Artifact in long exposure images

When capturing long exposure images of aurora with a brand new iphone 15 pro max, an artifact of several circles is in the middle of each photo, and to be quite frank, ruining them. No filter etc.

what could be causing this?

iPhone X, iOS 14

Posted on Oct 20, 2023 2:24 PM

Reply
22 replies

Oct 20, 2023 3:56 PM in response to 100clicks

It does not seem like a reflection, it looks like miscalibration / placement of the optical / focal elements. Same principle on isocentral ring - artifacts on mirror and system cameras. But perhaps it is wandering of the image stabilisation. I am not sure and was hoping someone here has seen this issue on an iphone before.


i have never seen this effect on previous phones when taking the same 30second exposures. There was no reflections, no light pollution close by. No dirty lens, etc.

Oct 21, 2023 12:36 PM in response to Ninjatriks

Hello, well if you are concerned about a possible defect in the camera take it back immediately as you are still in the 14 days, and buy another one. But I did take pictures of the northern lights myself and I think that's a particular situation where you can end up with artefacts. I had some very small lens flares and it was an iPhone 14 pro at that time. I found just one photo online of northern lights with the same exact artefact you had but was a Nikon/nikor lens.

Oct 21, 2023 1:38 PM in response to 100clicks

unfortunately the store is out of iphones, so if I take it in, it’ll probably be gone until christmas.

We have a 5 year right to return on all consumer products anyway.


I’m hoping someone else with an Iphone 15promax will take some aurora pictures and either confirm or deny my suspicions that the lens is defective, making my choice easier.

Artifact in long exposure images

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