I don't know if it's me. Maybe I just don't get it, but I read so often about how someone thinks the newest versions of the iPhone (11, 12 or 13) are the greatest cameras since sliced bread...and they are using them for serious work. I use mine when I'm somewhere without my good gear, or wasn't planning on shooting anything, but now it's there in front of me. But to take an iPhone (on purpose) instead of my D850 or D500 when I'm doing serious work??? What am I missing? I don't think my iPhone 12 is even in the same league with my two Nikons. And it's not even close. I do agree that it's a lot easier carrying an iPhone around in my back pocket, but in my mind, it just doesn't produce exceptional images, especially in low light. Are others happy with just average results? Maybe some people are too lazy to carry around heavier gear? Maybe I'm using my phone incorrectly? Thoughts?

I look at the subject and decide what aperture I want to use, sometimes that's a function of the lens already mounted, but usually I already selected the lens for the aperture and focal length I plan to use for the subject / situations.

Say I want to use f/5 for a given situation, I'd also like to stay at the lowest ISO possible. So, I adjust the shutterspeed to obtain a sharp image or raise the ISO to get the shutterspeed needed for the composition.

Finally, as mentioned on your question about metering mode, I also want the meter to read +0.7 to +1 in most every situation. So, the f/5 with ISO-100 may not matter whether I'm at 1/500 or 1/320, except the slower speed serves to push the meter to the right.

I don't 'judge the light' deciding what exposure is needed. Rather, I decide my artistic intent via the aperture and focal length of the lens. I adjust the shutterspeed and ISO to use that pre-selected aperture.

For some people it seems shutterspeed is their primary driver, others it seems to be shoot at ISO-100 or don't shoot at all. The aperture is the driver for me, whether in manual or aperture priority or even with a manual aperture lens on a mirrorless where I always set the aperture first and adjust from there.

Unlike Canon, Nikon is a global scientific instrument company. Unlike Canon, Nikon makes their own glass from their own manufactured blanks, only one other global company does that. Unlike Canon, Nikon's equipment has been used by NASA since it's inception and still uses Nikon rangefinders and digital camera's for positioning on the international space station. Unlike Canon, Nikon donates Millions of dollars in medical equipment to undeveloped third world countries.

And I never knock Canon, they make some of the worlds finest camera's. I know you "TROLL" post all the time but I had to respond this time.

Greetings all, I'm in need of a small tripod that will fit in the saddlebags of a bike I use frequently. Have been using an el-cheapo from WallyWorld for a couple of years but would rally like to upgrade to a better unit that can withstand constant vibration in the saddlbag. When on the bike I shoot mostly with a Canon Elf 360, but do occasionally carry one or both DSLRs. With the elf the tripod would be mostly used for selfies with the Elf, but with the DSLRs it would need to be substantially better than what I now have. I want to avoid buying another for a good while as the cheap ones prove, you get what you pay for as they fall apart in the very unfriendly environment of a saddlebag. All that said, what would be a good unit to look at with a folded size limit of 18"? Need to keep cost below $150. TIA