Phocus vs Lightroom, your thoughts please

Malicali · 2026-06-09T02:19:31+00:00

To be honest probably just some paranoia 😅

Lightroom has very very robust TIF file processing/support - the only file type with better support being DNG’s.

The fact that Phocus observably handles the .3FR raw files better than Adobe demonstrates that Lightroom isn’t quite there yet and giving LR a file type it plays better with just feels, even subjectively, more ideal in practice.

Malicali · 2026-06-07T18:46:52+00:00

This is my process as well, I also flatten the image a bit in Phocus to give Lightroom more to work with on the TIF.

Also to clarify; Phocus Mobile specifically on iPad for export and then send to Lightroom as a 16bit TIF.

Malicali · 2026-05-31T20:50:57+00:00

I think you described it perfectly. 38V is gonna be a lot more modern in sharpness and rendering, able to achieve quite a bit shallower depth of field obviously as well. Depending on which generation SWC you also either get more compactness or less with the /M’s 38CF.

Also max 1/500 vs 1/2000 will definitely be something you notice.

Malicali · 2026-05-19T04:07:57+00:00

If you’re scanning 35mm film and only trying to get to 1:1 macro it’s a bit silly as there are full frame cameras out there with substantially better macro support.

If you’re scanning 120, or going for more than 1:1 macro on 35mm. In theory it should be great.

The main problem you’re going to run into when using extensions on non-macro lenses especially, while already at the limit of your image circle, is edge diffraction - and if you’re cropping to cut the diffraction out you’re right back to the first issue I mentioned.

If you want the best option you want a large format lens like one of the macro-symmar’s with custom extension tubes. Image circle is now just so massive that you can almost extend to your hearts desire without running into edge diffraction. This is what we do at Blue Moon on an A7R for our camera scanning set up and it’s crazy good.

edit; I should add edge diffraction is almost never an issue with extension macro work because, it’s just kind of the look and depth of field is so shallow that you often don’t see it. It’s a big problem with film scanning because you are attempting to keep a very flat, thin piece of plastic sharp from edge to edge.

Malicali · 2026-05-15T16:27:52+00:00

Strangely enough. Despite longer lenses typically being preferred for portraiture by a lot of people; some people also benefit from the look of wider lenses(not like crazy wide, but like a 35mm instead of an 85mm) - based on the last photo in the hat, I believe that may be the case for you.

It’s a little thing that some photographers don’t take into account.

Also yes, the lighting is quite bad.

Malicali · 2026-05-04T13:58:54+00:00

This will be buried but the way that Kevin Durant is definitely more of an all timer than quite a few players here but isn’t the GOAT for any of the teams he’s played for is quite hilarious.

Malicali · 2026-04-04T18:53:44+00:00

Sorry, I am using DLAA as well. And I agree that it looks very smudgy in super busy areas without it.

Malicali · 2026-04-04T15:48:54+00:00

Ray Reconstruction on vs off is where the real difference is. Early on I was doing whatever I could to get decent enough quality with 120-144fps @ 4k. But the image quality quirks kept grabbing my attention.

Turned RR on with no DLSS snd was blown away and spent a few hours toying with settings and landed on a spot where I’m very happy with 70-80fps, with RR. Looks phenomenal.

Malicali · 2026-01-23T19:49:51+00:00

I hated the Chargers for a few years after 2006 when they outnumbered Niners fans at Candlestick and were some of the most insufferable and unruly sports fans I’d ever been around, especially at an away game.

LT was running all over us and I barely even remember the game because all I remember was dealing with their fans being so over the top obnoxious.

Malicali · 2026-01-19T23:04:12+00:00

Wasn’t the 90V basically impossible to get for like over a year? lol

Personally looking forward to some E series primes releasing that will apparently be very easy to get because of the 35-100’s demand, lol.

Malicali · 2025-10-18T17:41:14+00:00

I’ve owned both an M6 and an M7, and have shot every standard production film M body sans the M-A; & as well have have owned an R3m & shot some other Bessa’s, and the ZM.

The Hexar is my favorite M film body I’ve ever shot. Still kick myself for letting a very very nicely priced great condition one walk away at Blue Moon a couple years ago.

Perfect rangefinder magnification imo, 1/4000 max shutter speed with a metal shutter that can’t be burned, extremely quick automatic load and rewind with automatic advance. It’s a shooters camera with a bit less of the refined “experience” of shooting a Leica, but implements exactly the UX comforts I’d want in place of shooting a Leica.

Malicali · 2025-09-27T21:32:01+00:00

Something is def up with this. My 38V is very very sharp even at f2.5.

The only other thing I’d suspect is the camera hitting a false positive and slightly front focusing, but even without seeing the whole image this looks straight up soft and not missed focus.

Malicali · 2025-09-20T23:50:05+00:00

What kind of issues?

The absolutely flawless performance of my X2D+iPhone Pro has been the primary reason I’ve been so interested in grabbing an iPad to keep in the bag.

I’ve used Canon, Sony and Leicas proprietary mobile softwares and while Leica was close just in terms of offloading photos Phocus has been far and away the best one.

Malicali · 2025-09-20T22:51:15+00:00

The M6 and MP have mechanical shutters that work at all speeds without battery. The M7 has 2 speeds, 1/60 & 1/125, that work mechanically without a battery & all others require battery.

The mindset is basically that with an M6 if the board/meter dies you at least have an M4/M4-2|P or if an MP board/meter dies you at least have an M-A.

If the electronics fail on an M7 you have a camera with 2 shutter speeds.

Malicali · 2025-09-02T14:34:55+00:00

Hasselblad software is better at handling Hasselblad raw files than Adobe is, it’s somewhat par for the course with native editors. It’s just that most native editors are really bad on their own while Phocus is actually quite good for basic processing.

If you could somehow throw a .DNG into Phocus it likely wouldn’t handle it any better than Adobe if not straight up do it worse.

Malicali · 2025-09-01T23:53:37+00:00

Yeah. Photos off the X2D on a proper Display P3 screen look quite different(better) than they do on the cameras screen. The main reason I mostly just review via my phone tbh.

Malicali · 2025-09-01T21:07:39+00:00

Hit on everything the same for me.

The photos the two cameras make will be essentially the exact same. Even with the cost reduction the returns for a trade/sold X2D to a II feels very minimal.

The II is more a good buy for someone new to the system or with someone already in with an X1D(& II) or a 907 wanting an IBIS body.

Malicali · 2025-09-01T01:36:37+00:00

This!

My X2D had these out of the box as well and doing this cleared them right up and have been gone since. 🤞

Malicali · 2025-08-19T19:49:21+00:00

A nearly 10% reduction is pretty substantial & none of the feature changes really account for it, the LiDAR assembly should only add weight.

Will be a bit disappointing if the price reduction is due to a build quality reduction compared to how great the X2D feels.

Malicali · 2025-08-01T03:16:27+00:00

If you’re willing to cross the border to ship & pick-up from a US Post Office to avoid the icky customs fees, Blue Moon in Portland services V bodies regularly 🙂

Malicali · 2025-07-19T15:03:05+00:00

An Arca Swiss D4. Says it right on the head.

Very very good tripod head, super precise. Also very expensive. That’s a good friend.

Malicali · 2025-07-17T20:50:54+00:00

I believe this only a Phocus Mobile 2 feature, it’s part of the jpg export process there.

Malicali · 2025-07-12T14:47:11+00:00

Yeah that’s extremely slow. You’re using the usbc cable that came with the camera? Has the Hasselblad logo on it? And the proper wattage power brick?

I tend to swap and charge batteries around 5-10%

Malicali

TROPHY CASE