I’ve recently stumbled across a few posts on blogs and photography sites that compare photos taken on an iPhone & a DSLR or a few posts that compare film and digital. I thought it would be fun to do my own comparison post! Here are the details:
- I used my iPhone 4S, Canon EOS Rebel XS with the 50mm f/1.8 lens, and my Minolta SRT-201 with the 50mm lens.
- I took each photo from the same spot. The only shots that may vary are my iPhone shots because I wasn’t really paying attention to how far away I was holding my arms while taking the photo.
- I set my Canon DSLR to 100 ISO since I was shooting Kodak Ektar 100 on my Minolta.
- As for the settings on the Canon and the Minolta, I shot on shutter priority.
- I did not edit any of the photos.
- Lastly, keep in mind that I am by no means a professional. At all. I just wanted to show how each camera is different and distinct.
I think comparing these photos really highlights a few things for me. First of all, I LOVE shooting film. All of the photos that I shot on my Minolta turned out exactly as I’d hoped. I never edit shots that I get developed but I often over-edit photos that I take on my DSLR and my iPhone. It’s so easy in Photoshop to add a depth of field, alter the colors, and mask what’s there. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing — but I don’t usually like the photos out of my DSLR or iPhone just as they are.
Thoughts? Do you have a favorite image or set?
Things that stood out to me:
The depth of field on the Minolta.
The crop factor of the Rebel.
The saturation of the photos with the iPhone.
In the photo of the man holding his chin, the iPhone seemed to backfocus when left alone, which is what I’m guessing you did.
I noticed those things too the longer I looked at the comparisons. Especially the crop of the Canon 50mm lens!
And yes the iPhone seems to fixate on the background more often than not. Unless you touch the area on the screen that you want to focus in on, it most likely will default to whatever is brighter (like the flower picture as well).
Such a great post idea! The film is the clear-cut winner in my opinion – the depth and quality of those pictures are amazing! Love the last film shot of the dinner table.
Thanks Halle!! I agree–film is best!
Film looks warm.
Wow I LOVE the film shots! So neat to see the comparisons.
Film trumps all. So ethereal and inviting. Love the comparison!
I agree!!
Definitely love the film shots the best. Very neat seeing them compared!
Glad you enjoyed the post!!
out of curiosity: the digital shots…are they jpeg or raw? jpeg gets back end post processing in camera…which can sometimes be hideous! and, of course, raw can look completely different dependent on conversion to jpeg.
as far as the crop–i have both full frame and crop cameras–and let me tell you, those crop sensors make me nuts. a 50mm is more like an 80mm on a crop sensor camera–and that makes me a sad pony!
i love both film and digital for different reasons…i’m not a huge cell phone fan. it doesn’t feel like a camera when i take a picture, and i don’t like that! but that last i-phone pic looks pretty nice.
this was a neat post! <3
Ohh Candace. You speak to me like I am as awesome and professional as you!! No I don’t shoot RAW but now I want to! How do I do this? Maybe you could give me a mini 10 minute lesson when we hang out next.
Also I had no idea about the crop of the lens. What other lenses would you recommend if I only have the 50 and the kit lens?
ooooh, let’s talk about it all over dinner at basil?
I love the film shots! I miss my Nikon N65, I think I’m going to have to get back into film photography soon. Thanks for rekindling my love for film lol. ;P
Love, Jazmyn♥
My pleasure :)
This is a GREAT post! did you use the same or similar settings for your Film & Digital shots? What about lenses?
Hi Betsy! Sorry I was so delayed in responding! Similar settings for all camera (ISO of 100) and the two SLRs had 50mm lenses (obviously the iPhone can’t really adapt well to these settings).
This is an amazing comparison. I have the EOS Rebel T2i, a Canon A-1 & an iPhone 4 that I use a lot.
Film wins!
But the iPhone isn’t bad either, I mean for being a phone I think it’s pretty amazing.
I agree–I’m always amazed at how well the iPhone holds up!
I do see now why so many photographers prefer film. This definitely makes me want to use my Pentax Spotmatic as my primary camera of use.
Let me know if you post any photos from the Pentax, Anna!
I will! :) I have already posted some of them here: http://librasmoments.blogspot.com/search/label/film%20photography
Sorry. Wrong link. They are here: http://librasmoments.blogspot.com/2012/03/everyday-poetry.html