topic Re: Focus and exposure lock - missing features in XPERIA archive

Focus and exposure lock - missing features

MVC — Fri, 30 May 2014 14:56:23 GMT

I bought the Z2 for it's video camera capabilities and also ordered the STM10 (which hasn't shipped in the UK yet).

I'm very surprised to find that there is no AE or AF lock on the Z2 for video.

In video mode the camera is almost un-usable because the AF hunts around like crazy even in decent light.

It's possible to work around the AE (to be fair it's pretty good) but not the AF.

Surely this could be implemented without too much effort?

Re: Focus and exposure lock - missing features

turbine64 — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 09:37:11 GMT

I agree, for all it's technical accomplishments, and boasted photographic capabilities, I'm struggling to find the logic in allowing the camera to full time decide on what to be in focus during video recording, without option to lock your focus/select your focus point during recording.

The only feature close to 'touch to focus' (similair in to the Galaxy S range and iPhone) while video recording is the 'object tracking' focus mode in the manual camera. But even that is not a manual option because the camera often mistracks the object in the case of moving subjects.

Re: Focus and exposure lock - missing features

davidy — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 05:53:26 GMT

To solve the AE/AF locking problem I have downloaded Cinema fv-5 app from https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.flavionet.android.cinema.pro&hl=en Now the AE/AF work fine except for the Stabilizer which is not supported..

Re: Focus and exposure lock - missing features

MVC — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 22:33:49 GMT

Cinema FV5 is indeed a good app. I bought it.

As you note it does support image stabilisation. Nor does it do 4k or saving to the SD card (unless rooted).

The developer has explained why he can't access and enable certain features and with recent builds has implemented workarounds for rooted devices.

The Z2 is also picky about what external mics will work. iRig Pro with any mic is OK but Rode Smartlav+ doesn't work. The STM10 eventually arrived and sadly is useless for anything except when recording extremely loud sounds.

Re: Focus and exposure lock - missing features

MVC — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 22:34:35 GMT

Correction - doesn't support IS (typo).

Re: Focus and exposure lock - missing features

turbine64 — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 07:40:08 GMT

I agree with the 3rd party camera solution but it's slow, and painful to watch a great camera module work like it's tech from 5 years ago.

Plus I wouldn't want to augment a feature that should already be in a flagship device such as the Z2.

Re: Focus and exposure lock - missing features

mimarti22 — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 08:18:27 GMT

Same problem here. When trying to make a timeshift video, the autofocus keeps pumping all the time. The resulting videos are useless.
Any 3rd party timeshift video app out there that'll do the job?

Re: Focus and exposure lock - missing features

turbine64 — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 08:35:30 GMT

It would make no difference since 3rd party apps are working off the existing camera software. The focus hopping would still be an issue.

Re: Focus and exposure lock - missing features

mimarti22 — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 08:54:26 GMT

What about the Cyber-Shot camera mod by Rizal Lovins? Would it help this issue? The mod requires unlocking the bootloader and that's something I don't want to do if I weren't sure it would help.

I'm in a situation where i NEED to have timeshift videos done and the stock camera app just doesn't do that. I don't care if unlocking the bootloader voids the warranty, I NEED those videos. I just don't want to unlock it for nothing.

Re: Focus and exposure lock - missing features

turbine64 — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 09:12:48 GMT

If you are referring to the mod here:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=52568494

There is no mention of focus locking.

Also, the camera overheats in an unreasonable amount of time, which makes timeshift video only useful for quick moments.

I'm hoping the updated software supplied with the Xperia Z3 makes it's way to the Z2.

Re: Focus and exposure lock - missing features

mimarti22 — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 09:18:37 GMT

I was referring to this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2742568

It's a completely new camera app and not just an add-on module for the existing camera. It requires unlocking the bootloader.

I too am hoping for a fix in the upcoming FW. Z and Z1 already have gotten the 4.4.4. Z2 hasn't gotten it yet. Let's hope this delay means there are some serious improvements to the camera in the works.

Re: Focus and exposure lock - missing features

turbine64 — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 09:33:55 GMT

Haha, lets hope.

As far as the camera app is concerned, I see that you are the last poster on that thread. I suspect no one replied because it's looking like a mod instead of a completely new app. The only feature it enables over stock is the ability to use superior auto at full resolution (20MP).

Which in itself is suspect, considering the fact that the 8MP max on superior auto would indicate some kind of oversampling going on.

Re: Focus and exposure lock - missing features

mimarti22 — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 09:39:53 GMT

It is a mod of the stock camera app, yes. It replaces the stock camera on the phone (hence the need for bootloader unlock). There are far many more improvements in addition to the the 20MP SA mod. The developer is a well-known contributor and has been developing this Cyber-Shot mod for years. Yet I can't seem to find a features list anywhere.

Re: Focus and exposure lock - missing features

turbine64 — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 09:43:28 GMT

Well, lets hope for a response, I replied quoting your post on the forum.