@@kevinlui8601 The EX2 is slightly better for autofocus. It's still not perfect but it is supposed to be better and it has a f1.4 lens. If you can do without the hinged screen, you'd be better off with the MKi RX100. It can be had for about the same money (often less) and it has superb autofocus and a larger sensor.
I bought this camera several years ago and NEVER used it. It was on sale so I just took it, but since I have a bunch of higher end cameras I never used it. Now that I am older and do not feel like carying a ton of DSLR's and lenses I tend to use my phone more for taking shots, but a my mobile phone just does not make me feel creative. I am going to start using this, just because I is more creative and easy to always have in my backpack. It really is not about megapixels. I think it is often just how a camera makes me feel that will determine how I will use it.
I'm a casual photographer. And I have the Samsung EX2F in white color. It's an amazing camera, solid build quality. I bought it cheap about 5-6 years ago. I used it hard when I had to take a lot of macro pictures showing defects in printed circuit boards. No smartphone can compare it at macro pictures! Greetings from Colombia.
In 2015 I bought the Samsung NX 500 which is also a camera of high quality in the same class. It goes totally unnoticed. 28 megapixels APSC backlit sensor with killer image quality that rivals my Leica CL. This camera (20mm, f2.8 and 30mm f2.0 pancakes) will always stay with me until it dies. You are right, there are quite a few great cameras out there which don't get the credit they deserve.
@@prodj.mixapeofficial6431 The NX500 is mirror less, it's the NX1 that's the killer DSLR. However, they both share the same sensor as well as the autofocus system too I think. The NX500 is a superb mirrorless camera, one of the best at the time but like many Samsung cameras, it flew under the radar. There's still plenty out there but they're expensive, generally between £500 and £700 depending on lens and condition.
Fwiw leica cameras are no better than any other camera, you're paying for the name not the features or image quality and if anyone tried to even lie that the "leica has superior image quality" they're coping and lying as hard as possible
Great review! There was a time that seemed everyone was making great cameras. 2010-2015 time seemed to be a sweet spot. These gems are still great as an additional pocket camera they work well, thanks for sharing!
I have this camera. I bought it the year it was released in South Korea and travelled with me for years. I love it and sometimes i still use it. It makes for a great street photography point and shoot with a really fast lens. It has great low light capabilities. The only issue I had back in the day was the lack of HD recording.
my first camera that I started shooting with was a little mirrorless samsung nx1000.(before people were really even using mirrorless cameras ) It was prob 2012 0r 13 but it was packed with features. you could change lenses, it had wifi, a close to apsc size sensor, and the colors and lenses were great. I hate that samsung's cameras never really caught on, bc theyre the ones making alot of these sensors anyway, and with the tech they have in the phone world, they had(have) the perfect opportunity to interweave physical and digital applications. they even had a few tries at an android powered camera. anyways, I could go on. lol. the nx series cameras are still worth taking a look at if you want something cheap to start with.
The extra reach, style and lens character of the MX-1 make it hard to beat for me personally. Though this camera does look really nice and one I wasn’t familiar with, thanks James
Your demo images are fantastic! I remember at the time Sony A 6000 cameras were released, Sampson equivalent cameras were more advance with IS and social media connections. Thanks for highlighting this hidden gem!
I have the EX1 and agree that it is an excellent camera. I also have the Samsung converter that increases wide angle coverage to 18mm equivalent. Personally I have no issues with the focusing on my EX1 other than the focus icon when set to single setting could be smaller. Samsung also sold a clip on viewfinder but fixed at 24mm view. Be aware th some aftermarket batteries are rated less capacity than the original Samsung brand. Finally the video recording is ok for what it is but not HD. Also forgot to say filters can be attached with the suitable adapter.
I bought one of these new and still have it. I used to take it to daytime events. There's a clarity to how the lens renders that I find similar to my zeiss lenses. And the ccd sensor gives beautiful skin tones. It would be nice to see this camera get some love.
im getting one right now. In korea, Local used market (online app) this appeared as ex1. As soon as I saw it I jumped out of my bed and booked it!! almost same amount you paid for!! im so excited!!
Great video! I have just got this camera. What a surprise that it does have a negative mode colour. You can preview film by selecting only white balance! Nice!🎉🎉🎉
i picked one ex2f up for my gf. only paid 75€ on ebay. very happy with the result. ofc its not the same as my x100v but as a starter a great cam, especially while out partying… gives a unique look. thank you for. your inspiration.
I have one of these tucked away. I really treasure it - of course, it doesn't compare in sharpness to modern cameras, but it feels like shooting an old Olympus half frame - similar results. It's solid and feels good to use. Yes - battery life - oh dear! I just think of it like film though - Like a half frame, you only get about 70 shots. So, be economical - take only what is necessary, and you'll love it.
I've bought a few like the LX3 etc. etc. from around that era and they are great knockabout cameras today for bright outdoor use. But try using them at a party or indoors/low light on the sly (basically when you don't want to be throwing a DSLR/flash around) and yeah they fall apart ISO/noise wise. There is a reason they have been left behind and forgotten.
Hi. I'm watching all your videos, I love that we agree on taking pictures with old digital cameras or one-shoot. it makes you a better photographer. And you are absolutely right using a camera that no one else is great, even when they see you taking pictures. I have a Sony FV like yours. One that drives people crazy when I take it out on the street is the Apple Quick take 100. But my favorite rare camera by far is the Lytro Illum, get one and you will go crazy with it. It's a camera that takes pictures with light fields, it's made me learn photography all over again. In my Vero I have pictures I took with it last Day of the Dead. You will like it.
The flash performance looks amazing! And the RAW shots look super workable and detail-rich. Thank you for making these videos about legacy gear! I know it's an old joke to say "Oh since video X showed camera Y, prices on eBay have shot up 😢", but we genuinely need all the encouragement we can get to reduce e-waste and slow down the destruction of our planet 😅❤
Still have mine after all these years! Great Macro and Low Light! Been thinking of getting the EX2f as it has even better low light and also has FullHd video as well! Not easy to find in a good condition though! I don´t understand why they don´t make these compact low light/fast lense cameras anymore!?
One thing I've found about the TL500/EX1, theres no passthrough filter or IR filter on the sensor, this means that theres no conversion needed to use this as an infrared camera, so you can slap a filter on it and boom IR camera.
I wish I purchased this camera when it was available brand new but it was expensive too. I had owned a few Samsung cameras from point and shoot to mirrorless. I sold most of them on eBay but kept two on hand. They are still working and online forums of these cameras are still active. Samsung transferred their camera technology to mobile phones period.
I am surprised that you can still find the proprietary battery for this cam which is like 10 years old. I am even more surprised that the batteries still function after all these years.
No your not the only one aware of this camera. I almost bought it last year but picked up lens instead. I’m an Olympus fan so I bought the XZ-10 which is very pocketable and I love the lens setting dial. And yes you said Kreuznach wrong. I have family near Bad Kreuznach Germany. Love your show. Cheers from southern Georgian Bay Ontario Canada
That sounds like a great little camera! I am terrible at pronouncing words in my language, so I knew I was going to butcher it. I did look it up and listen to it but still couldn't make the right sounds xD That looks like a beautiful town!
Amazing review 👏 Unfortunately most youtubers are copying each other, that's why we can't find enough good pieces. Anyway, thanks for your effort. I don't have this camera in my country, so would you recommend panasonic lumix zs30 (tz40) for less than $100?!
I have the EX2F and love it. Made a video about it a few years ago called "The Greatest Camera You Never Knew About" (or something like that). I never tried the EX1, but I imagine it must be good.
They aren't super rare, but they are uncommon. Don't bump into them too much, and when you do sometimes they're priced super high. I got lucky because I had set up a search alert just for "samsung camera" and that's what the seller chose to advertise, not the actual model number. ;)
Hi Steve. I have a very clean TL500/EX1 that I want to sell. If you are interested, we can figure out a way for me to send you pics and to discuss the price. Thanks.
I had an nx20 was pretty good I had a motherboard failure which was fixed under warranty then I sold it on. It had a great rear roating screen and loved the in body panoramic creation. But I tried a Canon 7d which felt much better for my needs
This could not come at a better time. I always carry with me my trusty Fujifilm X100S. I purchased the X100S new in 2014. I have carried that camera with me everywhere I went. Last year, I purchased a motorcycle and I have been touring Texas with it since. One month ago, I unfortunately damaged the display of the X100S. It rubbed on a charger that I was carrying in the tail bag of my bag. The Samsung seems to be perfect as the display can be stored unexposed. The only unknown is if my post processing software can process Samsung's raw format images. I always shoot raw and never use any of the camera brands software gimmicks.
Bought one in 2011 in silver. Still own it. In short, great image quality, horrible controls. Also bought a used Pentax MX-1 which has a slightly better image quality but a lot better controls and a battery which lasts a long time.
Dammit I just bought an EX2 after this video really looking forward to trying a compact camera with an F1.4 lens. Price was good and condition was mint.
The EX2F was the premium compact I chased for quite a while, along with the MX-1 and the XZ-2. I could never decide which one to get, but I kept losing out on auction bids anyway. I think the EX2F has a deeper grip and it was a clear winner in terms of features. Samsung made great cameras while they were still in the business. Shame they exited.
It is a pity, and makes their cameras all the more interesting today. I have also had EX2F alerts for a while but haven't ever found something I wanted to bite on. Does seem cool though.
Interessting camera. I have the simpler Samsung ES15 only JPEG. It works very well and the pictures sooc are realy good. With greetings from lower Bavaria :-).
Any camera sence 2012 for the most part is all most hobbiest need . My newest camera is my g9 even it's like 5 years old now my other are Nikon f5, d7100, Sony rx100 old g
Imho of these oldie premium compacts I think the Olympus XZ-1 is probably the best of them all, it's basically the same camera as the MX-1 but is much faster to operate, less heavy and less expensive
I do have an lx3 laying around somewhere, I tried to sell it a couple of years ago, and nobody was interested. Maybe I should try it out again, but I hate that there's no viewfinder. And, anyone who knows Rollei knows Schneider Kreuznach.
3:00... yes, it is marketing. Many "point and shoots" had mostly lenses produced by for example Canon, but branded with everything, from Leica to Zeiss etc. I cant care less what brand is printed or engraved into a lens or camera. The build and image quality is what im looking for, no matter if its a russian, european, japenese or american lens.
Using Olympus XZ-2 quite frequently, Olympus Stylus1s too.. great compact cameras with cute lenses and raw. But with 10mpix CCD it is rather competitor to Oly XZ-1 :)
Well you got the Schneider part right in the pronunciation, so better than you thought 😂 Also, isnt this camera capable of shooting infrared too? I read that in some descriptions on ebay
I haven't heard about that - there is an IR sensor in the front for a remote. I did google it just now and saw the EX2F had someone claiming it had a weak IR cut filter. I don't have the filter adapter, but might be worth trying to 3d print one for testing...
That GM5 sounds really nice! I've been playing with some of the tiny M4/3 lenses and have been loving it. I have the 14 2.5, the 20 1.7, 25 f1.7, any other compact lenses you'd recommend?
@@snappiness I also have 20mm 1,7; also the kit lens , which is as small as the 14mm one. I also bought the 42,5mm F1,7 specifically to use with the GM5 , for it's IOS and, thus one has the smallest travel kit with some ability to focus separation. Not recommended if youre using a lot of off camera flash photography, with its 1/50 flash sync .
The battery life span starts when it's made. The aftermarket batteries were probably made a long time ago as well, so their lifespan should be expected to be short.
There are a lot of fantastic old cameras such as : Fujifilm S200EXR, Panasonic Lumix FZ50, Sony DSC-R1, Fujifilm X-S1 , Samsung Pro815, Olympus E-20 . All of the have a bigger sensor than 1/2.33 of an inch and this translates to better image quality. I enjoyed them all while I had them,they are excellent cameras..
DSC R1 I have 2 and attachment x lens and other modern cameras this is my favourite but its too big so gets not used but I have 20x30 camvas prints that are stunning.
Had one years ago. It's was great apart from the time I accidentally set it to manual focus mode on holiday and didn't notice until I got home and everything was slightly out of focus as it still acted like it was in af mode. Can't remember why I sold it 🤔
Hello James, great video as usual. This camera sounds like a genuine hidden gem. I would be interested in it but the dismal autofocus excludes it for me. What similar older camera (this style) would you suggest I research? Ricoh GR III is great but need to spend less $ as this is only a hobby for fun. Peace.
I've used the Pentax MX-1 and Panasonic LX series, those cameras you can also look into. I haven't used the Olympus XZ series, but those are fan favorites from what I hear. Of course an older GR would be my pick because I don't use zoom much and that lens is incredible, but you're looking at $300-400 for a used 2013 GR, which is more than these kinds of cameras go for.
Invest in waist bag. Keys and phones are for pockets. Then get a Nikon V2 with built in flash and kit lens. (Same era) The sensor tech was purchased by Sony. Shoot RAW. Add a retro photo pack to your photo editor. 😁
Samsung definitely made many competitive cameras, just shadowed by the Japanese giants! Thank you for reviewing this awesome little camera, love your videos!
The EX range are fantastic little cameras. I've never owned either but I have borrowed the EX2 and I was pleasantly surprised by it They've been on my eBay wish list for some time now but the cost is too high for what it is, generally speaking, you'll be between £110 and £150 here in the UK and there's never many available. I'm curious, did you feel the standard JPEG had a warm tone to it? I have an Samsung NX200 and I've always loved the standard JPEG as it provides a slightly warm, orangish tinge to its image's, it's great for Autumn shots. You should look into the Samsung range of cameras, they were way ahead of there time, especially the NX1, it was and still is a beast of a camera!
Yeah I have looked into other Samsung cameras, we'll see if I ever pick one up. The NX200 looks nice. I don't really like the standard JPEG profile on this one - it seems too brown? But maybe I just didn't give it a fair enough chance before moving onto other profiles. Now those other profiles and RAW is all I use :D
I thought a time about that camera but, as I much as I love compact cameras with fixed lenses, I'd go to a Samsung NX mini. I have a film Samsung ECX-1, and although very good what makes me grab my Canon or Fujifilm cameras is because Samsung used to put too many functions. I liked the clouds in your photos.
I would like this camera a lot more than I do if the battery did not drain so fast. It drains even when the thing is switched off, meaning there is never any chance it is ready to use when I take it from the drawer. My even older Nikon Coolpix 8400 holds a charge better (another lovely camera).
I have an EX1 and loved It. Unfortunately the handgrip is now very sticky almost melting. Same with my NX30... very sticky grip and unpleasant to hold. My NX10/nx11 both still works fine and dont have that sticky rubber grip problem. Now I am using Sonys and Fujis.
The Schneider-Kreuznach name on the lens is 100% just marketing. I'm not sure who actually made this one - could be Tamron or Sankyo - but Samsung has quite the history of selling lenses labelled "Samsung Lens" in Korea, "Schneider-Kreuznach" in the rest of the world, and they were actually made by Pentax or others.
@@pixelpnutz1574 well you can buy compact cameras with the exact same Japanese-made lens with "Carl Zeiss" or "Leica" or "Canon lens" written on them, and it indeed works for those companies.
@@snappiness Yep. It was me. Mine doesn’t have a AF problem you mentioned but definitely the battery life problem. I think I have 3 spares because of that.
Had a look on Ebay, most of the TL500s are going for about USD300. I guess the handheld IR would be what would get me to buy one. There seem to be several other Samsung "TL" models available, some for much less than the TL500 - I wonder which of them would also do handheld IR. I'm also wondering how you managed to fit a filter on this camera. Are there filter threads on the lens? Don't see them.
There's a textured ring around the lens, and that unscrews uncovering a thread. From there you need to buy and attach a metal adapter that then allows filters to be attached. I have a little short video on this channel showing it briefly. The price of these seems to have shot up since this video. I don't know if I'd pay $300, since there are so many other good compact cameras in that price range! But it is still a good camera.
@@snappiness Sounds like the setup on my Canon G11, except with the G11 it seems to be a bayonet mount for the adapter. We've got a microscope here with a G10 attached to it via one of these adapters. The adapters are probably specific to a particular model or range of models.
I had this camera, got it when Samsung released it. Had great expectations but the slow focus speed and write speeds was a big bummer, rival cameras from Panasonic and Canon performed much better. I then switched to a canon s95 and then a s100, and also used a panasonic TZ for long zoom. Recently wanting to try some older cameras i got a canon G12, and i was surprised that when it was combined with an external flash that i could deliver some great photos.
You must be younger. I remember handling it every time I went into a Frys. I wanted it. But it ran more expensive new than similar cameras of the era. And the jpegs were universally considered terrible. So I never did it. Samsung really came out swinging in cameras, but gave up pretty quickly. It was probably a good business decision on their part. But a bummer not to see where they could have gone. They had good ideas.
The images I will say are nothing short of amazing, its a wonder why Samsung isn't a major competitor anymore. I'd love to get something like this but I like hauling my DSLR cameras with me, I have a Canon SX430 IS that takes really nice pictures but if you look closer at the images are very noisy and has no depth when it comes to objects. Either way, it's for the love of photography that we enjoy using cameras like this.
Yep, that's right! And in the same way - I usually have one pocket camera with me everywhere I go just for the convenience, but otherwise love my big cameras too :)
Pentax Q-S1 Mirrorless Digital Camera White With 5-15mm Lens Pentax Q10 Pentax mx-1 Olympus stylus 1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 ( 14-42mm Lens ) olympus pen e-pl6 Sadly these are only available for me, which one you would you recommend that is more fun and compact
I carry a Samsung nx mini in my pocket all the time. It is incredible although I need a 17 mm lens if anyone can send me one. Samsung leaving the camera industry was a terrible blow. They were ahead of their time.
The problem with samsung is that they had no excemptional feature to offer, they were great and balance but that's it. But I remember they have a expensive DSLR model that shoots awesome video quality. That's the only unit that makes me remember Samsung.
@@snappiness I love it. Some people might not like that their are no dials but the screen interface for settings is quick and easy. Unfortunately it was not popular so not a wide range of Samsung lenses. However they sell a bunch of adapters so you can put older lenses on including d-mount. Haven’t tried it yet but will one day.
@@prodj.mixapeofficial6431 I disagree but you are kind of making my point. They came up with the bsi cmos sensor. They’re cameras menus are better than all I’ve used. They also had innovative cameras like the nx mini which is smaller than an rx100 with a 1 inch 20 mp - Interchangeable lenses and a battery that gets well over 500 shots. I also love the image quality. If Nikon or canon had come up with the same camera the attention would have been overwhelming.
Am I the only one that didn't already know about this camera?? 😶
Never heard of it thanks for the video!
Yes your not special. They just tell you are It's a democratic thing 😂
Markuspix is a huge fan of all the Samsung cameras
This camera has all the bells and whistles for me: fully articulated screen, a fast lens, etc.. except the poor auto focus is a big let down 😅
@@kevinlui8601 The EX2 is slightly better for autofocus. It's still not perfect but it is supposed to be better and it has a f1.4 lens. If you can do without the hinged screen, you'd be better off with the MKi RX100. It can be had for about the same money (often less) and it has superb autofocus and a larger sensor.
I bought this camera several years ago and NEVER used it. It was on sale so I just took it, but since I have a bunch of higher end cameras I never used it. Now that I am older and do not feel like carying a ton of DSLR's and lenses I tend to use my phone more for taking shots, but a my mobile phone just does not make me feel creative. I am going to start using this, just because I is more creative and easy to always have in my backpack. It really is not about megapixels. I think it is often just how a camera makes me feel that will determine how I will use it.
I'm a casual photographer. And I have the Samsung EX2F in white color. It's an amazing camera, solid build quality. I bought it cheap about 5-6 years ago. I used it hard when I had to take a lot of macro pictures showing defects in printed circuit boards. No smartphone can compare it at macro pictures! Greetings from Colombia.
Yeah. That's another hidden gem. It's genuinely impressive and impossible to find these days.
is ex1 better for vlogging or the ex2f?
In 2015 I bought the Samsung NX 500 which is also a camera of high quality in the same class. It goes totally unnoticed. 28 megapixels APSC backlit sensor with killer image quality that rivals my Leica CL. This camera (20mm, f2.8 and 30mm f2.0 pancakes) will always stay with me until it dies. You are right, there are quite a few great cameras out there which don't get the credit they deserve.
I remember it's a DSLR? Samsung has one unit that were expensive but took really good quality videos.
@@prodj.mixapeofficial6431 The NX500 is mirror less, it's the NX1 that's the killer DSLR. However, they both share the same sensor as well as the autofocus system too I think. The NX500 is a superb mirrorless camera, one of the best at the time but like many Samsung cameras, it flew under the radar. There's still plenty out there but they're expensive, generally between £500 and £700 depending on lens and condition.
@@PaulWilkinson the NX1 is also a Mirrorless camera. Samsung never made DSLRs.
Fwiw leica cameras are no better than any other camera, you're paying for the name not the features or image quality and if anyone tried to even lie that the "leica has superior image quality" they're coping and lying as hard as possible
@@kei1309_ they produced few using the PK mount
Great review! There was a time that seemed everyone was making great cameras. 2010-2015 time seemed to be a sweet spot. These gems are still great as an additional pocket camera they work well, thanks for sharing!
Yep, I'd be happy with pretty much all the premium compact from that era... my GR spoils it for me though so I just stick with that one xD
I have this camera. I bought it the year it was released in South Korea and travelled with me for years. I love it and sometimes i still use it. It makes for a great street photography point and shoot with a really fast lens. It has great low light capabilities. The only issue I had back in the day was the lack of HD recording.
my first camera that I started shooting with was a little mirrorless samsung nx1000.(before people were really even using mirrorless cameras ) It was prob 2012 0r 13 but it was packed with features. you could change lenses, it had wifi, a close to apsc size sensor, and the colors and lenses were great. I hate that samsung's cameras never really caught on, bc theyre the ones making alot of these sensors anyway, and with the tech they have in the phone world, they had(have) the perfect opportunity to interweave physical and digital applications. they even had a few tries at an android powered camera. anyways, I could go on. lol. the nx series cameras are still worth taking a look at if you want something cheap to start with.
The extra reach, style and lens character of the MX-1 make it hard to beat for me personally. Though this camera does look really nice and one I wasn’t familiar with, thanks James
Your demo images are fantastic! I remember at the time Sony A 6000 cameras were released, Sampson equivalent cameras were more advance with IS and social media connections. Thanks for highlighting this hidden gem!
Thanks for watching! :D
Excited! I just picked one up on a decent deal. This looks like a fun camera to pocket!
After watching this video last year, I went in search of one but found the ex2f instead. I love it! thank you
I have the EX1 and agree that it is an excellent camera. I also have the Samsung converter that increases wide angle coverage to 18mm equivalent. Personally I have no issues with the focusing on my EX1 other than the focus icon when set to single setting could be smaller. Samsung also sold a clip on viewfinder but fixed at 24mm view. Be aware th some aftermarket batteries are rated less capacity than the original Samsung brand. Finally the video recording is ok for what it is but not HD. Also forgot to say filters can be attached with the suitable adapter.
I bought one of these new and still have it. I used to take it to daytime events. There's a clarity to how the lens renders that I find similar to my zeiss lenses. And the ccd sensor gives beautiful skin tones. It would be nice to see this camera get some love.
I'm also impressed with it. Great little camera.
I love this guy's reviews and presentation style
Interesting camera, I like the form factor, articulating screen and features.👍
Photos are incredible.
im getting one right now. In korea, Local used market (online app) this appeared as ex1. As soon as I saw it I jumped out of my bed and booked it!! almost same amount you paid for!! im so excited!!
I had one...best compact camera I ever owned.
Built like a tank too.
Great video! I have just got this camera. What a surprise that it does have a negative mode colour. You can preview film by selecting only white balance! Nice!🎉🎉🎉
Seriously tempted to try an Ex2 but I sadly have too many cameras and lenses to sell currently. Looks like a really fun camera.
One of my favorites, used it alot and still do.
i picked one ex2f up for my gf. only paid 75€ on ebay. very happy with the result. ofc its not the same as my x100v but as a starter a great cam, especially while out partying… gives a unique look. thank you for. your inspiration.
Wow I came here for the camera review istead I got really impressed and inspired by your street photography 🎉
Regards from Sweden
I have one of these tucked away. I really treasure it - of course, it doesn't compare in sharpness to modern cameras, but it feels like shooting an old Olympus half frame - similar results. It's solid and feels good to use. Yes - battery life - oh dear! I just think of it like film though - Like a half frame, you only get about 70 shots. So, be economical - take only what is necessary, and you'll love it.
I've bought a few like the LX3 etc. etc. from around that era and they are great knockabout cameras today for bright outdoor use. But try using them at a party or indoors/low light on the sly (basically when you don't want to be throwing a DSLR/flash around) and yeah they fall apart ISO/noise wise. There is a reason they have been left behind and forgotten.
Hi. I'm watching all your videos, I love that we agree on taking pictures with old digital cameras or one-shoot. it makes you a better photographer. And you are absolutely right using a camera that no one else is great, even when they see you taking pictures. I have a Sony FV like yours. One that drives people crazy when I take it out on the street is the Apple Quick take 100.
But my favorite rare camera by far is the Lytro Illum, get one and you will go crazy with it. It's a camera that takes pictures with light fields, it's made me learn photography all over again. In my Vero I have pictures I took with it last Day of the Dead. You will like it.
Just picked one up with some JJC accessories (CPL, ND, remote), can't wait to try it out!
Awesome!
@@snappiness thank you for making these videos and the database/forum. I've learned a lot already
Love the photo where your face reflection appears in the car headrest.
The flash performance looks amazing! And the RAW shots look super workable and detail-rich. Thank you for making these videos about legacy gear! I know it's an old joke to say "Oh since video X showed camera Y, prices on eBay have shot up 😢", but we genuinely need all the encouragement we can get to reduce e-waste and slow down the destruction of our planet 😅❤
I still keep the ex2. Its image is pretty good at iso80. And it has the best skin tone even in today's standard.
That pronunciation of schneider kreuznach made me clench my jaws.
Great video
Thanks for sticking it out anyway 🤣
Still have mine after all these years! Great Macro and Low Light! Been thinking of getting the EX2f as it has even better low light and also has FullHd video as well! Not easy to find in a good condition though! I don´t understand why they don´t make these compact low light/fast lense cameras anymore!?
One thing I've found about the TL500/EX1, theres no passthrough filter or IR filter on the sensor, this means that theres no conversion needed to use this as an infrared camera, so you can slap a filter on it and boom IR camera.
I wish I purchased this camera when it was available brand new but it was expensive too.
I had owned a few Samsung cameras from point and shoot to mirrorless.
I sold most of them on eBay but kept two on hand.
They are still working and online forums of these cameras are still active.
Samsung transferred their camera technology to mobile phones period.
You've got to try an OM tough TG series if you haven't yet. Fantastic compact point and shoots all around and you can shoot underwater!
I am surprised that you can still find the proprietary battery for this cam which is like 10 years old. I am even more surprised that the batteries still function after all these years.
The Samsung EX1 and the Ricoh GR are my all-time favorite compact cameras. I will never get rid of them.
I'm feeling the same way :)
No your not the only one aware of this camera. I almost bought it last year but picked up lens instead. I’m an Olympus fan so I bought the XZ-10 which is very pocketable and I love the lens setting dial. And yes you said Kreuznach wrong. I have family near Bad Kreuznach Germany. Love your show. Cheers from southern Georgian Bay Ontario Canada
That sounds like a great little camera! I am terrible at pronouncing words in my language, so I knew I was going to butcher it. I did look it up and listen to it but still couldn't make the right sounds xD That looks like a beautiful town!
@@snappiness the correct pronunciation for Zuiko is "Zwee-ko"
@@StephenStrangways wait, it's not japanese?
@@prodj.mixapeofficial6431 it is. In kanji it's 瑞光 and in katakana it's ズイコー
Nice look at this no longer forgotten camera.
I had the EX-2, a very nice camera, until i loaned it to someone and never saw it or them again . 🤷🏼♀️. Great video!
Aw man, too bad! It looks like a great camera!
@@snappiness The lens was very good.
Amazing review 👏
Unfortunately most youtubers are copying each other, that's why we can't find enough good pieces.
Anyway, thanks for your effort.
I don't have this camera in my country, so would you recommend panasonic lumix zs30 (tz40) for less than $100?!
I have the EX2F and love it. Made a video about it a few years ago called "The Greatest Camera You Never Knew About" (or something like that). I never tried the EX1, but I imagine it must be good.
I'll check it out! That's another camera I've been interested in.
I will be looking for one of these.. Thanks for the info
They aren't super rare, but they are uncommon. Don't bump into them too much, and when you do sometimes they're priced super high. I got lucky because I had set up a search alert just for "samsung camera" and that's what the seller chose to advertise, not the actual model number. ;)
Hi Steve. I have a very clean TL500/EX1 that I want to sell. If you are interested, we can figure out a way for me to send you pics and to discuss the price. Thanks.
I had an nx20 was pretty good I had a motherboard failure which was fixed under warranty then I sold it on. It had a great rear roating screen and loved the in body panoramic creation. But I tried a Canon 7d which felt much better for my needs
This could not come at a better time. I always carry with me my trusty Fujifilm X100S. I purchased the X100S new in 2014. I have carried that camera with me everywhere I went. Last year, I purchased a motorcycle and I have been touring Texas with it since.
One month ago, I unfortunately damaged the display of the X100S. It rubbed on a charger that I was carrying in the tail bag of my bag.
The Samsung seems to be perfect as the display can be stored unexposed.
The only unknown is if my post processing software can process Samsung's raw format images. I always shoot raw and never use any of the camera brands software gimmicks.
I have literally just bought one that was on ebay for less than £100 (UK) and I am very pleased with it.
Great find!
I picked up the ex2f after seeing this video. Amazing camera. No problems with the autofocus either.
Fantastic! That looks like a great camera too!
what to do to the rubbery holder? mine is like soft mushy texture now
Bought one in 2011 in silver. Still own it. In short, great image quality, horrible controls. Also bought a used Pentax MX-1 which has a slightly better image quality but a lot better controls and a battery which lasts a long time.
Dammit I just bought an EX2 after this video really looking forward to trying a compact camera with an F1.4 lens. Price was good and condition was mint.
Cool, you'll have to let me know how it goes! I've heard good things.
V good video, plz advice me any best used camera for video. Plz reply.
Nice review looks like a bargain. Your photos are very nice .
The EX2F was the premium compact I chased for quite a while, along with the MX-1 and the XZ-2. I could never decide which one to get, but I kept losing out on auction bids anyway. I think the EX2F has a deeper grip and it was a clear winner in terms of features. Samsung made great cameras while they were still in the business. Shame they exited.
It is a pity, and makes their cameras all the more interesting today. I have also had EX2F alerts for a while but haven't ever found something I wanted to bite on. Does seem cool though.
Hi Andrew.. I have a TL500/EX1 in very good condition which I would like to sell. I would be glad to send you pictures and discuss a price. Thanks.
@@marczekowski753 thanks, but it was the EX2F I wanted. It was the successor to the EX1.
I still keep my ex2 even I have sony a7. Ex2 produces the best skin tone not many cameras can match.
@@marczekowski753 Hey Mark, can you send me the pictures? I am interested in.
Interessting camera. I have the simpler Samsung ES15 only JPEG. It works very well and the pictures sooc are realy good.
With greetings from lower Bavaria :-).
Greetings, and thanks for watching! :)
Any camera sence 2012 for the most part is all most hobbiest need . My newest camera is my g9 even it's like 5 years old now my other are Nikon f5, d7100, Sony rx100 old g
Imho of these oldie premium compacts I think the Olympus XZ-1 is probably the best of them all, it's basically the same camera as the MX-1 but is much faster to operate, less heavy and less expensive
I do have an lx3 laying around somewhere, I tried to sell it a couple of years ago, and nobody was interested. Maybe I should try it out again, but I hate that there's no viewfinder. And, anyone who knows Rollei knows Schneider Kreuznach.
3:00... yes, it is marketing. Many "point and shoots" had mostly lenses produced by for example Canon, but branded with everything, from Leica to Zeiss etc.
I cant care less what brand is printed or engraved into a lens or camera. The build and image quality is what im looking for, no matter if its a russian, european, japenese or american lens.
Using Olympus XZ-2 quite frequently, Olympus Stylus1s too.. great compact cameras with cute lenses and raw.
But with 10mpix CCD it is rather competitor to Oly XZ-1 :)
I haven't tried the XZ series but seen enough about it to know it's a good one. The Stylus 1s I'm less familiar with.
Well you got the Schneider part right in the pronunciation, so better than you thought 😂 Also, isnt this camera capable of shooting infrared too? I read that in some descriptions on ebay
I haven't heard about that - there is an IR sensor in the front for a remote. I did google it just now and saw the EX2F had someone claiming it had a weak IR cut filter. I don't have the filter adapter, but might be worth trying to 3d print one for testing...
Ive got the Lumix LX3, also very nice. However my Lumix GM5 pared with the 14mm F2,5 is even smaller than those both. Nice review.
That GM5 sounds really nice! I've been playing with some of the tiny M4/3 lenses and have been loving it. I have the 14 2.5, the 20 1.7, 25 f1.7, any other compact lenses you'd recommend?
@@snappiness I also have 20mm 1,7; also the kit lens , which is as small as the 14mm one. I also bought the 42,5mm F1,7 specifically to use with the GM5 , for it's IOS and, thus one has the smallest travel kit with some ability to focus separation. Not recommended if youre using a lot of off camera flash photography, with its 1/50 flash sync .
I have the EX2F(2nd generation) and its great. It has the 1.4 aperture and 12mp BSI sensor which performs well up to ISO 800, usable at 1600.
Awesome. They are hard to find these days!
@@snappiness yes indeed. I got one in great condition.
I bought a new/unused ex2f for a month ago. A great camera, although for more serious shooting i take the sony rx100 or a slr.
The battery life span starts when it's made. The aftermarket batteries were probably made a long time ago as well, so their lifespan should be expected to be short.
There are a lot of fantastic old cameras such as : Fujifilm S200EXR, Panasonic Lumix FZ50, Sony DSC-R1, Fujifilm X-S1 , Samsung Pro815, Olympus E-20 . All of the have a bigger sensor than 1/2.33 of an inch and this translates to better image quality. I enjoyed them all while I had them,they are excellent cameras..
DSC R1 I have 2 and attachment x lens and other modern cameras this is my favourite but its too big so gets not used but I have 20x30 camvas prints that are stunning.
@@michaelwalsh7846 Do you have the wide and telephoto lens extensions?
@@invisiblespark I have 2 of the telephoto lenses I have never used .
You need the adapter which I have to mount the lens.
Had one years ago. It's was great apart from the time I accidentally set it to manual focus mode on holiday and didn't notice until I got home and everything was slightly out of focus as it still acted like it was in af mode. Can't remember why I sold it 🤔
Hahah, I have goof ups like this happen all the time xD
Hello James, great video as usual. This camera sounds like a genuine hidden gem. I would be interested in it but the dismal autofocus excludes it for me. What similar older camera (this style) would you suggest I research? Ricoh GR III is great but need to spend less $ as this is only a hobby for fun. Peace.
I've used the Pentax MX-1 and Panasonic LX series, those cameras you can also look into. I haven't used the Olympus XZ series, but those are fan favorites from what I hear. Of course an older GR would be my pick because I don't use zoom much and that lens is incredible, but you're looking at $300-400 for a used 2013 GR, which is more than these kinds of cameras go for.
@@snappiness Thanks James, Peace.
Sadly there's almost no EX1 posted on eBay, if anyone knows where I can get one of these cameras please tell me.
Invest in waist bag. Keys and phones are for pockets. Then get a Nikon V2 with built in flash and kit lens. (Same era) The sensor tech was purchased by Sony. Shoot RAW. Add a retro photo pack to your photo editor. 😁
Can you tell me if there is a 1/4" threaded hole so I could install an ARCA plate to install it in a clip on my belt?
Yes 👍 there is a standard tripod hole on the bottom
Samsung definitely made many competitive cameras, just shadowed by the Japanese giants! Thank you for reviewing this awesome little camera, love your videos!
7:15 mine drains the battery when turned off for a few hours, that might explain the average CIPA rating but overall short battery life
The EX range are fantastic little cameras. I've never owned either but I have borrowed the EX2 and I was pleasantly surprised by it They've been on my eBay wish list for some time now but the cost is too high for what it is, generally speaking, you'll be between £110 and £150 here in the UK and there's never many available. I'm curious, did you feel the standard JPEG had a warm tone to it? I have an Samsung NX200 and I've always loved the standard JPEG as it provides a slightly warm, orangish tinge to its image's, it's great for Autumn shots. You should look into the Samsung range of cameras, they were way ahead of there time, especially the NX1, it was and still is a beast of a camera!
Yeah I have looked into other Samsung cameras, we'll see if I ever pick one up. The NX200 looks nice. I don't really like the standard JPEG profile on this one - it seems too brown? But maybe I just didn't give it a fair enough chance before moving onto other profiles. Now those other profiles and RAW is all I use :D
Hi Paul. I have a TL500/EX in very good condition which I want to sell. I could send you pictures, and we can discuss a price. Thanks.
The Oly XZ-1 also has a F/1.8 lens with 10mp ......................................it's also a sleeper.
I thought a time about that camera but, as I much as I love compact cameras with fixed lenses, I'd go to a Samsung NX mini. I have a film Samsung ECX-1, and although very good what makes me grab my Canon or Fujifilm cameras is because Samsung used to put too many functions. I liked the clouds in your photos.
The NX mini looks super neat! Would be fun to try one day.
Really looks like the Olympus stylus xz1. (I like a lot)
This is like the third video I've seen talking about this camera.
It's a sign :O
I use it with an IR filter as it is possible to do handheld IR with this chip.
You're the second person to tell me this, so I'm rushing outside to try right now!
I would like this camera a lot more than I do if the battery did not drain so fast. It drains even when the thing is switched off, meaning there is never any chance it is ready to use when I take it from the drawer. My even older Nikon Coolpix 8400 holds a charge better (another lovely camera).
You have to try the Samsung NX mini with 1inch sensor or the NX 500, still top notch for IQ today
Yeah I'd love to. That system looks so fun.
Nice. Which one is your favorite and why?
I have an EX1 and loved It. Unfortunately the handgrip is now very sticky almost melting. Same with my NX30... very sticky grip and unpleasant to hold. My NX10/nx11 both still works fine and dont have that sticky rubber grip problem. Now I am using Sonys and Fujis.
Ah yes, I've had a few other old cameras have the rubber grip turn into sticky mush.
Highlights are easily blown out
The Schneider-Kreuznach name on the lens is 100% just marketing. I'm not sure who actually made this one - could be Tamron or Sankyo - but Samsung has quite the history of selling lenses labelled "Samsung Lens" in Korea, "Schneider-Kreuznach" in the rest of the world, and they were actually made by Pentax or others.
Samsung really thought that having a german gibberish put on their lens would have the same impact as sony does on their carl zeiss lenses.
@@pixelpnutz1574 well you can buy compact cameras with the exact same Japanese-made lens with "Carl Zeiss" or "Leica" or "Canon lens" written on them, and it indeed works for those companies.
Samsung's interchangeable lens APS-C models are a steal as well, NX series could be bought for peanuts 👌
They look very cool :)
You found one! Enjoy. I still use mine. Tremendous camera.
It was probably you who told me about it! :D It is really great. A sleeper for sure.
@@snappiness Yep. It was me. Mine doesn’t have a AF problem you mentioned but definitely the battery life problem. I think I have 3 spares because of that.
Had a look on Ebay, most of the TL500s are going for about USD300. I guess the handheld IR would be what would get me to buy one. There seem to be several other Samsung "TL" models available, some for much less than the TL500 - I wonder which of them would also do handheld IR. I'm also wondering how you managed to fit a filter on this camera. Are there filter threads on the lens? Don't see them.
There's a textured ring around the lens, and that unscrews uncovering a thread. From there you need to buy and attach a metal adapter that then allows filters to be attached. I have a little short video on this channel showing it briefly.
The price of these seems to have shot up since this video. I don't know if I'd pay $300, since there are so many other good compact cameras in that price range! But it is still a good camera.
@@snappiness Sounds like the setup on my Canon G11, except with the G11 it seems to be a bayonet mount for the adapter. We've got a microscope here with a G10 attached to it via one of these adapters. The adapters are probably specific to a particular model or range of models.
Good.
I had this camera, got it when Samsung released it. Had great expectations but the slow focus speed and write speeds was a big bummer, rival cameras from Panasonic and Canon performed much better. I then switched to a canon s95 and then a s100, and also used a panasonic TZ for long zoom. Recently wanting to try some older cameras i got a canon G12, and i was surprised that when it was combined with an external flash that i could deliver some great photos.
Nice. I have yet to try the G series, but I have been playing with a Nikon p7000 and really like it (a direct competitor)
You must be younger. I remember handling it every time I went into a Frys. I wanted it. But it ran more expensive new than similar cameras of the era. And the jpegs were universally considered terrible. So I never did it. Samsung really came out swinging in cameras, but gave up pretty quickly. It was probably a good business decision on their part. But a bummer not to see where they could have gone. They had good ideas.
P7000 vs TL500 vs XZ1 vs G12 vs LX5, which is best??
We want to see that 640 video 😁 just curious
The pictures look good and very sharp but the only gripe I have is the lack of a lense cover ??!!!
やばい、デザインが自分好み。買って使ってみたい
The images I will say are nothing short of amazing, its a wonder why Samsung isn't a major competitor anymore. I'd love to get something like this but I like hauling my DSLR cameras with me, I have a Canon SX430 IS that takes really nice pictures but if you look closer at the images are very noisy and has no depth when it comes to objects. Either way, it's for the love of photography that we enjoy using cameras like this.
Yep, that's right! And in the same way - I usually have one pocket camera with me everywhere I go just for the convenience, but otherwise love my big cameras too :)
@@snappiness Totally agree👍
Pentax Q-S1 Mirrorless Digital Camera White With 5-15mm Lens
Pentax Q10
Pentax mx-1
Olympus stylus 1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 ( 14-42mm Lens )
olympus pen e-pl6
Sadly these are only available for me, which one you would you recommend that is more fun and compact
Pentax MX1.
"now, you don't buy a camera for JPEG profiles"
*Fujifilm would want to know your location*
😬
Could it be used as a web cam as well?
I don't think so.
Welp, there go the low used prices! Lol. Just kidding. Thanks for introducing this little guy to me.
What’s the crop factor for this camera?
Great value camera
It's a 1/1.7" sensor, so I think something like 4.5x crop factor? The lens is equivalent to a 24-72mm in 35mm terms
@@snappiness thanks 🙏🏼
I carry a Samsung nx mini in my pocket all the time. It is incredible although I need a 17 mm lens if anyone can send me one. Samsung leaving the camera industry was a terrible blow. They were ahead of their time.
The problem with samsung is that they had no excemptional feature to offer, they were great and balance but that's it. But I remember they have a expensive DSLR model that shoots awesome video quality. That's the only unit that makes me remember Samsung.
That samsung nx mini looks so cool!
@@snappiness I love it. Some people might not like that their are no dials but the screen interface for settings is quick and easy. Unfortunately it was not popular so not a wide range of Samsung lenses. However they sell a bunch of adapters so you can put older lenses on including d-mount. Haven’t tried it yet but will one day.
@@prodj.mixapeofficial6431 I disagree but you are kind of making my point. They came up with the bsi cmos sensor. They’re cameras menus are better than all I’ve used. They also had innovative cameras like the nx mini which is smaller than an rx100 with a 1 inch 20 mp - Interchangeable lenses and a battery that gets well over 500 shots. I also love the image quality. If Nikon or canon had come up with the same camera the attention would have been overwhelming.
Since some weeks I posess the EX1. The EX2F is on the way. Which I should keep? Suggestions are welcome 👻👍🏻.
Hmm, well I have never tried the EX2F. You'll have to let me know how they compare for you.