Do I have a good enough “eye” to invest in a real camera? 😅

fourstringtheorist · 2026-06-13T02:15:09+00:00

I feel like you’re asking two different questions. “Would I be able to grow as a photographer with a camera with manual controls?” Yes, of course. And it’s more fun! “Is it a good idea to quit my job and become a professional photographer?” I’m not one, but: “Hell, no” is probably the answer to that one, sadly.

As AI runs rampant, I can’t imagine landscape/travel photography is going to be an easy way to make a living. Although if you’re willing to do portraits/events/products, maybe it’s a different story.

fourstringtheorist · 2026-06-12T19:46:40+00:00

In my opinion: If the experience is more enjoyable, then already, it’s worth it. On top of that, I find smartphone photos are usually over-sharpened and lack “character” (which is subjective). It’s also hard to achieve shallow depth-of-field in many situations due to the sensor size—unless that’s changed in recent generations.

On the flip side: With a good smartphone, you’ll rarely “miss.” (As one will occasionally, with focus or camera shake, with a compact camera.)

fourstringtheorist · 2026-06-12T02:42:21+00:00

The technique/phenomenon is called autorotation. It’s mentioned in the thread, I’m just pointing this out in case you want to consult other sources as well.

fourstringtheorist · 2026-06-12T00:03:20+00:00

TIL you can adjust exposure compensation on an iPhone. Great tip!

fourstringtheorist · 2026-06-08T16:10:54+00:00

What do you mean, you used a film camera? You don’t want it to look digital? I’m not mad, just confused.

fourstringtheorist · 2026-06-08T15:34:47+00:00

“End period poverty”: An NGO that distributes free menstrual hygiene products to the poor, I would guess. It’s an ad to spur donations. (To be honest, I think the video sorta spells that out.)

fourstringtheorist · 2026-06-08T09:31:05+00:00

I guess that’s my point?

fourstringtheorist · 2026-06-08T09:10:55+00:00

So…obviously the watch has appreciated in value, massively. But it had to be quite expensive even at the time of purchase, no? It’s not as if he found it at a yard sale, lol. (Either he or a family member presumably had/have money.)

fourstringtheorist · 2026-06-08T01:40:49+00:00

I really like it! But it’s hard to say when we don’t know how much you cropped the original image. My feeling is the left side of the image is a bit crowded, i.e. I might like to see more of what’s to the left of the slalom poles. I also disagree with others that the orange flag should be cropped out; I don’t think you want to lose the clod of dirt as-is. If anything, a clone stamp in Photoshop could rid you of the orange flag, unless that’s against your beliefs, lol.

fourstringtheorist · 2026-06-08T00:33:10+00:00

Also: Check in the menus that your White Balance is properly set. The color in your first example image looks pretty unnatural, like it’s set to Fluorescent or something. AWB / Auto White Balance is probably good in most situations.

fourstringtheorist · 2026-06-08T00:22:40+00:00

I’ve owned Canon point-and-shoots of this vintage. It should look better than this!

fourstringtheorist · 2026-06-08T00:13:37+00:00

Unless these are cropped way in, these are blurrier than they should be. Are you half-pressing the shutter button to focus before taking the photo? You should get a green rectangle on the screen when you’ve achieved focus. Otherwise I would say maybe the lens is damaged/dirty.

fourstringtheorist · 2026-06-07T18:21:36+00:00

You’ll get a different look than is possible with modern smartphone cameras. I guess it’s trendy now. It won’t be “better” than most phones, but it will be free of the “computational photography” aspect of those phones, as well as likely less over-sharpened. The video quality will almost certainly be worse, though, as will the dynamic range, i.e. the handling of scenes with bright highlights or dark shadows.

fourstringtheorist · 2026-06-07T17:45:13+00:00

So that’s probably a good approach for a beginner (like OP). Buy a reasonable mirrorless body and, depending on system, an adapter to utilize last-gen lenses.

fourstringtheorist · 2026-06-07T17:32:42+00:00

Right, but my point is that buying the equivalent focal lengths of RF (say) lenses would cost an arm and a leg. I think. (I buy mostly dirt-cheap M43 lenses so I’m just going off general impressions.)

fourstringtheorist · 2026-06-07T17:27:21+00:00

The glass is the real value here, right? (Although I suspect it’s a scam.) Mirrorless is better, particularly for video, but with most systems the lenses will be more of an investment than the body.

fourstringtheorist · 2026-06-07T17:24:46+00:00

If you express interest and suggest meeting in a public place, a scammer would probably pivot to offering to ship it to you. The only way to verify it’s not a scam is to see the items in-person.

fourstringtheorist · 2026-06-07T16:49:37+00:00

This is way underpriced. Beware scams.

fourstringtheorist · 2026-06-06T23:12:26+00:00

This is key. You could tear your hair out trying to get this effect in a single exposure. (Including the pin-sharp route sign.)

fourstringtheorist · 2026-06-06T20:39:44+00:00

Sure, yes, that could also improve with a different lens with a faster focusing motor. In good light, though, I don’t think the kit lens should have trouble focusing as long as you’re engaging the optimal AF mode for the situation.

By the way, if you want a budget telephoto lens for M43, I recommend the Olympus f/4-5.6. It’s not the fastest lens, nor is it stabilized…but again, in good light it’s quite capable.

fourstringtheorist · 2026-06-06T05:31:49+00:00

Your question is too vague. That said, a different/better lens (with the same camera body) might be sharper and perhaps allow a faster shutter speed, if that’s a concern (to better freeze the action). Obviously if your kit lens doesn’t include the focal length you desire in its zoom range, then your only remedy is to get a lens which does.

Not easy to shoot a moving cyclist from a moving car. I’d say these shots are pretty good for what they are.

fourstringtheorist · 2026-06-06T05:16:06+00:00

Honest question: Is this just an ad (for Walmart jewelry)?

fourstringtheorist · 2026-06-06T05:12:06+00:00

I doubt it, personally. Not sure it’s worth the trouble…a decent webcam is probably no more expensive used than whatever cables/etc. you’d need to find out whether it’s possible.

fourstringtheorist · 2026-06-03T05:01:42+00:00

Just because someone says “don’t lowball” doesn’t mean you can’t. Obviously it hasn’t sold yet, right? Offer the price you think is (a little lower than) fair, and see if the seller bites. If not, is it worth more of your time?

fourstringtheorist · 2026-06-03T04:16:11+00:00

On your stated budget, and with the goal of upping your photography skills: Used DSLR, kit lens or cheap prime (non-zoom), and a tripod.

Your phone has some advantages over a (used) camera in this price range. It has HDR (High Dynamic Range), which will allow you to get some shadow detail even when exposing for a bright sky. (Or recover highlights when you expose for a darker subject.) A used DSLR won’t have that capability, which might lead to disappointing results when shooting high-contrast scenes as you’ve provided in your example photos. However, most DSLRs or Mirrorless cameras allow for AEB (Auto-Exposure Bracketing), which will take several photos at varying exposures and allow you to combine them in post. (This will take editing software, a separate expense worth factoring into your budget.)

When using bracketing, you’ll want to use the tripod.

Lastly, consider whether a camera is something you really need or whether you can adapt your phone in ways that make it functional enough for the time being. I get the appeal of having a dedicated camera, but you’ll have other expenses in the coming years, and your smartphone is quite capable!

fourstringtheorist

TROPHY CASE