Samsung A55-5G Macro image of Mango Blossom at night: What's wrong? if anything?

GammaGlobulin · 2025-02-09T19:23:19Z

Dear Folks,

I am very, VERY pleased with the A55-5G phone, for what I normally use it for.

Great amount of RAM, 12GB

Adequate internal memory storage: 256GB

Very reasonable cost, quite undeniably!

However, when it comes to photography...haha....because...

IMHO, it's still a JOKE compared to my old camera which I purchased...back in...1978.

This is why, anytime anyone asks me why I use my camera phone to take, mostly, nothing but images of store-purchase receipts, or maybe the neighbor's cat in my yard, I just say that it does not measure up to my 50-year-old camera, made by Nikon.

For example, just a few minutes ago, I noticed that my mango tree was blossoming early this year.

I decided to document it by recording an image of said blossom.

I turned the camera on the phone to MACRO, and got up close, but not too close.

Still, here is what the phone camera recorded....

What's wrong with this picture?

Or, what's wrong with the camera of the phone, for that matter?

Here is an image of my Nikon F2AS, a camera which I loved....so deeply.

Also, it was a film camera, another thing I loved....so deeply.

Do you even think that a Nikon would take such as sorry photo of a mango blossom as you see, above you?

It never would.

It never did.

On the phone-camera, there is no way to focus the lens.

Everything seems automatic.

And, so, sometimes, the images turn out like this.

I am not one to take many photos, daily, as I once thought I might.

Still, when a mango blossom image turns out like this...then...it's such a let-down.

Also, just look at the difference in the size of the lens!

This is a 50mm lens, a NORMAL lens, on the Nikon.

Gods only know what kind of creepy lens is in my Samsung phone.

I must admit, the Nikon F2AS, back in 1978, cost about....

Today, the price of the F2AS would be about....

Therefore, I have absolutely NOTHING to complain about.

I am ONLY asking and wondering about....

What's wrong with this mango-blossom picture?

Next time, I hope to do better.

Thank you.

Regards,

Gamma

Note: Although this might, at first, seem like an Agricultural Topic, or a Photography Topic, or even a PHONE Topic....still.....

Please keep me in the Pub, where I belong....

Thank you.

123Stodg · 2025-02-09T19:52:02Z

You should quit photography while your ahead.

KhunLA · 2025-02-09T19:54:51Z

Peaking setting should be on 'auto', though may need to change color if can't see. Yellow flower change peaking color to red.

GammaGlobulin · 2025-02-09T20:07:32Z

9 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Peaking setting should be on 'auto', though may need to change color if can't see. Yellow flower change peaking color to red.

Peking China?

I was referring to the crazy out-of-focus result in the image.

The MACRO setting is garbage.

This camera phone is OK for .....anything but semi-serious photography...unless...I might be doing something wrong which keeps the camera from focusing properly.

So then, the MACRO setting, and MACRO lens in this phone is basically useless?

KhunLA · 2025-02-09T20:43:05Z

Ralf001 · 2025-02-09T21:00:46Z

Prolly shoulda look at reviews before you purchased it... plenty of websites says the macro camera is useless.

FriscoKid · 2025-02-09T21:10:48Z

9 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Prolly shoulda look at reviews before you purchased it... plenty of websites says the macro camera is useless.

In this particular case, the operator is useless too.

GammaGlobulin · 2025-02-09T21:20:29Z

29 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

This is just the default-setting view on the screen of the phone camera.

And, the following is what I would expect from a MACRO Lens on a camera, imaging a Mango Blossom:

And here, once more, is my MACRO lens image of the Mango Blossom taken over an hour ago:

Still, the phone is very CHEAP.

Therefore, should I have expected this result?

Or, should I have expected more?

Actually, when I first purchased this phone, I never expected a rose garden.

Ralf001 · 2025-02-09T21:46:31Z

35 minutes ago, FriscoKid said:

In this particular case, the operator is useless too.

lol, there is that too !

KhunLA · 2025-02-09T21:52:31Z

39 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

This is just the default-setting view on the screen of the phone camera.

And, the following is what I would expect from a MACRO Lens on a camera, imaging a Mango Blossom:

And here, once more, is my MACRO lens image of the Mango Blossom taken over an hour ago:

Still, the phone is very CHEAP.

Therefore, should I have expected this result?

Or, should I have expected more?

Actually, when I first purchased this phone, I never expected a rose garden.

The A55 should have settings for 'focus peaking' and for macro lens, you definitely need that turned on.

Not familiar with Samsung, and personally would never buy, as overpriced. Saying that, it does use a Sony sensor ....

... "The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G has a 50 MP Sony IMX906 wide-angle sensor for its main camera. It also has a 12 MP Sony IMX258 ultrawide-angle sensor and a 5 MP macro lens. The front camera is a 32 MP Sony IMX616 wide-angle camera. "

Wife just picked up a POCO, since I've had mine for 4+ years and it's flawless. Actually should arrive today.

Priority in picking the POCO, as with mine, it uses a Sony camera sensor. As do many iPhones ... nuff said

Her phone cost 10k

50 - 13 - 2 MP

Mine cost 7200 and has 64 - 13 - 2 -2 & 20MP for something else.

GammaGlobulin · 2025-02-09T22:15:04Z

51 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Prolly shoulda look at reviews before you purchased it... plenty of websites says the macro camera is useless.

Actually, I did see these reviews before I purchased this phone.

STILL....

In complete honesty, I would definitely buy it again, for my needs.

I do not buy phones with serious photography in mind....ever.

And, also, I am an idiot, in this case.

I should have recalled from my old photography days that....

a. Using a Macro Lens requires a tripod arrangement.

b. Also, if one does not have an expensive Macro Lens, then the focal distance is critical.

c. In this case, after checking the specs, I did see that the Macro Lens on this camera is designed to have a working distance of about 2 to 3 cm. I am an idiot for not first checking this.

d. Therefore, I decided to try again, not with a flower blossom...but.....

e. With some gold from my mouth.

f. I just happened to have a gold crown previously removed by my wonderful dentist. And, here, you can see the results, with and without camera flash.

g. Four images....as follows:

Gold Crown inside view without Flash

Gold Crown Inside View with Flash

Gold Crown Outside View without Flash

Gold Crown Outside View with Flash

My conclusion is that my crown looks OK, based on these images.

These images are definitely NOT lab quality.

However, if one compares the price of a USD6000.00 camera (in today's dollars) to a USD500.00 Samsung phone of today....then which is the better deal?

Hands down: Samsung RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would buy the A55-5G, any day....for my needs.

If and when I return to my old work, as a professional photographer, then I will splurge and buy a new Digital Nikon camera.

But I really don't think today's Nikons can compare to the beauty of a Nikon F2SA....

Do you?

The Macro Lens on this Samsung is still out of focus, IMHO.

But, what do you want/expect for peanuts?

Ralf001 · 2025-02-09T22:24:16Z

7 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Actually, I did see these reviews before I purchased this phone.

STILL....

In complete honesty, I would definitely buy it again, for my needs.

I do not buy phones with serious photography in mind....ever.

And, also, I am an idiot, in this case.

I would buy the A55-5G, any day....for my needs.

6 months ago it was utter garbage...

GammaGlobulin · 2025-02-09T22:25:12Z

23 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

The A55 should have settings for 'focus peaking' and for macro lens, you definitely need that turned on.

Not familiar with Samsung, and personally would never buy, as overpriced. Saying that, it does use a Sony sensor ....

... "The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G has a 50 MP Sony IMX906 wide-angle sensor for its main camera. It also has a 12 MP Sony IMX258 ultrawide-angle sensor and a 5 MP macro lens. The front camera is a 32 MP Sony IMX616 wide-angle camera. "

Wife just picked up a POCO, since I've had mine for 4+ years and it's flawless. Actually should arrive today.

Priority in picking the POCO, as with mine, it uses a Sony camera sensor. As do many iPhones ... nuff said

Her phone cost 10k

50 - 13 - 2 MP

Mine cost 7200 and has 64 - 13 - 2 -2 & 20MP for something else.

I will definitely look into the info you have provided.

I had never heard of peaking, until you mentioned it.

For my molar photos:

The phone was resting on two solid bars of Proctor and Gamble soap.

Rock steady.

Of course, with a macro lens, one expects that only part of the image would be in focus, at any given time.

So, I think the camera did a quite good job of resolving the background texture.

The molar, itself, was not quite in focus...and this is due to the fact that....

I don't have different thicknesses of bars of soap.

Otherwise, I could have changed the working distance, in order to get my molar more in focus.

Don't you think?

So not bad, is my conclusion.

I was an idiot to try to use the Macro Lens to photo a Mango Blossom without first measuring the exact distance from lens to object.

KhunLA · 2025-02-09T22:26:10Z

If you don't have a steady hand, then a tripod would help. A55 has a 5MP macro lens, and should be producing good photo. Always take multiple shots when shooting macro. Fixed focus, so not sure if you can adjust f-stop, as deeper would be better.

I notice specs state ...

Macro: 5 MP, f/2.4, fixed focus.

GammaGlobulin · 2025-02-09T22:26:36Z

2 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

6 months ago it was utter garbage...

For entertainment purposes only.

KhunLA · 2025-02-09T22:29:57Z

2 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

I will definitely look into the info you have provided.

I had never heard of peaking, until you mentioned it.

For my molar photos:

The phone was resting on two solid bars of Proctor and Gamble soap.

Rock steady.

Of course, with a macro lens, one expects that only part of the image would be in focus, at any given time.

So, I think the camera did a quite good job of resolving the background texture.

The molar, itself, was not quite in focus...and this is due to the fact that....

I don't have different thicknesses of bars of soap.

Otherwise, I could have changed the working distance, in order to get my molar more in focus.

Don't you think?

So not bad, is my conclusion.

I was an idiot to try to use the Macro Lens to photo a Mango Blossom without first measuring the exact distance from lens to object.

Another trick for steadier photos, is set the timer, as the action of touching the shutter button, may shake camera enough. Also a faster shutter speed.

If shutter speed darkens the photo, can always adjust in post. The info is there, just need to bring it out.

GammaGlobulin · 2025-02-09T22:30:51Z

4 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

If you don't have a steady hand, then a tripod would help. A55 has a 5MP macro lens, and should be producing good photo. Always take multiple shots when shooting macro. Fixed focus, so not sure if you can adjust f-stop, as deeper would be better.

I notice specs state ...

Macro: 5 MP, f/2.4, fixed focus.

Correct.

This is why I used two bars of my favorite hand soap.

GammaGlobulin · 2025-02-09T22:33:46Z

6 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

If you don't have a steady hand, then a tripod would help. A55 has a 5MP macro lens, and should be producing good photo. Always take multiple shots when shooting macro. Fixed focus, so not sure if you can adjust f-stop, as deeper would be better.

I notice specs state ...

Macro: 5 MP, f/2.4, fixed focus.

Smaller aperture would give more depth of field, I know.

However, this is easier said than done on one of these phone-cameras.

Very easy to do on a real camera.

GammaGlobulin · 2025-02-09T22:36:39Z

4 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Another trick for steadier photos, is set the timer, as the action of touching the shutter button, may shake camera enough. Also a faster shutter speed.

If shutter speed darkens the photo, can always adjust in post. The info is there, just need to bring it out.

Yes.

Even on two bars of soap...still...any slight vibration can drastically affect the image quality.

Shutter speed, as well.

GammaGlobulin · 2025-02-10T00:45:52Z

This is really not too bad for a very cheap phone.

The Macro Lens seems not bad.

However, what is wrong with it?

a. Lighting is from the phone, primarily.

b. Need to add much more light.

c. Then, with more light, decrease aperture to get more depth of field? (But is this possible to do manually on this phone? IDK)

d. Obviously, very little vibration this time: I used my pinko-finger to press the button.

e. Great detail in the green stem of this blossom.

Also, this blossom is unknown.

Note, and Full Disclosure: LUX Soap, Soft Rose, was used to steady the phone.

Note2: All rights to this image are hereby relinquished. I think there is no need for me to sign any release form at this time. Let's consider it Copy-Left.

phetphet · 2025-02-10T00:55:29Z

A nighttime macro photo taken with a phone?

For a handheld shot, does the phone have image stabilisation? Was it turned on?

To give you every chance of success under those conditions, you should probably use a tripod due to narrow depth of field..

Also, depending on the settings available in the phone's camera, you might want to download a "Camera App" that offers more control.

GammaGlobulin · 2025-02-10T01:27:49Z

27 minutes ago, phetphet said:

A nighttime macro photo taken with a phone?

For a handheld shot, does the phone have image stabilisation? Was it turned on?

To give you every chance of success under those conditions, you should probably use a tripod due to narrow depth of field..

Also, depending on the settings available in the phone's camera, you might want to download a "Camera App" that offers more control.

Actually, at the time I purchased my phone,

I had been hoping to be able to capture images like this one.

There are just so many interesting lizards around my house.

Unfortunately, my phone's Macro lens doesn't seem to work like this one:

This is a fairly cheap lens available on Lazada....

I just don't know how to add this lens to my phone.

Maybe the phone requires a special add-on lens mount, or something?

phetphet · 2025-02-10T02:15:54Z

51 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Actually, at the time I purchased my phone,

I had been hoping to be able to capture images like this one.

There are just so many interesting lizards around my house.

Unfortunately, my phone's Macro lens doesn't seem to work like this one:

This is a fairly cheap lens available on Lazada....

I just don't know how to add this lens to my phone.

Maybe the phone requires a special add-on lens mount, or something?

You would probably need to buy a case that has the appropriate mount for that lens.

Maybe have a look at the following site. I believe their products are available on both Lazada and Aliexpress. not sure if they do for your phone though.

https://neewer.com/collections/samsung-series

Also, this might help:

GammaGlobulin · 2025-02-10T02:33:23Z

15 minutes ago, phetphet said:

You would probably need to buy a case that has the appropriate mount for that lens.

Maybe have a look at the following site. I believe their products are available on both Lazada and Aliexpress. not sure if they do for your phone though.

https://neewer.com/collections/samsung-series

Also, this might help:

I actually had no idea that it might be possible to mount such a lens on a phone.

KhunLA · 2025-02-10T03:42:25Z

2 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Actually, at the time I purchased my phone,

I had been hoping to be able to capture images like this one.

There are just so many interesting lizards around my house.

Unfortunately, my phone's Macro lens doesn't seem to work like this one:

This is a fairly cheap lens available on Lazada....

I just don't know how to add this lens to my phone.

Maybe the phone requires a special add-on lens mount, or something?

You want to shoot 'macro' on your phone, this is how you do it. Use the 50MP lens, on my phone, it's called 'Pro'.

Turn your damn 'focus peaking' on. Now get as close as you can, wantd to be on subject, as much peaking as you can see (that's what is in focus), and actually should be everything.

Snap the damn thing, then in edit, crop down what size you actually want. DONE.

Ain't no lizard going to sit, and let you take a photo with a macro lens. When was last time you got within 5 cm of any critter.

I don't shoot macro with any camera, I zoom in with best lens, then crop down to what I want. Nobody in their right mind shoots macro with an expected depth of field. Good for 1 thin plain; coins & stamps maybe, and w/external lighting.

Modified35mm lens to shoot macro using tubes:

Using zoom lens, & cropped down to subject size:

fredwiggy · 2025-02-10T05:21:42Z

Use your phone for talking and messaging and your camera, which has a much better lens and zoom abilities, accessory possibilities, settings and low light capabilities. Of this I'm sure you would already know, as a phone camera is an extra for the phone, and the lens is much cheaper.You can still get film for your camera, like my Minoltas, but a good digital camera is still the best bet.

GammaGlobulin · 2025-02-10T09:59:33Z

6 hours ago, KhunLA said:

When was last time you got within 5 cm of any critter.

That must have been...

The last time I enjoyed Lizard under glass.

I will try this peaking thing, and then get back to you.

ALSO...

That is a BEAUTIFUL BUG.

Very nice!

KhunLA · 2025-02-10T10:15:59Z

15 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

That is a BEAUTIFUL BUG.

Very nice!

Jumper spider ... very small, and could sit on the tip of your pinky finger.

phetphet · 2025-02-10T11:17:24Z

8 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

I actually had no idea that it might be possible to mount such a lens on a phone.

Oh external phones lenses can run to hundreds of dollars.

Have a look around Reeflex. Only one of several companies making such products: https://reeflexstore.com/products/g-series-lenses-full-set

I have a phone case that takes a 17mm mount, so some of these lenses would actually fit, if I could afford them. 😀

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