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.

After skipping the preparations for 2023, it's that time of the year again for an annual reminder about goals (resolutions). Did you make and accomplish any for 2023? Should you make any new plans for 2024?

Current Equipment

Are you learning to better use your current equipment?
Are you learning your processing software?
Are you organizing your legacy images?
Did you sell your unused and outdated equipment?
Are you using your tripod?
Are you organizing your new images?
Are you using your external (speedlite) flash?
Did you consolidate miscellaneous HDs into a single larger drive?
Did you implement and follow a back-up strategy for your image files, software install files, and passwords / credentials?
Did you investigate insurance / replacement costs of your equipment?
Did you download the PDF copy of your camera model?
Did you analyze your lens usage statistics and identify which lenses went used in 2023? Should you sell that unused equipment?

Technique

Are you using Back Button Focus?
Are you using selective focus with an off-center AF point placed specifically on the subject?
Did you watch any utube training for your software?
Did you return to a prior subject with a new lens or technical approach to specifically improve on a prior attempt?
Did you consider shooting in RAW?
Are you aggressively culling your multiple versions of one subject down to only the best one (or two); and then, only editing that best version to completion?

UHH Participation

Did you ask for help?
Did you answer a request for help?
Did you share any images?
Did you comment on any images?
Do you use the new Digest format?
Should you skip the Digest and use the <Newest Topics> button instead?
Did you resize the pixel resolution of your image posts to UHH, or to your email attachments?

Life

Did you make a photography-based trip?
Did you shoot any film?
Did you display your images on a digital frame or TV?
Did you print any images?
Did you sell any images?
Did you enter a photography competition?
Did you change to mirrorless?

Every journey, even those that take years to complete, begins with the very first step. Don't let a knowledge of the length, or just a fear of not reaching the end, stop you from ever even starting.

Enjoy the holidays and stay safe!

Hey Eric:

As was mentioned in one of the replies already, you have not indicated what it is you like to shoot, what your eye will sort of look for. Probably, it would be a good idea for you to do some research that would support your personal interests. Plus, you've already gotten some very good suggestions. I guarantee that you will need many more visits to shoot even those suggestions thoroughly.
I go out shooting most days here in the city, even in somewhat inclement weather. I bring one of two cameras, one with a fixed 28 mm and the other with a 24-105; never both. So my suggestion is to take only your 18–70. It will cover most of your needs, and your cell phone will handle the extremes, & reasonably well, if needed.
Things can happen very quickly here in the city, so more important than which lens is what settings are you walking around with. Routinely, my shutter is set at 1/250, my aperture, depending on the sky conditions between f5.6 and f11, and my ISO on auto. My zoom is at 35mm or so, focus on auto also. Therefore, almost always there is somewhere in the frame of that first shot something that I can work with. Usually, but not always(!), there's time then to work the scene
Happy holidays, and enjoy my city.

David

I own the Sony APS-C 10-18mm f4 lens which I used when I had a Sony A6500 APS-C camera. When I moved totally from APS-C to fullframe Sony cameras, I kept this APS-C 10-18mm lens.

It has a unique ability. Its image sensor coverage is wide enough that it can be used fullframe on a fullframe camera from 12-16mm (with the lens hood removed), without getting any vignette, really.

Here a fullframe shot using that Sony APS-C 10-18mm f4 lens at 12mm on a fullframe Sony A9 camera, Environmental Scientist Brooke Hildebrand in a slot canyon near Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona, USA.

Click on download to see better image quality.

Cheers and best to you.

So this made me look it up. Thank you!
Conflicting information also says that Epson DR-1 in 2004, Leica's M8 in 2006, and Panasonic's DMC-G1 in 2008.
Sony is being credited for bringing out the 1st commercially marketed full frame mirrorless in 2010--the NEX Series.
So, Jared also says that Sony '....dragged' the other manufacturers into the ...'mirrorless' world.
Yes, Sony was the 1st FF. But not the first mirrorless.
Parsing his words here; but give credit to those who actually did bring mirrorless to the table.