Looking for iPh4 case protecting the lens

[Habakuk]

Can't await delivery of my iPhone 4 at end of July. Still looking for a case like Griffin Clarifi for iPhone 3G that protects the precious main camera lens with a slider or—even better—a closeup lens. Couldn't find anything like this in Austrian Apple Store (only Apples bumper case).

An additional advantage of the Griffin case is that you can put the phone into an original Apple Dock without having to dismount the complete case. Here you have some photos of my white iPhone 3G with that case:

http://rossau.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/ip_griffin_clarifi_04.jpg

http://rossau.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/ip_griffin_clarifi_10.png

http://rossau.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/ip_griffin_clarifi_01.jpg

http://rossau.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/img_0303.jpg

Has anyone tried to fit the iPhone 4 into this case? There is really a need to cover that camera lens! It's located at a exposed place and prone to scratches. You don't need to be a professional photographer for knowing that you have to protect lenses. The smaller the more!

Thanks for reading and any hints in advance.

 

[xraytech]

Can't await delivery of my iPhone 4 at end of July. Still looking for a case like Griffin Clarifi for iPhone 3G that protects the precious main camera lens with a slider or—even better—a closeup lens. Couldn't find anything like this in Austrian Apple Store (only Apples bumper case).

An additional advantage of the Griffin case is that you can put the phone into an original Apple Dock without having to dismount the complete case. Here you have some photos of my white iPhone 3G with that case:

http://rossau.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/ip_griffin_clarifi_04.jpg

http://rossau.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/ip_griffin_clarifi_10.png

http://rossau.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/ip_griffin_clarifi_01.jpg

http://rossau.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/img_0303.jpg

Has anyone tried to fit the iPhone 4 into this case? There is really a need to cover that camera lens! It's located at a exposed place and prone to scratches. You don't need to be a professional photographer for knowing that you have to protect lenses. The smaller the more!

Thanks for reading and any hints in advance.

The REAL lens is behind the back plate. So the iPhone lens is well protected from scratches to begin with. As for a case with a close up lens, not really necessary. The iP4 lens already takes excellent photos up close. If anything, any addition would degrade the image quality of your photos and possibly interfere with the flash.

 

[Habakuk]

The REAL lens is behind the back plate.

Good to know, thanks. So the back plate is not spared out (like most cases) for the camera lens but it covers it according to your description. Seems to be similar to iPhone 3G: It's not direct the camera lens on the surface but a piece of glass or plastic built in the case with a small bezel around.

So the iPhone lens is well protected from scratches to begin with.

Okay. But the back plate is not protected at this spot then. Should be more resistant to scratches than a lens maybe. Here we need some field reports. The back plate—if it's scratched there and leaves the camera function unusable or restricted usable—is a rather expensive spare part (US$140+).

So it makes almost no difference if we talk about the REAL camera lens or the back plate being protected or not at this spot.

As for a case with a close up lens, not really necessary. The iP4 lens already takes excellent photos up close.

I am with you on that. I just mentioned the closeup lens because the Griffin Clarifi Case for iPhone 3G combines it very well with a slider door. For me personally the protection function is far more important than any additional closeup function.

If anything, any addition would degrade the image quality of your photos and possibly interfere with the flash.

Yes. I've heard that lots of cases interfere badly with the flash. But from a photographic view a closeup lens would open even more range to well-focussed close lens to object distances with the iPhone 4 camera as well when it's good constructed and you can slide it away for "normal" (non-closeup) photos. But as said before: The protective function would be by far more important than any additional closeup range.

In another forum somebody mentioned the OtterBox Defender:

http://www.otterbox.com/iphone-cases/iphone-4-cases/iphone-4-defender-series-case/

Somebody wrote about that case (it isn't available yet):

The lens cover is clear, and can't be seen in the product photos (behind the link above). There is also a clear cover over the Apple logo on back…

What I hate—it gives even more emphasis on the "hey it's a real iPhone"-logo. That's not my style. Most of the cases protecting the back have the logo spared out for some reason that I don't need.

…I know this because I have a Defender case for my 3GS, and I doubt it will be changed for the iP4.

So I am really interested in reviews of that case (despite of the logo). It seems to be the only one with additional protection of the camera area. I hope that the clear cover of the OtterBox Defender doesn't influence photo/video image quality and flash power.

But one thing is clear for me: I've never seen such a bunch of crap like the most iPhone 4 cases available. They are just looking shiny and pretty on product photos but have very restricted practical functions.

 

[xraytech]

To OP,

I'm just saying, not really necessary.

Peace dude, hope you find what you're looking for.