Database Info

[Q] Pictures foggy with flash

Got my Z3 a couple of days ago (wife as well) and when either of us take a picture in an indoor, low light situation the picture is always foggy looking. In fact, even in very low light if the flash goes off, the picture is foggy looking. Anyone else experience this or have any thoughts? Really irritating. Pictures are great looking if no flash though (on both phones).

Yep, same here and tried everything...this camera is why I bought it, and it sucks compared to my Lumia 920

esheesle said:
Got my Z3 a couple of days ago (wife as well) and when either of us take a picture in an indoor, low light situation the picture is always foggy looking. In fact, even in very low light if the flash goes off, the picture is foggy looking. Anyone else experience this or have any thoughts? Really irritating. Pictures are great looking if no flash though (on both phones).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't used flash yet but I read somewhere that manual mode reduces this fog effect. i'm guessing it's some sort of lens flare? Try playing with the different scene modes and settings.

Same issue with mine. Been working all week on it and cannot get a good picture inside

Same, swapped first one out only to find this has the same issue, thought i was the only one

esheesle said:
Got my Z3 a couple of days ago (wife as well) and when either of us take a picture in an indoor, low light situation the picture is always foggy looking. In fact, even in very low light if the flash goes off, the picture is foggy looking. Anyone else experience this or have any thoughts? Really irritating. Pictures are great looking if no flash though (on both phones).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Need some examples, really. Are you using a case on your phone? Try without. Try a few different modes (auto, manual etc) and see if there's a pattern.

Manual mode and changing iso up seems to allow for better pics.
Sent from my D6603 using XDA Free mobile app

Yes same problem already talked about in depth, try manual mode, keep the ISO as low as possible with the flash, in fact if the object is more than 5m away, then the flash will not really do much, turn it off and increase the ISO

I had the same Problem, and after testing if it was the case or the Glascover, because sometimes the
Pics were foggy and sometimes not.
Some of the Glas Cover makes Reflextions on to the Lens but the worse
are the Fingers on the left Side of the Phone, when you make pics in landscape.
The Finger on the left Top makes so many Reflections to the lens that the Imgages becomes
foggy.
When you make a Pic and hold the Phone in the middle, than all the Pics with Flash are good,
You can test it by yourself in Automodus or Manuell.
rambus

Same issue
Has anyone managed to find a workaround for this??
I'm having the same issue and not sure what to do.
Thanks,

Is this blur bad enough to go through the replace process?

I just got my Z5 Compact today and obviously I tested the camera out ASAP. I can't lie... It kind of bothers me and to me it's quite obvious. It's right in the top left corner but it's quite strong. I got it from Amazon, should I ask for a replacement or should I send it to Sony for a repair? I'm from the UK. I've attached the photo below:

Please take a pic of a book or some normal object. It's already been explained... monitors can cause distorted pics.

joe_dude said:
Please take a pic of a book or some normal object. It's already been explained... monitors can cause distorted pics.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My bad. Here is two pics:
Let me know if I should retake them.
I can see some corner blurriness on the top left and the bottom left. I'm not sure it really bothers me though.
Should I return and get a brand new device or should I try and get Sony to repair it?

Could you rotate the camera 180 degrees and take the same pics again. That should verify it.

joe_dude said:
Could you rotate the camera 180 degrees and take the same pics again. That should verify it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The way i see it, it's not a big problem. It's a common wide lens issue. If i'm on your position, i'll just keep the phone as it is. others result might be sharp from edge to edge, but it is really a narrow lens.

it seems you have a problem, your photos give an idea that there is a displacement of elements of the camera module, because the right side is blurred little less than it should be, and the left side is blurred more than it should be. I, I think almost perfectly semetrichno blurry right and left, later lay out a photo, and you can put the photo Made in so: put your phone camera at the table, or close the lens and take a picture in auto mode, photos need to do so that you can see the blue noise, it is a hypothesis, where it has been, and I think this can be judged from the defect. Please upload pictures, I have to see it, it can give more understanding of the problem for me, for you and for all.

To be able to detect the blurr properly, you need to have your phone leveled properly when taking the picture, for example in most of your pictures you take them from a weird angle, like from up to down, or from down to up, you need to take the photo exactly in the front leveled to the same angle as the monitor/book or whatever.
I hope you know what i mean.

joe_dude said:
Could you rotate the camera 180 degrees and take the same pics again. That should verify it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem. "DSC_0377" is the rotated picture. Thank you for helping me with this issue.
hansip87 said:
The way i see it, it's not a big problem. It's a common wide lens issue. If i'm on your position, i'll just keep the phone as it is. others result might be sharp from edge to edge, but it is really a narrow lens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure it really bothers me, I will only notice it when I look for it and sometimes it doesn't look as severe as other pictures. Also by looking at the camera lens it DOES seem pretty much straight. I probably will not go through the hassle of returning/repairing. Maybe I will try to get it repaired near the end of it's warranty (a year in the UK I think).
vyshgorado said:
it seems you have a problem, your photos give an idea that there is a displacement of elements of the camera module, because the right side is blurred little less than it should be, and the left side is blurred more than it should be. I, I think almost perfectly semetrichno blurry right and left, later lay out a photo, and you can put the photo Made in so: put your phone camera at the table, or close the lens and take a picture in auto mode, photos need to do so that you can see the blue noise, it is a hypothesis, where it has been, and I think this can be judged from the defect. Please upload pictures, I have to see it, it can give more understanding of the problem for me, for you and for all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries, I don't think I understood 100% what you said but I put the phone face down on my table and took a picture. There's more light coming from the bottom left but I think that is where the flash is located. If there are any other tests I can conduct for the community please let me know :good:
Pictures:
(1st one - "DSC_0375" is taken normally)
(2nd one - "DSC_0377" is taken upside down)
(3rd one - "DSC_0376" is the one requested by vyshgorado)
Thank you guys for helping a guy out!
EDIT: I'm not sure why the first picture is upside down... on my desktop it is the correct way up.

TheWarKeeper said:
To be able to detect the blurr properly, you need to have your phone leveled properly when taking the picture, for example in most of your pictures you take them from a weird angle, like from up to down, or from down to up, you need to take the photo exactly in the front leveled to the same angle as the monitor/book or whatever.
I hope you know what i mean.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah yeah I think I know what you mean. Basically have the phone level? If the above photos are not good enough then I'll retake them, thank you for the advice though.

[emoji30]
Enviado desde mi Sony Xperia Z5 utilizando Tapatalk

It's not something that would necessarily bother me but it's clearly annoying you. I'd take it to a Sony store.

theprince1991 said:
Ah yeah I think I know what you mean. Basically have the phone level? If the above photos are not good enough then I'll retake them, thank you for the advice though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I took a look at both pics, and there is a bit of corner blurring in both. But I can't say if that's actually a lens problem or just do wind, lighting conditions, hand movement, etc. Normally, the problem shows up only on one side, so when the phone is rotated, the blurring should have followed. It doesn't look like that is what is happening here.
Okay, so I need you to do another, more conclusive, test. Take a pic indoors, where you have good lighting. Set the camera on a stand/mount/wall - something that will hold it steady (no hand-held pics, please), and use the self-timer, so you don't have to physically touch the phone. Then take the same pic using the timer, rotating it 180 degrees.
Basically, I need a couple of comparison pics where I can rule out any other external factors. Take a pic of some objects at, say, 2m to 4m away (or 5 to 10 ft). Blank wall is no good, as there isn't any details to see blurring. If you have time, take a few sets of pics of different objects/background. Makes it a bit easier to judge with more data.
:cyclops:

Sh4rkill3r said:
[emoji30]
Enviado desde mi Sony Xperia Z5 utilizando Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't see any blur on your photos lol.
joe_dude said:
I took a look at both pics, and there is a bit of corner blurring in both. But I can't say if that's actually a lens problem or just do wind, lighting conditions, hand movement, etc. Normally, the problem shows up only on one side, so when the phone is rotated, the blurring should have followed. It doesn't look like that is what is happening here.
Okay, so I need you to do another, more conclusive, test. Take a pic indoors, where you have good lighting. Set the camera on a stand/mount/wall - something that will hold it steady (no hand-held pics, please), and use the self-timer, so you don't have to physically touch the phone. Then take the same pic using the timer, rotating it 180 degrees.
Basically, I need a couple of comparison pics where I can rule out any other external factors. Take a pic of some objects at, say, 2m to 4m away (or 5 to 10 ft). Blank wall is no good, as there isn't any details to see blurring. If you have time, take a few sets of pics of different objects/background. Makes it a bit easier to judge with more data.
:cyclops:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, sorry I've been a bit busy, it's probably going to be impossible for me to do this in natural sunlight as by the time I leave work it's already dark!

joe_dude said:
I took a look at both pics, and there is a bit of corner blurring in both. But I can't say if that's actually a lens problem or just do wind, lighting conditions, hand movement, etc. Normally, the problem shows up only on one side, so when the phone is rotated, the blurring should have followed. It doesn't look like that is what is happening here.
Okay, so I need you to do another, more conclusive, test. Take a pic indoors, where you have good lighting. Set the camera on a stand/mount/wall - something that will hold it steady (no hand-held pics, please), and use the self-timer, so you don't have to physically touch the phone. Then take the same pic using the timer, rotating it 180 degrees.
Basically, I need a couple of comparison pics where I can rule out any other external factors. Take a pic of some objects at, say, 2m to 4m away (or 5 to 10 ft). Blank wall is no good, as there isn't any details to see blurring. If you have time, take a few sets of pics of different objects/background. Makes it a bit easier to judge with more data.
:cyclops:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there, ur advice is apreciated, but dont u think that any fone sitting on a stand with a superior lighting conditions will get the pic 100% right ?
In my case m not having any distortion but rather lots of blurr, and i think the reason for this is bcuz once u snap the pic it takes abt 1 sec to 1.5 sec to fully take the pic.

theprince1991 said:
I can't see any blur on your photos lol.
Cool, sorry I've been a bit busy, it's probably going to be impossible for me to do this in natural sunlight as by the time I leave work it's already dark!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you are blind then. the first have blur at left and the second is with phone rotated with blur at right. is pretty visible.

Sh4rkill3r said:
you are blind then. the first have blur at left and the second is with phone rotated with blur at right. is pretty visible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Woah, calm down bre.

Ok here are some pics
Ok, thought I'd upload some photos.
I'm not a pro
Just an average joe.
They were all done with superior auto.
I don't think I have the blurring issue due to the misaligned lens.
Low light performance is an absolute abomination though (I don't have any because I delete them) Does anyone want to share camera settings with me that allows for decent low light performace?

Lens Flare?

Has anyone else noticed significant lens flare during night shots with a source of light in the frame? It happens in day shots as well, but its less noticeable as the dot isn't in a dark/black background.
I realise lens flare is normal when shooting in a sunny conditions, but this was a night shot triggered by not a particularly bright porch light and the moon. For whatever reason the S7 cam seems to be particularly sensitive to it. And its not a normal corona type lens flare, but just a dot.... that depending on how I angled the phone, I could get to move around and see in the live view before I took the photo, some angles I could get it to go away (or at least out of frame).
I have the titanium silver S7, in a clear case. I wonder if it isn't an issue with some sort of reflection off the case?

Never noticed! Can you upload an example?
Sent from my SM-G930F using XDA-Developers mobile app

upload example

Two examples.
angelo27093 said:
upload example
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's a couple. The dots are marked. I think I know whats happening. These were taken on auto, so in determining the exposure, it raised ISO so it tended to capture more light that didn't look like it was there. The first one is a light blob is appearing on a spruce, it couldn't possibly reflect light, but the 2nd one similar, though there is a light varnish on the stair so it could reflect something back. I think its reflecting off the back of the phone, hence the more squarish appearance. My eyes didn't see that light though, so I don't know why the sensor picked it up.
First One:
imgur.com/i1eF0tj
2nd:
imgur.com/e1pa8v6

33buddyrich said:
Here's a couple. The dots are marked. I think I know whats happening. These were taken on auto, so in determining the exposure, it raised ISO so it tended to capture more light that didn't look like it was there. The first one is a light blob is appearing on a spruce, it couldn't possibly reflect light, but the 2nd one similar, though there is a light varnish on the stair so it could reflect something back. I think its reflecting off the back of the phone, hence the more squarish appearance. My eyes didn't see that light though, so I don't know why the sensor picked it up.
First One:
imgur.com/i1eF0tj
2nd:
imgur.com/e1pa8v6
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
go back to the samsung store

Camera Reflection

I bought my wife a Samsung Galaxy S7 about 4 days ago.
When taking photos on an evening with bright lights the camera has dots on the screen (see attached images).These look like a reflection.
I took the phone back to the shop where they told me this was normal,and the problem was replicated in another two phone.As i's not considered a defect I cant return the phone,It's my first Samsung and my last,As utter spoils the experience.

Taken a good few night shots but not seen anything this bad, I only get spot reflections from bright lights like the sun

Wipe camera lens nice, I'm getting this kind of pics when my lens are dirty

Lens is spotless,only happens on a night,but its so bad its pointless taking night photos.
Not sure if it's a lens or software problem,but store I bought it from are insisting I take it to Samsung,yet the phone was only 4 days old when we noticed this problem.

Can you reproduce this when HDR is disabled?

I do actually have the same issue, also only when taking pics of for example lamps, city, etc..anything that lights/shines at night.
The lens is clean ofc.

Yep, I have the same issue. Lights mess up the camera in many scenarios on this phone.

Manual mode,hdr off or on,does not what settings the resukts are the same

I have this on HTC 10 and Pixel too. And now S7. Well not as bad as that, just 1 dot in strong lights during low light. Kinda normal.

Why is nobody talking about the Astrophotography mode?

I have searched the internet for examples of Astrophotography with the Google Pixel 4/4XL and couldn't find any other than what Google has put out. So, I recently went to the closest International Dark Sky Reserve in my area and captured these photos.
Am I the only person interested in this feature? ?

No, you're not alone I too have been playing with this. I just got my tripod mount and live in the country. I haven't had time to get some shots like yours, very good!

Those are amazing. I might try it now. Have you tried with any human subjects in the photo? Would it even come out at all?

biggiestuff said:
Those are amazing. I might try it now. Have you tried with any human subjects in the photo? Would it even come out at all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. Like the one with the tree.
By the way, the light on the tree is coming from a cellphone flashlight that was behind the camera. That's a cellphone flashlight at about twenty-thirty feet away!

What about the moon?. Have you guys taken pictures of it yet?

nooblearner said:
What about the moon?. Have you guys taken pictures of it yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried it but suns light on the moon made the picture awful, too much light interference.
You'd need to get a relatively dark moon for it to be decent

Mackay53 said:
I've tried it but suns light on the moon made the picture awful, too much light interference.
You'd need to get a relatively dark moon for it to be decent
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The picture I took was the November full moon.

It certainly a great feature, but it is also pretty niche.
First, you have to have a tripod or other way to hold the phone steady. This isn't that difficult to figure out, but it also means that all the people that simply rush outside to try it the first time are going to get crappy results if they try to hand hold it.
Second, having access to a dark environment away from light pollution is very helpful. Unfortunately, the vast majority of us live where light pollution is a real problem. Even the smallest towns have so many lights that it prevents these dramatic pictures from being taken. The images I have been able to take are "meh" at best. Impressive technologically, but meh photographically......

nooblearner said:
I have searched the internet for examples of Astrophotography with the Google Pixel 4/4XL and couldn't find any other than what Google has put out. So, I recently went to the closest International Dark Sky Reserve in my area and captured these photos.
Am I the only person interested in this feature? ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a great feature, but it's simply not viable for most people due to the excessive light pollution from most cities. I had to drive 1.5 hours away from home just to take my shots: https://www.xda-developers.com/google-pixel-4-camera-review/

MishaalRahman said:
It's a great feature, but it's simply not viable for most people due to the excessive light pollution from most cities. I had to drive 1.5 hours away from home just to take my shots: https://www.xda-developers.com/google-pixel-4-camera-review/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As does anyone attempting to photograph the stars. On a side note, my city is changing out the lighting here to improve star visibility. It has been working. I took this in my backyard. I used Photoshop Express "Vibrant" filter and this is it. All Astrophotography has post processing.
Can you see Orion? ?

nooblearner said:
As does anyone attempting to photograph the stars. On a side note, my city is changing out the lighting here to improve star visibility. It has been working. I took this in my backyard. I used Photoshop Express "Vibrant" filter and this is it. All Astrophotography has post processing.
Can you see Orion?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but that's the problem: Most people won't want to go that far just to take photos of the stars. They might do it during the occasional vacation, though. Since there aren't that many people taking Astro shots, the feature won't get talked about that much.

sic0048 said:
It certainly a great feature, but it is also pretty niche.
First, you have to have a tripod or other way to hold the phone steady. This isn't that difficult to figure out, but it also means that all the people that simply rush outside to try it the first time are going to get crappy results if they try to hand hold it.
Second, having access to a dark environment away from light pollution is very helpful. Unfortunately, the vast majority of us live where light pollution is a real problem. Even the smallest towns have so many lights that it prevents these dramatic pictures from being taken. The images I have been able to take are "meh" at best. Impressive technologically, but meh photographically......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried with a regular camera? If so, can you still capture even with the light pollution?
I drove an hour and a half to get these photos. I had to do research to find the location, e.g. Light Pollution Map app, local Dark Sky Reserve, and opportunity to access it.
I want to get the Milky Way. I'll have to buy the Photopills app and plan for that shot months in advance. I already know where I want to get the shot, otherwise I would have to plan that too.
It takes planning to get these shots. ?

nooblearner said:
Have you tried with a regular camera? If so, can you still capture even with the light pollution?
I drove an hour and a half to get these photos. I had to do research to find the location, e.g. Light Pollution Map app, local Dark Sky Reserve, and opportunity to access it.
I want to get the Milky Way. I'll have to buy the Photopills app and plan for that shot months in advance. I already know where I want to get the shot, otherwise I would have to plan that too.
It takes planning to get these shots. ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The light pollution map is pretty good, I'm too far away from black skies but I'm lucky where I can get some good shots from my garden (30 mins from nearest city)
Astro filter in the photos app makes it a bit better

Mackay53 said:
The light pollution map is pretty good, I'm too far away from black skies but I'm lucky where I can get some good shots from my garden (30 mins from nearest city)
Astro filter in the photos app makes it a bit better
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those are really good!

MishaalRahman said:
Yes, but that's the problem: Most people won't want to go that far just to take photos of the stars. They might do it during the occasional vacation, though. Since there aren't that many people taking Astro shots, the feature won't get talked about that much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly, I don't think many people know how to use it.

nooblearner said:
As does anyone attempting to photograph the stars. On a side note, my city is changing out the lighting here to improve star visibility. It has been working. I took this in my backyard. I used Photoshop Express "Vibrant" filter and this is it. All Astrophotography has post processing.
Can you see Orion? ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice how you can see the colour differences in Rigel and Betelgeuse and Alnilam.
---------- Post added at 20:01 ---------- Previous post was at 19:59 ----------
nooblearner said:
What about the moon?. Have you guys taken pictures of it yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's very good for a phone camera which would normally just over-exposure the hell out of it.
Saw a full moon shot someone posted in OnePlus 7 Pro reddit. It looked like a painting by a 7 year old, no detail at all!
---------- Post added at 20:06 ---------- Previous post was at 20:01 ----------
Mackay53 said:
The light pollution map is pretty good, I'm too far away from black skies but I'm lucky where I can get some good shots from my garden (30 mins from nearest city)
Astro filter in the photos app makes it a bit better
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are really killing it with these shots, absolutely amazing!
It's about on par with the dedicated CCD cameras on tracking tripods about 20 years ago, and they cost 000s and needed dedicated software and hours of processing.

m+a+r+k said:
Nice how you can see the colour differences in Rigel and Betelgeuse and Alnilam.
---------- Post added at 20:01 ---------- Previous post was at 19:59 ----------
That's very good for a phone camera which would normally just over-exposure the hell out of it.
Saw a full moon shot someone posted in OnePlus 7 Pro reddit. It looked like a painting by a 7 year old, no detail at all!
---------- Post added at 20:06 ---------- Previous post was at 20:01 ----------
You are really killing it with these shots, absolutely amazing!
It's about on par with the dedicated CCD cameras on tracking tripods about 20 years ago, and they cost 000s and needed dedicated software and hours of processing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's a few more from tonight. The moons light just gets in the way.

Mackay53 said:
Here's a few more from tonight. The moons light just gets in the way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Loving the first one, great image, you have a flair for this and composition.
Is that a lens flare in the third one? And the bright object bottom left a planet? Venus, Saturn and Jupiter set late afternoon, early evening and like you it's dark by 4:30 - 5, so Saturn?
I remember now we had a Saturn+Moon conjunction. Nice one.

m+a+r+k said:
Loving the first one, great image, you have a flair for this and composition.
Is that a lens flare in the third one? And the bright object bottom left a planet? Venus, Saturn and Jupiter set late afternoon, early evening and like you it's dark by 4:30 - 5, so Saturn?
I remember now we had a Saturn+Moon conjunction. Nice one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it was a plane but usually those usually give big light trails. Managed to get a light trail from the space station a few weeks ago so surprising what you can see.
Not sure about the planets as I'm still working out where they all are.
Managed to get Andromeda galaxy tonight (right hand side of photo) but not as much detail as I hoped cause the moon's out again.

m+a+r+k said:
Loving the first one, great image, you have a flair for this and composition.
Is that a lens flare in the third one? And the bright object bottom left a planet? Venus, Saturn and Jupiter set late afternoon, early evening and like you it's dark by 4:30 - 5, so Saturn?
I remember now we had a Saturn+Moon conjunction. Nice one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Possibly Uranus to the right of Andromeda on this one (according to Google star map app)