Photography Question?

I think I may have mentioned before that, as a hobby, I am an amateur photographer. I have some really nice camera bodies and glass up front.

For years and years, being a traditionalist, I resisted the transition from film to digital. Film just got to be too difficult to obtain and get quality developing without sending it off. I've now made the full transition to digital. I'm pretty much an all Canon guy, initially because Nikon was just so expensive. Now, like many, I'm too invested in Canon to switch. I have a dilemma though.

All of my main camera bodies are DSLR's. I have a few smaller point and shoot cameras, but those are mainly just knock around cameras. A couple of them though take some pretty dang nice pictures...and you don't have to lug around a big camera bag, or camera with a big honkin' lens on it. So, it's much more convenient. Now the mirrorless and 4/3rds cameras seem to be all the rage. I kind of get it, it's a portability issue probably more than any other one single thing. But now days it gets even more complicated than this even.

Cameras on digital phones have come a long, LONG, way. I can shoot pictures on my Samsung phone which will rival pictures I can take with a DSLR. No, I don't have all the lens and filter options with a phone, but hey, it's digital, you don't really HAVE to have all those anymore.

I'm kind of torn now. On several occasions I have consciously left my big DSLR at home in favor of just using my phone. And, it seems the next generation phones are coming out with even better cameras than what exist now. So, my question is this...

Should I just give up the dedicated camera culture and all the gear that goes with it, and just use my phone? Or, should I stick with a dedicated camera? If I stick with a dedicated camera, I'm really tempted to go with one of the new mirrorless bodies anyway. I might not have to stick with Canon then either (not that I dislike them or anything). For years I've drooled over Leica cameras, but I've never owned one. So, a Leica might be an option. I also hear Fuji makes a really nice camera also, so there are options for me. That is, IF I stick with a dedicated camera. But there's a little voice inside of me telling me I should just break with tradition already and just stick with my phone.

What do you think? What would you do?

a reply to: Flyingclaydisk

I sometimes shoot stills and EPK for different productions. I've switched over to micro Panasonic 4/3 for both stills and 4k video and use my Canon DSLR for back up. Yeah, you're right, phones are almost as good and have great editing software to download.

a reply to: olaru12

How do you like that 4/3 camera?

Is that a full frame 1" chip? Sorry, dumb question. I knew that answer. What I was trying to ask was...in the field, how does the 4/3rds sensor differ, in terms of your shooting style, from a full-frame sensor?

ETA - Also, what is your photography niche? People? Landscape? Artistic? All of the above? Also, what format do you usually use, color or B&W?

a reply to: Flyingclaydisk

I am not expert by a long shot. In fact I will not even call myself a novice. But taking photos is often a huge part of my job.

I am stuck in the stone age with my little Powershot, but I have grown to know her so well, that I am not comfortable replacing her.

Problem is, the job is encouraging the move to a digital camera. It looks a lot like a cell phone, you just can't make phone calls on it. It comes with a lot of bells and whistles that I really don't see the need for in my line of work.

I know my hesitancy is mostly do to resistance to change. Right now it is easier for me to stay with the tried and true. But I know they day is going to come, when that choice will be removed from me.

This is odd for me, because I am the usually the first one to jump on the, let's try something new, band wagon. But since my photos stand a good chance of ending up in court, I am not so quick to jump. I took a couple of classes. I learned enough to know that I really know very little about photography, and I am not very good at it, beyond the basics.

I really need someone to convince me to get a dedicated camera! I'm a gear-head by nature, so I want one, but I'm just not sure I'll use it enough to justify it. I can't stand spending good money on something which doesn't get thoroughly used.

I just went outside and took some pictures with my (old) Samsung 9 phone. I took some macro shots of the dog, some landscape shots of the pasture and barn and some artsy pictures. As I examine these pictures by zooming in and critiquing them, I am hard pressed to see any dramatic differences between my phone and what my DSLR can do. Yet, here I am perusing mirrorless cameras on B&H's website!

originally posted by: Flyingclaydisk
I really need someone to convince me to get a dedicated camera! I'm a gear-head by nature, so I want one, but I'm just not sure I'll use it enough to justify it. I can't stand spending good money on something which doesn't get thoroughly used.

I just went outside and took some pictures with my (old) Samsung 9 phone. I took some macro shots of the dog, some landscape shots of the pasture and barn and some artsy pictures. As I examine these pictures by zooming in and critiquing them, I am hard pressed to see any dramatic differences between my phone and what my DSLR can do. Yet, here I am perusing mirrorless cameras on B&H's website!

They older cameras will eventually become antiques. Much like movie reels, VHS, and Polaroids.

The move is forward, even if we lose some of the intimacy, and personality of the old way. When the workplace starts pushing the new technology, you can pretty much trust that it will only move forward. Pretty soon you won't be able to get film, or parts, unless on Ebay,

I share much of what you are feelings, but time and the world does not still for any man. Or woman for that matter.

For me, digital zoom will never be a valid alternative to optical zoom, and there's only so much optical length you can fit in a smartphone. Mechanical aperture control is another advantage. Plus the ability to make countless adjustments to exposure, shutter speed etc, without having to remove your eye from the viewfinder. Personal opinion of course, having worked as a professional photographer for many years.

a reply to: Flatcoat

All good points for sure! Keep them coming! I'm really looking for a good excuse to get another camera.

One thing I was surprised at earler today when I was playing around with my phone is, when I take a macro type photograph the phone somehow adjusts the DOF and it actually looks pretty decent. That was a surprise. Normally, I'm used to opening the aperture way up and adjusting the speed.

With a lot of the newer mirrorless cameras there is no viewfinder anymore. It's all on the LCD back.

Keep it. My Nikon D750 and assorted lenses take way better photos than my phone. I use my phone more, but for vacations, product shots etc, I use the Nikon.

I was on safari a couple of years back and the guy who owned the camp we were in asked if he could come out with us, said he’d bring his camera. My gear cost the best part of £3500. He turned up with a top of the line Canon DSLR and a rucksack. In the rucksack was a £15000 lens. Never seen anything like it. His setup was around £21000. However, we both took some incredible photos of an extremely angry elephant that tried to wreck our truck.

Keep it and use when the opportunity presents.

a reply to: Flyingclaydisk

Is that a full frame 1" chip? Sorry, dumb question. I knew that answer. What I was trying to ask was...in the field, how does the 4/3rds sensor differ, in terms of your shooting style, from a full-frame sensor?

Not much, the 4k offers a lot of latitude in post; But over all the larger the sensor, the better.

With the small Panasonic, anything that catches my attention gets photographed. At work, I just try and capture the film being made for the producers to see how their money is being spent. And for EPK, stills/video to be used in promotion of the project. After the Jan 1st I plan to use my iphone 13 pro for everything, stills and video.

a reply to: Flyingclaydisk
I can't imagine choosing a phone over a DSLR or mirrorless. Sensor size alone dictates that if you are a serious amateur, you want a DSLR or mirrorless. Then there's the ability to shoot RAW, something that even a phone with RAW can't match. The abilities of a dedicated camera FAR outweigh any phone camera, however fancy.

If you are a snapshot type person, sure, a phone will do the trick. In that case, the best camera is the one you have with you, but if like to "make pictures", to me it's a no-brainer, stick with a "real camera".

You mentioned Leica. How about the so-called "poor mans Leica"? The FujiFilm X100V? Also consider the Ricoh GR3 or GR3X.

ETA: I am not knocking phone cameras. They have their place and I like the camera in my Google Pixel, but when I want to make a picture and have real control over the photographic process. I want a "real camera".

Look for a camera that gives so much more than a mere phone.

Try this for one option.





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a reply to: olaru12

EPK??

I amd not familiar with this acronym (I don't think).

a reply to: Klassified

Thank you.

Great points!

originally posted by: Flyingclaydisk
a reply to: olaru12

EPK??

I amd not familiar with this acronym (I don't think)

Electronic Press Kit....used for promotion of most people and projects in the entertainment/sports/music industries.

Mainly stills, videos, articles, or anything a publicist uses to promote a project/person destined for release to public media.

a reply to: pheonix358

Optical FTW. Seriously considering one of these myself.

originally posted by: Flyingclaydisk
I really need someone to convince me to get a dedicated camera!

This is a conspiricy forum. Have a dedicated non trackable camera if you ever really need one. All cell phones are trackable. If the electric grid goes out for a long time, you may want the older non digital camera. Get film while you can. Learn how to develop. You never know what is down the path.