These days, everything is “Shot by iPhone.” With every new release, the gap between personal and professional cameras closes.
Yet despite this, I’m drawn to photos taken through other lenses. This is not limited to more technically advanced models— more often than not, my photos tend to be from older cameras. Between birthday gifts and storage closet pillages, I have amassed a small collection of cameras over the years. I would not consider myself an expert by any means, but I have a deep-held admiration for photography.
Canon Powershot SD600
Spoiler, this one is my favorite.
I first found this camera while digging through a junk drawer years ago. It turned out to be my mom’s old camera, originally released in 2006. Since then, it has accompanied me on countless adventures.
My older brother regards my beloved camera with disdain: “Why take worse pictures than your phone…?”
He doesn’t get it.
Something about the photo quality is quietly beautiful.
When the flash isn’t on, the photos turn out blurry. I believe the shutter speed is slower, and it would take a surgeon’s precision to keep the camera still while pressing the capture button. My shaky hands don’t stand a chance. While this occasionally produces some interesting blurred images, most photos are best with flash. When used in the dark, a high contrast/exposure effect is produced. However, the camera also manages to catch many subtle colors of the day that the iPhone often ignores.
Even with the blurry images and red-eyes, I love this camera with all my heart. Perhaps even for these reasons. The camera is small and rectangular, fitting neatly into almost any purse— a perfect companion.
My iPhone photo frustrations likely stem from overexposure; my camera roll currently hosts 11,210 photos. I realize this is excessive. My mom occasionally remembers that I take up at least 70% of our five person family’s cloud storage, but until she remembers again, I am safe. Thus, consider me highly familiar with the nuances of iPhone photos, and my judgment is that they cannot hold a candle to other lenses. Often frustrated by my phone’s inability to capture the beauty of a moment, I end up not even taking the picture.
Here are a few more fun ones as a treat!
Canon Powershot A1200
Next, we have my older brother’s childhood camera. I found this in his desk after he went away to college— I must have a knack for finding abandoned cameras in drawers. It is also a Canon Powershot, but this model is the A1200 (released 2011) while my mom’s was the SD600 (2006). It’s endearing, like my brother’s baby version of my mom’s camera. I remember using it when we were little. Propping it up on his tripod, we would film clips of us jumping around on the couch and enacting emotional scenes that he would then edit on iMovie. I wish I could find those productions again.
Looking at the quality now, the photos have a slight bluish tint to them, making them look more digital and cold than the previous camera. Given the options of both, I lean towards my mom’s, but I occasionally I use this one for video because the SD600 is a nightmare in that regard. Trust me.
Canon EOS M50
Next, we have my newest and by far fanciest camera. My mom/Santa gave me this camera for Christmas of 2021. I’m noticing her brand loyalty to Canon.
I know very little about the technicalities of cameras. SLR (single-lens reflex) cameras seem to be the most complex, coming in film only. DSLR are a similar, digital version. These cameras allow for more personalization through manual settings and overall higher quality. Point-and-shoot cameras are on the opposite end of the spectrum, simplifying the process as the name implies.
The Canon EOS M50 is a mirrorless camera— as the newest type, it strives to give users the quality and range of a DSLR while maintaining the portability and ease of point-and-shoot.
Simply put, this model is much more complex than my other decade-old cameras. Slowly, I am learning via experimentation.
The detail this camera captures is surreal— zooming in on these photos simply reveals more to the picture rather than pixels, although I am actively battling WordPress for image quality.
Instax
This was my first camera, a gift from years ago. The novelty of instant cameras is unparalleled— a one-of-a-kind picture is printed within minutes of simply pressing a button. The resulting images are high in contrast and exposure, alluding to nostalgia that predates my birth. Flash remedies the camera’s poor low-lighting abilities, although little can be done in overexposed scenes like a snowy day.
Film medley: My grandpa’s old camera, and the one I found in the basement
Neither of these cameras have been tried by me, so I am unable to offer test images.
In regards to my grandpa’s camera, this thing is as heavy as anything. The strap is minuscule and therefore incredibly uncomfortable. Despite the challenge, I am excited for the results. Perhaps in the future I will delve deeper into my love for film.
The other is an Olympus Infinity Stylus Zoom 140. Since my mom has no recollection of this camera that I found in the basement, it is mine to keep. Consequently, the camera is a complete mystery. I don’t even know if it works. However, a quick online search described it as the “ultimate dad camera,” meaning that it must be the camera of my dreams.
Flipvideo
Last but not least, we have this gem from my fellow photo lover, Ivy Chen. Her Ebay betting endeavors resulted in more cameras than one might expect, and as a result, here’s this Cisco Flipvideo camcorder!
Held vertically but recording horizontally, this device is truly unique. It’s a lot of fun and currently low-battery, but perhaps one day I will release a 2010esque video montage.
Grace,
Your love for the art of photography could definitely be felt through this blog post. This is something that you and I do not share. I have found that having the time to take pictures, especially on my iPhone, is rather difficult when I am in the moment. After many memorable nights spent with friends and at concerts, I found that I sometimes regret not having the visual memories to remember these wonderful moments. For example, when I go to concerts, I often find that the pictures and videos that I take are horrible. Like the worst possible picture to capture at that moment. Or you cannot even hear the live music, just my screaming of the lyrics. Although, it is videos like these that I am able to look back on and see my pure joy felt at these live pictures. I find that when I do end up taking the picture, they are not good. They are mostly funny or of bad quality. But it is this bad quality that makes me appreciate the memory even more. After reading about your camera collection, it caused me to think back on the camera I did own. There is only one I could think of which is my Kodak easy share. It is a cherry red color and I used to cherish that thing. That was until it broke earlier this year. The lens of the camera is permanently stuck in an outward position. But, I still like to look back on the SD card to see all of the memories I was able to capture.
Grace,
I found it fascinating to read about the different cameras you have used throughout the years and the personal connections which you have to each of them. It is evident that you have a fervent passion for photography and I really enjoyed looking at the various photos that you have captured with your cameras. In this day and age, most photos are simply taken on iPhones. The cameras which most phones possess are seen as the “default” camera to capture images. However, as you had stated, many fail to realize the unique beauty that comes from capturing images from different kinds of cameras and lenses. In my view, cameras play a significant role towards the story that a picture conveys. In my own life, I have owned around two or three cameras. I simply used them to capture random photos whenever the urge struck me, but I never quite thought about the story behind the camera, and how the camera adds to the essence behind each captured image. I found it especially interesting how your post went into the story of how you acquired each camera, and the history behind it. This post truly emphasized your love for cameras and photography and I would love to read more posts from you about this topic in the future!