Holiday Camera or Drone

[TheGamingEnthusiast]

Hi there,
This is a bit random but I am going on a holiday and I want to take some cool pictures and cinematic shots. I have an iPhone 6s and I'm not sure if I should purchase a DJI Phantom 3 or a 700D to in essence replace my iPhone camera?!
Many Thanks!

 

[basroil]

If you want to take photos and cinematic video, spend those $500 on a college course in photography/videography. It will be a much better use of your money

 

[Hello man]

Hi there,
This is a bit random but I am going on a holiday and I want to take some cool pictures and cinematic shots. I have an iPhone 6s and I'm not sure if I should purchase a DJI Phantom 3 or a 700D to in essence replace my iPhone camera?!
Many Thanks!

Yeah, I mean lots of people do amazing stuff with their phone. The Phantom 3 would be cool, but it's a hassle to carry and basically says "rob me". The 700D gives you the option to do cool things (cooler than your phone) but don't expect to instantly see a quality increase in your pictures, basically what Basroil was saying. It more about you learning to use the camera, use manual settings etc before the camera becomes a power tool. Using a chainsaw that is not running and expecting to cut down a huge tree is a pretty good analogy for only using a DSLR in automatic. Your phone normally decides all the settings for you. The camera has a whole lot of things to get acquainted with.

 

[TheGamingEnthusiast]

Thank you both for replying, I totally agree and was thinking that YouTube would be a great way to learn the basics and then continue on from there, either with trial and error or asking friends who have years of knowledge for some tips!
What do you guys think?

 

[basroil]

Thank you both for replying, I totally agree and was thinking that YouTube would be a great way to learn the basics and then continue on from there, either with trial and error or asking friends who have years of knowledge for some tips!
What do you guys think?

Start by learning FIRST, and then you'll know exactly what equipment you need for what you want to do. A camera is a tool, you are what decides what you are going to use it for. But why would you buy a hammer to fix the screws in your sun glasses? Once you know what you want to do and what your budget is, just go to bhphotovideo and find a body and lens (or drone) that you need to do what you want to do. It's really easy to pick the camera once you have knowledge of what specs you NEED (not want).

 

[Fran_MontoyaQ]

I asked this same question a while back and was told to look into the x5 or x5c. About $35 on Amazon and it is a decent sized quadrocopter. Not as big as a phantom but still decent sized. Also has a cage of sorts to protect the blades. I don't have the spare money to pick it up at the moment but I'm hoping Christmas changes that

 

[Hello man]

Thank you both for replying, I totally agree and was thinking that YouTube would be a great way to learn the basics and then continue on from there, either with trial and error or asking friends who have years of knowledge for some tips!
What do you guys think?

I don't know if I would say learn everything first before getting a camera necessarily. I would look at photos you feel are cool, then look up the techniques in them and what is required in a camera to achieve that. I didn't know a thing when I got my first DSLR really. I learned fast though. That was 3 years ago, and now manual settings are a breeze, the camera feels like an extension of my body and my photos have seriously improved. (I've also switched cameras) How did I get that way though? I took about 10,000 photos per year.

I think you should get the camera if that is something you want to do (personally over a drone, since those have much more limited use, you won't be capturing a lot of memories with it on a trip). It is too hard to learn the basics of settings with a phone honestly, you can't do manual and you won't get anywhere. You can nail composition though.

But to avoid buying twice (buying and then selling to buy a different thing), which is always more expensive, I would do some more research first, just to see what kind of images you would want to take. Then see how certain cameras capabilities will make those photos easier or hinder them. It is inevitable, you will be pulled to try some things your gear might not be suited to. But get some gear, get it out and use it ALL THE TIME. Consider getting something like the Capture Pro from peak designs to carry your camera around on a daily basis.

 

[basroil]

I don't know if I would say learn everything first before getting a camera necessarily. I would look at photos you feel are cool, then look up the techniques in them and what is required in a camera to achieve that. I didn't know a thing when I got my first DSLR really. I learned fast though. That was 3 years ago, and now manual settings are a breeze, the camera feels like an extension of my body and my photos have seriously improved. (I've also switched cameras) How did I get that way though? I took about 10,000 photos per year.

Nobody said "learn everything first". The point is that OP needs to know what he wants to do before finding the right tool for the job!

And 10K/year isn't all that impressive... during my peak I was shooting about that much a month on average, two times I had that much in a week 😉

 

[Hello man]

I don't know if I would say learn everything first before getting a camera necessarily. I would look at photos you feel are cool, then look up the techniques in them and what is required in a camera to achieve that. I didn't know a thing when I got my first DSLR really. I learned fast though. That was 3 years ago, and now manual settings are a breeze, the camera feels like an extension of my body and my photos have seriously improved. (I've also switched cameras) How did I get that way though? I took about 10,000 photos per year.

Nobody said "learn everything first". The point is that OP needs to know what he wants to do before finding the right tool for the job!

And 10K/year isn't all that impressive... during my peak I was shooting about that much a month on average, two times I had that much in a week 😉

Would have shot more, but high school is a thing and I'm trying not to fail (and trying to go to something other than community college). Either way, at least get 1,000 a month. Look at them and critique yourself first.

Besides, at that rate, I would need a new shutter almost every year!

 

[basroil]

Besides, at that rate, I would need a new shutter almost every year!

Still haven't had a single one of my three cameras fail. Shutter life on the cheap stuff is rated for ~50k, but usually you can go 100K without issue. Two of my cameras have 200K life though, so definitely going to last longer there

 

[TheGamingEnthusiast]

Thank you everyone for your reply's, in answer to these I have done some research before posting and have found the 700D to meet all my needs. These needs include slow motion and still photos for scenery, the 700D also fits my budget of £450 (This includes a lens). I have also done some research on how to actually use the camera...but personally I think I need to get hands on to increase the speed of learning.
Would love to know what everyone thinks!
Many Thanks

 

[basroil]

I have also done some research on how to actually use the camera...but personally I think I need to get hands on to increase the speed of learning.

Sounds like you know what to do! That's the type of response I like to hear; get the camera and start practicing, you'll be a pro in no time 😉

700D is ok, but not the best for learning. If you can find a used 760 or 70D in your price range take a look at that, it'll last you far longer

 

[TheGamingEnthusiast]

Cool thank you for your reply! I have had a look and can't find any (new or old) which fit into my budget? Should I wait until one comes up or shall i jump in and get the 700D?
Many Thanks

 

[basroil]

Cool thank you for your reply! I have had a look and can't find any (new or old) which fit into my budget? Should I wait until one comes up or shall i jump in and get the 700D?
Many Thanks

There's nothing scheduled this year to replace the 760 right now, so unless you can find a used 70D (already replaced by the 80D), the 700D might be your best bet for that price range