IPhone only for photos at WDW?

[Soupermom]

Have any of you avid photographers left your camera behind for the day and opted just to use your phone? I will be getting an iPhone 5s this weekend was considering leaving my Canon behind for our one day quick trip to the MK in March. I was wondering if I'd regret it. Kids are teens and we've been several times before so it's not like we'd be missing any first moments. I just wonder about the photo quality from the 5s ( it will be my first iPhone of any type).

 

[JediBonas]

I can't speak to the 5 (I have the 4s) but I'd say 90% of the pics I take with my phone just aren't good enough to justify leaving my camera at home. My kids are younger (2) and always running and action shots seriously suck with the iPhone. For posed, close shots in good lighting it's fine (as long as you don't plan on printing them larger then 5x7), anything else I'd say no.

 

[DSLRuser]

just don't be one of the many dorks we see using an IPAD. LOL. I can think of no worse device to carry around than an IPAD. Its too big and takes very crappy pictures.

Now, I do use my iPhone 5 for video and it does a great job. But not for any serious still shots.

 

[wiigirl]

just don't be one of the many dorks we see using an IPAD. LOL. I can think of no worse device to carry around than an IPAD. Its too big and takes very crappy pictures.

Now, I do use my iPhone 5 for video and it does a great job. But not for any serious still shots.

 

[photo_chick]

OP do what works for you. Most of us here couldn't fathom going with just a phone but many do and are quite happy. Your iPhone will do very well for outdoor shots during the day.

 

[Skywise]

I've got an iPhone4 and it does about as well as any non-zooming point and shoot (and in some cases a wee bit better than my old Canon Elph... I think the color reproduction is more accurate in some circumstances).

Take a battery recharger pack along with you though! (like a Patriot Fuel+)

 

[Animagic!]

Personally, I think a day at the parks with only my iPhone and no camera would be torture. I have the iPhone 5 and I appreciate that it takes decent pictures for a cell phone. However, I am so used to the image quality that I have with my camera that trying to replace them with my iPhone would be a complete disappointment for me. I'd only leave behind my camera if I did not intend to take any pictures at all. If taking pictures is even a possibility then I take my camera. But that's just me.

Everyone's wants and needs are different. I don't like the attitude of "Ehhh... good enough." towards photography now-a-days, with cell phones replacing cameras. I use my iPhone mostly for practical picture taking (ie visual reminders, copying information, etc). But I use my camera for artistic and fun photography. For me, iPhoneography simply isn't fun or practical for the way I take pictures.

But like everything else, your mileage may vary.

 

[Soupermom]

Thanks everyone for your input. I think I'll be taking my camera. I would be really upset if my phone photos did not turn out well!

 

[havoc315]

Personally, I can't get good shots with my phone because my hands are really unstable. But my wife is able to get very very good shots with her iphone.
If you're not looking to make a big album, not looking to blow up huge prints, not trying to take dark ride pics or professional looking pictures...
If you're just looking to preserve some memories, with a few good family snap shots... The iphone can work just fine.

The image quality of the 5s will match or even exceed a very basic point and shoot camera. And it has lots of features you won't find on a basic P&S, especially if you add some apps... You can do HDR. You can upload straight to facebook. You can do photoshop or other editing right in the "camera." All photos will get GPS tagging.

So depending on the types of pictures I wanted to capture, the iphone could be just right.

Here is an example of an iphone vacation pic:


IMG_4757.jpg by Havoc315, on Flickr

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I did just that one night back in the fall, at MNSSHP. I just got really tired of carrying my big, heavy bag around, plus it was so hot, I wasn't feeling great, etc.

It was very freeing, and I'm sure I'll do it again. I think there are some pics in the link in my signature. I have an iPhone 5, and I actually really like using it for every day photography.

 

[wekhogan]

I agree with the first poster. I have an iPhone 5, and I will use it regularly for posed shots in good light. Takes great pictures. Shots that have action are just not good. There is also a bit of lag, so it just can't keep up with action. Bad light shots are likewise not good. But for daytime stills? I love being able to take a shot and sharing instantly. Enjoy your trip.

 

[Agent7]

When I lived near the parks and went often every now and then I just took my iPhone. I love photography and my slr but every now and then it was nice to travel light and not worry about it. If you aren't worried about night pride or ride pictures (which can be hard to get even with a camera) and just want some causal shots then you'll be fine.

 

[mikegood2]

Can't believe I'm saying this, but for a one day trip I don't see any problem just using an iPhone as long as you realize that you might not be able to get all the shots that you could get with the Canon.

If this was a once in a lifetime, or very rare family vacation I would definitely advise you against it but seeing that you have gone to WDW a few times before and it's only a day why not give it a try. While I couldn't do it personally, I could see that it might be liberating just using the phone.

 

[teekathepony]

Interesting question...

On my last trip, I left my camera behind for one day at Animal Kingdom and just used my phone (an iPhone 5) I just figured that since I'd been there many times with the camera, already had lots of pics from the park, and I just really wanted to go with nothing hanging off my shoulder so I stuck my phone in my pocket and had a great time. Of course my camera would have taken much better pictures, but most of what I got with my phone was good enough to keep as memories!

However, like the PP says, I would never do it on a once in a lifetime opportunity or something really different that you've never done before. But since your OP sounds like that's not the case, I'd say go for it.

 

[mom2rtk]

Personally, I can't get good shots with my phone because my hands are really unstable. But my wife is able to get very very good shots with her iphone.

I can't tell you how many people ask me to take photos in the parks when they see me with my DLSR. I am always happy to oblige, but feel silly when they hand me a phone and I immediately hand it off to my 13 year old daughter. She expert at phone photos, but my hands just can't do it. One of the reasons I carry a big camera is because 1) the weight steadies my hands 2) the nicer lenses allow me to achieve a faster shutter speed and 3) the IS helps counter some of my camera shake issues.

 

[havoc315]

I can't tell you how many people ask me to take photos in the parks when they see me with my DLSR. I am always happy to oblige, but feel silly when they hand me a phone and I immediately hand it off to my 13 year old daughter. She expert at phone photos, but my hands just can't do it. One of the reasons I carry a big camera is because 1) the weight steadies my hands 2) the nicer lenses allow me to achieve a faster shutter speed and 3) the IS helps counter some of my camera shake issues.

Agreed. If you have steady hands.... in good light, a non-action shot... the iphone can really do about as well any most other cameras.

My hands are just really unsteady. Even with the dSLR and image stabilization, I'm finding that unless I really have the chance to brace myself, I'm much better off shooting at faster than 1/focal length. In aperture priority, my camera defaults to 1/focal length, and I'm finding I need to slightly bump up the shutter speed.

Getting back to the iPhone and perception.... I think there is an outdated perception that a phone camera can't possibly be as good as a dedicated camera. But I get amused when I see someone who owns an iPhone 5, pulling out a cheap p&s for snapshots. In many ways, the iPhone 5 is an EXPENSIVE camera.
Younger people get this -- they use their phones for everything. But those younger people don't remember a time without cell phones, they don't remember when cell phones first started including cameras -- little 1mp low resolution images. And they certainly don't remember pre-digital, when cameras really weren't electronic at all. (Don't have to go back too far when most cameras were totally mechanical... eventually dSLRs had some limited electronics for metering, to drive AF, and eventually to automatically advance and rewind film! Remember advancing the film mechanically??)

I was among the people 10 years ago who said, "these digital cameras are nifty... but they will never be as good as 35mm dSLR." -- Yes, I was wrong, I'm eating crow.
And I dare say, that under some circumstances, even good smart phones are now as good as those old 35mm dSLRs.

So where 20 years ago, "good cameras" were for photography hobbyists... nowadays, every 14-year-old has a "good camera" in their pockets at all times.

Even go back to something I consider recent... 9/11/01 -- Only a couple videos in existence of the tragedy. If that were to happen today, there would be thousands of images of the planes crashing on twitter.... thousands of images of the chaos. But that was still pre-smartphone cameras.

 

[Animagic!]

My iphone sometimes surprises me with great images. My issue is that it has a hard time metering. Even with apps that let me meter and focus separately aren't always that accurate. Blown out and dark pics are not any use to me.

What cracks me up is that people look down on P&S because of their sensor. Even "enthusiast" P&S with manual controls and RAW imaging get the cold shoulder for having a 1/1.7 inch sensor because it's not big enough. And yet despite this they are still ok with using an iPhone's camera simply because it's a phone. It's like there is a generally accepted "handicap" for phones when it comes to cameras. LOL

One day, probably soon, camera phones will be able to replace a P&S. However, I would never choose my iPhone over a P&S if I intended to take pictures where I was going. For me "traveling light" would be an advanced P&S. My iphone is a last-ditch, better-than-nothing option. I simply don't like using my phone to take pictures. I also don't like using my phone for anything besides texting and internet. I like my phone to be a phone, not a do all gadget. I'm one of the few people who'll carry an iphone, ipod, and camera simultaneously because that's my preference.

Now if they can give my cell phone 3x optical magnification, a f/1.8 aperture, and one inch sensor I'll be happy. LOL

 

[luvthemouse71]

Have any of you avid photographers left your camera behind for the day and opted just to use your phone? I will be getting an iPhone 5s this weekend was considering leaving my Canon behind for our one day quick trip to the MK in March. I was wondering if I'd regret it. Kids are teens and we've been several times before so it's not like we'd be missing any first moments. I just wonder about the photo quality from the 5s ( it will be my first iPhone of any type).

I took just my 5s in December and it was fine. I also am not a fan of lugging around extra stuff.

FWIW, I have given several photos as gifts and all of them were taken on an iPhone( they were touched up some later). The recipients loved them.

 

[Boullie]

I always bring my SLR.
I like the cameras on phones these days, but not for actual photography.
Need to make a quick snap of a fun moment only to share on facebook? Take the phone, sure!
Want to make keepsakes? Take the normal camera...

 

[gomommyr]

I have an iPhone 5. What camera do you recommend that can take decent shots day, night, action? My boys are 6 & 8. This is a big trip for us, but I also need something affordable. Thanks!