Using an iPad instead of a camera - why?

[pdqgp]

You don't use the screen while shooting on an SLR camera - you look through the 'tiny' viewfinder. The difference is, you're not looking at a 1cm wide display, you're looking through it and seeing exactly what the camera sees. It's effectively "infinite resolution" and actually quite "large" to look at compared to an actual screen.

The point is simply that no matter how good the optics and sensor are, if your shot is out of focus it doesn't help, and if your composition is bad it doesn't help. A larger screen helps both, and an SLR viewfinder is even better.

Actually when using an SLR that's been made in the last few years, many have live view ability to then use the screen. I use mine like that a lot when shooting low or up high. Good ones are 100% field of view too. In terms of resolution, the SLR review screens are far higher in resolution and allow for easy zooming in to see details of the images that are well beyond that of the iPad. Thus if you like to "chimp" and review images you can easily see if they are in focus. However, with proper technique combined with todays AF Systems, the OOF images are far and few between.

 

[pdqgp]

Have to say - the iPad tends to yield better pictures for some applications. Doing macro for work instructions / equipment guides - you can't beat it. I found that I got better pictures, in a fraction of the time compared to the SLR. When you're looking for a specific detail - the insanely large viewing surface allows you to observe detail - and more importantly - exposure, required for that type of work.

it does work well for that. I can easily see it doing good for macro work, especially since the design of the sensor is such that DOF is pretty much made for depth. I have several good SLR's and love using a nice macro lens but I normally use a quality point and shoot that has good macro ability as it's just easier at times.

Many times the viewfinder on my SLR showed an excellent picture, as did the LCD when reviewing the picture - but once on the PC, different story entirely. Whereas everything that looks good on the iPad LCD - retains that detail on the PC too.

are you referencing exposure? does your SLR offer a histogram? that's what you need to be using in terms of judging exposure and saturations, not the LCD screen of the SLR. the real downside of the iPad/iPhones is that you can't control anything including EV or f/stops and the sensors and processing tend to blow highlights easily.

I'm not saying it's better than an SLR in image quality - but sure is more consistent in a what-you-see-is-what-you-get quality. Plus, love that touching an area of interest on the display sets the focus and exposure for that area.

Quality is most certainly not on part but the cool thing is SLR's are now taking a note from tablets and phones and integrating touch screens finally.

 

[pdqgp]

I use my iPad and iPhone to take photos of receipts when traveling for business so that submitting my expenses is easier.

 

[NewbieCanada]

A friend of mine used it recently while on a trip - the reason being that he forgot his iPhone at home.

For him, like me, the iPad is a supplementary device. Normally there are no situations where I'd have my iPad with me that I wouldn't also have my iPhone.