Well the Samsung NX 30 and its 18-55mm kit lens is still performing well..........

Hi there, here we are at the end of June, (Lord, where has the time gone?), it seems like only a week or two back we were wishing each other "Happy New Year," and here we are passed the longest day and heading towards winter, with the days now shortening. Great isn't it?

We are planning to some photographic trips during the next few weeks, to St. Fagan's Museum of Welsh life, to Brecon park, and Cold Knapp. We shall also be going to Porthkerry park, and back to Barry Island. But for now, you can see a photo that I took yesterday from the safety of my front doorstep, lol.


We had a bit of rain, and I captured it using the Samsung NX 30 and 18-55mm kit lens. This image was captured hand held, and is a SOOC jpg.

It came down quite nasty there for a while. I was safe in the shelter of our doorway.


Below is a 100% ctop of the above image. Showing the rear end of my neighbours car, and the rain tamping off the road.

That's all for now guys, be back in a few days. Stay safe and have a great day. Regards, Twm.

Well I am using the Samsung NX 30, and I am................................................

Hiya all,


I am using the Samsung NX 30 and, so far I am very pleased with its performance. Is it perfect? No, of course not. There is no such thing as a, "perfect camera." As the old adage goes, "One man's meat, is another man's poison." The main thing that I have to complain about is, you cannot select a central focus point. There is no setting available for it. There are four setting options for the focal point for AF. They are Selection AF, Multi AF, Face Detection AF, and Self Portrait AF. The nearest to a central point AF is Selection AF. Using this option, and the OK button and Multi function controller rind around the OK button, one can move the focus point to any place in the field of view. This is all well and good, but it's too easy to inadvertently move the FP, and you have to constantly reset it. This is no big deal to do, it's one press of the OK button, one press of the MULTI controller ring, and another press of the OK. hey presto, job done. But in my case, I have some health problems that cause my hands to be stiff in movement, so I am altering the FP a LOT. Would it be too much to ask for a FW update to nail down the FP to the centre point? Right gripe mode set to OFF now, lol.


We took the little NX 30 out for a walk around the park this week, and I am delighted with its performance. I have a new Samsung SD card that is rated at 60mb per second write speed, and I have to say this has improved the cameras image writing ability no end, when compared to the NX 300, and the Galaxy NX cameras. The biggest problem with the Samsung NX 300, (a camera that I, personally loved), was that one couldn't see the rear screen in bright sunlight. This was easily solved by the purchase of the anti glare screen off Amazon. But with the NX 30, there is no need for the anti glare screen. Samsung have solved the problem, and the NX 30's fully articulated screen can be viewed easily in all lighting conditions. The only other thing is, the fully articulated rear screen. ;-)
It tangles in the neck strap when turned out, so I have purchased a wrist strap off that internet company named after the tribe of female warriors. This has easily, and comfortably, solved that little problem.


As for the camera's performance, well I think it's very good. I like the SOOC jpgs. I like the colours of them. If they need any sharpening, it is a simple matter to do so in a photo editing  program. I like, and use Paint Shop Pro, but of course, you can use whatever you like. They sharpen very good without any added artifacts.

After a trip out. We came home and found a model waiting on the footpath outside. It was a bee that was dyung, after having stung someone, or something, Below is a photo of that bee.

this shows the clarity of the Samsung NX 30 and its 18-55mm kit lens. But to emphasise this point I've placed a 100% crop of the photo below.

The photo below shows the Samsnug colours, bright and vibrant. These photo's are all taken with the Samsung NX 30, and its 18-55mm kit lens. The close focus ability of the kit lens never cases to delight me.

The photo below of the little shells on a log are similar to ones that I posted a year or so back, when I first found the log. Over time, the log has dried out and split due to the dehydration. Take a look at the fibres that are pulled apart within the vee of the split. Good definition, isn't it? Don't forget these pics are all taken hand held, and are SOOC jpgs.

I don't know what the photographic subject below is called. Is it a grass, or what? It was about one metre away from me, and behind railings, so I could not get any closer. I put my arms through the gap in the railings, and took the shot. Nothing special, but look at the fine detail in the seed heads. Yes I think Samsung have a great camera in the NX 30, and I shall try my best to show you more in the coming weeks.

                                            Take care all, and have a great day. Regards, Twm.

Well, what an eventful week, but.......................

Hi guys, After my post on the 17th, I received, and tried out a new full sized SD memory card for the Samung NX30 that I have, courtesy of Samsung UK. We went to Barry Island, and for walks in a local park in the valley. This was done on the 18th & 19th of this month. We got back home, and had some grub. I them went to the computer to get the images off the NX30. All done, images safely on the 'puter. Disaster! I had a corrupt SD card. I had committed the photographers cardinal sin. I had taken an untried memory card on a photoshoot, without verifying its capabilities first. I had to, "bin," all 363 photos from both shoots. I am now working with a known good SD MICRO card in an SD card adaptor. Not a very good option, as the cameras write speed, is slow on this card. But it is a necessary evil if I want to get any images while I am waiting for the new card to arrive, which should be Monday or Tuesday. What a palaver. In the meantime, just for you to get an idea of the size differences  between the three different Samsung cameras that I have tried out, Below are some photos taken with a little compact camera. No big deal quality wise, but it does show the sizes of the cameras, in a side by side comparison.

I have, today received an exchange SD card. It has been formatted and placed in the NX30, "touch wood, and whistle," it seems to be perfect this time. At least the few quick photo's I took to test it have come out good. Will post some in the week. We are off to Barry again on Tuesday, and "doing," the local park again. Fingers crossed all will be well this time.

I have a set of three quick and nasty pics that I did in order to attempt to show you the size difference between the three Samsung cameras i.e. the NX 300, the Galaxy NX, and the latest, the NX 30.

In the photo above you can see the three Samsung cameras side by side, viewed from the front. All three cameras have the identical 18-55mm kit lens fitted. They are from left to right, the Samsung NX300. In the middle is the Samsung GalaxyNX, and finally, on the extreme right the latest NX to come out of the Samsung factory, the NX30. As you can see, (although not clearly, due to shoulder straps), the NX 300 is the smallest, the Galaxy NX the largest, (and heaviest), and then comes, in between them, the Samsung NX 30. The NX 30 has a fully articulated screen, the NX 300 has a tiltable screen, and the Galaxy NX has a large, (wonderful for Macro, and Landscape work), fixed screen. Now the NX 300's screen had a problem, in that it couldn't be seen clearly in bright sunlight. This was a problem as there was no viewfinder with this camera. No such trouble with the Galaxy NX, (called the GNX, henceforth), as it was a different type of screen and it had a viewfinder. Now we are up to the NX 30, and, although it has an OLED screen like the NX 300, Samsung appear to have solved the sunlight viewinf problem, as this screen is easily seen in bright sunlight. But there is also a viewfinder, which also pulls out and is tiltable upwards.

In the photo above are the same three cameras viewed from the top, down. Now one can see the bulk that is the GNX in the centre. But, look at the depth of the NX 30's, (on the right), grip. This makes for a very comfortable hand hold. I have to say that coming in to this test, I was biased, as I love the NX 300. But having now used the NX 30 for a week or so, I find my feelings have gravitated towards the new one in the stable. The images, (which I will show you in a later report), are superb. Having come from a film SLR camera background, to a DSLR background, I am used to having, only the best, in image quality from my cameras. But the Samsung NX range, are the only cameras that I have been confident with, to use a jpg. image straight out of the camera. (SOOC). Having previously having to shoot everything in RAW, and process it, in order to get the quality of image that I required. With either of the three cameras above, when correctly set up in the menu system, the SOOC jpgs. are great,

In the image above, you can see, although, again, not very clearly, the difference in the three rear screens. The tiltable NX 300, on the left, the large GNX in the centre, and the fully articulated one on the NX 30 on the right. During my first few days with the NX 30 I had a problem using the articulated screen due to the camera neck strap continually getting tangled when the screen was opened out, as in the shot above. This was easily cured be purchasing a camera hand strap, that keeps the camera safely on your wrist, even if you open your hand and let go. More to come, on the NX 30 shortly. Apologies for the, "below par," quality of the three images above, but they were shot using a little old compact camera, which was all that I had available at the time.
                           Stay safe, and have a great day. Regards, Twm.

Hi guys.............

Hello there,
I'd like to let everyone here know that I have now taken delivery of the Samsung NX30 camera, together with the 18-55m.m f3.5-5.6 Mk III kit lens. First impressions, it is smaller than the Galaxy NX, but bigger than the NX 300, which is the camera that I love. The NX30, is a great "feel," in the hand, with a deep finger hold. It is light enough, and just the right size to be comfortably held in your right hand. I am awaiting a delivery from Amazon of a new 64GB SD card for it, but I have been playing around with it, using a MICRO SD card and an adapter. Although this memory card is not, by any means, the perfect piece of kit for the NX30, it does allow me to get a feel for the camera. I will, later on show you a photo of the 3 Samsung cameras, side by side, in the order that they were made, i.e the NX300-Galaxy NX-NX30.
The 30 has the smallest rear scren of the three cameras, while the Galaxy NX has the largest, (and by a big margin too). The GNX is a brilliant camera for landscape work, and using any manual lenses, especially for MACRO work. Using direct manual focus, (DMF), and focus peaking, you can see exactly where the sharpest part of your image is concentrated, enabling you to get the perfect point of focus, as you want it. For MACRO work, I use a Schneider-KREUZNACH-D Xenon, 100m.m. MACRO lens. This lens is a fully automatic lens on my old GX10 DSLR. but a fully manual lens on my NX series of cameras. I hope to be doing some MACRO work with the NX30, later.

                                                  All for now guys, take care and have a great day.
                                                               Regards, Twm.

Hi there.

How are you all? I'm afraid I've been rather lazy with the upkeep of this blog. This is down to a few reasons, although, not any one in particular. The lousy wet weather, family bereavements, and awaiting the delivery of a Samsung NX30 camera. Now the latter is supplied to me, by Samsung themselves, for me to test out, and publicise images from the said device. It is now two months since I was asked by them to take part in the Imagelogger program of 2014, and to try the NX30 camera. Oh well, maybe they have changed their minds about wishing me to take part, or, perhaps there is some other reason. I guess I shall just have to wait and see what transpires.

 In the meantime, we have just returned from a 10 day break in Cornwall, at what USED to be the Trevelgue resort. It is now under new ownership and is now called, Newquay View Resort.
We have always enjoyed our stay, in previous years at Trevelgue. But, I have to say, this year at Newquay View, it was even better. The new owners, are putting in a new large outdoor heated swimming pool. This is in addition to the large indoor pool that was already present. They have gutted, and renovated the club house. There is a new diner/fish & chip shop. Badged, bed linen and pillow cases are supplied, as are towels. While we were there, they were removing some of the older static caravans, and replacing them with new ones. There were a dozen older vans stored in an adjoining field, and a tractor hauling brand new ones into place and being connected. In fact they have spent over £666,000 to update the place. There are new staff, who are very polite, friendly, and helpful. Yes, if you are thinking of visiting Cornwall, I really recommend the, "Newquay View Resort," is is a great base, being only a about 5 miles from Newquay itself, and a short walk to Porth beach, or an even shorter walk to the headland overlooking Porth beach.

Yesterday I was notified by my contact for Samsung, that they have finally got a Samsung NX 30 into the mail for me, and that I should receive it early next week. So, I shall shortly be posting some, (hopefully good), pics from this camera. I shall also be sharing with you, my observations, feelings, about this new offering from Samsung, although. I have to admit being slightly biased, before we start. I love the NX300. This was the first camera that I got from Samsung, in their Imagelogger programme. It is, IMHO, "THE PERFECT," camera. I say this despite having a few reservations in that the rear screen was not fully articulated, it had a small memory buffer, and the screen was difficult to see in bright sunlight, (almost impossible to see in fact). But it is the ideal size, and its jpgs. are great quality, needing very little post production work in an image editing program, (I use Paint Shop Pro as my choice of tool for this, but YMMV). The screen visibility was easily solved by the purchase of an anti glare screen protector from Amazon, see the link below.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BDJ8ESW/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The screen only tilts upward, for waist level, or low level shots. This makes it perfect for MACRO shots, because you don't have to try to get your eye up to the camera VF, in order to focus. It also tilts downward, perfect for overhead shots, where you may be in a crowd, or need to get some height on the camera to get the shot that you want. But enough about my NX300 love affair,  ;-). I had the Samsung Galaxy NX after that. The GNX is a great camera, with a huge impressive rear screen, perfect for landscape work. Being an Android based camera, this can do anything a Samsung mobile phone can do, except make telephone calls. It can link directly to the internet to get your photos straight to the web, and, it can use apps. so you can edit your pics before sending them to cyberspace. This would make a perfect camera for someone like a photo journalist. Imagine, you could take a great news pic, edit it, and get it to your editors desktop withing minutes of the event having occurred.

Well, this new camera, the Samsung NX30, is supposed to be, the love child of the two previous models, the NX300, and the Galaxy NX, encompassing the best of them both. I shall reserve judgement for now, and share with you, over the next few months, my experience with the NX30. It is bigger than the NX300, (shame, I love the size of the rangefinder styled 300). But, it is smaller than the Galaxy NX. We shall see, and together, we shall take a look at my likes, and dislikes of the NX30.

                                               Bye for now. Pob lwc, a hwyl fawr i pob chi.
                                                    Take care, Twm.