Is my Optical Image Stabilization working?? Seems like it's not, terrible pictures

[KreepyKen]

Hi Chuck,
I've got a few pics I can post here if I knew how....I say that because I have a Macbook Air and I'm not exactly sure how to get the blurry pics from the Note 4 uploaded into the Mac so I can post them here.

Lots of ways to do that:

1. Google+ auto upload feature uploads to your Google+ account
2. Dropbox auto upload feature does the same thing, but uploads to your dropbox, which you can sync to your Mac
3. Get Airdroid in the Play Store. It allows you to get into your phone from your Mac via wifi and you can transfer your photos that way. And its FREE.
4. Wifi File Explorer Pro does the same thing as Airdroid, but it's not as pretty and costs $1
5. Android File Transfer application on Mac. Install it, plug in phone via USB, the app will automatically launch and let you into the folder structure of the phone. It works fine on AT&T version of the Note 4.

I've used all of these on the Note 4 (except Wifi File Explorer...used to use that on my GS3), and they all work fine.

Hope that helps!

 

[Gator352]

I'm a professional photographer. The Note 4 camera is amazing. My best advice is to turn off HDR and use the flash if trying to capture action or moving subjects in low light.

Bingo. HDR is not great for moving objects. I also believe the OIS feature doesn't work in all MP modes. I consistently take better pictures in 16:9 mode with HDR off than any 4:3 mode with HDR on or off.

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[Joe Nunya]

I have not taken all that many pictures yet, like maybe 30 or so and every single one with HDR on and at highest resolution.
Most outside and so far not one is blurry in anyway.

The camera on this phone is outstanding.

For those having problems it is either a setting that is screwing you up or a defective phone

 

[Andrew Blackburn]

Phone takes crazy low light shots. Simple as that. Tho its software based problems not hardware. The camera is poor for shots with less than good lighting.

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[bertsirkin]

I'm a professional photographer. The Note 4 camera is amazing. My best advice is to turn off HDR and use the flash if trying to capture action or moving subjects in low light.

Actually, the flash won't help much, as it's a continuous-light flash (LED), not a flash tube. A conventional flash exposes for a small fraction of a second, but the LED flash on a camera phone actually exposes for a relatively-long time (1/8 second??), which won't help camera movement.

Great suggestion about the HDR - I suspect most people turn it on ALL the time, which is a REALLY bad idea!

 

[bertsirkin]

Phone takes crazy low light shots. Simple as that. Tho its software based problems not hardware. The camera is poor for shots with less than good lighting.

Posted via the Android Central App

Cameras with much larger sensors also have issues in less than good lighting. Unfortunately, people expect WAY too much from a camera phone. Given the tiny sensor size (i.e., very small pixels), all the worst attributes are going to show up in low-light images. Don't expect miracles from the Note 4 camera - and learn what it takes to take a good image (with any camera): adequate light and a VERY steady camera (that's why they make tripods!).

 

[anon9173723]

Not to state the obvious but, did you take the protective covering off the lens? Sounds dumb but I didn't realize it was there at first.

Yes I took it off before I even activated the phone, having said that....the piece of plastic that covers the camera lens has a circle cutout in the center so it doesn't obscure the lens anyway even if left in place.

 

[anon9173723]

Lots of ways to do that:

1. Google+ auto upload feature uploads to your Google+ account
2. Dropbox auto upload feature does the same thing, but uploads to your dropbox, which you can sync to your Mac
3. Get Airdroid in the Play Store. It allows you to get into your phone from your Mac via wifi and you can transfer your photos that way. And its FREE.
4. Wifi File Explorer Pro does the same thing as Airdroid, but it's not as pretty and costs $1
5. Android File Transfer application on Mac. Install it, plug in phone via USB, the app will automatically launch and let you into the folder structure of the phone. It works fine on AT&T version of the Note 4.

I've used all of these on the Note 4 (except Wifi File Explorer...used to use that on my GS3), and they all work fine.

Hope that helps!

That does help, Thank you Ken, I'll set it up over Christmas

 

[anon9173723]

Indeed! Maybe he has developed a physical tremor of some sort. We all get older. We change. Could also be a consequence of emotional/psychological (in)stability. Not neccessarily permanent. When people are nervous, or mad, or scared, or excited, they tremble.

Yes did I mention I suffer from stage 5 Parkinsons disease, I'm epileptic, freezing cold and I was on a pogo stick when I took pics with my Note 4??
No, my hands are steady....no stability issues here.

 

[shzusuziq]

That's the most ridiculous statement I've heard on this forum thus far.

If that's what you think then I think you could use some basic photography lessons!

 

[Goosty]

Why does turning off hdr take better pics? Not being a camera expert I found all of the options fairly intimidating at first. I have hdr and the flash on and only about 3% of my pics have turned out poorly and we're my fault for not holding the phone steady enough.

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[Jon Jackson]

Pictures where the subject(s) are still are flawless. Sunsets, skylines, etc. But if the subject moves it's blurry. Just figured with ois pictures with some movement would be better than my s5. That's all.

 

[Bobbman]

Pictures where the subject(s) are still are flawless. Sunsets, skylines, etc. But if the subject moves it's blurry. Just figured with ois pictures with some movement would be better than my s5. That's all.

With low light yes.. with proper lighting, however, camera takes sharp photos....even of moving objects

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[bertsirkin]

Pictures where the subject(s) are still are flawless. Sunsets, skylines, etc. But if the subject moves it's blurry. Just figured with ois pictures with some movement would be better than my s5. That's all.

OIS attempts to stabilize the camera - not the subject. It attempts to reduce any camera shake, but can't do anything to prevent blur from a moving subject.

 

[anon9173723]

Pictures where the subject(s) are still are flawless. Sunsets, skylines, etc. But if the subject moves it's blurry. Just figured with ois pictures with some movement would be better than my s5. That's all.

Exactly!! Hence my question...Is OIS actually working? If there is the SLIGHTEST movement of subject at all, the picture is complete blur. I thought OIS prevented this or at the very least helped.

 

[sparksd]

Exactly!! Hence my question...Is OIS actually working? If there is the SLIGHTEST movement of subject at all, the picture is complete blur. I thought OIS prevented this or at the very least helped.

OIS has nothing to do with the movement of the subject - it attempts to compensate for movement of the phone in your hand. It is a matter of shutter speed that affects whether or not blur of a moving subject is reduced and we do not have the same active control of shutter speed in the Note 4 as we do with a DSLR or P&S.

 

[Joe Nunya]

Actually, the flash won't help much, as it's a continuous-light flash (LED), not a flash tube. A conventional flash exposes for a small fraction of a second, but the LED flash on a camera phone actually exposes for a relatively-long time (1/8 second??), which won't help camera movement.

Great suggestion about the HDR - I suspect most people turn it on ALL the time, which is a REALLY bad idea!

The duration of the flash should not be of concern, even if you held a bright flash light on the subject that stays on it gives more light on the subject thus has to make it so that the shutter can be faster, the brighter the subject the faster the shutter.
Biggest problem is that LED flashes are not nearly as bright as Xenon flashes.
Plus the ISO only goes to 800

 

[palmor]

Why does turning off hdr take better pics? Not being a camera expert I found all of the options fairly intimidating at first. I have hdr and the flash on and only about 3% of my pics have turned out poorly and we're my fault for not holding the phone steady enough.

Posted via the Android Central App

HDR takes two photos and then combines them (one exposing for highlights and one for shadows). If you have movement in your subject between he two photos you can get some ghosting. Also when you have HDR mode on the image stabilization is turned off.

 

[daimien]

Yeah, it sounds silly but is easy to do. If I recall correctly, my new Note 4 had separate protective covers, one of which was very small, covering only the lens of the camera. I wouldn't have noticed it but for a post like yours I came across.

Omfg all this time I had the phone I never knew it was there

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[anthony2558]

That does help, Thank you Ken, I'll set it up over Christmas

You can try the tapatalk app on the play store. That's how I read forums, and easily post pics via my phone.