"Open Camera" - A Focus Bracketing (Stacking) App for Android Phone Cameras

[wcfn100]

Ah, cool.  Hopefully that can work for you.  I don't think I can root my Verizon S5 very easily.

Jason

[robert3985]

Bob, I only see 3 of the photos in your post.  Rest are blank spaces with a gray "do not enter" signs. Who loves ya? Google! 

Are they all visible now????

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[Chris333]

I did the edit and now it says I have manual focus. Still trying to find the in this app though.

[peteski]

Are they all visible now????

All good now Bob!  Thanks!

[Jbub]

I've got the Note 9 which will take a photo by using the button on the s-pen. I'm going to have to try this app out and build a stand for the phone so I can set up some cool shots.

[robert3985]

I did the edit and now it says I have manual focus. Still trying to find the in this app though.

Here's a link to instructions and advice for the "Open Camera" app: https://opencamera.sourceforge.io/help.html

Here's what it says about Camera2 API: "Use Camera2 API - If selected, this enables support for the Camera2 API that was introduced in Android 5. Turning this option on or off will cause Open Camera to restart. This enables some new features (including manual ISO/exposure, manual focus, HDR, exposure bracketing). Note that not all Android 5 devices have full support for the Camera2 API (Open Camera will only show this option if all cameras report either "LIMITED" or "FULL" support for the API; "LEGACY" devices are not supported). Also note that even if devices support Camera2 API, many devices have extremely poor support, leading to bugs such as poor flash behaviour, or video recording not working. These are not necessarily bugs in Open Camera, but problems with manufacturer support for Camera2 API. If you have problems with flash behaviour, try the "Use alternative flash method" setting under "Photo Settings"."

After you've selected "Use Camera2 API", which is an option in the app...you'll see an icon which is three dots stacked vertically...press that.  This takes you to "Photo Mode:" and you'll see seven modes...STD, NR, DRO, HDR, IIII, EXPO {}, and finally FOCUS {}...which mean FOCUS BRACKETING.  Down further you'll see a square box labeled "Auto-level, then "Camera Resolution" under that...and the option to change your resolution.  MORE IMPORTANTLY...you'll see under that "Number of photos:" and it will allow you to select from 2 to 20 photos.  After you select the Number of photos, go back up to FOCUS {}, push that and you should be set to go.

Here's what the instructions say about FOCUS {} : "Focus {} - Enables Focus Bracketing mode. (Only available on some devices, and if Camera2 API is used.) This mode takes a series of photos each with a different focus distance. Two sliders appear, allowing you to change the "source" and "target" focus distance. In this mode, you can change the number of photos to take from the popup menu. Also on the popup menu, the option "Add infinite distance" if enabled will mean an extra photo is taken, at infinite focus distance. Focus bracketing is typically used with Focus stacking software to merge the images into a single photo. "

I think that should get ye started... 

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[robert3985]

I've got the Note 9 which will take a photo by using the button on the s-pen. I'm going to have to try this app out and build a stand for the phone so I can set up some cool shots.

On my Google Pixel 2 XL, this app takes 20 photos in a burst that lasts less than half a second.  You may not need to build a stand.

I took my photos for this thread hand-held, and HF didn't have any problems at all rendering the final photo.

So, before you build a stand for your Note 9, try this app hand held.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[Chris333]

So wait you're telling me that even if I get this to work I still need to combine all the photos myself?

[iandrewmartin]

THanks for the link. Understand that I'm late to the party. Just found the thread and downloaded the App for my Samsung A30.

[coosvalley]

@robert3985  what program do you use to combine the photos?

[Scottl]

Just a FYI, Helicon Focus which is one program used to do the stacking is currently discounted about 15% for the holiday.  No idea how long the offer lasts.

[robert3985]

@robert3985  what program do you use to combine the photos?

@coosvalley , I use Helicon Focus.  I bought the full-professional version several years ago, and it's been one of my very best photography-oriented software purchases along with my Adobe subscription.  Although f-stops and wide-angles on my big DSLR make for ultimately sharp photos, I simply cannot get into many positions I want to on my layout to get what look like 1/160th scale railfan, or company photographer photos, which my Google Pixel 2 XL phone allows me to do.  However, taking multiple photos at different focus points was a big problem using my Google Pixel 2 XL phone...or with any other smart phone, until I discovered the Open Camera app which allows me to easily take my focus "bracketing" shots hand-held in less than half a second, for combining easily on my desktop in Helicon Focus.

Helicon Focus has adopted the Adobe subscription protocol, so you can subscribe on a monthly basis to use it, and other programs they offer without having to come up with $300+ bucks which used to be its price.  Even buying the program is now much cheaper than it was when I did it years ago...a good thing, and with Scott's notification that they are discounting it, it's time to get it if you're serious about your model railroad photography.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore