Iphone 11 Pro Extreme lens flare

We're not in "denial."

I have previously posted examples of the S20 doing the exact same thing; here's one if you don't want to have to go back and look:

That of course is one example; if you point an S20 at an array of bright pinpoint lights you will get an array of flare reflections in the same way.

bobneedham wrote:

Apple is obviously not a camera company

Camera companies can't solve this, either.

Huaiwei has been working with Leica, who has been making lenses for 106 years, and has not yet been able to solve this issue.

Likewise, here's a still from a video; the iPhone 12 video is on top, the bottom image was taken with a $5000 Canon DSLR equipped with a Tokina lens:

MiamiC70 wrote:

I consider it a defect in manufacturing by Apple

You can consider it whatever you like; it is not a defect.

MiamiC70 wrote:

I’ve had iPhone 1,3,4, 4s, 5, 6, 5+, 8+ and NONE of those did this. Only my iPhone 12 Pro Max. My Canon Gold line or L glass doesn’t do it? My GF just got a Pixel 4a 5g and it doesn’t do it...

I won't bother to post all of the flare photos taken with the 6, 8+, or Pixels of various types but suffice it to say they do, and a Google search will turn up all you want (in fact, there's a 6+ photo just three posts up from yours.)

OK, one Pixel 4a photo.

Hello everyone,

i have a question, does anyone have this crazy light stripes in there camera?

the photo is taken by an iphone 11. I went to the apple store and they said to me it is because my camera is dirty/ the room is to dark or because i move to much if i make a photo, but when i make photo's with the iphone 11 from my cousin this doesn't happen.

they are now fixing the camera but they said if it happens again it is because of the thing i said here before. It is also like this when i make a picture of a lamp, or light source. But it doenst happen al the time, but most of the time.

I took some pictures tonight...and never noticed the flare until now. I’ve contacted Apple care and they offered me a replacement phone. I will take it, even if the problem is not totally fixed, I think is worth to try. To me the 11 pro is so far the worst phone I ever had. Owned iPhones for ever, still missing my X Plus.

Lens are totally clean, no case and still a big reflection. Took the same picture with my wife’s X, and no problem.

Because people disparage the camera as defective or horrible when it’s all a matter of technique and working with the limitations of the tools at hand.

It’s easy to take photos with flare using $10,000 of DSLR equipment too, it doesn’t mean the camera and lens are of poor quality.

As an example, this is a still from a 2020 Hallmark Channel movie shot with a $30,000 cinema digital camera with a $8000 lens:

It is not an issue that can be fixed at this point, it's physics and is common to all premium smartphone cameras.

As an example, here's a comparison of the iPhone 12 Pro Max with the brand new Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra:

Since you can see the reflections on-screen, plan your shots to avoid them.

More proof they are common to all premium smartphones, a comparison between the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and the iPhone 12 Pro Max:

This photo came through my FB stream. Because of the ghosting I suspected it to be a 12 PM. This is the 3rd time I have identified a potential 12 PM because of the obvious ghosting. This could have been shot with any camera or phone. It was a 12 PM. I’m 3 out of 3. So if I move the sun in multiple positions following the Rule of thirds the ghosting would go away? I think not - I tried it and it didn’t. Maybe I should have moved down the beach a mile. Sure, that’s the ticket.

Okay.

I tried changing angles…

Still there…

Nope, still there.

Or I can just switch off the lights. Too bad, I don’t have control of the lights all the time like that one time my aunt had her birthday at a hotel. Would be funny to ask them to switch off some of the lights.

Or I can just take out my other phone and have less pronounced orbs…

Please don’t make this the customer’s fault, when it obviously isn’t.

I’m not asking Apple to replace my phone. This is my second phone with such problem after all. Both iPhones. I know what I’m getting into. I was just hoping it improved in the 12 Pro Max. Instead, it got worse. But I can deal with it. No, I don’t have to do crazy positioning and “timing”. I just use my other phone for when the iPhone fails due to unfavorable lighting that it cannot handle well.

That said, it’s still my main shooter. In instances where the scene doesn’t produce such orbs and flares, it’s a great camera.

It is an issue with the 11 and 12 (specifically Pro Max, in my case). And, no, the ones from S20 Ultra (and S10 Plus, and Note 9 - other phones I’ve recently used) do not compare at all. Oh! Even all the other iPhones before 11 do not have that issue. Else, nobody would be discussing about this issue here.

Yes… and as I mentioned you see the same artifacts on DSLRs and in a $40L+ cinema camera and lens.

The technical pros at Apple Stores know Apple equipment but are not experts in photography and videography, even at Los Angeles area Apple Stores. 😁

If you like, you can use your favorite Internet search engine to look for videos comparing the Samsung Ultra 21 and iPhone 12 Pro Max, and there's at least one showing they generate the exact same green orbs that are inverted reflections.

Likewise this shot from a Canon DSLR/lens combo I've posted before:

But in the end, I am more than happy to agree to disagree.

You are going to find this same issue with any other premium smartphone (or for that matter digital video camera at prices up to six figures), so feel free to buy what you want - you will be upset with those devices as well.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra:

Google Pixel 4a:

Hey Joel, lens flare is definitely something Ive noticed on all iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max phones. Its also very noticeable in well lit scenarios. Unfortunately it seems to just be a characteristic of the phone. Can be cool if you want it in the photo, but pretty annoying if you don't.

I have it as well, there isn’t much Apple Support is going to do. I’m hoping because of a 1 year hardware warranty perhaps in future production models this allows for device improvement and replacement option

I have the same issue pictures taken at night have visible flares and tiny blue spots. Iphones are known for their cameras and i phone 11 camera performance is worse than even the iphone 6. Very disappointed, dint expect this to happen after spending so much of hard earned money. Apple support couldnt help either, after talking and explaining the problem by even providing pictures for evidence they suggested to go to a physical store, where they answered that even they dont know what to really do.

I have seen the same complaint on different other sites but Apple has done noting about it.

Very Disappointed Apple.