APS-C is just for hobbyists and the lower segment of the market, and Samsung is out of the picture, now that Canon and Nikon are paying attention I do not see them have more space for growth.

When the R5 and R6 are available it will make the Canon RF mount the standard again, like EF was for 3 plus decades with 130.000.000 total sales and counting..

..MUST always watch their bottom line because their Career is putting food on the table.
I totally get it Kisaha, because I too have to put food on the table and watch my bottom line. This is your profession, this is my hobby, and all your posts have consistently expressed this underlying position. Also, be assured, your many posts have taught me (and many) and as the saying goes, "...teach a man to fish he eats for life"

And in the spirit of Ben comment above that, "Human relationships are much more important", your posts have helped me (many) greatly, which I consider priceless.

Thank you very much Kisaha,
Lawrence Norman Shapiro
Poolesville, MD, USA
--
"If you don't read the newspaper, you're uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you're misinformed." -Mark Twain

Unless the new company decides to sell off shares and split up the company, the Olympus camera division is still functional and have plans for releasing a variety of new camera models and technologies in the near future.  And in the end, if it doesn't work out for Olympus, at least they didn't hit us with a surprise ending as Samsung did.