My Best Camera

 The quote by the famous photographer Chase Jarvis, "The best camera is the one that's with you," resonated with me a few years ago right after I got my Google Pixel II phone.  At that time, I had an older Nikon D80 DSLR and a new Olympus micro 4/3's camera, the OM-D E-M10.  I loved both of those cameras and was very satisfied with the results I was getting when I shot in the RAW format.

I loved my Pixel II phone's camera. The colors were vivid and the shots were generally sharp.  Armed with my famous photographer's quote and my camera phone, I ditched both of my other cameras.  Honestly, I took most of my photographs while traveling, and carrying around the camera and equipment was just worrisome.  There were times and certain conditions where I wished I had one of my other cameras and a specific lens, but - for the most part - I was content with my new set up.  

This went on for about four years.  Then, google told me they would no longer update my Pixel II.  This made sense given my old phone was showing its age, but I loved the photos it took.  As fate would have it, the same time my phone became a legacy item, my wife's phone of choice - the iPhone 🤢 came out with the iPhone 12.  So, she got a new iPhone and I got a hand-me-down... her iPhone Max XS.  I had owned an iPhone before so many of my apps were still available, and it did have a widely respected camera.  

I continued on with my iPhone for a couple of months, but I have to say, I no longer love my photos.  If I was ever on the ledge with regards to whether I would go back shooting a "real" camera before, I was definitely there with my "new" iPhone.  So, I pulled out both of my cameras and dusted them off... my love for photography rekindled.

The D80 came out in 2006, so it's pretty old.  Part of me wants to upgrade to a D7500 or maybe even a Nikon full frame, especially since used bodies are relatively cheap and I have enough lenses, but the other part says hold off until I am sure I am truly converted back to my DSLR.

Here are a couple of shots from my D80:

Then, I took my micro 4/3 E-M10 that came out in 2014 with me to Quy Nhon for my winter break.  Here are a couple of shots from that camera:

While I see give and take on which of these two cameras I like more, I feel good about the photos they both take and the lens flexibility I have to get the pictures I want.  

I will always have my phone with me, and there is utility in that camera phone that I will never have in a "real" camera. I use that phone camera to help me remember things and take pics of documents, and myriad other tasks that make it invaluable.  It's just I will unlikely take many, if any, photos that I will cherish for a lifetime with that stupid iPhone.

I think I will be carrying around one of my real cameras a lot more in the coming year(s).  It took iPhone to change my mind.