PureShot, the photographers app

As many of you know, my number 1 camera replacement app has been 645 PRO from developer Mike Hardaker. I even wrote about how I used the app, in a post titled "645 PRO: my settings up close and personal". In that post, I wrote about how I exclusively shot with 645 PRO in "Q-Mode", with high quality JPEG on, and all the other bells and whistles off. It turned out that I wasn't the only person who liked to shot high quality JPEGs or TIFFs in this "quick mode" [Q-Mode], so Mike set about creating a new simpler and streamlined app, which has just been release, and is called PureShot.

Built around 645 PRO, PureShot offers:

• A choice of HI_Quality JPEG, MAX-Quality JPEG or dRAW TIFF output*
• A choice of standard multi-zone or (positionable) spot-metering
• Configurable tap-to-focus. Set-and-lock, or simply define the point-of-interest
• Standard 4:3 or square 1:1 image ratio
• A "soft" shutter release button that can be configured just how you want it to be
• Comprehensive on-screen information
• Real-time ISO, shutter-speed and GPS readouts, with optional Ev100, Dynamic Ev, luminance or illuminance reading
• A choice of four real-time histogram options
• Night mode, for real extended shutter speeds of up to 1 sec
• Quality-optimized 6X digital zoom 
• Direct integration with other apps, including Dropbox and image editors
• A comprehensive in-app User Guide
• Much, much more!

From day one, I was lucky enough to be part of the beta testing group, and from day one, PureShot replaced 645 PRO on my iPhone 4 (and now iPhone 5). The app is just like using 645 PRO in Q-Mode, but with less knobs and dials on the display.

Above: Taken with PureShot on my iPhone 4

PureShot and me: Just like 645 PRO, I have my preferred settings for PureShot, which are…

• Image quality: MAX-Quality JPEG
• Format: Standard 4:3
• Shutter settings: Release shutter after AF/AE-L = Lift only
• Copyright: All Rights Reserved

When shooting with PureShot, I have spot metering on, and all other display options off. This keeps everything clean and simple, which when combined with the option to take a photo when lifting my finger off the shutter, makes capturing that moment quick and easy.

PureShot is an app for photographers, and is now my number 1 camera replacement app. If you liked the sound of 645 PRO with its high quality JPEG/TIFF options, but were put off by the apps UI, then PureShot [App Store Link], priced at £1.49/$1.99/€1.59, and with a cleaner interface, may be the app for you.

* The term "developed RAW"—dRAW—is used to describe a TIFF image that has had no in-app post-processing applied and, critically, no JPEG compression at any stage.

App Update: 645 PRO, the photographers professional iPhone camera, reaches version 2.0

645 PRO, which in my opinion is the best camera replacement app for anyone wanting to get the best quality images out of their iPhone, has just received a bumper update. Now at version 2.0, 645 PRO, which has gone through a major rework, includes…

• In-app management of dRAW TIFFs in the 645 PRO Documents folder: includes Preview, "Open In...", Copy to Camera Roll and Delete functionality
• Added Camera Roll "Open In" function for all compatible apps (includes third-party editing apps, and Dropbox, if installed)
• Added Camera Roll sharing to Instagram
• Updated/enhanced other sharers
• Photo filters modified: now swipe left-right to toggle on/off, up-down on LH side to select, up-down on RH side to adjust intensity
• Two new photo filters: hard and soft neutral graduated
• Photo filter settings stored in metadata
• Auto-rotation replaces treble-tapping on Back Selector to rotate 180° (lockable via main Settings.app)
• Added DSLR lens flip option (via Settings.app) for users with external, typically DSLR, lenses that flip the image
• Enhanced Film Modes, optimized to reduce blown-out highlights wherever possible
• Enhanced saving performance
• Larger file save buffer for TIFFs
• New Buffer Full indicator
• Split-screen level guide goes "bright" when level
• Enhanced GPS accuracy
• Grid, Meter, WB-L and Timer buttons have larger target "hot zone", so easier to press
• Further overall performance/power management enhancements
• Minor UI tweaks to enhance responsiveness
• Fixed: filters cannot now be set in Q-Mode
• Fixed: focus point-of-interest selection is more accurate when zoom is used
• Minor bug fixes, tweaks and enhancements to performance and power-management
• User Manual updated

Priced at £1.99/$2.99/€2.39, 645 PRO version 2.0 is now available from the App Store.

Want to see how I use 645 PRO? Then check out "my settings up close and personal".

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.

645 PRO just gets better and better with each update

645 PRO, my number 1 camera replacement app has just been updated again, bringing with it some nice features like the introduction of real-time colour-correction filters, a Hi-Vis shutter button, along with general improvements.

So what's new in this update? Well version 1.12 of 645 PRO brings…

• Significant further performance improvements
• Significant further power management improvements
• Enhanced video preview quality
• Photo filters: swipe viewfinder left-right to select; swipe up/down to adjust intensity
• Option to save JPEG+TIFF or TIFF Only in Q-Mode (via Settings.app)
• Tap-hold now locks Mode and Back Selectors to prevent changing settings accidentally
• Corrected behaviour of shutter release AF lock when photo taken before acquisition/locking has occurred
• Modified Mode and Back Selectors to prevent false-positive double-tap detection

As with many app updates, bugs get fixed, but every now and then new bugs find their way in, and this update of 645 PRO sadly contains a bug or two.

The currently known bugs relate to the saving of TIFFs, and the use of filters when the new Hi-Vis shutter button is enabled. (When enabled you can not swipe to change the filters). The good news is, the dev is on the case, and an update to address theses bugs has already been submitted to the App Store, and should be available any day soon.

If you don't already own 645 PRO, then you can grab a copy from the App Store for a very reasonable £1.99/$2.99/€2.39.

645 PRO now with AF Assist

645 PRO, my number 1 camera replacement app has just been updated to version 1.11.1, bringing with it some nice new features like AF Assist and Copyright options, as well as a bunch of bug fixes.

Below is a full list of what's new and improved in 645 PRO version 1.11.1

• Experimental option to use torch as AF Assist lamp (via Settings.app)
• Disabled LZW compression for TIFFs when saving to Documents folder: larger files, but faster saving
• Option to add Copyright and License data to EXIF data (via Settings.app). Note that selecting a Public Domain "license" overrides any copyright info
• Rule of Thirds grid now re-sizes to match different Backs
• The E6 and F5 Film Modes have been enhanced subtly
• The "shutter blind" is correctly positioned when the camera is rotated
• The 645 back uses the full available image size on all devices
• Switching in and out of Night Mode unlocks exposure (if locked), preventing unpredictable exposure behaviour
• The maximum save buffer when TIFFs are being saved is correctly set to two, not five, files, preventing a possible memory overload
• Enhanced memory management when saving TIFFs to Camera Roll, preventing a possible memory overload
• Fixed final lingering "zoom lock" issues
• Updated User Manual

App Store Link: 645 PRO; Price: £1.99/$2.99/€2.39