OESF Portables Forum

Model Specific Forums => Gemini PDA => Gemini PDA - Hardware => Topic started by: bzd on March 22, 2018, 05:50:59 pm

Title: Camera focus
Post by: bzd on March 22, 2018, 05:50:59 pm

Does anyone know any details about the 5MP External Camera Add-on? Is it a fixed focus or autofocus camera (or something else)? I’ve already discovered on the 1st gen Moto E that a fixed focus 5MP camera is not good enough in a lot of circumstances.

Title: Camera focus
Post by: depscribe on March 22, 2018, 06:45:38 pm

Quote from: bzd

Does anyone know any details about the 5MP External Camera Add-on? Is it a fixed focus or autofocus camera (or something else)? IÂ’ve already discovered on the 1st gen Moto E that a fixed focus 5MP camera is not good enough in a lot of circumstances.

I don't believe that anyone has seen one, certainly not in the wild.

Title: Camera focus
Post by: bzd on March 25, 2018, 04:42:21 pm

The best picture of the camera module I've seen is on The Register at
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/12/22/ps...special/?page=2 (https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/12/22/psion_gemini_special/?page=2)

Does that look like the RPi 5MP camera module?

Title: Camera focus
Post by: Murple2 on March 25, 2018, 05:35:00 pm

Quote from: bzd

The best picture of the camera module I've seen is on The Register at
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/12/22/ps...special/?page=2 (https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/12/22/psion_gemini_special/?page=2)

Does that look like the RPi 5MP camera module?

No, it doesn't. Although we can't judge on cosmetic appearance I'd say its unlikely to be the same.

Title: Camera focus
Post by: vader on March 25, 2018, 06:14:30 pm

What it does appear to have is a focus ring. This is normal for hyperfocal (ie. fixed focus) camera modules. The pi also had one - hence why it looks similar. You can tune the camera module for macro focus, or go for hyperfocal. This means that everything from infinity to 1/2 the hyperfocal distance is in focus. For a relatively small sensor size, this is not a problem. The advantages are that you don't need to focus, so you can take photos quicker. The disadvantage is that the photo has no bokeh, and is not pin sharp except at the hyperfocal distance. Another disadvantage is no macro mode.

I hope to be proved wrong, and the module is an autofocus module - however if it is hyperfocal that is not the end of the world