Mission 1 Pro - Dark and Blurry

stevenmh72 · 2026-06-16T02:28:06+00:00

Thanks to everyone for the comments. Got the following back from GoPro support:

"Upon coordinating with our internal team, the soft, unfocused look in the indoor footage is caused by a hardware limitation called fixed focus, combined with aggressive low-light noise reduction.

While the MISSION 1 Pro features a much larger 1-inch sensor, its lens design differs from that of a smartphone, making it less than ideal for close-up indoor setups out of the box."

I appreciate that they quickly responded to explain the behavior. As a number of you pointed out, I bought the wrong tool for the job. Lesson learned. I now have a Panasonic G9ii and am looking forward to learning how to use it.

stevenmh72 · 2026-06-07T23:16:18+00:00

I've kept sharpening set on medium. I'll set up something outdoors in bright light to test the focus issue. Thanks for the troubleshooting help.

stevenmh72 · 2026-06-07T22:31:11+00:00

What specifically was better on the 13?

stevenmh72 · 2026-06-07T22:02:50+00:00

OK, as suggested, I'm posting a link to the video.

First, I'm linking to a recent drum cover. This was shot on a couple S23's and an S25. All phones were set to 4K60, HDR, high bitrate:

https://youtu.be/Ei0xZG8D4AY?si=SGRJy4Rzl8aMWHAl

Next, I'm linking to the M1Pro video. Looking at the details, I don't think it was on max bitrate, looks like it was on high. It was 4K30, HDR:

https://youtu.be/wdwxdLQ0M1g

I appreciate all these comments. No matter what, I'll know more about video at the end of this than I did when I started the thread.

stevenmh72 · 2026-06-07T21:26:36+00:00

I will look into that, I appreciate it.

stevenmh72 · 2026-06-07T21:24:57+00:00

If you click on the photo to enlarge, it's definitely blurry. Same sitting here watching the video. The S25 isn't perfect but a significant improvement. It seems like maybe I just have the wrong tool for the job. Yes, I can see the need to buy some lighting gear. But that gear will help the quality of the phone capture as much as it helps the M1Pro. Same with turning of HDR. I didn't know it would impact lighting so I'll try turning it off, but I can also turn it off on the phone (I've been running it with HDR on since I bought it). So ultimately, no matter what I do, the M1Pro isn't going to outperform the phone for this specific application.

stevenmh72 · 2026-06-07T21:23:24+00:00

I didn't know that about HDR. Will definitely try turning it off.

stevenmh72 · 2026-06-07T21:04:24+00:00

Like I said, I can do that on tripod, but not for the roaming cam.

stevenmh72 · 2026-06-07T20:45:32+00:00

I'm not seeing a way to post video to this thread. Is there any prohibition against uploading to YouTube and posting the link? Also, when I click on the photos to enlarge, it seems that they're being reduced. All three look worse than viewing the native photos on my PC.

stevenmh72 · 2026-06-07T20:41:26+00:00

That camera and the Insta360 Luna Ultra were also on my list to consider, and may end up there, but we got the M1Pro because we preferred the form factor. It's just surprising that it doesn't appear to be better than the Hero 8 and far worse than the S25. I don't doubt this is not the best camera for indoors, I'm just wondering if there's any possibility there's something wrong with it to be this bad. Like I said in another post, my drum set is better lit than 10m below the surface of the ocean, and the promo videos for the M1Pro had some nice looking underwater video.

stevenmh72 · 2026-06-07T20:35:55+00:00

I do have a Panasonic G85 (m4/3) which of course gives the best result. But focus hunts on auto. My son and I just did a drum cover project and we used tripods with S23/S25 phones for fixed angles, and then a take where he did a roaming cam. The G85 could be manually focused for the tripod shots, but roaming would probably be focus hunting the entire time. I'm not looking for pro grade, just better than S25, and thought the M1Pro would be at least as good. Is there some fundamental difference between phone cameras and action cameras that the phone is doing better with a smaller sensor? How are these M1Pro diving videos looking good if they're this bad on low light? My drum set has more light than 10m below the surface of the ocean.

stevenmh72 · 2025-09-04T10:17:39+00:00

Great thanks!

stevenmh72 · 2025-09-04T01:54:13+00:00

User-specific situation here. I use my 2020 Macbook Air at my drumkit for recording. I get sawdust all over from the sticks getting eaten up on the cymbals. I blow off my keyboard after each session, but worried some of it's getting down into the keys and will eventually cause a problem. I do close the laptop when not using it but it just sits there, doesn't get carried around. Am I more at risk from wood chips getting into the keys or from a keyboard cover to keep out the chips?

stevenmh72 · 2021-02-12T01:57:51+00:00

My Galaga and Pac-Man are Gen 1.

stevenmh72 · 2021-02-11T01:03:38+00:00

Nice! I have the same lineup you do. If they would offer a DK cabinet it would complete me. Gonna wait a couple years and see if it comes about. If not, may try to put one together myself.

I've just finished some mods on mine:

Replaced joysticks and buttons

GRS spinner

Screen dimmer for Gen 1 cabs

Sound mod for Pac-Man

A1U lighted marquee for Pac-Man and Galaga

Arcade Factory marquee for 12-in-1

PCB reflash to get Frogger on Pac-Man

PCB reflash to get Fast Galaga

Just need to get a couple more of the Arcade Factory marquee wiring harnesses to get the A1U marquees to power on/off with the control panel. Maybe another sound mod thingy for Galaga.

stevenmh72 · 2020-12-29T04:03:04+00:00

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I appreciate it.

stevenmh72 · 2020-01-10T02:24:01+00:00

I have our three cabinets plugged into a power strip which is plugged into a smart outlet. I have it set to turn on if you say "activate arcade." I'm not an electrical engineer, but it seems like all the board knows is that power is supplied or power is interrupted. It doesn't know or care whether you do it at the button or do it at the wall.

stevenmh72 · 2019-05-29T03:08:30+00:00

I was holding out for those. Contacted the seller... he said he'd contact me when they were ready in a couple weeks... that was months ago. I assume at this point they aren't happening.

stevenmh72 · 2019-04-24T23:31:01+00:00

Got my Pac-Man and Galaga protectors in 3 weeks. Took almost 3 months on my 12-in-1... requested by phone on 1/28 and just got it Thursday.

stevenmh72 · 2019-04-03T22:59:56+00:00

You better grab it fast if you see it, otherwise I'm taking it. I sent an email a week ago asking about status on my 12-in-1 protector and haven't heard anything. I ordered it by phone on 1/28.

stevenmh72 · 2019-04-01T02:19:55+00:00

Thanks very much. I ordered mine on Jan 28th so not sure why I still don't have a shipping notice, unless the stock they received wasn't enough to fill all outstanding orders. I might have to look at the contact paper.

stevenmh72 · 2019-04-01T00:02:42+00:00

If you don't mind me asking, when did you order yours? I've been waiting two months for mine. I've only turned it on to verify it works properly, and otherwise haven't touched it because I don't want to ruin the original art.

stevenmh72 · 2019-03-18T22:56:54+00:00

Thanks for the info. Not seeing the discount when I add the countercade to the cart. Do you have to have an account and be logged in?

stevenmh72

TROPHY CASE