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Apple Acknowledges iPhone 5 Camera Flaw
An anonymous reader writes "Many iPhone 5 users are complaining that its camera is adding a purple flare to their photos. Speculation is that it's caused by the new sapphire lens cover that Apple touted as 'thinner and more durable than standard glass with the ability to provide crystal clear images.' Apple's response to those who've complained? 'The purple flare in the image provided is considered normal behavior for iPhone 5's camera.'"
While it's a predictable joke after Antennagate, there is a kernel of truth here. It's a challenge for all cellphone cameras, not just Apple's, to capture the light you want and to weed out the stray light you don't want.
On a dedicated camera, the lens is typically recessed. This does two things: avoids light from the side to bounce around in the optics, and avoids fingerprints on the lens itself. Light from the side, and finger oils on the lens, are big contributors to lens flare. Combining side light and oils on the optics is a recipe for DIY Instagram photos.
On a cellphone, especially Apple's, they try hard not to have recessed areas on the case. It makes the whole phone thicker than it needs to be, and it catches pocket lint and sharp objects like keys or pencils. Luckily, a really flush surface is fairly easy to clean.
So that leaves the side light. If the brightest light sources are behind you, no problem with side-light lens flare. (It may make it harder to see the preview screen though.) If you have a strong light off to your side, and it may be able to fall on the lens, then cupping your hand into a primitive gobo or shield will help a lot.
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Yes, we expected excuses from the fanbois. Thing is, how a camera handles bright light sources in or just outside the picture is an item on the checklist for a good camera. Purple flares from the lens coating, lines from saturated CMOS sensors, etc, are things that one might expect from a cheap "has a camera because every phone must have one" cellphone, but not from the flagship product of an expensive brand. These artifacts are pathetic and the excuses even more so.
That is not Chromatic abberation, that would merely be a fringing on one side or the other. It is true "Flare".
Most likely the sapphire window is letting in more UV and IR light and that is bouncing between the elements in the lens to cause the result seen.
How is it a challenge when this was a non-issue in the iPhone 4 / 4S ??
Apple shit the bed on quality control this time around. Everyday I read about more problems with my shiny new iPhone5 !!
You can't make the argument that it's as good as it gets when the previous version didn't have the problem.
If you're reading about them instead of experiencing them, you should probably calm the fuck down.
I am cool with the iPhone 5 not having a top tier camera.
But maybe they should not have touted the new lens cover as having the ability to deliver crystal clear images.
Do not advertise that which you can not deliver. If you think that telling people how awesome your camera is and then pointing to a lens cover that will throw a purple flare on images that have some light source in them and telling people it will deliver crystal clear images I have only two questions for you.
One. Do you think it is ok for HTC to lie to you about their products?
Two. Taking into account the answer from one. Do you realize that your ability to critically think has been compromised by your love of Apple?
Why is it so hard to only have politicians for a few years, then have them go away?