645 PRO: my settings up close and personal

I've seen one or two guides to using 645 PRO recently, but these have been little more than a reprint of the apps user guide, which is an essential read if you want to fully understand, appreciate and get the best out of this fantastic camera replacement app.

So, in this post, I'm not going to go into full detail about all the apps features and settings (you really must read the manual for that), but instead share with you my now preferred 645 PRO setup.

First up, let's look at my under the hood settings, which can be found in the iPhones settings menu. Basically I've got everything set to OFF except for the Hi-Vis shutter (this makes life a lot easier when shooting in daylight conditions) and TIFFs -> Camera Roll. Q-Mode TIFFs are left on the default setting, which is JPEG + TIFF. I then have my name set as Artists name, Copyright set as [Year] [Artists Name], and last but not least, License set as All Rights Reserved.

So having covered the hidden bits of 645 PRO, let's take a closer look at my 646 PRO camera settings. Having played with the film backs and format options, I've decided to shoot nearly 99.9% of the time in Q-Mode (which is 645 back (format) with no additional film or filters, and is activated by double tapping the film dial) and lossless JPEG (although if I was shooting with an iPhone 4S, then this setting may be different, and include TIFFs). Why have I decided on these two options? Well whilst I have found the results from the film backs and optional filters to be exceptionally good, I prefer to edit (if needed) with Snapseed, and so this Q-Mode setup offers for me, exactly what I need, and that is reasonable file sizes (the TIFFs are large) with the best image quality possible from my iPhone.

So, that's the shooting format and quality aspect of the camera settings out of the way, now let's look at the rest of my settings. Starting from top left, I have the Flash set to off (I never ever shoot with the iPhones flash, as like any basic flash unit, the results will always be disappointing). Next up, the Grid, which I have set to full (or maximum grid lines), the Meter set to Spot, as I have found for me this produces the most accurate exposure for my subjects. Then there's the White Balance, which seems to always work for me on Auto (AWB).

Taking photos with 645 PRO. With my default set-up above, taking photos with 645 PRO is a breeze. With the iPhone not in silent mode, I simply point the centre spot at my subject, then press and hold the (Hi-Vis) shutter button until I hear a double beep, which locks in the focus and exposure at the same time. Then I recompose if necessary, release, and quickly press the shutter again to take the shot, to the sound of the shutter firing, and that's it.

In general I find my simple yet effective set-up produces near perfect shots every time, as my sample (unedited) photos taken whilst holidaying in Cyprus show.

Tip. If you decide to shoot as I do, in Q-Mode, then set the camera back to 6x17 (you'll need to do this whilst not in Q-Mode), so that if you accidentally switch modes, you'll instantly know by the letter box view.

Comments

[Ifonechip]

Thanks Glen great review , big help

[Richard Gray]

Thanks for that Glyn. Have to say I haven't used 645 much but I'm struggling to see what it offers in functionality beyond the native camera apart from exporting TIFF files (which, as you mentioned, you might not want anyway if you're editing in phone). It brings all the settings up-front (as opposed to in menus) so has that SLR look but that's just a comestic thing.

[John]

This is really great, Glyn! Thanks for going beyond a simple Manual repeat.

[Andre]

Thanks! Very Good.

[MiniBlueDragon]

Still deciding on this app. I currently use Camera+, Mattebox, VSCOCam and Pro HDR for photos primarily so not sure what benefits there are for swapping out one of those for it?

[Mark]

I bought this app recently and i have only used it a couple of times. So far my results have been mixed - I have taken a couple of photos where i had to look twice because i simply could not believe the awesome quality of the picture i just took, it literally popped off the screen, however i have taken some average photos with it also. The biggest annoyance for me about this app is the lack of speed. It seems to have a certain lag and is definitely not an instant shooter. This app will reward you if you take your time to compose your shot and take your time with the settings then stand perfectly still in the right light to the picture. If you're into spontaneous spur of the moment whip the phone out of your pocket street photography then i would not recommend this app.

[nick]

just.
exactly.
as.
me.

Nick

[Paulo75]

I use only 645 Pro when I know I am about to shoot a great photo.
Use the lossless jpeg in Q-mode (or even more the Tiff) and try then to brighten the dark areas in another app (ex: Snapseed). You will get much more details and much less noise than with any filter activated or the Apple camera app. The filters make the black "clip" and you will lost details. When you import the tiff file in photoshop, even without applying any processing, you can already see there is a lot more details than in the compressed jpeg version. As a consequence, enhancing dark areas looks much more subtle and natural.
Great app!

One feature I would like to be added in the future (but I admit it is not the purpose of 645 Pro) : image stacking, to make great photos with a tripod in very low light conditions. There already exist such apps but they does not offer the long exposure capability (1s) of 645 Pro, which is a shame.

[Jim]

I love this app but it is becoming unusable. Mike is very good at replying and updating and helping but his updates do no good. Every single time I take a photo w/ tiff setting the app crashes. I just updated again today, took a shot and it crashed. He said the last two updates would fix all this but they haven't. Such a bummer. Think I am going back to Camera Pro or +

[Marlene DeGrood]

I have to agree with Jim ... used to be great but it's crashing far too often now and I'm losing far too many shots :(

[Allan]

I had the same problem after a recent upgrade -- the app would crash after every shot. I finally deleted the app from the phone, and then went back to the App Store app, and reinstalled. That seems to have cured the problem.

[Steven]

I have used this app after the enthusiastic review on this site. But I've been disappointed with it to be honest. Sure it can take great photos most(!) of the time but when your iPhone becomes hot like an oven and the battery drains before your eyes, those advantages are of no use to me. This is one of the few photo apps which has really felt like a waste of money to me.

[Paulo75]

Battery drain issue should have been solved by now (since the 2nd update). I had the same problem with the first version but now it seems to be alright.
By the way, a new update has just been released today: try to install it.
If it still does not work, another "solution" for you is to shut down completely the app when you have finished taking photos (double click the main button, then tap-hold the app's icone, then tap the cross).

[Mike Hardaker]

The current release of 645 PRO was heavily tested for stability, and really shouldn't crash at all unless there is some residual corruption in your iPhone's memory. It *does* ask a lot of the iPhone hardware, and such corruption—which is surprisingly common—can cause problems for some people, as can memory fragmentation (which is another common issue). However, it's easy enough to fix. In most cases, simply powering the iPhone down and then starting it up again is enough, although it's better to shut down all open apps via the multitasking bar first (obviously, you can then fire them up again after the restart).

And please, if you have any issue with any of our apps please do write to us (http://jag.gr/contact/) and let us know; most of the time we can actually provide a fix, and if we can't then we can code one into the next release!

[jim]

Hi Mike and thanks as usual for your replies and service. I updated yesterday, set jpeg + tiff and it kept crashing. turned off tiff and it was fine. i tried closing down iphone 4s and problem stayed. I just tried again and it now seems to be working, just shot 3 tiffs w/out a crash. So I hope that fixed it!
thanks again

[Doug Scott]

Can someone please tell where this app is located? I can't find it on the iPhone app store.

[Mike Hardaker]

Doug, it's at http://itunes.apple.com/app/645-pro/id518235205?mt=8 - but be aware that it won't appear if you're searching with the App Store app on iPod touch or iPad, as these only show apps that they can actually install.

[FTP]

Why can't I find it in the app store under "645 PRO"?? Either I'm doing something wrong or it's NOT there. Is it under a different name? Anything from "CCD or CDD" and everything that has to do with "Lotto" & a few Asian things. This is while I'm on my iPad. Is there a bad connection that will not corespond with looking it up on the iPad?? Just wondering.

Now on my 3GS "645 PRO" comes up as '645 PRO' like it should.

Thanks for letting ask this question because it's VERY CONFUSING!!

FTP

PS: Mr. Hardaker the link above http://itunes.apple.com/app/645-pro/id518235205?mt=8 wont let me link, comes up with "your request could not be completed" EVERYTIME I try to it. But like I said in my 3GS I just type in your apps name & it comes up NO PROBLEM. Also, just tried it on my iPhone NO PROBLEM LINK WORKS!! Guess its the "new iPad".

THANKS AGAIN, I just want to see if any one else was having this problem.
FTP

[Mike Hardaker]

FTP: as I said, it won't appear on iPod touch or iPad, as they only show products they can actually install.

As it happens, *new* iPad *should* be able to install 645 PRO (as it has the auto-focus camera that the app requires) but a compatibility issue with iOS 5.x means it incorrectly reports its hardware configuration to software such as the App Store app on iOS and iTunes on your desktop, making those apps prevent you from installing (or, in some cases, even seeing) the app. Apple is aware of the problem and is "working on it", but I don't (to be honest) expect a fix before the release of iOS 6.

[FTP]

Relpy to Mr. Hardaker~

Thank you so very much for your reply. As soon as I am able to purchase a new desktop I will be looking more into this.

Thanks again for every thing~
FTP