Seven go shooting with Samsung at Stamford Bridge

Seven readers join ePHOTOzine and Samsung for an exclusive photo challenge at Chelsea Football Club using the Samsung NX10 system camera. This is the story of how our intrepid team got on, by our man on the spot, Will Cheung.
 

Our seven challengees relaxing after the challenge at Stamford Bridge witth Will Cheung at the back and Angela Warnes, PR for Samsung Digital Imaging on the right.

The Samsung NX10 is a mirrorless system camera based on a new lens mount and boasts a resolution of 12-megapixels. Camera design without having to consider a pentaprism has major benefit for the consumer, namely products can be made much smaller than conventional SLRs with reflex mirrors. 

Mirrorless DSLRs, also known as system or EVIL (electronic viewfinder, interchangeable lens), are big business with models like the Olympus Pen series, the Sony NEX system and Panasonic G series available on the market. The NX10 is Samsung’s first system camera and there is the promise of more bodies and lenses to come. Click here if you want to know more about the NX10.

ePHOTOzine tested the NX10 a few months ago and we liked it. Click here to read the full review.
The aim of this challenge was to give seven ePHOTOzine members the chance to try the Samsung NX10 for themselves, but rather than in a sterile situation we went for a shoot at Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea Football Club. Many of you probably know that Samsung is the shirt sponsor of Chelsea FC.

The day began with a briefing and refreshments at one of the exclusive executive suites. Paul Scott, product manager of Samsung cameras introduced everyone to the key features of the NX10 before everyone was equipped with one. It was a level playing field in that everyone had 15 minutes or so to learn about the camera.

The photographic aspect of the challenge was going to be a true test of the shooting skills of our seven members. For a start, there were restrictions on what could be shot. Also, the shots had to be taken during a guided tour around Stamford Bridge lasting 45 minutes at most. It was going to be challenging for photographer and camera alike.

To give the challenge a competitive edge, Samsung generously offered a NX10 camera and lens outfit worth £499 as a prize for the best picture taken on the day, as judged by Will Cheung and Angela Warnes and Paul Scott representing Samsung Cameras.

Let’s see how they got on.
 

John Starkey Supports: Manchester United Usual camera: Canon EOS 7D Favourite subject: Nature Favourite location: Cannock Chase Favourite photographer: Nick Brandt Best thing about ePHOTOzine: I just like it as a website but especially the critique and honest opinions Been an ePHOTOzine member for three months.

 

John's best pictures from the day. Click on the thumbnails for high resolution images.
“It is easy to handle and use. Also, I am not really an IT person but I found the Samsung NX10’s menu very easy to use. The monitor is excellent – I am long-sighted but I could see the NX10’s image without my glasses on.”

 

Barry Reid aka randomrubble Supports: Dundee Utd Usual camera: EOS 1DS Favourite subject: Architecture Favourite location: Dungeness Favourite photographer: Helene Benit Best thing about ePHOTOzine: The forums Joined ePHOTOzine six years ago.

 

Barry's best pictures from the day. Click on the thumbnails for high resolution images.
“The NX10 is a light, compact, portable camera. I would happily consider buying the NX10 and get an adaptor to use my old Canon FD lenses on it. I often look through the viewfinder without switching the camera on – but you can’t do that on the NX10 or on any EVF camera.”

 

Lisa Lobanova Supports: Chelsea Usual camera: Nikon D300 and D700 Favourite subject: Portraits Favourite location: Not really, you can shoot everywhere Favourite photographer: David LaChappelle Best thing about ePHOTOzine: The amount of feedback you get ePHOTOzine member for six months.

 

Lisa's best pictures from the day. Click on the thumbnails for high resolution images.
“I started using the Samsung NX10 in Smart mode but then decided to switch to manual exposure mode because I found changing apertures and shutter speed to be very fast. Handling is very good. "I liked the built-in image editing options that I think has potential and the multiple delete feature is useful too.”

 

	Clive Burrow Supports: Tottenham Hotspur Usual camera: Canon EOS 5D Favourite subject: Landscape Favourite location: On the coast, anywhere Favourite photographer: Anything that appeals to me Best thing about ePHOTOzine: The spirit you get when you go on a meet ePHOTOzine member for six years.

 

Clive's best pictures from the day. Click on the thumbnails for high resolution images.
“The Samsung NX10’s compact size means it is unobtrusive to carry around so it is a good alternative to when I do not want to carry my SLR around. The menu system is clear too. I would prefer the on/off switch to be on the back of the camera because that is what I am used to. “All in all, though, it is a nice camera and one you can carry with you everywhere.”

 

	Simon Anderson aka sitan1 Supports: No-one. I hated football because I was always put in goal at school Usual camera: Nikon D300S Favourite subject: Anything wide Favourite location: Dungeness Favourite photographer: I look at the pictures, not the photographers Best thing about ePHOTOzine: The informative, friendly forums and the critique gallery ePHOTOzine member for three years.

 

Simon's best pictures from the day. Click on the thumbnails for high resolution images.
“It’s small and compact; I reckon the NX10 is the ideal travel camera – or it makes a great back-up to my SLR when I don’t want to lug it around. I shot everything today with the 30mm f/2 pancake lens that I think is excellent. I prefer prime lenses anyway.”

 

	Paul Holder aka PHolder Supports: Chelsea Usual camera: Nikon D200 Favourite subject: Architecture Favourite location: London Favourite photographer: Roy Stuart Best thing about ePHOTOzine: The appraisal gallery, and I like the video techniques too ePHOTOzine member for two years.

 

Paul's best pictures from the day. Click on the thumbnails for high resolution images.
“I found the Samsung NX10 intuitive to use and the body had a solid feel; it doesn’t feel plasticky at all. The electronic viewfinder is good and the auto switchover from the back monitor works well. The live viewing image you get as settings are adjusted is handy too. “Low light performance seems very good and it is the sort of camera I would use for out and about photography.”

The winning image
With over 500 images to go through, judging took a little while but in the end the judges were unanimous in choosing Clive's well observed image (a close-up of a goal illustration) as the winner. Well done to him on winning and to everyone else for producing some excellent images. Clive won a Samsung NX10 and everyone else got a £20 voucher redeemable at the Chelsea FC store.
 

Clive's winning image, as judged by Will Cheung, Angela Warnes and Paul Scott representing Samsung Cameras. He won a Samsung NX10 camera and lens.

Thanks to Samsung for supplying 4GB SD cards for our shoot. See here for more information on Samsung's storage cards.