Best Camera App?

[Tigrisan]

Is there a better camera app than the built in Samsung app? I have a Note 9 and the Samsung app that's loaded with their other stuff just doesn't cut it for me. I took a beautiful picture of the morning sun yesterday, it was bright red, but looking at the picture, the sun is a pale yellow/orange and completely out of focus even though it's not when the picture is taken. And no, it's not me moving the phone. I know there are better cameras out there, but I would think this is more a software issue. I'd just like to know what others use. Thanks!

Edited to add, I can't reply to anyone, there are no buttons to reply with so sorry, but thanks for your answers!

 

[Mooncatt]

A lot of (if not most) third party camera apps have issues making full use of all the cameras on the phone, especially with things like forced pixel binning and hybrid zoom systems. Many don't even allow switching lenses.

What I would do in your situation is use the manual mode in your Samsung app to take the photo, making sure you have a fast shutter speed. Camera shake is exaggerated on such large distances, so that could be the cause of the apparent focus issue, and increasing shutter speed (and ISO if needed to compensate) will help prevent it. A tripod or something to hold the camera still wouldn't hurt either. You can also fine tune focus in manual mode so it doesn't lock on to a near by tree or something right as you take the photo, and can also manually set the white balance for color control.

 

[L0n3N1nja]

A couple years ago I set out to find a better app and failed, Samsung's is better than any of the 3rd party apps I've tried.

Moments app is the best non Samsung I've used, I have it and Google's camera app on my Note 9 right now. Since the Moment app is paid and no longer supported I'm not going to recommend it. I use it because it gives me manual control on video which Samsung lacks. I use Samsungs app over 90% of the time.

 

[Tigrisan]

I lied. Now the page changed and I can reply again so thanks for your answers.

 

[mustang7757]

I lied. Now the page changed and I can reply again so thanks for your answers.

Is that a 05/06 stang in your avatar?

 

[Tigrisan]

Is that a 05/06 stang in your avatar?

That's my '08 Roush. Hubs has a '69 Chevelle so I thought it would be fair that I have something.

 

[ManiacJoe]

A lot of (if not most) third party camera apps have issues making full use of all the cameras on the phone, especially with things like forced pixel binning and hybrid zoom systems. Many don't even allow switching lenses.

What I would do in your situation is use the manual mode in your Samsung app to take the photo, making sure you have a fast shutter speed. Camera shake is exaggerated on such large distances, so that could be the cause of the apparent focus issue, and increasing shutter speed (and ISO if needed to compensate) will help prevent it. A tripod or something to hold the camera still wouldn't hurt either. You can also fine tune focus in manual mode so it doesn't lock on to a near by tree or something right as you take the photo, and can also manually set the white balance for color control.

Yes, manual mode. DSLRs have the same problems for sunsets and sunrises.

Also, to get the colors as you see them, you will need to go to a manual white balance because the auto white balance will try to make the sky blue and clouds white.

 

[Mooncatt]

Also, to get the colors as you see them, you will need to go to a manual white balance because the auto white balance will try to make the sky blue and clouds white.

Another option that may be handy is to save as RAW files. If time is of the essence (sun rises/sets happen fairly quickly) and you want to save the step of manually setting white balance, just leave it on auto and edit it in post. On digital cameras, white balance is purely a software setting applied to the raw capture data. With a good RAW capable editor (I like Photoshop Express and Snapseed), you can set the white balance at your leisure. It also gives you more editing freedom in general because you're working with all the data and not a jpeg that tossed a lot out.