Ring cameras are the “it” product on the market right now. But they come with their defects too! In this article, we will go over how to fix lens flares on Ring cameras.
What is a lens flare?
A lens flare can happen to any camera and occurs because of the surrounding light near the camera. It resembles a ball of light that shows up in the middle of your lens. Unfortunately, this will make your footage useless and unusable.
It is more common to see lens flares at night, mainly because street and porch lights turn on. However, not having your cameras working properly at nighttime takes away from your safety.
Furthermore, it is possible to see lens flares during the day, but it is rare as reflections and sun rays will most likely cause them. Thus, checking your camera after installation is important to see if lens flares happen.x
Ways to fix lens flares on Ring cameras.
Flares are caused mainly by reflections of light, whether an outside source like the sun or an inside source, such as the camera’s own IR light.
When you have a lens flare, you can usually use two options to fix it physically, or you might have to play around with the camera’s settings. Let’s take a look at different ways to fix lens flares on Ring cameras.
Plastic Covering
As silly as it may sound, lens flares on Ring cameras may be caused by the plastic protection sheet that covers the camera when first opened. This is often kept on by users to protect their cameras further; however, it is not recommended.
Once installed, all plastic coverings and protections should be removed, as they are only supposed to stay on for shipping, handling, and installation.
If you wish to protect your Ring cameras and devices further, look into purchasing Ring camera protection gadgets.
Move the Camera
You’ve probably heard “out of sight out of mind” before. Well, by removing the camera from its mount and re-positioning it or adjusting the camera’s angle, the problem can be fixed.
It might take a big adjustment, which will require you to get some tools and place the mounting elsewhere. Or it could be a small change, like pulling the camera’s lens a little down to reduce the flare.
By logging in to your account and looking at the camera’s live view, you can visualize if the adjustments help to fix lens flares on Ring cameras.
It might take a couple of tries, and you could need to angle it around, but you should be able to solve the issue. Aim to install the camera as high as possible to cover as much ground; a minimum of 4-6ft is recommended.
Wedge Between Us
I would hate to drive a wedge between us, but you might have to actually use a wedge kit to fix lens flares on Ring cameras. They can also be referred to as brackets.
By using wedges, the camera comes forward as it is placed directly on top of the wall. Nevertheless, it may also be used to install cameras on an angeled siding to create an upright position for the camera to hold to.
When utilized correctly, a wedge can help avoid lens flares that are caused by lighting reflecting on the walls behind your camera.
Wipe It Down
It is imperative to upkeep your camera and clean it once in a while. When cameras are placed outside, it is exposed to dust, dirt, and debris, which tend to collect and can taint the camera’s lens.
Moreover, bugs or insects such as spiders can block the camera’s lens. To keep it from happening, you can use bug spray around the camera, but avoid spraying it directly on it.
Avoid Certain Surfaces
3To capture footage at night, Ring cameras utilize Infrared (IR) lighting. Without it, the camera would not be able to “see” through the dark. The IR light illuminates the camera’s surroundings allowing it to film in excellent quality.
However, if it is near a solid surface, the light can reflect and mess with the camera’s sensor, which will cause light flares. Therefore, avoid installing your camera near surfaces that may reflect the light. This includes closed spots, such as a tight entryway or hallway.
Exposure Settings
Another way to fix lens flares on Ring cameras is to access and adjust the Ring camera’s exposure settings. You will need to configure the High Dynamic Range (HDR) settings to do so.
Start by launching the Ring app on your phone and opening the menu on the top left to enable HDR in the Ring camera. Click on “Devices” and find your camera from the device list.
Now select “Device Settings,” followed by “Video Settings.” Then you should have the option to enable the “HDR function.”
With this mode enabled, radical sunlight and shade contrasts will be reduced as much as possible. This should lower the probability of whitewashing or lens flares on the camera.
Ring Support
As a last measure, you can also contact Ring’s customer support and explain the process. DO keep in mind that what they are able to do to fix lens flares on Ring cameras is relatively limited.
Lens flares are caused by positioning, angle, and installation-related matters. Ring support focuses on software/hardware issues that they can fix from their end or replace the camera for the customer.
Final Thoughts
The angle of installation mainly causes glares and flares that show up on your camera’s lens. Do your best to keep Ring cameras away from solid surfaces or direct light.
To fix flares on the Ring camera, try changing the angle or moving the camera to a new location. Keep the camera clean and remove plastic coverings if there are any. Or you may use wedge kits to facilitate installing the camera at a straight angle.