iPhone 5 defective camera thread (purple flare)

[jacktesterson]

I don't think anyone is arguing that you shouldn't attempt to adjust your camera to remove the flare. The thread was created to find out why the iPhone 5 seems to be more susceptible to purple flares from off-camera light sources than other mobile devices. As I mentioned earlier, I cannot get my iPad 2 or ASUS TF300 to produce the same purple effect under the same situations.

Also, if recent gaming has taught me anything (excessive light bloom anyone?), sometimes people like using flares from off-screen lights for artistic effect.

This.

Nobody is arguing that this doesn't happen at all with other cameras, it just seems to be more noticeable with the iphone5 it seems.

I just took around 25 photos with my Galaxy Nexus trying to get some purple haze and couldn't do it. I highly doubt the iphone5 taking the same shots would be the same.

 

[Wonderful Pork]

So, based on my incredibly informal testing with zero photography experience, it might be due to the IR filter removal from the 4S -> 5. I took a picture of the sun in the corner, but it was through the glass/window here at work which is coated, and there is zero purple glare. It looks like the iPhone 4S picture from above with huge white glare/flare, but no purple.

 

[Kaido]

Guys, just as a heads-up, let's keep this thread on track and not feed the trolls. We are going to get our share of camera experts, fanboys, etc. with this issue. The iPhone is not a professional camera, but that doesn't mean that we should ignore the issues that crop up or sweep them under the rug as non-issues.

The bottom line is, the iPhone 5 has a more excessive purple lens flare problem than the previous generation did, to the point where it is interfering with the image. If you are content with the problem, that's fine. If you don't have the issue at all on your iPhone 5, please chime in. If you do have it, I'd like to hear from you as well. I feel that this camera upgrade is more of a step down than a step up from my previous iPhone 4S due to the issue of excessive purple haze. And that's what this thread is about. Thanks everyone

 

[hasanahmad80]

I don't think anyone is arguing that you shouldn't attempt to adjust your camera to remove the flare. The thread was created to find out why the iPhone 5 seems to be more susceptible to purple flares from off-camera light sources than other mobile devices. As I mentioned earlier, I cannot get my iPad 2 or ASUS TF300 to produce the same purple effect under the same situations.

Also, if recent gaming has taught me anything (excessive light bloom anyone?), sometimes people like using flares from off-screen lights for artistic effect.

oh really

it was seemingly an 'issue' with 4S too. except no one cared then

 

[Kaido]

So, based on my incredibly informal testing with zero photography experience, it might be due to the IR filter removal from the 4S -> 5. I took a picture of the sun in the corner, but it was through the glass/window here at work which is coated, and there is zero purple glare. It looks like the iPhone 4S picture from above with huge white glare/flare, but no purple.

I've been able to replicate the purple on the 4S, but not in 100% of the same testing circumstances of the 5. Not even in like half the shots so far. And when I do have it, it's not nearly as bad or noticeable as the 5 - it's just a normal lens flare, which is fine.

I'm not sure if the IR filter is different from the Hybrid IR filter, but it looks like both the 4S and the 5 have the Hybrid IR filter, so at least the Hybrid one is not new to the 5.

 

[hasanahmad80]

The bottom line is, the iPhone 5 has a more excessive purple lens flare problem than the previous generation did, to the point where it is interfering with the image. If you are content with the problem, that's fine. If you don't have the issue at all on your iPhone 5, please chime in. If you do have it, I'd like to hear from you as well. I feel that this camera upgrade is more of a step down than a step up from my previous iPhone 4S due to the issue of excessive purple haze. And that's what this thread is about. Thanks everyone

The bottom line is. Haze is Haze. you avoid Haze in all Cameras. You take shots in a way to avoid it. saying anything otherwise is just like saying you are purposely feeding into the issue

The Real Bottom Line is that yes iPhone 5 and 4S did have a purple Haze/Lens Flare but those kinds of shots are almost always avoided, Those are the very pictures you delete upon taking them even if they have white lens flare

 

[Kaido]

I'm curious to see how Apple will respond to this issue. I see a few options:

1. Issue a press statement that all cameraphones do it and that's it's normal. So similar to the antenna issue in the past - yes, all phones do it, but it's a problem because it does it moreso than other phones, to the point where it is noticeable.

2. Release a software patch to fix this issue. This may be a complete fix, or it may simply change the color purple to a more natural/common color, such as white or yellow. This is what I am hoping for - an easy fix that simply resolves the problem.

3. Release a hardware fix and do a recall. I doubt this will happen based on Apple's history. It would probably be more cost effective to simply swap out the defective phone for a new one, which leads to #4...

4. Release a silent v2.0 update revision and swap out affect user's iPhones with the new ones that don't have the issue that the first batch did. If they went this route, I'd imagine they will do it quietly and swap it out only for people who ask.

I don't really see any other options. Either they'll ignore it, or they'll fix it through a software patch or a hardware fix, and that hardware fix may end up simply being swapping your phone out with a newer revision that doesn't have the problem.

 

[hasanahmad80]

Here is a camera shot from the 4S

Its just proof people want to 'construct' issues

I don't remember any articles in October/November 2011 about it, do any of you?

 

[fishbert42]

Guys, just as a heads-up, let's keep this thread on track and not feed the trolls. We are going to get our share of camera experts, fanboys, etc. with this issue. The iPhone is not a professional camera, but that doesn't mean that we should ignore the issues that crop up or sweep them under the rug as non-issues.

Wait, so now people who have a different opinion are trolls? The input from 'camera experts' is equivalent to that of fanboys?!

Starting to sound like a religion in here… "Guys! We've got to protect our ideology from the subversive subject matter experts!"

 

[Lightcraftsman]

Yep. It is pretty obvious Kaido has made up his mind the iPhone 5 camera is defective, and no amount of evidence showing otherwise is going to change his opinion.

 

[Aikouka]

Yes, there is a problem. I've already mentioned the topic at hand; yet, a few people are misinterpreting the topic as "only the iPhone 5 has this problem." That isn't what we're taking about. There's nothing wrong with posting photos of other devices doing it, but comparison photos would be the most helpful.

 

[hasanahmad80]

iPhone 5 Lens Flare. Purple Flare with Purple band in middle

iPhone 5 with Light Just outside frame. Purple band dispersing. It will disappear when Light is moved a CM away

iPhone 4S Lens Flare. White Flare encompassing nearly the entire screen but its not Purple anywhere

iPhone 4S With Light Just outside Frame. Contrast suffers and image has whitish glow.

Galaxy S3 with Lens Flare. White Flare encompassing screen with Purple Band in the middle

Galaxy S3 with Light Just outside frame. White light leaks on the corner edge of the image

HTC ONE S with Lens Flare. White Flare encompassing screen with Purple Halo in middle bottom

HTC ONE S with Light Just Outside Frame. White Ghost images encompassing screen

iPhone 4 with Lens Flare. The Grand Daddy of Lens Flare

iPhnone 4 with Light just outside Frame. The image contrast suffers and bluish purple light is around in lines

What is the conclusion?

Every Smartphone suffers from this. The only solution is to avoid it by shooting at a proper angle.


Courtesy PC Mag: http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow_viewer/0,3253,l%3D303211%26a%3D303210%26po%3D1,00.asp?p=n

 

[Jeffknee]

I tested mine and the problem is easy to avoid by very slightly moving the iPhone while looking at the screen, seeing the flare disappear. It's not unavoidable.
A photographer and disagree with the claim this is "not related" to the sapphire lens filter. It's definitely caused by that and/or the thin metal ring around it causing angled light reflections.
On way to minimize the problem *might* be to paint flat black nail polish or enamel oil paint on the thin metal ring (very carefully). It should be flat or matte black. I was planning to do this anyway on the opening of my new iPhone protective shell style case when the accessories arrive on the mail soon. Will keep you posted.

 

[Aikouka]

I guess the easiest way to sum up what I've taken as the point of this thread is...

Why doesn't this photo (from the iPhone 5):

... look like this one (from the iPhone 4S):

?

 

[hasanahmad80]

I guess the easiest way to sum up what I've taken as the point of this thread is...

Why doesn't this photo (from the iPhone 5):



... look like this one (from the iPhone 4S):

Because there is NO point as there will be a flare. it ruins the image on all cameras. Period. Purple White Grey or Pink. Image gets ruined.

Plus its pretty much confirmed the 4S has the purple cast too, if the tester had turned the iPhone 4S 1 degree to the left, it would have had the image like this (taken with a 4S):

http://i.imgur.com/BKb7p.jpg

 

[Spicedaddy]

Yep, for pro photographers they're both crappy pictures with flare.

For most people, the white flare is expected, while the purple flare comes out of nowhere.

 

[WelshBloke]

Yep, for pro photographers they're both crappy pictures with flare.

For most people, the white flare is expected, while the purple flare comes out of nowhere.

This.

For a smartphone snap I can live with a bit of white lens flare, its not that intrusive. The purple lens flare make the photo look a lot odder.

The argument that lens flare is lens flare regardless of the colour is daft. White flare on a snap is what you expect it to look like.

 

[hasanahmad80]

This.

For a smartphone snap I can live with a bit of white lens flare, its not that intrusive. The purple lens flare make the photo look a lot odder.

The argument that lens flare is lens flare regardless of the colour is daft. White flare on a snap is what you expect it to look like.

turn the iPhone 5 1 degree left or right and the purple goes away...just saying. WITH the flare.

 

[WelshBloke]

turn the iPhone 5 1 degree left or right and the purple goes away...just saying. WITH the flare.

Those photos of the garden someone posted earlier all looked like they were from different angles but they all had the purple flare.

 

[JAG87]

I've never experienced this problem because...........drum roll please......

I try to avoid lens flare in my photos?

Unless you people aim to get flare because you think it's artistic?

 

[WelshBloke]

I've never experienced this problem because...........drum roll please......

I try to avoid lens flare in my photos?

Unless you people aim to get flare because you think it's artistic?

Meh, if I'm snapping stuff on my smartphone I generally don't spend ages framing shots.

 

[hasanahmad80]

well ill be damned

 

[WelshBloke]

well ill be damned

So your argument is because you can get the iphone 4 to do it its not more of an issue on the iphone 5?

You seem to be spending quite a bit of effort to convince people who have a problem that they don't in fact have a problem.

"Nothing to see... MOVE ALONG"

 

[fishbert42]

There's nothing wrong with posting photos of other devices doing it, but comparison photos would be the most helpful.

hmm... :hmm:

well ill be damned

ok :thumbsup:

So your argument is because you can get the iphone 4 to do it its not more of an issue on the iphone 5?

You seem to be spending quite a bit of effort to convince people who have a problem that they don't in fact have a problem.

"Nothing to see... MOVE ALONG"

huh?!

 

[Lightcraftsman]

well ill be damned

Once again, look closely at the photos. The iPhone 4S photo has much less of the Sun in it than the iPhone 5 photo. As with the comparison Kaido posted, it appears as if the photographer was deliberately trying to make the iPhone 4S look better.

The PC Mag photos are a much better evaluation, as they were taken under controlled conditions with a variety of smartphones. They also prove what I said earlier, this is just the nature if the beast with inexpensive achromatic lenses. The solution is to not let bright light fall directly on the lens. I like the suggestion of an accessory case with a built-in lens hood. Sign me up.