Whats going on with iPhone 6 Camera? Please Help!

[DJTaurus]

I cant really see any real improvements over the 5S camera in real life.....

The iphone 6 camera seems to be better in close up shots... when taking photos of faces/objects etc.... they seem more clear....

These are some photos from a trip to Paris. Whats going on with the all the noise and blur in the background. All these photos were taken with tap to focus and HDR to auto. All other camera settings are to default.

Washed-up trees and backgrounds in general
http://oi61.tinypic.com/1rbt5d.jpg
http://oi59.tinypic.com/25kk42h.jpg
http://postimg.org/image/f5e872r6r/
http://oi57.tinypic.com/lfk7p.jpg
http://postimg.org/image/bimeo0rp5/
http://postimg.org/image/hyau4wii3/

This looks better
http://postimg.org/image/clqhtesjz/

Comparison shots...look at how better shot taken with the 5S!!!!!!!!!!

iPhone 5S
http://postimg.org/image/rgayd7tov/

iPhone 6
http://oi61.tinypic.com/15hzgch.jpg

Do all these blurry backgrounds happen on the 6 Plus too?.... i am really thinking to switch back to 5S or try the Plus!

 

[jabingla2810]

Unfortunatley what you are seeing is right.

I have had every iPhone since the 3GS, and this is the first time I haven't seen an improvement in the camera, infact, i'd argue that the iPhone 5S takes better photos.

It's a matter of opinion though, but I find the iPhone 6 (And 6+) applies far too much noise reduction when processing pictures. The result is a less noisey, but also a softer, less sharp photo.

I said that I hoped Apple would fix this in a future software update, however, it has been so long now, I think they are prioritising noise reduction over clarity and sharpness. Which is fine, it's a decision they had to make, and in some situations it is the right decision, but not always.

 

[Newtons Apple]

My 5S camera was my favorite. Hoping that Apple is working on un update to improve my 6. I am afraid it is just not going to be better.

 

[SeilerBird]

I think you are wrong to blame the camera. I have a 6 and I get fantastic results. I think you need to learn a lot more about photography in general.

https://picasaweb.google.com/108464110929132780547/November?authuser=0&feat=directlink

 

[DJTaurus]

I think you are wrong to blame the camera. I have a 6 and I get fantastic results. I think you need to learn a lot more about photography in general.

https://picasaweb.google.com/108464110929132780547/November?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Mate its not just me. iPhone 5S shots are more clear. iPhone 6 wins in close ups.... the blurry backgrounds are a fact.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1797081/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1790221/

Ok you have took some amazing photos... but look how blurry is one of yours.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-...M/q4F4YzN8qzs/w1118-h629-no/Union+meeting.jpg

Ok so.... can you give me some tips in order to shoot better? Because by default as you can see in my photo comparison the shot taken with 5S is sharper.

 

[jabingla2810]

Mate its not just me. iPhone 5S shots are more clear. iPhone 6 wins in close ups.... the blurry backgrounds are a fact.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1797081/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1790221/

Ok you have took some amazing photos... but look how blurry is one of yours.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-...M/q4F4YzN8qzs/w1118-h629-no/Union+meeting.jpg

Ok so.... can you give me some tips in order to shoot better? Because by default as you can see in my photo comparison the shot taken with 5S is sharper.

Absolutely agree, the grass looks like a Monet painting.

The iPhone 6 processes pictures with heavy noise reduction even in situations where it isn't necessary.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Absolutely agree, the grass looks like a Monet painting.

The iPhone 6 processes pictures with heavy noise reduction even in situations where it isn't necessary.

Agreed. Apple needs to give us choice so we can turn off or reduce the heavy handed NR!

 

[SeilerBird]

Mate its not just me. iPhone 5S shots are more clear.

Comparison shots are worthless, even the ones done professionally like DPReview does. There are just too many variables and it is impossible to have identical shooting situations. You might think they are identical but they are not.

Ok so.... can you give me some tips in order to shoot better? Because by default as you can see in my photo comparison the shot taken with 5S is sharper.

So you took both shots while mounted on tripods? Otherwise you will end up with camera shake.

Yes I could give you tips all day long. But as I said to need to learn more about photography. That would include taking some classes or workshops to improve your skills.

Some things you really need to know, it is not the camera it is the photographer. It is a very poor workman who blames his tools.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Comparison shots are worthless, even the ones done professionally like DPReview does. There are just too many variables and it is impossible to have identical shooting situations. You might think they are identical but they are not.

So you took both shots while mounted on tripods? Otherwise you will end up with camera shake.

Yes I could give you tips all day long. But as I said to need to learn more about photography. That would include taking some classes or workshops to improve your skills.

Some things you really need to know, it is not the camera it is the photographer. It is a very poor workman who blames his tools.

I have been a photographer for over 40 years and use Nikon DSLRs along with Leica. I feel I DO know what I am talking about and my 5S takes better images than my 6 and maybe ties with the 6+.

Do not assume peeple do not know what they are doing.

 

[jabingla2810]

Some things you really need to know, it is not the camera it is the photographer. It is a very poor workman who blames his tools.

We aren't judging the photos here in terms of composition and drama, we are judging the quality in terms of sharpness and clarity.

If the camera you use doesn't matter, why do people spend thousands on high quality lenses and bodys?

The photo processing on the iPhone 6 is different to the 5S, and to some people, me included, it is worse. Nothing to do with the user.

 

[SeilerBird]

If the camera you use doesn't matter, why do people spend thousands on high quality lenses and bodys?

Mainly because of ego. Many photographers think the more money they spend on camera gear makes them a better photographerl.

The photo processing on the iPhone 6 is different to the 5S, and to some people, me included, it is worse. Nothing to do with the user.[/QUOTE]
Yes it has everything to do with the user. All cameras have limitations from a pinhole to the Hubble. No camera can do it all. It is up to the user to find out the limitations and advantages to a particular camera.

 

[reery]

It's obvious that a nice 85mm f1.2 for $2k makes more pleasant portraits than an average lens for 200 bucks in the same situation.

A skilled photographer can push a $200 lens to its limits, but no further than what it can physically achieve.

 

[jabingla2810]

Mainly because of ego. Many photographers think the more money they spend on camera gear makes them a better photographerl.

The photo processing on the iPhone 6 is different to the 5S, and to some people, me included, it is worse. Nothing to do with the user.
Yes it has everything to do with the user. All cameras have limitations from a pinhole to the Hubble. No camera can do it all. It is up to the user to find out the limitations and advantages to a particular camera.

So you are saying, the noise reduction the iPhone 6 instantly processes the picture with, that isn't under the users control, is infact the users fault?

Cameras don't just capture an image and present it to the user in a neutral fashion, unless you are shooting RAW. Cameras do a lot of processing (ISP) of the photo's on the users behalf and present what they think the user wants to see. Higher contrasts, higher saturation, noise reduction, white balance, deeper blacks, brighter reds, lighter shadows, darker highlights, all sorts of things. Different companies process photos in different ways, in the same way different headphones manufacturers favour different sound signitures, and you as a user must decide which headphones you prefer.

Same goes for cameras. The processing Apple has decided to apply to pictures taken on the iPhone 6 tends towards heavy use of noise reduction, and as a trade off, you can lose some sharpness and detail.

It's all a trade off and no camera will capture the 'perfect' image without some editing.

This isn't a user issue, because it is out of the users hands. This is a decision Apple have made on the users behalf, and it's a decision which some users, not all, don't like.

 

[DJTaurus]

Yes it has everything to do with the user. All cameras have limitations from a pinhole to the Hubble. No camera can do it all. It is up to the user to find out the limitations and advantages to a particular camera.

So do you accept your own photo?... its totally washed out.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-...M/q4F4YzN8qzs/w1118-h629-no/Union+meeting.jpg

I am not biased. I never had any problem with my 5S camera.

This is a photo taken with my 5S. Trees in the background look decent. Even when you zoom in.
http://oi60.tinypic.com/14szfvc.jpg

Taken with iphone 6... ok its different conditions but washed out trees/building in the background.
http://oi57.tinypic.com/21b2kck.jpg

Taken with iphone 6.... decent shot near the camera but washed out trees.
http://oi58.tinypic.com/k2qlc.jpg

 

[VFC]

Mainly because of ego. Many photographers think the more money they spend on camera gear makes them a better photographerl.

....

So you would be okay if you hired a professional photographer for your wedding and he showed up with an iPhone 6+ to take the pictures (indoors at the church and reception hall)?

 

[ET iPhone Home]

I cant really see any real improvements over the 5S camera in real life.....

The iphone 6 camera seems to be better in close up shots... when taking photos of faces/objects etc.... they seem more clear....

These are some photos from a trip to Paris. Whats going on with the all the noise and blur in the background. All these photos were taken with tap to focus and HDR to auto. All other camera settings are to default.

Washed-up trees and backgrounds in general
http://oi61.tinypic.com/1rbt5d.jpg
http://oi59.tinypic.com/25kk42h.jpg
http://postimg.org/image/f5e872r6r/
http://oi57.tinypic.com/lfk7p.jpg
http://postimg.org/image/bimeo0rp5/
http://postimg.org/image/hyau4wii3/

This looks better
http://postimg.org/image/clqhtesjz/

Comparison shots...look at how better shot taken with the 5S!!!!!!!!!!

iPhone 5S
http://postimg.org/image/rgayd7tov/

iPhone 6
http://oi61.tinypic.com/15hzgch.jpg

Do all these blurry backgrounds happen on the 6 Plus too?.... i am really thinking to switch back to 5S or try the Plus!

OP, those photos all look great. The last two photos seemed the sun was out more, whereas the others, seemed more of a cloudy day. All the photos were above average IMO.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Which would you rather have?

Shot with iPhone 6+ and full of the Monet effect:

Shot with iPhone 5s and washed out (particularly in the upper half):

 

[lordofthereef]

So you would be okay if you hired a professional photographer for your wedding and he showed up with an iPhone 6+ to take the pictures (indoors at the church and reception hall)?

Someone recently started a thread stating he was a professional and has gotten rid of all of his cameras since the 6 plus is all he needs.

I made, what I considered to be, a fairly neutral statement: "I don't think one can consider themselves a professional photographer and use nothing but an iPhone."

The guy proceeded to rip me a new one, tell me how it "must be difficult to always be right" and kept going on and on. A handful of people in the thread agreed with him.

At that point responded by stating it was simple opinions on my end and I just bowed out, somewhat baffled, as my intention wasn't to start an argument and certainly not continue one. What I learned from that thread is that some people would, indeed, seem to be ok with their wedding being shot entirely by an iphone.

 

[brittadine]

So disappointed with iPhone 6 I returned it...

Got my iPhone for Christmas... the first photos I took looked INSANE. So blurry, watercolor almost. I thought I must have accidentally had HDR on - or something else could have caused the poor quality and Monet effect. I configured all of my settings and tried again... and was aghast at the results. I still cannot believe that Apple made the decision to apply such heavy-handed noise reduction to images? The results are as if we all went back in time by nearly 15 years and were shooting with some of the first consumer digi cams, then processing them in Microsoft Image Edit, adding the watercolor filter. It's MINDBLOWINGLY bad. I've traveled the world with only my 5... I was SO looking forward to treating myself to the 6 but it was unusable. I returned it today.

It's not you, it's the noise reduction being run on all of your images. Something which Apple has decided to force on us? Absolutely bizarre decision. I think Jobs must be rolling in his grave.

Side by side 5 versus 6.

 

[Small White Car]

More wonderful "photography" from the iPhone 6:

I'm seriously befuddled that there are still people arguing that this is user error.

To them I ask: How do I achieve this look using an iPhone 5S? Since it's the user doing it they should be able to do it to any iPhone. Right?

 

[brittadine]

Obvious Issues with Noise Reduction

I agree - ANY talk of this being user error is laughable. I'm a creative professional with more than enough knowledge of how to take good photos. And I've been in love with taking photos on my phone every since the 5 came out. The 6 was like being transported back 15 years in digital camera history. My first HP digital camera in 2001 shot photos nearly as well.

I have access to press contact at major publications. If anyone wants to get serious about this and at least have some hope Apple might address the insane algorithms used on image processing for iPhone 6, please let me know. I've already reached out to one journalist for an online pub. and I'm sourcing contacts for major newspapers, magazines, and websites this week.