Help S5 - Can't Do Macro Focus

[Rich104]

I find that the S3 focuses as close as about 9cm from the subject regardless of whether macro is toggled on or off. If this is so then it suggests to me that the macro facility acts as any other scene mode where the software simply manipulates the settings to accommodate the scene. It doesn't allow you to get any closer.

The S5 has no macro mode yet focuses to a similar proximity to the subject as the S3 (about 9cm). My experience is that you will be more likely to achieve this if you start by trying to focus from further away and steadily move closer, touching the screen as you go. For some reading, going very close in then steadily moving out doesn't seem to work so well resulting in the red focusing rectangle turning to green further away that 9cm!

 

[Dr Focus]

This is probably old news by now, but I think I found a simple work around for the macro focus problem in the Galaxy S5. First I got as close as possible and in focus. Then using my fingers would manually zoom in closer without actually moving the camera. Then take the photo.
Hope this helps.

 

[AndréD]

Try taking macro shots with the flash on, that seems to be the way it works.

 

[rogjack6112]

We are all fooling ourselves. The macro camera focusing is defective. Nothing works. This must be a S5 issue as so many people have the problem. It just seems to have been recognized by alll of us with the auto focused bank apps. Sucks

 

[rjdrivers]

My banking app takes the shot by itself when it senses the right size and focus.

Beauty Face gets pretty close to the old macro setting from my S2. But I have found I can get closer, to about 3 inches is the best so far, in Auto mode if I let it focus further away first, say at 5-6 inches, and then move in slowly allowing it to auto focus.

 

[athegn]

We are all fooling ourselves. The macro camera focusing is defective. Nothing works. This must be a S5 issue as so many people have the problem. It just seems to have been recognized by alll of us with the auto focused bank apps. Sucks

My Marshmellow S5 close focuses between 2 - 2.5". I do not use a bank app but regularly use "Barcode Scanner" and focuses without any problem; same as with Lillipop before OS upgrade.

 

[fabfor1]

Here's an easy solution that worked for me.
Go in as close as possible with good focus, then use the volume up button to zoom in more. Works everytime.