tdekany Loc: Oregon

Hey SS, I wonder why you are a big fan of Joe Edelman’s work but not vice versa. 😂

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

And the fact is that today's image sensors are of a quality undreamed of thirty years ago.

Check the image quality, scanned to the same level. Perhaps you haven't looked at some recent pictures taken on the latest high tech phones? The IQ is startling, and in no way comparable to a plastic cartridged camera with a very slow fixed aperture lens. I'm not going to try to take long telephoto shots on my phone, nor would I have on my Rollei 35 (which I still have and use). Both are designed to be extremely compact but high resolution tools, and both are extremely useful within their scope. My iPhone doesn't replace my DSLR any more than my Rollei 35 replaced my 35mm SLR or Rollei 6x6. If you don't want to use a phone to take a picture, I guaranty nobody will force you to at gunpoint (except maybe in that image posted above).


Andy

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

What, like proposing to your wannabe spouse? Going to a job interview? Having a colonoscopy? Having heart surgery?

jtlareau Loc: Hurst, TX (originally Toledo, OH)

Actually, that is a (mostly) inaccurate statement about today's newest smartphones! My Samsung Galaxy S8+ has a "Pro" mode that allows me to control Focus (multi-point, center-point, auto, manual, even continuous auto tracking of a subject), full shutter speed control (auto or manual), ISO ( auto, or manual, 50-800), white balance (auto, daylight, cloudy, incandescent, fluorescent, or full manual by temperature), +/- compensation, flash (auto, on/off), "tone effects" (standard, breezy, vivid, nostalgic, soft, serene, or full manual, allowing 2 presetable control of color temp, tint, contrast, saturation, highlight, shadows), 1x-8x electronic zoom, and the ability to save photographs in RAW and JPG modes. I will admit that I don't have true aperture control, but that is about the only control that is lacking. Quoting from articles describing the sensor: the "sensor is a 1/2.55" 12.2MP variant with Dual-Pixel AF. With an F1.7 aperture and optical image stabilization"

By selecting "other" modes than "Pro", you can do Panoramic photographs, selective focus and multiple video modes/styles.

Is it the same quality of a DSLR... of course not. But it is also a far cry from the "old Instamatic"... And that doesn't even begin to describe the actual photo processing options available through the many apps on the phone.

gerdog

They are amazing!

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Hmmmm, jt, that’s a lot!!!
I’m gonna check and see if my Canon 1Dx has a “Pro Mode”?! LoL
Boy, I sure hope it does!!!!!!
SS

jtlareau Loc: Hurst, TX (originally Toledo, OH)

ROFL

safeman

Clearly it's all a matter of image (pun intended). You can't be a REAL photographer unless you are using a big, black dslr with a 10 inch long lens with a lens hood.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

...I took that "image posted above" almost 7 years ago with an iphone 4s. Exactly what I wanted...

karno Loc: Chico ,California

Kill your cell phone before they take over the world

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Charlie, that’s an amazing photo!!! I wish I had taken that with any camera.
There’s an old saying, “if you send the worlds 10 best photographers out into the world with an Instamatic, they would come back with the 10 best photos ever taken with an Instamatic”!!! Same would apply to cell phones!!!
SS

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

Truth! But, man, the one I'm using now, the Samsung Note 8, is the real deal...at least for certain situations. Like, I did a pano of some wall art in Long Beach and you wouldn't (couldn't!) know it was from that device. Yes, I don't process "in camera" meaning a camera app in the phone, and *do* work the image(s) in my 'puter software, but you get the drift, eh? It's not all the time, of course (I mean, I use a D5-D500 combo and that is nutz!) but, it's nice to know I have a weapon I know how to use that will provide great quality, *situational,* results.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Presumably because Pro projects involve considerable resource planning.

carlbsc

What's the best camera ever made????????…….The one you have with you when you need it.

MTG44 Loc: Corryton, Tennessee

I always enjoy your excellent commentary on the subjects of this forum but really have to disagree on this one. Have gotten many good to great shots with my iPhone . Even hung some on the wall which my quests enjoy.