Manual macro focus problem

[VC63]

I have the Exynos S9+ and I use the camera a lot, especially macro shots in pro mode.

I have noticed that there is a few centimeters difference in the closest distance that the camera can focus between the manual and auto focus.

With the auto focus or 'tap to focus' I can get as close as about 5.5cm

With the manual focus when dragging the slider all the way down I can only get about 9cm (this distance should also be 5.5cm).

I know it doesnt seems much but when taking macro shots 9cm vs 5.5cm is a lot and it makes the manual focus useless for me.

I have tested this with a friends S8 and both its camera's auto and manual focus modes are having a good close focus distance of 5.5cm.

I have also posted this problem on reddit and it seems only the Exynos models are having this issue:

https://www.reddit.com/r/GalaxyS9/comments/9ex5m3/macro_photography_manual_vs_auto_focus/

Hopfully someone from samsung can help with this.

Here are some images to show the problem:

[VC63]

Any response?

[VC63]

Anyone?

[VC63]

bump bump

[VC63]

Another bump

[Kloppy]

Hi, having the same phone and same problem!

[WarKing__]

Same Phone, same issue.

Seems like a software-problem to me, so it should be easy to fix and patch.

[VC63]

It indeed looks like a software bug. the problem is samsung are ignoring it, i guess because not enough peaple are complaining about it.

I reported about this bug with full details through the samsung members app a while ago and the response I got was that its "normal operation" which doesnt explain why the snapdragon s9 variant or the older s8 doesnt have this issue.

[WarKing__]

Well at least i can help my self out by using 'Pro' Mode, setting everything to manual as i want and then using autofocus if want to shot very near objects. But it's so sad. The camera makes realy brilliant photos and is hold back by poor developed software.

[VC63]

Yeah, I'm using workarounds too. for example locking the exposure and focus when I want to have a very close macro.