N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

I've just noticed something I can't seem to find anyone else experiencing. Perhaps its just gone unnoticed until today, not sure.

I let my mother use the N900 to take a picture of some antique furniture she was interested in, and the images came back with a hazy nature in the upper right corner. I rotated the camera and tried for myself, and the same thing.

I'm pretty experienced using similar hardware on other Nokia Nseries devices, and had a feeling it was pooling light from a reflective source. I used to have light bounce off my palm if holding the camera a certain way, so this was expected, but it was the same even with no hand on the left side of the device. So I took another picture with the back cover removed, and the haze disappeared, and image quality more more like what I expected. So it was something on the back cover.

When looking closely while taking photos, the LEDs reflect off the chrome-like bezel around the camera optics and slide, reflecting back into the photo with adverse effects. I'm tempted to try to disassemble and modify the chrome housing, but don't want to ruin my warranty or my new device.

I used a permanent marker on the trial device to make it black, but it still had enough reflective properties to cause the same effect. I'd like to remove the chrome bezel and paint it with some high temperature "barbecue grill" paint, which is flat black and has no reflection, but I'll wait and see if Nokia will be willing to acknowledge this hardware design fault and rectify it themselves. They could make another bezel of the same plastic as the back without any reflective quality and solve it for me. For $589, that isn't too much to ask, is it?

Am I the first and only to notice this? I haven't taken many photos since a 5 mp camera isn't fascinating anymore since I've used Nseries flagships with a similar camera part for two years.

Re: N900 Camera Design Fault
 

Notice the clarity of the lower image with the back removed?

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

What a shame

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

I can notice the clarity diff. Its a damn interesting idea. may test that myself.

Perhaps time to break out the sharpy.

I am assuming this was when the flash was firing?

While I agree it seems like an oversite on Nokias part I suspect they simply didn't realise it was an issue.

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

I suspect Nokia needs to find a new QA team, this is ridiculous. How do they not see that the images suck due to reflection on the hardware design. Fools. I still am dying to hold my n900 though. I guess I'm the fool.

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

Chris another good post, you're a busy guy today!

Just thought, how about some knife work on a paper backed tape like decorating tape (masking tape in UK) and use a black marker pen on that? The tape should stop the reflection by physical block and the marker stops it looking idiotic.

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

I get mine tomorrow! Overnight from NewEgg gotta love it! Ill test this out on mine when I get it. Thanks for the heads up.

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

Also not impressed at all with images from the N900. Then again, I have a Canon 5D Mark II with tons of L lenses. But still very poor compared to my ancient Canon SD400 4mp point & shoot. What size sensor do they include in these cameras?

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

i do agree picture quality on the N900 is not great. I live in a very sunny place and where I have seen problems are in:

1. sun in front of you - gives the pictures a washout
2. closeups with flash are REALLY bad and colors are really washed out. Disabling flash helps a lot - but then you are limited to okay lit areas.

But which idiot surrounds the sensor with a mirror?

/Kaz
Nikon D3/D700 :-)
Fujii FD31 (for scuba)

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

Yeah, those are terrible pictures..I have seen 3.2mp cameras take better ones than those. I am starting to think this phone was just sent out half done...

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

That bright Serbian-Hungarian attila77 mentioned the same problem with the bezel in October, and he suggested taking the back off too, last month. If I'm forced to use the flash, I take the back off. It helps (but the flash does still suck).

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

oooooooooooo man. i can handle software faults since it can be all fixed through firmware. hardware faults is just a shame, lucky its just the outer casing.

why couldnt we have xenon and LED in one unit???? nokia thats what we want.

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

I'd say the size is about 10% from your ancient Canons sensor...

e:
http://www.letsgomobile.org/images/news/oki/camera.jpg

compare that to your 35mm FF sensor physically and you realize why you aren't impressed...

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

From my N95 8GB disassembles, my new N900 appears to have the exact same CCD. My N95 also had issues with exposure washout. I've had better results with setting the expose at -1.0 and ISO=100-200 with no flash. As stated earlier if the subject is backlit the hazy effect is dramatically increased.

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

I got no problem with mine. Pic looks great.

Took this yesterday afternoon.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...1/myEVO/ev.jpg

The only problem I have with the N900 is that there is no picture
message. Last night at work, I have a client that need to see an
image for approval and she asked me to send it to her phone because
she's already home and can't check it on the comp and she don't have
internet connection at her place she just moved in to a new apt).

I never thought it would be a problem but that problem came too
soon! Unless there's a way you can send a picture message that I
don't know about, please let me know how.

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

you can send it as an e-mail

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

Wow, that does explain a lot. I guess I'll paint the chrome part some matte dark color then.

Right, yeah! I've even seen 2.7Mp cameras take MUCH better ones. This one for example:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_D1

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

This one does not even have MP! And its still better:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_EOS_650

The N900 really is just a pile of *****

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

OMG you don't get negatives out from your n900 just by spilling rodinal on it!!!

3 words:
http://www.bruidsfotojournalist.nl/g...135mm_F2_L.jpg
http://www.elektroni.fi/tuotekuvat/EF85-112LII_USM.jpg
http://www.slashgear.com/gallery/dat...1.4_770633.jpg

as long as something like those can't be fitted to N900, one really can't expect very much from 5mpix.

spoiler: the first one weights 750g, second 1025g and third 675g

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

Irony? Ever heard of it? ;-) Comparing a cellphone to a reflex camera is and will be pointless for ever...

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

Very good observation, well done. I doubt Nokia will fix it, but it's amazing how much better the second image is. Good to know that it's a design flaw that is possibly fixable with household tools. Thanks.

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

It is not about the size of the megapixel, it is the size of the lens that count. The bigger lens will have a better sensitive sensor to light. Where light is the source of image. No light there will be no Image. The more light goes in, the better colour and picture though on the same megapixel rating. :)

My N93i is better taking picture close up than my N95. Because of the Optical Zoom.

On the other hand. N900 was designed to take professional picture anyway. None of the professional photographer use the N900 to take pictures. N900 is an Internet Tablet + Phone. lol nothing about Camera factor.:D

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

so i can't become the next page 3 photographer using the n900, balls :(

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

wow. This thread went almost viral! LOL

The Sharpie technique WILL NOT WORK! You'll need a nonreflective paint or something else. I'm thinking of sanding it to give it a brushed aluminum/stainless steel look, which I prefer to chrome anyway. It may turn out like scratched silvery painted plastic, so I'm weary of trying it.

FOr most lighting situations, pictures look good, but any bad images caused by product design are an issue to me, even if I never use the camera in that situation again.

Did Nokia look past the original issue in October? I'm about ready to raise a stink, which I do pretty well, but I'm wondering if others can reproduce the same issue.

I shot the image about about 5 ft. from the subject. A light fixture with two naked 13 watt compact flourescent bulbs in a ceiling fan fixture were nearly directly overhead, if only slightly behind my head. I used the Automatic scene mode with auto flash. There was no ambient light from windows, since it was dark out.

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

Perhaps something like

http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/tam/tam...source=froogle

Might be more workable - not that I am suggesting you spray paint it - but some in a container and then painted on?

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

That's confirmed - here's 2 I took just now, firstly with the back on:

Attachment 5021

And nextly with the back removed:

Attachment 5022

I had the room lights off to eliminate reflections from any other source and I've resized the images to 600x800 for forum-friendliness. The flare in the first picture is clearly visible and contrasts markedly (no pun intended!) with the second image.

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

Conclusion: Permanent marking pen on the chrome area might help fix the problem. Or may be paint it black :D

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

I got similar results with a back on / back off comparison shot today. Crap. Maybe there's a market for a third party replacement back. Or maybe Nokia will retool the production n900 to address this and quietly sell a replacement to existing owners (hah!).

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

I think I will employ the sharpie tomorrow and see what happens. Should at least dull the reflection

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

Hopefully someone can figure out a work around that will not void the warranty and solve the problem. Good job Chris for pointing this out I am surprised no one noticed this earlier. And I was so happy it had a lens cover!

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

Maybe we can convince a cell phone accessory manufacturer to make us a new back with a more optimal lens cover arrangement and a kckstand for a better viewing angle while they are at it!

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

unbelievable. this flash reflection on the lens is the EXACT same problem our white N97 has, i cant believe its not more of an issue than it is, it really makes the camera unusable, and then this, the identical problem with the N900!

cmon nokia, its part cameraphone, this is fundamental

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

Well I wouldnt say the camera is unusable - I have taken a number of very good pictures with it. I would say that it needs a little hackage to fix this issue however

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

Perhaps we could see a non shiny cover with a battery extension kit? Extra chunkiness be damned, the 1320mah is too weak for the N900.

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

the sharpie won't work. first thing i tried. and it wiped off easily. it needsm to be a flat black or other color. the paint in the link should be perfect.

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

Hi everyone, also suffering this issue. In my eye's this is a huge design floor by Nokia and should be fixed at no extra cost, if a product isn't fit for use in all purposes there is no point adding it to the phone. I have contacted Nokia this evening by email and will post the reply here when I get irt. In the mean time I suggest everyone does the same and spreads the word, hopefully if we bombard them enough they will solve the issue and fix it free of charge for us. pass this on to people even if they haven't had the issue as it may just be they haven't realised. Cheers everyone!

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

And exactly how would you have them fix this issue - short of sending everyone who purchased and n900 a new back plate. Since we cant just pop the bezel off - thats about the only way I can see it happening - and I REALLY don't think thats going to occur.

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

Its a good idea, but i doubt that they would even considering shipping out new back covers to the consumers for free.. But im gonna help by contacting Nokia also my self. Then only time will tell what their next move will be ;)

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

Might as well. Not like there are a ton of devices out and about anyways- figuratively or maybe not even literally;)

Get rid of the chrome bling! I noticed the issue on my first picture, but thought it was user error. Not taken too many pictures with Flash. Still, how in the heck did they miss this in hardware QA?

added:

Seems a defect in design, so they would be obligated in coming up with say correction.

Re: N900 Camera Images Hazy
 

Now here's something interesting. The device I took those 2 christmas tree pictures with was suffering from the random reboot problem that some people have reported. I took it back to the Nokia store in London today and got it replaced with one that doesn't reboot all the time.

Here's a picture of the exact same christmas tree, taken with the new device with the back on:

Attachment 5049

All conditions exactly the same as yesterday. No reflection from the flash! This has got me scratching my head...

Is it possible that the small number of devices which suffer from random reboots do so because they've been put together badly? This might cause the flash LEDs to be fitted sufficiently out of alignment to cause the flare that I saw with my first one.

Naturally, I've got no evidence to support such a claim. Just seems odd that one device suffers from the problem while the other one doesn't.