Database Users

Protecting your Camera... any suggestions?

I was wondering, do people go out of their way to make their camera's last? I was hoping to keep my vibrant for at least 5-6 years and use it as my primary camera on the occasions that I have a need for one.
I was wondering if you guys had any tips or suggestions for keeping the camera relatively clean and scratch free?
Maybe cutting out a small plastic screen protector to place on the inside of my gel case to keep my finger from hitting it would help, and then I could just take the case off when snapping pictures....

5-6 years O_O
Did I read that correctly? In a year the vibrant is going to be nothing more than an outdated phone.

SquareBare said:
I was wondering, do people go out of their way to make their camera's last? I was hoping to keep my vibrant for at least 5-6 years and use it as my primary camera on the occasions that I have a need for one.
I was wondering if you guys had any tips or suggestions for keeping the camera relatively clean and scratch free?
Maybe cutting out a small plastic screen protector to place on the inside of my gel case to keep my finger from hitting it would help, and then I could just take the case off when snapping pictures....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should not have any issues with the camera by just leaving it alone. I'n all my years owning phones with cameras, I've never cracked, scratched, or anything else and I just left it alone.
Don't even bother putting a screen protector. I'll start to haze up with time, and the images would not look crisp. I think you'll be fine.

SquareBare said:
I was wondering, do people go out of their way to make their camera's last? I was hoping to keep my vibrant for at least 5-6 years and use it as my primary camera on the occasions that I have a need for one.
I was wondering if you guys had any tips or suggestions for keeping the camera relatively clean and scratch free?
Maybe cutting out a small plastic screen protector to place on the inside of my gel case to keep my finger from hitting it would help, and then I could just take the case off when snapping pictures....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually I have had a problem (not recently but WAY WAY back on one of the first HTC phones the lens cover got scratched while it was in the case and it took bad pics after that) ever since then I keep a small square of blue painters tape over the lens it protects it from scratches and it comes off quick and easy if you need to take pics but as too the 5-6 year thing man WOW I am lucky if I keep a phone 5-6 months good luck.

I'm in the same boat as SquareBare. I'm interested in buying myself a lens protector as well. As I have noticed fine scratches already, albeit I do take care of my phone religiously. And I do plan on keeping this phone for many years to come as I do not renew my contract. Though searching around has led me to believe I have to purchase the screen protector again to get the lens protector. It comes in a package. The only company that offers it, is realook. I looked into SGP as well, but they do not offer it for the Vibrant. Before you say that they do offer it, I have personally emailed them regards to the installation video that was posted on their website, and they confirmed with me the product is not available. Here is their email.
Dear Our Valued Customer,
Thank you for contacting SGPstore.com Customer Service Department.
I do understand your question and would like to explain it to you.
The video might show Galaxy S Anti Fingerprint has camera lens protector.
Please note that merchandises out in the US market do not include the camera lens protector.
And you will see features on our website and the back of our product box do not have camera lens protector.
If you have more questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
I apologize for the inconvenience.
Best Regards,
===========================================================================
SGP - Stylish People's Good Partner
===========================================================================
> Customer Service Representative,
Lynn Kim
[email protected]
www.SGPstore.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

You do know that the camera is available for purchase separate, right? If your camera does get scratched (or the lens) wouldn't replacing it solve the problem? They only cost about 30 bucks

Actually the camera is pretty strong i guess, because after all i've been through on my past vibrant no scratches on the camera at all.
I dropped it from a 2 story house ( i was working on cleaning gutters bcz my dad was like pissed at me haha) Grass got into the bezel but thats it. i cleaned it a little bcz of grass stains and besides that no scratches no bumps etc. ( it dropped flat not top or bottom first)

The camera lens protector/plastic piece that shields the actual camera is only $3.48 with a minimum purchase of 5. So for less than $20 you can have 5 accidents and make it like new again everytime.
http://www.globaldirectparts.com/Samsung-T959-Camera-Lens-p/smsng6085865.htm

PathogenX said:
5-6 years O_O
Did I read that correctly? In a year the vibrant is going to be nothing more than an outdated phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regardless of the phone not being up to par in a couple of years, it'll still make calls. I have backup phones that are 4 years old. They work, and are nice to bring along on roadtrips just in case I can't get to a charger and my phone dies.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Tamborine said:
I'm in the same boat as SquareBare. I'm interested in buying myself a lens protector as well. As I have noticed fine scratches already, albeit I do take care of my phone religiously. And I do plan on keeping this phone for many years to come as I do not renew my contract. Though searching around has led me to believe I have to purchase the screen protector again to get the lens protector. It comes in a package. The only company that offers it, is realook. I looked into SGP as well, but they do not offer it for the Vibrant. Before you say that they do offer it, I have personally emailed them regards to the installation video that was posted on their website, and they confirmed with me the product is not available. Here is their email.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think they do that anymore. Or at least I didn't get a camera protector when I ordered my new set of protectors this past January.

checktheemails said:
You do know that the camera is available for purchase separate, right? If your camera does get scratched (or the lens) wouldn't replacing it solve the problem? They only cost about 30 bucks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I could go through that route, but why spend 30 bucks of having it to take it apart and replacing it, while you can just buy a piece of plastic that cost no less then a few dollars to replace it. I can't see a good reasoning for having to buy a new camera. Makes no sense.

That's actually just a piece of glass that covers the actual camera lens, mine is pretty scratched but it doesn't seem to affect pictures any. I haven't seen any one selling that little piece of glass, but I'm assuming it wouldn't be too hard to replace.

Scratched camera lens cover - fixed

Since the camera lens cover on the Note is flush with the back casing, it is prone to scratching if you don't have a case and mine was quite badly scratched.
I bought a replacement lens cover for about £5 including postage off Ebay, but the cover is part of the middle chassis, and although I managed to remove the middle chassis easily enough, I couldn't separate the lens cover from the chassis. I then found that the whole middle chassis for less than a tenner here:
http://www.dealrepairs.co.uk/samsung-galaxy-note-middle-cover-chassis-housing_p722.html
Note - some people seem to be having problems ordering from this site - be warned!
I bought it, and it was a perfect match for the original, with a perfect, unscratched camera lens cover. Job done!
The middle chassis housing is easy to remove - unscrew 9 screws and it prises off. Plenty of videos on YouTube to show you how.

Thanks, will try it out if my become scratched :victory:

I got a replacement lens cover instead of the whole back. Cheaper to ship, easier to install.

@ Moandal
Does the middle chassis housing come with a lens cover already attached?
k-c
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

There are quite few listing for Lens cover on Ebay.com
Its priced around 4$ each... You have to open up the back housing and the lens cover is hold up in 3 points..
Use a philips head screw driver to lift them up and then replace it with a new one and lock down the 3 points...
Its so simple and easy to do

mine is also slightly scratched and unsure whether if changing the cover will improve the image quality
after, using the new 4.2 camera, photos are slightly sharper and more punchy, so still undecided

kinky-chinky said:
@ Moandal
Does the middle chassis housing come with a lens cover already attached?
k-c
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it does, and since I couldn't separate the lens cover from the chassis I couldn't just replace the lens cover on its own.

ycs. said:
mine is also slightly scratched and unsure whether if changing the cover will improve the image quality
after, using the new 4.2 camera, photos are slightly sharper and more punchy, so still undecided
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Scratches make quite a big difference in outdoor light. They diffuse the light and make the photo look washed out.

bondarun said:
There are quite few listing for Lens cover on Ebay.com
Its priced around 4$ each... You have to open up the back housing and the lens cover is hold up in 3 points..
Use a philips head screw driver to lift them up and then replace it with a new one and lock down the 3 points...
Its so simple and easy to do
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it beats me how you did it! Even with my no-longer-required-and-so-not-afraid-to-break old chassis and a variety of small screwdrivers I cannot get the lens cover off. I can see the three lugs that hold it in, but I can't move them in any direction. Thankfully the entire chassis is pretty cheap anyway.

Moandal said:
Yes it does, and since I couldn't separate the lens cover from the chassis I couldn't just replace the lens cover on its own.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply Moandal :good:
I think I'll be putting an order in for a new housing now.
Cheers.
One other thing, I take it I'll need special (small) screwdrivers to remove the screws. And any advice on the tool to use for prising off the old housing or will fingernails suffice?
k-c

Well, placed an order on 11th Nov, order still shown pending and no reply to recent enquiry I sent.
Not looking promising
k-c
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

Before ordering a replacement, try buffing the scratches out with a dab of white toothpaste.

bondarun said:
There are quite few listing for Lens cover on Ebay.com
Its priced around 4$ each... You have to open up the back housing and the lens cover is hold up in 3 points..
Use a philips head screw driver to lift them up and then replace it with a new one and lock down the 3 points...
Its so simple and easy to do
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK I've finally figured out how to do this. First of all you have to bend the three lugs in towards the centre from the inside of the housing - easiest with a small flat-headed screwdriver. Then you just have to push it out, although mine was lightly glued in. So now I have a spare!

kinky-chinky said:
Well, placed an order on 11th Nov, order still shown pending and no reply to recent enquiry I sent.
Not looking promising
k-c
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any joy yet?

@ Moandal
Nope. No update on the pending status of my order & no reply to the message I sent.
k-c
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

I was able to change it with warranty.

I getting ready to sell my note1 and since my metal border as some small scratches, I just purchased a middle plate from CNN.CN. Probably about the same price with conversion to dollars. It will be like brand new once I change that. I always hate it when give them pictures and agree on the price, when you finally meet for the exchange they still try to ding you for the scratches you already showed them in pictures. Those people are almost as annoying as the low ballers who haven't seen a pic and are already offering half price.

kinky-chinky said:
Well, placed an order on 11th Nov, order still shown pending and no reply to recent enquiry I sent.
Not looking promising
k-c
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here... ordered on 12th nov and still pending...

@ _yupa_
sorry to hear you're in the same boat
@ gedster314
I used cnn.cn way back when I had to replace the keypad and housing on a SE K750. I'll have a look at them, thanks.
@ moandal
how long did your part take to arrive from dealrepairs.co.uk?

kinky-chinky said:
@ moandal
how long did your part take to arrive from dealrepairs.co.uk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It took about 4 weeks.

[Q] Front facing camera not centered on Galaxy Note 4

Hello. The camera lens inside the hole (behind gorilla glass) is not centered.
It is much higher and very noticible.
Also my note 4 box (from Bell) came without a seal.
Please advise.

Anyone ? 46 views and 0 replies.....
Can ANYONE with a Note 4 PLEASE check to see if their front facing camera is centered ?

Mine fine.
Sent from the TermiNOTEr 4!

Happened a lot on the S5 too, , the camera not centered. Is no big deal

Mine isn't perfectly centered, but then I've never had a phone that is other than the iPhone and the HTC One M8. Even the rear camera is slightly off center. At the end of the day though, it isn't a huge deal. It won't effect the quality of the camera, it just looks a little annoying.
Trust me, if you want to see a REALLY bad front facing camera, take a look at the Sony M2.

jaaystott said:
Mine isn't perfectly centered, but then I've never had a phone that is other than the iPhone and the HTC One M8. Even the rear camera is slightly off center. At the end of the day though, it isn't a huge deal. It won't effect the quality of the camera, it just looks a little annoying.
Trust me, if you want to see a REALLY bad front facing camera, take a look at the Sony M2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess you are right.
I went to the bell store and they took out 2 new Note 4s. Both had front cameras off center.
It doesnt affect the camera quality I think so whatever.

THS1989 said:
I guess you are right.
I went to the bell store and they took out 2 new Note 4s. Both had front cameras off center.
It doesnt affect the camera quality I think so whatever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My problem is with the alignment of the rear camera. It is pushed off to the right in the glass window. Also the adhesive trim sticker that is under the rear camera glass is failing, both around the circumference of the camera hole and the upper and lower edges. I went to Best Buy to look at their display Note 4s and they all had perfect camera placement, both front and rear.
Sure it takes pictures fine, but when you pay this much for a phone you want some level of quality control.
Has any one else taken their back? I am going to try and exchange mine later today.

Mine is off centered also sitting higher than the center point of the screen hole. Doesn't bother me too much but yes this is an indication of imperfect build quality.

THS1989 said:
Hello. The camera lens inside the hole (behind gorilla glass) is not centered.
It is much higher and very noticible.
Also my note 4 box (from Bell) came without a seal.
Please advise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same problem
Inviato dal mio X-Note

THS1989 said:
Hello. The camera lens inside the hole (behind gorilla glass) is not centered.
It is much higher and very noticible.
Also my note 4 box (from Bell) came without a seal.
Please advise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My front cam is ever so slightly off center, but only by maybe 1/4 of a milimeter. If your camera works right I wouldn't worry about it.
Shady_ said:
My problem is with the alignment of the rear camera. It is pushed off to the right in the glass window. Also the adhesive trim sticker that is under the rear camera glass is failing, both around the circumference of the camera hole and the upper and lower edges. I went to Best Buy to look at their display Note 4s and they all had perfect camera placement, both front and rear.
Sure it takes pictures fine, but when you pay this much for a phone you want some level of quality control.
Has any one else taken their back? I am going to try and exchange mine later today.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yikes, I would definitely exchange that. Some allowances must be made since these things are assembled by human hands, but that is not acceptable at all.

[Q] Camera badly scratched!

Hi,
My camera lens is badly scratched.I tried to fix using toothpaste,water,lotion etc but nothing works on him.
Pics are in attachment.
Is there's any thing that should be able to remove its scratches??

EvilKing009 said:
Hi,
My camera lens is badly scratched.I tried to fix using toothpaste,water,lotion etc but nothing works on him.
Pics are in attachment.
Is there's any thing that should be able to remove its scratches??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Toothpaste method is for removing oleophobic coating, it doesn't really remove the scratches but the whole thing on top of your lense. If it doesn't work for you, then it might be that the camera lense on g2 is different from the phone the guide you were following was written for. If your pics quality is really affected by the scratches, you should change the rear housing backplate that contains camera lens & volume buttons. It's around $20 I think.

MilanStojkovic said:
Toothpaste method is for removing oleophobic coating, it doesn't really remove the scratches but the whole thing on top of your lense. If it doesn't work for you, then it might be that the camera lense on g2 is different from the phone the guide you were following was written for. If your pics quality is really affected by the scratches, you should change the rear housing backplate that contains camera lens & volume buttons. It's around $20 I think.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes.Camera is creating foggy and grainy pictures so thats why i am looking for it,how about if i use metal polish on it ??

EvilKing009 said:
yes.Camera is creating foggy and grainy pictures so thats why i am looking for it,how about if i use metal polish on it ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Metal polish doesn't sound like a good idea, it might damage the glass (if it's glass underneath anyways). Just noticed mine is scratched too, but pics seem decent. It's a really bad quality I guess since I use double layer hard case for my phone and I doubt lens is in contact with anything most of the time. I dunno man, google a bit about it. Replacing the part if nothing works, or if you mess things up. Be careful. There are some guides online but I think finding out which material is it made of is essential. For example, if it's polycarbonate you can use something with hydrofluoric acid. It will remove everything from it leaving the lense clear. But if it's glass, hydrofluoric acid will dissolve it and make it look like frosted glass.

MilanStojkovic said:
Metal polish doesn't sound like a good idea, it might damage the glass (if it's glass underneath anyways). Just noticed mine is scratched too, but pics seem decent. It's a really bad quality I guess since I use double layer hard case for my phone and I doubt lens is in contact with anything most of the time. I dunno man, google a bit about it. Replacing the part if nothing works, or if you mess things up. Be careful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.I guess it is the only way to fix is to replace its rear cam housing.

Pretty cheap fix, I'm having the same problem with the rear can pics coming out foggy with streaks.

EvilKing009 said:
Hi,
My camera lens is badly scratched.I tried to fix using toothpaste,water,lotion etc but nothing works on him.
Pics are in attachment.
Is there's any thing that should be able to remove its scratches??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pretty sure you are over it by now, but ill leave this gem over here.
buy off a low quality phone housing and replaced only the camera lens glass cover by popping it out. ebay had an offer for $5+ as i remember.

well, its not that so hard for you to find its housing.For me, in my country , its really really hard to find as no one sells LG parts so much.

If you are having trouble finding it and you don't mind waiting, order it online. AliExpress for example

Do you have any scratches on your moto g4 plus?

I have one crack on the flash and two small scratches on the camera(not affecting quality as far as I can tell). I just bought this phone 3 days ago I don't know when or how these cracks/scratches appeared. The front screen and fingerprint button are in mint condition.
I wanna know if you guys have noticed similar or the same issues.

Yep u r right, camera and the surrounding area is prone to get scratches even if you take a lot of care, probably due to cheap quality plastic used. Mine is full of scratches too

ya sme
j0nas_ said:
I have one crack on the flash and two small scratches on the camera(not affecting quality as far as I can tell). I just bought this phone 3 days ago I don't know when or how these cracks/scratches appeared. The front screen and fingerprint button are in mint condition.
I wanna know if you guys have noticed similar or the same issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also got sme scratch on camera module dont know how.....till now its nt affecting the camera quality bt still worried for future

I got couple of scratches on rear camera... they should have used Corning Gorilla Glass

Same here the cover of the cam module is of low quality I guess.

I guess using camera skin will help......to some extent

Don't knowwhy this happened. But I want to ask that when did you order?
Am suspecting that there are some difference in quality in different batches. Mine doesn't have a single scratch, but my brothers have lots of scratches.
Sent from my Moto G (4) using XDA-Developers mobile app

j0nas_ said:
I have one crack on the flash and two small scratches on the camera(not affecting quality as far as I can tell). I just bought this phone 3 days ago I don't know when or how these cracks/scratches appeared. The front screen and fingerprint button are in mint condition.
I wanna know if you guys have noticed similar or the same issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can unit is little protruded so it is prone to scratches, i would recommend using a thick back cover

iloveindia said:
can unit is little protruded so it is prone to scratches, i would recommend using a thick back cover
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No matter how much care you take it'll still get scratches, God knows what kind of material they've used, it'll get scratches even if its fully covered

thejoemaya said:
Don't knowwhy this happened. But I want to ask that when did you order?
Am suspecting that there are some difference in quality in different batches. Mine doesn't have a single scratch, but my brothers have lots of scratches.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got it a week ago, the scratches came with it. It was the last one in the store.

Yes, the Camera protector glass is much prone to scratches as it's the first thing to touch the surface when you land the phone. I observed these scratches on my colleague's phone. When I ordered one, I quickly got it protected by an Armor back case. Now I am not worried of fall or scratches besides it gives good grip

Anyone in the forum, who ordered on day 1?
Also, i want to ask that if anyone compared the brightness values between the 1st day order and those ordered afterwards? I observed great difference in the colour. Mine produced white but my brother's was having a little yellowish tint.
Sent from my Moto G (4) using XDA-Developers mobile app

==vj== said:
Yes, the Camera protector glass is much prone to scratches as it's the first thing to touch the surface when you land the phone. I observed these scratches on my colleague's phone. When I ordered one, I quickly got it protected by an Armor back case. Now I am not worried of fall or scratches besides it gives good grip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where do you get a case like that? I don't think there are any cases in any store my country yet if ever.

No matter from which lot you got the mobile, it'll get scratches. I observed it on my first week use then I quickly ordered Camera skin from here
and now it's looking fu*ng cool and no more scratches

no problem
thejoemaya said:
Anyone in the forum, who ordered on day 1?
Also, i want to ask that if anyone compared the brightness values between the 1st day order and those ordered afterwards? I observed great difference in the colour. Mine produced white but my brother's was having a little yellowish tint.
Sent from my Moto G (4) using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah i got it day 1, no problem on my end, produced colors are same as always

I think the Crack you mentioned on flash is a separator for two led flash being of different colors. Also it's a fine thin line which is quite straight. Cracks generally are not so straight. But yes I also have few scratches on the camera protector

No scratches at all on my Moto g4+ ordered from Amazon.

ashwin_tembhekar said:
I think the Crack you mentioned on flash is a separator for two led flash being of different colors. Also it's a fine thin line which is quite straight. Cracks generally are not so straight. But yes I also have few scratches on the camera protector
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is NOT the seperator line, I know there is one that goes like a -. The crack is more like a / that ain't straight.