Does a cellphone do a better job than an M8?

[scaryink]

After looking at many of these photos, you must think that many of the important attributes of the original and digital M are now available in a very cheap and small form factor.

Please take your time here. There are some wonderful images that used to be captured with the RF.

Readers’ Photos: Call Forwarding - Lens Blog - NYTimes.com

It doesnt really matter as to accuracy, image size, or any other technical point, when the precise moment is caught. Often the distortions are what make the image both unique and special.

It makes you wonder if the considerations of the next M should include an even smaller and more portable shell.

Heck perhaps the next M should include a cellphone!!

[andybarton]

A camera is only any good if you have it with you.

Not everyone goes to work with their camera over their shoulder, but most people in developed countries go to work, or to school, or the shops, or the hairdressers with their mobile phone, most of which have cameras of some sort built in these days.

So, in the circumstances where a mobile phone is the only camera you have, of course it will take a better photograph than your M sitting at home in your bag.

[scaryink]

Originally Posted by andybarton

A camera is only any good if you have it with you.

Not everyone goes to work with their camera over their shoulder, but most people in developed countries go to work, or to school, or the shops, or the hairdressers with their mobile phone, most of which have cameras of some sort built in these days.

So, in the circumstances where a mobile phone is the only camera you have, of course it will take a better photograph than your M sitting at home in your bag.

Andy, really and truly best wishes and my prayers are with you.

[earleygallery]

The other point here is that a low resolution camera is perfectly fine if all you are going to do is post photos on the web.

Not bragging but I won a prize in a photo competition with a camera phone image - and yes, it was the only camera I had on me at the time!

[RichC]

Cheers - some bloody good images there... a reminder that it's what you take that's important, not what you take it on.

[offshore]

Originally Posted by scaryink

After looking at many of these photos, you must think that many of the important attributes of the original and digital M are now available in a very cheap and small form factor.

Please take your time here. There are some wonderful images that used to be captured with the RF.

Readers’ Photos: Call Forwarding - Lens Blog - NYTimes.com

It doesnt really matter as to accuracy, image size, or any other technical point, when the precise moment is caught. Often the distortions are what make the image both unique and special.

It makes you wonder if the considerations of the next M should include an even smaller and more portable shell.

Heck perhaps the next M should include a cellphone!!

You just knew this was coming someday.

[jaapv]

The logical answer is yes - if that is the camera you are carrying when you see the image. Cellphone images are quite good enoiugh for web use. And the M8 is notoriously useless in sending the images directly to the NYTimes.

[Steve Pope]

Originally Posted by offshore

You just knew this was coming someday.

And who would be the one to post it.

[Iansky]

Some great images here and interesting to see the majority appear to have been taken with an iPhone!

I have the 3G phone and the camera is great if used carefully - the large screen allows easy and more accurate composition - I believe the new version is even better

[noah_addis]

There are some nice images here, though lots of cliche and boring ones too.

But this brings up a larger point. If in the future more and more of our work will be seen online instead of in magazines and in print, perhaps eventually the mass-market photography world will realize that the megapixel race is pointless.

Portability and convenience are important too. And while cellphone cameras are an extreme example of this. I think the M-system also performs well in this regard.

[scaryink]

Originally Posted by Steve Pope

And who would be the one to post it.

Yes there are thread leaders and participants with a mixture of grumbling followers. For me, It is about the image Mr. Pope. I purchased the M8 to take with me most of the time, why? To simply capture a quality image with complete control.

I have read your posts - all of them and while I respect you care for the image machine more than the image captured, please understand that not everyone feels the same way.

Lively, controversial and thoughtful discussion is the essence of a forum neighborhood, if you don't like the discussion then it may be better to go and admire your loveley machine - instead of pointless grumbling and soft trolling.

[Jeff S]

Not unexpected posts given that this is a forum specific to one camera. I'm sure there must be brand-specific cell phone forums where readers are clamoring for better features...zooms and auto focus, better resolution, and of course niftier wrist straps and bags.
Jeff

[pop]

Originally Posted by Jeff S

... I'm sure there must be brand-specific cell phone forums where readers are clamoring for better features...zooms and auto focus, better resolution, and of course niftier wrist straps and bags.
Jeff

Rangefinders!

[Nicoleica]

My cell phone is much much better than my M8 at making 'phone calls. But it can't touch the M8 for photographs.

[earleygallery]

Originally Posted by noah_addis

But this brings up a larger point. If in the future more and more of our work will be seen online instead of in magazines and in print, perhaps eventually the mass-market photography world will realize that the megapixel race is pointless.

It's already happening, go to any major public event and you will generally see more people taking snaps on mobile phones than proper cameras. The teens/20somethings all use Facebook/Myspace/Bebo etc., to communicate with their friends and wider family, the photos get loaded up there, video clips on You Tube, and I bet hardly ever a print at all.

[dcuthbert]

I have to admit, every time I try and use the M8 as a phone, I look like a bloody idiot and the reception is crap...

Honestly, I hope the M9 has a better aerial or something.

[pop]

I can not speak for the M8 (sadly lacking in that respect) but both the M4 and the phone work reasonably well as letter weights. If there is a very strong draft, I prefer the M4.

[trs]

I bought M8 because I was leaving my d/SLRs home most of the time.

As ar as camera phone goes, I have seen great work from iPhone. Besides, were not Canon/Nikon/Minolta's first dSLRs something like 2MP? They went for around $10-$25K US. So, I guess only lacking part is lens?

Looking to get 3Gs, but they are not available in store right now.

[sfokevin]

It would be so nice to hear the same Harp tune on my M8 as I get on my IPhone when my Mother calls...

[hjorlsrgn]

Maybe Leica will have it that the M9 has all those cool apps like the iphone!