Database Users

Camera usage tip with autofocus...

Maybe everyone knows it but I just discovered this yesterday! LOL
We already knew that you could press the "2-stage" camera button to get a focus then take the snap shot...but....this sometimes causes the picture to come out blurry because, as has happened to me on many many occassions, I accidentally move the camera. Hate that!
Well, today I found out that I could focus with the camera button then take the snapshot/picture with the action joystick. DUH! Man this makes it much easier to take clear pictures. Hope this tip helps others!
Long live the Athena Project!

ltxda said:
Maybe everyone knows it but I just discovered this yesterday! LOL
We already knew that you could press the "2-stage" camera button to get a focus then take the snap shot...but....this sometimes causes the picture to come out blurry because, as has happened to me on many many occassions, I accidentally move the camera. Hate that!
Well, today I found out that I could focus with the camera button then take the snapshot/picture with the action joystick. DUH! Man this makes it much easier to take clear pictures. Hope this tip helps others!
Long live the Athena Project!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool tip!!

you know what...? I didn't know that... THANKS!
je je what a dummies...

Real man don't use this button, they allways use the camera button!
Thanks, really a simple and god tip!

The way I prevent blurry picture due to shaking hand, is to use the timer. In that way, your hand does not move at all, and you will have the best chance of taking a sharp looking picture

ltxda said:
Maybe everyone knows it but I just discovered this yesterday! LOL
We already knew that you could press the "2-stage" camera button to get a focus then take the snap shot...but....this sometimes causes the picture to come out blurry because, as has happened to me on many many occassions, I accidentally move the camera. Hate that!
Well, today I found out that I could focus with the camera button then take the snapshot/picture with the action joystick. DUH! Man this makes it much easier to take clear pictures. Hope this tip helps others!
Long live the Athena Project!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never knew that (and I thought I'd pressed all the buttons all the time!) Cheers

Cool finding.
I ever found that the force needed to press the camera button to the second position was too much and making almost imposible to keep the camera steady in short distance pictures.
The solution I used to use was the mentioned timed shot, but I found quite anoying waiting for two seconds to the camera to shot.
I was running some tests and I find out quite easy to focus with the camera button and shot with the joystick. But I find out too that pressing the joystick makes the autofocus and shoting in a row. I mean you don't need to press the camera button.
Off course there is a exception. If you need to move the frame between the moment that you autofocus and the shot. This is useful when you want to focus something that is not exactly in the middle of the frame. For example. You have a girl and a landscape behind her. Off course you want to focus the girl but you want the girl, let say, in the right og the picture (of the frame). So you 1) Point the camera to the girl setting her in the middle of the frame then 2) press smoothly the camera button and the focus will be on the girl then 3) while keep pressing the camera button move the frame to set the girl in the right of the frame and 4) either press deeper the camera button (risking the blur picture) or press joystick (as propoussed here) to take the shot. The girl will be focused and in the right.
But... if in the same case you want the girl just in the middle of the frame you can just press the joystick and quickly will focus and shot the camera. You don't need to use both buttons. So the risk of getting blur in the picture is less than using both buttons or (off course) using the two fases camera button only.
Best Regards,
mahjong

mine has "half-press" option (x7501, Dual 3.0 ROM)
Open the camera app.
Tap the wrench icon in the lower left corner.
Tap the wrench icon on the far right of the lineup of icons along the bottom (advanced)
"shoot option" can be set to full press or half press.
It still autofocuses pretty well as long as your pointing the camera right at the subject. If you need to sepreate the focus and shooting functions (like we're doing art shots with this thing?) that's would be your only reason, IMHO, to use the full press.
At least that's how mine works. I couldn't find it in the User manual. Hope it helps.

Awesome feedback people.
I also found that if your experience delays with your camera and keep missing that perfect shot....that setting the camera to the Burst or Sport mode helps. I've had better luck with the Burst mode myself.
FYI, for Athena Project 4.0, we might have an updated camera. ...we'll see how it all goes during testing. Wouldn't want to put something nasty in the ROM just because it's newer.

X1 Camera

I had a diamond before I got my Xperia, besides the little problems like the bluetooth turning off (fixed with good ol' mortscript) and stuff its awesome.All though the camera is realy bad, it gives a realy nice picture but the exposure time is way too long even with sport mode on. you've got to hold the thing perfectly straight for a second or two other wise its blur-city.
Is this just my X1 or are others having the same problem?
Can't say I use the camera much just would be nice to find some sort of reg key or something to make it a bit more functional.

Yes, the camera is virtually unusable as-is, because you have to keep it steady for ages.
And the problem is that if you give the phone to someone else to help you take a group picture, the long shutter time (which no one normally expects) means I have to go and explain to people to keep pressing for 2-3 seconds and not move at all.
It is stupid.

Yup, its a shame SE realy need to send out a few fixes for this phone, after all it is their flagship product at the moment, the O2 stores near me cant even get hold of them.
Bluetooth and Camera definatly need fixing

Unfortunately, since SE has decided not to use HTC to build their phones again, the Xperia X1's firmware is unlikely to be fixed ever again... sigh.

Eh, it doesn't matter if SE cooperates with HTC or not, they have their own WM department and a new firmware is already out according to this (czech) site:
Code:
http://semania.mobilmania.cz/content/view/3163/2/

One quick solution is going for infinity focus instead of auto-focus. Seems like the majority of the time is taken up by the focusing function.

the tw rom is newer in the rom thread.
as to the focus i tend to press it and leave it.

I'm trying to say that if you have focus set to auto (in the camera settings) it takes much longer to take a photo than when you have it set to infinity.

fards said:
the tw rom is newer in the rom thread.
as to the focus i tend to press it and leave it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not so easy to do this if you are at a party and want to take a group photo...
Maybe infinity focus is the answer...
btw do we know what the latest firmware is?

open the phone and press the enter button once, or press the ok/center dpad once to start the process of the picture being taken.
also use multi shot this allows you to take pictures after another and then later delete ones that you do not want.
the US x1 has a newer camera cab but it doesnt help the time it takes to take a pic

i use sport mode with focus set to infinity as default settings. this gives great results and no need to hold still that much as some were suggesing.
overall the camera is great and its clearly better than the T*Omnia 5MP camera.
lets hope the new camera application from the Asian rom improve things. is it avalable CABed someware?

Sport and infinate
Although the focus isnt as good as Macro or Auto it is an improvment for the capture speed.
Setting to Sport and Infinate works a hell of a lot better than what I was using. (Sport and Auto).
Cheers guys.

shadowmike said:
open the phone and press the enter button once, or press the ok/center dpad once to start the process of the picture being taken.
also use multi shot this allows you to take pictures after another and then later delete ones that you do not want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought this for ages, its not true it really just means it has a slower shutter speed (multi-frame shot) which is why most of your pictures that involve movement will come out blurry.
Also, here is a hint for taking pictures faster: The button has 2 pressure points, hold the button down to the first point to focus, do NOT let go--then push it down all the way to take the picture it should do it instantly

For me Sports + Infinite = instant picture.

shadowmike said:
open the phone and press the enter button once, or press the ok/center dpad once to start the process of the picture being taken.
also use multi shot this allows you to take pictures after another and then later delete ones that you do not want.
the US x1 has a newer camera cab but it doesnt help the time it takes to take a pic
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks a lot, I didn't know the entre button and do the work

Poetique said:
For me Sports + Infinite = instant picture.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
infinite=no autofocus

When I change the standardfocus setting in the camera settings it won't save it. When I start the camera later it doesnt give me the right settings i choosed in camer settings. What am I doing wrong here? For example I wan't sport mode with macro, but I get sport mode with autofocus everytime I start the camera..

Fille84 said:
When I change the standardfocus setting in the camera settings it won't save it. When I start the camera later it doesnt give me the right settings i choosed in camer settings. What am I doing wrong here? For example I wan't sport mode with macro, but I get sport mode with autofocus everytime I start the camera..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to press the down arrow on the bottom right side of the screen when in settings this will bring a more detailed settings page and you can set the default settings in there and your camera will use them everytime
Good luck

I'm a Touch Pro user but we don't have the ability to do infinite zoom. It's probably a registry value we're missing. Would anyone mind sharing any registry strings that seem to discuss focus or zooming? It would likely be in HKLM/Software/HTC/Camera
Thanks

Fille84 said:
When I change the standardfocus setting in the camera settings it won't save it. When I start the camera later it doesnt give me the right settings i choosed in camer settings. What am I doing wrong here? For example I wan't sport mode with macro, but I get sport mode with autofocus everytime I start the camera..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same problem here. The default focus setting is infinite, but the camera is on auto everytime.

Front camera

Hi all,
I have a small question: I have found that i totaly never use my front camera, (the rear one neither -lack of good quality- but thats another story ey) does anybody really use it. And if so, how?

To use front camera, go to
camera (by default back camera will get turned on ) > click anywhere on the screen (except on the button to shoot fotos ) > now you will see new icon on bottom left side of screen in portrait mode (above call button) click on that icon > it will expand camera menu > now go to 'menu' ( by clicking the 'gear' wheel icon in camera menu bar > this will open 6 menu window > here you can select resolution of your both cameras and adjust brightness, white balance etc. > in that click on 'camera' button ( bottom left icon ) > Viola....front cam on. ( its actually toggle switch between front and rear camera )
Hope this answers your query.

it's to make video calls usually with VoIP or 3g. But could also use it as a make-up mirror i suppose or to see if you have ketchup in your mustache as the case may be.

What a beautiful step by step guide to activate the front cam, though i did know how to get there. But thanks just the same. Its just that I havnt found any good use for it ( the ketchup in my beard is cleaned up now, txs) . As for video calls, does anybody use it. And if so, with what software ect...

I guess to use video calls you need to have 3G connection. No other software is needed. I'm not sure though......and for VoIP i have no idea

I was going to make a small app to quickly bring up the front cam to use as a mirror as that's probably the only use I can think for it.
I have taken a few photos with it though, it's not all that bad.

from the htc dialer or yota dialer.. bottom left button looks like a webcam.. thats video call

Does no one read? The question isn't how do you access the front camera, it's if anyone knows of any good use for it due to its quality and the presence of a better camera on the back.

Hiya,
Just a though, wouldn't this be great to use as a webcam in the application skype?
The main challenge would possibly be for the app to recognise the camera.
Iv'e tried this but to no avail.
Anyone had any luck with this?

I know I posted the question, thought a search would be preferred.
tonidekohlanta said:
On skype website (more precisely on the helping forum) they explained that it was probably impossible to use the video calling on pda phone, because of some problems of data compression (the video is compressed before it is send, and pda processors aren't fast enough to do it), and they wouldn't change everything in their software, to make it compatible between PC and pda worlds.
For now at least...
Sorry about that, it would be a nice feature with our Hermes.
Toni
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
However this was from an old thread, would this still apply or could there be a miracle cure out there? Could be wishful thinking, but definitely a good use for it.

Well Octro.com proved them wrong, check out the Octrotalk with videocall.
Front camera is still not working though.

I have a similar problem....
i go to camera, i click the icon to switch from back to front camera..... IMAGE IS BLACK even if i take a picture it's black.
i have also tried a video call.... image is black.
i'am on rom Dutty's 3.3 and i have also tried dutty's 2.4. same problem.
any suggestion to check if my front camera is broken ?

[Q] using front camera

Might just be me being silly, but how can I use the front camera to take my picture, for example taking a photo for my user account. It just gets me to use the rear for a small icon and I don't really fancy finding a mirror so i can see what I'm taking the photo off much less find the capture button on the screen. I know it can easily,y be taken with the rear just seems silly if you can't take it with the front.

hughlle said:
Might just be me being silly, but how can I use the front camera to take my picture, for example taking a photo for my user account. It just gets me to use the rear for a small icon and I don't really fancy finding a mirror so i can see what I'm taking the photo off much less find the capture button on the screen. I know it can easily,y be taken with the rear just seems silly if you can't take it with the front.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My tablet isn't in reacahble distance atm But when your on the camera, I think you want to hit the settings button (top-right?) and then hit the icon with a camera and arrows around it.

Launch Camera >> Press and Hold finger in middle of screen >> drag finger to the top left to the Camera icon with the arrows >> it will switch to the front camera >> repeat process to get it to switch back.

Top guys. Knew I had to be doing something wrong

Xperia z3 concept ideas

I am on vacation so please forgive the lack of pictures to show my ideas this vacation has been rather stressy so i am back on my concept ideas and overall ideas.
First we have a design idea i've noticed the frame around my z1 is fairly strong and scratch resistant so i think it could wrap around the entire back of the phone for a single unibody construction it would also eliminate my concern displeasure that the phone is held together by glue at the back, it would also be completely airtight in the back as there would be no opening, I'd assume it would be more durable aswell.
another idea would be remaking the flaps to lock into place when closed to open you press something, or drag something or maybe magnetic locking, but maybe that wouldn't work with the rubber. I also think if possible that the phone could have a water sensor so it knows when it is submerged, where it enters a sticky keys like feature for the screen so you can use it under water so it takes hard presses to register something water wouldn't be capable of, the phone would also know when the flaps are open or closed and instantly warn if it get's in contact with water with one of them open like vibrating constantly and having an alarm with the screen flashing, it may not always save a phone but it would be useful in my opinion as you'll notice before actually submerging the entire phone if the sensor can be located around the frame but then comes the design problem, unless the sensor can be hidden allong the light stripe idea somehow, if not it could be one small sensor, perhaps the sensor could be located inside the flaps.
A special magnetic dock charger that works with all xperia devices that comes with a remote and inbuilt strong speakers with bass, aswell as a screen with multi color backlight indicating charge time music playing etc would be worth alot aswell too me, I'd pay 200 for something like that.
Lastly I have some more ui ideas they are more personal wishes though
First the notification bar as you know, fills up rather quickly with icons for each app notifying you resulting in it being completely full often, so my idea is simple, one icon with a number next too it showing how many apps that are notifying you, or simply a number.
I also want to be able to hide any notification bar icons for example i don't always need to know the reception I'd rather have that in the drop down menu i would only want it to show when there's one or two bars or simply as a warning on bad reception.
Then theres the softkeys theres alot of ideas and changes I want to make as you know the apps icon replacing the home icon on the home screen, but then theres the back and recent apps button, First off a back button in the home screen does nothing it just sits there it dosnt even turn the phone off it simply sits there filling up space, so here's a few ideas, unless Google are the only ones to be able to do such changes, or if there's a rule against such changes.
1. back button should only show when theres something to back from,* another crazy idea would be a softkey power button in the corner of the home screen replacing the back button, the most crazy idea would be getting rid of a phones power button entirely as theres tap to wake up now, only if it worked when the phone was off, honestly having a power button in the corner would not be very clean too me but it's an idea,* what would be more my preference is the turn off menu in the drop down bar.
I would also like more sony apps like compass or other useful features could call it sony smart tools or sony smart apps, Power user apps like cache cleaner ram freeing would also be great, my dad's LG g2 has a free ram app.
A silent life log app that syncs everything you do and visit in the cloud would also be fun, like using trackid to record which music you were listening to that day when you visited a national park etc, unless such a feature is too consuming.
Then theres recent apps theres two ways this could work,* my first idea was to just remove the recent apps button when there's no recent apps, it would only show when theres recent apps in it, my second idea is to hold down the apps icon to access recent apps instead of having a separate button for it, personally I want to be able to close or minimize apps so they won't end up in recent apps, when i don't want them to.
I guess i want it as clean as possible I think getting rid of an actual power button all together would be a good idea too, at least for me as it would make a phone look nicer more modern, it would also give space for something else.
I guess i want dynamic softkeys,* we have keys on a screen but they work just like physical touch buttons,* they are permanent 90 percent of the time i want to change that, as you practically get the same experience with actual capacitive buttons virtual buttons are not utilized properly in my opinion.
My other idea would be freedom in screen rotation, I use an app so I can use my phone upside down and due to the omnibalance design it feels and looks natural, not having a sony logo makes it impossible to tell if it's upside down or not, so i think all phones should have that freedom by default, I also think there should be a tablet ui for landscape on all sony phones I'd love to have the soft keys at the bottom when in landscape, i was highly dissapointed when i found out I couldn't use my z1 in landscape until I found an app for it.
I also don't think the menu should cast any shadow at all the screen should not darken it would then feel more like the menu is just icons and not a separate menu screen which is what I am aiming at uniformity, i would also get rid of the dot at the top next to the text about which order you have your icons set in, the icons are all fairly pushed in the middle I want them to use up the screen, so much space at the sides used for Nothing it gives a zoomed in feel I am referring to the z ultra though, to put it simple all menu icons simply popping up on the screen when you press the menu button no underlay of any kind not even boxes for folders just 4 small icons together to show that it's a folder
I've also noticed the soft keys and notification bar is not entirely transparent it casts a light dark shadow I would assume that's a limitation not being able to get rid of the underlay entirely due to it being hard-coded but i don't know how open android is to manufacturers, I am extremely picky about these things so I notice them pretty quickly I guess i am obsessed with perfection when it comes to technology, lastly getting rid of the blue grey ui sometimes rarely showing up like example when you change the volume, it makes me feel like that's stock android sometimes peeking out I'd like a similar ui design across all of android.
Sent from my C6833 using xda app-developers app

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