Camera of iPhone can get damaged by laser?

kenny1999 · Nov 11, 2012, 05:38 AM

Some people say camera of iPhone can get damaged by laser source.

I'd like to know if unluckily the camera gets damaged in this case, will it be damaged 'completely' (obviously the camera function cannot be used) or will it be damaged 'partially' such that the user might not know but the quality of photo deteriorate in some ways

Thank you for advice.

AFDoc · Nov 11, 2012, 05:41 AM

Why is this a question? What situation would this be an issue?

Gav2k · Nov 11, 2012, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenny1999

Some people say camera of iPhone can get damaged by laser source.

I'd like to know if unluckily the camera gets damaged in this case, will it be damaged 'completely' (obviously the camera function cannot be used) or will it be damaged 'partially' such that the user might not know but the quality of photo deteriorate in some ways

Thank you for advice.

Yes it can as well as strong sunlight. It burns the sensor out!

tymaster50 · Nov 11, 2012, 05:50 AM

thank you for giving me my early morning laugh

kenny1999 · Nov 11, 2012, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AFDoc

Why is this a question? What situation would this be an issue?

the quality of the photo can deteriorate although the camera might still function.

vastoholic · Nov 11, 2012, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenny1999

the quality of the photo can deteriorate although the camera might still function.

But when or why would you shine a laser into the camera?

blueroom · Nov 11, 2012, 10:30 AM

Plenty of lasers destroying camera sensors on YouTube.

kenny1999 · Nov 11, 2012, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vastoholic

But when or why would you shine a laser into the camera?

of course I won't do this stupid act intentionally. However, there might be some laser sources around the places I am going. Just wish to know if it would damage the lens 'partially' then I would avoid using the phone there.

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueroom

Plenty of lasers destroying camera sensors on YouTube.

I am not intentionally destroying the laser it is non sense. My phone is new and not refurbished one.

vastoholic · Nov 11, 2012, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenny1999

of course I won't do this stupid act intentionally. However, there might be some laser sources around the places I am going. Just wish to know if it would damage the lens 'partially' then I would avoid using the phone there.

----------

I am not intentionally destroying the laser it is non sense. My phone is new and not refurbished one.

I'm assuming these may be some type of IR laser? In which case I have no idea. I believe they say to avoid exposure to the eye with those as well. Basically I have no idea and I'm still very confused where a laser hazard would be a problem for your camera, but I don't think I want to know.

cyclotron451 · Nov 11, 2012, 03:31 PM

I use targeting helium neon visible lasers in my radio frequency anechoic chamber. After a decade of use I was upgrading the Philips CCTV cameras and noticed that the screw-in glass lenses were heavily scarred and darkened by the occasional but cumulative hours of laser activity, this wasn't direct but reflected laser light!. I went and had my eyes checked! The iPhone 5 camera sapphire lens probably could get damaged/ occluded by interstitial darkening - you'd notice some fogging but probably the flip-chip sensor would go first.
Treat laser sources with respect.

don't go near any visible laser over 30mW, and just avoid IR lasers period - with or without an iPhone 5.

finman22 · Nov 11, 2012, 05:00 PM

so can water, dynamite, drops from over 20ft, getting run over by a car.... seriously????

FMJPhoto.com · Nov 11, 2012, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenny1999

However, there might be some laser sources around the places I am going.

What kinds of places are you going where lasers are so prevalent as to be a concern?

Jtludwig · Nov 11, 2012, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FMJPhoto.com

What kinds of places are you going where lasers are so prevalent as to be a concern?

He works for Dr. Evil on the "Laser".

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by finman22

so can water, dynamite, drops from over 20ft, getting run over by a car.... seriously????

I work in an area where there is a chance that my phone could get smashed by a hammer. Could this damage the phone? Or could it be damaged in some undetectable way that doesn't negatively effect performance?

FMJPhoto.com · Nov 11, 2012, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jtludwig

He works for Dr. Evil on the "Laser".

Image

----------

I work in an area where there is a chance that my phone could get smashed by a hammer. Could this damage the phone? Or could it be damaged in some undetectable way that doesn't negatively effect performance?

lol Winner

darster · Nov 11, 2012, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenny1999

Some people say camera of iPhone can get damaged by laser source.

I'd like to know if unluckily the camera gets damaged in this case, will it be damaged 'completely' (obviously the camera function cannot be used) or will it be damaged 'partially' such that the user might not know but the quality of photo deteriorate in some ways

Thank you for advice.

Shine a laser in your eye, and you get the same results.

bowlerman625 · Nov 11, 2012, 05:27 PM

I know someone who works as a bowling center mechanic...is his iPhone 5 at risk if it gets between two moving bowling balls ? I'm worried for him.......

Jtludwig · Nov 11, 2012, 05:39 PM

Sheesh. This ranks right up there with that guy who thought he had a bent IPhone.

AFDoc · Nov 11, 2012, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenny1999

the quality of the photo can deteriorate although the camera might still function.

Yes but my point is why is this an issue? Are you pointing lazers at your phones camera?

kenny1999 · Nov 12, 2012, 06:15 AM

Hello

Let me be a little more specific for my case.

1. I usually go to bar and night places where there are lots of lights shining around, are they laser? And one thing is - I usually see some strong red light there, they seems like to be coming from the High-Fi equipment. I often go to these places so I wish to know if they are laser or if the laser there strong enough to kill the camera, then I will avoid taking photos in those places if that's the case.

2. Everyone please understand that I am not asking stupid questions. You might misunderstand me because I am not speaking English as my first language. Please forgive.

aliensporebomb · Nov 21, 2012, 02:05 PM

Not only do I recommend keeping your apple products away from lasers but also from hydrostatic ram accelerator turbines. Just a warning.

Nov 11, 2012, 05:38 AM	#1
kenny1999 macrumors newbie Join Date: Oct 2012	Camera of iPhone can get damaged by laser? Some people say camera of iPhone can get damaged by laser source. I'd like to know if unluckily the camera gets damaged in this case, will it be damaged 'completely' (obviously the camera function cannot be used) or will it be damaged 'partially' such that the user might not know but the quality of photo deteriorate in some ways Thank you for advice.
	0

Nov 11, 2012, 10:30 AM	#7
blueroom macrumors 601 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada	Plenty of lasers destroying camera sensors on YouTube. __________________ My iOS devices are not jailbroken. Bill My Blog
	0

Nov 11, 2012, 05:00 PM	#11
finman22 macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2010	yes so can water, dynamite, drops from over 20ft, getting run over by a car.... seriously????
	1

Nov 11, 2012, 05:27 PM	#16
bowlerman625 macrumors 68020 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chicago, IL area	I know someone who works as a bowling center mechanic...is his iPhone 5 at risk if it gets between two moving bowling balls ? I'm worried for him....... __________________ Have Macs, iPhones, iPads, iPods, Apple TVs - enjoy the products and sometimes the kool aid too!
	0

Nov 21, 2012, 02:05 PM	#20
aliensporebomb macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA, Urth	Ah! Not only do I recommend keeping your apple products away from lasers but also from hydrostatic ram accelerator turbines. Just a warning. __________________ ASB Music Web is at http://www.aliensporebomb.com/ "This is Aliensporebomb" (a soundtrack with no film) is available at http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/thi...mb/id391880218
	0

Nov 11, 2012, 05:41 AM	#2
AFDoc macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Colorado Springs USA for now	Why is this a question? What situation would this be an issue?
	1

Nov 11, 2012, 05:50 AM	#4
tymaster50 macrumors 68000 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: New Jersey	thank you for giving me my early morning laugh
	4

Nov 11, 2012, 03:31 PM	#10
cyclotron451 macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Europe	I use targeting helium neon visible lasers in my radio frequency anechoic chamber. After a decade of use I was upgrading the Philips CCTV cameras and noticed that the screw-in glass lenses were heavily scarred and darkened by the occasional but cumulative hours of laser activity, this wasn't direct but reflected laser light!. I went and had my eyes checked! The iPhone 5 camera sapphire lens probably could get damaged/ occluded by interstitial darkening - you'd notice some fogging but probably the flip-chip sensor would go first. Treat laser sources with respect. don't go near any visible laser over 30mW, and just avoid IR lasers period - with or without an iPhone 5.
	0

Nov 11, 2012, 05:39 PM	#17
Jtludwig macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2012	Sheesh. This ranks right up there with that guy who thought he had a bent IPhone.
	0

Nov 12, 2012, 06:15 AM	#19
kenny1999 Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Oct 2012	Hello Let me be a little more specific for my case. 1. I usually go to bar and night places where there are lots of lights shining around, are they laser? And one thing is - I usually see some strong red light there, they seems like to be coming from the High-Fi equipment. I often go to these places so I wish to know if they are laser or if the laser there strong enough to kill the camera, then I will avoid taking photos in those places if that's the case. 2. Everyone please understand that I am not asking stupid questions. You might misunderstand me because I am not speaking English as my first language. Please forgive.
	1

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