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Why oh why is the camera sticking out like that?
Otherwise Screen is a killer.
Congratulations on your new device
The camera sticks out so that if you put the HD2 on a flat table, it wont wobble around or start to rock..
prank1 said:
The camera sticks out so that if you put the HD2 on a flat table, it wont wobble around or start to rock..
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I already love this device so will blindly go with your explanation.
I've actually looked looked at the device side on really closely and the camera sticking out actually raises the device up just enough so the lens isn't flat against the surface therefore meaning less scratches when the device is face up. Excellent design!
Yea, you can tell by the lens's squared housing that it won't get harmed while sitting on a surface.
As well as the raised surround protecting the lens from scratches, I suspect it may also (deliberately or coincidentally) 'protect' the lens from direct light from the flash. I've seen many camera phones where photos taken with the flash have the light bleeding in from the side of the photo where the flash is.
Fatherboard said:
Yea, you can tell by the lens's squared housing that it won't get harmed while sitting on a surface.
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.......... but your suface will. Haha
Another reason is so that you can hear the speaker when you have the phone facing up
Way back when I owned an AT&T tilt, we had to remove the plastic camera cover to improve quality. It appears the same is true of the incredible.
My cover is not very scarred. I would consider my phone in great shape overall. Still, I decided to pop off the lens cover that projects out the backside of the phone. In so doing, there is a very appreciable improvement in contrast and sharpness of my photos. Attached are some samples. Now, if only we can figure out how to remove or replace the lens cover without jeopardizing the camera itself. As of now, it's the only barrier of protection, so removing it permanantly is not really an option.
Note, the video also shows great improvement, as should be expected.
Epicardium said:
Way back when I owned an AT&T tilt, we had to remove the plastic camera cover to improve quality. It appears the same is true of the incredible.
My cover is not very scarred. I would consider my phone in great shape overall. Still, I decided to pop off the lens cover that projects out the backside of the phone. In so doing, there is a very appreciable improvement in contrast and sharpness of my photos. Attached are some samples. Now, if only we can figure out how to remove or replace the lens cover without jeopardizing the camera itself. As of now, it's the only barrier of protection, so removing it permanantly is not really an option.
Note, the video also shows great improvement, as should be expected.
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thats pretty odd, none of my photos look washed out like that with the camera lense still intact
magneticzero said:
thats pretty odd, none of my photos look washed out like that with the camera lense still intact
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THanks. So, based on your feedback I decided to go ahead and clean both sides of the lens cover and also the inner lens cover with some alcohol. Definitely improved things for me. Check out the attached. It's weird because I could not appreciate any smudges of cloudiness by visual inspection. Looks no different to me after I've cleaned it, but the picture can't lie. There may still be a difference with the cover removed.
Epicardium said:
THanks. So, based on your feedback I decided to go ahead and clean both sides of the lens cover and also the inner lens cover with some alcohol. Definitely improved things for me. Check out the attached. It's weird because I could not appreciate any smudges of cloudiness by visual inspection. Looks no different to me after I've cleaned it, but the picture can't lie. There may still be a difference with the cover removed.
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that looks wayyy better.
Isn't the lens somewhat glued onto the phone. Mine needs cleaning but I was afraid of hurting my phone.
Sent from my MIUI Incredible.
camera lens glare
Having a clean lens will help all photography. I think much of the difference in the first two photo examples is due to glare from sun position and or cloud cover. Notice the difference in the shadow from the pickup. Very pronounced with bright sun in washed out photo, and almost invisible in the 'clear' shot.
When shooting outside with SLR's I always try to use a glare shield, and when I have time to compose a shot with my phone, I do the same by just shadowing the lens with my hand. Sometimes awkward, but it does improve outdoor shots in the sun.
Ken
- also, glare is greatly amplified by a dirty lens...
could you list steps on how to remove the lens cover? I dont really wanna break anything with my camera. Thanks
Careful with the alcohol it mucks up plastik & rubber
had the same problem. resolved
whewstoosae said:
Isn't the lens somewhat glued onto the phone. Mine needs cleaning but I was afraid of hurting my phone.
Sent from my MIUI Incredible.
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I had the same concerns. In fact, returned my first two Incs because of dust buildup under the camera glass. (edit-didn't mean to offend. I know everyone is busy/has a life/doesn't check messages all of the time) I wondered if it was latched somehow, or maybe screwed on. One day, out of frustration, I took off the battery cover and just tried to take it off. Turned out it was just stuck on with some kind of soft adhesive; just two short horizontal lines of it, at the top and bottom, behind the red part. I just gently pulled, and it did unstick from the top. I left the bottom connected, but folded the cover/bezel down and cleaned the inside with a little alcohol on a q-tip. Good as new. I wish I had done this on my very first Inc. I would probably still have it, and it had the best display.
I_ronnik said:
I had the same concerns. In fact, returned my first two Incs because of dust buildup under the camera glass. I sent a PM to another member who said he simply 'popped the cover off' to clean it, to ask how. I never got an answer. I wondered if it was latched somehow, or maybe screwed on. One day, out of frustration, I took off the battery cover and just tried to take it off. Turned out it was just stuck on with some kind of soft adhesive; just two short horizontal lines of it, at the top and bottom, behind the red part. I just gently pulled, and it did unstick from the top. I left the bottom connected, but folded the cover/bezel down and cleaned the inside with a little alcohol on a q-tip. Good as new. I wish I had done this on my very first Inc. I would probably still have it, and it had the best display.
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Thanks for the info, I was too afraid to touch it without knowing if it was going to damage it or not.
Sent from my MIUI Incredible.
I_ronnik said:
One day, out of frustration, I took off the battery cover and just tried to take it off. Turned out it was just stuck on with some kind of soft adhesive; just two short horizontal lines of it, at the top and bottom, behind the red part. I just gently pulled, and it did unstick from the top.
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That's actually a little disturbing. By no means do I think the Incredible is somehow the industry standard of build quality, but the lens cover itself looks like it's made by NASA. Disappointing (but useful!).
nordr said:
That's actually a little disturbing. By no means do I think the Incredible is somehow the industry standard of build quality, but the lens cover itself looks like it's made by NASA. Disappointing (but useful!).
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I agree. This seems like a very preventable issue, from a manufacturing standpoint. The only good thing is that there is another piece of glass (square) that is over the actual camera lens, and seems to be well sealed to the camera module itself. I haven't seen any dust under there. I agree with the 'disappointing' aspect. The 8Mp camera w/flash was a big factor in deciding to buy this phone.
just did this, my pictures are coming out much better now also. Thanks for the tip, never thought of this...
Does it work the same way with Incredible S(vivo), i too have some dust under the glass.
makos101 said:
could you list steps on how to remove the lens cover? I dont really wanna break anything with my camera. Thanks
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just remove your battey cover and then you should be able to pop the cover and lense off
moondev said:
just remove your battey cover and then you should be able to pop the cover and lense off
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Thanks for your reply. I was going to ask the same question.
Recently purchased a X10 and some how dirt and muck had got under the screen, I decided to buy it as I was confidant I could take it apart and clean it.
One thing I also noticed was that the photos were not very good. Upon inspection of the camera I noticed the plastic cover over the camera lens, this was clean however my theory was any bright light sources off centre of the camera were scattering across this plastic section and making photos look a little washed out and blurry.
Anyway I took the phone apart and cleaned the muck from under the screen and now it looks brand new.
I then popped out this plastic piece from in front of the camera and put her back together.
Here are some disassembly pics.
This is the plastic part i popped out from the camera
And here are the before and after camera samples. Straight out the cam no edit. "more to come"
Before
After
More after shots.
Think you will agree MASSIVE difference. Only draw back is im not sure if the ir filter is built into this plastic bit, and now the camera has no protection from dust etc, but I always clean my gear regularly anyway.
Edit - Seems this glass protection wasnt the IR filter so all is good . I'm dumping new test pics in the following dropbox folder.
http://db.tt/OV9b9WP
Really happy with this phone now.
Wow, that's a huge difference.
3 years ago, my w810i's lens cracked. Photos weren't bad or anything but it bothered me. I bought a cheap pair of glasses online (5$ i think) with a uv film (that's the slight purple tint on the plastic cover) and tried to fashion the lens into a size that could replace the oem piece of glass. I took a few photos and it was a huge difference as well.
Unfortunately, glass from the glasses were too thick and it wouldn't fit with the backcover on. I bought a UV filter for slr cameras but those were way too thick. I thought of trying with a slide cover slip but that project ended up dying when my bro's phone died (i gave him the w810 and picked up a K790a).
Does anyone know of any glass makers/fabricators that can make an optically clear piece of glass with a coat of UV (filter)? I'll take a look online when I get home. I use the camera on my phone pretty regularly so I'd be willing to purchase a glass cover. Just something to protect the lens.
A spec of dust has still got back in today lol. Will take it apart again in the week and plug all the joints.
That is a huge difference in those comparison pictures.
But I guess that cover isn't supposed to come off right?
Damn, how did you took off that plastic camera sheild?
Imagine this with Vignette...
so i guess if i put some high quality glass instead of plastic, quality should increase
What an awesome solution. You should put a guide up on how to do this. You might have good ideas grow from that. Ask the mods if you can do this. I would love a guide to know how if my lens gets that dirty. And those before and after pics are amazing too. Great post and info owner of post.
Sent from my X10i using XDA Premium App
Thanks guys. The phones pretty simple to take apart. I had to take it all apart to clean the screen but to cam mod you don't have to remove the motherboard so its much easier. I'm adding pics into my dropbox link all the time too.
theninjagecko said:
Thanks guys. The phones pretty simple to take apart. I had to take it all apart to clean the screen but to cam mod you don't have to remove the motherboard so its much easier. I'm adding pics into my dropbox link all the time too.
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Does removing this part have any negative effects?
Like would the lens be more prone to dust & scratches without it?
I noticed on some picutures that theres a minute amount of red tint. Is that normal?
That IS a huge difference.
Do you think it would be hard to repaint the whole device from white to black?
EDIT: Done!
Night and day difference. Incredible. Please tell me this doesnt require messing around with the screen as I dont want to risk messing with the screen placement or anything.
How exactly do we remove this little piece?
clixt said:
I noticed on some picutures that theres a minute amount of red tint. Is that normal?
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I think i see a red tint on photos of my chickens, maybe the colors of the chickens is messing with the auto white balance?
a1exander said:
That IS a huge difference.
Do you think it would be hard to repaint the whole device from white to black?
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Click to collapse
fairly easy i would say.
3dawg said:
Night and day difference. Incredible. Please tell me this doesnt require messing around with the screen as I dont want to risk messing with the screen placement or anything.
How exactly do we remove this little piece?
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ok The only reason i took the phone apart is to get to the screen I had bad dust under it and had to take the lot apart to get to the screen.
For the cam mod take you battery cover off, now inspect the plastic over the camera very closely and you will see its glued down, use a small tool to pry it off.
Lots more pics added to dropbox link.
A few edited with Picnik and put on my Flickr. Sandy girl was actually before the mod "not as sharp as it should have been" All the latest on Dropbox link on first post.
Sandy girl. by Scott..Hutchinson, on Flickr
Summer night coming. by Scott..Hutchinson, on Flickr
Long standing. by Scott..Hutchinson, on Flickr
theninjagecko said:
I think i see a red tint on photos of my chickens, maybe the colors of the chickens is messing with the auto white balance?
fairly easy i would say.
ok The only reason i took the phone apart is to get to the screen I had bad dust under it and had to take the lot apart to get to the screen.
For the cam mod take you battery cover off, now inspect the plastic over the camera very closely and you will see its glued down, use a small tool to pry it off.
Lots more pics added to dropbox link.
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The plastic on my camera is pretty scratched up, so I'd like to take it out.
I tried but it seems really difficult. Can you please elaborate on how you did it?
Which tool did you use, etc?
My_Immortal said:
The plastic on my camera is pretty scratched up, so I'd like to take it out.
I tried but it seems really difficult. Can you please elaborate on how you did it?
Which tool did you use, etc?
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Because i too the phone apart to clean my screen i could poke it out from the back.
if you look really closely its glued from the outside though and you should be able to get a really small flat head screwdriver "from a pc repair kit" and pry it off. It's just glued down.
If you look at this picture with my battery cover off you can see where the glass sits in the circular groove. You can even see some left over glue residue on it.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
theninjagecko said:
Because i too the phone apart to clean my screen i could poke it out from the back.
if you look really closely its glued from the outside though and you should be able to get a really small flat head screwdriver "from a pc repair kit" and pry it off. It's just glued down.
If you look at this picture with my battery cover off you can see where the glass sits in the circular groove. You can even see some left over glue residue on it.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
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It seems that it is extremely difficult to do it from the outside.
I've tried everything, it's glued very strongly, it won't come out,
I've been trying for 2 hours! Time to give up!
Thanks for the tips though!
My_Immortal said:
It seems that it is extremely difficult to do it from the outside.
I've tried everything, it's glued very strongly, it won't come out,
I've been trying for 2 hours! Time to give up!
Thanks for the tips though!
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypmgeoaDURQ
theninjagecko said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypmgeoaDURQ
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Thanks man!
theninjagecko said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypmgeoaDURQ
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Awesome!
I'm kind of embarrased though, should have thought to search on YouTube myself!
Beware: the camera lens on the back of our SGS II is made of cheap plastic. I learned the hard way.
Yesterday I was using the camera and all was really good. Today all photos were blurred. I checked and noticed a small bend, yes a bend, right in the middle of the camera lens. It is not a scratch, which has been my concern since buying the SGS2, it was a bend. I may be wrong, but glass should not bend, it scratches. Now I don't have a lens anymore, I have a prism.
The phone did not fall, or was treated badly. Most probably, I put it in my pants' front pockets, as I have done for years with my HTC phones (horrible cameras btw, compared to the sgs2), there may have been a contact with a harder surface (a key, maybe, but I don't suppose so), and the lens bended. It's a real pity. I'm considering now removing the "lens" as it is not the actual lens, just a cover I guess, and see if this works.
This may be the best and most expensive cell phone right now, why couldn't Samsung put a real glass (like apple does, btw) to protect the camera?
I hope this warning helps others not to get into the same problem. Maybe using a leather pouch can prevent this from happening (I was using the mesh cover case).
A previously super happy owner, now a very desolate one...
what did you do to your phone? Don't blame samsung for something you physically you did.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
thats strange? a bit of plastic with those dimensions shouldn't bend at all, unless put under direct heat and pressure? :S
can you post pictures taken and a picture of the lens?
I don't have another camera with me to photograph the lens. Besides, it is hard to see the bend, you need the correct angle for the light to hit it and be able to see. But attached is a picture I took with the cell. Kind of artsy...
I would have thought that if it did actually have a bend in it (which seems like an awfully difficult thing to have done), that it would cause a distortion and not just producing a blurry pic like that.
Looks more like something has been smeared across the lens cover.
It's not the lens that bended, it's the protective screen on top of the lense. Looks like glass to me, but it's possible to be plastic. Any way, i doubt it could bend unless you put a lot of pressure on it.
As I said, it was in the front pocket of a not so tight pants, so there might be little pressure, normal pressure as every cell phone suffers in this situation, but nothing exceptional, not much. Nobody sat on my lap as well... That would be a worthy reason at least.
I've had smartphones for the last 6 years, done the same thing since. I'm not asking for a replacement or whatever, so I have no reason to minimize my responsibility.
My point in posting is that it happened. Just trying let others know to not make the same mistake. It is not as solid a construction as, say, the HTC HD2. It needs more care.
Just beware, hope it does not happen to others.
PS: And no heat also, not a teenager anymore to have so much heat near the crotch area...
PPS: Yes, it is the protective screen. My hope is I can get rid of it, and have my camera back. Unprotected, but taking photos, with lots of care from now on...
OP, stupid question: that lens glass out of the box was protected with a transparent plastic film I think, just like the screen. Did you remove it?
Can you make a shot of the lens using a bathroom mirror perhaps, in macro mode?
mbernstein said:
I've had smartphones for the last 6 years, done the same thing since. I'm not asking for a replacement or whatever, so I have no reason to minimize my responsibility.
My point in posting is that it happened. Just trying let others know to not make the same mistake. It is not as solid a construction as, say, the HTC HD2. It needs more care.
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Click to collapse
I agree with your here. The way Samsung designed the back of the phone makes it very easy to scratch/ even bend (like it happened to you) the protective screen. I had a HTC Touch HD before and the back of the camera could never touch the surface where the phone was put. With Samsung if you put your phone on a rugged area you might end up damaging the protective screen easily.
Have you been using the LED as a torch or anything like that? Perhaps the heat could have warped the plastic?
kreoXDA said:
OP, stupid question: that lens glass out of the box was protected with a transparent plastic film I think, just like the screen. Did you remove it?
Can you make a shot of the lens using a bathroom mirror perhaps, in macro mode?
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Click to collapse
Sure, I took the plastic out. I saw no point in having a very good phone camera weakened by the plastic.
I tried to take the photo you asked, but was not successful. But as I said it was a very small bend, which makes the light enter the lens like a prism. Very difficult to photograph with a normal camera.
Actually, there was a power outage in the area I'm in now, but I don't recollect to use torch that much... I remember I used it for a while, the used some screen light, then on to Kindle. Id on't suppose it was torch, but could it really be so silly like this?!
mbernstein said:
Sure, I took the plastic out. I saw no point in having a very good phone camera weakened by the plastic.
I tried to take the photo you asked, but was not successful. But as I said it was a very small bend, which makes the light enter the lens like a prism. Very difficult to photograph with a normal camera.
Actually, there was a power outage in the area I'm in now, but I don't recollect to use torch that much... I remember I used it for a while, the used some screen light, then on to Kindle. Id on't suppose it was torch, but could it really be so silly like this?!
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Wow, I just tried pushing on mine with my nail, it moves a teeny tiny bit, but it springs right back up Maybe something in your pocket just happened to touch the middle of that little piece of plastic, and just managed to apply enough force to bend it beyond the recovery point, so your plastic piece did not spring back up.
I fully understand what you mean now. But not sure what your options are. It is clearly a physical damage. I would not advise trying to take that piece out and bend it straight, you will mess up the actual lens.
mbernstein said:
A previously super happy owner, now a very desolate one...
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flash back stock firmware, reset custom download counter with jig, return under warranty saying the camera takes blurry pictures
godutch said:
flash back stock firmware, reset custom download counter with jig, return under warranty saying the camera takes blurry pictures
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Click to collapse
I believe warranty doesn't cover physical damage though.
Ingvarr said:
I believe warranty doesn't cover physical damage though.
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they wont know if you dont tell them plus they wont inspect the phone in that detail closely at the camera, worth a try. IF you bough it from a store, bring it back there and get a replacement.
Hi,
I have the same issue as yours.
Where is your SGS2 made in when you take out the battery and look at the back sticker?
Mine says "Made in China"
Wonder if yours is made in Korea or China.
Please share~
I would send it in too, your chances are good to get it repaired!
Mine is made in: Korea
I would try to replace it if I had bought it in my country. I bought it through a friend from Xpansys US (a UK phone), and I'm now in Brazil. I guess I would have so many troubles with customs here to send it out and back with no guarantee to have it replaced...
My idea is not to take the plastic out, and try to fix it. It is to just take out. I will have a hole there, but there will be nothing distorting light that comes into the lens. I will have to be extra careful, but considering how easy the plastic which was supposed to protect the camera was damaged, extra care is the name of this phone for me.
And I'm not complaining about SGS2's plastic finish as opposed to the metal/glass ones of iPhone or HTC. I actually like this, including the back cover. After you get used to it, it is kind of cool. And it is light. I just wished there was a cover or that Samsung used a hard glass on the camera, or perhaps that the plastic was so tiny and receeded that nothing could reach it. I always like the way Sony and Nokia used to put a sliding cover over the camera lens in their phones. With such a thin phone as ours, I wouldn't mind the extra thickness. Or like my HTC Kaiser, where the plastic was actually on the cover. If it was scratched or broken you could replace the back cover... Sorry, just venting my frustration.
Don't leave that hole uncovered. Your lens will get dirty in no time. Pocket lint , dust and dirt will accumulate in there and break the lens autofocus mechanism. Just don't even think about leaving that hole uncovered.
If you notice that your pictures aren't turning out very well and that the camera is having a hard time trying to focus -- remove the plastic cover from the lens. It's EXACTLY the same shape and size as the square lens.
Trust me, it makes a world of difference.
I noticed that one there, but it didn't want to come off easily and I didn't want to force it. How did you get it off?
Sent from my Xoom using xda app-developers app
bigworm50 said:
I noticed that one there, but it didn't want to come off easily and I didn't want to force it. How did you get it off?
Sent from my Xoom using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
Just used my finger on the corner of it. Finally came off. Much more clear now. :good:
Baldilocks said:
If you notice that your pictures aren't turning out very well and that the camera is having a hard time trying to focus -- remove the plastic cover from the lens. It's EXACTLY the same shape and size as the square lens.
Trust me, it makes a world of difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it applies to other phones like HTC ?
Dannyada1988 said:
Does it applies to other phones like HTC ?
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I doubt it. This is just a plastic protective shipping film that they put over the lens. It's kind of hard to spot and why the did it like this is beyond me.
Are you sure thats supposed to come off? Mine is on real good, but I did notice whoever put it there didnt line it up very well and the hole is off center compared to the lens.
highaltitude said:
Are you sure thats supposed to come off? Mine is on real good, but I did notice whoever put it there didnt line it up very well and the hole is off center compared to the lens.
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Click to collapse
Yes, it's just a thin piece of film. It actually has a hole in the middle of it.
I wish I hadn't thrown it way or I'd take a picture of it.
Lil plastic cover over lens
here's an image
Thanks for the tip, I was kind of nervous in terms of removing it. Didn't seem to come off as easy as the other plastic.
It is difficult to get off, so beware.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
+1 it was definitely a little hard to get off.
darkodin14 said:
Thanks for the tip, I was kind of nervous in terms of removing it. Didn't seem to come off as easy as the other plastic.
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phositadc said:
It is difficult to get off, so beware.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337
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bigworm50 said:
+1 it was definitely a little hard to get off.
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I took the back of the phone off and the plastic cover came off much easier.
- Aaron
so hard to get off lol
Cheap lens cover
Has anyone else noticed that the lense cover (not the film you remove) but the actual lens cover above the sensor is made out of plastic. My last phone, the i717 galaxy note had this and one little dink caused the camera to not be able to focus. So just be very careful and protect it at all costs or you will have a useless camera.
Thanks for this thread! I saw that the camera had a ton of junk on the lens after 2 days. It felt like I could take it off but I was scared. lol
Baldilocks said:
If you notice that your pictures aren't turning out very well and that the camera is having a hard time trying to focus -- remove the plastic cover from the lens. It's EXACTLY the same shape and size as the square lens.
Trust me, it makes a world of difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how did you manage to pull it off?
There is no edge
There is an edge on mine...use the light and look very close!
Sent via Tapatalk
I just pressed my thumb down hard and slid at the same time... eventually enough came off the lens that I was able to grab the edge with my fingertips.
I'm going to laugh my head off if this turns out to be the reason why the images from people's GS4 cameras weren't looking as good as expected.
Damn what a pain it ass. lol