http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/almost-dslr/id380871298?mt=8

aDSLR gives the ability to lock focus, exposure and white balance while capturing full 1280x720 video.
This initial release has a few bugs (or quirks) that require a bit of workaround to get right.

The focus lock works reasonably well but the exposure lock needs to be toggled on and off again in the HUD to get it to truly lock.
Same with the white balance. It must be toggled to prevent it from updating continually.
The video is automatically saved to the camera roll but there were orientation problems.

First, the vids were showing upside down when accessed in the camera roll.
When I was able to get proper orientation in the camera roll, once exported (via iPhone explorer) they were showing in portrait orientation.
This was a quick fix on the desktop but it should be easy for the developer to correct.
The last issue is the most troublesome for me.

The preview window during capture is NOT showing the full, correct aspect ratio. It is cropping the sides to photo size instead of the proper 16x9.
However, the videos are captured at the proper 16x9 ratio but this makes for tricky framing during video shooting.
Again, this should be an easy fix for the developer.

Great potential even with the quirks.
To have better control, I'd like to see the ability to change the size of the exposure and focus boxes and also a speed ramp control for the focusing.

The interface is unusable. If they can fix that, exposure lock will make this indispensable.

The developer updated the app yesterday and has corrected the exposure lock and white balance toggle.
Response time to inputs also seem more snappy.
I haven't tested the orientation problem with videos exported to the desktop yet.
So far the only big issue that remains is the aspect ratio displayed for video recording.
Hopefully Apples APIs allow this change in monitoring.

Developer has updated app and addressed most of the issues.
The UI is now much more streamlined and snappy.
The ability to switch aspect ratios is a huge help.
Everything now works as it should.
This is now the must have app for video capture.
I would love to see some more options such as guide lines but as of now, aDSLR is the only app that allows as much control as possible with the iPhone video camera.
Well worth the price!

I have added guide lines and movie duration & size displayed on the screen.
Hope it gets approved by Apple soon.
I am also trying to add a way to view saved photos/movies, button rotation when device is turned, and others.
Please stay tuned for updates. :D

That's great news lea!
Thanks for all your hard work and the recent promo codes for the followers here!

@lea
I bought your app because of the advertised feature to take video on my 3GS in 720p resolution. I was able to get that resolutio with suggested button "high".
It only makes standard 640 resolution. I am very sad about that. Also in the app itself resolution of 720 for 3GS is mentioned.
Lea, what do I wrong or is your app not possible to deliver 720p?

Tomba,
The app works on the 3GS but the hardware limitation of the camera dictates your video size.
The 3GS camera is limited to standard while the iPhone 4 has 720p.
The specs quoted on iTunes explains that if you select the 720p option, you still only get the maximum size your camera has, 640x480.

They claim for setting "High" a video resolution of 1280x720 for 3Gs. Just read again. Thats why i bought the app. I wanted a few pix more in video mode. In-App. help says the same.
And as a customer I wish to get they advertise and what I paid for!

I wonder what country's App Store you got the app from. In the US store it's clear that the 3GS will only record 640x480. The 3GS doesn't have the hardware to do 1280x720.

@Mark
I dont know if there are more than one US appstores ;-) In my store the aDSLR description for Model 3GS is still as follows :

>> Movie and Photo Output <<

*** iPhone 3GS ***
Video : All 1 channel AAC and millions of colours
Low: H.264, 192 x 144, 22050 Hz 15fps
Med: H.264, 480 x 360, 44100 Hz 30fps
High: H.264, 1280 x 720, 44100 Hz 30 fps
480p: H.264, 640 x 480, 44100 Hz 30fps
720p: H.264, 640 x 480, 44100 Hz 30fps

Isnt it correct that the cam with its chip can capture 2048x1536 but the CPU is only capable of render less resolution at a given framerate? I think its only a software limit. Or how could all the Video Apps do that with iPhone 3G? Original by Apple there is no video function.

If i had no doubts before i bought this app and chosed setting high how its described in the help function of the app.

It also makes me angry is that there is no way to get in contact with the developers and ask. If you click in itunes, a website with asian letters opens. Only one english sentence "coming soon". No e-mail, no phone number. No help.

Sorry you're having issues with the app purchase.
I was able to contact the developer directly a couple of times and give my suggestions for improvement which he has implemented very well.
The specs posted are a bit misleading but I doubt the developer intended it to be read as giving an up rez to 720p.
For my money, it is still the only app that allows this much control.
I do think Apple should have some kind of return policy on apps that don't meet expectations.
Hope you can still find some use for it.

@Tomba

I am sorry that the app is causing you some unpleasant time. The site is still under-construction and I am trying my best to open it as soon as possible after the current update. I am thinking of using a blog... hmm hmm..

Anyways there is a Contact Us button in the Settings>>About>>Contact section of the app.
Feel free to mail me if you have any question or suggestion.

Thank you! :D

@Lea
Found that contact button and used it. Question is still the same: How can i get 1920x720 working on 3GS?

@Tomba
Until I got the mail from you, I didn't know about the mistake I made on the description page.
I am very sorry that I have put down the wrong information.

According to Apple, the maximum video output resolution they support for iPhone 3GS is 640 x 480.
I am really sorry that this may have caused you (and others) confusion and/or inconvenience.

I have fixed the numbers on the description pages on iTunes and the one in the app.
I hope you still find the app useful.

I am really sorry again for the mistake and thank you for pointing out the problem.

@lea
We all buy and use apps only if we can do more or better than the standard!
With the real specs of your app i have no use for it. Sorry.

The "exposure lock" ability itself makes this application indispensable.

The 640x480 video recording resolution is not a software limitation, it's a hardware one. The phone is certainly not capable of capturing videos of that size, otherwise Apple would have enabled it and would have made the competition cry a bit more at the time when the 3GS was released.

So let's summarize the features of the iPhone:
* Make phone calls! Sometimes people forget that ;-)
* Browse the web
* Take pictures
* Record videos (in 720p for iphone 4), plug an external microphone and lock the exposure
* Transfer files without a cable
* Listen to music
* Play games
* etc

I can wait to get myself one.