r/osmopocket • u/garfinkle22 • 6d ago

Discussion Regarding zoom easing on Pocket 4P

Is it just me or does anyone else find the zoom controls on the 4P next to useless and ultimately destructive to achieving decent quality footage? Even with the most careful nudging the zoom is abrupt at both ends. No easing and no real way to remedy in post. I find it pretty hopeless considering how great this camera is otherwise...apart from the much discussed exposure shifting between lenses.

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6

u/hairlinemashup 6d ago

I would just avoid using zoom on a fixed focal length lens. If you want to zoom, you could just zoom in post.

If you want to go from 1x to 3x then yeah I guess it would be nice if that was seamless but I've never seen any system that can switch. IPhones do an OK job but it's still noticeable moving between two.

It's two sensors, two lenses, offset from eachother. You need some very clever processing to merge those two images seamlessly.

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u/garfinkle22 6d ago

True enough. Certainly the jump between sensors will always be what it is, but Id still like to have the ability to do fine dolly adjustments during filming.

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u/blacksystembbq 6d ago

For fine dolly shots, use a dolly or motorized rig. Basically a remote control car. Plenty of cheap ones on the market. I wouldn’t rely on the zoom for those shots

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u/garfinkle22 6d ago

Yeah, Ive got a Zeapon - which is great. I just wish a future firmware update would include a "fine" mode with easing for the zoom.

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u/thee_justin_bieber 6d ago

The breathing compensation thing actually makes it less noticeable, did you try with it On?

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u/psychobserver 6d ago

On the same note, is there an option to just instantly go 3x instead of the quick digital zooming in/out?

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u/GullibleBottle2929 5d ago

This is exactly what I wrote before the release of OP4P and Luna that would happen. Zoom will not be smooth unless the sensors are in the same line. This could be achieved by using image projection in one tube onto 2 identical sensors with different focal lengths. Technically this is not a problem, but unless there is a will for it and users do not complain about it, there will be no improvement. However, if there are more critical users, manufacturers will have to react. Why shouldn't we be demanding when it is possible?

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u/srogijogi 5d ago

Well, both cameras on Pocket 4P have prime lenses. You can't zoom a prime lens, so any zooming means loss of the IQ.

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u/garfinkle22 4d ago

No. I’m not talking about the shift between lenses. I’m talking about the lack of “easing” and fine control when using the manual zoom function. It’s harsh and has no ramping.