Carpokes

Arne2 wrote: Sun Jan 11, 2026 5:27 pm It was replaced with a D5300 (which does distortion correction) in 2024. Probably done now, this package does everything I need.

It does look like an ideal setup - I like it. These days I try to keep things simpler and find myself cutting corners (ie: using that which is handy and quick) which does not always yield good results.

blueline wrote: Sun Jan 11, 2026 8:56 pm These days I try to keep things simpler and find myself cutting corners (ie: using that which is handy and quick) which does not always yield good results.

Indeed. I would go hiking with the D5100 and 2 lenses - an 18-55 for landscape and scenery, and a 55-200 for wildlife and such. And found myself with the wrong lens on the camera more often than not. With this newest version of the 18-300/F3.5-6.3 (smaller and lighter than the prior version), no more lens swapping when something comes up. It's the only lens I use outdoors. Grab it and shoot.

I still have my first camera from about 10th grade. In Korea I started using the Olympus OM1 and lenses. Great camera. I processed all my B&W images and color slides on base. But eventually it had to be replaced. I ended up with a Nikon D80 and learned about processing with the computer. This led to a D7000. This camera traveled everywhere with me. I now have a D7500. Not sure why I bought this, but I have been migrating to using the cell phone for a while. Starting with the D7000 the lens I almost always have on the camera is a 35mm, about 50mm equivalent.

Nowadays, I don't like using the computer to mess with images and the cell phone is always there. TMI, I know

I have a lot of camera gear, couple of current Canons including a mirrorless and a full set of lenses including fast zooms....and now I almost never use them.
I find the immediacy of an IPhone 16 Pro is so compelling that the hauling of gear etc is no longer worth it to me. Unless I am specifically going to a location to shoot ( a rarity) I just stick with the iPhone.

RDMcG wrote: Mon Jan 12, 2026 5:47 am I find the immediacy of an IPhone 16 Pro is so compelling that the hauling of gear etc is no longer worth it to me. Unless I am specifically going to a location to shoot ( a rarity) I just stick with the iPhone.

I tried using my iPhone as my primary camera for a while, but didn't like the lack of options and flexibility. Part of that is because I don't like big phones, and all the smaller pocket-sized phones (I'm currently using a 2nd gen SE) don't have the multiple lenses of the big Pro and Max models. So back to the real camera I went.

Stormy_Monday wrote: Mon Jan 12, 2026 3:31 am I still have my first camera from about 10th grade...

I had one of those box cameras as a kid. But about 10th grade or so, my parents gave me a "real" camera. An East German Praktika 35mm SLR. Full manual, but did have a rudimentary on-board light meter to assist with selecting exposure settings. Forced me to learn the basics of film speed, shutter speed and aperture. While I generally let my cameras do that stuff now, it is still handy to understand those basics for when/if I want specific results.

One thing a DSLR can do for me that a cell phone can't is one handed shots without using the viewfinder.

thought I'd throw up another one

Leather everywhere!

RDMcG wrote: Mon Jan 12, 2026 5:47 am I find the immediacy of an IPhone 16 Pro is so compelling that the hauling of gear etc is no longer worth it to me.

This is the only "gear" I pack around these days.