# Fix a laptop camera’s dark, tinted image

Custom kernel and camera-processing fixes improve low-light brightness, vignetting and white balance.

## Hardware
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 Aura Edition; Sony IMX471 / Intel IPU7

Driver and processing changes alter the output of the laptop’s physical camera sensor.

## Shopping list

Parts for one build. Reuse equipment you already own. Quantities are planning quantities unless the creator explicitly specifies a count; kit contents are not additional purchases.

Quantities are for one build. Unless marked source-specified, they are planning quantities; confirm kit contents and the chosen configuration before ordering.

### Confirm before buying
- Exact laptop configuration and a live purchase listing matching the camera path are unverified. No external webcam is a substitute for this project.

### 1 × Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 Aura Edition
- Requirement: Required
- Quantity basis: Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration
- Purpose: Laptop with the affected camera pipeline.
- Notes: Verify Sony IMX471 sensor and Intel IPU7 camera path; the model name alone is insufficient.
- Sourcing: No exact purchase link verified; confirm the model and requirements above before ordering.
- Evidence: Creator source
- Source: https://blogs.gnome.org/uraeus/2026/10/15/aiandreverseengineerhardware/
- Source: https://cschalle.github.io/mipi-fixes-x1-aura/

### 1 × Sony IMX471 / Intel IPU7 camera hardware
- Requirement: Included
- Quantity basis: Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration
- Purpose: Internal camera path.
- Notes: Do not buy a separate camera module for this software fix.
- Sourcing: Built in or supplied with the stated device; check package contents before buying separately.
- Evidence: Creator source
- Source: https://blogs.gnome.org/uraeus/2026/10/15/aiandreverseengineerhardware/
- Source: https://cschalle.github.io/mipi-fixes-x1-aura/

### 1 × Recovery media / backup storage
- Requirement: Tool
- Quantity basis: Planning quantity for one build; check the selected configuration
- Purpose: Recover the Linux installation if a patch breaks camera support.
- Sourcing: Use existing equipment or match the specification above. No exact purchase link verified.
- Evidence: Setup requirement — check against your configuration
- Source: https://blogs.gnome.org/uraeus/2026/10/15/aiandreverseengineerhardware/
- Source: https://cschalle.github.io/mipi-fixes-x1-aura/

Source reviewed, not assembled or hands-on tested. A working product page does not confirm stock, firmware compatibility or a complete build.

## Setup
Computer companion

## Coding tool
Claude Code

## How the agent helped
Creator describes reusing the Claude workflow, comparing to a USB reference camera and generating kernel/libcamera patches in one day.

## Before you build
Specific to this camera path. Low-light color limitations and patches under review remain.

## Sources
- Original build: https://blogs.gnome.org/uraeus/2026/10/15/aiandreverseengineerhardware/
- Supporting source: https://cschalle.github.io/mipi-fixes-x1-aura/

Source reviewed 2026-11-04. Not hands-on tested.