Removing lens cover improves pics...EDIT: Cleaning works too! :)

[Epicardium]

Way back when I owned an AT&T tilt, we had to remove the plastic camera cover to improve quality. It appears the same is true of the incredible.

My cover is not very scarred. I would consider my phone in great shape overall. Still, I decided to pop off the lens cover that projects out the backside of the phone. In so doing, there is a very appreciable improvement in contrast and sharpness of my photos. Attached are some samples. Now, if only we can figure out how to remove or replace the lens cover without jeopardizing the camera itself. As of now, it's the only barrier of protection, so removing it permanantly is not really an option.

Note, the video also shows great improvement, as should be expected.

 

[magneticzero]

Way back when I owned an AT&T tilt, we had to remove the plastic camera cover to improve quality. It appears the same is true of the incredible.

My cover is not very scarred. I would consider my phone in great shape overall. Still, I decided to pop off the lens cover that projects out the backside of the phone. In so doing, there is a very appreciable improvement in contrast and sharpness of my photos. Attached are some samples. Now, if only we can figure out how to remove or replace the lens cover without jeopardizing the camera itself. As of now, it's the only barrier of protection, so removing it permanantly is not really an option.

Note, the video also shows great improvement, as should be expected.

thats pretty odd, none of my photos look washed out like that with the camera lense still intact

 

[Epicardium]

thats pretty odd, none of my photos look washed out like that with the camera lense still intact

THanks. So, based on your feedback I decided to go ahead and clean both sides of the lens cover and also the inner lens cover with some alcohol. Definitely improved things for me. Check out the attached. It's weird because I could not appreciate any smudges of cloudiness by visual inspection. Looks no different to me after I've cleaned it, but the picture can't lie. There may still be a difference with the cover removed.

 

[ACD168]

THanks. So, based on your feedback I decided to go ahead and clean both sides of the lens cover and also the inner lens cover with some alcohol. Definitely improved things for me. Check out the attached. It's weird because I could not appreciate any smudges of cloudiness by visual inspection. Looks no different to me after I've cleaned it, but the picture can't lie. There may still be a difference with the cover removed.

that looks wayyy better.

 

[whewstoosae]

Isn't the lens somewhat glued onto the phone. Mine needs cleaning but I was afraid of hurting my phone.

Sent from my MIUI Incredible.

 

[kenif]

camera lens glare

Having a clean lens will help all photography. I think much of the difference in the first two photo examples is due to glare from sun position and or cloud cover. Notice the difference in the shadow from the pickup. Very pronounced with bright sun in washed out photo, and almost invisible in the 'clear' shot.
When shooting outside with SLR's I always try to use a glare shield, and when I have time to compose a shot with my phone, I do the same by just shadowing the lens with my hand. Sometimes awkward, but it does improve outdoor shots in the sun.

Ken

- also, glare is greatly amplified by a dirty lens...

 

[makos101]

could you list steps on how to remove the lens cover? I dont really wanna break anything with my camera. Thanks

 

[rusty4k]

Careful with the alcohol it mucks up plastik & rubber

 

[I_ronnik]

had the same problem. resolved

Isn't the lens somewhat glued onto the phone. Mine needs cleaning but I was afraid of hurting my phone.

Sent from my MIUI Incredible.

I had the same concerns. In fact, returned my first two Incs because of dust buildup under the camera glass. (edit-didn't mean to offend. I know everyone is busy/has a life/doesn't check messages all of the time) I wondered if it was latched somehow, or maybe screwed on. One day, out of frustration, I took off the battery cover and just tried to take it off. Turned out it was just stuck on with some kind of soft adhesive; just two short horizontal lines of it, at the top and bottom, behind the red part. I just gently pulled, and it did unstick from the top. I left the bottom connected, but folded the cover/bezel down and cleaned the inside with a little alcohol on a q-tip. Good as new. I wish I had done this on my very first Inc. I would probably still have it, and it had the best display.

 

[whewstoosae]

I had the same concerns. In fact, returned my first two Incs because of dust buildup under the camera glass. I sent a PM to another member who said he simply 'popped the cover off' to clean it, to ask how. I never got an answer. I wondered if it was latched somehow, or maybe screwed on. One day, out of frustration, I took off the battery cover and just tried to take it off. Turned out it was just stuck on with some kind of soft adhesive; just two short horizontal lines of it, at the top and bottom, behind the red part. I just gently pulled, and it did unstick from the top. I left the bottom connected, but folded the cover/bezel down and cleaned the inside with a little alcohol on a q-tip. Good as new. I wish I had done this on my very first Inc. I would probably still have it, and it had the best display.

Thanks for the info, I was too afraid to touch it without knowing if it was going to damage it or not.

Sent from my MIUI Incredible.

 

[nordr]

One day, out of frustration, I took off the battery cover and just tried to take it off. Turned out it was just stuck on with some kind of soft adhesive; just two short horizontal lines of it, at the top and bottom, behind the red part. I just gently pulled, and it did unstick from the top.

That's actually a little disturbing. By no means do I think the Incredible is somehow the industry standard of build quality, but the lens cover itself looks like it's made by NASA. Disappointing (but useful!).

 

[I_ronnik]

That's actually a little disturbing. By no means do I think the Incredible is somehow the industry standard of build quality, but the lens cover itself looks like it's made by NASA. Disappointing (but useful!).

I agree. This seems like a very preventable issue, from a manufacturing standpoint. The only good thing is that there is another piece of glass (square) that is over the actual camera lens, and seems to be well sealed to the camera module itself. I haven't seen any dust under there. I agree with the 'disappointing' aspect. The 8Mp camera w/flash was a big factor in deciding to buy this phone.

 

[g00s3y]

just did this, my pictures are coming out much better now also. Thanks for the tip, never thought of this...

 

[.jRay.]

Does it work the same way with Incredible S(vivo), i too have some dust under the glass.

 

[moondev]

could you list steps on how to remove the lens cover? I dont really wanna break anything with my camera. Thanks

just remove your battey cover and then you should be able to pop the cover and lense off

 

[Neel737]

just remove your battey cover and then you should be able to pop the cover and lense off

Thanks for your reply. I was going to ask the same question.