Hi,
I took some low light footage on my iPhone 11 pro and it turns out useless because of how much lens flare is visible. It doesn't happen on other phones or digital cameras. The footage looks really bad. Here is an example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kCu9v7_AGE
iPhone 11 Pro
I recommend contacting Apple support. I called right away after I noticed it, was on the phone for 10 minutes, was offered 4 different options;
I have a local Best Buy in town where I live, so I went in the next day and had them run through their procedures with diagnostic tools and checks, then proceed telling me I could either drive to an Apple store who had the part (2 hour drive) or wait a week for him to order the part. Week passed, got my phone in, took about an hour, presto, new camera setup, much better results.
If you can, definitely do #2 and get the new lens it is by far the best option. I wouldn't do #4 because you could get a refurbished one (which isn't acceptable for an investment like this to get a used item) that likely never had its lens replaced.
Best of Luck
It would be interesting to ask them exactly what they do with it.
Now, I do not believe that they will find anything out of the ordinary other than it is like all others...
To my humble opinion, the extreme lens flare is an engineering defect which main culprits are 1) the lenses covers 2) the mirror like bump and 3) the glossy lenses rings... On top of that the lenses covers are prone to cracking easily.
The types of flares produced on DSLRs and larger mirrorless cameras are very different, and are caused by light from outside the frame, bouncing off the side of the lens and onto the sensor. That’s why they can generally be eliminated with use of a lens hood. I can say with certainty that my Panasonic GH5 does not produce these types of aberrations in this scenario, or any other.
These reflections are different — I suspect they’re caused by having the lens cover so close to the sensor. The light is bouncing off the optics, onto the cover, and then back into the camera. That’s why there’s a mirrored effect.
Obviously, smart phones need to have small cameras, and that’s why every one I tested suffers from this issue to some degree. The question is, why are some substantially worse than others?
I would try the Jeep Wrangler first because it is possible.
As far as I know it is not possible to test iPhones, take some snaps, go home, check these out then decide to buy or not to buy... I would have bought it anyway as I was curious about the 3 cameras integration which I must admit is interesting and well done although I believe that there are no optical zoom in there.
William Kucharski wrote:
“I don't think anyone has ever said there are no artifacts.
However, the artifacts that are produced are expected and normal for this device given the design tradeoffs that were made (and need to be made to produce any product.)
Given that, if you don't want to modify your technique to avoid artifacts, the only other solution is to return or sell your phone and purchase something else.”
William,
Now it seems clear that you are in the know whilst most of us here are not. Then please let us know specifically which technical design trade offs were made for the 11 series iPhone cameras optical & sensor system which are leading to these severe flare & ghosting issues.
The most common response is that “we” don’t know how to use the camera. Kinda funny that the photos found on Apple’s website are similar lighting conditions that a lot of users have had major ghosting issues—especially with lighted signs or bright lights in general. So are all of the photos that Apple uses edited to remove ghosting or flare? Are their photos even possible with the iPhone 11 & PRO models unedited?
This thread pretty much shows the same results that I’ve experienced:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250850937?page=1
I didn’t take this photo BUT it illustrates my results with flare and a subject in front of a lit Christmas tree:
I'll state it again: Step up to the plate Apple. Be honest with your legions of users and loyal fans who have been sold phones with a camera system that is both brilliant and broken. Let us know that you are more than sympathetic: Let us know you are working on fixing the iPhone 11 Pro's "Lens Flare & Floating Artifacts" issues.
Do the right thing.
Please.
You can say this 1,000 times here, but Apple isn't here, isn't reading and won't do anything because you posted this here. This forum is user to user only. Provide feedback the ONLY way Apple will hear you, which is via this link --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple
It should be a rather simple optics technical solution combining these:
1) Anti-reflective coating on the inside face of the lens covers as a minimum. Since these coatings are fragile; reason why camera lenses are always capped, it may be debatable wether this should be applied on both faces if the lenses are left uncapped when not used.
2) Matt or satin finish surfaces rather than mirror finish to avoid parasitic reflections. This includes the lens covers black masks inner faces.
3) Optimised reflective index materials combination for the lens covers & camera lenses.
4) Sensor surface anti-glare coating.
The solutions are simple and well known however these must be optimally combined which can be more complex although these solutions are usually simulated prior prototypes are made and tested.
Tom's Guide found focusing issues:
Samsung is aware of issues involving autofocus and provided the following statement.
“The Galaxy S20 features a groundbreaking, advanced camera system. We are constantly working to optimize performance to deliver the best experience for consumers. As part of this ongoing effort, we are working on a future update to improve the camera experience.”
Further, if you scroll down to the photo of the chandelier, while the bulbs are more pinpoint than the iPhone image posted, if you look at them you will see vertical lens flare above and below most of the bulbs.
Tom's Guide: Samsung S20 Ultra Review
Hi William. Hope you're doing well. I appreciate your perseverance in addressing this issue on behalf of Apple. Let's for argument sake say that the other phones in the Samsung link you've provided produce exactly the same disappointing artifact results as the 11 Pro. Does this cross-brand defect in the optics mean that the problem doesn't exist? Or does it mean that there's work to be done by these technology giants to improve these remarkable devices? Or better yet, to admit that "Floating Artifacts" do indeed mar images and that "We're going to put out best people on it; stay tuned for a fix."
Yeah, I haven’t compared with another iPhone 11 Pro.
I have used all iPhones from 4S to 11 and couple of DSLRS with different lenses and lens flares were something I always loved and difficult to get except for some difficult angles and lighting.
But with this new iPhone, I literately get flares like rainbows and got annoying to point where you can’t get images without lens flares. Unfortunately it doesn’t allow me to upload images due to size restrictions.
if this is by design, then it’s not good. And Apple should improve it.
Will check with Apple support.
Then how does the compact camera in the following footage manage to achieve pretty much flare free results?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4LZM4y28Zc
I actually own that model of camera (the mark 3 rather than the 6 in the video) & have had similarly good results filming at night. And I've seen other footage from even more expensive mirrorless & DSLR cameras & they have little or no issues with flare under normal night time city conditions.
So I don't think it's the laws of physics that are to blame here. Maybe it's one of the unavoidable consequences of having to miniaturize an advanced camera + lens into the confines of a smartphone camera module, & also then protect it with a glass covering.
And I agree with you that all recent smartphones suffer from this to some extent (I've seen it in footage shot with competing phones while researching what phone to upgrade my old Samsung to) though it just seems too excessive in the iPhone 11 or 12 Pro camera. I'm pretty keen on the 12 Pro or 12 pro Max but that kind of excessive flaring will likely be a deal breaker for me.
I truly wish that Apple would at very least acknowledge that yes, there are these less-than-desirable optic anomalies with their otherwise remarkable iPhone Pros and that yes, "we are working on it." I also wish that Apple would be professional, transparent and fair and not remove my seldomly posted comments about this "Floating Artifacts" concern. My only goal is to work towards a solution. Thanks.
No it doesn’t I brought it to work yesterday and filmed side by side and there is no reflections. Won’t let me post a video here. Why are u apple peeps so hateful and in denial. I was just asking for help because I’d like to keep this phone but if there is no fix and this is the apple lifestyle I’m outta here.
JimP_Solvang wrote:
As you may recall I tried that year ago and the issue (with my 11 Pro) was not addressed. But thank you William, I'll try again.
I do recall that, but once again Apple is limited by the state of the art in optics and physics, so even if the engineers are as annoyed as you are they are limited in what they could do to address it.
Iphone 11 Pro Extreme lens flare
