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iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro camera cannot focus up close
- Thread starter jin1212
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I agree about how weird it is that this flew under the radar of so many reviewers. As I mentioned earlier, it’s probably attributable to the fact that reviewers simply took close focusing for granted, since iPhones have been doing it since the dawn of time...
Whatever the case, this should have been a talking point for a phone with so much hype surrounding its camera module. It’s not the kind of thing that’s going to be a deal breaker for the vast majority of users, but it’s still an unpleasant surprise at best for a lot of people.
For the benefits of other users, I have posted my testing on page 14 of this thread, as well as on iphone subreddit at 12 Pro Max has higher min. focusing distance than the 12 Pro and previous iPhone, thus macro shots is not as good as the rest. : iPhone12Pro (reddit.com)
TLDR, 12PM MFD = 4.5in vs other phones at 3in(12 Pro, 11, and presumably 12 and 12 mini)
Telephoto MFD on the 12PM is at least 12in away, which means at that distance, you might as well take the close up with your wide lens at 4.5in, which will give a much clearer image with lesser noise.
Yes for close objects it gives a blur image and this happens with every image.
This is happening to me too. This is return-worthy to me tbh. Manual focusing (via the Halide app) does not fix the issue.
Astonishing that they tout this as their best camera ever and don't mention this as a hardware-limitation or don't talk about if/when this will be fixed if this is a software bug.
Astonishing that they tout this as their best camera ever and don't mention this as a hardware-limitation or don't talk about if/when this will be fixed if this is a software bug.
And to be clear, this is on the 12 Pro Max. I understand 12 Pro was fixed already via software update.
Not the same problem/issue on the 12P and 12PM.
The increased minimum distance to get focus is specific to the 12PM, does not affect the 12P.
I just got the 12 pro max and had the XR before. I was wondering how come I was able to focus easier on my XR. I hope they fix this issue. I initially had gotten the pro first but watched videos of people saying the pro max was the real camera upgrade. Now I realize this issue at hand. I can't say I'm happy about this at all.
Not the same problem/issue on the 12 mini and 12PM.
The increased minimum distance to get focus is specific to the 12PM, does not affect the 12P or 12M.
All other issues mentioned in this topic have been fixed by software update.
Only 12PM higher than usual minimum focus distance remains.
My daughter has been frustrated with her 12 Pro’s inability to focus well on her subjects, mostly her pets. She says her old Xr is better at that. I wish we would have known about this issue when we were still within the return period.
We were hoping for a software fix. It doesn’t sound like there’s much hope for that.
Interestingly, I've noticed my 12 Pro Max has issues focusing on my Labradoodle's face for portraits. I wonder if her fluffyness is somehow causing issues with the lidar. I definitely got clearer pictures of this dog w/ my Pixel 4XL. Other than the dog, all other photos are great.
Oh no! This sort of thing is an issue that has plagued my last three Samsung phones.
One thing I need to check out with my daughter’s phone is if there really is a problem or she just doesn’t know how to best handle the new camera system.
I've not done enough testing to say for certain. It seems to be more of an issue in portrait mode than in regular snaps with the wide camera. Part of it is because she is a naughty girl who won't stay put and tries to lick the phone/photographer.
A couple of our cats headbutt our phones. Or they smack it with their paws. It makes it look like they’re taking a selfie.
I have one who is well behaved and I use as a model and tests my cameras for me. She also is always present for unboxings. And for screen protector installations.
Is the iPhone 12 Pro Max problem something that can be fixed via firmware or is it hardware based? I bought mine on release date and rather get it swapped sooner rather than later if it's hardware based.
Nobody knows 100% sure, but it seems very very very much like it is hardware.
If it's hardware based and I bought mine on release date in November, would Apple replace the phone free of charge? Since it's an issue that was caused on their end?
If it is hardware, and given what we know now, it's not what I would call an "issue" or a "problem"... seems to be by design, intended behavior, resulting from the sensor and lens size.
But this is all speculation, I'm not 100% sure this is hardware or at least "hardware only", maybe there are other factors at play, and maybe Apple can do something about it to make it perform differently. Who knows, Apple could surprise me and make the minimum focus distance shorter on the 12PM with an update
Having this issue on my 12 max. Really unfortunate. Regretting giving up my 11 max with all these battery issues and camera issues.
