iPhone 13 Pro Max: Disruptive switching effect in macro shots

One of the new functions in the camera module on the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max is a macro mode: the redesigned ultra-wide-angle camera now allows you to take finely chiseled close-ups. However, as testers of the new devices, which are going to customers for the first time on Friday, report, this can become a problem in practice: iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max are very stubborn when switching to this mode, which also changes the image section, because the camera is changed.

Automatism too intelligent

So it is enough To get too close to an object with the smartphone or hold an object directly in front of the camera to trigger the switch to macro mode. The change can be clearly seen in the image preview, even if the zoom level is still referred to as “1x”. An iPhone 13 tester said that the image section should never change automatically, so that a desired image composition would be lost.

Change back and forth

There is currently no way to prevent the switch to macro mode. There is even a “jitter” effect if you move the camera a few millimeters – the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max then jump back and forth between the ultra-wide-angle camera and the regular camera. That alone can be very uncomfortable with careful picture compositions.

A function that doesn’t work

The “Lock Camera” function in the settings (“Set camera”) does not help: the changeover effect remains even when it is activated. However, this apparently only applies to photography and not to video – the switching process can be prevented here. Apple itself seems to be aware of the problem. Opposite Raymond Wong from Input magazine the company announced that the automatic changing of the camera for photography and video will be deactivated at a short distance using a new switch. The update can be expected “later in autumn”. (bsc)