XPhase Pro S (reviewed here) has finally gotten an update that enabled two major features: a 6-shot HDR (instead of a 3-shot HDR), and a DNG export mode. With a 3-shot HDR, the camera takes photos at -2EV, 0EV, and +2EV. With a 6-shot HDR, the XPhase takes six photos at -3EV, -2EV, -1EV, 0EV, +1eV, +2EV. The 6-shot HDR version does increase the highlight range, as well as the effective bit depth. Remarkably, the 6-shot HDR is still ghost-free.
However, the 6-shot HDR mode only works in manual exposure mode for now, and without an exposure meter, the user will have to guess the exposure. Moreover, the 6-shot HDR mode is available only in the Android version of the app. However, XPhase is working on updates to enable the 6-shot HDR in auto exposure mode, and to make it available for the iOS app as well.
As for the DNG export, XPhase can export fully stitched photos in DNG format from its new desktop app. I will be conducting further tests but my impression is that the DNG export may have smoother highlights compared to the PNG export.
> With a 3-shot HDR, the camera takes photos at -2EV, 0EV, and +2EV. With a 6-shot HDR, the XPhase takes six photos at -3EV, -2EV, -1EV, 0EV, +1eV, +2EV.
I don’t understand what purpose 6-shot instead of 3-stop HDR does here. Yes, you have better highlights in this 6-shot example. But isn’t that just because of -3EV being “lowest exposure”? In practice, I believe a 3-stop -3EV, 0EV,+2EV would give just as good results? I believe the steps are still so close that extra exposures in-between shouldn’t be necessary? Well, okay. Only my personal guess/theory. No practical experiments to back it up. But if I’m right, 3-stop would reduce risk of ghosting (even though it still doesn’t seem to be a big problem).
Hi Stig. With more shots in between, there is a higher effective bit depth. It is like the difference between a correct exposure and an underexposed shot that was pushed to normal exposure in post. The former will have better quality.
I’m also asking xphase to expand the range of shots.
Perhaps it is best to ask them to first release a “true” dng raw mode cuz as it is now, their so-called dng raw mode is nothing but JFIFs!
https://github.com/Entropy512/xphase_hacks?fbclid=IwAR2Wy6U0a-T6Kx1mMc6eLyoxHOY9qYFLl_Nz00KoYjHyqcVAG1olp2EcyW4
Hi Mic. The update includes the ability to shoot 6-shot HDR in Auto Mode.
Mic, is the desktop app for both Mac and PC, or just PC only? Thanks.
Hi Jay. good question. it’s PC only.
I am on Mac. 🙁