iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro camera cannot focus up close

[TrueBlou]

I’ve a feeling it’s software. Here’s a couple of shots showing the closest I can focus with the normal lens, compared to the zoom lens, which is perhaps not surprisingly, a lot closer

Focusing was a bit better than the photos, I’m shaking about thanks to my stupid nerve damage and the cold, with the snow today.

 

[stitch94]

I’ve a feeling it’s software. Here’s a couple of shots showing the closest I can focus with the normal lens, compared to the zoom lens, which is perhaps not surprisingly, a lot closer

Focusing was a bit better than the photos, I’m shaking about thanks to my stupid nerve damage and the cold, with the snow today.

View attachment 1686492

View attachment 1686490

Based on my testing, any subject closer than 12 inches, the telephoto lens will not be used, and instead it’s just a digital crop of the normal wide angle lens.

 

[Snayton]

So is this 12 pro max issue going to get fixed? I can't believe Apple has not said anything about this yet. I find this to be a very big issue. I use macro shots and videos for my work. I'm on the verge of returning it and getting a 12 pro.

 

[chanerz]

I don't think there is a fix. This is how the camera is made.

 

[Taz Mangus]

New iPhone still have the same lens flare issue. In all the videos and photos that i see in youtube or forums, the same ****.. i cant understand why apple doesnt do something like sony in their cameras...

Have you reported this to Apple support?

 

[Shanghaichica]

I think it’s because of the larger sensor size. The S20 ultra has the same issue. Software can improve it but I don’t think it can completely resolve the issue.

 

[Snayton]

I would be happy with some sort of fix at least. I called Apple Care support and a higher up called me back. He had me take like ten pictures and sent them to him. He said he is going to do some research and lets see what happens. I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Jacob Anthony Underwood]

I am having the same issue. If enough of us report it, maybe Apple will prioritize it. I haven’t tried 14.3 beta, does that fix it?

 

[Travis299]

12 Pro.

 

[Philljp]

Videos have now started appearing on YouTube about it. But how the heck have all the big phone reviewers missed this!!

 

[agerly]

Sorry guys, I have a 12 pro max and when shooting a macro, if I want to get closer, I hit the 2.5 zoom and that trick solves the problem. For the video, the same. Therefore, it looks like it's a software problem that does not change the lens automatically when closing up. An example below...is that enough for a macro?

 

[Philljp]

While that might give you a macro type shot. It’s not the same thing as focusing closely with the main camera.

Sorry guys, I have a 12 pro max and when shooting a macro, if I want to get closer, I hit the 2.5 zoom and that trick solves the problem. For the video, the same. Therefore, it looks like it's a software problem that does not change the lens automatically when closing up. An example below...is that enough for a macro?

 

[agerly]

While that might give you a macro type shot. It’s not the same thing as focusing closely with the main camera.

No it’s not the same thing, but apart from I wrote that it needs a fix, what exactly it’s the point of focusing closely if not for taking a macro shot? Am I missing something? My point was to show that the camera is capable of focusing very close, and apparently it’s not a hardware issue

 

[Next Stop]

No it’s not the same thing, but apart from I wrote that it needs a fix, what exactly it’s the point of focusing closely if not for taking a macro shot? Am I missing something? My point was to show that the camera is capable of focusing very close, and apparently it’s not a hardware issue

Try using that zoom in low light or indoors with artificial light.

 

[Iceflyger]

I just updated to iOS 14.3 and the issue is still there on my 12 pro max.
Even my 2020 iPad Pro can focus 2 times closer ...

Now I wonder if literally every 12 pro max has this issue or just some of them ? If you have friends or relatives who have a 12 pro max could you ask them ? Because maybe we are all the unlucky early adopter and received the 1st gen 12PM and newer ones may have new hardware that solved this issue.

 

[agerly]

Try using that zoom in low light or indoors with artificial light.

The pic I attached was taken indoors with artificial light...

 

[stitch94]

The pic I attached was taken indoors with artificial light...

I have tested multiple times that the telephoto lens will only be engaged if the subject is at least 12inches away as it won’t be able to focus any closer.

that means if you try to zoom into subject that is close to you, you’re basically using the wide lens with digital crop.

Quality of telephoto lens at 12 inches away is noticeably worse than those with wide lens at 4.5 inches away.

 

[agerly]

I have tested multiple times that the telephoto lens will only be engaged if the subject is at least 12inches away as it won’t be able to focus any closer.

that means if you try to zoom into subject that is close to you, you’re basically using the wide lens with digital crop.

Quality of telephoto lens at 12 inches away is noticeably worse than those with wide lens at 4.5 inches away.

Sorry for I use other metrics, 12 inches = 30 cm definitely not my case. I can focus with normal lens until about 8 cm or 3 inches, then I press the telephoto and this is the result, indoor and artificial low light:

each couple, first pic is normal lens, second telephoto from there.
I really don't know what to say, maybe mine 12PM is working fine? I thought I had the same problem discussed here because with my old smartphone I could make supermacro easily and automatically

 

[johnnylarue]

Sorry for I use other metrics, 12 inches = 30 cm definitely not my case. I can focus with normal lens until about 8 cm or 3 inches, then I press the telephoto and this is the result, indoor and artificial low light:

each couple, first pic is normal lens, second telephoto from there.
I really don't know what to say, maybe mine 12PM is working fine? I thought I had the same problem discussed here because with my old smartphone I could make supermacro easily and automatically

Have you tried putting your finger over the Tele lens while you take that shot? I would wager the phone is playing a trick on you. My 12 Pro switches to Wide on the 2X zoom for any subject closer than 15-20 inches.

Also, as has been discussed ad nauseam in this thread, it’s actually not physically possible for the 12PM Wide lens to focus closer than 4.5 inches (11.4 cm). That’s been established as the minimum focus distance of that lens. Try measuring from your lens to your subject with a tape measure and you’ll see. 🧐

All told, it’s not perfect but I still find the macro results using 2X zoom to be pretty usable on the 12/Mini/Pro.

 

[stitch94]

I retested again outdoor with good lighting.

It confirms the focus distance for the tele lens is >12 inches (>30cm), and for wide lens it’s 4.5 inches ( ~12cm)

aside from the background compression, the close up shot taken with the wide lens has better details in general. Look at the stem and the disk flowers. The difference is small but noticeable.

 

[agerly]

Have you tried putting your finger over the Tele lens while you take that shot? I would wager the phone is playing a trick on you. My 12 Pro switches to Wide on the 2X zoom for any subject closer than 15-20 inches.

Also, as has been discussed ad nauseam in this thread, it’s actually not physically possible for the 12PM Wide lens to focus closer than 4.5 inches (11.4 cm). That’s been established as the minimum focus distance of that lens. Try measuring from your lens to your subject with a tape measure and you’ll see. 🧐

All told, it’s not perfect but I still find the macro results using 2X zoom to be pretty usable on the 12/Mini/Pro.

My 12PM does not switch automatically, I have to press manually 2x to use tele or .5 to use ultrawide.
But with tele I can shoot very nice macros.
Thanks for the correction about the minimum distance. So if it's the minimum distance for the wide lens is 11.4, my phone is doing correct.
Since I am new to iphone, I don't get what should be the correct behaviour of the camera: if I use tele it is supposed to switch automatically to wide when close up?

 

[jaked.902]

There are two bits of evidence I think are likely relevant but I don’t see anyone mentioning in this thread, you experts can comment on the implications:

For me, macro focus using 1x and 2x lenses works like a charm as close as 4” as long as the entire frame is at the same focal distance. If the focus point is at a different focal distance than the background, focus fails and resorts for the 1x lens + digital crops.

And, covering the lidar sensor remedies the problem for me (ie. allows focus under 4” with the 2x lens).

I have the 12 pro running 14.2.1

 

[YaBoiD]

I’m experiencing this issue also. Really hoping for a software fix in 14.3.

 

[Laatikkoxx]

I’m still experiencing focus issues on newest developer beta on iPhone 12 Pro. I went to few stores to check if other 12 Pros/Pro Maxs had the same problem and yes they did. I’m not sure of the iOS version they were on.

 

[SergioRZ]

Probably would be more effective to split this into two separate topics?

1- Erratic Focusing issues (12P and maybe all the other 12 phones)
2- Minimum Focus Distance much larger than usual (specific to 12PM only)

Here's a new (?) video about the 12PM Minimum Focus Distance issue: