p.1 #1 · iPhone 17 Pro cameras include a new Telephoto ('100mm f2.8')
Feeling a bit conflicted about the improvement of iPhone cameras (and in general smartphones) every year. On the one hand having more advanced mobile cameras for everyone means more people get interested in photography. But as the gap closes I feel less inclined to spend time and money to use my FF cameras.
Quick tldr on improvements.
All 3 cameras get the 48MP treatment as opposed to last year where only the Main camera did.
Ultrawide 13mm f2.2
Main 24mm f1.78 up to 48mm focal equiv
Telephoto 100mm f2.8 up to 200mm focal equiv
They are touting 8 lenses: 200, 100, 48, 35, 28, 24, 13, Macro
I'm not super knowledgeable about the image processing pipeline, but from what I understand the in between/zoom focal lengths are digital cropping plus some Apple proprietary processing/AI work to denoise and post-process. I'm sure reviewers will come out with comparisons later.
p.1 #3 · iPhone 17 Pro cameras include a new Telephoto ('100mm f2.8')
I'm still kicking a 13 and was figuring was the time to upgrade. I like these specs so far. I think the phone is great for immediacy, but I feel less intentional with it and would probably always want a camera, but it makes me want the camera I have to have some specific "factor".
p.1 #4 · iPhone 17 Pro cameras include a new Telephoto ('100mm f2.8')
That’s nice The jump from 48 to 200mm is silly. Hopefully they’ve gotten around to improving the coatings, and will incorporate some sort of variable ND filter—if not aperture control.
p.1 #6 · iPhone 17 Pro cameras include a new Telephoto ('100mm f2.8')
I've been thinking that maybe I should sell all my camera equipment and going forward use only an iPhone 17 Pro Max and a Hasselblad X2Dii with two or three lenses?
p.1 #7 · iPhone 17 Pro cameras include a new Telephoto ('100mm f2.8')
It depends on the equipment you have (duh).
For me I find it hardest to invest in the 13-16, 24, and sometimes ~35mm focal lengths simply because many mobile cameras are their strongest at or around these lengths. Combine that with the fact the most common focal length used to take pictures everyday are probably with the main 24mm lens. This might make it harder to razzledazzle the general public with a 24mm picture simply because this is what they're used to seeing very often.
35 is a little further off from 24 and has much less distortion. 50-85 is a really good mid-telephoto spot, is distinctly unique from 24mm without getting into the more flattening effect on faces you would get at 135+. I'm secretly hoping that the 100mm and 200mm look awful like the old 5x lol.
On a side note I feel like this issue is even more felt by non-smartphone videographers. There are full-feature movie cinema releases that have parts filmed on iPhone (28 years later), music videos (the Weekend), and a lot of working professionals who use smartphones (and an external mic) exclusively for news/sports coverage.
p.1 #8 · iPhone 17 Pro cameras include a new Telephoto ('100mm f2.8')
Lethimcook wrote:
But as the gap closes I feel less inclined to spend time and money to use my FF cameras.
Thoughts?
I don't feel that way about the benefits of a FF stills system over my iPhone's camera(s).
However, I do feel that way when it comes to video. I generally enjoy using the iPhone way more, probably due to the sheer simplicity of operation. The last couple jobs I did that involved stills and video, I mostly shot the video on the phone except situations when I needed decent quality telephoto video. I just put the phone in a little gimbal set up, could move super freely and actually had fun (I generally dislike having to use a tripod because it kills spontaneity).
p.1 #9 · iPhone 17 Pro cameras include a new Telephoto ('100mm f2.8')
I will be upgrading my iPhone 12 mini with the new 17 Pro. Excited to see what it can do for my photography.
What do you all think about starting a new FM board called "Smartphone Photography"?
Smartphones are insanely capable these days...they offer multiple lens options, RAW processing, and clever algorithms. Maybe it's time for a dedicated space?
p.1 #10 · iPhone 17 Pro cameras include a new Telephoto ('100mm f2.8')
Fred Miranda wrote:
I will be upgrading my iPhone 12 mini with the new 17 Pro. Excited to see what it can do for my photography.
What do you all think about starting a new FM board called "Smartphone Photography"?
Smartphones are insanely capable these days...they offer multiple lens options, RAW processing, and clever algorithms. Maybe it's time for a dedicated space?
Let me know your thoughts!
I like this idea. I know there was a dedicated thread that I see pop up from time to time, but a board that has reviews of apps, processing and other tidbits might be cool.
p.1 #11 · iPhone 17 Pro cameras include a new Telephoto ('100mm f2.8')
Hi Fred. Yes, I think that this would be a good idea. There are all sorts of topics to discuss and ideas to explore in the world of camera phones, and a dedicated space would be very helpful.
p.1 #12 · iPhone 17 Pro cameras include a new Telephoto ('100mm f2.8')
Fred Miranda wrote:
I will be upgrading my iPhone 12 mini with the new 17 Pro. Excited to see what it can do for my photography.
What do you all think about starting a new FM board called "Smartphone Photography"?
Smartphones are insanely capable these days...they offer multiple lens options, RAW processing, and clever algorithms. Maybe it's time for a dedicated space?
Let me know your thoughts!
The all-in-one cell phone image thread averages 20 posts per 3 months. Is an entire board really necessary
p.1 #13 · iPhone 17 Pro cameras include a new Telephoto ('100mm f2.8')
I agree we you should initiate a Smartphone Photography Board and we can see how much attention it attracts from the FM crowd.
I for one feel that I have too many lens and camera choices and desire some simplicity, so I’m thinking about selling everything and moving forward with just an iPhone Pro Max and a Hasselblad X2D ii and three lenses. I think that is easier for me to do than many others here since I don’t shoot sports or wildlife.
p.1 #14 · iPhone 17 Pro cameras include a new Telephoto ('100mm f2.8')
There isn't much activity on the smartphone image thread right now, but that's exactly why I'm open to giving it a shot. If there were a dedicated board for smartphone photography and videography, things might pick up. Personally, I don't usually rely on my phone as a camera, but I'm willing to try it out, share my experience, and would really like to hear from others too.
p.1 #15 · iPhone 17 Pro cameras include a new Telephoto ('100mm f2.8')
Fred Miranda wrote:
There isn't much activity on the smartphone image thread right now, but that's exactly why I'm open to giving it a shot. If there were a dedicated board for smartphone photography and videography, things might pick up. Personally, I don't usually rely on my phone as a camera, but I'm willing to try it out, share my experience, and would really like to hear from others too.
Maybe make it smartphone, drone and devices like GoPro or Osmo?
p.1 #16 · iPhone 17 Pro cameras include a new Telephoto ('100mm f2.8')
Fred Miranda wrote:
There isn't much activity on the smartphone image thread right now, but that's exactly why I'm open to giving it a shot. If there were a dedicated board for smartphone photography and videography, things might pick up. Personally, I don't usually rely on my phone as a camera, but I'm willing to try it out, share my experience, and would really like to hear from others too.
I'm intrigued by a few replies here from FMers using smartphones for video as well. I have equal passion for photography and videography, but find most discussions in the general FM site centered on photography only, even with hybrid systems. With smartphones on gimbals like Insta360 Flow 2 Pro and dedicated, gimbal-stabilized video recorders like DJI Osmo Pocket 3, I've increasingly found decoupling cameras to fit each use case to be ideal. The added video ecosystem around Blackmagic Pro vs. Apple's Final Cut Camera for capture, or Final Cut Pro vs. DaVinci Resolve and others would be helpful to discuss and learn.
If it were to expand beyond smartphones to drones, you could add 360-degree cameras like the insta360 X5, 360 One RS 1-inch 360 or new DJI Osmo 360. Capture everything and choose the viewing angle "crop" in post, it's really fun.
p.1 #18 · iPhone 17 Pro cameras include a new Telephoto ('100mm f2.8')
Fred Miranda wrote:
There isn't much activity on the smartphone image thread right now, but that's exactly why I'm open to giving it a shot. If there were a dedicated board for smartphone photography and videography, things might pick up. Personally, I don't usually rely on my phone as a camera, but I'm willing to try it out, share my experience, and would really like to hear from others too.
I admit this post made me consider a short hiking trip with just my phone, but I don’t think I have the restraint.
p.1 #20 · iPhone 17 Pro cameras include a new Telephoto ('100mm f2.8')
d.s. wrote:
I admit this post made me consider a short hiking trip with just my phone, but I don’t think I have the restraint.
We all know the best camera is the one you always have with you, and that makes smartphone cameras incredibly convenient. Considering how good the newer phones are, along with their algorithms, I can't resist the idea. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what you shoot with...what matters is the final image.
Perhaps creating a new board dedicated to smartphone photography could encourage us to consider using them as real cameras. I'm not suggesting it will replace my dedicated cameras by any means, but why not explore how far it can go?
I never had a good camera on my phone (my iPhone 12 mini) didn't even offer RAW shooting or different FLs. I pre-ordered the 17 Pro and am curious to see how it performs. I also just discovered that I can use my favorite Cobalt film and digital simulations in Lightroom. I will treat it as a digital camera just having the GR with me.
