Samsung AF Slim – one roll review

By Hamish Gill

The Samsung AF Slim is quite an uncommon camera. I’d been keeping an eye out for them onfor one for quite some time when I eventually bought mine. £14 I paid for it, which seemed like a good price to me – though I had no point of reference for comparison. Good or bad, I was very pleased I’d got one… Well, I was pleased until it turned up at my office half smashed.

The chap who sent it just put it in an envelope with barely enough tape to keep it inside. The envelope had ripped and the camera strap was hanging out of the hole. Fortunately it was in a camera case, else I think the damage to the camera would have been fatal. It wasn’t fatal, though the condition was far from what had been described and what I’d seen in the pictures in the listing. At some point in transit it must have taken a bash or two as the viewfinder window was cracked and the back door of the camera would no longer click shut properly. Still, with a battery inside it whirred (quite loudly) to life, so sod it I thought, I might as well give it a run.

_DSC1353

The Samsung AF Slim

People frequently comment when they look at this camera that it appears to be a Konica Big Mini. I’m not convinced myself – not by half. For a start, the features list is very different, and actually the way it feels and works in use is different too (I will come back to this in a mo). That being said, there is one glaring similarity. The lens of the Big Mini is a 35mm f/3.5, and so is that of the Samsung AF Slim. “So what” I hear you say “loads of camera like this have a lens of that spec”. This is true, but not many focus quite as close as this one, and this close focusing is a feature shared specifically with the Konica Big Mini.

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To be honest, I’m not really sure how much I care if it is the same lens or not. The big mini has a great lens, there is no doubting that, but then, so do many other 35mm point & shoot cameras. There is no denying that lens is a very important piece of the puzzle, but if the camera turned out to be as annoying to use as the big mini, it wouldn’t matter how good the lens was, I wasn’t going to be a fan. I know people love the Big Mini, but personally I don’t like it – I just don’t find it that great in use.

The Samsung AF Slim in use

The Samsung on the other hand, feels fairly decent in use. For a start, the viewfinder is ok, not amazing, but ok. With the camera to the eye though the user experience is improved further by its good use of LEDs. At the point of half press there is a little red light and a little green LED by the viewfinder. An illuminated red light tells you if the flash is going to fire, or if the flash is switched off, it flashes to warn you that it’s going to use a slower shutter speed instead of flash. The green LED has three states. Solid lit means focus obtained, slow flashing means close focus obtained and fast flashing means focus not obtained.

Where the Samsung AF Slim really differs from the Konica is that regardless of focused state – even if focus hasn’t been obtained – it will still take the shot upon full press. If the Konica doesn’t focus it just does nothing – combine this with an ineffectual feeling shutter button and you have a camera that feels unpleasant to use. The Samsung AF Slim is different, for a start there is a positive half press, which is enough to elevate it above the Big Mini alone. Beyond that though, it also appears to have a default focus distance. This means that if it can’t get focus, it will still fire to a preset distance. This might not suit everyone, as of course it might result in the odd missed focus shot. For my tastes though, a key factor in a good point & shoot is the feeling that it’s responding to me – the Konica lacks that feeling whereas the Samsung AF Slim feels pretty responsive.

Incidentally, this is the Big mini I have used, if anyone can enlighten me to a version that has a more clicky feeling button and a default focus distance I’m all ears…

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The noise

Not is all a bed of roses for the Samsung AF Slim though. Whilst it does have responsiveness over the Big Mini, it still has flaws of its own. The first is the noise it makes. Once the button is fully pressed the lens mechanism kicks into action and moves the lens into the position required for focus. Unfortunately the noise it makes is far from discrete – nor in fact is the film advance. I have heard louder cameras, but this is definitely one of the more screechy sounding cameras I’ve used.

Controlling the camera

The noise is by no means it’s only flaw either. As with almost all compact cameras there is no memory of selected settings when the camera is switched off. This is par for the course with this sort of camera, so whilst frustrating in itself, it’s hard to pin too much negativity to it for this issue. What matters is how the camera works around this issue.

The big deal with this lack of flash memory in cameras is that it creates the issue of the camera not being prepared for the shot if your preference is to never use the flash. There are two paths to this problem being overcome in this type of camera. The first is switching the flash off each time you switch the camera on. The second is just leaving the camera switched on all the time. This camera does well on the first count, as you only need to press the flash button twice to turn it off. Unfortunately it also has an automatic power down after only a few minutes – meaning if you like to shoot with the flash switched off, you’re going to be pressing that flash off button a fair amount.

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Other modes

As mentioned earlier on in the post, the Samsung AF slim has a very different feature set to the Konica Big Mini. Possibly my favourite function (or lack of function) is the simple auto, on, off flash modes. I don’t use a flash much so limited flash function appeals to me. Beyond the flash modes it also has a series of other potentially interesting, or possibly somewhat novelty functions.

Press the mode button once and you get backlight compensation. This is definitely handy. From this point on, the more times you press the mode button, the less useful the modes become. Press it once more and you get the self timer. Press it again and there is a double shot self timer. This is followed by continuous shooting mode, then bulb mode, then 3 interval timer modes. Finally, we flip back to the potentially useful again with a mid roll rewind mode. I didn’t use any of these, and probably wouldn’t that often – but of course, your mileage may vary.

The photos

Of course all this would be moot if the Samsung AF Slim didn’t take a good photo. Thankfully it does – in fact I was completely blown away by the results. For a start it seems to have a propensity toward using a wider aperture and faster shutter speed in slightly lower light circumstances. This is always a positive for me as significantly reduces the chance of motion blur in the results – something I didn’t see in any of my photos. Additionally it’s autofocus didn’t fail me once, and that’s despite me taking lots of close up portraits of my kids in a bid to take advantage of its close focusing.

Snapped with the Samsung AF Slim

Snapped with the Samsung AF Slim

Snapped with the Samsung AF Slim

Beyond the function of the camera though the lens is also clearly of a very high quality. I admit there is a little flare in a couple of my shots – the flare in this next shots for example is just odd – though it could be a light leak I guess…

Snapped with the Samsung AF Slim

Snapped with the Samsung AF Slim

And of course there is a bit of a vignette.

Snapped with the Samsung AF Slim

Snapped with the Samsung AF Slim

Snapped with the Samsung AF Slim

Other than that though, I really can’t fault it. It’s a sharp as any lens in this type of camera could ever need to be, and it doesn’t distort in any meaningful way. I won’t waffle on, just look at the pictures…

Snapped with the Samsung AF Slim

Snapped with the Samsung AF Slim

Snapped with the Samsung AF Slim

Snapped with the Samsung AF Slim

Snapped with the Samsung AF Slim

Conclusions

I must admit, my experience of this camera was somewhat tainted by it arriving in my possession broken. Fortunately the ways in which it is broken didn’t too strongly detract from my shooting experience, at least not in the same way that shooting a broken Nikon L35AF did. The other thing that didn’t detract from the experience was, well, pretty much the rest of the camera. It’s noise is definitely less than ideal, and of course a perfect world it would remember that I wanted to keep the flash switch off all the time. But this is no perfect world, far from it, and when shooting point & shoot cameras that was bought off eBay for £14 there should always be some acceptance of compromise.

In fact, the biggest flaw this camera has is it not being more common. Though – inverse to the normal rules of rarities – I would expect that it if was more common it would command a higher price tag in the way the likes of the Big Mini and indeed Olympus mju-ii etc do. As it stands, these cameras are not very common at all, and so very few people have raved about them on the Internet in the way I am now. As such the price of them hasn’t sky rocketed in the same way as it has with cameras like the mju-ii.

My advice is this: If you spot one of these cameras – probably at a charity shop or car boot – don’t hesitate in picking it up. Stick a battery in it, load it with a roll of film, grit your teeth when you hear that lens move, but ultimately enjoy the wonderful photos the Samsung AF Slim takes!

Cheers for reading

You can find more of my photos here

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About The Author

By Hamish Gill
I started taking photos at the age of 9. Since then I've taken photos for a hobby, sold cameras for a living, and for a little more than decade I've been a professional photographer and, of course, weekly contributor to 35mmc.
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Comments

Terry B on Samsung AF Slim – one roll review

Comment posted: 04/06/2016

C'mon, Hamish. Come clean. You really didn't take these pics with a smashed-up Samsung, did you? Only kidding. This is one helluva camera if all you want is a relatively simple point and shoot. I'm truly amazed at the results you've posted here, especially the shot of your daughter walking towards the road junction. The camera has handled the exposure extremely well, IMO.
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Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 04/06/2016

Crackers isn't it! It's definitely up there - specifically in terms of output - with the best of the compacts I've reviewed!

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jeremy north on Samsung AF Slim – one roll review

Comment posted: 05/06/2016

I have to agree with both you and Terry B. Amazing results!

Now you can send it back, get a refund and buy one in good condition.
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Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 05/06/2016

Funny you mention that, it's something I forgot to say in the post. The guy I bought it off just gave me my money back and told me to keep the camera

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jeremy north replied:

Comment posted: 05/06/2016

Result! There's no bargain like a freebie. Would you consider converting the lens for use on one of your Leicas?

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Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 05/06/2016

It would be harder than some of the others, as the aperture and shutter are internal to the lens rather than behind it

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Christos Theofilogiannakos on Samsung AF Slim – one roll review

Comment posted: 06/06/2016

Truly amazing lens performance for a P&S, esp. the indoor shots.
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Davis Lam on Samsung AF Slim – one roll review

Comment posted: 06/06/2016

Thanks for the review.

I've a Nikon AF600, which looks a bit similar. But I'm actually going to give this to my younger brother because he wants to shoot film this summer. So that's why I was looking for an alternative and I think this Samsung camera matches it quite well.
I just found one in nice condition here in Belgium for €20, shipping included. I'm sure the price will skyrocket from now on, because of this review...
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Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 06/06/2016

The Nikon AF600 is another absolute gem, and also quite hard to find. Enjoy the Samsung!

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Nai on Samsung AF Slim – one roll review

Comment posted: 27/06/2016

Hello Hamish,

Do you know how to use the macro mode? It doesn't seem to function at all, and I couldn't find it in the "MODE" button.
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Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 27/06/2016

It's automatic - put the camera closer to the subject and it will closer focus

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Nai replied:

Comment posted: 27/06/2016

Thanks :) Just came back to say that I also found the answer on Dan James' flickr page https://www.flickr.com/photos/danjamesphotography/15094402308

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Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 27/06/2016

cool

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Mateo Rodriguez on Samsung AF Slim – one roll review

Comment posted: 10/09/2016

I need this camera but can't find one anywhere.
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Tarjei on Samsung AF Slim – one roll review

Comment posted: 07/12/2016

This review did cost me NOK 300... Hopefully I will use the AF Slim for more than one roll of film.

Has anyone found an online manual for this camera?
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Marco Andrés replied:

Comment posted: 07/12/2016

There is manual for Samsung AF-Slim Zoom / Zoom 70S, Slim Zoom 70G on the Butkus website, a source for a large number of camera manuals. http://www.cameramanuals.org/samsung/samsung_70xl.pdf

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Ryan Bartolo on Samsung AF Slim – one roll review

Comment posted: 02/01/2017

Nice camera Hamish, I own the Olympus Trip AF mini. The Samsung reminds me of it.
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Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 02/01/2017

They have that similar lens housing - is it any good?

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Frankie replied:

Comment posted: 02/01/2017

I own Olympus Trip AF mini too. Great camera.

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JOSE CANEDA on Samsung AF Slim – one roll review

Comment posted: 23/01/2017

The lens is a 35 mm f/3.5 comprising four elements. Shutter speeds go to 1/500 second. A 180-zone active infrared focusing system. Assures perfect sharpness at all distances down to 13 inches. The DX program covers film speeds as high as ISO 3200.
As the Samsung advertisings said "You can't always carry your SLR with you -but you can carry the AF-Slim"
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Casey on Samsung AF Slim – one roll review

Comment posted: 08/04/2017

These are amazing, how'd you upload the pictures so clear? Did you use a scanner?
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Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 08/04/2017

Yes, the images are scanned from the negative

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Mik on Samsung AF Slim – one roll review

Comment posted: 27/04/2017

Just found one of these on Etsy for $40 and snatched it quick. The next one I came across was $120. The price is going up before our eyes!
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Tim Brown replied:

Comment posted: 27/04/2017

2 years after your post and I was unsuccessful in even finding one of these after a few months of searching. I finally found one in stock online at a film store in Paris. It was going for €99 an additional €24 to ship it to the USA! Even at ~ $136, it was a no brainer to order it. The camera is super hard to find, online at least, and I can see myself always having it in my pocket unlike a lot of other P&S cameras that I've considered getting.

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Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 27/04/2017

Can I ask - what made you comment here? I had two comments on this old post within minutes of each other ... crazy coincidence, or something else?

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5 Frames with... #90: a Samsung AF Slim - 35mmc on Samsung AF Slim – one roll review

Comment posted: 31/01/2018

[…] You can find the full review here […]
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The Rollei Prego AF - a gem, provided you don’t drop it... - 35mmc on Samsung AF Slim – one roll review

Comment posted: 11/11/2018

[…] wasn’t called a Rollei Prego AF, it was called a Samsung AF Slim –  I reviewed the Samsung here. These two camera are – at least as far as I can tell – identical. Interestingly, on […]
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Gordie on Samsung AF Slim – one roll review

Comment posted: 02/12/2018

Just shot my first roll on one and sending it off for processing - Bating my breath as it came with a spot on the lens (so got it under £15), am keeping fingers crossed it won't mess noticeably with the image...Also got a slightly garish white version with gold accents that came at great expense from the 'States - lens looks clean but the lcd screen is a little broken (two of the digit strokes aren't showing up) - Guess like with your experience, one way or another these little things seem particularly destined to see more wear-and-tear than usual.
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Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 02/12/2018

It certainly seems that way

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Gorpalm on Samsung AF Slim – one roll review

Comment posted: 19/12/2018

Storming portrait results, so pleased with it's ability to create shots that pleasantly surprises, and sometimes absolutely delights. Nails exposure. Only fires the flash as a last resort. Now trying a roll of colour, but am totally won over by what came out of the first, B&W, roll.
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Mascha on Samsung AF Slim – one roll review

Comment posted: 01/01/2019

Hello, I also own this camera, and since I’m pretty new to photography, I don’t know how to rewind the film in this one. And i can’t seem to find an instruction. My question is: how did you rewind the film?
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Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 01/01/2019

It's one of the modes in the menu - but it should automatically rewind when it gets to the end of the roll?

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Eliverto Scherer on Samsung AF Slim – one roll review

Comment posted: 28/03/2019

Very nice images, I prefer the look of these over my Olympus Stylus Epic's which has all that hype over it.
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Ian on Samsung AF Slim – one roll review

Comment posted: 08/09/2019

I just got one today! A good condition Samsung AF Slim in ivory color. The camera itself is clean, but the lens has a very tiny scratch, or haze? I’m not sure if it will affect the photos. I got the camera for $34 in Manila, Philippines. The data back is not working though.
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M. Kamal Pasha on Samsung AF Slim – one roll review

Comment posted: 05/10/2019

Hey, Hamish. I want to ask, how to mid rewind this camera? I want to change the film. I dont know how to do next when i'm in rewind mode.
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Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 05/10/2019

Press the shutter button I think - I can't quite remember though

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Jamie H on Samsung AF Slim – one roll review

Comment posted: 27/05/2020

Hi Hamish

I picked one of these up recently, absolutely love it.

Do you or anyone have any idea on how to use the BULB mode? I understand how Bulb would work on a SLR, however with this you cant set the aperture, so im unsure how to calculate it. Cant find a manual for the camera, i suppose its a case of assuming it will open at f3.5 and see how i get on.


Cheers
J.
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Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 27/05/2020

That's a very good question, and not one I have ever thought about. If it doesn't say in the manual, I would probably assume the widest aperture, yes

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Bogdan Ferariu on Samsung AF Slim – one roll review

Comment posted: 03/02/2021

can it be true on BULB the aperture stays open for as long as you hold the shutter button?
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Hamish Editor replied:

Comment posted: 03/02/2021

That's what bulb modes do - so I don't see why not

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Elisa on Samsung AF Slim – one roll review

Comment posted: 15/02/2023

For anyone looking as I have been-- to rewind film you press the mode button until you come to the rewind mode, then press the mode button together with the shutter button. Do this WITHOUT powering on the camera, otherwise it will just take another picture. Hope that helps!
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