Opinions on iPhone Camera (Page 8): But if ya got a new phone, or cam with auto function, it's making it a lot easier! For me it's kinda like making beer--I can work my butt off and...

OldTrojanFan

Wingpilot wrote:

My point, exactly. A camera, whatever kind it is, merely records the scene. The photographer sees the scene or subject and crafts the shot he wants to preserve. It takes skill and experience to learn good composition and lighting as well as knowing how to use the gear one has.

But if ya got a new phone, or cam with auto function, it's making it a lot easier! For me it's kinda like making beer--I can work my butt off and enjoy some great home brew, or go to the local market and buy something almost as good, often better for less money. I enjoyed brewing, but at some point it just no longer made sense with all the great craft choices.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

OldTrojanFan wrote:

But if ya got a new phone, or cam with auto function, it's making it a lot easier! For me it's kinda like making beer--I can work my butt off and enjoy some great home brew, or go to the local market and buy something almost as good, often better for less money. I enjoyed brewing, but at some point it just no longer made sense with all the great craft choices.

Great analogy.

OldTrojanFan

BTW, I'm not suggesting a phone or pocket camera is better than a full featured pro model in the hands of someone who knows how to use it and willing to put in the time--I just giggle a bit at the people who refuse to acknowledge how good these cameras are today. I'm 76 years old, started using SLR cameras about 50 years ago, and when I travel there is no way I want to lug a tripod and 20 pounds of lenses around foreign countries when I can get 90% or more of the shots I want with way less trouble. I want good pics, but it's just fun for me.

Cherihorn Loc: Toledo

davidrb wrote:

iPhones made instant photographers out of very lazy people.

Or allow arthritic photographers to continue to look at everything as light, and color, framing, movement and perspective, compose and capture. I can barely lift my 5Dmark3 and 150-600 mm lens let alone hike over 4 miles with it. Not because I’m lazy.
I’m grateful for the question. I’ve been screen-shotting your replies and sending them to my husband. I think I might just have to spring for a new toy!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Cherihorn wrote:

Or allow arthritic photographers to continue to look at everything as light, and color, framing, movement and perspective, compose and capture. I can barely lift my 5Dmark3 and 150-600 mm lens let alone hike over 4 miles with it. Not because I’m lazy.

Cherihorn Loc: Toledo

JD750 wrote:

Even when I’m carrying another camera I often use mine. It’s just a different camera. Better for some things and not others.

I have to laugh at this. I’ll take forever to fiddle around with my DLSR to take a photo when traveling and then just to be sure I captured it well, snap a pic with my phone, “for insurance”. High contrast-iphone wins in a split second.

delder Loc: Maryland

Yes! If NOTHING else, the modern Smartphone is a MARVEL of miniaturization!
?Do I get to count my S21-5G as a Mirrorless Camera 📷?

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

delder wrote:

Yes! If NOTHING else, the modern Smartphone is a MARVEL of miniaturization!
?Do I get to count my S21-5G as a Mirrorless Camera 📷?

Absolutely. It has no mirror!!

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

Wingpilot wrote:

What I don’t understand is why all the angst again... (show quote)

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Cherihorn wrote:

I have to laugh at this. I’ll take forever to fiddle around with my DLSR to take a photo when traveling and then just to be sure I captured it well, snap a pic with my phone, “for insurance”. High contrast-iphone wins in a split second.

repleo Loc: Boston

Indi wrote:

A friend of mine just asked me a question about iPhone photography.
“Back to photography, I’m curious what your group is saying about the iPhone camera.”
She’s a very astute amateur photographer and I think she’s using an iPhone 13.
Personally, I have trouble using my iPhone XS Max, especially when there is insufficient light. Obviously, my first choice is my Nikon D5300.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

Photography should be about the image not the gear.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Can I politely recommend that all the Smartphone Camera doubters go over to this site's thread on Smartphone Cameras and cycle through the various posters contributions. You probably will not be a convert, but you will have to admit some admiration -- that is if you are a fair person.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

repleo wrote:

Photography should be about the image not the gear.

Aside from the artistic part (which is all important), on the technical side, photography "to paint with light", is first and foremost about the optics.

However camera bodies, because of the ascent of the computational element, are playing an increasingly more important roll to technical image quality, than in the film days.

I'm on a trip now and I am impressed by the quality of images from my friends new cell phone cameras. One of them even has optical zoom. I have a couple year old cell phone as well, and I can see a noticable difference between theirs and mine.

Unfortunately, as noted by Burt, dedicated camera companies cannot afford to throw a gazillion $ into development, and the cell phone companies can afford that and they are doing that. In the earlier days of cell phones looking closer at cell phone pics, you could see artifacts, however they are getting better with each generation. Looking now at my friends cell-phone pic taken in low light, some artifacts are slightly noticeable, but that's zoomed in to the pixel level. In good light I don't see them even zoomed in.

There will always be a place for interchangeable lens cameras, because of the optical flexibility and optical advantages, but that space is getting increasingly smaller. (I know, that is an oxymoron ;)