iPhone 3gs autofocus problem

**stubner** · 08-02-2009 01:20 PM

Hi guys

I think my autofocus had a problem. When I open the camera app sometimes the focus can't set the image sharp and than it tries again and again the whole time with the speed of a mashinegun ;-)
This makes a rattle sound.
In the video mode I have the same problem I've recording a video and loadet it up to YouTube you can see it here:

YouTube down for maintenance

It looks like a under water record and you can hear the rattle sound from the autofocus.
First I was thinking this is a problem by bad light situations bud now I have the problem also by good light situations.
Had everyone an idea what problem this is?
Software or Hardware?
Can everyone confirm this problem?
Thanks for your help.

**nasty devil** · 08-02-2009 07:16 PM

Did you ever drop your iPhone or something?

**cofi** · 08-02-2009 11:32 PM

Take the phone into an Apple Store. It's under warranty.

If you jailbroke don't dorget to restore to 3.0

**stubner** · 08-03-2009 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by nasty devil

Did you ever drop your iPhone or something?

No drop or something

**stubner** · 08-03-2009 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by cofi

Take the phone into an Apple Store. It's under warranty.

If you jailbroke don't dorget to restore to 3.0

yes I will do this

thank you for helping

**cofi** · 08-03-2009 03:00 PM

Glad to help.

**n1ckn4m3** · 08-04-2009 11:35 PM

Looks like you already got a valid solution, but here's some info about how the lens works so you can understand what's going on:

The lens's auto focus is controlled by a small gear that goes around the outside of the lens -- the noise you're hearing is the internal motor failing to grip the ridges on the auto-focus lens and the reason it keeps trying is that it is not achieving its expected result -- thus causing your picture to jitter (as the lens is being moved by the gear, even though it's not focusing), and causing the click noise as each gear tooth is skipping.

The above posters are 100% correct, take it to your local Apple Store (you'll probably want to make a 'reservation' first, to ensure you don't spend all day in line behind the guy who wants to ask every possible question known to man about the case he's buying for his iPhone) and they should replace it with stock under warranty in your presence.

Good luck!