If you are so close to your subject that the iPad is casting a shadow over it, you're probably too close to be using a flash unless you don't mind really harsh shadows on it.
That said, I'm sure it would hardly cost anything to add an LED flash, and it would certainly be useful when "scanning" documents for example.
While I don't use my iPad as a camera, I do use it to take the occasional photo every so often if I'm in the middle of an iMessage conversation and want to show the other person something quickly, or as suggested, to "scan" in documents and email a copy to someone.
You're far more of an idiot if you think there's no reason that someone could possibly ever justify using the iPad's camera, than someone who uses it because it's convenient.
And you know what? If someone is outdoors and using their iPads as a big camera, let them. Mind your own damn business. Who really cares if someone wants to use their iPad as a camera?
It's great to have a "viewfinder" that size if you have a visual impairment, and far nicer to edit photos on an iPad than a tiny iPhone.
I get the iPad as close as I need to fill the screen, so size of object is issue.
I get as close as 2 inches if I need to, but I also can be 2 feet away but even at 2 feet I could have the shadow of the iPad visible if the lighting is single point and direct (I try to diffuse at all times).
But for sure, there are times an iPad is a preferable platform to use, such as edit the moment you take, upload to web (FaceBook, Twitter, eBay, etc), and for your comments and the comment below...
It's funny because it's a tablet. Almost everyone has a cell phone. People who are into gadgets enough to own an iPad almost certainly have a cell phone. It's much easier and convenient to take pictures with your cell phone than with your iPad. In the case of the iPhone, the camera is better anyway. Also, admittedly, there is a cultural meme going on here. The whole "taking-a-picture-with-the-iPad" as a funny clueless thing to do has been around for a couple years, probably stemming from its status as a luxury item (rather than a necessity, like cell phones have become) and from pop culture's (incorrect) first impression of the iPad as a silly giant iPhone with no particular uses. We're laughing at it mostly out of reflex now, rather than it actually being viscerally funny.
Now, of course there are instances when you just happen to have the ipad in your hand when something photo-worthy happens and it's faster to just click it there. Cool. Of course. And also Face-Time is a lot more fun when you can flip cameras and show someone around. Perfect use for it. Now, would it hurt the iPad to have a flash on it? Absolutely not. But, just for me personally, I don't think of the iPad as something I would frequently (or honestly, ever, with very rare exceptions) be worried about taking pictures with... especially to the extent that not having a flash would impact whether I'd buy it or not. I honestly wouldn't have even thought about it if not for this thread. This is all just my opinion, of course, so if you need the flash I'd say maybe wait for the next model or look for a current tablet that has one (if there are any).
There are plenty of reasons to use the iPad cameras, those who have not made use of them are missing out.
I am not talking going around and using it as a giant camera (unless that is all they have) but
all the other uses that can make using the iPad is easier than an anything else.
I will be far more inclined to get an iPad with flash then without.
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I'd say maybe wait for the next model or look for a current tablet that has one (if there are any).
Most descent full size tablets have LED Flash, and I think all the Samsung and Microsoft ones have them.
When all the top tier tablets have flash and iPad does not,... Waiting for Samsung to make fun of that.
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I think its funny looking on Craigslist or eBay and seeing the square black shadow over the item for sale that you know was produced by an iPad. In my opinion it gives an iPad a bad reputation since you know exact what took that crappy picture.
People that say, "use a real camera" (some spoiled child on the first page even apologized for the OP not being able to afford one haha) is idiotic. The best camera is the one you have on you, do you think people carry p&s cameras around or iPads more? Plus people use iPad cameras because its connected to the internet and what they are trying to do. Using a p&s and then plugging it in and importing pics then uploading blah blah blah, no thanks. I'll use a p&s on trips and at events, not for a random upload to Facebook.
I think the iPad is more then expensive enough to afford a camera flash like other competing products that have flash, vibrate for haptic feedback, notification light, barometer, higher PPI screens, waccom digitizer, sd slots, etc etc.
Perfectly written.
Except for the TouchID, no new major functions have been added to iPad since the iPad 2, 4.5 years ago (just faster and thinner and minor expected system improvements).
Took Apple 2 years before they realized people did want a bigger iPhone (6), perhaps Apple will get the clue about iPad, we do not need a paper thin iPad but a iPad with more features / functions.
