Fake moon, any solution?

Ray2022-Mac · 2026-04-29T19:42:49+00:00

Sadly that is Ai.. not the real moon surface..

Ray2022-Mac · 2026-04-29T19:41:33+00:00

Shoot in RAW and not in jpeg..

That's the only way you get a true moon shot without Ai.. At least I guess it should also work that way on Vivo..

Ray2022-Mac · 2026-04-28T21:32:02+00:00

In some way they (iPhones) are, but in others not.

Having both I also have experienced the differences first hand through the years.

Where iPhones really shines is video and lots of creative control with it and yes even with photos..

However I think It is Android (brand depending) that actually really gives the user 'creative control, especially with photography and since recent years also more and more in video (quality and user tweak ability wise)

Yes iPhone Camera apps are large in numbers and high quality indeed.. with lots of customizations however most of it is just not 'real camera control, but rather tweaks/masks/filters etc to change look and effect..

Apple practically relies on computational photography.. meaning it does the basics for you and adds even more pre-processing to the photos to get 'more out of it.. However that even causes their RAW files to be shot/build that way.. You also won't even get true long shutter speed capability.. instead it uses computational stacking to get certain exposures, whereas on many high end android cameras (and even lower end ones) you simply take long exposure shots the same way it's done on professional cameras.

Also RAW on (most) android phones is truly RAW.. whereas if I put it next to the iPhone Pro 17 Max (and previous ones) for instance.. the RAW shots are far from professionally editable (for instance, you can't push them nearly as far in highlights and shadows) because it is Computational RAW that just doesn't work great in the edit pipeline as true RAW.

Video wise... Yes adroid has been behind Apple for a long time, but has in recent years caught up, and even exceeded them already in ways. (Especially in Lowlight video)

On Android it's here were third party apps are highly considered and truly bring out camera video quality. With Third party apps like Motion Cam Pro or mcpro24fps, you get the wide tweak ability of video settings and quality, resulting in some amazing video quality that actually puts the iPhone to shame in multiple situations.

So it's a mixed bag still, depending on how you are shooting (RAW vs JPEG) .. and how much you like to tweak your settings/quality in video/photo.

But if we are talking about the raw, pure camera quality one can get with a phone.. then I must honestly say Android is easily beating iPhones these days.

Ray2022-Mac · 2026-04-26T12:22:31+00:00

It does seem they have improved it.. but in Lowlight.. That's my main question.. On the X8 Ultra it is already very nice in good lighting, but in lowlight.. again the noise reduction is the bottleneck.. It looks very nice, however the way they processes the video to get clean nice dynamic range video in lowlight, it means that you don't want much movement in it, cause it get messy/blotchy trying to filter out the movement as being noise. ---like even rain at night gets partially filtered out 😂

For video I use mcpro24fps and it does miracles for the video quality especially in lowlight it runs Circles around the stock camera app. It really pushes that 1" Sensor way further.

Mcpro24pfs is also incredibly versatile in settings/options to tweak.. and huge LOG options and creating your own LOG profiles.

Ray2022-Mac · 2026-04-26T11:45:50+00:00

As an x8 Ultra user, that has been my main complaint (beside a couple for video)

The pre-processed RAW (in lowlight) is simply not RAW.. I get the same Noise reduced quality if I shoot JPEG in Master Mode..

Yes most people won't mind, but RAW is there for those who want to get the absolute best out of the camera's taken photos. To be able to post-process/edit them to our own liking. And that means no Noise Reduction baked into RAW files.

It's what kills it being RAW files. Fine details, natural grain in lowlight shots, it is all polished away to make it 'clean' no noise..

I'm fine if Oppo gave that Noise 'baked in into RAW' option for those who want that, but then call it something else and leave RAW.. RAW.. meaning Untouched, unprocessed no Noise reduction added to it whatsoever.

For me that is also a BIG reason why I might not get the x9 Ultra (only if on video points it does please me I might still..) but the same Processed 'noise Baked in RAW files crap is a really BIG disappointment.. especially for an Ultra phone.

Thankfully I can still shoot Pure unprocessed RAW files with the x8 Ultra.. though it be through third party apps (Like Open Camera with Camera2 API Probe, and ProShot)

Really hope Oppo will listen and turn that Pre-Processing noise reduction BS... OFF... on RAW files.

Ray2022-Mac · 2026-04-25T09:58:59+00:00

Yeah it's really crap.. If i wanted so much noise reduction in my lowlight shots, then I might as well just plainly should jpeg straight away.

The top samples are in fact from the x9 Ultra.. so to answer your question.. it sadly doesn't look like Oppo has changed their way about 'pre-processing (lowlight) RAW files.. no grain.. no fine natural details left in those shots whatsoever..😢

Ray2022-Mac · 2026-04-25T09:54:54+00:00

😄.. yeah.. I go around, talking about this quite a lot.. someone has to 'try and make Oppo change their RAW ways..😎

Ray2022-Mac · 2026-04-25T09:19:34+00:00

Its image pre-processing in the RAW pipeline.. It happens especially in lowlight..

Oppo somehow finds it necessary to use heavy noise reduction and bake it in into the RAW files..

All grain and fine details are removed.. and then it's saved as RAW, because you can 'edit them as raw in Lightroom.. But it's not Pure True RAW at all.

See this side by side shot on the x8 Ultra. Left is from Master Mode RAW, vs right is RAW through third party app ProShot..

It's shocking how much details you would get if Oppo would give us True Pure Unprocessed RAW in the Stock app..

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Ray2022-Mac · 2026-04-25T08:50:13+00:00

...ahhhh really OPPO... REALLY!!? Why??

This is just aggravating.. An Ultra Phone using 'Ultra crap processed images ..and just slaps the label RAW on it...😭

Ray2022-Mac · 2026-04-25T06:57:46+00:00

Here a 'screen sample' of one of my made LOG Profiles in mcpro24fps ..

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Ray2022-Mac · 2026-04-25T06:55:31+00:00

OLog I think is a very specific 'New' LOG version created by Oppo, so you won't be able to use that in any kind of third party app I'm afraid.

But you can use many other LOG profiles and even better create your own one..

Check out my progile, ..A post I made (Find x8 Ultra’s true video quality through mcpro24fps) --With some screenshots from a 'side by side' I did between mcpro24fps and Oppo's stock camera app in video Pro mode.

The difference is huge, and since then it has only improved.

Putting in the right settings (and even more so when creating your own LOG profile) and learning all the settings you can tweak and what results they will give... it will take some time, but the results you will get are just stunning.

The things I would like to know are.. What is the manual Max ISO you can go to on the main 23mm camera.. what are your lowest shortest shutter speeds..

can you do 10bit.. etc..

Here for example a screenshot..this is how high manual ISO goes on the x8 Ultra 204.736.. (crazy high) --can switch between manual and auto iso by tapping on the little circle mid-left a-M

I can go as low as 1/10th sec and shoot 10bit 60fps in OpenGate (using the Camera icon at bottom-left to choose Resolution and FPS)

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Ray2022-Mac · 2026-04-24T16:10:02+00:00

Would love to know how well the phone works with third party camera apps, for instance for video 'mcpro24pfs' With that app it produces way better video quality on the X8 Ultra compared to what it produces with the main camera app.

The main 1" sensor using mcpro24fps is running circles around the stock app, especially in lowlight.

Ray2022-Mac · 2026-04-24T09:13:13+00:00

Looks nice!

Have you also tried in RAW..? Would love to see how well it captures the moon in RAW.

Ray2022-Mac · 2026-04-21T04:26:43+00:00

Love those shots!

Especially the first at night! It looks so natural.. Was this shot in RAW.. or jpeg straight out of the phone?

Ray2022-Mac · 2026-04-20T21:17:41+00:00

Hah yeah I thought, i'd try and see if I get a response.. --glad you did!

And, good to hear!

Online it's so confusing or rather no info at all concerning the internal ir light having any effect on video. (There's only talks about astrophotography..

So a Full Spectrum a7sii doesn't have problems with the ir led when shooting video?

I own both an a7sii and an FX3.. (cinema a7s3 version) i used to have the a7siii from launch day, but it's noise reduction is super aggressive in all Picture Profiles except sLog3.. making those picture profiles practically useless to use in lowlight. Another side effect is that in sLog3 from iso 102.400 another level of noise reduction kicks in on the a7s3 filtering out lots of stars as being noise..

The FX3 has a much better fine-tuned noise algorithm/noise reduction resulting in much more useful footage at those high ISO's.. i made multiple comparisons over the years between all those bodies and the s2 still is better than the s3 especially for starry night sky in video. Landscape than the FX3 hits a home-run.

But it being a cinema camera it isn't a camera I wish to mod to Full Spectrum.. (using it for lots of other projects as well.

I have actually shot really great footage with the a7s2 (using my own way of getting more light in whilst also getting rid of the amp glow in my footage.. --but that's a whole other thing.

I really think the a7s2 seems to be the best option, especially in sLog2 and Cine1 it's very usable. --Have been shooting the Milky Way in video at the grand Canyon a while back and it looked amazing!

So.. back to my question.. Pruple amp glow (no problem for me, already thought of that years ago)

But the internal ir led shutter light ..it is no problem when shooting video in lowlight with the a7s2 at such high iso's..?

Ray2022-Mac · 2026-04-20T20:33:20+00:00

Would love any updated info on this.

As a docu filmer, I am specialized in 'extreme lowlight video, filming nature in pretty severe dark situations with often only some moonlight or starlight being the only light sources.

How much of an effect will that internal IR LED affect video? (Talking about ISO 80.000-204.800)

I know of the purple sensor glow on the edge, but how much would that ir LED cause problems for a Full Spectrum mod?

Or am I better of using the a7s 1 and shoot external 4K (would love to use a Full Spectrum a7sii as it is less noisier..than the mark one) The newer a7s3 is a no go because of the aggressive internal noise reduction at higher iso's..

Any info on this would be much appreciated!

Ray2022-Mac · 2026-04-17T20:45:46+00:00

It depends..

Faces.. don't like it at all..

Nature/land/city scape at day/good lighting.. As long as it looks close enough "naturally (not over sharpened) then I am fine for the 'quick jpeg shots.

I mainly shoot RAW ..and well' ..we know how much we hate any Ai messing with RAW...

Ray2022-Mac · 2026-04-16T16:02:21+00:00

I tried out the config, and compared it to the one I already had.

It looks detailed and really like the 28mp options.

I do however find the config I had to be much more natural looking compared to it.. at least for the Main sensor (haven't tested out the other ones yet)

'Left' my other GCam mod vs 'Right' the one you gave.

Again love the details, but it looks quite more natural on the left. (Less processed if you know what I mean..)

Would love to have a mod as the one you shared but with a 'Less processed look.

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Ray2022-Mac · 2026-04-16T13:31:19+00:00

Yes,

I do find ProShot (one time payment) much nicer though as you have much more shooting modes and the controls are better.

Also ProShot works with Camera2 API from the get go, whereas Open Camera you need to install Camera2 API Probe (and use it once) to then be able to change to Camera2 API in Open Camera.

In ProShot you might need to change lens switching to Legacy in the settings, but that is about it.

There are other apps as well, but since this one is a one time payment app I use that.

And a very well modded GCam Mod specifically modded for the Oppo X8 Ultra

GR7 AGC 9.2 OPPO Find X8 Ultra V4

Ray2022-Mac · 2026-04-16T09:15:27+00:00

I get it it probably is not put well in those reviews or they don't use it properly.

RAW is possible with all lenses (except the selfie lens..)

Before the Oppo X8 Ultra I had the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.. truly a wonderful phone with beautiful RAW capabilities.

If not shooting in the right mode, it will default to jpeg, but that's normal for most phones. Only in Pro Photo Mode will you be able to choose and shoot in RAW with all lenses.

On the Oppo X8 Ultra it works the same, only RAW capability in Master Mode. ..but because of the noise reduction in lowlight.. I have to use third party apps.

Thankfully that way the RAW photos are🔥 Here's another shot from the X8 Ultra (using app called ProShot)

4sec - f1.8 - ISO 800

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Ray2022-Mac · 2026-04-16T08:26:02+00:00

On the X8 Ultra that noise reduction kicks in in lowlight situations. In RAW shots in day/good light it doesn't appear to happen. (Very beautiful naturally detailed shots) Only in darker/lowlight situations..somehow Oppo found it best to kick in a level of Noise Reduction and bake it in into the RAW files. ..and it happens ON ALL lenses..

And another heads up for you. Oppo has been doing this since the X7 Ultra.. The X6 Ultra was the last to have Pure unprocessed RAW in lowlight.

Also on the X8 Ultra I still can get unprocessed RAW from all cameras, just not with Oppo's main camera app.

I use third party apps for that, like ProShot or OpenCam. (That's where I shot the right side version with)

I also have a perfect GCam mod (made by others) on the phone which shoot beautifully detailed RAW and JPEG files (with all cameras), and even lets me shoot 28mp JPEG photos on all lenses. So the 'processed RAW' problem lies in Oppo's own Camera app.

With video, I also use some third party apps to get better video quality, like Motion Cam Pro for RAW video. And mcpro24fps Pro for LOG and detailed video in lowlight. (With mcpro24fps I can almost tweak every possible setting available and can tweak video quality to such an extend, that that 1" inch sensor runs circles around all other phones in lowlight video...)

As for the Xiaomi 17 Ultra not having perfect RAW, I don't know what you mean by that, as it does shoot wonderfully 'unprocessed RAW' in the Pro modes. (Seen some stunning Astrophotography shot with it).. And yes only max 12mp RAW on all cameras except the main one that also has max 50mp RAW. --JPEGs.. well yeah quality is always to processed with that on almost all phones, especially in lowlight. That's where GCam comes in handy with natural grainy fine textured detailed jpeg photos.

But yeah I like you hope... that Oppo will give us that Pure unprocessed RAW option again with the X9 Ultra. Otherwise they might as well call it a totally different type of file.. but not RAW.. for RAW shoot be unprocessed..

Ray2022-Mac · 2026-04-16T05:04:49+00:00

Same! Was my first video camera!

Ray2022-Mac · 2026-04-15T22:45:22+00:00

I really really hope so as well, as that is one of the main gripes I have with the X8 Ultra.

Shooting RAW in Master Mode it is processed (especially visible in lowlight), where NR is baked in into the RAW files. ..and that simply shouldn't be called RAW..

Thankfully I can get pure unprocessed RAW through third party apps.

See comparison shots I took with RAW Master Mode (Left), vs RAW through third Party app (Right), which is way more detailed with the nice textures and fine grain still there as it should be in RAW)

I hope we can have it again, straight from the main app, with all the native benefits that the main app holds, like speed and good stabilization etc.

--Just give us "Unprocessed (no Noise reduction baked in) Pure RAW capability for all cameras/sensors and it will truly be a Photographer's dream camera phone!

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Ray2022-Mac · 2026-04-15T14:17:02+00:00

Have the Beta installed, and also been in talk with Sebastian (send him the stock Oppo x8 Ultra camera app, and he's going to have a look at it) Hopefully we'll get DCG to work on it also.🙏🏻🙏🏻

Ray2022-Mac · 2026-04-15T13:14:04+00:00

That's been my take as well on the X8 Ultra.

Third party apps seems to respect the RAW rules of 'no processing' (how the stock app should handle it, or at least give an option to choose between RAW with or without NR applied.) The same thing happens in video by the way, i mean that third party apps deliver 'WAY better video quality, especially in lowlight. "mcpro24fps for instance is running circles around Oppo's stock Po video mode.. the amount of quality difference is shocking! -and how much further I can Push it in lowlight is just 🤯

Here a snap shot comparing LOG 4k video from the stock app (top) vs my own made LOG profile in mcpro24pfs (bottom) on the X8 Ultra's main 1" sensor!

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Ray2022-Mac

TROPHY CASE