IPhone X sm over Nikon 7200 on a cruise
Jan 9, 2020 08:53:56 #
My wife and I travel a good bit and I have evolved over the last few years concerning cameras. I used to take my Nikon D7000 with a collection of lenses however that is changing. The problem as with others here is carrying it around and then not being able to get the shots you really want to take. If you are going on a trip or cruise where the emphasis is photography and getting the opportunity to take good shots then by all means take your gear.
However, most of the cruises that we go on (and can afford) are simply tourist trips where you simply do not have the time or opportunity to properly set up and take photos. You will be getting on and off crowded buses with lots of other people and then you will be in competition for space and time to get that good shot at your appointed stops on your excursions off the ship.
I downsized. I traded my Nikon for a Sony A6400 and also purchased a used Sony RX100III. Best thing I ever did. The Sony RX100 fits perfectly in a jacket pocket and can be deployed in an instant. I just returned from a cruise over Christmas and the shots were excellent. We are going on a river cruise in Europe this fall and I think I will take the A6400 and a longer zoom lens that I plan to purchase this year. My wife carries her iphone and between the two of us we have some great shots.
No regrets and we have great memories. Also, the Sony A6400 is a great camera, better than the Nikon I had. I use it for both macro and landscape photography here in East Tenn.
However, most of the cruises that we go on (and can afford) are simply tourist trips where you simply do not have the time or opportunity to properly set up and take photos. You will be getting on and off crowded buses with lots of other people and then you will be in competition for space and time to get that good shot at your appointed stops on your excursions off the ship.
I downsized. I traded my Nikon for a Sony A6400 and also purchased a used Sony RX100III. Best thing I ever did. The Sony RX100 fits perfectly in a jacket pocket and can be deployed in an instant. I just returned from a cruise over Christmas and the shots were excellent. We are going on a river cruise in Europe this fall and I think I will take the A6400 and a longer zoom lens that I plan to purchase this year. My wife carries her iphone and between the two of us we have some great shots.
No regrets and we have great memories. Also, the Sony A6400 is a great camera, better than the Nikon I had. I use it for both macro and landscape photography here in East Tenn.
Jan 9, 2020 09:25:10 #
My hubby and I have been cruising several times a year since we retired 3 years ago. I like to journal while traveling and always take along my Nikon D7100 with my Tamron 18-400 lens. We also travel with one or two other couples who all carry their cell phones. I collect everybody’s best shots of the day at dinner time, write the journal (using Adobe’s Spark Page) at next morning’s breakfast using the best shots and stories collected, then produce a photo book for everyone after we return. Getting ready for the Caribbean in a couple of weeks and British Isles later in the year and have no intention of changing.
Jan 9, 2020 09:25:11 #
My hubby and I have been cruising several times a year since we retired 3 years ago. I like to journal while traveling and always take along my Nikon D7100 with my Tamron 18-400 lens. We also travel with one or two other couples who all carry their cell phones. I collect everybody’s best shots of the day at dinner time, write the journal (using Adobe’s Spark Page) at next morning’s breakfast using the best shots and stories collected, then produce a photo book for everyone after we return. Getting ready for the Caribbean in a couple of weeks and British Isles later in the year and have no intention of changing.
Jan 9, 2020 09:28:34 #
philz
Loc: Rockaway Township NJ
My phone camera is backup and convenience only when I travel as I want to be able to see what I am shooting through a viewfinder. Especially in bright light, when seeing the view on a phone can be problematic. Also, there is a big delay when taking a photo with the phone versus using a good camera like my Canon 80D or Fuji X100f.
Am I the only one who feels this way?
Am I the only one who feels this way?
Jan 9, 2020 09:51:22 #
Ruthlessrider wrote:
I’m also 73, as of today actually, but I still take my Canon 5DIV with me wherever I go, just in case. I do leave most of the lenses home though since I am no longer willing to lug the weight around.
Happy Birthday. May you have a wonderful day.
Dennis
Jan 9, 2020 09:53:52 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
Printing is not my goal either and I find my iPhone 10 XR does a fine job within the limits of its lens. Telephoto is not its strength. But when I want a short video, the iPhone is my go to camera. Viewing photos on a screen is very forgiving compared to printing.
Jan 9, 2020 10:32:15 #
I think if you took your photos in RAW, you would see a big difference in your images after editing. There is such an advantage, I always use RAW and edit every shot. Printing an image from a phone is also very limiting. If you are too old to carry around a heavy camera, get a pocket camera, but one that saves in RAW. I'll be 78 next month.
Jan 9, 2020 10:40:44 #
I went on a cruise around the Mediterranean last October. Did not take the DSLR and depended on the iPhone.
It was certainly much much more convenient. Was a 2 week trip and using the iPhone decreased the load we had to lug around significantly. The scenery photos were just fine for the purposes of documenting a trip. The photos taken in low light not so much.
Anything outdoors in the daylight is just fine. Indoors or evening shots are really iffy if you blow them up to reasonable size (like a good size monitor). I have an iPhone 8+, not an X. Don't know how much difference there is between them. And I might be too picky when it comes to image quality. The shots are not fine art, just reminders of the trip. And most of them got shared with the family back home right from the phone, so they are looking at a small image which looks OK in most cases.
It was certainly much much more convenient. Was a 2 week trip and using the iPhone decreased the load we had to lug around significantly. The scenery photos were just fine for the purposes of documenting a trip. The photos taken in low light not so much.
Anything outdoors in the daylight is just fine. Indoors or evening shots are really iffy if you blow them up to reasonable size (like a good size monitor). I have an iPhone 8+, not an X. Don't know how much difference there is between them. And I might be too picky when it comes to image quality. The shots are not fine art, just reminders of the trip. And most of them got shared with the family back home right from the phone, so they are looking at a small image which looks OK in most cases.
Jan 9, 2020 10:41:36 #
jerryc41 wrote:
There was a time when I felt awkward - non-photographic - using my phone to take pictures. Now, I feel awkward using a DSLR to take pictures where a dozen other people are using their phones. I'm the "odd one out." I feel like people are staring at me and wondering why I'm holding that big thing to my face.
There was a time when I felt awkward - non-photographic - using my phone to take pictures. Now, I feel awkward using a DSLR to take pictures where a dozen other people are using their phones. I'm the "odd one out." I feel like people are staring at me and wondering why I'm holding that big thing to my face.
Plus everyone will be in front of you if you don't have a wide angle lens. I've almost gave up at the end of sporting events when everyone is trying to get a picture of the team. Well they called me up when they tried to make some enlargements of a championship team to see what I had as they couldn't get the quality they wanted.
Jan 9, 2020 11:16:35 #
One of the main reasons I keep the d7200 is for closer shots with the 300. which becomes 450...when shooting wildlife and whales etc. my iPhone 11 is good on people shots -also easier to print photos with the computer and the d7200-although iCloud helps with the iPhone shots for that. Friends still like hard copies...
Jan 9, 2020 11:39:54 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
fotostory wrote:
I think if you took your photos in RAW, you would see a big difference in your images after editing. There is such an advantage, I always use RAW and edit every shot. Printing an image from a phone is also very limiting. If you are too old to carry around a heavy camera, get a pocket camera, but one that saves in RAW. I'll be 78 next month.
The OP said he doesn’t print and that makes an iPhone a good option. Also, there are apps that allow shooting in RAW on an iPhone as well as other brands.
Jan 9, 2020 11:47:44 #
raypep wrote:
I am getting ready for a Caribbean cruise next wee... (show quote)
I went to Europe last year for a month, incorporating two cruises into the trip. Rather than take my MILC and all its lenses, I chose to take a small 35mm fixed frame camera, and my iPhone 8+. Had zero regrets.
In fact, some of my best images were with the iPhone.
Enjoy your cruise!
Jan 9, 2020 12:00:58 #
I found years ago trying to take pictures on a family outing or on vacation can be a real hindrance to everyone else's enjoyment. I take my camera only when I go out with the intent to take pictures, when on vacation if I see a picture that needs to be taken I use my phone.
Jan 9, 2020 13:54:01 #
raypep wrote:
I am getting ready for a Caribbean cruise next wee... (show quote)
In May of 2018 we went on a 4 week trip to Iceland, Italy and Switzerland. We flew, took trains, tour boats and walked a lot with all our luggage. Needing to travel light, after much debating, I took my Canon T4i with only one lens, my Canon 18-200 and my Android cell phone. Most of the photos I took were with the Canon and I was very glad I didn't leave it behind. Many of the photos were taken fast as unexpected scenes popped up, mostly in bright sunlight. I even lugged it on my hike up the stairs to the top of Mt Pilatus. I was 71 then.
I did get some excellent photos with my LG 16mp cell phone, some of the photos I blew up and printed. That is where I could see the difference. That said, one came out awesome when blown up to 12x18. Its below.
I have a wall with over 40 blown up photos of our trip from 5x7s to 20x30s. The photo I posted looking out an opening in the tunnel on Mt Pilatus was with the cell phone. The one of the staircase going to the top of the mountain was with my Canon as is the one taken in Venice. They are clear 20x30 prints.
As you can tell with my equipment I'm not a pro, but I enjoy taking photos of our travels and grandkids. I started taking photos when I was 12 with an Ansco box camera.
I've upgraded to the Canon 80D (4 months before the 90D came out). And a Tamron 18-400 for when I just want to carry one lens is next on my list. Now I need to go back.
Jan 9, 2020 14:35:31 #
raypep wrote:
I am getting ready for a Caribbean cruise next wee... (show quote)
As a photographer of over 50 years (amateur and professional) there is no doubt a huge difference between a IPhone (I too have the X, 12 MP) and a good grade DSLR (mirrorless or otherwise 20 -35+ MP)!
Sure if you wish is to only take candid photos rarely ever blowing them up then you are fine. But what if you do want to blow them up? And furthermore you have tons more control over your exposure settings and zoom capabilities, etc. with a digital SLR over an IPhone.
But of course you do have to carry the extra weight of a DSLR over an IPhone. But that is where Sony with one member mentions he has a Sony A6300 wherein my wife has one and I am in the process of buying the A6600 just out. These mirrorless cameras kick the but of the IPhone every day without really any extra weight due to a compact camera body and lens. And they can shoot at over 10 frames a second (IPhone can't) and has all the capabilities of its bigger brother DSLR cameras. This is my travel light camera and one you should carry on cruises and trips when you do not want the other DSLR you have. And mirrorless cameras are sharp and have fast startup times.
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