georgestarcher.randomlings

I did a quick comparison shot between what is supposed to be a 5MP still shot ability of the Kodak Zi8 HD video camera and my old Canon S2 IS. The Canon is a 3MP camera. But it shows you how soft the Kodak makes still shots. It makes great HD footage when well lit. But there is no substitute for the right tool for the job. My old still camera with optical zoom is still a way better still shot camera.

   

Click here to download:

Photo_Comparison_-_Kodak_Zi8_-.zip (2580 KB)

This is a fun little rig. I purchased the ped tripod adapter from http://www.thoughtout.biz/ Specifically I got the kit with the form holder meant for iPhones in a case and the adapter itself. You can find the actual kit at: http://thoughtout.biz/store/index.php?l=product_detail&p=39

I just happen to have a mini tripod for desktops. It came with an old kodak full sized tripod from Sams that I got as a Christmas gift a few years back. The ped adapter went on perfectly. Then the ped form holder just pushes in and the iPhone sits inside the holder. The adapter itself is just the L bar you see screwed into the top of the mini tripod. So if you already have a ped3 holder you just need the adapter itself.

Now I can turn on video recording with my iphone, put my canon S2 IS on the large tripod to record video and have a two camera video shoot. *lol*

Overall I am still disappointed in the quality the iPhone 3GS camera. It performs horribly in low light situations. I will grant the touch to get spot metering is nice. But it really needs a lock so once you dial in the settings you want you can frame your shot as desired. Still if the entire scene is low light you might as well give it up. You will not get a photo that you will want to show anyone.

If you have good full light, the camera can still make some good shots. You can even make some even niftier shots by using a combination of three programs. My friend Victor turned me onto these apps.

1. Camera Genius is a replacement camera app. There are several good features it brings to the table. First you can turn on a grid for framing up the rule of thirds. Second you can turn on stabilization which makes the camera shoot when the iPhone is the most still. This reduces chances of a blurry photo. You can even turn on noise based photo shooting. I liked this one because I could plug in my earbuds with mic and call out "shoot" without having to disturb the iPhone to press the camera snap button.
http://www.codegoo.com/

2. Auto Stitch is an app for stitching together a panorama shot. The tip here is take your photos vertically across the scene. So you get the tallest photo you can. You only have to take more photos going across the scene to make up for it. Overall it makes for a better thicker shot. This is especially handy when used with Camera Genius above and the voice triggered stabilized shots.
http://www.cloudburstresearch.com/autostitch/autostitch.html

3. Photogene has some great and easy to use image enhancement controls. Mainly I use the level and exposure controls. You have to offset the lack of detailed control the iPhone itself provides.
http://www.i-photogene.com/photogene/main.html

So add those three apps together with a well lit scene and you can still make some decent and interesting iPhone camera shots. Just don't rely on it as an impromptu camera for indoor or night time shots.