I'm not sure what the lens is made out of, but I've thought about this before.

I think I'm gonna get an extra zagg/phantom skinz/whatever and cut a circular piece out to cover the lens. I don't know how well it will work or if it will cause any degradation in the picture quality, but it's worth a shot.

 

This was one of the issues that worries me too. I was hopping a case would come out that would fix this issue.

 

Would have been so easy to just put on one of those little retracting lens covers .....

 

The camera lens is flush with the metal ring. If it's recessed it's too small for my eyes to see. So the Evo is in fact lying on the lens.

 

Photo from engadget review.

 

Technically that's just a glass cover, the actual lens is under that.

 

To clarify, there's a glass cover that protects the actual camera lens. So there is a risk that this glass cover could get scratched. That is flush with the red, metallic ring.

 

The lens is angled downwards...

If they didn't angle it, then the phone wouldn't rest flat on the table. It would roll around due to the circular metal rim.

 

just put a hard or silicone case on it. Problem solved.

 

DP review has something about scratched lenses, in fact I believe the thread actually shows pictures taken through a cracked lens.

Now this lense is much smaller, different focal length etc, but I would think short of making it opaque by rubbing with sandpaper you'd be ok for the usable life of the phone.

 

I'm sure if the Evo's lens gets scratched, a little buffing with toothpaste would fix it right away

 

Lol really? I've never heard of this before, although im not the must educated person when it comes to tricks and tips with the new super phones.

 

It seems to me that they'd take this into consideration when designing the phone. HTC isn't exactly new to this business. I'm sure they've tested it and it's fine and/or they're using some sort of scratch-resistant glass.

 

I just did this. The Zagg shield was on clearance for $199 at BB. I cut out a small circle using the cap of a fine point Sharpie. So far it's perfect and didn't affect picture quality that I could notice.

 

clearance for $199? ill have to look into that steal of a price

 

My device doesn't rest on the lens. However I am also using the Seidio Innocase II.

Sent from my HTC Evo 4G using Tapatalk.

 

Not that its the same phone but I had my incredible since launch day and it too sits on the red ring. Now I always lay it down that way and have yet to see any scratch. I don't think its going to be a problem, personally...just my 2 cents.

 

Exactly. Here is an article discussing the minor effect scratches have on lenses, (think its what Highland Ranger is referring to)

LensRentals.com - Front Element Scratches

I agree with wanting to protect your equipment but I think all the hubbub over a potential scratched lens on a camera phone is way overstated. Personally I'm more concerned about the front cam since i would be using it for vid conferencing. Any serious photography Ill use my real camera (dslr).

 

My camera lens already has a little scratch on it. I have since started using the kickstand whenever I sit my Evo down.

It does rest on the glass (not the little metal ring). When I run my finger across it, I can't feel any bump where the metal starts from the glass.

 

Ive actully done this with my wifes hd2 you can pick up a pack of 8 good screen protectors from walmart for like 8 bucks if you take the time to put it on there right no flaws should come up

 

If putting a screen protector on there doesn't hurt the picture quality, then zagg should be including that with their full body protection kits.

I would think there would be a huge market for little circle screen protectors on ebay, lol. Hopefully someone will start selling them so I can get a few and not worry about this anymore.

 

Yep me too...

I have had the phone for 2 weeks an just noticed a visible scratch on the lenses. Luckily it does not appear in the photos.

Not sure how it got scratched? Maybe i placed in on the counter face down? I was trying to be very careful. I just received my rubber skin to protect it, guess it didn't come soon enough.

I think they should have designed something to protected it, like movable window?

 

Put an over sized battery in it and problem solved lol. I've got one of the 3500mAh batteries in mine and the camera lens is really receded ( like 1/8th inch )

 

Why not just put a case?