How do you get the best results from a fixed-focus phone camera?
Asked 7/15/2012
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My phone has a 5 MP fixed-focus camera with a 3.3 mm lens, and it does not have autofocus. What is the best way to use this type of camera? Is it suitable for landscape shots and for close-up photos, and what does the focal length mean in this context?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
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IMHO the best and only way to take pictures with such camera is to point and shoot. You don’t need autofocus since the camera construction means that practically everything on the photo will be in focus, be it a landscape or a close-up (or both at the same time). The good thing is that you don’t have to do anything special to get the photo, the bad thing is that you can’t do anything special to get a better or different-looking photo (except post-processing).
Regarding the focal length: There are two ways to get an object into focus. The first one is by determining the distance of the object from the lens and setting an appropriate focal point on the lens. The second one, used by fixed-focus lenses, is to focus the lens on a fixed point close to the lens (the hyperfocal distance) which gives you an infinite depth of field. Then all objects are in focus no matter their distance.
I’m not sure if the particular focal length number given for your lens says much. If your camera has a 1/6" sensor, the 3.3mm focal length would be something like 46mm in the 35mm standard.
PS. Hopefully I got everything right, otherwise I’m sure there are enough knowledgeable people to spank me.
Originally by user9944. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user9944
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A fixed-focus phone camera is mainly designed to be simple: point and shoot. The lens is set to a fixed focus distance, typically chosen so that a large range of distances appears acceptably sharp. That means it works well for general snapshots and landscapes, because most of the scene will already be in focus.
The tradeoff is close-ups. Since you cannot move the focus point, subjects that are very near the lens may not be sharp. So it is fine for everyday shots and scenery, but not ideal for true close-up or macro photography.
The 3.3 mm number is the actual focal length of the tiny phone lens. On small phone sensors, short focal lengths give a wide view and naturally large depth of field, which is why fixed-focus works reasonably well.
In practice: use it for well-lit scenes, hold the phone steady, and don’t expect much control over background blur or selective focus. If you want more creative control or sharper very-near subjects, you would need an autofocus or macro-capable camera.
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