Macro / Close-up Video Recording With Your N82

One of the features I really missed on my Nokia N82 is the ability to take close up videos. I love taking macro pictures, the details are great, and the output gets more interesting and appealing. The same results I would love to get on my videos. It will also be helpful on shooting a phone's screen (for example, when doing video demonstration of a mobile application), or any other task that would require me to record close-up details of certain objects.. This will totally scrap off the need for a separate device for taking macro videos.

Just a few months ago, I was browsing Everythingn82.com and stumbled into a post claiming that taking macro videos with a Nokia N82 is possible! Just open the camera, and HIT somewhere near the camera lens cover to enable it. What? I can't just "hit" my precious phone! Let alone the camera. Intrigued, worried but I still tried it, very carefully. Several times, but nothing happened. There were no satisfying user replies on the post that time, so I assumed the idea was just a joke of some sort.

Until last week, I read about it again, this time an article by Mr. X of FinestFones. Which pointed me to a thread on Symbian-Freak. Turns out the idea is correct, and a handful of users confirmed that it works. I was kinda skeptical to try it again but one of the users suggested a more convincing way to do it instead of hitting the camera. So I gave it another shot. And the result is awesome! It works indeed, I was very pleased. Here's a sample video I took in close-up mode with my N82:

DISCLAIMER: DO AT YOUR OWN RISK. I have not experienced any problems (yet) but that doesn't mean you won't either. The camera module is one of the many sensitive parts of your nokia device. Trying this may lead to unwanted results, as the steps involved abnormally regulate the sensors with applied force. It may also affect other electronic parts of your device, so please be warned.


As suggested by one of the SF users, here's how I did it.

1. Activate the camera, and make sure it is in video mode.
2. Have a good hold on the lower part of your phone (like the way you would hold a credit card).
3. Carefully slap the phone against the palm of your other hand. You don't need to apply too much force. With your right hand supporting the lower part, along with minimal force, just let the weight of the phone fall against your left hand with the camera facing your palm. This should now activate macro mode and ready for recording..

You can also opt to be on a much safer side (or at least, it *looks* safer) by doing the "slap" in a faster manner, then stop right before the phone hits your palm, creating a sudden deceleration. Be careful though as your phone might slip off your hand during the process.


Again, do at your own risk. I was pleased to know that it really is possible with the N82, as well as other nseries devices like the N95 and N73. The result is quite remarkable and inviting, but I do not recommend doing this frequently with your device. I would never do it again unless I really need it for something important. Here's what Mazor of SF has to say about this procedure:

Hmm, this sounds dangerous and I would recommend against doing this to your mobile phone unless you want it to prematurely fail. It sounds like hitting the back of your phone puts momentum force onto the moving lens, which is driven by a motor that control focus into its extreme point. While it may sound harmless, one is actually forcing the focus motor to rotate, which is bad, and will eventually wear out the motor.

I have tested this on the N93, and this does not work, as it seems there is 2 motors in the N93, one that controls focus and one that controls optical zoom. I suspect the linkage of this motors in the N93 is a screw drive approach which is why it would be affected as easily from external impacts on the optical unit.


I wish Nokia would grant this to our phone on next firmware updates. I doubt its presence on the just released firmware for the N82. Automatic focusing on videos would be awesome, but I would be very very contented even with initial focus only.

So, have you tried this trick already? What do you think? Any better suggestions? Or have you experienced any troubles caused by this workaround yet? I would like to hear your thoughts about it..

Sources: Everythingn82 (now merged with n95users.com), FinestFones, Symbian-Freak