Do you remember these apps?
p.1 #1Do you remember these apps?
Going back 10+ years ago, I really enjoyed those PlayMemories apps, especially the Smooth Reflection app. The A7r II is the last camera where those apps work. Granted, they were laggy, especially by today's standards but they just worked and the results spoke for themselves.
Does anyone else feel like reminiscing a little?
Does anyone else feel like reminiscing a little?
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Jan 13, 2026 at 10:14 AM
p.1 #2Do you remember these apps?
Still have my A7r2 just for the smooth reflections app.
Jan 13, 2026 at 11:10 AM
p.1 #3Do you remember these apps?
I was just thinking about this the other day!!!!
I loved smooth reflections and was hoping they would do an app like the olympus one that just added light changes to the pic so you could do insane long exposures
Miss this feature
I loved smooth reflections and was hoping they would do an app like the olympus one that just added light changes to the pic so you could do insane long exposures
Miss this feature
Jan 13, 2026 at 11:17 AM
p.1 #4Do you remember these apps?
chez wrote:
Still have my A7r2 just for the smooth reflections app.
I hear ya, Harry! Lately my focus has shifted more from landscape to more travel photography, portraits and wildlife. The A7r II feels more and more less suitable for portraits and even more so for wildlife photography. While the app still generates wonderful images on the A7r II but carrying 2 battery systems while traveling is getting cumbersome. I am ready to move on from this camera and hence, and with a heavy heart, I am saying goodbye to those apps...
Still have my A7r2 just for the smooth reflections app.
I hear ya, Harry! Lately my focus has shifted more from landscape to more travel photography, portraits and wildlife. The A7r II feels more and more less suitable for portraits and even more so for wildlife photography. While the app still generates wonderful images on the A7r II but carrying 2 battery systems while traveling is getting cumbersome. I am ready to move on from this camera and hence, and with a heavy heart, I am saying goodbye to those apps...
Jan 13, 2026 at 12:23 PM
p.1 #5Do you remember these apps?
Why Sony, in all their wisdom, deleted these apps is beyond me; instead, we pay for lines in the viewfinder. I guess nobody in mgt. is a photographer.
Jan 13, 2026 at 12:30 PM
p.1 #6Do you remember these apps?
eriet30 wrote:
I was just thinking about this the other day!!!!
I loved smooth reflections and was hoping they would do an app like the olympus one that just added light changes to the pic so you could do insane long exposures
Miss this feature
Yup! I am not familiar with Olympus app/apps. But I assume that they similar to the PlayMemories apps then?
Fred came up with a method to mimic the SRA by taking multiple exposures and combining them in PS. Although the results are similar but you end up with a of a lot images on your card that have to be PP'ed later rather than just a single combined file using the SRA in the camera on the spot.
I was just thinking about this the other day!!!!
I loved smooth reflections and was hoping they would do an app like the olympus one that just added light changes to the pic so you could do insane long exposures
Miss this feature
Yup! I am not familiar with Olympus app/apps. But I assume that they similar to the PlayMemories apps then?
Fred came up with a method to mimic the SRA by taking multiple exposures and combining them in PS. Although the results are similar but you end up with a of a lot images on your card that have to be PP'ed later rather than just a single combined file using the SRA in the camera on the spot.
Jan 13, 2026 at 01:46 PM
p.1 #7Do you remember these apps?
mogul wrote:
Why Sony, in all their wisdom, deleted these apps is beyond me; instead, we pay for lines in the viewfinder. I guess nobody in mgt. is a photographer.
Back then, the circulated story behind that supposedly evolved around a new operating system that Sony introduced with the A7r III that brought about the new battery system with better capacity. Although the OS is better and faster in all aspects but it rendered the PlayMemories apps not compatible. Not sure to what extent it is true... only Sony knows that.
Why Sony, in all their wisdom, deleted these apps is beyond me; instead, we pay for lines in the viewfinder. I guess nobody in mgt. is a photographer.
Back then, the circulated story behind that supposedly evolved around a new operating system that Sony introduced with the A7r III that brought about the new battery system with better capacity. Although the OS is better and faster in all aspects but it rendered the PlayMemories apps not compatible. Not sure to what extent it is true... only Sony knows that.
Jan 13, 2026 at 02:14 PM
p.1 #8Do you remember these apps?
I have the multi nd filter app paid for it and it got some awesome results. I like you wish they would bring it back it would take the Sony cameras to levels their competitors wouldn't be in such as Canon and Nikon.
Jan 13, 2026 at 02:57 PM
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p.1 #9Do you remember these apps?
AGeoJO wrote:
I loved smooth reflections and was hoping they would do an app like the olympus one that just added light changes to the pic so you could do insane long exposures
Miss this featureYup! I am not familiar with Olympus app/apps. But I assume that they similar to the PlayMemories apps then?
Fred came up with a method to mimic the SRA by taking multiple exposures and combining them in PS. Although the results are similar but you end up with a of a lot images on your card that have to be PP'ed later rather than just a single combined file using the SRA in the camera on the spot.
The feature is called Live Composite mode. This is not an app but one of the several computational methods (e.g. like Live Graduated ND, for example) in the present-day OM cameras such as OM-1 II. Maybe one can refer to these as Drive modes?
Live Composite "ensures that static areas of the image do not become progressively brighter and overexposed, while new light sources, such as moving car lights or lightning flashes, are captured as light trails or streaks."
One typical application of Live Composite is for recording fireworks.
eriet30 wrote
I was just thinking about this the other day!!!!I loved smooth reflections and was hoping they would do an app like the olympus one that just added light changes to the pic so you could do insane long exposures
Miss this feature
Fred came up with a method to mimic the SRA by taking multiple exposures and combining them in PS. Although the results are similar but you end up with a of a lot images on your card that have to be PP'ed later rather than just a single combined file using the SRA in the camera on the spot.
The feature is called Live Composite mode. This is not an app but one of the several computational methods (e.g. like Live Graduated ND, for example) in the present-day OM cameras such as OM-1 II. Maybe one can refer to these as Drive modes?
Live Composite "ensures that static areas of the image do not become progressively brighter and overexposed, while new light sources, such as moving car lights or lightning flashes, are captured as light trails or streaks."
One typical application of Live Composite is for recording fireworks.
Jan 13, 2026 at 03:33 PM
p.1 #10Do you remember these apps?
AGeoJO wrote:
Going back 10+ years ago, I really enjoyed those PlayMemories apps, especially the Smooth Reflection app. The A7r II is the last camera where those apps work. Granted, they were laggy, especially by today's standards but they just worked and the results spoke for themselves.
Does anyone else feel like reminiscing a little?
How quickly we forget these things.
I found the Smooth Reflection App was quite useful. Now, when without ND filters and a tripod, and this App, I take a continuous series of shots and average them in Photoshop (of course, this is what the App was automatically doing).
Sony abruptly stopped offering and supporting these seemingly useful App's. I always wondered if they just took too much processing power away from other camera tasks and new features.
Going back 10+ years ago, I really enjoyed those PlayMemories apps, especially the Smooth Reflection app. The A7r II is the last camera where those apps work. Granted, they were laggy, especially by today's standards but they just worked and the results spoke for themselves.
Does anyone else feel like reminiscing a little?
How quickly we forget these things.
I found the Smooth Reflection App was quite useful. Now, when without ND filters and a tripod, and this App, I take a continuous series of shots and average them in Photoshop (of course, this is what the App was automatically doing).Sony abruptly stopped offering and supporting these seemingly useful App's. I always wondered if they just took too much processing power away from other camera tasks and new features.
Jan 13, 2026 at 03:36 PM
p.1 #11Do you remember these apps?
Zayne12 wrote:
I have the multi nd filter app paid for it and it got some awesome results. I like you wish they would bring it back it would take the Sony cameras to levels their competitors wouldn't be in such as Canon and Nikon.
Zein, I don't even know that there is an app for that... Yes, I would love for Sony to bring those apps back.
I have the multi nd filter app paid for it and it got some awesome results. I like you wish they would bring it back it would take the Sony cameras to levels their competitors wouldn't be in such as Canon and Nikon.
Zein, I don't even know that there is an app for that... Yes, I would love for Sony to bring those apps back.
Jan 13, 2026 at 03:50 PM
p.1 #12Do you remember these apps?
ruthenium wrote:
I loved smooth reflections and was hoping they would do an app like the olympus one that just added light changes to the pic so you could do insane long exposures
Miss this featureYup! I am not familiar with Olympus app/apps. But I assume that they similar to the PlayMemories apps then?
Fred came up with a method to mimic the SRA by taking multiple exposures and combining them in PS. Although the results are similar but you end up with a of a lot images on your card that have to be PP'ed later rather than just a single combined file using the SRA in the camera on the spot.The feature is called Live Composite mode. This is not an app but one of the several computational methods (e.g. like Live Graduated ND, for example) in the present-day OM cameras such as OM-1 II. Maybe one can refer to these as Drive modes?
Live Composite "ensures that static areas of the image do not become progressively brighter and overexposed, while new light sources, such as moving car lights or lightning flashes, are captured as light trails or streaks."
One typical application of Live Composite is for recording fireworks.
Ah, good to know, and thank you! That sounds like a great feature, especially if it generates only a single file as the end result.
AGeoJO wrote
eriet30 wrote
I was just thinking about this the other day!!!!I loved smooth reflections and was hoping they would do an app like the olympus one that just added light changes to the pic so you could do insane long exposures
Miss this feature
Fred came up with a method to mimic the SRA by taking multiple exposures and combining them in PS. Although the results are similar but you end up with a of a lot images on your card that have to be PP'ed later rather than just a single combined file using the SRA in the camera on the spot.
Live Composite "ensures that static areas of the image do not become progressively brighter and overexposed, while new light sources, such as moving car lights or lightning flashes, are captured as light trails or streaks."
One typical application of Live Composite is for recording fireworks.
Ah, good to know, and thank you! That sounds like a great feature, especially if it generates only a single file as the end result.
Jan 13, 2026 at 03:53 PM
p.1 #13Do you remember these apps?
I miss the Smooth Reflection App. It came in handy when I didn't have ND filters with me. I hope Sony will put an electronic ND filter in the A7RVI!!
Jan 13, 2026 at 06:23 PM
p.1 #14Do you remember these apps?
ruthenium wrote:
I loved smooth reflections and was hoping they would do an app like the olympus one that just added light changes to the pic so you could do insane long exposures
Miss this featureYup! I am not familiar with Olympus app/apps. But I assume that they similar to the PlayMemories apps then?
Fred came up with a method to mimic the SRA by taking multiple exposures and combining them in PS. Although the results are similar but you end up with a of a lot images on your card that have to be PP'ed later rather than just a single combined file using the SRA in the camera on the spot.The feature is called Live Composite mode. This is not an app but one of the several computational methods (e.g. like Live Graduated ND, for example) in the present-day OM cameras such as OM-1 II. Maybe one can refer to these as Drive modes?
Live Composite "ensures that static areas of the image do not become progressively brighter and overexposed, while new light sources, such as moving car lights or lightning flashes, are captured as light trails or streaks."
One typical application of Live Composite is for recording fireworks.
Thats the one..... Yeah i had a friend who shot oly and would set up the camera walk away and then you get the one file at end it was good.
Wish we could open up apps again for technical peeps to create add ons
AGeoJO wrote
eriet30 wrote
I was just thinking about this the other day!!!!I loved smooth reflections and was hoping they would do an app like the olympus one that just added light changes to the pic so you could do insane long exposures
Miss this feature
Fred came up with a method to mimic the SRA by taking multiple exposures and combining them in PS. Although the results are similar but you end up with a of a lot images on your card that have to be PP'ed later rather than just a single combined file using the SRA in the camera on the spot.
Live Composite "ensures that static areas of the image do not become progressively brighter and overexposed, while new light sources, such as moving car lights or lightning flashes, are captured as light trails or streaks."
One typical application of Live Composite is for recording fireworks.
Thats the one..... Yeah i had a friend who shot oly and would set up the camera walk away and then you get the one file at end it was good.
Wish we could open up apps again for technical peeps to create add ons
Jan 13, 2026 at 07:26 PM
p.1 #15Do you remember these apps?
Sure. I'll be happy to reminisce about my two daily use cameras that still have those apps on them. I used the Smooth Reflections app some when it launched, but generally found it easier to use NDs when I want that look, which is rare. I did use the time lapse app, but now I've got my Syrp gear that makes all that easier (and allows for motion).
Jan 13, 2026 at 09:47 PM
p.1 #16Do you remember these apps?
It was called digital filter for me I liked to use it as a reverse gradual nd filter for night scapes and a regular nd filter for sunset/sunrise shots. I think it was $10 or $30 but worth every penny. I used the smooth filter app as well and I remember there was one that let you stack focus for macro shots.
AGeoJO wrote:
Zein, I don't even know that there is an app for that... Yes, I would love for Sony to bring those apps back.
AGeoJO wrote:
Zayne12 wrote
I have the multi nd filter app paid for it and it got some awesome results. I like you wish they would bring it back it would take the Sony cameras to levels their competitors wouldn't be in such as Canon and Nikon.Jan 14, 2026 at 08:02 PM