Develop Bugs

How do I get my old camera back?

I recently upgraded to 4.2.1(ParanoidAndroid 2.9.9) and the new camera(which I assume is the standard Google 4.2 camera) is very basic, and very weak compared to what I had. The old camera(which was also Google stock) had a lot of filters built in, and some hilarious distortions such as "Big Eyes" and "Big Head". My kids LOVE those. They are now gone, as is most of the awesome functionality I had. In it's place is Photo Spheres which I personally consider useless. Is there a way to get my old camera back? I don't want to be stuck on 4.1.1 forever but I hate this new camera!

Landara said:
I recently upgraded to 4.2.1(ParanoidAndroid 2.9.9) and the new camera(which I assume is the standard Google 4.2 camera) is very basic, and very weak compared to what I had. The old camera(which was also Google stock) had a lot of filters built in, and some hilarious distortions such as "Big Eyes" and "Big Head". My kids LOVE those. They are now gone, as is most of the awesome functionality I had. In it's place is Photo Spheres which I personally consider useless. Is there a way to get my old camera back? I don't want to be stuck on 4.1.1 forever but I hate this new camera!
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Click to collapse
You can install camera ICS from the market. The layout isn't exactly the same ( I assume it's mimicking the ICS camera layout) but it will give you back the filters, funny faces. And yes I wondered the same thing why did google remove them. Kids get tonnes of laughs out of those. I'd love to know how those decisions are made... 'Hey you know those features we've had in the wild for over a year? Yeah let's remove them'

my exact thoughts also, when i had the 16gb nexxy i updated and was VERY annoyed to find the effects deleted, so much it was one of the "cons" that pushed me into refunding for a non-updated 32gb version
im still 4.1 now lol i seriously dont understand why google would :
A: release nexus 7 without a camera app.....(yea i do know why but lame excuse)
B: when you update to 4.2 it deletes any camera app and replaces it with dah dah duh daaaaa a broken one with non-working photosphere.....wtf?
sooooooo mmmmm yeah ill remember this thread when i come to updating

chismay said:
B: when you update to 4.2 it deletes any camera app and replaces it with dah dah duh daaaaa a broken one with non-working photosphere.....wtf?
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Removing those "cute" functions is one thing, but how is the 4.2 camera "broken"?

khaytsus said:
Removing those "cute" functions is one thing, but how is the 4.2 camera "broken"?
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Well I assume he meant the PhotoSphere which as best I can tell is not functioning correctly. I have not yet gotten it to work at all.

How come i didn't get a camera? I'm on PA 2.99 beta 6.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Landara said:
Well I assume he meant the PhotoSphere which as best I can tell is not functioning correctly. I have not yet gotten it to work at all.
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Because it's not supported for front facing cameras? That's not broken, that's design.

khaytsus said:
Because it's not supported for front facing cameras? That's not broken, that's design.
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Click to collapse
First of all, the app doesn't know which way your camera is facing, nor does it care. Second, I didn't even try it on my Nexus 7, I tried it multiple times on my Galaxy Nexus. Still broken. Never got a decent result. You may say it's operator error, but that's a ridiculous statement as well because it's pretty self explanatory.

khaytsus said:
Because it's not supported for front facing cameras? That's not broken, that's design.
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ok so look basically it would be very stupid putting diesel into a petrol as it wouldn't work......
acer made it to remove any cam app we had previously then installed a app exactly the same but without the working effects, .... only 1 broken one..photosphere,
saying that its supposed to only work with a front face cam....well then why go to the trouble of jacking our old app and putting one with a feature we cant use......? :good:

Just saying, the app does know which way the camera faces... I assume something in the data for the camera tells the app its front facing. This is probably useful for apps such as Skype too.
When you try photo sphere, it says sorry not supported with front camera.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Element515 said:
Just saying, the app does know which way the camera faces... I assume something in the data for the camera tells the app its front facing. This is probably useful for apps such as Skype too.
When you try photo sphere, it says sorry not supported with front camera.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
the strange thing is, you would think panoramic shot wouldnt work, yet in the cam effects pre-4.2 you can use panoramic efect albeit frontcam only, it did work thou.
i think photsphere from front cam, while your in the middle of the shot with the world spinning around you would be a great effect anyways.

chismay said:
ok so look basically it would be very stupid putting diesel into a petrol as it wouldn't work......
acer made it to remove any cam app we had previously then installed a app exactly the same but without the working effects, .... only 1 broken one..photosphere,
saying that its supposed to only work with a front face cam....well then why go to the trouble of jacking our old app and putting one with a feature we cant use......? :good:
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Click to collapse
You lost me at "Acer". And I hope you realize this is a general "4.2 Google Apps" statement, not something Asus did.

[Q] Problem with front-facing camera recording

Hi there,
I'm having some issues with my front facing camera and recording. I am running CM10.1 (RC5) on my SGH-T999 and for some reason, every THIRD recording from my front facing camera freezes my phone and forces a reboot.
This is very irritating when using apps like Snapchat or the new Instagram video feature. The Instagram feature especially, because it is a "tap and hold to record," and on the third tap/release it forces a reboot on my phone.
My friend seems to have this issue as well on his Verizon S3 (running CM10). However, I've tried to Google a solution for months now but have yet to find a working one. I just recently decided I wanted to fix this problem because the new Instagram feature isn't quite as fun with this issue.
Any help would be greatly appreciated! This is also my first thread on the subject so if I am missing any vital information that could be helpful, please inform me!
EDIT: I should add that the camera works fine when on stock ROM. However, I've really grown attached to CM10.1 and am hoping I can fix it without reverting.

vellicant said:
Hi there,
I'm having some issues with my front facing camera and recording. I am running CM10.1 (RC5) on my SGH-T999 and for some reason, every THIRD recording from my front facing camera freezes my phone and forces a reboot.
This is very irritating when using apps like Snapchat or the new Instagram video feature. The Instagram feature especially, because it is a "tap and hold to record," and on the third tap/release it forces a reboot on my phone.
My friend seems to have this issue as well on his Verizon S3 (running CM10). However, I've tried to Google a solution for months now but have yet to find a working one. I just recently decided I wanted to fix this problem because the new Instagram feature isn't quite as fun with this issue.
Any help would be greatly appreciated! This is also my first thread on the subject so if I am missing any vital information that could be helpful, please inform me!
EDIT: I should add that the camera works fine when on stock ROM. However, I've really grown attached to CM10.1 and am hoping I can fix it without reverting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem isnt the camera or the ROM, its the app. The new update for Instagram freeze everyone cameras. But strangely you added Snapchat, this app running fine on CM10.1 4.2.2 for me. Have you tried to uninstall the camera and flash an other one ? Go see this link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1966426

kruse1944 said:
The problem isnt the camera or the ROM, its the app. The new update for Instagram freeze everyone cameras. But strangely you added Snapchat, this app running fine on CM10.1 4.2.2 for me. Have you tried to uninstall the camera and flash an other one ? Go see this link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1966426
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will try update now!
It is any app involving the camera, even the camera app itself. I can record perfectly fine for the first two recordings, but when I try to save the third recording via any app (Snapchat, Instagram, basic camera app) it forces a reboot.
For example, on first recording I can record a 30 second clip; on the second, I can record a 3 minute clip. However, for the third, no matter how long the duration of the previous recordings, it will always crash.
This is only on the front-facing camera, though.
Again, I'll go ahead and try the link you sent me and come back with updates; thanks!

It's been happening forever. Just like when you go into the language & input area, and do something, press back, force close. Every time.
Honestly, the CM camera is pretty lacking (all of the CM apps are). If it's an issue for you, there are other ones on the market. Oh wait... no there isn't. Plenty of camera apps, no video apps.

Aerowinder said:
It's been happening forever. Just like when you go into the language & input area, and do something, press back, force close. Every time.
Honestly, the CM camera is pretty lacking (all of the CM apps are). If it's an issue for you, there are other ones on the market. Oh wait... no there isn't. Plenty of camera apps, no video apps.
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Click to collapse
Aw man, so there's no fix to this? Would you be able to recommend any other custom ROMs similar to CM that have a working front-facing camera? I know it is a rather juvenile reason to switch ROMs, but all my friends are doing front-faced recordings via Instagram and Snapchat and I'd love to join the fun.
kruse1944 said:
The problem isnt the camera or the ROM, its the app. The new update for Instagram freeze everyone cameras. But strangely you added Snapchat, this app running fine on CM10.1 4.2.2 for me. Have you tried to uninstall the camera and flash an other one ? Go see this link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1966426
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This app did not work for me, it still crashes upon third record, unfortunately.

vellicant said:
Aw man, so there's no fix to this? Would you be able to recommend any other custom ROMs similar to CM that have a working front-facing camera? I know it is a rather juvenile reason to switch ROMs, but all my friends are doing front-faced recordings via Instagram and Snapchat and I'd love to join the fun.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think it's a juvenile reason at all. Actually, I think it's pretty incredible that it hasn't been fixed yet. The camera is arguably the second most important part of the phone. I'm sure it will be fixed in time, but it's just a reminder that we are nowhere near 10.1 stable yet. They may think so, but I beg to differ. I'm reminded of when 10.1 was brand new. Phone calls wouldn't work half of the time. Some people are still having occasional issues (me included).
Unfortunately for you, most AOSP ROMs are based on the CM code. Looks like it's either live with it, or use a TW ROM.

Aerowinder said:
I don't think it's a juvenile reason at all. Actually, I think it's pretty incredible that it hasn't been fixed yet. The camera is arguably the second most important part of the phone. I'm sure it will be fixed in time, but it's just a reminder that we are nowhere near 10.1 stable yet. They may think so, but I beg to differ. I'm reminded of when 10.1 was brand new. Phone calls wouldn't work half of the time. Some people are still having occasional issues (me included).
Unfortunately for you, most AOSP ROMs are based on the CM code. Looks like it's either live with it, or use a TW ROM.
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Click to collapse
That's a shame... I am surprised I was unable to find any information about this before posting my own thread if it's such a widespread issue!
Do you have any suggestions on TW ROMs? I realize I should probably look myself but you seem to be quite knowledgeable. :good:

vellicant said:
That's a shame... I am surprised I was unable to find any information about this before posting my own thread if it's such a widespread issue!
Do you have any suggestions on TW ROMs? I realize I should probably look myself but you seem to be quite knowledgeable. :good:
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Click to collapse
I used Wicked for a time, but the I think the dev is cheating on us with other devices

Had just commented on this in the cm thread... Damn that sucks. Having the same issues. My main camera can capture pictures in a third party app but as soon as I switch to ffc I crash into a hard reboot. Don't know if that transfers over to skype but man that's a bummer. I know that Google hangouts uses the native cm camera so that works but instagram, fb, and even snapchat sometimes (at least for me) will frag some times.
I missed you aero! Haven't seen you over in cm land but then, as you posted earlier, you got off the nightly train for a while. Miss your knowledge and expertise
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

I have exactly the same problem.
I tested with the latest stable and Nightly.

jojo2569 said:
I have exactly the same problem.
I tested with the latest stable and Nightly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You really should post in the Rom's thread rather than necroing a Q&A

Perseus71 said:
You really should post in the Rom's thread rather than necroing a Q&A
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Click to collapse
New members (those with fewer than 10 posts) are not permitted to post to development-related forums.
The problem occurs on all Rom except those based on TouchWiz.
Every third recording with front facing camera on any apps freezes the phone and forces a reboot.
It is strange that almost nobody talks about this problem.

jojo2569 said:
New members (those with fewer than 10 posts) are not permitted to post to development-related forums.
The problem occurs on all Rom except those based on TouchWiz.
Every third recording with front facing camera on any apps freezes the phone and forces a reboot.
It is strange that almost nobody talks about this problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh Shoot. My bad. I keep forgetting it all the time.
Are you using the Social Media apps to do the video Recording ? If yes, can you follow the bellow steps ?
1. Wipe Data for all the social apps you can possibly use to do Video Record.
2. Go to Recovery, wipe Dalvik + Cache Reboot.
3. Do not open any of the social Media app.Use the regular Camera app. Do the 3 video recordings and report back.

jojo2569 said:
New members (those with fewer than 10 posts) are not permitted to post to development-related forums.
The problem occurs on all Rom except those based on TouchWiz.
Every third recording with front facing camera on any apps freezes the phone and forces a reboot.
It is strange that almost nobody talks about this problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seeing as this thread came back alive, does this also matter with audio recording? Using viber and what's app you can make wifi calls and leave voice sms respectively, but every time I try to do so the audio sounds like I'm 10 underwater with Optimus prime talking
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

rage913 said:
Seeing as this thread came back alive, does this also matter with audio recording? Using viber and what's app you can make wifi calls and leave voice sms respectively, but every time I try to do so the audio sounds like I'm 10 underwater with Optimus prime talking
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try another Kernel and wipe Dalvik + Cache after flash

Perseus71 said:
Try another Kernel and wipe Dalvik + Cache after flash
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will do captain. I'll report back. Flashed kt747 for liquidsmooth but I don't remember if I wiped again after. Definitely before but can't remember after.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

rage913 said:
Will do captain. I'll report back. Flashed kt747 for liquidsmooth but I don't remember if I wiped again after. Definitely before but can't remember after.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that doesn't work, try another Rom.

I also have this problem... Each time I record 3 times with the front facing camera using the default camera app or any other app (like snapchat), on the third try my phone crashes and reboots... Using GS3 CM10.2

I too am having this problem on CM-based ROMs. Every third recording with the ffc my phone crashes and reboots itself. Bummer it has to do with CM based ROMs.

Yomaster91 said:
I too am having this problem on CM-based ROMs. Every third recording with the ffc my phone crashes and reboots itself. Bummer it has to do with CM based ROMs.
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So there still hasn't been a fix for this /.\ I use snap chat and IG all the time but can't cause the camera just reboots ;/ only on front tho

[Q] Defective Device??? Not sure.....but I do have a big problem!

Any Camera app errors when switched to front facing camera. Snapchat also become unresponsive when switched to front facing camera. After many months of trying to figure out why, I've come to the conclusion that I must not have a front facing camera! I found this ridiculous since the G3 was advertised with one and even states on the T-Mobile site that it has one. I gave up on continuously clearing the app's cache and switched to google camera. (Its easier to switch to front camera on stock app than google cam) so as long as I didn't switch into the front camera the app worked fine and pictures with the rear camera are beautiful! I don't even get the blueish tint that many others get. After the lollipop update I can't even access my camera apps without them erroring or becoming unresponsive. Why would I be having so many troubles with a much anticipated cell phone that I tried very hard to attain? I would absotutelylutely love some help with this! I kinda need this phone to last me in good condition throughout college. Any and all help would be appreciated!
Thank you.

pinballwizard11 said:
Any Camera app errors when switched to front facing camera. Snapchat also become unresponsive when switched to front facing camera. After many months of trying to figure out why, I've come to the conclusion that I must not have a front facing camera! I found this ridiculous since the G3 was advertised with one and even states on the T-Mobile site that it has one. I gave up on continuously clearing the app's cache and switched to google camera. (Its easier to switch to front camera on stock app than google cam) so as long as I didn't switch into the front camera the app worked fine and pictures with the rear camera are beautiful! I don't even get the blueish tint that many others get. After the lollipop update I can't even access my camera apps without them erroring or becoming unresponsive. Why would I be having so many troubles with a much anticipated cell phone that I tried very hard to attain? I would absotutelylutely love some help with this! I kinda need this phone to last me in good condition throughout college. Any and all help would be appreciated!
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you need to provide more infor like
are you rooted?
are you running any custom roms?

Sounds like he's on a bad ROM with a bad camera app...that or a kernel with bad camera support

decaturbob said:
you need to provide more infor like
are you rooted?
are you running any custom roms?
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Click to collapse
I am not rooted, stock lollipop update from T-MOBILE.

You were 100% stock and not rooted and took the update?....have you talked to tmo?
Sent from my LG-D851 using Tapatalk

No, not yet. I wanted to see what someone here on XDA would know about it first. Maybe if rooting would be a good idea? But yeah I see what you're saying. I should probably check with T-Mobile.

Camera, very poor focus.

Hi all
What's everyone using for your camera app?
I find the standard camera OK for stills, but the auto focus is awful, I've not managed to take a picture of anybody's face without blur,picture gets deleted straight away.
Quite disappointed, my Nexus 5 could at least take a picture of someone smiling without blurring.

No issues here using the stock camera ...
Have you tried other apps? If yes, are results better?
Some people were reporting hardware related focus issues. Check different apps, if all have problems focusing it's probably hardware's fault. (but it's also pretty easy to fix).
Sent from my OnePlus 3 using Tapatalk

Explorer23 said:
No issues here using the stock camera ...
Have you tried other apps? If yes, are results better?
Some people were reporting hardware related focus issues. Check different apps, if all have problems focusing it's probably hardware's fault. (but it's also pretty easy to fix).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried a cold of apps(snap camera, and a old version of Google camera) snap camera seemed slightly better but kept crashing. How would a hardware fault be easily fixed?
Im running freedom rom latest community build.

ed33 said:
I've tried a cold of apps(snap camera, and a old version of Google camera) snap camera seemed slightly better but kept crashing. How would a hardware fault be easily fixed?
Im running freedom rom latest community build.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Multiple people reported fixing the problem by stuffing something in the gap beside the sensor (the phone needs to be opened, obviously). There is a video guide, if I remember correctly (sorry, don't have links).
Sent from my OnePlus 3 using Tapatalk

Camera unable to focus - Sultanxda's rom

as the title says, recently when I open my camera app, the rear camera is unable to focus no matter what I do, the same happens with snapchat and other camera apps. I was wondering if this is an issue within the rom or if its a general OP3 issue and if anyone could help me attempt to fix it.
I'm on SultanXda's rom with the 19th of Feb patch. (would post this on the rom's page but my account is too new to reply on that)
Thanks in advance

Even I have this kind of issue and I am using resurrection reimx ROM. The camera is not focusing. Neither in the camera app nor in the apps like snapchat.
Hope someone has a solution for this.

varmasagiraju said:
Even I have this kind of issue and I am using resurrection reimx ROM. The camera is not focusing. Neither in the camera app nor in the apps like snapchat.
Hope someone has a solution for this.
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Click to collapse
really hope so, bit troubled at the moment since I can't take any photos

Just tried with rom-delieverd-snapcamera, and the focus is just working fine.
Just touch the screen, where to focus and snap.
Maybe you can give us some hint to reproduce?

cl0g said:
Just tried with rom-delieverd-snapcamera, and the focus is just working fine.
Just touch the screen, where to focus and snap.
Maybe you can give us some hint to reproduce?
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Click to collapse
sadly touch focus isnt working on my phone, starting to think it might be a hardware issue instead since it just suddenly started happening. I'm not too sure what is different from when it was working either :/ just that one day touch focus stopped working and auto focus stopped as well.

So you can wait for an update, or any other reported issues with focus on sultans rom oder you might try another rom, if it still exists, to make sure, its not a HW issue.

Ehy guyz, it is an hardware problem. U can fix it opening the phone and using some scotch to maintain in place the camera. Or send it in RMA. Or use a magnet near the camera, out of the phone's case as is possible to see in attached photo