Samsung nx1 jerky movements

reem12

reem12

Veteran
I am on a gear purchasing rampage, due to some gigs I have coming up soon. The footage coming out of this Nx1 is nothing short of incredible when treated properly.

My main concern as I want to love and purchase this cam really bad, I just can't get around the severe jerky movements I've seen on 80% of all the videos I've watched from this cam with any movement. Can someone please tell me that whatever is causing it can be turned off inside the camera. This is the only thing stopping me from buying at this very moment, as I can deal with any and all other limitations of this cam to pounce around these type of images at such an affordable price.
 
All mirrorless cameras have this problem, and it can be turned off from *outside* the camera. Being so small and light, handheld is just not an option. You need some sort of rig. But it doesn't need to be big or expensive, this will do for up to 50mm FF-equivalent FoV.
 
It's really all about your support on the camera. You can handhold if you have the VR lenses, but otherwise with these small cameras you need shoulder rigs and tripods.

Here is a video I did with the NX1. Most of if with shoulder support and tripod.

https://vimeo.com/121208978
 
reem12 said:
My main concern as I want to love and purchase this cam really bad, I just can't get around the severe jerky movements I've seen on 80% of all the videos I've watched from this cam with any movement. Can someone please tell me that whatever is causing it can be turned off inside the camera. This is the only thing stopping me from buying at this very moment, as I can deal with any and all other limitations of this cam to pounce around these type of images at such an affordable price.
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Like Lobbamobba said, examples would help us help you.

In the absence of those, I've noticed that it seems the majority of the videos that I've seen so far have had some combination of 4K, handheld, and non-stabilized lenses. That combination would be absolutely deadly in this camera if rolling shutter bothers you. It bothers me, and I can tell you from firsthand experience that rolling shutter + handheld + non-IS lenses can produce some very disappointing results. In my case it was a GH2, and the RS numbers on this camera (in 4K modes) are worse than that.

My recommendation if you want to shoot 4K with it would be to get the Samsung stabilized lenses and avoid handheld if possible. Otherwise shoot in 1080P, where this camera has the best RS numbers and everything will be fine. Whatever you do, make sure to test, test, test before your gig.

I'm considering this camera as well, and plan to do my own tests before I buy. Good luck.
 
When you guys talk about "handheld", do you mean just holding the camera in your hands? I think any DSLR form factor camera is gonna look like ass in that situation.

You don't need stabilization with a good shoulder mount - but you do need practice, and don't expect miracles shooting at 70mm or longer. You do need practice to move smoothly and control your body, down to your breathing. And stabilization sure is nice in those situations.

That said, "handheld" should be a look that the scene needs... watch something like "Run Lola Run" and look for the handheld shots - they're designed for scenes that need to seem a little emotionally unhinged or intense or "anything can happen". Handheld is about story and shot design, not about "I can't afford a tripod".

If you're in a shooting situation that demands handheld or shoulder mount - then you're talking events, parts of weddings, news, unrehearsed grab-shots where you have only one shot at getting the shot - an NX1 or DSLR or BMC isn't the right camera. You might consider a "video" or broadcast camera with OIS, ND, power zoom, etc.

A lot of guys say "well, I'm a run & gun shooter" but run & gun is not a style - it's a situation. A situation that requires its own approach. (A lot of "I'm a run & gun guy" shooters? They're just guys that don't own a tripod with a good head...)
 
Yes, that's what I meant, and yes, any DSLR is going to look bad in that situation, but the tiny mirrorless cameras without a loupe you can press firmly against your head are even worse than, say, my old T2i.

I completely aggree with your talk about handheld being either motivated by the scene or mandated by the situation. I think of myself as a run and gun shooter, but just because 90% of the time I'm in that situation that you described. I can also use a tripod and a slider, and I love it when I have the time to set them up and use them.
 
I have noticed the rapid camera jerkiness too. I'd read that it might be the result of the autofocus switching in the middle of a shot. Supposedly it adjusts very quickly, to the point of "jerkiness." FWIW, one post somewhere even mentioned that it might be changed/fixed in a software update.
 
I would also suggest shooting in UHD, the rolling shutter is much better in UHD compared to the full 4K, also the NX1 has the best rolling shutter in 1080 out of all the cameras in its range with the new firmware updates.
 
Nyvideo I think I would agree with you. I should of been more specific in my original post. I have not been seeing it as much lately, but it is not rolling shutter I am referring to. it looks like something is happening with movement internally. so the twitching i've been seeing is more than likely due to the auto focusing. This is a big relief as I am about to place an order for theta beast. The images are just undeniable.
 
reem12,

If you have time, I know I would like to hear your thoughts on the camera. I assume others might too. Also, if you have a few minutes to try the camera when the autofocus is off, I'd like to hear if that makes the issue you're noticing disappear.

I'm planning to move to the DSLR realm from Panasonic's old AG-HMC40 camcorder. I've got an investment in set lighting gear, audio, and other items, but nothing in the way of lenses so I don't have much sunk cost in the way of gear. The GH4 is an amazingly good camera and if I'd been in the market last year, it would probably have been in my hands now. This Samsung -- even with its extremely limited lens selection, the H.265 codec, its only partially articulating LCD, and some apparent issues with higher ISOs in low light -- has produced stunning footage. With Samsung sending out updates to the software on a relatively frequent basis, it looks like they are going to stand behind the thing and make it a competitive camera. I'd like to see more lenses and other gear made available for it, but it looks like it's a contender!
 
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I haven't noticed the jerkiness - if its not rolling shutter - when shooting with the NX1/16-50s combo. I mostly use MF, the only time I use AF is to get my initial focus, then I go manual the rest of the way. The NX1 is a beast of a camera, I'm so impressed I sold my A7s almost immediately after getting it.
 
nyvideo said:
reem12,

If you have time, I know I would like to hear your thoughts on the camera. I assume others might too. Also, if you have a few minutes to try the camera when the autofocus is off, I'd like to hear if that makes the issue you're noticing disappear.

I'm planning to move to the DSLR realm from Panasonic's old AG-HMC40 camcorder. I've got an investment in set lighting gear, audio, and other items, but nothing in the way of lenses so I don't have much sunk cost in the way of gear. The GH4 is an amazingly good camera and if I'd been in the market last year, it would probably have been in my hands now. This Samsung -- even with its extremely limited lens selection, the H.265 codec, its only partially articulating LCD, and some apparent issues with higher ISOs in low light -- has produced stunning footage. With Samsung sending out updates to the software on a relatively frequent basis, it looks like they are going to stand behind the thing and make it a competitive camera. I'd like to see more lenses and other gear made available for it, but it looks like it's a contender!
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I've been shooting corporate video and "artsy" stuff for about 5 years now (after 15 years of stills) and I've never, ever, not once, used AF for anything but setting an initial focus point, and then only on a crane or steadicam. Some people say the touch-and-track style focusing of the NX1 is smooth enough for pro use, but... man, I dunno...

As for limited lens selection... you can stick a lot of lenses on that mount. If you're not relying on autofocus and auto exposure (never once have set a motion camera to "auto" either), you've got a world of glass out there.

if you need stabilization for a particular shot, the available NX1 glass could have you covered. (Though I wonder if the jerkiness people are discussing could be Samsung's IS? Maybe it's optimized for stills?)
 
reem12 said:
Nyvideo I think I would agree with you. I should of been more specific in my original post. I have not been seeing it as much lately, but it is not rolling shutter I am referring to. it looks like something is happening with movement internally. so the twitching i've been seeing is more than likely due to the auto focusing. This is a big relief as I am about to place an order for theta beast. The images are just undeniable.
Click to expand...

If its not the rolling shutter, in the menu change the AF settings so that its slower when it changes the AF, it will look smoother and not jerk as bad.
 
Michael Carter said:
I've never, ever, not once, used AF for anything but setting an initial focus point.
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Same here, even with a Sony EX3 years ago with much better autofocus than any DSLR it still mucked up every shot. I use auto focus before rolling to get locked on a target then manual focus on the action. Only way to get what you want. Cameras have computers, humans have brains, some anyway.
 
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I'm not an AF user either, but the NX1 has in-sensor phase detect AF (209 points), and it seems to work really, really well in video mode. Test.
No idea if it can use face-detect or something like that so you can tell it what you want, or it just makes its own guess. But with phase-detect, it focuses correctly and with no hunting at whatever object it wants to focus.
 
I use the touch screen focus a lot, just tap the screen over someone's eye and it locks almost instantly. I've zoomed in a number of times to check for accuracy and its been spot on 100% of the time. I don't check anymore and I haven't had any issues - and I'm shooting in 4k. The rack focus - when set to the slowest speed - works great too, doesn't have the camcorder hunting look. Its very smooth, freaking brilliant really. Canon's dual pixel AF is just as good. AF has come a long way since the EX3. I understand some will never trust it, for me its just another tool at my disposal and it works really well - especially for run-and-gun stuff.
 
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