There’s a DSLR thread, a non-DSLR thread and both are active and full of useful information.
I thought I’d have a little fun and start a thread about those crappy, annoying but useful cameras that are buried in our cell phones as an afterthought.
The hard-core photo-buffs might turn up their noses at the idea of a camera-phone discussion but I’m sure I’m not the only one who was glad on many occasions where I had a camera with me when I needed it.
So love them or hate them, I’m sure many people must have an opinion.
Here’s my $0.02 worth.
Useless
My first cell phone that had a camera was a Motorola V220. The camera was a .3 mp and it was completely useless. I experimented with it and wrote if off as some useless gimmick that I’ll never use. The results weren’t worth the effort.
Sucks but occasionally useful
Then I got a Motorola RAZR V3 with a 1.3 mp camera. The camera was much improved but still pretty bad. I ended up using it on a few occasions. In daylight or a brightly lit room it could take a semi-useful picture. I used it but when I showed pix to other people, I felt the need to explain that this was my cell camera. I had to make an excuse because of the poor image quality.
This was the first time I realized that , yes it’s a crappy camera but it’s always with me and ready to take a picture if needed.
Not great but doesn't suck and is moderately useful
Today, I’m using a Nokia E71 with a 3.2 mp camera. I have to say that it is much improved to the point that I no longer need to be embarrassed when I snap a picture with it. It’s not even close to my P&S camera but it’s good enough to use as a backup and it's always with me. It has some useful features such as autofocus, macro mode, self time, white balance and some scene modes. It also takes a surprisingly good night shot. It even has a little LED flash. It’s not a great camera but it doesn’t suck either.
A whole lot better...
What I’ve been reading is that the camera phones coming out are going to be a lot better. They could mean the end of the low end P&S market.
I was looking at this camera on the weekend.
http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/products/mobilephones/overview/satio?lc=en&cc=gb
Here’s some famous photographer by the name of Chase Jarvis who made a coffee table book of his work and every picture is taken with his iphone. The guy’s an artist so the pictures are great. The point is the camera doesn’t matter as much as the photographer.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0321684788/?tag=kenrockwellcom
I’m a firm believer that the best camera in the world is the one you’ve got with you when you need it.
Discuss...
I thought I’d have a little fun and start a thread about those crappy, annoying but useful cameras that are buried in our cell phones as an afterthought.
The hard-core photo-buffs might turn up their noses at the idea of a camera-phone discussion but I’m sure I’m not the only one who was glad on many occasions where I had a camera with me when I needed it.
So love them or hate them, I’m sure many people must have an opinion.
Here’s my $0.02 worth.
Useless
My first cell phone that had a camera was a Motorola V220. The camera was a .3 mp and it was completely useless. I experimented with it and wrote if off as some useless gimmick that I’ll never use. The results weren’t worth the effort.
Sucks but occasionally useful
Then I got a Motorola RAZR V3 with a 1.3 mp camera. The camera was much improved but still pretty bad. I ended up using it on a few occasions. In daylight or a brightly lit room it could take a semi-useful picture. I used it but when I showed pix to other people, I felt the need to explain that this was my cell camera. I had to make an excuse because of the poor image quality.
This was the first time I realized that , yes it’s a crappy camera but it’s always with me and ready to take a picture if needed.
Not great but doesn't suck and is moderately useful
Today, I’m using a Nokia E71 with a 3.2 mp camera. I have to say that it is much improved to the point that I no longer need to be embarrassed when I snap a picture with it. It’s not even close to my P&S camera but it’s good enough to use as a backup and it's always with me. It has some useful features such as autofocus, macro mode, self time, white balance and some scene modes. It also takes a surprisingly good night shot. It even has a little LED flash. It’s not a great camera but it doesn’t suck either.
A whole lot better...
What I’ve been reading is that the camera phones coming out are going to be a lot better. They could mean the end of the low end P&S market.
I was looking at this camera on the weekend.
http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/products/mobilephones/overview/satio?lc=en&cc=gb
Here’s some famous photographer by the name of Chase Jarvis who made a coffee table book of his work and every picture is taken with his iphone. The guy’s an artist so the pictures are great. The point is the camera doesn’t matter as much as the photographer.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0321684788/?tag=kenrockwellcom
I’m a firm believer that the best camera in the world is the one you’ve got with you when you need it.
Discuss...
