Schneider-Kreuznach,
one of the best known names in large format camera lenses, and the parent
company of B+W filters.
However,
aside from the impressive name on the lens, the Samsung 350 SE is quite
a straightforward camera. A Mode Dial with the shutter release
in the middle is the only control on the top, along with a small microphone
and speaker. The Mode Dial provides the access to the camera modes:
Still
Image
Playback
Night
Scene
PC
Mode
Movie
Clip
Setup
Mode
The
back of the 350 SE is almost as simple, offering easily mastered controls
which are clearly labeled using standard icons, and a red Power button.
Starting with the zoom control, on the upper right side, the labels identify:
Thumbnail
display in Playback. Up to 9 images can be displayed on the screen.
Magnification
of an image, also in Playback. Up to 5X for a large image.
Turns
the LCD screen on and off, and also can be used to display image
information, including shooting date in Playback.
Calls
up the Menu.
The
Focus button, cycles through Macro (20 to 80 cm), Fixed Focus (Manual
focus) accessed by holding the button for 2 seconds, provides Infinity
(Landscape), or 2.5 m and 1.0 metre. In Playback the button allows
Deleting images.
The
other controls are incorporated as part of the 4-direction control on
the right of the 1.5 inch LCD screen.
Flash
Modes: Auto, Auto with Red-eye reduction, Slow Synchro, Fill
Flash, Forced Off.
Microphone
function: records a 10 second sound. Sound recording can be
done immediately post capture, or when an image is displayed in
Playback.
Self
timer: provides a 10 second delay before the image is captured.
And
Play or Pause in the Playback mode when a movie clip, a slide show,
or a sound are being played back.
The simplicity of use of the Samsung 350SE is probably one of its strengths.
This is a camera that requires only a few minutes to become "familiar";
and one which aside from a power button that is a bit too easy to turn
on accidentally while using the camera, has a good ergonomic design. The
other side of the coin is the camera's slow response time.
Whether
starting, storing, accessing the menu, or making a change to a setting,
the 350SE is quite slow in comparison to others with similar capabilities.
