Samsung s6 edge camera focus, help appreciated

[kroalnumber2]

So I got a new S6 Edge a few weeks ago, and the rear camera keeps going in and out of focus. But here's the catch, it goes in and out of focus when taking a picture but stays 4k during video recording and I don't know what's up with that?

The selfies camera is fine and beautiful but it's just the rear camera.

I know other people have had/got my issue but theirs would stay unfocused and mine just goes in and out of focus on only the rear camera.

The solutions I've tried are:
-Playing with all settings and resetting them, no luck.
-Disabling the camera app and clearing it's cache/data in the application manager with no luck.
-Checked for plastic on the camera lens and I swear there is none and never has been (I'll feel stupid if I'm wrong)
-Tried other apps (Snapchat, third party camera apps etc) and no luck. And also, snapchat camera quality is worse but I expected this as snapchat is designed for iOS cameras so this is a widespread problem.
-Different modes change nothing.
-People are saying to look for an OIS setting as well? Which don't even exist on my phone.
-My hands are steady as well, because I could take a picture properly with my previous samsung phone and my giant chocoblock of an iPad.

Any help appreciated! I really do not think it's a hardware issue because it suddenly goes to 4k and takes about a second to focus up on a video.

P.S. Picture samples incoming

 

[kroalnumber2]

There's a couple of samples, I got more if you need more of a comparison but is the s6 Camera supposed to be this poor?

 

[anon(9983233)]

I was encountering nearly the same issue. The trouble with the smart phone camera's (not the app) is that the camera tends to keep looping the focus mode when attempting to focus on a partiualr subject matter. You say that you've tested other apps. but have you really explored what some of these other apps offer in the way of adjusting these types of issues.

Because most smart phones have limited or basic photo apps.. you're limited as to how it can be adjusted. In this light and I would suggest that you try at least one more app before ruling that the camera itself is in error.

Locate "Open Camera" app via the Google play store.. give it a shot, see if this realigned the system or camera. if it doesn't then it would appear that the camera zooming/focusing capabilities have been limited or restricted and or failing.

 

[kroalnumber2]

These 2 picutres have just been taken via Open Camera. But I will say it Open Camera did maintain the focus of the camera but just didn't bring the camera to the quality of the video recording or to when it's in focus on the standard camera app. (The split second it is in focus I mean)

 

[anon(9983233)]

Thanks for testing the Open Camera app.. then it's apparent that the camera not the app is malfunctioning.. One could have this repaired, and or acquire a new smart phone. But as a last resort.. and it's been known that a swift kick can correct a few things which may have become stuck within the device. In this instance and not so extreme.. tap the phone on each side, take a picture and see if this has adjusted something that might have come lose.

 

[kroalnumber2]

Are you sure the hardware is malfunctioning? Did the video I sent through appear? (I'm new to AC so sorry)
If the hardware is the problem, would the video recording be great quality?

I forgot to mention but the tap on each side of the device didn't work before.

I don't really wanna get a new device or send it back to samsung and go through all that trouble, and have bounce back and forth through Samsung for a feature I would only use once in a blue moon, then again it would be nice to solve this if possible because I spent £300 and do kinda want the full package...

 

[anon(9983233)]

I'm unaware of any video you may have posted.. and I still feel that it's a hardware issue. If taping the phone on it's side, back, front etc did not correct anything, and you've cleared the camera's cache and you've forced stop/disabled or even uninstalled the app.. then I'm still leaning towards a hardware issue even if the camera functions correctly in video mode.

 

[kroalnumber2]

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...%3A%2F%2Fvimeo.com%2F182842762&token=5f9KZfp6

This better have been sent through, it's a vimeo video of the messy back garden but the beautiful-as-ever S6 Edge video camera.

 

[anon(9983233)]

The video is very clear and seems to be in focus.. However, you're avoiding the issue, which is geared more towards close range images. This time, try zooming in and out on subjects..

 

[kroalnumber2]

Zooming+distances, I never thought about that, thanks for the heads-up, I'll be back with a result on that...

 

[kroalnumber2]

The top one is Katy Perry's name zoomed right in, the more I zoomed in, the worse it got.

The bottom one is me literally up close to Katy Perry and that looks clear to me, I'll test this on the video.

BTW as an extra, the final picture are long distances shot instead of just a poster and a garden. But one of them has my finger at the bottom which is my bad completely so that could effect focus.

 

[kroalnumber2]

Jus tested the video quality of the video camera.. Goes blurry like Katy Perry's name does when I zoom in as well and if I change to Open Camera, the problem continues.

 

[anon(9983233)]

You're really exploring this from all angles. But again I'm still convince that the hardware the camera lens and mechanicals are are fault here. There could be an update just for this which is not tied into the app.. I would search the manufactures support link for any firmware updates..

Also try this:

How to fix Samsung Galaxy S6 blurry camera, focus problems & other camera-related issues

 

[kroalnumber2]

I will explore that but I haven't tried a factory reset yet! I don't want to because of the pure effort it takes but you're saying hardware issue.. I'm kinda 50/50, it's definitely not your average S6 edge camera issue and I appreciate your help!

 

[kroalnumber2]

OK so DroidGuy says to "Disable Smart Optical Image Stabilization" when that is not an option I can find, is this really an option?

 

[anon(9983233)]

I would assume that if one open their camera app, then located the settings (indicated by three dots or three lines and typically on the right side of the screen) one might find the Smart Optical Image Stabilization option and disable it.. At least according to DroidGuy's instructions..

 

[kroalnumber2]

No option at all, there is video stabilization?

Is my issue to do with OIS?

 

[anon(9983233)]

OIS - Optical Image Stabilization - Gary explains

You sound very much like me when wanting the device to do something which wasn't designed for it to do.. If you're going to use your smart phone more as a camera than a smart phone. I would suggest relocating the threat to a more deserving forum, like DPReview.

In this case, there are others use have made advancements with the use of a smart phone while taking photographs.. I would like to say and think that I'm on the same path converting a smart phone into an excellent camera or at least a better way to take pictures.

In my case, the cameras have too many small parts which I'm unable to manipulate, while the smart phone has a larger screen and allows on screen manipulation in order to edit and alter images.

 

[kroalnumber2]

That's the thing, I'm not too fussed about the camera but it's just more of an added accessory at this point with the amount I really want/use it.

You think it's just the capabilities of the phone itself? I mean you could be right, I'll need another S6 phone to find out

 

[anon(9983233)]

I need you to check what firmware / Op Sys you're running.. then compare this to what updates are available to you via this support site:

Galaxy S6 Edge Stock Firmware (Latest OTA Update!) | GalaxyS6EdgeUpdate