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The internet and my inbox are flooded with amazing photos of the big Solar Eclipse of 2024.
In each case, the phones' digital zoom far outstrips the optical capabilities.
An amazing Eclipse 2024 shot by reader Phil Adams
My iPhone 15 Pro Max’s tetraprism zoom can extend to 25x with a digital assist.
Similarly, theGooglePixel 8 Pro’s 5x optical zoom will extend to 30x digital zoom.
Nothing compares to theSamsungGalaxy S23 Ultra which includes a feature called, naturally, Space Zoom.
One of my original comparison shots.
It’s capable of 100x.
That’s 10 times the optical limit.
Why, almost everyone asked, didn’t I use that?
(Image credit: Jennifer Priestley)
Back when I first reviewed the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra,I fell in love with Space Zoom.
I didn’t know it was possible to photograph the moon like that with a smartphone camera.
I came to learn, though, that not all is as it seems.
(Image credit: Jennifer Priestley)
Otherwise, I’d risk representing eclipse simulacrums.
My point is, real photography does not include AI-derived or generated information.
Phil’s solution is brilliant: shoot through the leaves.
(Image credit: Jennifer Priestley)
Jennifer Priestly enjoyed my article but was also curious why I didn’t go all out with zoom.
She has aGalaxy S22 Ultra, which also features Space Zoom and shared photos taken at 30x and 100x.
I explained to her my reasoning about the use of Space Zoom.
(Image credit: Jennifer Priestley)
As for her eclipse shots, I do agree, these are amazing.
Beautiful and worth the effort?
Doing it during an astro event that would impact millions was icing on the cake.
(Image credit: Jennifer Priestley)
My guidelines for how I’d shoot the eclipse were just that, guidelines for me.
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(Image credit: William Parker)
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