Bulb mode about lcamera HOT 5 CLOSED

Currently the hardware limits the longest exposure time to about 0.8 seconds. You can workaround this by taking burst shots with 0.8s shutter speed and combine them during post-processing.

from lcamera.

Sorry if this is a dumb follow up question. But when you say its hardware limited you mean that longer then 0.8 exposure time is impossible on current android camera hardware? I only ask because you marked this a feature request. I was just wondering if its something that can be hacked? Or if its a future request due to this working with newer hardware on future phones. Thanks!

from lcamera.

The 0.8s exposure time is the longest duration reported and allowed on Nexus 5's rear camera. I do however think this is a pretty arbitrary limit which should not be there at first place. Perhaps there will be hacks around that limit, but I've not investigated yet.

I marked this as a feature request as my current plan to support this feature is having the app take multiple shots at maximum exposure duration until the user stops it. This is likely a better approach since people doing long exposure shots actually prefer stacking them in post-processing as well.

That said, I've already played around this "semi-bulb-mode" idea actually, and the results are simply amazing. With manual control + RAW + the right processing, this is going to take Android's low-light performance to a new height:

Google Camera HDR+: http://i.imgur.com/7x0b1sE.jpg

Semi-bulb mode with median stacking: http://i.imgur.com/EfRVZJM.jpg

from lcamera.

I used the hack apk i told you about and got 2" exposure out of the front camera. I guess the limit is different on the front camera

from lcamera.

Implemented in @360a638.

from lcamera.