Rumor mill keeps on turning: Samsung NX lenses marked as “closeout”

 

 

Update: Since we published this story, the "closeout" tag has been removed from Samsung NX lenses on Adorama. 

Amid rampant speculation over the past few months that Samsung was exiting the camera business, many Samsung NX1 lenses are now labelled as "closeout" by Adorama.

We covered the rumors in September when Samsung issued an official statement, "Withdrawing from the camera business is not true and there is no official plan to stop production of cameras and lenses. Samsung continuously analyzes the varying needs and requirements of consumers in each market and region very carefully. However, we do not officially comment on rumors and speculation."

Nonetheless, rumors persisted and in November, Samsung officially exited at least the German market claiming that their decision to phase out digital camera sales in Germany affected only that individual market.

 

 

In December, rumors began circulating about Nikon having bought Samsung's digital imaging business, which Samsung again denied, with another assertion that they were not going to withdraw from the digital imaging business. As reported in Korea Times, Samsung's statement (through a spokesperson) at the time was "It is true that we have not rolled out any new products since February, but we do not have any official plans to withdraw from the camera business. We still have employees working in the division." Not exactly a proclamation of new products on the horizon, unfortunately.

Which brings us to CES 2016, where Samsung had zero cameras or lenses on display. If they were going to finally put a stop to these very persistent rumors of their imaging business' demise, CES seems a logical place to do it. Alas, according to a Photo Rumors reader, all was quiet on the Samsung front.

 

In total, all but three of Samsung's NX lenses are marked as "closeout" on Adorama

With nothing announced, or even present, at CES this year, where does Samsung's camera business stand now? Well, nearly all Samsung NX lenses are now listed as "closeout" at Adorama. Not only that, but some third-party lenses are on sale, up to 40% off in the case of the Rokinon 12mm f/2.0 NCS CS MF lens. Best Buy is getting in on the markdowns too, putting many NX lenses on sale on their website.

What we're left with now is just more uncertainty. Samsung can make all of the statements they want, but as long as they aren't releasing information on new products, it's difficult to put a lot of confidence in their denials of very persistent rumors that they're leaving the imaging industry. Lenses being marked as closeout just adds more fuel to the fire. If Samsung is really committed to the NX system and digital imaging in general, people need to hear something soon that goes beyond denials and actually discusses new products.

 

Image from my NX1 field test. The image has been modified.
50-150mm Lens: 150mm, f/2.8, 1/500s, ISO 125

If you're looking for new lenses for your NX1, you might want to get them while they're still available. With Adorama now clearing out their inventory of Samsung NX lenses, time may be running out. If you'd like to get any lenses while they're still available, head on over to our trusted affiliate, Adorama.

Personally, I find this months long saga of rumors and vagueness on the part of Samsung very disappointing. I field tested the NX1 last year and found it to be a good camera with a lot of promise. I continue to hold out hope that the NX2 is in development and will eventually be announced, but it's becoming harder to be optimistic.

(Seen via Photo Rumors)