Camera Fixed..!

Polymira · 11-17-2009, 12:56 AM

So I for some reason decided to go ahead and attempt to take a photo tonight .. in the dark, up close. And what do i see? Green bars .. okay, fluke .. i get these 1 out of 20 times .. but second time .. same thing, third, etc.

So at this point i'm thinking that it is just lying to me and is saying it's focusing no matter what .. i point into the blackness of night, red. Okay, good sign here.

I go inside, and 8 out of 8 photos taken were in focus...

The only thing i've done today is update shopsavy (or was it barcode scanner?) whichever had the update today. I don't see why that would affect it, but regardless. Suddenly it works...

Anyone else?

Fabolous · 11-17-2009, 12:59 AM

I also installed the Shopsavvy update, but I followed this thread to get my focus to 100% (well, I've taken like 10 photos, and they were all green)

Clean the camera lens

Did you by chance wipe off your lens?

Polymira · 11-17-2009, 01:04 AM

Nope, i sure didn't .. but it's possible my pocket did. But I know for a fact it wasn't working last night, bought it on launch day.

Hmmm...

Nicks88 · 11-17-2009, 01:15 AM

Is anyone in the know about if they sent out a quick update or anything? I just find it hard to believe that cleaning the lens was the issue as I cleaned the phone thoroughly prior to installing phantom skins. I had cleaned the lens prior to today and had issues with the camera, now it suddenly works. Very interesting indeed...

mattbizkit78 · 11-17-2009, 01:18 AM

just tried mine after reading this and it took good pictures every time and I was inside to boot. I haven't touched the camera function inside after the first couple days because every pic I took sucked ass. Works awesome now for some reason.

sho95 · 11-17-2009, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicks88

Is anyone in the know about if they sent out a quick update or anything? I just find it hard to believe that cleaning the lens was the issue as I cleaned the phone thoroughly prior to installing phantom skins. I had cleaned the lens prior to today and had issues with the camera, now it suddenly works. Very interesting indeed...

Sometime the way we clean our phones really does not get done correctly. I all ways use my SLR cleaning kit to clean my lens/phone with and carry those wet lens napkins in my car just in case.

docprego · 11-17-2009, 01:26 AM

This is very interesting! Many users are reporting the same thing over on HowardForums too: HowardForums: Your Mobile Phone Community & Resource - Droid Camera Fixed? Try your camera now...

I find it hard to believe that this is a coincidence. I guess it's possible it's due to cleaning off lenses, but I tend to doubt that. There must have been a silent update pushed out to our phones, what else could explain it?

Nicks88 · 11-17-2009, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docprego

This is very interesting! Many users are reporting the same thing over on HowardForums too: HowardForums: Your Mobile Phone Community & Resource - Droid Camera Fixed? Try your camera now...

I find it hard to believe that this is a coincidence. I guess it's possible it's due to cleaning off lenses, but I tend to doubt that. There must have been a silent update pushed out to our phones, what else could explain it?

Im with you on this one. I didn't use any special camera solution or anything to clean it with before or after it started working. Just a good cleaning before installing my skins, and a nice wipe of my shirt or pants leg since. I am glad that it works better now regardless of how it works. Maybe it's magic?

MajesticFlame · 11-17-2009, 01:38 AM

I have to agree with the silent update. I think it actually messed up my 3g service as tonight at work I lost my 3G and was back on 1x. I used *228 to update my phone and my 3G is working again.

So if anyone else had the issue of the 3G vanishing on them tonight use *228 and see if it fixes your problem.

I didn't make the connection to it being an update that caused the problem until I saw the post on the camera focusing properly. I promptly tested mine and found it was working now.

dmgabe · 11-17-2009, 01:39 AM

Not only does it actually focus, it does it much quieter on my phone. Definitely not a quick "wipe of the lens" fix. Hopefully we will get a little info on what happened in the next day or two.

Droidzilla · 11-17-2009, 01:46 AM

I'm in. Mine is working great!!

docprego · 11-17-2009, 01:47 AM

I actually just got Shopsavvy to focus on 2 bar codes too, before this I couldn't get it to focus on anything. On a 3rd attempt it failed though, so I am not sure what it all means yet.

I also snapped 3 photos in a row in a very low light situation and got 3 very quick focus locks with all green corners. One photo of the three was the same subject (my iMac screen) I took a few days ago and tonight I could zoom in and read the text clearly on the screen (I was actually impressed). On the photo from a few days ago it was completely blurry.

This kind of makes sense, think about it. Verizon's flagship device is getting rave reviews but almost all of them punctuated with complaints about the camera. Maybe they felt the heat and prioritized this update, sending it out much sooner than any one would have guessed.

rzawora · 11-17-2009, 01:49 AM

I agree with everyone here... there was definitely a silent update to the camera program. Mine is also working flawlessly now, night time outside, lit up inside, doesn't matter, it's taking photos like a 5MP should do. Hope we find out what happened.

On the other note... I'm not sure if I'm to keen on the fact that they can silently update something without me knowing about it. Is there a setting to override something like this?

docprego · 11-17-2009, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rzawora

I agree with everyone here... there was definitely a silent update to the camera program. Mine is also working flawlessly now, night time outside, lit up inside, doesn't matter, it's taking photos like a 5MP should do. Hope we find out what happened.

On the other note... I'm not sure if I'm to keen on the fact that they can silently update something without me knowing about it. Is there a setting to override something like this?

As long as the silent updates improve the device like this one clearly did, I'm all for it. With some of these other phones people are waiting months for fixes, this was actually amazing to see happen so quickly.

MajesticFlame · 11-17-2009, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rzawora

On the other note... I'm not sure if I'm to keen on the fact that they can silently update something without me knowing about it. Is there a setting to override something like this?

I would have liked to have known it was going on as well. I even checked the update section earlier today and it said I was up to date. At least with the Marketplace you get a notice that there is an update and you can do the update if and when you want.

Not that I am upset that I can now use the camera.

DJ Jazzy Jeebus · 11-17-2009, 01:54 AM

Confirmed on mine as well. Just tested this and this is the first time I have ever gotten the green bars instead of red.

d1pham · 11-17-2009, 02:00 AM

Silent update for the win.

MajesticFlame · 11-17-2009, 02:02 AM

I would like to know if there were any other changes in the update. Anyone notice anything else besides the camera? Hopefully we will get a notice of what all they updated.

mattbizkit78 · 11-17-2009, 02:06 AM

I'll take the silent update anytime. I'm just happy I can finally use the camera like it was intended. I'm really surprised they didn't fix the camera issue before they released it. I cant imagine all the phones they tested worked and then all of the ones they release don't. If you watch or read all of the reviews it's one of the most picked on things about this phone. I would have wanted it working right out of the gate especially if they were gunning for the iphone. Oh well at least the updates are quick.

e39e60 · 11-17-2009, 03:43 AM

I'm not buying a silent upgrade. Is anyone improved that isn't running savyshoppr?

Nicks88 · 11-17-2009, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e39e60

I'm not buying a silent upgrade. Is anyone improved that isn't running savyshoppr?

I'm not buying the wipe lens auto focus fix. I don't have that app installed and camera is improved.

Backnblack · 11-17-2009, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Droidzilla

I'm in. Mine is working great!!

Same here...They are sneaky.....I like it!

Build ESD20

e39e60 · 11-17-2009, 05:18 AM

Mine's improved too. I vote that we write down every build number that our phone says everyday.

Maybe I'll go by some stores and compare something fresh out of the box.

I've been up all night if you can't tell so it will be later LOL.

Mipmap · 11-17-2009, 05:41 AM

Yeah same here, mine also seems to be fine in the focusing department.

Indoors with low wattage incandescent lights rooms still appear near pitch-black on screen until the camera flashes for the actual picture. But other than that it still seems to be ok.

boostftw · 11-17-2009, 05:42 AM

i did an update for shopsavvy and it started to work. I also check the camera and it focuses and snaps alot faster too. this is great!

rob129 · 11-17-2009, 05:51 AM

So what is shopsavy and where do I find it?

Thanks,
Rob

e39e60 · 11-17-2009, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicks88

I'm not buying the wipe lens auto focus fix. I don't have that app installed and camera is improved.

Did you EVER have it installed?

e39e60 · 11-17-2009, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob129

So what is shopsavy and where do I find it?

Thanks,
Rob

ROB, WAIT!

Are you saying yours isn't working better? If so, before you do anything, can you please please write down the build numbers so we can compare?

Settings/About Phone and post the values for the last 4 items.

After that scroll up to the top of About Phone and click on System Updates and see if it says you are up to date.

Thanks!

Howie · 11-17-2009, 06:04 AM

My camera works perfectly now. It never showed me the green lines before (not one single shot), but now it does it for every picture. It is also much quicker to focus and record the image.

I wrote down all the build numbers when I first got Droid, but can't find them so I'll post that when I find them.

Nicks88 · 11-17-2009, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e39e60

Did you EVER have it installed?

No.

e39e60 · 11-17-2009, 06:22 AM

engadget is now following after noticing it themselves:

Motorola Droid camera autofocus fixed in secrecy?

vonfink13 · 11-17-2009, 06:31 AM

Motorola Droid camera autofocus fixed in secrecy?

Dazureus · 11-17-2009, 06:46 AM

I wondered if there were secret updates pushed to the phone and now we might have the answer. People were complaining about a white line that mysteriously appeared on the lock screen and swore it wasn't there before. I wonder how many other changes have been made post release.

CatsTide · 11-17-2009, 06:48 AM

...the clean lens is not the fix. try fingerprinting it up...still works

Bufalo · 11-17-2009, 06:53 AM

Mine is focusing all quick and snappy like as of this morning.

breakerfall · 11-17-2009, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e39e60

I'm not buying a silent upgrade. Is anyone improved that isn't running savyshoppr?

I did not have shopsavvy insatalled and was just able to autofocus where I never had been able to before.
I have since installed shopsavvy because I actually think it'll work now.

Bufalo · 11-17-2009, 06:56 AM

I neither have shopsavvy nor cleaned my lens, and it's focusing like a champ. Pic quality still sucks, but at least it takes the pictures without endless delay now.

**Phases** · 11-17-2009, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e39e60

I'm not buying a silent upgrade. Is anyone improved that isn't running savyshoppr?

I don't have any bar code scanners installed (well, I'm about too

) and mine improved greatly.

syntrix · 11-17-2009, 07:13 AM

GREEN CORNERS FTW!!!!!!

I do have shopsavvy installed, but didn't have the overnight update installed.

famac! · 11-17-2009, 07:18 AM

Green all the time. Pic quality seems improved too. Took some dark pics where i saw nothing on the screen. Flash obviously came on but the pics were better than dark one i took last week.