Use a "Real" Camera, Not a Phone: Yes, controversial, but I saw these reasons online from Peta Pixel. 1. Handling is not very good on a phone, but a camera is easy to hold, and it has...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yes, controversial, but I saw these reasons online from Peta Pixel.

1. Handling is not very good on a phone, but a camera is easy to hold, and it has controls that let you make changes easily.
2. The view. The viewfinder of new, mirrorless cameras shows you how changes in settings will affect the final picture. The flip-screen lets you get up or down shots more easily than when using a phone.
3. The flash. Although new cameras seem to be omitting the pop-up flash, it is possible to add a flash unit to the camera. That flash can also be used off-camera to put the light at a different angle. The best you can do with a phone is a small, weak flash.
4. The lens. A modern cell phone might have three separate lenses, but the quality and control aren't as good as what's available for cameras.
5. DOF and bokeh are also lacking in phones, compared with cameras. Selecting a different lens or aperture changes the results you get in the image. That amount of control isn't available with a phone.
6. Movement. The cell phone camera likes to be held steady because it takes multiple shots when you push the button. It's also difficult to follow fast action with a phone, especially considering the multiple shots it takes each time.
7. Selfies. Using the phone for a selfie means using the phone's forward-facing camera, the one with the lowest quality.

The narrator concludes by saying that cell phones are great for quick, casual shots that are going to be shared online, but a real camera will generally give better results.

I've said here many times, that I don't like using a phone as a camera because of the steadiness required while holding the phone away from my body. Holding it steady while taping the button is tricky. I don't always know if the picture has actually been taken. I have to keep my fingers away from the lens. Yes, these are all shortcomings on my part, but they don't apply to a real camera.

I suspect that some of you might disagree with this entire post. That's okay.

tcthome Loc: NJ

jerryc41 wrote:

Yes, controversial, but I saw these reasons online from Peta Pixel.

1. Handling is not very good on a phone, but a camera is easy to hold, and it has controls that let you make changes easily.
2. The view. The viewfinder of new, mirrorless cameras shows you how changes in settings will affect the final picture. The flip-screen lets you get up or down shots more easily than when using a phone.
3. The flash. Although new cameras seem to be omitting the pop-up flash, it is possible to add a flash unit to the camera. That flash can also be used off-camera to put the light at a different angle. The best you can do with a phone is a small, weak flash.
4. The lens. A modern cell phone might have three separate lenses, but the quality and control aren't as good as what's available for cameras.
5. DOF and bokeh are also lacking in phones, compared with cameras. Selecting a different lens or aperture changes the results you get in the image. That amount of control isn't available with a phone.
6. Movement. The cell phone camera likes to be held steady because it takes multiple shots when you push the button. It's also difficult to follow fast action with a phone, especially considering the multiple shots it takes each time.
7. Selfies. Using the phone for a selfie means using the phone's forward-facing camera, the one with the lowest quality.

The narrator concludes by saying that cell phones are great for quick, casual shots that are going to be shared online, but a real camera will generally give better results.

I've said here many times, that I don't like using a phone as a camera because of the steadiness required while holding the phone away from my body. Holding it steady while taping the button is tricky. I don't always know if the picture has actually been taken. I have to keep my fingers away from the lens. Yes, these are all shortcomings on my part, but they don't apply to a real camera.

I suspect that some of you might disagree with this entire post. That's okay.

Yes, controversial, but I saw these reasons online... (show quote)

I'd rather use my DSLR & maybe a MDSLR but the use of off camera flash with a cell is upon us. Seen the vid on YT but didn't watch it. Here is a article from F-stoppers. I remember seeing a vid about it maybe 6 months a year ago. Happy shooting.

https://fstoppers.com/apps/will-camera-flash-make-iphone-professional-camera-514314

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

tcthome wrote:

I'd rather use my DSLR & maybe a MDSLR but the use of off camera flash with a cell is upon us. Seen the vid on YT but didn't watch it. Here is a article from F-stoppers. I remember seeing a vid about it maybe 6 months a year ago. Happy shooting.

https://fstoppers.com/apps/will-camera-flash-make-iphone-professional-camera-514314

Thanks for the link, but I can't open it because the site thinks I have an ad blocker. This has been a problem for over a year. Very annoying. Doing an "Everything" search on my computer shows nothing for "ad block(er)" or "adblock(er)." I have nothing listed under Extension, either.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

jerryc41 wrote:

Yes, controversial, but I saw these reasons online from Peta Pixel.

1. Handling is not very good on a phone, but a camera is easy to hold, and it has controls that let you make changes easily.
2. The view. The viewfinder of new, mirrorless cameras shows you how changes in settings will affect the final picture. The flip-screen lets you get up or down shots more easily than when using a phone.
3. The flash. Although new cameras seem to be omitting the pop-up flash, it is possible to add a flash unit to the camera. That flash can also be used off-camera to put the light at a different angle. The best you can do with a phone is a small, weak flash.
4. The lens. A modern cell phone might have three separate lenses, but the quality and control aren't as good as what's available for cameras.
5. DOF and bokeh are also lacking in phones, compared with cameras. Selecting a different lens or aperture changes the results you get in the image. That amount of control isn't available with a phone.
6. Movement. The cell phone camera likes to be held steady because it takes multiple shots when you push the button. It's also difficult to follow fast action with a phone, especially considering the multiple shots it takes each time.
7. Selfies. Using the phone for a selfie means using the phone's forward-facing camera, the one with the lowest quality.

The narrator concludes by saying that cell phones are great for quick, casual shots that are going to be shared online, but a real camera will generally give better results.

I've said here many times, that I don't like using a phone as a camera because of the steadiness required while holding the phone away from my body. Holding it steady while taping the button is tricky. I don't always know if the picture has actually been taken. I have to keep my fingers away from the lens. Yes, these are all shortcomings on my part, but they don't apply to a real camera.

I suspect that some of you might disagree with this entire post. That's okay.

Yes, controversial, but I saw these reasons online... (show quote)

Jerry I do not object to your post at all. Good job. But this had been discussed ad infinitum right here in River City numerous times with everyone injecting their own viewpoints. The quality of the phone pictures makes no difference to those who use their phone for everything photographic. They want a record of whatever and the phone gives the that record. They don't care if the quality is not up to a Sony, Leica, Nikon, Canon, Fuji or any other camera. They want quick and easy and the phone works.

Some people use the phone for, well, for phone calls and that is it. Their camera to be used for photography is in the same category I listed above. Others like me use both at the proper times. I do not take my, "REAL", cameras hunting or fishing because I don't want to risk them getting wet, frozen or covered with blood. But those cameras are in the truck to be used when I get my game back to camp. Until then my phone does a credible job and allows me to send friends and family my game photos.

This issue will never be solved for many people. They are for one or the other and are stuck there. The phone users will claim the phone is a real camera. Of course it is a real camera. Photos from phones are definitely better than the real cameras my parents used to use, the Brownie Hawkeye or a Kodak box camera. But to the hard core among us the phone is not a real camera.

I say the phone is and should be recognized as a real camera in that it does take pictures and some mighty good ones at that.

My real question is, why did you bring this up, AGAIN?

Dennis

Celtis87

jerryc41 wrote:

Yes, controversial, but I saw these reasons online from Peta Pixel.

1. Handling is not very good on a phone, but a camera is easy to hold, and it has controls that let you make changes easily.
2. The view. The viewfinder of new, mirrorless cameras shows you how changes in settings will affect the final picture. The flip-screen lets you get up or down shots more easily than when using a phone.
3. The flash. Although new cameras seem to be omitting the pop-up flash, it is possible to add a flash unit to the camera. That flash can also be used off-camera to put the light at a different angle. The best you can do with a phone is a small, weak flash.
4. The lens. A modern cell phone might have three separate lenses, but the quality and control aren't as good as what's available for cameras.
5. DOF and bokeh are also lacking in phones, compared with cameras. Selecting a different lens or aperture changes the results you get in the image. That amount of control isn't available with a phone.
6. Movement. The cell phone camera likes to be held steady because it takes multiple shots when you push the button. It's also difficult to follow fast action with a phone, especially considering the multiple shots it takes each time.
7. Selfies. Using the phone for a selfie means using the phone's forward-facing camera, the one with the lowest quality.

The narrator concludes by saying that cell phones are great for quick, casual shots that are going to be shared online, but a real camera will generally give better results.

I've said here many times, that I don't like using a phone as a camera because of the steadiness required while holding the phone away from my body. Holding it steady while taping the button is tricky. I don't always know if the picture has actually been taken. I have to keep my fingers away from the lens. Yes, these are all shortcomings on my part, but they don't apply to a real camera.

I suspect that some of you might disagree with this entire post. That's okay.

Yes, controversial, but I saw these reasons online... (show quote)

“Horses for courses”. My phone gets me shots, however imperfect, that my “real camera” can’t capture. My “real camera” gets me shots that my phone can’t handle. My two cents.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Just different characteristics to me.
I prefer the ergonomics of using a DSLR,
but have no qualms about using my phone.
It simply operates differently.

Oh, "It's different.", totally unacceptable for some people.

banjoboy Loc: Austin, TX

Quick tip if you’re using an iPhone - the volume up/down buttons become shutter releases when using the camera. Much easier to hold steady when forced to use it because your real camera is at home.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Without the best equipment, we're only as good as everyone with a phone.

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

I don't disagree with the points you make, Jerry. But I do object to the use of the term "real camera." The cameras in smartphones ARE real cameras, they just realize the technology differently.

Personally, I like having a second camera in my pocket. Especially when scrambing over rock and scree. I have a chest strap for my Nikon, but sometimes it's just handier to take a "grab" shot without having to set everything up.

Chacun à son goût!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Just Fred wrote:

I don't disagree with the points you make, Jerry. But I do object to the use of the term "real camera." The cameras in smartphones ARE real cameras, they just realize the technology differently.

...

Exactly!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

CHG_CANON wrote:

Without the best equipment, we're only as good as everyone with a phone.

fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH

All good points. Don’t get me wrong; I’m a DSLR guy but there are certainly a few advantages to a phone camera. Among them:

1. It’s a whole lot easier to slide my phone into my back pocket than my Nikon.

2. I pretty much always have my phone in my pocket when an unexpected photo opportunity presents itself.

I’m sure there are others but these quickly occur to me. For quality of results, though, I’ll always stick with my Nikon.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

fourlocks wrote:

All good points. Don’t get me wrong; I’m a DSLR guy but there are certainly a few advantages to a phone camera. Among them:

1. It’s a whole lot easier to slide my phone into my back pocket than my Nikon.

2. I pretty much always have my phone in my pocket when an unexpected photo opportunity presents itself.

I’m sure there are others but these quickly occur to me. For quality of results, though, I’ll always stick with my Nikon.

Panos are so much easier/simpler with my phone.

SteveLoker Loc: Fort Worth, TX

I thing of the camera on my phone the same as I did my old pocket 110 or shopping at 7-11. Not many options but there when you "need" something that'll do.

Stash Loc: South Central Massachusetts

No problem for me. I still use my old flip phone. No apps, no photos. What I do use it for is making and taking phone calls. I don't need it for anything else.