[dcnats]

I've become more of a fan. It does take very usable and solid pictures if they are not close up. And it is FAST. Lack of focus definitely speeds things up. Lack of autofocus is still a huge negative for closeups but overall the camera is not terrible. The scene settings are really useful. You can somewhat overcome the lack of closeup capabilities by backing up and using digital zoom or cropping but it is still impossible to take clear pictures of text, business cards, documents, etc. -- and frequently this is a very useful function of the phone camera. I don't even know if QR readers will work (I don't really use them, seems gimmicky). Similar problem with business card scanners.

[o4liberty]

I have been able to overcome the camera issues and it works great for me.

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[lewisc1979]

I tried scanning several QR codes and they all worked just fine.

[eBud]

Hope there is an AF camera on the next BB superphone. I talk, I message and I take pictures. Your post offers some comfort, thanks for that. Don't understand RIM in this case. Best BB in years (most expensive, too) and they skimp on the camera? Like a Cadillac without FM radio..."Oh, you'll like AM radio just fine, almost as good...you'll get used to it".

[LSglock89]

EDOF is not really "skimping" its actually a great lens, but it does come with some compromises.

I have been able to replicate acceptable close ups of documents, posters etc. It takes a bit of skill and is not crystal clear, but legible enough to read.

There are too many other great things about this device to complain about sharp, focused up close pictures.

[doccit]

Well finally. others has the same problem as i do.. Well i really do hope they sort this out with their next update for the OS.. I have somewhat faith in RIM. Becas that was the same issue with the torchs' wen they jut came out.. then boom an OS update came out to sort out that issue.. really do hope that they do one soon for the 9900.. because for such a super phone its a must.. RIM HEAR MY CRY.. lol.. fingers crossed

[dcnats]

I don't see it as skimping either. I think EDOF and autofocus each offer plusses and minuses. Do I think autofocus is better? Yeah probably. But EDOF comes with:

1) skinnier phone
2) less parts on camera to break
3) faster camera
4) cheaper

Auto focus comes with better pictures close up and better control of the camera generally for difficult pictures. I think pretty much everyone prefers autofocus but RIM went the other way. RIM's pretty slow with innovation so my guess is that the next phone will probably just switch to autofocus but by then the world of Iphone/Droid will have moved onto some sort of combo that combines the best of both worlds (which certainly seems technologically possible even now).

[eBud]

VetteMan: "EDOF is not really "skimping" its actually a great lens, but it does come with some compromises."

I agree, "there are too many other great things about this device to complain...", but I'm looking for logic here. My wheezing little 8900 does great AF flash pictures. So why on that and "compromise" on this...?

[nomi1978]

With Kids and me snapping pictures I love how fast I can take pictures and I can capture moments quickly and they are clear.

Try getting a 2 year old smiling for a while or an infant back to a pose. Picture quality is very good. I wouldn't say great but I am happy thus far.

[LSglock89]

VetteMan: "EDOF is not really "skimping" its actually a great lens, but it does come with some compromises."

I agree, "there are too many other great things about this device to complain...", but I'm looking for logic here. My wheezing little 8900 does great AF flash pictures. So why on that and "compromise" on this...?

Trust me, I have the same thoughts as you. However...the good outweighs the bad and my up close pictures are to my satisfaction. So I'm not going to worry about it.

My close up pictures are for my future reference, as long as I can read them, I will give that up for an overall better phone.

[mjs416]

I like the camera - once you know how to do it. I'd rather have fast shutter speed than what we saw on the 9650's. You snap the picture and by the time the shutter snapped my kids was 10 feet away producing a nicely blurred picture.

[TheScionicMan]

but I'm looking for logic here. My wheezing little 8900 does great AF flash pictures. So why on that and "compromise" on this...?

The EDoF will take BETTER pictures than the AF in several situations, but not every one. If it was done to be cheap, they would have done it to the Curves too, but they didn't. So was it a decision that everyone will love? No. Is it a cheap solution that only takes crappy pictures? No. Can you take close-up pictures? No, Are all pictures worse? No.

EDoF will give much better pictures than AF when you're taking an unposed group shot, like a room full of people or a party. AF will leave many objects out of focus and you'll see movement blur on others. EDoF will capture the whole scene in focus.

[VVoltz]

I realice I haven't been using the camera that much, so it works great for me.
Howerver, a small part of me misses the fabulous AF abilities of my 9780.

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