I use 2 cameras - I have a Nikon Z series DSLR which I use when I am specifically going out for a photo shoot - wildlife and nature are my primary goals, but I do the occasional professional gig such as sports or portraits. But I have an Olympus tough camera that I just keep in my car with me and use for those surprise moments when you see something but didn't pack your main camera. The thing is unbreakable. Waterproof, shockproof, and has survived lots of trauma. You can get filters for it, and it has a surprisingly decent zoom range for a point-and-shoot, including a macro and microscope mode. I have had it for 10 years now, and when I look back at my work, most of my best photos came from the Olympus, not the Nikon.
So while I like the feel of the DSLR best, I cannot deny the Olympus' utility factor. And the older models are just as good (if not better) than the latest models, so it doesn't cost much to pick one up.
Focal length. In a phone camera the lens is smooshed right against the sensor. Such cameras have fisheye-type lenses, and the image is cropped in the centre and dewarped in software. But it's just not the same. That said convenience is above all. If I just need to photograph something I use my phone camera.
With photography as an art I have gone back to film. The cost in money and time and space involved with taking an impression of light gives it gravity that is lacking with a phone camera. It's a different kind of process. One thing I've noticed is that developing is like taking the photograph anew. It can be weeks before I finish a roll and get around to developing it, and I surprise myself.
I tried my DSLR out last week for the first time in years. Hated it’s so used to my iPhone now. Photography shouldn’t be so much work. Maybe Apple can release a camera at some point. With decent processing and some AI… easy winner.
The new mirrorless cameras are very small and have exceptional image quality. Paired with a good quality lens, it’s very portable, has long battery life, and lets you take actual good photos. My very, very old Canon 450D can still run circles around any cellphone.
I use 2 cameras - I have a Nikon Z series DSLR which I use when I am specifically going out for a photo shoot - wildlife and nature are my primary goals, but I do the occasional professional gig such as sports or portraits. But I have an Olympus tough camera that I just keep in my car with me and use for those surprise moments when you see something but didn't pack your main camera. The thing is unbreakable. Waterproof, shockproof, and has survived lots of trauma. You can get filters for it, and it has a surprisingly decent zoom range for a point-and-shoot, including a macro and microscope mode. I have had it for 10 years now, and when I look back at my work, most of my best photos came from the Olympus, not the Nikon.
So while I like the feel of the DSLR best, I cannot deny the Olympus' utility factor. And the older models are just as good (if not better) than the latest models, so it doesn't cost much to pick one up.
Focal length. In a phone camera the lens is smooshed right against the sensor. Such cameras have fisheye-type lenses, and the image is cropped in the centre and dewarped in software. But it's just not the same. That said convenience is above all. If I just need to photograph something I use my phone camera.
With photography as an art I have gone back to film. The cost in money and time and space involved with taking an impression of light gives it gravity that is lacking with a phone camera. It's a different kind of process. One thing I've noticed is that developing is like taking the photograph anew. It can be weeks before I finish a roll and get around to developing it, and I surprise myself.
I tried my DSLR out last week for the first time in years. Hated it’s so used to my iPhone now. Photography shouldn’t be so much work. Maybe Apple can release a camera at some point. With decent processing and some AI… easy winner.
The new mirrorless cameras are very small and have exceptional image quality. Paired with a good quality lens, it’s very portable, has long battery life, and lets you take actual good photos. My very, very old Canon 450D can still run circles around any cellphone.
Fuji isn't always the best bang for your buck but they're small and fun. Photos taken with real cameras just look so much better.
Ricoh GRIII / IV is absolutely perfect for this imo
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