Can Old Cell Phones Take Great Photos? Photo Adventure with an iPhone 6s!

I decided to test the photo capabilities of an old cell phone on a recent photo adventure to Red River Gorge. I left my DSLR behind, packed my outdoor gear, and simply grabbed my trusty iPhone 6s on the way out the door:).
Is the iPhone 6s capable of capturing good/solid images? The iPhone 6s is old by today's standards and if the answer is yes, I plan to explore photo capabilities using more modern equipment (i.e. iPhone 14 pro or perhaps the Galaxy s22, etc.).
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=== LINKS ===
LENSES TO CONSIDER:
Video review of the 18-140: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gafEgn9_epVnmtU
Video review of the 18-300: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmSciaWjg66jedk
Video review of the fixed 50: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2O3i4mrbN6Nn8k
Video review of the fixed 35: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHiTlo2QlrKgj6c
Video review of the fixed 40: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKm2Y2OvfbypedE
Macro video which includes the fixed 40: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqvHimaXr9Ctj8U
Nikon 50mm f/1.8: amzn.to/2kD7EkF
Nikon 35mm f/1.8: amzn.to/2J3qHmU
Nikon 40mm f/2.8 lens: amzn.to/30ocJBM
Canon 50mm f/1.8: amzn.to/2LQT1q6
LOOKING FOR A GOOD/AFFORDABLE TRIPOD?:
Video review on budget tripods: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3jJYWpmjrmeq9k
============
Music by:
- Dimitri Hutchison ...
- - Be Alight
- Bryan Mathys
-- Wild Hearts
- J Hacha de Zola ...
- - Poison Wine

[@spectreyl]

I remember getting the 6s Plus in high school and immediately becoming the photographer of my friend group because the camera quality looked so good by comparison at the time (especially on that large screen). Interesting how quickly expectations change.

[@RealWorld]

Funny how technology changes our perception:). Many are surprised that i still use a 6s given all the newer cameras on the market. The reality is that the 6s is still working great!:)

[@Victorm61767]

Film like photos😊with old cellphones

[@Srijitupload]

Great video Mark, learnt a lot. Hope you are doing well 😊

[@mrwonderful2081]

Beautiful 😮

[@alanlee2751]

Thanks for this, Mark. I found it really interesting to see both the good and the weaker results that you achieved. I hope that you continue to 'push' the possibilities of a cellphone's camera, as most of us always have one with us most of the time. I've also got really interested in the possibilities of more portable cameras, as I find myself less and less inclined to take out a DSLR and lenses, unless I'm going out to take pictures. (My current 'pocket' camera is an old Sony RX100, which I carry most of the time, so I can get the benefits of a decent sensor, if an unexpected photo opportunity arises). Looking forward to your next instalment.....!

[@RealWorld]

Thanks for the post Alan:). I always thought if a shot is worth taking, you may as well do it right (leading me to use my DSLR):). Technology has changed the landscape allowing computation photography (leveraged by many cell phones) to significantly close the gap. If people who do not shoot in RAW nor post process, newer cell phone photos should work fine.

[@MissLiveLaughLove1]

Hi Mark, great eye and great content as usual. I don't want to talk about the iPhone or any other cell phone. I want to talk about all the labor and hard work and energy and effort you put into creating these videos. I've noticed that on your past videos, but it was so evident in this video with all the climbing, and filming yourself doing the climbing. If you are out there by yourself, that means you are positioning a camera to capture yourself climbing and walking, then you have to retrieve your camera before continuing on. You also filmed yourself climbing with the camera above you, which means you climbed up, went back down at least partway, then climbed back to the top. That is a lot of work to present us with your content. I am tired just from commenting on all that physical activity. 😄 And oh! You did all that with the heavy pack on your back. I appreciate you brother. 👏

[@RealWorld]

WOW - you are one of very few if not the first to understand the effort needed to capture some of the clips and thank you!:) I took a fall on one of my previous videos bouldering the half moon, as I traversed the rock bridge (it was dark and tree root gave way) - it could have been much worse. I have encountered a few people in Gorge who recognized me from my channel, and I wanted to show them and others the process to boulder the half moon. You must use EXTREME CAUTION in the process - ensure shoe laces are tight and tucked, keep three points of contact on the rock when bouldering, do not boulder in the dark, do not boulder when it is wet, stay focused, stay alert, and stay safe:).

[@MissLiveLaughLove1]

@@RealWorld Bouldering looks to be a precarious activity. Didn't you experience a mishap on the outing when your daughter joined you?

[@RealWorld]

I did and it was a lesson learned for sure :).

[@markattardo]

Cell phones and other cameras have come a long way. Some newer gear is obviously improved if you push the limits. I printed a 13 x 19 sunrise photo I took with my iPhone 13 a few days ago and was floored by how good the image quality was on paper. While watching your video I started to wonder if the print would look much different if I was saving stills as jpg instead of raw. Next time the light is bright and colorful I'm going to test that theory. All that said, I would never dismiss the potential of older gear. Learning how to get the absolute most out of what you have at hand is more important than what you have. Enjoyed the video!!

[@RealWorld]

Thanks for the post/feedback Mark and fully agree - regardless of the equipment/age, the end result is about the photographer's ability to use whatever is available.

[@PicklechipGG]

Welcome back! Love these videos, hope you had a great Holiday/New Year!

[@RealWorld]

Thanks for the post/feedback!:) Holidays were good/busy but a blessing nonetheless.

[@rob.cassie]

Great video Mark, I still use the same phone so its good to know its capabilities. Excellent content, keep the videos coming, they have been missed over this last year that's for sure.

[@RealWorld]

Thanks for the feedback Rob:). I still use the 6s as well - it might be old by modern standards but it is still relatively solid.

[@steveboys5369]

Hi Mark, another series of grand days out and thanks for sharing. I guess the point about choice of camera type is a combination of your ability to carry gear and ultimately what you want the images to mean vs what they are of. For a documentary of trips like you've just done, mostly a phone camera is going to be appropriate, but if you want to make say a portfolio image, then you're likely to want to take the "heavy gear". It's a case of horses for courses. Great to see you back, and in Red River Gorge too ... your previous videos from there were really interesting too. Your customary comment at the end about "be safe" is also very pertinent, since if you're a party of 1 you might find it difficult to summon assistance if you roll and ankle or worse, particularly if the mobile ( sorry "cell" ) network is patchy or absent. I'm looking forward to future videos already!

[@RealWorld]

Thanks for the post and feedback Steve:). I plan to put a iphone 14 pro through the paces in the near future. Computational photography has improved to the point that has adversely impacted camera manufacturers many of which have discontinued entry level lines due to lack of sales. Nonetheless, cells will always be limited by the sensor size. Regarding safety - when I trip solo, you are correct - safety is more concerning especially in the back country when cell reception is nonexistent or extremely limited.

[@eponine1966]

Good to see you back. Agree, you have more creative opportunities with a camera. However, most people are sharing photos and videos over their devices not printing them. I like the camera on my S20+. Have the Lightroom app on the phone and can make some adjustments. Carrying a camera all day isn't feasible, but most always have their phone. It's all about catching those moments.

[@RealWorld]

Many good points in your post Christy:). Capturing any given moment is about using what you have with you which is more often a cell phone:).

[@YamilBellota]

Nice to see You again 👍

[@chrisnewby2460]

Good to see you back with this bit of a controversial little video! At the start of my photography journey, it was primarily your thoughts on the Nikon D3400, that led me to purchase that little beauty! Since those heady pre-Covid days, I have had enormous pleasure from my photography exploits, have learned a great deal and appreciated my surroundings a great deal more than I ever did before. As well as visualising and planning my compositions, I also actually enjoy the physical adjustment of exposure settings and clicking the shutter more than I ever could on a cell phone - so, I'm staying put with my trusty D3400 and the Fuji X100 that I bought primarily for street photography.

[@RealWorld]

Hey Chris - appreciate your post/feedback:). You make a valid/interesting point. The physical hardware is completely different which lends to the user experience. I prefer a relatively larger camera body so it can fit solid in my hands. While the phone is more portable, it can be tougher to hold.

[@adiisthere94]

Great video. 👌

[@williamlowery9891]

Hey Mark, yes I did enjoyed seeing your photos. I have a Samsung 20FE, it takes great photos but I still love to get out mu D3400. Take care of yourself hope to see more from you soon. God’s Blessings to you. William

[@RealWorld]

Thank you William and God speed!:)

[@diego88920]

Awesome video man,This phone is still capable of taking great shots don't know that..

[@RealWorld]

Thanks again agreed - I was surprised by the results as well:).

[@davidmill7289]

Great video Mark. Mobiles (as we call them in UK) have advanced so far they are a real challenge to traditional cameras. However personally I still want the added creativity of aperture, shutter speed & ISO control. I’ve switched to Micro Four Thirds as the system is more compact and great value for money. The sensor is smaller than APS-C, but still big enough to capture what I need.

[@RealWorld]

Thanks for the post David:). While I can control the shutter and ISO, the aperture remains fixed. Nonetheless, computational photography has come a long way to implement a virtual aperture (although not the best:)). I am challenged more by the smaller sensor and post processing.

[@Durio_zibethinus]

Agreed. The moment I need to change setting one by one on mobile, the moment already gone into 4th dimension. I like the em10 for the buttons, and gx1 for the size. Which m4t do you love to use?

[@RealWorld]

I have shot with many cameras over the last 4-5 years. The Nikon D3400 is a old favorite simply because is relatively basic but functional. I also like the Canon D80 and the Sony a6000 although it has overheating issues:). I currently using an older Nikon D600 (full sensor), however this is a relatively big/heavy camera which is why I appreciate cell photography more and more:).

[@davidmill7289]

@@Durio_zibethinus I have the EM5 mkiii and an EM10 for travel. I like the traditional design and compact lenses.

[@Durio_zibethinus]

@@davidmill7289 solid choice. Thank you for your reply

[@DariusOutdoors]

I find smartphone images always look flat so they are most useful on the street where there is not much depth in the scene. I got my XF10 for these kind of scenarios and it's about as pocketable as a smartphone, cheaper and better quality wise. For me there is no reason to buy expensive smartphones. As long as it has good battery life I'm fine. However, I totally get why people like to use them. The workflow is just so friction less.

[@RealWorld]

lol - agreed:). years ago, the only way to capture a good image was with a DSLR and skill photographer. today, many modern and not so modern cell phones are good/solid.

[@ZeeshanAli1]

👍😃 great

[@Aryanmade]

Hi bro,very good, what's your camera for video?

[@alohaburger5324]

May nikon d3500 shut down after few seconds i turn it on. What could be the problem?

[@RealWorld]

interesting ... have you tried to swap the battery?