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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

iPhone 3Gs

Focalware is pretty awesome. The only thing lacking is incorporating a compass into the app. If they did that it would be perfect.

If it doesn't use a compass, how does it point to the horizon to let you know where the moon is coming up, for example? Does it give you degrees, and then you have to switch to the compass, etc?

Jeff, there is a popular timelapse app, but apparently it does not disable the autofocus. Also, someone posted that once you shoot 500 frames, for example, you have to delete them all one at a time, by hand! Maybe something you could address?
 
If it doesn't use a compass, how does it point to the horizon to let you know where the moon is coming up, for example? Does it give you degrees, and then you have to switch to the compass, etc?

Jeff, there is a popular timelapse app, but apparently it does not disable the autofocus. Also, someone posted that once you shoot 500 frames, for example, you have to delete them all one at a time, by hand! Maybe something you could address?


The app just gives you the data...you have to go to your Compass app and figure out where to point. Kinda lame for a $10 app. Otherwise the app is well done.
 
The app just gives you the data...you have to go to your Compass app and figure out where to point. Kinda lame for a $10 app. Otherwise the app is well done.

Sounds like it needs an upgrade.
 
Focalware gets my recommendation as well. Someone who shoots what you do Tom definitely needs it! It is every bit as useful as Sunpath.

Pcam is expensive at $40, but completely worth it for filmmakers.

The following apps have made my iPhone into a real cinematography tool:

Focalware - sun and moon positioning

Pcam - DOF calculations, lens angles and FOV, exposure compensation, running time to film length, screentimes at different frame rates, HMI safe speeds, color correction filters, diopter needed, macro compensation, timelapse durations and screentimes, underwater focus compensation, light intensity, beam width.

iSee4k - all the useful Red info and calculations

Clinometer - digital level, measures angles for VFX work

Compass (built-in) - it's a compass :-)

Google Maps (built-in) - great for location scouting because you can see 'what's just over that hill'.
Google Earth - same reason

Weathereye - lets you view realtime precipitation and cloud cover maps, making it great for planning shots.

iCSC - lets you see clear sky charts for a location - forecasts cloud cover and visibility.
 
Any programmers here? I'd love to see a reflective light meter app using the camera. This might be far fetched, but team up with a manufacturer to sell a snap-on white plastic dome for incident readings.

Anyone with experience care to chime in?
 
I have to agree with Brent's list. Although I haven't tried Focalware yet. On my to-do list for today I think. Also add iSlate to that -- I know it's kinda lame, but it's actually saved me on a shoot. Then again, I could've used other non-phone solutions.

I've roughed out a design for an app similar to Pcam that also incorporates functions of others like iSee4K, iSlate and a couple more. I'm trying to decide if it's worth the time and effort. Or should I just move on and make something else...

I'll take a look at the timelapse app thing. Tom, do you know the name of the app you're referring too? I'm assuming the TimeLapse app from xyster.net.

Ian, I've thought of the light meter app myself. It would definitely need a snap-on meter accessory. I don't know if it would really make sense as a commercial product or not.
 
FYI- Focalware developer just responded to my question about the compass:

Yes. I am working on it right now. We are also updating the user
interface and adding Google Maps.

Look for an update this summer.
 
Tom that's the same app I linked.

As for the timelapse clip at gizmodo, all I can say is WTF? You can see the glass or window through which this was shot and the reflection of a camera -- most definitely NOT AN IPHONE.

EDIT> Nevermind, it is an iPhone. I just had to look closer...
 
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LMAO, really?

Did you see the "interchangeable lens system" for iPhone that Phil Bloom tweeted about yesterday? Hahaha.

 
I have to take back what I said above, it is an iPhone in the reflection! LOL... It's a white iPhone and on closer inspection, it looks like they mounted it to the Gorillapod GoGo with one of those adhesive clips.

That interchangeable lens deal is pretty cool... I like the case too, but it doesn't look like the most comfortable thing to have in my pocket. I like my thick rubber Speck cases. My old iPhone took more than one fall from 10~15ft off ladders or scaffolding and survived every time.
 
I thought I'd raise this back from the dead instead of starting a new thread,

Did anyone know that it could do time lapses?! Cause I just found that out today, been dying to do them as I've seen Tom's and everyone elses over time and LOVE THEM. It's simple but fun and super effective...I didn't want to buy a new camera, I've got a RED but I don't have it with me. So my only camera is my iPhone...this little thing just amazes me day in and day out.
 
I'm sure only a pitiful few of my RedUser fellows are salty enough to remember Huey, Dewey, and Louie, three Junior Woodchucks who possessed a marvelous Junior Woodchucks' Manual; all information on any subject was contained in it's pages. Translations for all living and dead languages, science, and the arts; it was all there to be called upon when needed.

Even as a boy I knew such a thing could never exist.

I was wrong. I have one in my pocket; my iPhone.

Amazing.

Good shooting and best regards,

Leo
 
Helios - best sun path system with inbuilt inclinometer and compass

Artemis - great directors viewfinder app - all cams supported

If you like Helios...you will LOVE "Sunseeker". at $2.99 this app is amazing.
 
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