The 1950s ad slogan “getting there is half the fun” was supposed to refer to ocean voyages with Cunard. In my case, I can apply it to my hobby of photography.
On our recent cruise, I had three possible cameras to use, and I have a fourth one at home that is a potential tool for photos. This is the first time I have ever had 4 film or digital cameras in service.
The only reason for so many photographic tools is the fun factor. In all my years of photography, the enjoyment of using a nice camera has been a significant reason I persisted in the hobby.
I thought I might take a look at the various ways I have to make digital images and give each one a fun factor rating.
Camera #1 – Pixel 7 Smartphone Camera
This is my newest photographic instrument as the smartphone itself dates from 2022.
Advantages:
- It is always going to be with you wherever you take your phone.
- It features computational photography which allows photos in very low light such as this after-dark image taken on our way to New York City.
- It is pretty easy to use. No focusing or camera setting is needed.
- If you want to post on social media, it is very easy. Photos are immediately saved to the cloud.
Disadvantages:
- Handling is like taking photos with a bar of soap.
- It has very limited telephoto capability.
- There is no viewfinder. Taking photographs in bright light is almost impossible.
- My fat fingers often get in the way of the lens.
- Transferring photos from the phone to a regular PC is painful.
Fun Factor Rating: 3/10
Camera#2 – Panasonic Lumix Z50 Compact Superzoom
This camera came out in 2015 and I’ve used it since 2016. It is my go-to camera for travel – especially if I am flying somewhere.
Advantages:
- This is a lightweight camera, very easy to carry around off the ship.
- It isn’t very attractive to pickpockets or thieves because it looks cheap and undistinguished.
- It has a very wide range zoom lens from wide angle to hyper-telephoto.
- No need to carry additional lenses or change them on the fly.
Disadvantages:
- It isn’t the greatest in low-light situations – such as inside a church or dark building lobby.
- It has a small electronic viewfinder which helps in bright light – but it is nowhere as good as a larger camera would be.
- Battery life is rather skimpy. I have to be careful to take along a fully charged spare battery.
Fun Factor Rating: 6/10
Camera #3: Nikon D5500 DSLR
This camera came out in 2015 and I got it with three interchangeable Nikon lenses. Since Nikon has now moved to Mirrorless, it is a bit of a dinosaur now. However, it still takes great photos.
Advantages:
- It is a compact DSLR but has a decent-sized sensor. It has all the features and adjustments you could ever want, but it’s easy to use.
- It is solidly built and feels great in my hands.
- It can use the whole range of Nikon AF-S and AF-P vibration reduction lenses made for the F-mount. Nikon has moved on to the newer Z-mount but there are tons of these older lenses still available.
- It has a very nice optical viewfinder that never lets me down in bright light.
- The battery life is phenomenal. I can go for a week without charging the battery.
Disadvantages:
- It’s heavy and much bulkier than the Lumix.
- I need to take along 2-3 lenses and often need to change them in the course of a day – fumbling with lenses and lens caps.
- This kit demands some sort of camera bag. It won’t go into a pocket, so I have a bag and strap to cope with. Plus it makes me look like a tourist wherever I go.
- It’s extra weight and complexity if I need to fly anywhere.
Fun Factor Rating: 8/10
Camera#4 – Nikon D90 DSLR
This camera is new to me, although it was released in 2008. I got it cheap earlier this year from a used camera site. I also got two high-quality third-party zoom lenses from Tokina and Tamron.
Advantages:
- It is the most solidly built, professional-feeling camera I have ever used.
- It has a large DX-sized sensor and the image colors produced are classic Nikon.
- The viewfinder is very bright and never fails to give good results in bright light.
- It works with every Nikon autofocus lens I have dating back to the 1990s.
- When I carry it around I look like a serious photographer and people treat me that way. I never have to push anyone out of the way to get a photo.
Disadvantages:
- It can take video but the results are primitive. I don’t care because I am a still photographer.
- It is very heavy – especially with the third-party zooms. You would never want to travel by air with it.
- It’s not a great low-light camera. It is not suitable at all for night shooting.
- You will never be a discreet street photographer if you carry this beast around with you.
Fun Factor Rating: 9/10
In conclusion, there’s more to choosing a camera than the fun factor. At the end of the day, you want to use the best tool to get the image you want. Sometimes it is a smartphone, although I personally hope that isn’t the case very often. But oh my, I love that D90!
