scoundrel Loc: Wytheville VA

I doubt that many hedgehogs use the cameras in their cell phones more than occasionally or in photographic emergencies where they don't have their main gear with them. If you are an exception to this rule, I want to hear from you. I don't even have a modern cell phone; just a clamshell phone that has a camera that I never used, even for a test shot.

Cell phones these days can produce decent enough image quality for casual work, such as family events and holidays. That said, how often do you use your cell phone in this way as opposed to a dedicated camera (if any)?

How controllable are its settings and which does it have: manual shutter speed, aperture, ISO sensitivity, white balance? Does it have scene modes and, if so, do you use them? Does it have a capture mode other than JPEG? Some have more than one lens. About what angle of coverage does your camera have for each? (Don't forget to specify long dimension, short dimension, or diagonal.) Does your phone have on-camera flash? If so, can you disable it? How is your camera's performance in dim light (How low can you go?) What is your flash's range, if you have one?

Does your phone have a photographic feature that you are especially proud of? That you wish it had but doesn't? That you use a lot?

Describe your favorite technique(s) for holding your phone steady when long exposures are expected.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The smart phone section of UHH sounds like your kind of forum Click this link:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-135-1.html

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brentrh Loc: Deltona, FL

I used my phone camera frequently, for photos in its range for posting. Serious work I revert to big camera. Process phone photos with software on phone or email to my self to process on my computer

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

Hey Scoundrel... I am just a newbie to cell phone photography and can't give you all the in and outs of settings etc... but I can tell you that phonecams are NOT going away and will get better with each iteration. Checkout the smartphone section. I now carry an old cheap tripod in the car with phone clamp/ballhead attached. You will be amazed what you can do with phone cam files once you get them in your computer... Its the future, no matter what they say.

terryMc Loc: Arizona's White Mountains

The future is now, and it's only getting worse...

Rongnongno Loc: FL

No, different.

Hip Coyote

Here is a cut n paste response I did a few days ago:

In the January 2024 PSA Magazine there are two articles dedicated to smart phones. One of the articles is entitled, "The Freedom, Versatility, and Capability of Today's iPhone Photography." The other is a documentary about a photographer's journey towards using an iPhone as a primary camera. Both articles display exceptional photographs. One author points out differences between his dlsr and iPhone 13 ProMax. There is not a lot of difference, but he does point out some situations where the little iPhone simply would not work.

While some may not care or want to ignore the advancements of the mobile phone as a camera, the fact is that it is here and quite capable. While people on UHH can argue, ad nauseam, about FF vs. this or that, IQ of each system, 31 pages and counting on the latest drivel on RAW vs. JPG, the fact is that that the phone is a very capable system. The photographs in the articles far surpass all but a few photos in the Gallery of the UHH. One author notes that the use of modern processing capabilities, including AI and algorithms to reduce or eliminate noise also benefit the iPhone camera. He also notes that the versatility of the phone is amazing...during a course he was teaching people did panoramas, macro photography, underwater photography and light painting...all with the little ol' camera. Of course, the phones cannot do birds in flight well or sports (except video is quite good), but as a general shooter or for travel, it may be all that is needed by the rational open minded person.

In my case, I do not care to use the iPhone as a camera replacement. The ergonomics and the rapidity at which I can deploy the phone camera are a problem. But, that could well be my problem rather than the device. What I do know, and will be teaching to my camera club, is that the iPhone can be a very capable mini-computer when I use a regular camera, edit the pics in LR Mobile on my phone, sync with the cloud and later polish up editing on my home computer. Now I come home from a vacation with nearly fully edited pics, all avail on the cloud with my raw and side car files for incorporation into my beloved LR Classic. Its downright voodoo.

What is clear is that the money behind phones is far greater than the money behind cameras. The computational capabilities, meshing with the cloud and so many other capabilities far eclipse our traditional cameras.

What is a universal truth is that using a camera as an artistic implement is the key to success. To paraphrase the adage that, "amateurs talk tactics while soldiers talk logistics," I believe amateurs talk gear while photographers talk art.

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

I took my first trip to Perú last November, and I purposely took only my phone. I wanted to see if my captures would rival those of my bigger cameras. I must say that the results were impressive! Of course, I had some clunkers, but so too do I with my DSLR. Overall, the quality of the photos was surprisingly good, and the ease at which I could shoot panoramas, portraits and even movies was simplicity itself.

My DSLR isn't going into the want-ads any time soon, but I like my cellphone (iPhone 14 Pro) as a camera quite a lot!

Hip Coyote

Perfectly stated.

User ID

I use my iphone 11 camera quite often altho I hate it. Its grossly anti-ergonomic, has no really useful controls and my hit ratio with it is about 30%. But its always with me so I give it a try. Win a few, lose a few. The winners are keepers and the losers are deleted. Cheaper than playing the lottery.

Its a cool toy but whenever results MUST be assured its no way an appropriate device, not even on a sunny day in May.

I ignored your many very specific questions. The answers surely vary from phone to phone. Visit Bestbuy and play with some phones.

Below are a few nondeletes from phone phun:

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dustie Loc: Nose to the grindstone

First off, this comment is in no way intended to be confrontational nor
belligerant, even though it is entirely possible some will choose to misconstrue it
as being so.

Some of the included pics were done by a secondhand (or is it third-, fourth-, or
fifthhand? I have no idea) DSLR, the others were done by a camera that includes
phone capability. Which are which?
None of the equipment is newer than nine or ten years old. Not including the
cost of memory cards, the total funds tied up in the digital picture taking devices
are significantly south of $850.00 U.S. None of the picture taking devices have
sensors with pixel counts that will satisfy the demands of pixel-peeping gurus.

There are two cameras with phone functions. Each has only one lens, not
multiples. Each has manufacturer-set automatic settings operations.

One of the cameras with phone capability will allow the operator to set white
balance, ISO, +2 - -2 exposure compensation, shutter speed from 1/2000 - 1/2
second, choose dng and jpeg output, and, with careful difficulty, manual focus.
The other will allow the operator to select a focus area within the frame, and has
a slider which allows imprecise adjustment of exposure, though there is no
indication if it is shutter speed, ISO or what is being changed by that slider; it
produces only jpeg output.

Neither of the cameras with phone capability has image stabilization
technology. If I do not have a tripod with phone clamp attachment along, I
steady the camera on a rock, or stump, or tree branch, or fence post, or log, or
fuel can, or jerry rig, or tool handle, or a wish and a prayer.

The cameras with phone capability have not been regarded as an unfortunate
make-do, since the time a photographer with over four decades professional
experience counseled me to learn all I could about picture taking while using the
camera with phone capability, since at the time it was the only picture taking
method I had available.

Each of the three picture taking instruments has selectable scene modes. I've
never tried any of them.

Perceivable differences in the pics:
-- are those the results of differences in the picture taking apparatus format in
use, pitting outdated, never above bottom mid-level mirrorless fixed lens, fixed
aperture cameras against an outdated once-okay/so-so, never above bottom-
rated DSLR?
-- are those due to the fact the hillbilly, untrained picture taker has maaaaybe 40 weeks
total accumulated time in digital photography and post-camera
processing, spread out over the past 5 years, or so? Would 45, 50, 60 years
experience and hours of training be enough to transform the bumbling, dorky
hillbilly into a real photographer who could step into a scene and instantly know
what the optimum camera settings and perspective and compositional
imperatives for that particular scene are? Would newest tech and more
expensive doodads instantly elevate the bumbling, dorky hillbilly's pic results
into an equally elevated class of worth above the present knowledge and experience level? Or, would there only be a continuation of mediocre results
backed by more time spent and a higher stage of technolgy acquired through
the expenditure of many months' or years' worth of hard-earned moolah which
should have been put to better use?

In a reply to me in another thread earlier today, hawgster 'burkphoto' very nicely
put into words something that seems to be a part of the push and pull inside me
that makes me wish for more available time and greater experience in this
photography interest:
•• "I'm interested in getting results. I'm interested in seeing results. I'm okay with
how you got your image, if it moves me or communicates with me, and your
methods weren't illegal, unethical, immoral, or fattening." ('burkphoto' quote) ••

(Shameful apologies to the offended, venerated, experienced, advanced,
equipped, distinguished, elevated folk who are sadly forced to endure such an
underwhelming, little kids table post amongst the exclusively desired, never-
less-than worthwhile, estimable Big Boy posts in the Main Photography
Discussion section.)

Red6

For a pro's perspective, view Scott Kelby's video on Youtube. He uses his iPhone camera a good bit and considers it as a backup for his pro kit.

I know the use of a cell phone camera generates a good bit of controversy here at UHH, but when a pro of Scott Kelby's reputation considers it a good thing. I listen to him.

I have been taking photos for years, taken courses, and read a lot of books on the subject. But after my wife, who has little photography knowledge, has taken photos with her iPhone 13 that rival and beat my images and many I see here on UHH in quality and composition. The same can be said of my niece's Samsung photos, who in my opinion has a great eye for composition and light. I am a believer.

That does not mean the cell phone camera does not have limitations, it does. But for family photos, sightseeing, and general photography, they can be outstanding. And, you always have it with you without the burden of something extra to carry and secure. Unless I am out to photograph something that requires a special lens or special feature of my Canon kit, it stays home now and I depend on my iPhone. But the reverse is also true. In Kelby's video he shows you things he does with his iPhone that simply could not be done with even the most advanced mirrorless kit.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Likewise, I took my iPhone 14 Pro Max on a recent cruise, and like Hip Coyote said, "Perfectly stated".
Best Wishes,
JimmyT Sent

Edit: The Panos are just Amazing!

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

Thanks for the Shout Out Linda!

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

This topic has been discussed here many many many many many many many many many, did I say many times.
Cell phones do a great job capturing GENERAL subjects. At my nephews recent wedding inside an old train station with limited light it did a great job capturing my wife and I with the groom and his brother.
Cell phones are very good for these types of situations. Also, when I want a difficult part, I will record it with my cell phone and take the image to the hardware store to show the clerk exactly what I need instead of describing it. And when my wife and I rent a car we take many images of the car so that if there is the slightest damage we can prove by the date it was there before we drove off the rental lot.
HOWEVER, for my professional wildlife photography, no cell phone can match my Sony a1 or a9 and my Sony 600mm f4. So below is an example of my cell phone and a9.