[john crossley]

Whilst I don’t own a Smartphone, nor for that matter do I intend to buy one (my mobile communications experience is about as technologically advanced as two tin cans and a piece of string). I have noticed that there is a plethora of photography apps available, such as DOF calculators. The cost of these seems to range from £0.00 to £20.99. Just out of curiosity, do people actually use these, and, are they any good?

[dabhand16]

I've got a few.

OptimumCS DoF calc that give settings that minimises the effects of defocus blur and diffraction. Supposed to give the sharpest images possible.
TrueDoF
DOFMaster
DoF

All of the DoF apps give pretty much the same info - total DoF - hyperfocal distance - DoF in front - DoF behind - CoC - DoF near limit - DoF far limit - distance set.

DLSR Remote Got this when it was cheap/free, but it needs a laptop with companion software.
D300 manual

Snapspeed an editing app

There are lots more, especially editing apps some are combined with cameras. I have four cameras including the standard one. One has some editing software attached and two have image stabilisers.

I've not spent a fortune on these and they are useful.

[Dave Canon]

I have TPE (The Photographers Emphemeris) on my PC which I very occassionally use but their is a phone Apps version. The version I have is free but I think the phone Apps is not. I cannot imagine it being of any use on a small screen to be honest.

What I do have and use on my smart phone is Google's free My Track. This utilies the GPS in the phone and records GPS positional data against time. If you go on a photoshoot, you can start the tracking and end when you finish the shoot. The tracking data is recorded in a file which I put into Dropbox so it is available on my PC for LR4. Once the images have been imported to LR4, I can select them and import the tracking file in the LR4 Map module. Each image is then automatically tagged with the position coordinates based on the time in the EXIF and then shown on Google Maps. It is critical that your Camera and phone are set to the same time though you can make a correction in LR if it is out by a time zone or one is GMT and the other BST. It is not perfect but does work.

[Boofers]

Hi John, I just was given by the wife my forth phone. It is by far the best one in terms of usefulness. I have one picture app. For HDR on the phone pictures. It is like a toy app. But it works good. Just thought I would drop this thought on you. I have had a pad type tablet for awhile now and I never will own a lap top again, very useful as they use all or at least most of the phone type apps. . Being so close to retirement they couldn't have come up with a better gadget.

[Markulous]

I've a few of these:
DoF Calc
Exposure Calculator
Photo editor
Photoshop Express
PicsArt
Pudding Camera

All free, all not too bad and all I really don't use - though Pudding Camera's fun!)
I use the mapping and weather far more for 'togging

I refuse to use Instagram as it's the new 'chocolate box' process - much overused (and misused) as is normal for new (and supposedly trendy) processing! Much like HDR!

Originally Posted by Dave Canon

What I do have and use on my smart phone is Google's free My Track. This utilies the GPS in the phone and records GPS positional data against time. If you go on a photoshoot, you can start the tracking and end when you finish the shoot. The tracking data is recorded in a file which I put into Dropbox so it is available on my PC for LR4. Once the images have been imported to LR4, I can select them and import the tracking file in the LR4 Map module. Each image is then automatically tagged with the position coordinates based on the time in the EXIF and then shown on Google Maps. It is critical that your Camera and phone are set to the same time though you can make a correction in LR if it is out by a time zone or one is GMT and the other BST. It is not perfect but does work.

Ahh, this takes me back! About 5 years ago I used my GPSr track and camera EXIF to place my images on a map - until I decided I really knew where the pics had been taken and so had no use for it!

[Helgrrr]

Originally Posted by Markulous

Pudding Camera

[dabhand16]

Originally Posted by Markulous

until I decided I really knew where the pics had been taken and so had no use for it!

That's why I've never bothered with GPS, but if you sell images I guess that it might appeal to buyers if they can see the locations.

[Markulous]

Originally Posted by Helgrrr

Pudding Camera Google images

Originally Posted by Dabhand16

That's why I've never bothered with GPS, but if you sell images I guess that it might appeal to buyers if they can see the locations.

I used GPSr primarily for navigation (always compass/map as well but very very useful in low cloud/blizzards!), secondly as a method of informing my progress on a hike (in case I disappeared - last known contact location would be known) and then as a record of my route. It was this last to which I attached my pics to let fellow hikers know the views on the hike - involved scanning an OS map, calibrating scan with GPSr rudimentary map and then comparing GPSr clock with EXIF clock for pic location. Worked very well but it was easier/quicker to just have route and explain where the pics were shot!

Nowadays, somewhat easier with Smartphone which has proper maps, excellent screen and much better battery life (though I still take compass/map as well!)

[Dave Canon]

Well I did not actually say that GPS tracking is of great value to me. It was more of a technical challenge which I enjoyed. Just back from Budapest, I did not bother to capture a track and have just tagged all the images as central Budapest as precise location is not relevant for me. However, shots I took of the Lake District last year will benefit from including the precise location so I could return to the same spot. I am aware that a few photographers in my Club would find GPS tracking useful though probably the majority, like me, could mange without.

[john crossley]

Mmmm, some interesting comments there. However did we manage to live before the iPhone was invented.

[chwright3]

Interesting thread, I have several apps on my iPhone that I use frequently - and many more that I don't use at all!

The frequently used ones?

Editing: Snapseed
Utilities: LongTime, NDCalc, Sunrise, MapAPic, The Photographers Ephemeris

Several of these have already been discussed. Of the ones that haven't - LongTime & NDCalc both calculate exposure times when using Neutral Density Filters that require long exposures - eg Lee's Big Stopper.
MapAPic is a useful app for recording & scouting locations
Sunrise is self explanatory - gives you the time of sunrise at any location

Hope this is useful

[Boofers]

[QUOTE=Markulous;355835]

I refuse to use Instagram as it's the new 'chocolate box' process - much overused (and misused) as is normal for new (and supposedly trendy) processing! Much like HDR!

This little HDR app I have gave me 12 different pictures to choose from, pretty fast. I have used it once, I've even thought about doing some HDR.