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Lollipop for more camera-control?

Hi folks,
I am thinking of upgrading to Lollipop to profit from the new camera-controls. From what I read, there is an app called "Manual Camera" (not allowed to post external links, hmpf) which makes use of Lollipop's Camera2 API to gain more control over camera settings like shutter-speed, aperture etc. This attracts me a lot, since I am quite a photo-geek.
BUT BUT BUT: everything runs super-smooth with my rooted stock 4.4.2 system on my N9005 right now (see specs below), and it is my one and only phone in everyday use. So, I am really not sure if I should throw the L-word to it?!? ...I was already about to do it, made all the neccessary backups, but then started to brood.
After all: it seems not so clear if there will be a way to root it again afterwards?! Anyone knows anything about the issue? After a lot of searching I downloaded a 6.48.4 PhilZTouch Recovery, that is said to be compatible with Lollipop. Even if that was true, havn´t found a rooted kernel yet...
Not to talk about the re-configuration-struggle...
So, I would love to hear your opinions, in order to somehow make some progress with this decision...
Thank you so much!
PS: It seems I won´t get any update via Samsung servers because of the rooting... possible?
My Phone:
SM-N9005, hlte, CSC: BTU (orig. & act.)
PDA: N9005XXUGNG1
CSC: N9005OXAGNJ3

I'm quite curious how an app would be able to change a hardware-fixed aperture...
Plenty of camera apps that allow manual settings, as much as the hardware permits. Personally I quite like ProCapture and Camera FV-5. Though I find I generally reach for my DSLR when I intend to take a decent photo, rather than my Note 3.

ShadowLea said:
I'm quite curious how an app would be able to change a hardware-fixed aperture...
Plenty of camera apps that allow manual settings, as much as the hardware permits. Personally I quite like ProCapture and Camera FV-5. Though I find I generally reach for my DSLR when I intend to take a decent photo, rather than my Note 3.
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Hi Lea, I already expected this objection to come but I wasn´t sure if the aperture was fixed or not. Does not really matter to me anyway, because even with the fixed aperture, there could be much more control over the exposure settings than there is at the moment.
I have been using ProCapture for years and recently tried Camera FV-5 to see if it would satisfy my needs. Unfortunately it does not. Here are some examples of what I would like to do, and what should be possible from the hardware aspects, but none of the available apps seem to allow.
But before the examples, here is the reason, why I would love to get the max. out of my Note3's camera: I use to be in the austrian mountains a lot doing all kinds of mountain-sports. Mostly it is not an option whatsoever to take my Nikon D700 with me. I have ordered a Canon Powershot S200 a few days ago to fill the gap, but if I could do all the work with my Note3 (e.g. taking good pictures in addition to navigating, communicating, route planning etc.) I would be even happier because often times I really need to be strict about weight...
1) Bracketing for later HDR processing.
Often times (e.g. small but strong light source from the front) the exposure metering of the phone does not find the correct setting as a starting point for the bracketing. That can easily lead to the point, that not even the "furtherest away exposure" (plz. excuse my english) of the bracketing (e.g. +/-2 ) neither is what I want and that makes the whole series unusable for later HDR processing. With ProCapture, Bracketing is not available at all and with Camera FV-5 when using Bracketing, the manual exposure compensation is not available.
2) Timer + Bracketing.
If you give this a try, you will see what bloody nonsense Camera FV-5 does: it runs the timer before every exposure of the series when all I want is to later create an HDR image on which I appear myself. -> Not possible.
3) ISO control.
Camera FV-5 shows the ISO values when taking a picture. Assuming it tells us the truth, there can also be values below 100 ISO. But why can´t I set such values manually?
Conclusio: I don´t know anything about the hardware, as you already revealed but I assume there must be much more than the current software allows to get out of N9005's lens.

@don-juan i tried to install but its not compatible on my n9005 lollipop 5.0.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

thahim said:
@don-juan i tried to install but its not compatible on my n9005 lollipop 5.0.
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Hi thank you!
Do you mean, Manual Camera was not compatible on your device running Lollipop?

thahim said:
@don-juan i tried to install but its not compatible on my n9005 lollipop 5.0.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
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Same here with lolipop aryamod rom.

We don't have the proper camera2 API on our lollipop ROM. It's just a wrapper of the old camera API.

Lollipop is the most unstable Android so far for me. In every single way. Going back to kitkat
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app

horiakyys said:
Lollipop is the most unstable Android so far for me. In every single way. Going back to kitkat
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app
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your decision of course but can you perhaps elaborate at least a little bit. i'm asking because i cannot say the same but then it's possible that your usage defers significantly from mine so that i just did not encounter your issues. what exactly is unstable for you ?

don-juan said:
Hi thank you!
Do you mean, Manual Camera was not compatible on your device running Lollipop?
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exactly

@thahim: are you on a stock rom or other?

don-juan said:
@thahim: are you on a stock rom or other?
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Stock TouchWiz

Important for community

I bought a new gr5 2017 its a very awesome phone but we need more threads for best camera setup how to take better photos also best battery life guides and custom rom/ kernel whos agreed?

What do you mean with best camera setup, exactly? I think that the camera setup (except the automatic mode obviously) will always vary depending by different situations... So experimenting various modalities and camera settings is a great chance to take confidence and create a personal setup of yours. I agree on battery life threads, i mean there are already threads about it but new tricks and tweakings to prolong the duration would always be appreciated. Guides for custom roms, if i got what you're saying, are already in custom rom thread's OP... Or you was referring to something else?

I think he meant camera setup in pro mode (like ISO, shutter speed...etc)

PalakMi said:
I think he meant camera setup in pro mode (like ISO, shutter speed...etc)
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Yes and it is just what i meant too. An unique camera setup won't never fits with all the situations you'll encounter, nor every ambiance obviously since that focus, aperture, iso and every you can modify to obtain a nice pic would immediately vary from a situation to another, so a "default" best camera settings isn't a doable thing to me

RedSkull23 said:
Yes and it is just what i meant too. An unique camera setup won't never fits with all the situations you'll encounter, nor every ambiance obviously since that focus, aperture, iso and every you can modify to obtain a nice pic would immediately vary from a situation to another, so a "default" best camera settings isn't a doable thing to me
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Yes, it depends on the situation, the object, the lighting...etc there's not a perfect setup.
Unfortunately I'm not a photographer, I use auto mode always :silly:

PalakMi said:
Yes, it depends on the situation, the object, the lighting...etc there's not a perfect setup.
Unfortunately I'm not a photographer, I use auto mode always :silly:
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Same here ahahah now that we're in argument, the auto mode normally detects by itself the best settings for the environment on THAT moment, so it should automatically be classified as the best setup available, if we're not professional photographers and overall if Huawei's synchronized that function with the camera in a good manner.

I totally agree with you on this one

Do you guys use the EMUI camera app or another app ?

Thordelan said:
Do you guys use the EMUI camera app or another app ?
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I use EMUI camera

EMUI here too at the moment...

The only thing that makes me angry a little bit is that US model didn't get the update to use the monochrome lens only (unlik EU variant)

Rommco05 said:
Guys u can try if works this OP5 camera on 6X https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B63ZqpBoL_d8dHNHNFJMdmdUakk/view?usp=drivesdk
Here is small comparison https://forum.xda-developers.com/honor-9/how-to/comparison-emui-camera-op5-camera-t3663761
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Some one tried by flashing the op5 zip but didn't worked .

Rommco05 said:
But this just apk, not flashable zip
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Ho my mistake , let wait for a try.

Google Camera Port

https://www.xda-developers.com/google-camera-updated-zero-shutter-lag-xiaomi/
Lets use this thread to discuss using the camera port or any other camera apps to improve the camera experience.

Ya once we get them in our hands... Not till next week for me looks like
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Looking forward to this. Interesting results when testing on G6, hopeful for similar results on PH-1
Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk

hikewithmike said:
Looking forward to this. Interesting results when testing on G6, hopeful for similar results on PH-1
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A review yesterday posted that they used the Google camera and results were much better. Question is if both cameras are being used

Here is a link To the one from the XDA Article just to make things easier.
And This is the latest version on the Russian thread that I saw.

IM0001 said:
Here is a link To the one from the XDA Article just to make things easier.
And This is the latest version on the Russian thread that I saw.
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Thanks. Another thread pointed to a v2.2 at this link . Not sure what changes there. Will continue to play with this.

What is the difference in the versions? Will things like auto HDR work?

I don't know the change, you'd have to reference the Russian forum and even with Google translate I haven't quite tracked the dialog. aHDR is working fine, based off another XDA thread the slow-motion camera isn't working.

Hey guys, sorry to give you a screenshot of the picture comparison but I'm a bit lazy today and forgot to turn off the geo-location tags. Hopefully i get some more shots in later this weekend and post back later.
I'm using the v1.4 the original GCAM app from the XDA article. I can't say that I trust the v2.2 from the Russian site at the moment so sorry again. If it gets updated and the XDA article says it was updated I'll be more willing to try the v2.2 app.
What you see is the Essential app on the left versus the GCAM app on the right. I prefer what I've seen from the Essential app but in actual usage the GCAM works much faster and believe it or not feels more stable. As you can see there is definitely a difference in picture quality especially around the glass and text. Mind you I'm coming from a Pixel XL so that is my frame of reference as far as what I should be expecting from both apps. From looking at the picture versus what my eye is seeing the GCAM is more true to my eye, however I find the light/dark balance more pleasing on the Essential app. Personally I really hope Essential gets it together because from what I've read the GCAM software doesn't make use of the monochromatic lens and I think that if someone can combine the best function of both apps we as the users would be the real winners.
If I can get more shots without the metadata in it I'll be sure to post them up. Otherwise I'm subscribed to this thread so I can keep up with the latest updates for the GCAM app.

I cannot get this to install for some reason. The when screen is unresponsive when I try tapping the install button.
Edit: toggling unknown sources again seemed to do the trick

Just messing around with my Essential camera between GCam 1.4 (aHDR first) and EP (HDR second)... You can clearly see the difference in low light...
Neither are great but GCam turned out better.
The next 2 are from my OnePlus 5...GCam 1.4 (aHDR third) and then OPO (aHDR last)

Man OPO looks worse (and even GCam is somehow worse on it as well...) also it looks like OPO goes to the pink side with Gcam but not its stock cam. The EP Cam just look bad all around lol.

MrEous said:
Just messing around with my Essential camera between GCam 1.4 (aHDR first) and EP (HDR second)... You can clearly see the difference in low light...
Neither are great but GCam turned out better.
The next 2 are from my OnePlus 5...GCam 1.4 (aHDR third) and then OPO (aHDR last)
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So would you say that the Essential Phone w/Google Camera is better than the OnePlus 5 with either cam?

&roid said:
So would you say that the Essential Phone w/Google Camera is better than the OnePlus 5 with either cam?
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Honestly I don't think Essential is better. :-/
I think I'm going to return mine.

The download links are unable to locate mirrors so I cannot try either version of the camera app listed in this thread. Am I missing something or were these files already taken down?

Got mine 2 days ago and installed the 2.2 Gcam. Personally I don't notice too much difference but then again I'm a colorblind old man. Just had this happen when I opened the Essential Cam and a reboot fixed it. I haven't been able to reproduce it yet.

I tried the 4.4v with zero shutter lag that B-S-G had posted on another forum here. So far it seems to be working quite well, it's nice to have the google interface again and it seems to take better photos, though I'm terrible at photos in general so it's hard for me to tell.

njgill05 said:
I tried the 4.4v with zero shutter lag that B-S-G had posted on another forum here. So far it seems to be working quite well, it's nice to have the google interface again and it seems to take better photos, though I'm terrible at photos in general so it's hard for me to tell.
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4.4v? Did you mean 2.2 or is a there a 4.4 out there somewhere?

BigJermZ said:
4.4v? Did you mean 2.2 or is a there a 4.4 out there somewhere?
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I used the version here https://www.xda-developers.com/google-camera-updated-zero-shutter-lag-xiaomi/
I think it says it's v.4.4 but I'm not sure.

njgill05 said:
I used the version here https://www.xda-developers.com/google-camera-updated-zero-shutter-lag-xiaomi/
I think it says it's v.4.4 but I'm not sure.
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The name is a misleading, the variant linked in the article is 1.4. "4.4" I believe refers to the Google versioning of the app, not the port versioning.

Adobe Photoshop Camera not compatible ??

Anyone know why. Has anyone tried to sideload. It sounds like a great app based on reviews.

Saw that too. Looks promising, i would like to test these AI captures. I cant understand the problem of compatibility with our phone.
Maybe Google found a competitor for the GCam app?

Found it on the APKmirror its working.
Scenery enhancer works nicely, most stuff is for selfies, many extras. give it a shot.

Tomar777 said:
Saw that too. Looks promising, i would like to test these AI captures. I cant understand the problem of compatibility with our phone.
Maybe Google found a competitor for the GCam app?
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Inly the developer of an app can restrict for devices. Google couldbt care much. Adobe Camera is more like a Camera with various filter capabilities. Some of the filter seem a bit laggy, because our device has not a flagship SOC. Also keep in mind, it was recently released from beta to stable. Guess the Adobe team just wants to test the waters slowly before having a ****storm of people complaining for whatever reason. You still can sideload it, its seems to be working on R beta 1. Didnt test it much through, will do that on the weekend when i get outside.
cheers!

Question CoverScreen OS vs Samsprung

Have anyone used CoverScreen OS or Samsprung in Z Flip 3? Which one do you think is better and which one is safer?
Edit : I decided to close the poll so that this thread will not be biased to one side. Let's just share the features and differences between both products and let anyone decide their own choice.

WilliamN40 said:
Have anyone used CoverScreen OS or Samsprung in Z Flip 3? Which one do you think is better and which one is safer?
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Interesting question
It's difficult to answer because they are both under development and not finished apps
I am trying both of them and both craches from time to time, but as mentioned, beta versions
Personally I prefer Samsprung, there are news every day (several times usually) and I think it's really great, and well done job
Cover OS is way out of proportions regarding price, too expensive for a none working app, and also if it's working
At any time I would go for Samsprung
Just my opinion

Both developers have done a great job! thanks to them!
I'd also go with Samsprung. Way better support, updates, more features ect. The developer is also very responsive.
Cover Os has just entered Beta status and has a price tag that is obnoxious. Yes, i understand lots or blood, tears and work has gone into it, but as it still is, half baked software, the price is out of this world. We have to pay for something that we are testing, no thanks.
i'm totally fine paying when things are up and running as should, and i encourage both developers to put a price for their work. But as of now, no.

Of course Samsprung...
Do a poll, it'll answer you...

A few weeks ago I would have said CoveScreen OS, but the SamSpring suddenly took lead and I now find it superior.
The navbar, the customizable app launcher, keyboard(!), no features behind paywall, compatibility with stock widgets, super quick and responsive developer. It's an easy choice for me.

It's all wrong, trying to compare 2 apps trying to do different things - they are both in beta and developing very fast.
We are very lucky to have 2 very talented developers making that [ex-factory useless screen] into something geniunely useful.
Try each one - for a couple of days, not for 5 minutes. Then you have to reach your own conclusion.
And don't consider pricing for the moment, only once it/they are out of beta.
Please don't make a poll, that could impact development of one of the apps.

paul c said:
It's all wrong, trying to compare 2 apps trying to do different things - they are both in beta and developing very fast.
We are very lucky to have 2 very talented developers making that [ex-factory useless screen] into something geniunely useful.
Try each one - for a couple of days, not for 5 minutes. Then you have to reach your own conclusion.
And don't consider pricing for the moment, only once it/they are out of beta.
Please don't make a poll, that could impact development of one of the apps.
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Click to collapse
I agree with you 100% it's not fair on anyone to choose one or the other, there was a time when the moderators would have taken down a post such as this.

In my opinion this is a valid question.
Should you pay blindly for something that might not function correctly (beta) and you cannot test fully to see if it fills your needs.
or test something that is fully free and you can test all features and if they fills your needs.
But of course, test both. one you can test fully, the other you can.

BWA80 said:
In my opinion this is a valid question.
Should you pay blindly for something that might not function correctly (beta) and you cannot test fully to see if it fills your needs.
or test something that is fully free and you can test all features and if they fills your needs.
But of course, test both. one you can test fully, the other you can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IMO since both are in development it's too early to even make a comparison. Both apps are moving very fast, so stability and functionality are not comparable. They are both moving targets at the moment
Maybe after both of their general availability, since then they are notionally stable.
If you're commenting about the subscription policy of one of them, I have tested its free version and haven't felt constrained. And there is no way that those values would fly in the Google Play universe, so I really doubt they are definitive values (time will tell, just my thoughts).
But still, once they are released and updates are incremental, why not run a poll.

Both applications interest me. I have only tried Coverscreen OS as I use Samsung Health persistently. I'm following both threads at present. Kudos to both developers

Bosbouer said:
Both applications interest me. I have only tried Coverscreen OS as I use Samsung Health persistently. I'm following both threads at present. Kudos to both developers
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You don't need to uninstall Health anymore

Yeah don't need to uninstall on Android 12

Snurrea said:
You don't need to uninstall Health anymore
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Thank you for this! Much appreciated.

I'm brand new to this phone and kinda not impressed with it (so far)..I'm a serious gadget nerd, so the flip/fold tech played too big a part in my decision to get it..I'd watched a samsprung video before I'd bought it so did expect a lot more use of the front screen than I get at the minute...like I said I am new to it so hoping to like it more the more I get to do with it but a quick question about samsprung, can it be used on android 12 or no? I updated the phone soon as I got it, then started seeing that it can't be used with A12!? Is there a way/work around?

smallz2k said:
I'm brand new to this phone and kinda not impressed with it (so far)..I'm a serious gadget nerd, so the flip/fold tech played too big a part in my decision to get it..I'd watched a samsprung video before I'd bought it so did expect a lot more use of the front screen than I get at the minute...like I said I am new to it so hoping to like it more the more I get to do with it but a quick question about samsprung, can it be used on android 12 or no? I updated the phone soon as I got it, then started seeing that it can't be used with A12!? Is there a way/work around?
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SamSprung TooUI - Cover Screen Home (FREE) [ZF3]
Welcome to the original "Z Flip 3 Launcher" A complete home experience on the cover screen. Compatible with all current "Flip" devices. TooUI adds cover screen support for apps, full notifications, widgets, quick toggles, voice launch, custom...
forum.xda-developers.com

Both are pretty cool and somehow useful. Personally I don't use them because I don't need them and everything I'd like to have is just some more widget on the stock cover screen. However we're pretty luck to have those two developers here.

CoverScreen OS ask for way too many permissions, some really strange, i was not to ever able to run it, so yes for Samsprung

For me, the UI/UX of CoverScreen OS is better.