Can't help feeling like I'm cheating.. (Page 3): One MAJOR drawback of a cell phone, when using it to take a shot, is that pesky robo-call at the precise moment of a great shot. :sm02:...

Stephan G

One MAJOR drawback of a cell phone, when using it to take a shot, is that pesky robo-call at the precise moment of a great shot.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

gerdog wrote:

My old instamatic couldn't take a quick video and upload it to the internet instantly. I wouldn't be caught out in public without my phone on hand. Great tool. But I wouldn't have a toolbox with only 1 tool in it either.

Well said!!
I was at my great grandchild's birth (I am a young great grandmother lol) and got some great shots with my Fuji X-T2 but when the battery died I grabbed my cell phone and got the best shot of all- my granddaughter holding her daughter for the first time and a short video of my son holding his granddaughter. No time to change batteries on the Fuji to catch either of those moments. Is it technically perfect- absolutely not but it holds up well next to no photo at all and it captured the moment under poor lighting conditions.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

BlueMorel wrote:

...when I use my cellphone camera (Galaxy 6). It still feels like a toy to me even though it comes in handy. Sorta like using a remote to change the TV channels instead of having to get up and turn a dial.

I can get pretty nice images with my Samsung Galaxy Note8 SmartPhone, 12MP (3:4) Camera, my old Note5 had a 16MP (9:16) Camera, but a lot of that was waste that would often get cropped away anyway. So I think the new "camera" is better. Yes, as long as you know what it can and can't do. They even shoot Raw!

ELNikkor

Way before cell phones, I carried an Olympus XA in my front pocket, and a flat little tripod with telescoping legs in my back pocket; got so many spontaneous photos and "selfies" I never would have gotten otherwise...

Mustanger Loc: Grants Pass, Oregon USA

SharpShooter wrote:

The only thing that’s getting cheated is your photography!!!
Today’s cell phone is little more than yesterday’s Instamatic and they weren’t any good either!!! LoL
SS

Sure looks like you were comparing the Cellphone to the old Instamatics here to me! Pretty harsh & derisive IMO. And dead wrong! Also IMO....

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

BlueMorel wrote:

...when I use my cellphone camera (Galaxy 6). It still feels like a toy to me even though it comes in handy. Sorta like using a remote to change the TV channels instead of having to get up and turn a dial.

My iPhone is always near me. It’s like a “software Swiss Army Knife”. I use the camera for casual photos, but just as often as:

a magnifying glass

a documentary tool to record serial and model numbers of appliances I need parts for

a FAX machine

a barcode reader

a storyboarding tool

a video phone (FaceTime, Skype) for helping my kids fix things

a light meter

to show the clerk in a store a broken part I need to replace

The smartphone camera is uniquely capable of this, because you can text, email, share, or post images immediately, from anywhere with a cell or WiFi signal.

CrackerMag Loc: Titusville, FL

When I do a workshop, I take at least an afternoon to help folks get the best from their smart phone camera. As many have said, a smart phone camera is better than no camera at all and it's the photographer that makes it great. A little technique goes a long way.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

CrackerMag wrote:

...A little technique goes a long way.

So true! An expensive dSLR without knowledge and experience and techniques behind it is like a 10-year-old driving a Porsche 911. (Albeit a LOT safer!)

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

I like cameras and I like smartphones - however, if I broke or trashed as many cameras as my kids and grandkids have trashed/broken smartphones/tablets I'd be broke!!!!!!! I used to think of cameras as "fragile", but what they do to the phones just amazes me. I never (I know, just asking for trouble) break any of my hi-tech devices (and I've got a ton of em)....I've never dropped a camera or lens since 1970. Did drop my "flip-phone" a couple times...still works. Well.....drones...have crashed a couple times, well, maybe a few times...but still flying! Ha Burkphoto, seems like I remember a kid crashing a 911 a couple years back....drove it like he stole it...and he did!

gerdog

suntouched wrote:

Well said!! br I was at my great grandchild's birt... (show quote)

Beautiful photo. Non-staged ones have always been some of my favorites too.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

olemikey wrote:

I like cameras and I like smartphones - however, i... (show quote)

Yep, that’s why I mentioned it...

I’ve had iPhones since the 3Gs in 2009. I replaced one screen and a power connector on my 4s. No other accidents. My kids, however, have destroyed two and damaged three (one drowned phone, one shock damaged, and three cracked screens). We got smart in 2015 and started buying top end cases for them. That’s cured that problem!

AlfredU Loc: Mooresville, NC

SharpShooter wrote:

The only thing that’s getting cheated is your photography!!!
Today’s cell phone is little more than yesterday’s Instamatic and they weren’t any good either!!! LoL
SS

I agree completely, SS. You have no control over focus, shutter speed or aperture. The sensor is miniscule so I would never describe IQ as anything other than acceptable for the web. You have control over composition if you can see the image despite glare. So, yeah, your comparison to the old Instamatic is accurate. Except composition was easier.

AlfredU Loc: Mooresville, NC

AndyH wrote:

Not a good analogy Imho. More like a Rollei 35, and always in your pocket. Limited abilities but very high IQ.

Andy

I'm sorry, the Rollei was a full frame film camera with Carl Zeiss optics and was full adjustable. You cannot possibly compare today's cell phones with tiny sensors to this fine camera. More than my opinion, just a fact.

DebDKusz Loc: PA

Joe Blow wrote:

And remember, if God wanted us to exercise, he wouldn't have invented the TV remote.

Gotta live this comment! I will start using it now when asked why I don’t exercise !

gerdog

burkphoto wrote:

Yep, that’s why I mentioned it...

I’ve had iPhones since the 3Gs in 2009. I replaced one screen and a power connector on my 4s. No other accidents. My kids, however, have destroyed two and damaged three (one drowned phone, one shock damaged, and three cracked screens). We got smart in 2015 and started buying top end cases for them. That’s cured that problem!

I dropped mine in a parking lot and shattered the screen. Bought a screen protector AND a padded case for my new one. I wouldn't be surprised though to find that the kids had a lot more miles on their phones than you could ever match. They are attached to them 24/7.