Tag: iPhone 11 Pro

iOS Camera app “Portrait” mode failures

One of the reasons I was excited about my new iPhone 11 Pro is that I would no longer have to carry my ILC1 to bars/taprooms/restaurants to get the “bokeh” shot of the beer glass with my pour of craft ale2. I expected that the iPhone camera app "Portrait Mode" would suffice. “Portrait Mode” uses multiple cameras on the back of iPhones and software algorithms to create an artistic depth effect, whereby the subject is in focus, and the background is blurred. It's an attempt to approximate the “shallow depth of field” photographs one can easily capture with an ILC and wide aperture lens.

The image below was captured with the 6mm (52mm FF equivalent) lens on the iPhone 11 Pro but with all the "portrait mode" software disabled.

Portrait mode disabled – Apple iPhone 11 Pro + iPhone 11 Pro back dual camera 6mm f/2 @ ISO 125, Captured on Focos app

The following image was captured in Portrait Mode.

"Not Bokeh” — 17 October 2019, Day 13 of 2019 Project 365 — Apple iPhone 11 Pro + iPhone 11 Pro back dual camera 6mm f/2, ISO 125

I have experimented with the iPhone 11 Pro and Portrait Mode. The software algorithms need some work. It can’t figure out what to do with the space inside the glass but found the “solid” portion of the water in the glass. I tried shooting some beer in Teku glasses, and the algorithm has the “body” of the beer in focus but blurred the stem badly.

I learned that I need the subject of the photo to be still and 2.5 metres or less from the camera. Good lighting is important. My experience is that the effect struggles in artificial light indoors. This "bug" could be a problem for how I want to use the camera, but this is to be expected for such a tiny sensor. Smartphones take great photos outdoors with good light but are complete shite for indoor images that are no challenge for a modern ILC.

But sometimes, it doesn't matter what you do. Sometimes AI is no substitute. The image below was captured outside in bright light on the iPhone 11 Pro in "portrait mode". There are noticeable artefacts around the outer edges of the can and especially the glassware.

Double Street Green by Other Half Brewing and Trillium Brewing – Apple iPhone 11 Pro + iPhone 11 Pro back dual camera 6mm f/2 @ ISO 100, Captured on iOS 13.1.3 camera app

The image below was captured on my Fuji X-T2 and Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR lens.

Double Street Green by Other Half Brewing and Trillium Brewing – FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm @ ISO 400, Captured on Digital Camera X-T2 Ver4.30 app

More failures.

Apple iPhone 11 Pro | Fujinon iPhone 11 Pro back dual camera 6mm f/2 | f/2.0 | ISO 20
Apple iPhone 11 Pro | Fujinon iPhone 11 Pro back dual camera 6mm f/2 | f/2.0 | ISO 20
  1. ILC = interchangeable lens camera ↩
  2. Don't judge me! I want my beer porn to look good. Examples: Fustigated and Cainophobia by Troon Brewing at Brick Farm Tavern. ↩

iPhone Photography: Halide Technical Readout for iPhone 11 Pro

The iPhone 11 Pro has four cameras each with different technical capabilities.

In my latest blog post, I want to address a question I frequently encounter from smartphone photography enthusiasts: "Why do you still use a bulky camera?" This question often comes from individuals primarily using their phones for travel snaps, food photos, and selfies. To respond, I usually show them my wildlife and bird photography collection and ask, "How would you capture these on your smartphone?" My aim isn't to belittle their preferences but to highlight the different purposes and capabilities of smartphone cameras versus traditional cameras. Each has its strengths, and a dedicated camera still has the edge for the detailed, zoom-intensive work of wildlife photography. Is there an iPhone equivalent of a 600mm lens?

When I look at the specifications of the iPhone 11 Pro cameras, I notice that they have a fixed aperture, with values of ƒ/1.8, ƒ/2.0, ƒ/2.2, and ƒ/2.4. These cameras always shoot wide open. With my Fuji X-T2, I may use Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR or Fujinon XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR (rented) lenses, which offer more control over the aperture, allowing for various photographic effects and greater flexibility in different lighting conditions.

Additionally, the iPhone 11 Pro's ISO capability is limited to a maximum of 3072. This limitation is significant compared to my Fuji X-T2, which can handle a much higher ISO range, giving it an edge in low-light photography. Also, the slowest shutter speed on the iPhone 11 Pro is only 1 second. This constraint means the iPhone can only do long-exposure photography using software tricks. In contrast, with my Fuji X-T2, I can use much slower shutter speeds to capture long exposure images, use aperture priority settings, and take photos in low-light conditions with more ease and better results.

Fujifilm X-T2 with Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

Aperture Range: ƒ/22 - ƒ/2.8
Exposure Range: 1⁄32000 sec - 60min (or bulb)
Native ISO Range: 200 - 12800
Focal Length: 16-55mm (24-83mm in 35mm FOV)
Image Size: 6000 x 4000
Autofocus Systems: Intelligent Hybrid AF (TTL contrast AF / TTL phase-detection AF)
Flash: No

Fujinon XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR (rented)

Aperture Range: ƒ/22 - ƒ/4.5
Exposure Range: 1⁄32000 sec - 60min (or bulb)
Native ISO Range: 200 - 12800
Focal Length: 100-400mm (152-609mm in 35mm FOV)
Image Size: 6000 x 4000
Autofocus Systems: Intelligent Hybrid AF (TTL contrast AF / TTL phase-detection AF)
Flash: No

iPhone 11 Pro Back Camera Standard

Aperture: ƒ/1.8
Exposure Range: 1⁄71000 - 1s
Native ISO Range: 32 - 3072
Focal Length: 26mm
Image Size: 4032 x 3024
Autofocus Systems: Contrast, Phase
Flash: Yes

iPhone 11 Pro Back Camera "Telephoto"

Aperture: ƒ/2.0
Exposure Range: 1⁄45000 - 1s
Native ISO Range: 21 - 2016
Focal Length: 51mm (35mm FOV)
Image Size: 4032 x 3024
Autofocus Systems: Contrast, None, Phase
Flash: Yes

iPhone 11 Pro Back Ultra Wide Camera

Aperture: ƒ/2.4
Exposure Range: 1⁄45000 - 1s
Native ISO Range: 21 - 2016
Focal Length: 13mm (35mm FOV)
Image Size: 4032 x 3024
Autofocus Systems: None
Flash: Yes

iPhone 11 Pro Front Camera

Aperture: ƒ/2.2
Exposure Range: 1⁄48000 - 1s
Native ISO Range: 23 - 2208
Focal Length: 24mm (35mm FOV)
Image Size: 4032 x 3024
Autofocus Systems: None
Flash: Yes