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Hi,
I dived in a little recklessly thinking that the GX10 reviews said it all - same hardware as the K10D with a nice saving and (in some cases) a three year warantee.
Aside from the DNG files that are not yet recognised by iPhoto or Aperture (and DNG is the only option with the GX10) and the fact that although osX support is listed the Samsung RAW converter is windows only, there is also the issue of firmware updates.
I'm a little nervous.
Don't be afraid :)
Apple is preparing update for Aperture to support Samsung DSLRs:
http://pentaxlife.com/apple-aperture-update-for-pentax-and-samsung-raw
I guess, iPhoto update will follow.
Also, rumors are floating around that Samsung is going to roll out GX-10 firmware update in April. It will contain all the features of K10D's updates version 1.10 and 1.11.
Nice one Vitali - just read the news.
I hope they keep it up :)
DPreview user Sylwiusz said: "I've got GX-10 for tests and no, 10.4.9 won't recognize its RAW (DNG) files."
The other people tested todays OSX update 10.4.9 and found that Pentax *istDS2 is not supported (so no support for Samsung GX-1S).
Thanks Vitali,
I guess I'll go with Lightroom until I get an Intel machine.
I'm mainly concerned about firmware currency in the long term - Samsung don't seem to be great in this department but I guess time'll tell.
Samsung will ask you to bring your camera to the nearest service center to upgrade the firmware. The will not post the updates on their website.
This's not what I'd call a convenient solution. Can you tell me do they have a reason for this?
In so far as it's bound to be pure speculation, do you think there may be some way to flash samsung cameras to the equivalent Pentax firmware? It may well not be an ideal solution but I'm just wondering about my options in the long term.
Can you tell me do they have a reason for this?
I don't know... Samsung is a big corporation with their own traditions. They have one of the world widest network of service centers. May be later, by popular demand, they will allow their users to download and install updates by themselves.
do you think there may be some way to flash samsung cameras to the equivalent Pentax firmware?
While K10D and GX10 are sharing the same mechanics and electronics, software are still slightly different. So I doubt it will be easy.
Having bought my GX-10 a couple of weeks ago I don't really need a firmware upgrade but I thought I'd ask Samsung UK when it might be available.
The answer I received was basically there are no upgrades yet. Which is what I knew hence asking when.
Have contacted them again but it doesn't fill you with a huge amount of confidence. I suppose that's what you get buying a consumer item rather than the more expensive piece of photographic equipment. I'll keep you informed of any progress.
Just for info the Samsung customer service dept is outsourced to a company called Call Centre Nucleus, based in South Africa. Most of their client list appear to be motor manufacturers.
Have heard from Samsung again.
I would like to tell you that they said "We currently have no time frame available for our firmware upgrade for the GX10, possibly it could be available in a month or two" but I am unable to because they also state "The Information in this email is confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended solely for the addressee."
Thanks Keith.
I'm happy with the camera but it's looking as though a saving of around a hundred bucks is gonna cause me plenty of headaches down the road.
Live and learn.
Hi Ojay
I'm also very happy as I too saved money - about £100.
What's more the camera currently does everything I want and a whole load more. I was being slightly mischievous when I contacted Samsung. After all, do I really need wireless flash? If I could afford the gear for that I would have bought a K10D anyway. It's just that there might be the odd tweak that might one day be useful. So in reality I'm not that concerned that Pentax might issue a firmware upgrade every month or so whereas Samsung do it maybe once a year. As long as nothing important gets left out of the upgrade I reckon I'll be happy. But I think I'll have to wind Samsung up over their claim that the GX-10 is a professional camera - not without regular firmware upgrades it isn't!
Happy snapping
Keith
Thank you for information, Keith.
Samsung is sharing the same production lines with Pentax. They are concentrated on GX10 and lenses production now.
I agree that the camera can't be professional without proper support, but I believe that Samsung will figure this out in the nearest future, when they make enough GX10s.
Hi,
I have a problem with my GX10. Frome time to time, my camera freez and i can't do anything. I have to remove the battery and restart the camera. Does anybody has this problem ? And what can i do for that ? Send it to the Digital Camera Repair Department or in a shop in Glasgow (i leave here). The fact is that i bought it in france and now i leave in glasgow...
I have another question : Does the Pentax BG2 Battery Grip fit on the GX10 ?
Thank you
Sorry for my English
Hi
Haven't had that (or any) problem with my GX-10 but it is still quite new. Not sure about the warranty but you could email Samsung and ask what to do. If you know of a camera shop locally that:
a) sells the Samsung; and
b) does repairs
you could ask them as well.
With regard to the battery grip, I have seen someone in another forum claim that the grip does work with the GX-10 but I'd check that personally if you can. Certainly another email to Samsung would be needed to ensure that it doesn't invalidate the warranty.
Good luck
Keith
BTW your English is a whole lot better than my French (I am assuming that you are French as you bought your camera there. And if you are not French then your English is definitely better than my grasp of any other language - except maybe American???))
Does the Pentax BG2 Battery Grip fit on the GX10?
Yes. As well as all other accessories, lenses, flashes, etc.
Good news about GX10 firmware update
Today on the dcresource.com main page the following line appeared: Waiting for the firmware upgrade that will bring the GX-10 up to par with the K10D -- it should be out any day.
Many thanks for your answers.
I'll check if a shop sells Samsung DSLR in glasgow...
Samsung service center in UK:
Customer care hot line: 00800 12263727
Service hotline: 01932 455320
Thank you very mutch !
Excellent, thanks for the link.
I notice that it is only on the .com site and not .co.uk site. I assume that it's OK to upgrade a UK camera, but I have asked their support people the question - see what they say.
BTW how did you find the link? It doesn't seem to be that well advertised.
I found the link on a french topic. I changed the firmware on my "french" gx10 and everything is ok, the language is still french. It works !! But it's true that it's not well advertise...
Thank you for the link, 1r2R1.
keithw, it's OK to upgrade GX-10 bought in any country - firmwares are all the same.
I assumed it would be OK but just thought I'd check :-)
Also heard back from Samsung this morning:
"The firmware upgrade available from Samsung.com for the GX-10 is an international upgrade and can be used in the UK."
It also looks as if Samsung's ver 1.11 is almost the same as Pentax's ver 1.10 which is a bit confusing. Samsung appear to have left out the following from the Pentax ver1.10:
# Corrected an issue in some rare cases where a long exposure might produce a vertical stripe.
# Corrected an issue where the battery charge indicator would sometimes show empty in bulb exposure mode.
At least there is no mention of these on the Samsung site.
Lkewise no mention of the Pentax ver1.11 changes:
* Improved multiple exposure function when shooting in RAW.
* Corrected an issue with luminescence control and trailing shutter curtain sync when using the built-in flash.
Right I'm going to update my firmware (OK so I'll do it later as I am supposed to be working hard at the moment!!!)
It seems that for some reason they haven't mentioned bug fixes in their change log.
We'd love to hear your impressions on upgraded GX10 :)
About the Pentax BG2 Battery Grip :
this grip doesn't fit to the gx10 ! A french guy bought it and he has been forced to adjust with a "knife" to plug it. I can send you the pictures if you want.
I asked samsung if they will made their own one.
I've just receive their answer :
"One would be able to enquire about this information from our Samsung Parts and Accessories Department, please do not hesitate to contact them on 01932 796 449."
If someone can call them because my english is not easy by phone.
Thanks
Have just left a message on their answerphone.
Will let you know what they say.
Keith
Ok, thanks !
this grip doesn't fit to the gx10 ! A french guy bought it and he has been forced to adjust with a "knife" to plug it. I can send you the pictures if you want.
Hmm... that's weird and quite disappointing.
Does the grip's buttons work after "adjustment"?
yes everything is working
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