Database Users

Camera: DSLR Focus/ Depth of Field?

Hi
I'm not sure if the Galaxy S8 is able to do this but how can you get DSLR style focus where a subject/ person is in focus and background blurry? Can the rear camera do this as well as selfie cam? I haven't seen any options for it.
Seems only the Note 8 has this (or iPhone X, Google Pixel 2)?

Note 8 has second cam, which is x2 telephoto lens, so already has shallower focus depth and rest is done with software. S8 does not have second cam.
And here is the problem: blurred background, called bokeh, is mostly used in portrait photography. Wide angle cams so commonly used on phones should not be used for portrait photography, because due to wide field of view being projected on flat surface you get big distortions and wrong proportion, like big nose for example. Check fish eye lens pictures to see this distortion effect fully. So while you could distort background and make portrait photo with standard phone lens like s8 have, it would look silly. Outside of portrait photos I don't see much use for shallow depth of field, but if you're so inclined you could experiment with photo editing software like photoshop and create same effect. Expect S9 to have dual lens and portrait capability in about 6 months or get Note 8 now if you really want it.

MXS801 said:
Hi
I'm not sure if the Galaxy S8 is able to do this but how can you get DSLR style focus where a subject/ person is in focus and background blurry? Can the rear camera do this as well as selfie cam? I haven't seen any options for it.
Seems only the Note 8 has this (or iPhone X, Google Pixel 2)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there's an app that does this function very well. AfterFocus. the pro version lets you save in original quality. It only takes a few minutes to get the same result from dual camera devices.

Selective Focus is one of the camera modes out of the box. That is what you are looking for.

I have an S8 and have tried the selective focus mode, which works relatively well as long as the object stays still long enough, however I was reading an article about the Pixel 2 this morning and this extract made me hope that Samsung can also follow Google
"The single-lens portrait mode photos were made possible by its adoption of a dual-pixel sensor - meaning each pixel can be used to both record the image and determine focus rather than just one or the other.
Some of Samsung's handsets already feature the technology, but Google has built on it with proprietary software to make it possible to create a depth map for photos, which can be used to add special effects."
I hope that Samsung can improve the selective mode for the rear camera as the S8 also has a dual-pixel set up, unfortunately the front camera doesn't have dual-pixels
Another thing is I'm hoping that the Google Camera app, which I have running on my S8, should get an update to support this....fingers crossed.

Google Pixel Camera with HDR+

Please note: I'm just sharing information here. All credit goes to the amazing devs who made this possible (links below). My very small contribution is at the end of this post.
Long story short, after trying out the Pixel 2 XL for two weeks and then returning it, I must say that the Note 8 camera(s) are meh by comparison. I'm not saying they are bad---I certainly got some nice shots out of the rear camera (the front camera is garbage). However, there is just no comparison with the Pixel 2 / 2 XL. Most reviews agree with this, BTW.
Now, the specs for the Note 8 and Pixel 2 / 2 XL rear cameras are actually pretty similar (F1.7 aperture, 12MP sensor), and I'm sure Samsung used excellent glass in their flagship. (I'm disregarding the zoom lens; that's a very nice plus, and I enjoy having the option.) What changes is the software in the Google Pixel camera vs. the Samsung camera app.
It turns out that talented devs were able to extract the Pixel 2 camera and make it work on any device with an Snapdragon 835 processor---including the AT&T Note 8! The following URL is an up-to-date repository:
https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/
Additional information in this thread.
Please note: I make no representation as to the safety or security of these APKs. I've been using them with apparently no adverse effects, but that's it. Use at your own risk.
My very small contribution: I took a number of pictures in a variety of challenging situations with both the stock camera and the ported Google camera. You can see the results here:
Camera comparisons
I added a comment to each picture, indicating which camera app was used and what to look for in a given specific shot.
The tl;dr version is that the Google Camera does not exhibit the (admittedly slight) yellow/green tint that affects most photos taken with the stock camera. Moreover, it captures a lot more detail in HDR shots. Finally, skin tone and texture is more pleasant and realistic, without being overly sharp. I think noise is slightly lower, too. The improvements are mostly visible using the rear camera. The selfie camera is so bad that there is very little Google's AI can do
Obviously, these are to some extent subjective judgments. You may like the stock camera captures better, and that's fine by me! I'm just sharing the information.
Of course, the Google Camera does not use the 2x zoom, and cannot do portrait mode / live focus shots. For those, you need the stock camera.

I got the Note 8 mainly for the use of the second telephoto lens.. I can see the use for certain shots too though. But I do love me that live focus mode haha

Beauty is, you can have them both... I did it and I've got them both on my desktop now to use depending on what I want to do! Thank you for the Post and Links! Merry Christmas MarcianoS!

Hi all,
I'm the OP. I thought it would be a good idea to help the developer by providing useful info on our devices and how the modified GCam works for us.
@Arnova8G2
Here is the Camera2 test data for the Galaxy Note 8 ATT (which most likely applies to all US devices). All stock Nougat, with the latest December patches.
Using your GCam mod, version 1.4, with the following settings:
Config Camera HDR+: Nexus 6p
Model: Pixel 2XL
HDR+ Parameters: Super High
Advanced->Portrait,ZSL
Note: non-Nexus settings for the Config Camera parameter crash the app. Odd, as Pixel 2017 ZSL used to work on version 1.2.
The following work:
HDR+ rear camera
Portrait rear camera (yes!)
Not working:
Portrait front camera (sometimes it works, sometimes it crashes the app)
Video
ZSL (probably due to having to select Nexus 6p as Config Camera parameter)
Hope this helps! I will provide logcats in a separate post later.

@Arnova8G2
This is a logcats of GCMod5 v. 1.4 crashing when switching to video. Captured using Logcats Extreme, per-app log (which filters the logcat using com.google.android.GCMods5 as key). Please let me know if this is useful, or if you need the full logcat.

Update: using @Arnova8G2's version 1.5 beta 2,
- rear and front HDR+ works
- rear and front portrait mode works
- video now works
The above is with the Pixel 2016 Testing setting for Camera HDR+. This also gets rid of the lag present with the Nexus settings.

I am using Arnova8G2's version 1.5 beta 2
Settings:
Config camera HDR+
Pixel 2016 Tuning
Model
Pixel 2XL
HDR Parameters
Super High
And I dont seem to have the portrait mode option when I wipe from the left. I see Slow Motion, Panorama, Photo Sphere, Lens Blur and Settings. Under Advanced I checked "Use ZSL" but no option for portrait here. I am on Verizons Note 8, Android version 7.1.1
Am I doing something wrong?

Himmad said:
I am using Arnova8G2's version 1.5 beta 2
Settings:
Config camera HDR+
Pixel 2016 Tuning
Model
Pixel 2XL
HDR Parameters
Super High
And I dont seem to have the portrait mode option when I wipe from the left. I see Slow Motion, Panorama, Photo Sphere, Lens Blur and Settings. Under Advanced I checked "Use ZSL" but no option for portrait here. I am on Verizons Note 8, Android version 7.1.1
Am I doing something wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Recent versions allow you to toggle between Lens Blur and Portrait. Go to Settings, Advanced, and turn on Portrait Mode. Then you need to "completely close" the app (bring up the task list and close the Google camera app, which is called GCMod5). When you relaunch the app, you should see Portrait where you now see Lens Blur.

I realized I didn't have the newest version which is in his thread. Just need to search for it

Hey @Arnova8G2,
Just tried version 1.5, and unfortunately there is a reversion relative to 1.5beta2. Portrait mode ok no the front camera yields a greenish picture. This is with the same settings in both versions: Pixel 2016 tuning / Pixel 2XL / Super High.
Not sure if I should provide a log, as there is no crash.

@Arnova8G2
The latest version (uploaded on January 15) does not work at all on the Note 8. Black screen, and I can't even bring up the menu. Logcat attached.
The last known good version for the Note 8 is 1.5beta2.

Update: @Arnova8G2 version 1.6 is out
Tl;Dr: same functionality and issues as 1.5. Green tint in portrait mode using the front camera (see attached pictures), slow motion crashes. Also I think HDR+ does not work with the front camera.
Rear camera works great, including portrait mode.
Video works fine too.
@Arnova8G2, please let me know how I can help debug the front camera.

Update: @Arnova8G2 version 1.7beta is out.
Good news: the green tint in portrair-mode shots using the front camera is gone!!!

The front camera works great in portrait mode in good lighting.
You can make it work in low light by choosing Nexus 6p model but that makes the back camera not work.

Evolved326 said:
The front camera works great in portrait mode in good lighting.
You can make it work in low light by choosing Nexus 6p model but that makes the back camera not work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hm.... Both cameras work well for me with the Nexus 6p setting. The only issue is that there is a delay when taking a photo (using HDR+, which is the whole point of using this camera app).

MarcianoS said:
Hm.... Both cameras work well for me with the Nexus 6p setting. The only issue is that there is a delay when taking a photo (using HDR+, which is the whole point of using this camera app).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On my note8, when I choose Nexus 6p, the back camera would kind of start snapping the picture but would then pause. Then the screen gets dark for like 2 seconds then is back to normal.
The picture is not recorded.
Once this happens for the first time, the "HDR+" would no longer show the ✓ indicating it's ready to shoot HDR anymore until I close the app and reopen.

Evolved326 said:
On my note8, when I choose Nexus 6p, the back camera would kind of start snapping the picture but would then pause. Then the screen gets dark for like 2 seconds then is back to normal. Once this happens for the first time, the "HDR+" would no longer show the ✓ indicating it's ready to shoot HDR anymore until I close the app and reopen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm... I just tried switching to Nexus6p and I was able to snap two pictures with HDR+ on (and the tick mark showing). This on Arnova8G2's v1.7beta, AT&T Note 8 running stock Nougat 7.1.

MarcianoS said:
Hmmm... I just tried switching to Nexus6p and I was able to snap two pictures with HDR+ on (and the tick mark showing). This on Arnova8G2's v1.7beta, AT&T Note 8 running stock Nougat 7.1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have 6p set for both model and config camera her?

Evolved326 said:
Do you have 6p set for both model and config camera her?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only Config Camera HDR. I set Model to Pixel 2XL.

MarcianoS said:
Only Config Camera HDR. I set Model to Pixel 2XL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BTW the tick mark only shows when the app thinks that HDR+ is needed. Sometimes you just need to point the camera somewhere else for it to reappear. (This s with the Nexus 6p setting; with Pixel 2016 tuning there never is a check mark.)

Google camera hdr unlocked iso 9600 on le max 2!?

So I was just casually using Google's HDR camera and I wanted to push this camera to its limits so I take a picture in very low light conditions (btw this is one of the best cameras around right now with the Google Camera because the Le Max 2 was mostly lacking with noise and clarity, which the Google Camera helps to fix, and the Le Max 2 has the 21mp for superior detail, a very nice combination. I have a XZ Premium and even that can't compare to the Le Max 2 pictures with the Google Camera at all).The results at first was an ISO of 7450, then I pushed it even further and found the limit was 9600 . This is surprising to find out when the stock max ISO is 1600, please don't take this information as facts although as I can only identify what ISO the camera is running at by the pictures data.
And if the Google Camera does take pictures with an ISO up to 9600, there might be potential to allow the max ISO to be integrated into different camera apps or even system wide with our lovely developers.
I think the only thing holding the Le Max 2's camera capabilities right now is the exposure time as it is limited to just half a second, if we could unlock this exposure time to be something like 32 seconds (this does seem possible as I have seen it on the redmi note 4, and that takes amazing pictures at night with 32 second exposure) this camera could be amazing. Instead of the high noise at night with low shutter speeds (ISO 9600) we could have a low ISO and high exposure time for crisp and natural low light shots! If you got this far thanks for reading, I really appreciate it and if there may be something that is wrong please correct me as I am not a developer, just a person who loves tech, thanks!

Here is one of the images, and I know the metadata states the picture is taken on a Pixel 2 XL, this is because I used build prop to get Google Lens.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/f5iOUOOsvr9OWVZw2

I have done some testing and I believe it works on the the Gcam 4.4 and 5.1 custom HDR+ apks, although I have found out that the ISO only goes up to 9600 in HDR mode, without it the ISO is just like stock (1600), this could imply that the Google's algorithm uses a high ISO.

I_Raptor_I said:
I have done some testing and I believe it works on the the Gcam 4.4 and 5.1 custom HDR+ apks, although I have found out that the ISO only goes up to 9600 in HDR mode, without it the ISO is just like stock (1600), this could imply that the Google's algorithm uses a high ISO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How exactly do I get Google camera on my phone (le max 2) running eui 5.9.26s and rooted with magisk.

andrew0070 said:
How exactly do I get Google camera on my phone (le max 2) running eui 5.9.26s and rooted with magisk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately we can't, it only works for android 7 (nougat) versions and above as I understood.
That was few months ago maybe something changed, but I doubt it.

Hi I_Raptor_I,
which Rom are you using?

I am using Resurrection Remix on Android 7.1.2 l, but I think this should work on all recent nougat ROMs with camera API 2 enabled, and if you where wondering this is where I download the latest Google Camera HDR apks:
https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/
I am using Arnova's 5.1.018_v1.3 this is a step up from all of the other Google Cameras in terms of photography as the zoom is fixed and zooms in the centre rather than the left which is good, it does have the new portrait mode and motion pictures but they are still very buggy, but the HDR looks much more refined (better quality and low light performance with less iso but more exposure giving more clear images), there is a HDR function for the front but that does not work yet also video does not work, so if you haven't noticed this is a camera app dedicated to mostly HDR pictures. The good thing about this camera is that you can install a MGC camera apk and they don't conflict so you have got a Google camera for video and photography, overall this app is still buggy but contains alot more features and detail, hopefully when this app comes out with its next update the user experience will become much more refined.

Cant find a HDR+ Google Camera app for i9500

Hi everyone I'd really appreciate it if someone could link me to a google camera hdr+ port for galaxy i9500
I have been downloading apps left and right but the installation just says app isn't compatible with this device I'm using lineage nougat BTW ☺?

Nope, i don't think the S4 can take that much processing even S6 force closes background apps( Launcher and some other stuff), but it works on S6 though.

aloochat said:
Nope, i don't think the S4 can take that much processing even S6 force closes background apps( Launcher and some other stuff), but it works on S6 though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh OK if its a hardware issue then I can live with that ?

The S4 processor is sufficiently powerful that it can handle standard hardware-based HDR. As opposed to a software overlay, which is how the stock S4 camera works, a hardware-based option takes (ideally) three pictures: one normal, one underexposed, and one overexposed and combines them. The reason the processor can't handle HDR+ is due to how HDR+ functions. HDR+ doesn't rely on adjusting the exposure but instead adjusts the image's ISO for each shot in a group of ten. The rapid change in ISO between shots in a group plus the number of shots taken requires more resources than the processor has available.

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
The S4 processor is sufficiently powerful that it can handle standard hardware-based HDR. As opposed to a software overlay, which is how the stock S4 camera works, a hardware-based option takes (ideally) three pictures: one normal, one underexposed, and one overexposed and combines them. The reason the processor can't handle HDR+ is due to how HDR+ functions. HDR+ doesn't rely on adjusting the exposure but instead adjusts the image's ISO for each shot in a group of ten. The rapid change in ISO between shots in a group plus the number of shots taken requires more resources than the processor has available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn didn't know HDR was that hardcore, well at least now I know its not because I suck I finding the right version
Thanks

Gcam?

Just wondering if there is a version of gcam that can be installed? And where do you check for development and updates these days? Had a Pixel for so long I've no idea where to go!!

https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/
considering the fact that the 8 Pro is one of the two phones in the world that uses the IMX 689 sensor, it'll take some time for developers to make a proper port for this phone.

Any luck?

I'm using GCam_7.3.018_Urnyx05-v1.7-fix.apk from https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/dev-urnyx05/#apk1475 and it works well so far.

voltiger said:
I'm using GCam_7.3.018_Urnyx05-v1.7-fix.apk from https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/dev-urnyx05/#apk1475 and it works well so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't get the other cameras to work, they just crash the app after you enable and select.

Mr Paul said:
I can't get the other cameras to work, they just crash the app after you enable and select.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean the telephoto & wide ?

Mr Paul said:
I can't get the other cameras to work, they just crash the app after you enable and select.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, This version of GCAM cannot support the UltraWide and Tele cam yet.

says it need root access to work..

That means I have no luck using ultrawide and tele lens with GCAM apps...
Use stock apps instead

Indeeed

...
I really hope we will see a stable version of GCam working with all Oneplus 8 Pro cameras.
I personally think there is a lot of potential in that IMX 689 sensor.
I am still thinking there should be some real use of this strange photochrom camera as well.
And may be a nice manual PRO VIDEO mode as well :fingers-crossed:
Most probably I will get the Filmic Pro anyway soon.

I only just installed GCam yesterday after reading this thread .. lol.
So far played with the different modes (not lenses/cameras) but the night mode seems really good. The downside (if I can call it that), is that it appears that Gcams ability to take HDR photos vs stock app's ability, Gcam's takes much longer to process before storing? Like as you take the shot, there is noticeable processing time, vs. the stock app which seems to effectively point-shoot-store fairly quickly.

happiboi said:
I only just installed GCam yesterday after reading this thread .. lol.
So far played with the different modes (not lenses/cameras) but the night mode seems really good. The downside (if I can call it that), is that it appears that Gcams ability to take HDR photos vs stock app's ability, Gcam's takes much longer to process before storing? Like as you take the shot, there is noticeable processing time, vs. the stock app which seems to effectively point-shoot-store fairly quickly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used to have GCAM on my OnePlus 6 before and yes, the GCAM HDR takes much longer than the stock HDR but the quality is faaaaaaar better on GCAM so the processing time has whatever reason but it's definitely worth it

happiboi said:
... Gcam's takes much longer to process before storing? Like as you take the shot, there is noticeable processing time, vs. the stock app which seems to effectively point-shoot-store fairly quickly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
voltiger said:
I used to have GCAM on my OnePlus 6 before and yes, the GCAM HDR takes much longer than the stock HDR but the quality is faaaaaaar better on GCAM so the processing time has whatever reason but it's definitely worth it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GCam has a different algorithm which processes many frames. In Pixel devices, there is a dedicated chip (pixel visual core) which performs the necessary computations. In other devices, it is the main processor that has to do all the job

I played around with the GCam_7.3.018_Urnyx05-v1.8, which delivers nice results. but I noticed that the maximum resolution is 4000x3000. the stock camera goes up to 8000x6000. is there a way to activate the full resolution? in the settings it is already set to full resolution.
other than that, can anyone recommend any of the configs for this gcam? https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/f/configs-urnyx-02/

How does the night mode compare to the pixel 4? I imagine it would be better because of the larger sensor