pxm7

pxm7 t1_j64axos wrote

Assuming we’re taking about the Pros, the macro control button uses the ultra wide lens to take macro shots, and the ultra wide is much better than the 13, which itself was a big improvement over 12. It’s no longer a joke lens, this lens is a good camera in itself.

As a result, macro photos on the 14 are much better than the 13. Example.

The main camera lens is slightly better, with a 24mm focal length, so gets more of the scene into the frame. But it also requires you to use the ultra wide for close ups.

Ironically this is a physics issue you run into with better cameras — with more specialised lenses, you’ve to think about which lens you want to use … something DSLR fans have done for ages. Eg with a pic like this (macro taken with a 14 pro) the photographer needs to be able to decide if the focus is on the trees or the foreground.

Cameras can guess where you want to focus, but ultimately the human’s got to decide because it’s a subjective decision on the photographer’s part.

In the past, camera lenses were so shitty people never had to worry about this. Which is why “destroys minimum focus distance” is sort of a non-issue for people who care about the camera.

For people that don’t, I suspect mid-tier phones with their “jack of all trades” lenses + digitally retouched photos will work well. Or who knows, maybe future high end phones will have an additional lower-quality all-purpose lens.

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pxm7 t1_j63cddw wrote

At least on the Pro models, you can add a button to the camera UI to force macro mode. Makes it much easier.

Do the regular iPhones have that? (Settings > Camera > Macro Control).

Edit: The macro feature seems to be only on iPhone 13 and 14 Pro/Pro Max models.

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pxm7 t1_iyc6ruy wrote

Reply to Best iPhone by UmamiYorkie

Do you really need 512GB? If not you can save quite a lot of money there. Especially if you use iCloud, Google Drive, or something similar. iCloud is particularly smart about keeping thumbnails and downloading full-size pics on demand, and off-loading as needed. Really cuts down on the storage photos need — eg on a new phone I have about 5GB of space used by photos, but my photo library is about 60GB.

The newer iPhones will have the best cameras, but previous years’ models are fine. Even the 11s. And they get a fair number of years of support and updates.

The best iPhone really depends upon your budget but I do agree, a year-old iPhone often makes sense if you don’t need the absolute latest.

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