Category Archives: Android

LG G4 – Shoot like a Pro in Manual Mode – some tips and examples

May 26, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech NewsLG G4, samples, shoot like a pro, tipsGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Above shot Burrator Reservoir, auto mode on the LG G4.

But what about taking a pic of the waterfall at Burrator Reservoir? Well, using the LG G4 manual mode and a longer exposure, you can get these types of shots.

This was shot with a shutter speed of 1/8s.

And let’s crop in a bit further.

Again, shutter speed at 1/8s.

Now the only difficulty with these photos was the time of day I took these and the fact it was a very sunny bright day. To capture these shots with the sun in full swing, you need to trick the G4 camera and cover the lens with a ND filter. You will also need a tripod and something to attach the G4 to the tripod. I use the ShoulderPod S1 – All In One Smartphone Photography Grip & Stand

If you click on the Shoulderpod S1 text it takes you to Amazon so you can read more about this phone mount. It is the best smartphone mount I have used for my iphone, Note 4, G4 and all other phones. I mentioned you will need a Neutral Density Filter (ND). These are not readily available for smartphones, so one has to be a little creative. I used the filter that I had for my DSLR and carefully covered it across the back of the rear camera. In an ideal world, this should be secured properly.

And now with the above items, you will be able to take shots like a pro!

LG G4 – Some photos from today

May 25, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech Newscamera shots, LG G4, ReviewGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Just a few photos taken with the LG G4 today.

The Red Box

Ghostly sightings at Princetown

Spring flowers

1908 Drinking Fountain in Princetown

LG G4 – The Review updated plus All 15 Posts – Updated

May 25, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech News13 part, 4K, camera shots, First Impressions, hands on, LG G4, ReviewGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Since my review of the LG G4, I have included several other posts. All the links are noted below. I have also included a link to the special LG G4 Flickr album set. Once thing I have noticed with the G4 is its overnight battery strength which has been consistent. Generally on a 6 hours period overnight the battery drops from 100% to 98%, just a mere 2%. Its screen on time for a charge is 4 to 4.5 hours.

Anyway here are all the links to all the posts. The action shots are a must view post. Using burst mode I was able to snap some amazing motion shots. Also worth noting is the burst mode shots were 7.9mb in file size over 3 times the size of a burst shot from the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge.

LG G4 – Photos from Today – https://gavinsgadgets.com/2015/05/25/lg-g4-some-photos-from-today/

Shooting in difficult conditions – https://gavinsgadgets.com/2015/05/24/lg-g4-shooting-in-difficult-conditions/

More Thoughts on the G4’s F/1.8 Camera – https://gavinsgadgets.com/2015/05/21/lg-g4-more-thoughts-on-that-f1-8-camera/

LG G4 – Shoot like a Pro – Some tips and examples

LG G4 – More Camera Samples – https://gavinsgadgets.com/2015/05/21/lg-g4-more-camera-samples/

LG G4 – Incredible action shots – https://gavinsgadgets.com/2015/05/19/lg-g4-camera-action-shots-wow/

LG G4 – The Review – updated – https://gavinsgadgets.com/2015/05/17/lg-g4-the-review/

Happy Families – Life on Dartmoor – View the photo featured by Flickr in Explore – https://gavinsgadgets.com/2015/05/17/taken-by-the-lg-g4-happy-families-life-on-dartmoor-and-now-featured-by-flickr/

LG G4 – Colour Spectrum Shots – https://gavinsgadgets.com/2015/05/16/lg-g4-colour-spectrum-sensor-camera-shots/

LG G4 – More camera shots – https://gavinsgadgets.com/2015/05/16/lg-g4-more-camera-shots-2/

LG G4 – Manual Mode at Night – https://gavinsgadgets.com/2015/05/15/lg-g4-manual-mode-camera-shots-at-night/

LG G4 – First looks at the camera – https://gavinsgadgets.com/2015/05/15/lg-g4-first-looks-at-the-camera/

LG G4 – The arrival – https://gavinsgadgets.com/2015/05/15/lg-g4-its-arrived/

LG G4 – Launch Report with First Impressions and Specific Testing – Video and Photos too – https://gavinsgadgets.com/2015/04/28/my-hands-on-with-the-lg-g4-plus-first-impressions/

Link to my LG G4 Flickr Album set with around 30 photos from the LG G4 – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157652876197995

LG G4 – Shooting in difficult conditions

May 24, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech Newscamera shooting in difficult conditions, LG G4Gavin Fabiani-Laymond

Every time I take photos on the LG G4, I am simply amazed at the quality of the camera shots. The shot below was taken about over an hour ago, in crazy thick fog and rain.

First the original shot. Just look at how green the grass is and how in focus the Princetown sign has been processed.

And using VSCOcam and preset B1 to convert to black and white, you end up with a lovely moody shot.

What’s the point of Samsung Galaxy S6 Themes – themes omit features

May 24, 2015Android, Tech Newsmissing features, pointless, Samsung Galaxy S6 themesGavin Fabiani-Laymond

I was just changing themes around with my Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge and noticed when you apply any theme it kills off features.

Here’s the default theme. Screen shot below.

And now the BMW theme used as an example. Any theme could be used.

Can you spot the differences ?

So far I can spot the default theme clock and calendar icons are actually active icons displaying the time and date.

Lets hope the themes get updated to provide this extra functionality.

Honor 4X – Camera samples

May 22, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech Newscamera shots, Honor 4X, ReviewGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Just a quick post of a few shots I have just snapped this morning from the 13mp rear camera of the Honor 4X.

The conditions are foggy, overcast and a small bit of sun glare appearing.

Sony Xperia Z3 Compact – my durable second phone just received another update OTA plus 1st Impressions

May 22, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech Newsimpressions, new software update, Review, sony xperia z3 compactGavin Fabiani-Laymond

A few weeks ago I picked up a Sony Xperia Z3 Compact on pay as you go at my local Vodafone store in Plymouth. It was on a special offer and was unlocked by the store before I left.

I have since fitted it with a front screen protector, bought a few magnetic to usb cables to charge it, and now have a superb terrapin hard soft to touch case cover for it. I also bought the special noise cancelling headphones to try out with Sony’s music app. My 128gb micro sd card is installed and this has 60gb of music on it along with a wide selection of my photos.

Originally, my plan with the Z3 Compact was to review it and then sell it on. However, I find it one handed use and extremely pocketable size a joy. Add to the fact it is waterproof and dust proof, this is the phone I am now using when I go walking on Dartmoor. I use Viewranger GPS maps and the Z3 Compact is an ideal companion as the wet and windy and foggy conditions of Dartmoor are ideal for this phone. It also has 2 days battery use without even using any of the special power saving modes which extend it further.

The Z3 Compact on paper has a 20.7mp rear camera. It’s pretty terrible in auto mode, so I have to use manual settings all the time. Fortunately, I can cope with this fairly easily, although the photos are still below par versus other smartphones. Regardless of the camera, this pocket rocket of a phone is wonderful. I will be writing my full review at some point too.

Anyway, the phone came with android lollipop out of the box. This morning it received an OTA update that took this phone to android 5.0.2.

After the update, the next message I received was Google Play services had stopped. This is the lollipop memory bug, still present and dangerous!

Honor 4X – Dual LTE Sim Smartphone plus more

May 22, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech NewsHonor 4X, ReviewGavin Fabiani-Laymond

I have been putting the Honor 4X through several tests this week, with even more to follow before providing my thoughts on this handset. This phone piques my interest due to its feature set versus its price of £144.99.

For a start it is a 5.5 inch 720p IPS screen that looks really good. It next features dual micro sims, both of which are LTE enabled. Plus another slot for a micro SD card up to 32gb. It features 8gb storage and 2gb ram, along with a 3,000 maH battery for 2 days battery life and 7 days on ultra power saving mode. It is powered by a 64 bit 1.2Ghz processor. Honor have not skimped on the cameras either as you get 5mp on the front and 13mp on the rear. There are more features which will all get covered off during its review.

Before I write my review, I would be interested if you have any questions you would like answering. If so leave a comment below or contact me using any of my social media links.

To find out more on the Honor 4X click here – Honor 4X deal and info at Amazon UK

LG G4 – More thoughts on that f/1.8 camera

May 21, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech NewsLG G4, more camera viewsGavin Fabiani-Laymond

I have already written my review on the LG G4 and followed that with 2 camera posts. I have uploaded around 22 photos to a dedicated Flickr album – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinfabl100/sets/72157652876197995

It is evident in my time testing the LG G4 camera that it is a stellar performer and one of the best smartphone camera when it comes to snapping photos.

I also have been very impressed with the quality of the burst mode shots. To put matters into perspective each burst photo is around 7.9mb in file size. This equates to tons of detail. My Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge shrinks the photo quality down to around 2.6mb in file size.

With the G4 producing a 7.9mb photo burst individual shot, it is possible to crop that shot and still have phenomenal detail.

I also love the colour accuracy and final result of every single photo I have taken on the G4. Video is reasonable but not as good as something like the S6 Edge for video.

I suppose you can’t win the all. But for me, the G4 is a cracking piece of kit and one that will remain in my collection for the foreseeable future.

LG G4 – More Camera Samples

May 21, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech NewsCamera samples, LG G4Gavin Fabiani-Laymond

The weather on Dartmoor has been a mixed bag over the last few days, making it difficult to take photographs.

Anyway below are a selection of camera shots snapped so far by the LG G4.

Below is a view from the summit of Hartland Tor, Dartmoor.

This is also from Hartland Tor summit, but from the East side.

Below is a crop from a dandelion. Lots of detail here.

Happy Families – Life on Dartmoor is one of my most popular photos I have ever uploaded to Flickr.

Merivale, Dartmoor. The original Tower Bridge in London was built using the granite from Merivale quarry, now abandoned.

Example of a Panoramic shot.

One of my favourite shots of my 3 dogs. Apart from George smiling, Fury’s (black dog) name tag is floating in the air. Amazing detail. And look at all the water droplets frozen mid air around the dogs.

Lets not forget Tiggy. She is a bionic dog. Maybe she ate my breakfast below to give herself bionic powers.

And I hope this is what you are all eating for breakfast 🙂

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