HTC One (M8): Camera Lens Issue

[MirZa DaNish MehMood]

i used nail polish remover with Q tips it was doing a fine job on the camera lens untill i accidentally wiped the flash n then the flast started to become blurry n i started rubbing it a lil but the sucker cracked :/ i mean wtf htc ??? any advice ?

 

[jayelem]

Bad news, I'm afraid. Nail varnish remover is mostly acetone, which is an incredibly aggressive solvent for most plastics, and you've discovered a phenomenon called Environmental Stress Cracking. It's likely to have produced multiple cracks, and I don't think there's really anything you can do. I'd say always keep acetone away from ANY plastic. If you're really desperate, with nothing to lose, try this. Grind the lens/flash with emery paper, starting coarse-ish (say 400 grit) and finish fine (at least 600 grit, preferably 1200) then polish the plastic with metal polish. This may help with something like a flash, but is unlikely to get any sort of a result with a lens. If you look at my post above that explains the lens issue, you're trying to remove a coating that is flaking off (possibly inside too) and you need something mildly abrasive, that's why, when the coating is bad, even toothpaste works. I'm surprised HTC haven't come clean on this, and explained what's gone wrong, with a repair scheme thrown in. To anyone else self-repairing, just watch what solvents you use.

 

[BruceCk]

Yes, acetone is way too aggressive for the job, and may well have removed any lacquer over the metal body too (I'm not sure what the finish is). Too late for you, but a warning to others. Stick to a gentle polish like toothpaste or silver polish, and use a Q tip to go round in circles. The depression round the main lens cover helps keep the Q tip on the glass only. I did the duo lens cover too, but that is flush, so needs more care to avoid the metal. There is no reason to attack the flash cover, as that is plastic, and has no coating.

 

[shadwellal]

Slightly off topic, but I looked at this post because I wanted to see some photos of the camera lens. Most of these photos in this thread show that the lower flash lens is slightly orange in colour. My phone is the same, but I had read elsewhere that that indicates water damage. Please could someone clarify.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[BruceCk]

That's nonsense. The top LED is greenish, the bottom one orange. It's supposed to give a slightly warmer light than the usual bluish LEDs.

 

[Mooncatt]

That's nonsense. The top LED is greenish, the bottom one orange. It's supposed to give a slightly warmer light than the usual bluish LEDs.

Several phones are coming out with a dual LED flash now too.

 

[shadwellal]

Ok. Thanks. I think it was this that I must have misread, where it shows the liquid damage indicator :

https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-10369

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[BruceCk]

Ok. Thanks. I think it was this that I must have misread, where it shows the liquid damage indicator :

https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-10369

I take it back, it is used as a liquid damage indicator, but its says if it shows a pink or red tint, there is damage. Green and orange are the normal colours.

 

[shadwellal]

Thanks - completely reassured now!

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Sainterman]

Oh wow, thanks so much everyone.

For months i thought it was my phone alone that had this Camera Lens problem.

Look at the difference:


My photos are great again!.

 

[replica9000]

Re: HTC One (M8): Camera lens cover issue

Apple may be falling behind in some areas , but their iphone 6 cameras have no peers ..period dot com!!! And, their 5s camera stayed at the top of the hill despite it's 8 mp count. What you call innovation, i call Attention Deficit Disorder! Innovation means you create something that''s a game changer. Ultra pixel had the promise of being a game changer, but the ADD camera department at HTC decided to add a depth sensor rather than improve on the UP technology. They went in a totally different and gimmicky direction....That's not innovation! Hell, you can download the google camera and get damn near as good if not a better Bokeh effect than the HTC camera. I'm frustrated with HTC, especially when i see Apple killing everyone with the same old 8 mp camera that just can't be beat by any other cameras out there. Look for iphone 6 camera comparisons and you'll see for yourself just how crappy the HTC camera is in comparison to the newer phones. Even the Samsung held its own fairly well. I'd post the site if i had it, but i know you can google it. And, i don't want to hear that the newer phones have the latest technology advantage.... that's just crap now! The iphone 5s still beats out most phones and it's older than the m8. HTC was supposed to invest R&D into further development of UP and they failed. I'm not saying the camera is bad, but I'm frustrated because I'm one of those people that has had to send my phone back to HTC for several camera related issues over the span of the m7 and m8. And, now they're possibly going away from the UP technology altogether and onto something else! That's not innovation, that's some trial and error BS!
They need the same commitment and innovation in the camera department that they have employed in the sound and music department! They don't need to keep jumping ship. UP is the right direction, but build on it DAMNIT! Stop sidestepping! Do you remember the EVO 3d? HTC is just clueless when it comes to cameras and I really doubt that the m9 will be on par with the Iphone cameras, which sucks because i really like my m8 in every other area, but i must admit that i do not like the fact that i can never zoom in on a scene....never! You can't always get closer.... So, i guess i've told you " how i really feel!" LOL!

HTC One M9 hands-on: Improved craftsmanship, camera, and HTC Sense are compelling | ZDNet

Front facing UltraPixel and rear 20 megapixel with sapphire glass lens cover

 

[Mooncatt]

Re: HTC One (M8): Camera lens cover issue

HTC One M9 hands-on: Improved craftsmanship, camera, and HTC Sense are compelling | ZDNet

Front facing UltraPixel and rear 20 megapixel with sapphire glass lens cover

So not going to be a fan of the power button repositioning if it's as easy to push as the M8. The 20 MP rear camera is ok, but I'd worry about the loss of low light ability. I know the article said if that's a problem, to just turn the phone around and use the front facing cam, but really...? So, no way to frame your shot without putting your back to it (and look like one of those selfie obsessed people in the process), or shoot blindly while reaching around to fumble for the shutter button. That's a great compromise; my sarcastic compliments to the writer.

Even if I wanted a new phone, I wouldn't take the M9 over the M8 at this point. Plus I kinda like the duo effects.

 

[CHILLYWILL_95831]

Re: HTC One (M8): Camera lens cover issue

HTC One M9 hands-on: Improved craftsmanship, camera, and HTC Sense are compelling | ZDNet

Front facing UltraPixel and rear 20 megapixel with sapphire glass lens cover

I'll wait on the camera reviews. And, i bet anything they have not optimized hardware and software for the 20 mp rear facing camera. They just don't have the talent in their camera software engineering department. And, yet again, they've gone in another totally different ADD direction. They just can not focus for S**T! A 20mp camera on an HTC device will be guaranteed to gve horrible low light performance, especially coming out of the clueless HTC camp. They could have dropped a 6 up shooter on their optimized for the hardware. And, they need to get rid of the ***** in the camera department that thinks every new idea should be implemented rather than improve on a great idea. UP was great at the onset, but we all know that it was software optimization that screwed it up.

if you think the 20 mp count is what matters, then you're one of those people who have no idea how camera optics work on a tiny lens cell phone. It is now the mp count that matters, it is the optimization of hardware and software that is tantamount for great cell phone camera optics. Even Google got it right with their 13 mp camera. check this out

 

[replica9000]

Re: HTC One (M8): Camera lens cover issue

I would go for a 8 "Ultra-Pixel" or better if they offered one. I was happy with the 8mp on my DInc and Rez.

 

[spewak]

Magic eraser used here also. Worked like a charm except that it was very difficult to clean near the frame edges. Pictures are much clearer now.

 

[mkdll]

Oh wow, thanks so much everyone.

For months i thought it was my phone alone that had this Camera Lens problem.

Look at the difference:
View attachment 165405 View attachment 165406

My photos are great again!.

My photos used to be like the first one in your post. I was worried about my phone, I thought the camera was broken. I used toothpaste to clean the lens and and my M8 its taking awesome photos again too.

 

[jwbekens]

I finally developed the dreaded "blurry, cloudy" picture problem. I used Meguiar's Plastic Cleaner spray. Made for this job. Took away the haze. No scratches. Looks like new. Photos are sharp again.

 

[Lock Down1]

It sucks to see problems like this.

 

[mfreeland]

It sucks to see problems like this.

It does, I guess, but it's such an easy fix..... I wouldn't worry.

 

[Larry 609]

I've been having trouble with pics for a month or two now, so I tried out the "toothpaste and q-tip" solution to see if that made a difference at all. Turns out it did and the pics are back to normal!