dasgeiss

My daughter took this picture with an Apple iPhone6 camera. Blowing it up to like twice the size didn't diminish the clarity of detail hardly at all. I was really impressed as I don't have an iPhone myself and use a Canon SLR for my shots. Wondering if buying the large cameras are becoming obsolete now. ??????

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

Not a chance. Even though the cameras in phones keep getting better, it's still kind of difficult to achieve real creativity with a fixed lens but folks do learn ways around it. It's not that they take bad pictures but achieving great is a little more challenging.

RobertAltman Loc: Minneapolis

I took an Alaska cruise and used my iPhone 6 for photos. I took some stunning pictures and was really impressed with the quality. All things considered, I don't recommend this for serious photography; in fact, I just bought a Nikon D7200 (first DSLR) so I wouldn't have to use my phone on my next trip.

The first problem is that the zoom on there iPhone is digital, meaning you lose quality when you zoom in. In fact, there really isn't any reason to use the phone's zoom since you can always apply a zoom later in post production or just crop the photo. Second, unless you have an iPhone 6s or 7, you will be shooting JPEG only; this may or may not be an issue, but should certainty be a consideration. (Note - if you do have a 6s or 7, you still need to download a camera app that supports RAW; the default app does not support RAW at this time).

There entire time I was shooting with my iPhone, I was terrified I would drop it. There are many pictures I missed because of this and I could compose pictures the way I wanted to. If you do want to shoot using an iPhone 6 or 6s, consider getting a waterproof case (suggest Ghostek) with a strap attached.

I whole heartedly recommend DSLR.

dasgeiss

Thank you Mike and Robert for your replies. I don't plan on getting an iPhone for myself as I am very happy with my Canon cameras. I did see some pictures taken by Apple advertising that showed close ups of bugs and other views that were fantastic in color and clarity. It just sort o amazes me how far the field has come in the last 30 years or so. Again thanks for your comments!

BobH

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

Bob, don't forget that there is nothing in the rule book that says phone pics can't be spiffed up. This one taken with an iPhone 6 and edited slightly with Photoshop Express.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-409602-1.html

dasgeiss

Yes indeed Mike D. I use On1 and Lightroom to do my editing. On the picture I presented I also cropped, increased vibrance, highlights and contrast a notch. I ended up with three different pictures where two were horizontal and showing more of the buildings downtown. My daughter sends me pics once in awhile and I embellish them for her. She is a great photographer in my humble opinion.

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

My daughter annoys me on a regular basis with the stuff that she does with an iphone 6+. She will snap a picture of something and upload it to our business's Facebook page with no editing whatsoever. She could be dangerous with a crash course in photography. But that is the next generation for you.

dasgeiss

Mike D. Ahhh, daughters! :-) My daughter only communicates when she needs a picture done! But, Agreed, this generation, all iphones and gadgets! Oh well......

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

They have their place but I don't see them replacing a dlsr anytime soon. Here's an idea. Why not just make a camera that you can talk on. Now THAT is an idea?

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

I also use an IPhone 6. It performs very well for such a small sensor. I never use the zoom because you lose pixels. When I am serious with it I always use a tripod and the phone's earbuds as a cable release. The editing apps are getting better and better. They say the best camera is the one you have with you. I always have me phone with me.

LoisCroft Loc: Jonesborough, Tennessee

I've tried a side-by-side comparison and although the iPhone 6 is good, the Nikon D90, D5100 and Canon EOS were definitely superior. Some of the shots I compared were from a soccer field at night. My iPhone couldn't keep up with the movement of the distant players in the dim light. With a digital camera you can increase shutter speed/aperature, also use a longer lens and that makes all the difference. I think the iPhone gives acceptable shots under perfect conditions (daylight, stationary subject etc.), especially when the shot is not going to be used as an enlargement. Pictures I've taken with a DSLR can easily be blown up to 11x14, but not so with the iPhone. Good for social media though and time when you don't have a good camera with you.

Martino Loc: Northwest Florida

Yes of course, the best camera is the one you have with you. Many folks have a phone camera with them at all times, so that's a great option and phone cameras are getting better all the time - not just iPhones, although I want to get my hands on an iPhone 7 plus!

Digital zoom on any device is unlikely to ever beat an optical zoom (at least in the near future).

I prefer using a 'proper' DSLR, but sometimes it's impractical to lug one around or inappropriate to start using one where a phone camera is available and unobtrusive.

Of course, using a digital medium or large format camera will give even better images but at enormous cost and the amount of equipment neede doesn't bear thinking about.

Given that the new camera phones have higher pixel counts than some DSLRS (not to mention point and shoots) had just a while ago, they are capable of good photos in the right hands. ...and of course post production apps and programs are much better and easier to use than previous systems - remember having to go into a darkroom? ;-)

Martino Loc: Northwest Florida

Yes of course, the best camera is the one you have with you. Many folks have a phone camera with them at all times, so that's a great option and phone cameras are getting better all the time - not just iPhones, although I want to get my hands on an iPhone 7 plus!

Digital zoom on any device is unlikely to ever beat an optical zoom (at least in the near future).

I prefer using a 'proper' DSLR, but sometimes it's impractical to lug one around or inappropriate to start using one where a phone camera is available and unobtrusive.

Of course, using a digital medium or large format camera will give even better images but at enormous cost and the amount of equipment neede doesn't bear thinking about.

Given that the new camera phones have higher pixel counts than some DSLRS (not to mention point and shoots) had just a while ago, they are capable of good photos in the right hands. ...and of course post production apps and programs are much better and easier to use than previous systems - remember having to go into a darkroom? ;-)

sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

Nice shot! I've noticed that even some professional photographers have used an iPhone with very good results!