Anyone Use an Apple Ipad for their Photography

[Byker28i]

OK, as a recent iPad owner and previous sceptic, I'll give some reasonable feedback. I too thought they were expensive, limited, and figured for the money I'd buy a decent laptop instead, replacing my Dell 420. I should point out I have an iPhone which I think is a perfect marriage of connectivity, functionality and size. I mostly use this for data.

I was offered a 3 week old 32Gb wifi iPad for £250. Now that's a reasonable expense for the uses I had in mind. It can be a media player on trips/car journeys and be useful as a portfolio browser. TV listings apps, sky sports news, weather apps are great on it and instant turn on for a quick browse is useful too.

I've got several PDF's loaded onto it, which means I have instant access to my course notes, technical manuals, camera manuals etc.

For photography, I shoot sunday morning sports, at the moment junior rugby. After the match I get about 25-30 mins waiting for the boys to finish pretending to have a shower and get changed, then about 45-60 mins in the clubhouse afterwards. Shooting raw & medium jpeg, I can import the jpegs into the ipad sitting in the computer pocket on my Computrekker backpack, with the camera also safe in backpack. Only a USB lead is external.

Once inside the clubhouse, I can preview the images, do some pretty useful editing with firestorm if required and start some displaying/selling to the parents whilst I have a captive audience. I only put 800x600 images on the web, but still have the raw image quality that I can edit at home for those that sell.

It's not a laptop although at the moment it's replaced what I used my small laptop for (apart from tethered shooting). It'll never replace my full blown powerful PC for editing with lightroom and photoshop and huge storage, but it's added in a useful halfway house method for when I'm away from the PC. Being small and light I'll take it with me when I'm away on trips, even day trips as you can stop for a coffee, import the pics and check them on a large screen, then go back and reshoot if needed.

The bad bits are the cost of the device to start with, the apps seem to cost more (if you can afford an iPad you can pay more?) and the cost of the camera connector kit is a joke, £25 for two small plugs is a complete ripoff!

Other than that, it's turning out to be a useful tool in my photography.

 

[hollis_f]

If, while I'm away from home, all I want to do is emails, web surfing, showing people my pictures, watching videos or TV, playing games, listening to music etc. then I'll save weight and space by taking my iPad.

Smartphone, netbook, TV all of which are by far the more appropriate tools for your list above than an iPad.

Hmmm, Smartphone - worse than iPad for all the above, except for music.

Netbook - My netbook hasn't seen the light of day since I got the iPad. It's worse for everything on my list.

TV - total and utter fail just on the portability side.

Yes, a Macbook Air would be nice - except for the battery life (I get over 10 hours of watching TV on my iPad). Oh, and that I don't really like Macs. That's right, I live in a house with 8 Macs but none of them are mine. I own three Windows machines. So much for being an Apple Fanboy.

You see I base my decisions on the actual properties of the hardware itself. I don't instantly dismiss something just because of the label on it.

 

[hollis_f]

The web experience is by far just retarded compared to similar devices or products in the same price range, I mean I don't know about you but I like to actually be able to see flash media content when I browse the web.

I'm sure there must be some pron sites that don't use Flash.

 

[Byker28i]

I would like to add that the apple iPad is like a very **** laptop.

Don't become suckered in by Apple and their fancy pricing. I would rather spend half the price and get a decent laptop or tablet pc. Buying an iPad is a seriously lame thing to do.

Seriously, could you show me a laptop that has a decent screen, the power to run Lightroom and CS5 for anywhere near the price of an iPad? I'd like Windows 7, 64 bit, 8Gb ram and a decently fast hard drive, and is light and will fit in the pocket of a Computrekker? The MacAir kinda fits the bill (but I'd have to bootcamp it).

At the moment my Dell 420 with it's 1.8" hard drive just struggles to import at a decent speed.

I'm a Mac sceptic, but you have to admit, (talking laptops and desktops) that even though the pricing seems expensive, you are paying for the convenience of having it all in one package, without the need for you to shop around and combine several different items.

 

[Byker28i]

I'm sure there must be some pron sites that don't use Flash.

Flash would be nice. Sites like the BBC use it for live sports reporting etc.

IPlayer on the iPad is stunning though.

Oh and I've obtained a Mac bluetooth keyboard which is really easy to sync with the iPad. Frustrating at times in certain apps (i.e. why can't I change pages with the cursor keys), but for typing large amounts it's brilliant.

I rarely use iTunes. I use ftp, email etc as a connection method to transfer items off.

 

[scuby]

Lack of a basic camera (despite promised) to I dunno save some weight or maybe so that people will have to buy the next model if they want to do some of the basic things most devices are capable of like video conferencing.

But i don't use, and have no intention of using, video conferencing. So why do i need a camera?

Also note that a camera was never promised by Apple - nothing was even mentioned about the iPad by Apple until the design was completed and announced.

The web experience is by far just retarded compared to similar devices or products in the same price range, I mean I don't know about you but I like to actually be able to see flash media content when I browse the web.

You do know that there are no similar devices in the same price range - or in fact any price range, don't you? And no portable device yet has a fully functioning version of flash - the version of flash so far available (unless ypu get a laptop) cannot load certain types of flash, because they can't deal with interactivity very well. Note also that the only website i would like to have flash for which i don't is 4OD - but wouldn't use it much anyway, so not a big loss.

As a handheld device it is still heavy. Try using it as an E-reader.

I do - all of the time. Wouldn't want to hold my iPad out at arms length for a long time to read books on it, but that's not how i (or anyone else, presumably) would read anyway.

The claim of 10 hours battery life is not only pathetic but untrue.

Based on what? My experience of having owned one for 6 months says different!

64GB of space for £700 with no expandable memory, yep true bargain that.

Much better to be limited to 16GB of space internally, and have to rely on much slower SD cards for the rest...?


So, from what i can tell you think no one should buy it because it doesn't do what you want it to do (camera, flash, etc that not everyone cares about), or simply because you've been misinformed about its capabilities (battery life), usability (how to read a book), or competitors (there are none currently).

It's funny how many people passionately slate the iPad because it can't do everything their laptop can, or can't do everything their phone can, or is too big for a phone, or too small for a laptop. You'd think my now people would have realised that they don't *have* to buy every product made by every manufacturer. You don't even have to like it, or see a use for it.

I guess some people are just too stupid or self-centred to realise that there are other people in the world with different requirements to themself, and so while it's not something they'd buy it is ideal for others. Which is rather sad, if you think about it...

David

 

[arad85]

You do know that there are no similar devices in the same price range - or in fact any price range, don't you? And no portable device yet has a fully functioning version of flash - the version of flash so far available (unless ypu get a laptop) cannot load certain types of flash, because they can't deal with interactivity very well. Note also that the only website i would like to have flash for which i don't is 4OD - but wouldn't use it much anyway, so not a big loss.

You do know you're wrong don't you

Just bought a 10" Android tablet for £250 including full flash support (and will play HD movies. And best of all, it's open so you can use it without the walled garden approach Apple have. Link (if it is still in stock) http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/advent-vega-internet-tablet-08258762-pdt.html

Not perfect, but already hacked to have the full Android experience. Look out for more low price Android tabs in 2011. 2011 will be a hard year for Apples iPad in my view.

So, from what i can tell you think no one should buy it because it doesn't do what you want it to do (camera, flash, etc that not everyone cares about), or simply because you've been misinformed about its capabilities (battery life), usability (how to read a book), or competitors (there are none currently).

Umm... see above - they are there now . Google "Android tablet" and see what comes up - it may surprise you what competition Apple actually do have....

 

[hollis_f]

You do know you're wrong don't you

Just bought a 10" Android tablet for £250 including full flash support (and will play HD movies. And best of all, it's open so you can use it without the walled garden approach Apple have. Link (if it is still in stock) http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/advent-vega-internet-tablet-08258762-pdt.html

Yes, Ive been waiting for these to get in stock at my local Currys or PC World so I can check it out. I presume they're now selling it with Android 2.2? And are they allowing you to use apps from the Android Marketplace? If I can't get Angry Birds for it then it's no go from the start.

The reviews I've read said that the screen is difficult to see at anything other than a small angle. Is that the case? I know the screen won't be a patch on the iPad's, but if more than two people can't look at photos on it without the colours screwing up then its not going to be usable.

 

[scuby]

Just bought a 10" Android tablet for £250 including full flash support (and will play HD movies. And best of all, it's open so you can use it without the walled garden approach Apple have. Link (if it is still in stock) http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/advent-vega-internet-tablet-08258762-pdt.html

The link is a 7" tablet...? I wasn't aware that there were any 10" tablets yet available in the UK - but could be wrong, and if so then maybe the competition has actually arrived.

Having had a play with one of the 7" Android things, i don't think 7" devices are really competing in the same space - remember 7" is actually around half the screen area of a 10" - just like how a 7" tablet isn't competing in the same space as the iPod Touch. Yes the software and much of the underlying hardware are the same, but the usability of the different sizes is huge - so much so that i don't believe people would typically (though of course technically you can do the same one whichever size) expect to use them in the same way.

For example, i happily use my 10" iPad as my main device for the internet, email, reading, etc. I certainly wouldn't and couldn't do that with an iPod Touch, and a 7" would be more comfortable but think it would be relegated to occasional use. Conversely, i would happily get an iPod Touch out in the street to check a map or whatever - i wouldn't do that with an iPad, and probably wouldn't with a 7" either.


Just as an aside, i thought it was interesting you say it's better to be open rather than the "walled garden" approach that Apple have, but then say you had to hack it to get the full Android experience. Of course, you can hack iOS too in which case they're as open as each other.

David

 

[jontucker]

I would like to add that the apple iPad is like a very **** laptop.

Don't become suckered in by Apple and their fancy pricing. I would rather spend half the price and get a decent laptop or tablet pc. Buying an iPad is a seriously lame thing to do.

I take exception to your statement. Your opinion is not fact and if you aren't intelligent enough to realise that then perhaps you should refrain from posting at all.

 

[Byker28i]

As a handheld device it is still heavy. Try using it as an E-reader.

I do - all of the time. Wouldn't want to hold my iPad out at arms length for a long time to read books on it, but that's not how i (or anyone else, presumably) would read anyway.

You don't tend to read books like that either though do you? I tend to rest them on my body, on the arm of the chair etc.
I can get my camera magazine as an iPad book. Not tried it yet as the reviews are not promising, but if it worked well, I'd have some camera mags with me and it would cost half each month.

The claim of 10 hours battery life is not only pathetic but untrue.

Based on what? My experience of having owned one for 6 months says different!

I used mine last week for 5 hours solid typing with the bluetooth keyboard, writing up notes whilst on a course. It still had 30% battery left, to which my conclusion is that the bluetooth eats the battery the same as it does on an iphone, but if I compare that to my laptop with extended battery it still beats it hands down. My laptop lasts approx 3 hours. The mains power is also a fraction of the weight on an ipad compared to a laptop psu, an important point when you are carrying lots.

It's a tool Jin, just that. I can use a hammer to put in screws but it's not the best tool, nor good for opening tins of paint, prising etc like a screwdriver is. Why do people have really expensive cars when they could pay £6k and get a really cheap new one? They still get you from A to B.

The iPad is the same, it's good at what it does, it's set a market (which is why everyone is scrambling to make an alternative), I just wish it was half the price from new, which is what I paid for mine. If I hadn't have got it so cheap I wouldn't have got it, but that's not to say it isn't a good tool.

 

[arad85]

Yes, Ive been waiting for these to get in stock at my local Currys or PC World so I can check it out. I presume they're now selling it with Android 2.2? And are they allowing you to use apps from the Android Marketplace? If I can't get Angry Birds for it then it's no go from the start.

Comes with 2.2 but has been rooted to give full access to all the Android marketplace etc. Have a look at this for angry birds : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIun8hbjQAw

I reckon it will be in stores by Christmas - there's probably less than 500-700 out there and they have been flown in airfreight rather than shipped in. You'll have to wait for the ship to come over from Taiwan...

The reviews I've read said that the screen is difficult to see at anything other than a small angle. Is that the case? I know the screen won't be a patch on the iPad's, but if more than two people can't look at photos on it without the colours screwing up then its not going to be usable.

Take a look here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NHeRrEXh68&NR=1

The portrait mode is not as good though: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Yx566kBm4M&NR=1

The link is a 7" tablet...? I wasn't aware that there were any 10" tablets yet available in the UK - but could be wrong, and if so then maybe the competition has actually arrived.

Yup 10". If you viewed it after it has gone out of stock, you get redirected to the 7" Archos for some reason...

For example, i happily use my 10" iPad as my main device for the internet, email, reading, etc. I certainly wouldn't and couldn't do that with an iPod Touch, and a 7" would be more comfortable but think it would be relegated to occasional use. Conversely, i would happily get an iPod Touch out in the street to check a map or whatever - i wouldn't do that with an iPad, and probably wouldn't with a 7" either.

I'm getting mine as a toy, something to play media on, browse on the internet whilst on the sofa and control my media centre without having the TV on (useful for music).

Just as an aside, i thought it was interesting you say it's better to be open rather than the "walled garden" approach that Apple have, but then say you had to hack it to get the full Android experience. Of course, you can hack iOS too in which case they're as open as each other.

Yes, true, but supposedly there will be another release on the tablet format. I'm sure that given a year, the android experience will be pretty darened good. The processor in the Vega is a good one and is quite a lot more powerful than the ipad or a netbook (dual core Arm 9 + hardware encode/decode for hd videos as well as a graphics core), so there's plenty of scope for nice things to come