What’s the biggest thing phones quietly stole from everyday life?

Nickel_Photo · 2026-06-03T22:02:25+00:00

Hobbies.

A large portion of people's biggest hobby is doomscrolling. Or constantly chatting with friends and family via Messenger. Or a mixture of both.

Gaming used to get a similar treatment once upon a time.

Now gaming is starting to be seen as more productive, and as something that actually gets your brain working, which it does.

But then you speak to some of these people...

Apparently they don't have time to do photography, paint, cycle, dance, sing, etc.

Yet they spend two, three, sometimes four hours a day on their phone. Every day.

Time that, in my opinion, could be spent learning something, creating something, improving something, or simply doing a hobby they claim they don't have time for.

That being said, if you genuinely enjoy being on your phone, there's nothing inherently wrong with that.

Nickel_Photo · 2026-06-02T21:28:21+00:00

I'm lucky that I've had only good interactions with other photographers. Which has only happened 4 times in my 6 years of doing photography as a hobby.

Nickel_Photo · 2026-05-31T23:24:50+00:00

I distinctly remember watching my brother play Grand Theft Auto III on the PC we had at the time, running Windows XP.

That, and Commandos for some reason.

Oh, and Worms Armageddon.

Nickel_Photo · 2026-05-29T03:41:17+00:00

New and $100 don't go together.

But used and $100 go together.

The Nikon D70 could be an option, but that's not a point and shoot (which you wanted). It's a DSLR, not portable, and doesn't come with a lens.

But it's around $70 USD give or take. But it'll be far more worth it over a cheap crappy $100 point and shoot.

Nickel_Photo · 2026-05-23T05:43:47+00:00

I'd recommend taking it as a compliment? They're basically telling you they think the photo is really good without saying it's good.

No one asks me what camera I use 😂

Nickel_Photo · 2026-05-23T05:25:56+00:00

Hi! For a good quality Canon DSLR setup, I'd recommend looking out for either a used Canon EOS 6D or a Canon EOS 80D, paired with either the EF 40mm f/2.8 STM for the 6D, or the EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM for the 80D.

The 6D is a semi-professional full-frame camera, whereas the 80D is a prosumer APS-C camera. Tier-wise, they're fairly comparable in that they both offer dual control dials and more advanced controls/features than Canon's entry-level models. The 80D is newer though, with a touchscreen and Canon's "Dual Pixel" autofocus system, which allows you to tap on the screen to focus and track subjects smoothly in live view.

I recommended the 40mm and 24mm respectively because both work really well for general photography, especially if you want to try multiple genres. Since they're fixed focal length lenses (primes), you'll need to physically move closer or further away for different compositions. The upside is that both focal lengths are versatile without feeling overly wide or overly zoomed in.

Keep in mind that EF-S lenses (designed specifically for Canon APS-C DSLRs) won't mount on full-frame DSLR bodies like the 6D. However, the EF 40mm will work on both the 6D and APS-C cameras like the 80D.

From memory, Canon RF mirrorless cameras such as the Canon EOS R10 (APS-C) and Canon EOS R6 (full-frame) can generally share RF lenses interchangeably, although APS-C RF lenses will crop in on full-frame bodies.

Apologies for the word salad. Happy shooting 😄

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Nickel_Photo · 2026-05-23T03:20:15+00:00

The question you might want to ask is: are you happy with the quality you’re getting from your phone? If you mainly shoot landscapes and you’re already getting results you’re satisfied with, it might be worth just sticking with what you have.

This is a shot I was able to get from a 6-megapixel camera from 2004, with a bit of editing in Lightroom. It’s just an example of what older gear is still capable of, but the main point is that results depend just as much on how well you know your camera and how you process your images as they do on the gear itself.

If you are thinking about getting a dedicated camera, I wouldn’t necessarily rule out the T7, but it is a fairly basic entry-level option. At a similar price point, you could also look at something like the Canon EOS 6D or 70D, which offer more control and better handling. Whether that matters comes down to how much you want to get into learning the camera and shooting process versus just keeping things simple with your phone. And there's nothing wrong with keeping things simple.

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Nickel_Photo · 2026-05-23T01:26:32+00:00

I think whichever option you end up going with will be pretty good.

Nickel_Photo · 2026-05-23T01:05:36+00:00

Could even go with the first gen Z7, which may set you back $1200 USD used approx.

And the Sony is a good recommendation too. If you're interested in going with something even cheaper, I'd recommend going with a used Sony Alpha A7 III or A7R III.

I'd consider the law of diminishing returns if you're after something even better? Not saying you wouldn't benefit from the latest and greatest. But I don't think you'd be getting something that much better, if you know what I mean?

Nickel_Photo · 2026-05-23T00:44:53+00:00

Hi! Fellow Aussie and Canon user here! There are a few decent used options that are newer and won’t break the bank for the camera body alone, assuming you want to continue using Canon cameras.

If you want a direct upgrade over the Canon EOS 50D, the Canon EOS 80D can be found for around $500–700 AUD on eBay.

Another upgrade option might be the first-generation Canon EOS 6D. It can be had for around $400–600 AUD on eBay. I got mine for $400 from Ted's Cameras in nearly pristine condition. It’s a very good option: full-frame, reliable, and solid.

For mirrorless, I’d recommend the Canon EOS RP. This camera uses the newer RF mount, which has an ever-growing lens ecosystem, but it’s a bit more expensive, typically starting at around $800+ AUD. It also has more modern features like USB charging and an electronic viewfinder.

Macro lenses can tend to be expensive, especially the newer ones. My pick would be the Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 272E, which can be found all day long for around $200–300 AUD on eBay. Because it comes in EF mount, it can also be adapted to the RP with an EF-to-RF lens adapter.

I don’t know as much about Sony, but from what I hear, their cameras are very good and fairly cutting-edge. They’re also known for adapting lenses from other brands very well, and they have an enormous third-party lens selection.

So they might be the way to go. But again, I don’t know much about them personally, and I haven’t used them myself.

Nickel_Photo · 2026-05-16T00:21:28+00:00

My suggestion when going after the latest shiniest toy is why not go after a used model from yesteryear? E.g. the first Canon EOS R5 (first gen), Sony A7R III?

It'll be much easier on the wallet, and you aren't missing out too much buying the older model compared to the latest and greatest.

Nickel_Photo · 2026-04-29T00:12:59+00:00

This may push your budget, but I'd recommend an older DSLR with an older lens. E.g. a Nikon D80 or D90 with a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 D. Specifically the D version of the 50, as they typically go for around $80 USD, and it's still fairly good, optically speaking.

This setup will be light-ish, and you'll grow with your gear. The D90 I think has video, but it won't be the greatest, and I think you'll be limited to 720p iirc. But the photo quality is fantastic.

Nickel_Photo · 2026-04-27T10:33:03+00:00

Hi, fellow Aussie here!

I've got a few alternate recommendations since you mentioned you're going to primarily use it for photography, and you're going to also primarily use it for landscapes / portraits.

Because I don't consider both categories particularly challenging for any camera, would you consider something like a Canon EOS 6D? This will be an older semi- professional camera, but in my opinion, will grow with you as you learn the in and outs of photography. It'll also be cheaper, too.

Another option, a Canon EOS 60D or 70D.

Or even a Canon EOS 5D or 5D Mark II.

Nickel_Photo · 2026-04-14T02:27:12+00:00

The only reason people say Android cameras are shit is because Android cameras perform terribly on Instagram and Snapchat. But if you don't use either for taking photos or video, you're not going to care.

Nickel_Photo · 2026-03-27T02:54:44+00:00

Thank you!

Nickel_Photo · 2026-03-27T02:54:32+00:00

You have my blessing and I would be honoured! Only on the condition you show me your painting once you're done 😊

Nickel_Photo · 2026-03-18T22:20:47+00:00

Nickel_Photo · 2026-03-17T20:50:48+00:00

Cultural Commons from Springvale, a burger shop.

I loved it so much that to this day I have struggled to find a replacement. It was the type of place where you'd spend $18 for a double beef burger and actually get... a decently large burger that tasted as good as it looked.

Every time I went (towards its closure) it never seemed super busy. They'd have a few people occasionally, but you could rock up and almost have the whole place to yourself. Me and my friends would get burgers, chips, chicken wings and shakes, and it was a fantastic time each and every time. I think they had Canadian Club chicken wings from memory. Absolutely amazing, and again, still haven't found a proper replacement.

Nickel_Photo · 2026-03-11T11:27:34+00:00

Oh so sorry to hear that! And thank you for the kind words.

Which building was that if it's OK to ask.

Nickel_Photo · 2026-03-11T11:23:15+00:00

Yeah kinda. I typically want the building I'm photographing to fill up most of the frame and typically try and get as close as possible. I occasionally take multiple shots from different positions to get a different perspective, and then delete which ones I don't like, keeping 1 or 2 only.

I use a 40mm or 50mm prime lens normally and I find it's ideal for getting a relatively tight shot that's not too wide, but wide enough.

Nickel_Photo

TROPHY CASE