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Wow, some iPhone 5 cameras are GARBAGE! (and NOT purple flare issue)

thadoggfather said:
Maybe not the sensor so much as the lens :D

It's not super obvious but look at the center.

One looks bulging and blue and the other recessed and less obviously blue

But I'll post another sample pic comparison that will end the debate in a bit.

In lower light, the quality differences are greater
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Sapphire Crystal

Although the surface of the iSight camera is as clear as glass, it’s not made of glass. It’s actually sapphire crystal, whose hardness is second only to diamond on the scale of transparent materials. That means the surface of the lens is far less likely to scratch.
Click to expand...

http://www.apple.com/iphone/design/
 
mebehere said:
This is not a productive response. Even though it sounds like my mom. The OP is on top of it. Seems to be a legit problem.
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i don't see how it's not productive. all of my comments are valid. i've actually suffered from all three on my iphone. my lens is always rubbing on something that makes pictures look washed out until i clean with tissue. the leaving the protective film on was by choice though (i left it on until i got a different protective film with a camera hole cut out). anyway, with a protective film that doesn't have a camera cutout you get washed out pictures. and lastly, the fogging up happens a lot if you're in a humid area (happened to me everywhere i went on hawaiian vacation). but yeah, i'm sure the op has covered his bases. i work in IT, and you wouldn't believe how often people forget to cover the basics.
 
Yeah dude it's not greasy hands lol.

I covered the bases. I don't know how much more thorough I can be without disassembling the phone and manually inspecting the camera component.

I worked in tech related customer service too. Big whoop
 
To be honest I can see the difference in image quality, but each picture is slightly off and not the same. Obviously not setup on a tripod or what not.

Was a focal point actually selected and the same one on both phones?


To compare correctly you have to remove variables because the 2 test are not alike.

I'd for one remove both cases, it is known for images that have reflections or shine to it on a cell camera. The Silver back can potential cause issues with the image.

Secondly take the exact picture, same spot, same focal point and shoot.

Only flaw in your test and honestly curious to know if that silver case is an issue...
 
thadoggfather said:
Here's some proof:
Image
Image
(haha I actually took this one out of focus slightly, but I think you can see an obvious difference in saturation and noise, and its much more noticeable when not shooting the subject directly under a light source)
Image
Image

I find it incredible how quickly defensive people are about mass manufactured products without actually having or seeing the issue themselves.
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I can definitely see the difference. I don't think I have this issue but one thing I did notice is that at infinity the screen looks out of focus when I'm trying to compose a picture. A couple even came out slightly out of focus. I don't know what to do be cause otherwise my phone is perfect. I don't have any of the issues that have been mentioned around here. My battery life is fantastic too. I would hate to exchange it and get some of those issues with the new one.
 
cableguy619 said:
To be honest I can see the difference in image quality, but each picture is slightly off and not the same. Obviously not setup on a tripod or what not.

Was a focal point actually selected and the same one on both phones?


To compare correctly you have to remove variables because the 2 test are not alike.

I'd for one remove both cases, it is known for images that have reflections or shine to it on a cell camera. The Silver back can potential cause issues with the image.

Secondly take the exact picture, same spot, same focal point and shoot.

Only flaw in your test and honestly curious to know if that silver case is an issue...
Click to expand...

I will no longer entertain troubleshooting steps. This is beating a beyond dead horse. Good game.

Naked 5 vs. my 5 which takes great shots WITH the case on, there is a noticeable difference.

rocknblogger said:
I can definitely see the difference. I don't think I have this issue but one thing I did notice is that at infinity the screen looks out of focus when I'm trying to compose a picture. A couple even came out slightly out of focus. I don't know what to do be cause otherwise my phone is perfect. I don't have any of the issues that have been mentioned around here. My battery life is fantastic too. I would hate to exchange it and get some of those issues with the new one.
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if the shots look anything as unimpressive as "The effected one" of the two I posted, I would definitely exchange.

Not even exaggerating, my mom's 5 looks like shots from a Galaxy Nexus. And that's not a compliment.

A great camera is crucial on a device you always carry!
 
robaroo said:
i don't see how it's not productive. all of my comments are valid. i've actually suffered from all three on my iphone. my lens is always rubbing on something that makes pictures look washed out until i clean with tissue. the leaving the protective film on was by choice though (i left it on until i got a different protective film with a camera hole cut out). anyway, with a protective film that doesn't have a camera cutout you get washed out pictures. and lastly, the fogging up happens a lot if you're in a humid area (happened to me everywhere i went on hawaiian vacation). but yeah, i'm sure the op has covered his bases. i work in IT, and you wouldn't believe how often people forget to cover the basics.
Click to expand...

I am not arguing. You work in IT. I'm a two-time, award-wining photojournalist for my sports photos. Humidity is absolutely valid. I assumed the OP took the same snaps in the same conditions. In reality, I have no idea. I'm now in advertising. I try to explain the back end of Drupal. I know it takes all kinds. I'm just trying to help. Hi.
 
I believe you. Take it back and exchange. :) I found my camera to be suspect also.
 
It's incredible how few people believe me by way of trying to rule out other variables. Luckily, this is the internet, and I don't need convincing or the popular vote to carry on.

It's not rocket science. And it doesn't take a Genius...

It's the new vaseli-Sight. :mad:

At least my white is perfect-o :cool:
 
thadoggfather said:
More than anything I just wanted to show people who doubt the quality of their camera, they probably aren't wrong
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Good point because I took a few photos with my first iPhone 5, but got it exchanged when the black coating was running right off. I've taken photos with my current iPhone and though that things looked a bit faded, but though I was just being crazy. Now I wonder how easy it would be to prove this to a apple genius.
 
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thadoggfather said:
I will no longer entertain troubleshooting steps. This is beating a beyond dead horse. Good game.

Naked 5 vs. my 5 which takes great shots WITH the case on, there is a noticeable difference.



if the shots look anything as unimpressive as "The effected one" of the two I posted, I would definitely exchange.

Not even exaggerating, my mom's 5 looks like shots from a Galaxy Nexus. And that's not a compliment.

A great camera is crucial on a device you always carry!
Click to expand...

I'm going to have to go out and take some landscapes in different lighting to see how things come out. Then I'll be able to make an educated decision.
 
thadoggfather said:
Did you even read my original post?

Mine takes excellent photos, my mom's doesnt.

Side by side, same subject, same lighting, same focus area.
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This is a disturbing trend with most Apple products these days. Variable quality with vast gaps between good & bad. A characteristic that never existed prior to the explosive sales of iDevices.

While it's understandable & a long standing problem for any company that grows at a break neck pace. That Apple is not doing a better job at minimizing the degradation of quality control is very unfortunate.

If this continues as it seems it will, at some point in time, Apple may end up facing consequences like other companies do. Currently they're still acting like their above it all. Conducting business in a rare consequence free zone.
 
thadoggfather said:
I will no longer entertain troubleshooting steps. This is beating a beyond dead horse. Good game.

Naked 5 vs. my 5 which takes great shots WITH the case on, there is a noticeable difference.



if the shots look anything as unimpressive as "The effected one" of the two I posted, I would definitely exchange.

Not even exaggerating, my mom's 5 looks like shots from a Galaxy Nexus. And that's not a compliment.

A great camera is crucial on a device you always carry!
Click to expand...

No problem just throwing incite as your original pictures were not showing a naked 5 I see 2 different cases and didnt see at the time a naked post or the exact same photo or focal points :).. good luck with your endeavors...
 
ixodes said:
This is a disturbing trend with most Apple products these days. Variable quality with vast gaps between good & bad. A characteristic that never existed prior to the explosive sales of iDevices.

While it's understandable & a long standing problem for any company that grows at a break neck pace. That Apple is not doing a better job at minimizing the degradation of quality control is very unfortunate.

If this continues as it seems it will, at some point in time, Apple may end up facing consequences like other companies do. Currently they're still acting like their above it all. Conducting business in a rare consequence free zone.
Click to expand...

Yes, I agree

Apple is associated with high quality, they should try and maintain that reputation.
 
thadoggfather said:
It's incredible how few people believe me by way of trying to rule out other variables. Luckily, this is the internet, and I don't need convincing or the popular vote to carry on.

It's not rocket science. And it doesn't take a Genius...

It's the new vaseli-Sight. :mad:

At least my white is perfect-o :cool:
Click to expand...

The most annoying thing about this post is your attitude, less so about the specifics of your iPhone mishaps.
 
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I understand that this is annoying you, but in order for anyone here to categorically say you have a faulty phone, can I ask you to do the following please:
Take two images, from the exact same position, without the cover on, after cleaning the lens covers with a lens cloth.
No flash and please post the original images, complete with exit information so we can look at ISO, aperture, shutter speed, focal point etc.
Then we'll be able to tell properly
 
Most of the iPhone camera is software
If you want a good photo snap 10 or 20 of the same picture and choose the best one

Just like pro photogs
 
I get photos just like your 'bad' iPhone 5. The image is washed out unless I shield the lens using my hand.

Maybe the the lens needs extra coating/filtering
 
First off, there seems to be an influx of d-bags on this site that just wait for threads they can crap on. :rolleyes:

My 5 (before I returned it) took awful pictures regardless of where and with what lighting. I think it's plausible that some phones have camera issues.
 
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I'd swap the phone for sure. I'm only a weak hobbyist photographer but the differences between those photos are huge. It's almost like it has a bit of a glamor shot filter going on >.> one of an iPhone's strongest points is it's camera when everything is working properly, at least on the 3 most recent models... So it had better be working properly imo
 
From the sample images you posted, it looks like the phone is using its high ISO "boost" mode (pixel binned then upscaled) in the poor shots. This was observed in dpreview's review with sample shots:

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/6867454450/quick-review-apple-iphone-5-camera/2

I'd suggest looking at the EXIF data for the ISO setting (more than 1000 is using pixel binning). Third party apps that haven't been updated for iPhone 5 have this boost mode always off, and those that have been updated can provide users a way to toggle it. If you have another camera app, I'd try using that as well as taking some photos in better lighting conditions.

My best guess is this is a software bug/quirk where your mom's phone is preferring high ISO over other methods of increasing exposure.
 
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