Nexus 6 and Camera FV-5 discussion - Nexus 6 General

So I wanted to make this thread for photo buffs (as much as you can be on a smartphone lol) and newbs to get together to discuss best settings in this app for different situations. FV-5, as most of you probably know, basically takes L Camera to a new level w/ a much nicer GUI (of course, you have to pay in the google play store for it). they do have a lite version as well for you to test out. But it allows you to shoot in RAW and control pretty much every aspect of your camera.
For those of you not aware, here is the user manual.
* I may have posted this in the wrong section and it should have gone in the app section, if so mods please move

I use this app next to manual camera and I must say this one is the better one fo the two.
It's just not that much of a hussle to use.

Related

Which camera app?

Just got the phone today and I'm really enjoying it. Camera seems to take pretty decent photos, I'm just not liking the UI of the stock app itself. What are you guys using?
cas239 said:
Just got the phone today and I'm really enjoying it. Camera seems to take pretty decent photos, I'm just not liking the UI of the stock app itself. What are you guys using?
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Stock.
If you use another camera, it won't work with the Moto wrist flick action.
Darnell_Chat_TN said:
Stock.
If you use another camera, it won't work with the Moto wrist flick action.
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Click to collapse
Yea, I figured as much. I can almost live without that though. Coming from a Note 4 and i'm used to touch to focus.
cas239 said:
Yea, I figured as much. I can almost live without that though. Coming from a Note 4 and i'm used to touch to focus.
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Click to collapse
The Moto camera app has touch to focus. You just have to turn off the auto focus..
I'm trying to live with the Moto camera app....I also like it for the barcode scanner...... But, I found the HTC One camera app here on XDA. I've used that app for the last 3 years and have always wished it was available for other phones. It's in the Android apps and games section (here's the link to the thread): http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4/themes-apps/mod-htc-one-m9-camera-gallery-t3143538 I like the gallery too.
I've also tried MANY other cameras and the one I like the best so far, and it's new, is: ProShot
I also like Camera FV-5..... I just purchased it today. The 3.0 update that's coming out looks pretty good, that's why I got it now. I don't like the 21mp ratio aspect and if you change it, it takes off 5mp, but we'll see what happens?
Also like: A Better Camera - pretty good, but don't like the UI
AZ Camera - Manual Pro Cam - Just tried it this week, seems ok for a freebie
Open Camera - This one really impressed me for a free camera
Snap Camera - Looks like an upgrade to Open Camera, but I have some "touch" issues with it from time to time
Cameringo+ Effects camera - It has great reviews and 4.6 stars, but I just didn't like the UI either.
CameraMX - Pretty good for a freebie too
Google Camera - It's Google Camera Not much more to say
I plan on messing around with Camera FV-5 tonight to get a better feel for it......But I'll probably always use the Moto camera for the ease of access to it.
Thanks for the suggestions. Do any one of the cemera apps you mentioned allow users to manually set e.g. ISO? (I don't own a MXPE yet so I can't test this myself)
tele_jas said:
I'm trying to live with the Moto camera app....I also like it for the barcode scanner...... But, I found the HTC One camera app here on XDA. I've used that app for the last 3 years and have always wished it was available for other phones. It's in the Android apps and games section (here's the link to the thread): http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4/themes-apps/mod-htc-one-m9-camera-gallery-t3143538 I like the gallery too.
I've also tried MANY other cameras and the one I like the best so far, and it's new, is: ProShot
I also like Camera FV-5..... I just purchased it today. The 3.0 update that's coming out looks pretty good, that's why I got it now. I don't like the 21mp ratio aspect and if you change it, it takes off 5mp, but we'll see what happens?
Also like: A Better Camera - pretty good, but don't like the UI
AZ Camera - Manual Pro Cam - Just tried it this week, seems ok for a freebie
Open Camera - This one really impressed me for a free camera
Snap Camera - Looks like an upgrade to Open Camera, but I have some "touch" issues with it from time to time
Cameringo+ Effects camera - It has great reviews and 4.6 stars, but I just didn't like the UI either.
CameraMX - Pretty good for a freebie too
Google Camera - It's Google Camera Not much more to say
I plan on messing around with Camera FV-5 tonight to get a better feel for it......But I'll probably always use the Moto camera for the ease of access to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
case-sensitive said:
Thanks for the suggestions. Do any one of the cemera apps you mentioned allow users to manually set e.g. ISO? (I don't own a MXPE yet so I can't test this myself)
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Click to collapse
Yeah, most of those do.
The Camera FV-5 and Cameringo+ are capable of being almost fully manual. The ProShot has several of those too and the HTC camera even has several manual settings. Not sure about the others, I didn't explore them that much? Pretty sure they'll say in the description? If you get it narrowed down or need more specific info, I can *try* to help by downloading (one I own) and trying something with it? I'm a little restricted on time later this week, headed to St Louis for a business meeting (and Cardinal's game).
Are any of these apps able to shoot 720p in 120 fps? In the other cameras I have tried, I get a pop-up saying fps over thirty isn't supported even on 720p
tele_jas said:
Yeah, most of those do.
The Camera FV-5 and Cameringo+ are capable of being almost fully manual. The ProShot has several of those too and the HTC camera even has several manual settings. Not sure about the others, I didn't explore them that much? Pretty sure they'll say in the description? If you get it narrowed down or need more specific info, I can *try* to help by downloading (one I own) and trying something with it? I'm a little restricted on time later this week, headed to St Louis for a business meeting (and Cardinal's game).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! When you get a chance, could you use one of these apps to take a couple of photos in low light setting, and see if manually setting the ISO and/or (probably and?!) extending the exposure time would improve the camera's low light performance (without flash)? You probably need a (very?) steady hand
THANKS!
case-sensitive said:
Thanks! When you get a chance, could you use one of these apps to take a couple of photos in low light setting, and see if manually setting the ISO and/or (probably and?!) extending the exposure time would improve the camera's low light performance (without flash)? You probably need a (very?) steady hand
THANKS!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I had a few minuted today, so here's the setup..... I play in a band (just a weekend thing), so I went into my music room (aka, my bedroom) and turned off the light, but left the door half-way open and the hall light on... I then took some pics of my gear.
I snapped several pictures using 4 different apps.... There was almost no difference with any of the apps vs the Moto camera as far as quality goes. One disappointing thing, when I tried to change the ISO, 3 of the 4 apps crashed and the 4th didn't allow me to click on the different speeds?? It's almost like the ISO is locked to auto? They all offered a "night mode" which made it brighter, but added quite a bit of noise. There was also an exposure compensation that brightened up the image, but basically did the same thing as night mode and added noise.
I didn't post any of the images, since there was no difference and it wasn't the best of settings. I'll try to get some better testing this evening and see if I get anything worth posting?
The stock camera sucks, because it doesn't have different pic sizes. Only 16m for 4:3 or 21m on 16:9. Witch results in huge file sizes. I take a lot of pics for work and 2m is big enough. The lack of options is weird.
I have tried a bunch of camera apps with this phone.
Stock camera .....very poor quality compared to other apps.
These are the best (not in order):
Snap camera ...takes great pictures, probably the best of the three with the right settings ..... but currently buggy though with this phone ...auto-focus is not that sharp in low light, touch to capture works great and takes sharp focused pictures but is buggy (you often have to double tap to capture, but if you can live with that until it's fixed..) and also the video mode doesn't currently work
Camera FV-5 ....very good quality pics, sharp, detailed, on par with snap, no bugs found
Open Camera ....Very good quality pics, auto focus works best of all the apps, or on par with Camera FV-5 ...no bugs found ....video mode works ....and it's free
Does this app like snap camera or open camera drain more battery than stock caméra ?
Took this one last night at the St Louis Cardinals game.. The post game fireworks.. Not too bad for stock, set on automatic.
Darnell_Chat_TN said:
Stock.
If you use another camera, it won't work with the Moto wrist flick action.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock is ok but wow does the files really have to be so large. Kinda stupid. You don't have enough control to change picture size before taking a pic. Most of the time I am just emailing and texting pics you don't need a 7MB pic for that.

Samsung Camera Auto Exposure?

For me Samsung phones has the best hardware out there. But it is still missing something. I have been wondering why their devices have no auto exposure on the focused area just like many android devices have it now. Although I can see their S6 edge plus has it now but im not totally satisfied with it.
So my question is the auto exposure(adjusting the exposure of the photo to the area you what to receive more light to have a picture perfect) is a hardware or software limitation? if it is software probably there are third party apps out there can you guys tell me what it is. I have been using Camera FV5 but it still does not do that.
crazyraiga said:
For me Samsung phones has the best hardware out there. But it is still missing something. I have been wondering why their devices have no auto exposure on the focused area just like many android devices have it now. Although I can see their S6 edge plus has it now but im not totally satisfied with it.
So my question is the auto exposure(adjusting the exposure of the photo to the area you what to receive more light to have a picture perfect) is a hardware or software limitation? if it is software probably there are third party apps out there can you guys tell me what it is. I have been using Camera FV5 but it still does not do that.
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Click to collapse
Are you talking a RAW format output file that you can edit/manipulate through Lightroom/PS or any third party software? If I am correct...good luck with that. Myself is using camera FV5 but figured out that what is the point and use of having a raw file coming out from this phone sensors...almost like useless. I rather side to the JPG output and put everything on auto and let the phone decide. Just imagine, Even until this day where modern dslr's, mirrorless are coming out but still having problem with noise coming out from those cameras (raw files). A micro four-thirds sensor has more noise compare to APS-C's, Apsc raw produce noise more than FULL Frame, Medium Format are less noise compare to Full frame. My point is.... The camera sensor of samsung phones are wayyyyy.... smaller than four-thirds therefore we can't expect that it will produce a better raw files, plus phones fixed lens. If there are raw files coming out from those sensors might not be usable compare to DSLR's. Even in Fuji and Sony mirrorless nowadays, specifically the XT-10 and A6000 if you go down lower to their native ISO probably not a good thing.
In short... Camera phones sensors not designed for RAW files or not yet ready maybe in the future. I am a portrait and landscape photographer (not a PRO) and uses my phone from time to time when my crappy old dslr go nuts Like you, I would love to see this feature fully functional in the future
edit: Camera FV5
You can manipulate the settings of your FV5 app by going to Menu - Shooting Utilities and click the last one, touch to capture. Make sure you switch ON your HISTOGRAM so that you can expose properly on your shot, then change your Light Metering Mode to the second one which Center Weighed (no label), That way you can expose your shot the way you want. You can also customized the exposure time by choosing the S mode and select custom for open shutter time. Kept in mind that What you See is What you Get on this app for it will give you JPG file. For me I really rely more on HISTOGRAM, if the native camera of samsung has the histogram ability then I will probably use it more. Cheers!
You'll probably see this feature in the Galaxy Camera lineup, but I doubt it'll make is way into the regular smartphone lineup.....why would it, they want us to buy their GC range too......
http://i.imgur.com/rVnFwJM.jpg
agasagas said:
Are you talking a RAW format output file that you can edit/manipulate through Lightroom/PS or any third party software? If I am correct...good luck with that. Myself is using camera FV5 but figured out that what is the point and use of having a raw file coming out from this phone sensors...almost like useless. I rather side to the JPG output and put everything on auto and let the phone decide. Just imagine, Even until this day where modern dslr's, mirrorless are coming out but still having problem with noise coming out from those cameras (raw files). A micro four-thirds sensor has more noise compare to APS-C's, Apsc raw produce noise more than FULL Frame, Medium Format are less noise compare to Full frame. My point is.... The camera sensor of samsung phones are wayyyyy.... smaller than four-thirds therefore we can't expect that it will produce a better raw files, plus phones fixed lens. If there are raw files coming out from those sensors might not be usable compare to DSLR's. Even in Fuji and Sony mirrorless nowadays, specifically the XT-10 and A6000 if you go down lower to their native ISO probably not a good thing.
In short... Camera phones sensors not designed for RAW files or not yet ready maybe in the future. I am a portrait and landscape photographer (not a PRO) and uses my phone from time to time when my crappy old dslr go nuts Like you, I would love to see this feature fully functional in the future
edit: Camera FV5
You can manipulate the settings of your FV5 app by going to Menu - Shooting Utilities and click the last one, touch to capture. Make sure you switch ON your HISTOGRAM so that you can expose properly on your shot, then change your Light Metering Mode to the second one which Center Weighed (no label), That way you can expose your shot the way you want. You can also customized the exposure time by choosing the S mode and select custom for open shutter time. Kept in mind that What you See is What you Get on this app for it will give you JPG file. For me I really rely more on HISTOGRAM, if the native camera of samsung has the histogram ability then I will probably use it more. Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't take raw format. I just want a point-shoot-upload phone camera with good balanced light and everything(like what iphone does so as many android devices out there). just to be clear I am not comparing phone camera sensors to dslr sensors because those are very different. im no a pro photographer and I know phone cameras are not designed for that. I just want a better(satisfying) result from what hardware it possessed.
keithross39 said:
You'll probably see this feature in the Galaxy Camera lineup, but I doubt it'll make is way into the regular smartphone lineup.....why would it, they want us to buy their GC range too......
http://i.imgur.com/rVnFwJM.jpg
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Click to collapse
I see. so it is a hardware limitation?
I never said anything about hardware limitations......
All I said was, that for Samsung, it wouldn't make financial sense to include every camera function on a smartphone, when they have other, more fully featured devices that they are selling too.....
http://i.imgur.com/rVnFwJM.jpg
keithross39 said:
I never said anything about hardware limitations......
All I said was, that for Samsung, it wouldn't make financial sense to include every camera function on a smartphone, when they have other, more fully featured devices that they are selling too.....
http://i.imgur.com/rVnFwJM.jpg
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Click to collapse
so if it is not hardware limitation there should be an app out there. I can other OEMs that uses either Samsung or Sony sensors for there camera and theirs work like a charm. but how come Samsung does not have it. atleast some devs are making that app.
I am no dev nor a programmer but I think it would not be that hard to develop a camera that works like other OEM devices.
Yeah....your best bet is a 3rd party independent app, because I can't see Samsung implementing these features on a standard smartphone. It wouldn't make business sense for them to do so.....not if they want to continue selling their Galaxy Camera range.......
http://i.imgur.com/rVnFwJM.jpg
keithross39 said:
Yeah....your best bet is a 3rd party independent app, because I can't see Samsung implementing these features on a standard smartphone. It wouldn't make business sense for them to do so.....not if they want to continue selling their Galaxy Camera range.......
http://i.imgur.com/rVnFwJM.jpg
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Click to collapse
yeah. tried every other third party apps out there can't find one that suits to my preferences. tried using custom roms, ported other rom but no luck for me yet.
they should be implementing that one especially on their flag carrier series. because every other android devices shifted to that camera functionality. they already implemented it in their s6 edge+ was hoping that upon mashmallow update they can implement it in s5.
BTW can you help me find that app? where I can just tap to anywhere and the exposure compensation for the whole image is adjusted to where I touched it.
Don't have any idea of actual, specific apps......If I want ultimate control over my image capturing, then I'll use one of my DSLR's......
But here's a good place to start looking....
http://thefluffyheads.com/techie-tony/5-android-camera-dslr-apps
http://i.imgur.com/rVnFwJM.jpg
I usually just use HDR on the Samsung camera which gives good exposure across the image. If you don't want to use that, in the settings is an option "metering modes" which let's you pick how the exposure is selected. I haven't checked to see if spot metering is based off the centre or the focus point, though.
keithross39 said:
Don't have any idea of actual, specific apps......If I want ultimate control over my image capturing, then I'll use one of my DSLR's......
But here's a good place to start looking....
http://thefluffyheads.com/techie-tony/5-android-camera-dslr-apps
http://i.imgur.com/rVnFwJM.jpg
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know smartphone cameras are not as good as DSLRs. just want a little bit more control in my device's camera. it is just so sad that we have a lot of best developers here in xda. but they are more focused on custom roms, exploits(root), ports and mods. I guess devs are not that much interested in other stuffs.
arghness said:
I usually just use HDR on the Samsung camera which gives good exposure across the image. If you don't want to use that, in the settings is an option "metering modes" which let's you pick how the exposure is selected. I haven't checked to see if spot metering is based off the centre or the focus point, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HDR is only good for outdoors and well lit surroundings. and metering modes does not give me the satisfaction. probably need to buy mid range smartphones with good cameras and fingerprint scanner.

Anyone using Proshot?

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.riseupgames.proshot2
I'm interested in manual setting for the camera apps. Anyone tried proshot on their 6p? How is it? any problems? limitation?
What camera apps are you using?
Thanks
check this review, it seems pretty good
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRRFn12XP5Y
Hi! I'm the dev of ProShot. Feel free to ask any questions
To answer yours:
1) No limitations (except for exposure compensation, Google sadly removed that from the Nexus line earlier this year)
2) Working on a bug fix for the upside-down-oriented image sensor. Hope to have that live by the end of the day
I've been using it since it was featured on phonearena. Its a nice full featured app. I just don't think the 6p camera has lived up to the hype for me.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
i downloaded the demo, looks pretty neat. Much more easier to use than Manual Camera. Planning to buy soon!
Hi,
Is there a way to lock the white balance and the focus? Cause I found a little bit annoying when the app is changing the WB all the time during the capturing process.
Thanks!
I have it, but wish there was HDR. Without it I don't use it since it makes a big difference.
No, HDR on Proshot?
Well I hope not.
Leave HDR and any such post processing for Lightroom,CaptureOne,Darktable,Aftershot, (maybe even the not-so-optimal Photoshop) etc... the source file for those programs should be as clean as possible second to the data that went out from the camera sensor. Thats the whole point of any RAW format, that it leaves room for more post processing.
If you need to do instant HDR within there are plenty of apps that does all the "cooking" into a fine ready-to-go JPEG.
Anyway, would be nice to se a sale campaign on this, I just fell on this thread accidentally.
how to quick reset?

Does V20 has portrait mode like iPhone in Camera?

I m willing to buy this phone for HiRes music and it is cheaper now. But I want to know if this thing has portrait mode or not.
Portrait Mode: It is similar to bouque effect present in dslr or in simple words background becomes blur so the foreground stands out clearer.
experot said:
I m willing to buy this phone for HiRes music and it is cheaper now. But I want to know if this thing has portrait mode or not.
Portrait Mode: It is similar to bouque effect present in dslr or in simple words background becomes blur so the foreground stands out clearer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well in a sense with manual mode yeah because you can select what you want in focus
No, the V20 does not have that. The V20 is quite the exact opposite of the iPhone. The iPhone is for people who can't or won't figure things out for themselves. The V20 is for those who know and want to do things themselves and have more control. You can use the Google Camera app and use its blur mode if you want though.
CHH2 said:
No, the V20 does not have that. The V20 is quite the exact opposite of the iPhone. The iPhone is for people who can't or won't figure things out for themselves. The V20 is for those who know and want to do things themselves and have more control. You can use the Google Camera app and use its blur mode if you want though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think google camera app uses dual camera setup,that can be intalled to any phone and doesn't provide good bg blur effect.
Still thanks for reply.
Tell me if there is any other option in Manual mode etc
There are at least 5 camera apps I can think of that allows this... However, I am not going to publicly promote a product or service that if obtained through proper stores,costs money. So... Sorry about that. I searched for aDSLR solution for some time. The main issue I was coming across was most replacement alps made it look like someone ate some potato chips, then touched all over the camera(s) lens(es) with said hands without properly wiping them all over their roommates couch.
Come to think of it.... I was eating some hamburger flavored chips.......hmmm
experot said:
I don't think google camera app uses dual camera setup,that can be intalled to any phone and doesn't provide good bg blur effect.
Still thanks for reply.
Tell me if there is any other option in Manual mode etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both the Google camera app and the iPhone are going to do the same thing, which is use software trickery to blur the background by using information based on changes of depth. iPhone does this using two cameras and the Google app uses one and just has you "pan" the camera up and does some nifty calculations. As for installing it on any phone, you're in the V20 section asking about what to use on a V20. Someone ported it to the V20 and I've been using it for when I want auto photos since then just as well as I would on my Nexus devices. So I don't understand your point. The Google app actually does a decent job for software based trickery.
As for any other options in manual mode, that's not the point of manual mode. Manual mode is for those who want full control over their images. This means you are in charge of pre and post production. Want a specific type of light? Then find and/or set up that type of light. Want background blur? You will have to know what it takes to get blur out of this sensor size and be able to set that situation up. Like I said before, the V20 is not a dummy mode phone.
Ultimately though, if you want to get bokeh all the time all day long, you need at least a full frame DSLR and a very large aperture lens attached to it. Even dedicated cameras with fast lenses with sensors larger than anything in a phone run into issues creating bokeh in certain situations. Or, expand your photography horizons. If all you care about is bokeh, you need to be a bit more creative.
If you still aren't happy with any of the above, just get an iPhone. I hear they're great for when you don't want to have to do any thinking at all.

Pixel Camera Algorithm in separate standalone app

Before I continue, I know I am pretty much relying on Space Magic. However if this is possibly I would indeed like someone to try.
I would like someone to create a camera app, that utilizes the Google Pixels algorithm(continuous streaming of photos with differing exposures and certain settings, combines in end) To create awesome looking Photos on the Moto G4 Plus. Once again, I know I am relying on Magic, however its worth an ask. Doesn't even need to be a direct port from google camera.
Last part, which relies on pure science fiction, I would like this to work without Camera2API.
Sorry for the request, as I am sure its already been asked, but this is something I would like somebody to work on. Thanks!

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