Wide angle lens for phone. Are phone lenses or attachment lenses necessary? Review and photo examples. Qlippie wearable camera
In this rapidly changing world, if you suddenly need to take a photo or shoot a video, the chance that you will have a smartphone at hand, rather than a bulky camera, is much higher.
Today, smartphones have great capabilities, one of them is the ability to shoot high quality photos. However, the advantage of old school DSLR cameras is still superior to smartphone cameras since the smartphone does not have real lenses.
Those who want to add a little versatility to their casual photos can buy attachable lenses for their phones. These add-ons are great for fixed focal length digital zoom shooting with your smartphone camera and also allow you to experiment creatively.
The best lenses for a smartphone
Lenses are like glasses for your camera. The optical assistance of these lenses allows you to capture a subject either close-up (macro lens), 180-degree field of view (fisheye lens), zoomed-in image from a distance (telephoto lens), or landscape shots (wide-angle lens). If you have an iPhone or Android, here is a list of the best lenses for your smartphone.
LensesOlloclip 4-in-1(For iPhones only)
OlloClip offers a line of lenses with many quality lens sets. The 4-in-1 Kit is an impressive set of lenses for iPhone that includes a fisheye, wide-angle, 10x and 15x macro lens. The lenses are compatible with the front and rear cameras on iPhone and are designed to fit on top of the phone above the lens. This set also comes with a removable keychain, which is convenient for storing your lens. ($70)
This line of lenses is known to provide excellent image quality for a smartphone. The moment offers big choice lenses for iPhone and many Android devices. The wide-angle and telephoto lenses are among the best on the market, delivering sharp and clear images. Although these lenses are larger and slightly heavier than others, they produce the least amount of distortion in images. These lenses are attached to your phone using a magnetic plate suitable for your phone model. ($100 each)
For those who want to try a certain type of lens before investing in the whole kit, Photojojo lenses can be the best option. They offer 5 different lenses at budget prices. Their features include a wide-angle/macro fisheye lens, a super fisheye lens, a 2x telephoto lens, and polarized lenses. Reviewers praised the macro lens and wide-angle lens for their ability to capture clear details with little distortion in photos. On the other hand, photographs taken with a telephoto lens have an extreme pinpoint effect that greatly distorts the image. Additionally, the lenses are quite small and have a poor magnetic system, making them easy to fall off the phone and get lost. ($20-$30 per lens)
This removable lens from Sony is the highest quality and allows you to instantly improve your smartphone in professional camera. With 30x optical zoom, you can safely leave your DSLR camera at home. It's also a great accessory if you're frustrated with your phone's low-light photos. This lens connects quickly and easily via NFC and Wi-Fi internet. However, the price for such a lens is much higher than for others. ($348)
The InstaLens line of lenses works with most smartphones. They offer a range of focal lengths, each of which is sold separately. This includes wide angle, super wide angle, fisheye, telephoto and polarized lenses. They also have an all-in-one wide/macro lens that allows for very wide angle shooting with external zoom as well as detailed shooting. A removable metal ring is attached with adhesive around your smartphone's camera and magnets hold the lens securely in place. (about $40)
What are the best smartphone lenses? - Conclusion
For beginner photographers, a lens attached to a smartphone is an easy way to take high-quality photos. If you are taking photos to upload to social media or for output to digital photo frames in your home, the lenses of these enhancements will help you capture moments in unique style, which certainly deserves attention.
There are many designs for overhead lenses, including classic clothespins and lenses with magnets, clips on the sides of the body, homemade fasteners from glue to paper clips and rubber bands for fixing the lens. But how do all these attachments affect the image itself? For the test, we used Chinese 3-in-1 attachments on a clothespin.
I shoot different. but for this test it was chosen not because it was at one time a flagship from the Koreans and not because it has an 8 megapixel camera, but because at the time of writing there was no other phone at hand).
So let's take it in order. Let's start with a description of what was included when purchasing:
1. Clothespin.
2. Wide angle nozzle 0.67x.
3. Fisheye attachment.
4. Macro nozzle.
5. A canvas bag for storing glass.
There were also front covers to protect the lenses, but no back covers included.
Set of attachments: macro lens, wide-angle attachment 0.67x, fish eye and caps
By unscrewing the front lens we get a macro lens, and when assembled it is a wide-angle lens.
During testing, I had to remove the protective case of the phone, fortunately the camera is located a couple of centimeters from the edge of the case, which did not interfere with the work, since with a lower landing of the camera, the back of the clothespin would get in the way and climb onto the phone screen. Focusing is fully automatic.
Examples of photos taken with a Samsung Galaxy S3 i9300 smartphone using attachments
Example photo of handwritten text at 0.67x wide angle and fisheye
The same text but when using the macro attachment
Photo of the street without a nozzle and using a wide-angle nozzle
Photo without nozzle and wide-angle nozzle. With the width, the edges are slightly distorted. The image has less contrast but has a larger viewing angle.
Flowerbed without nozzles and with a wide-angle nozzle
Cars in the parking lot without nozzles and with a wide-angle nozzle
Test without a macro lens with a macro lens. With a macro lens you get a background blur effect
The flower was first shot with a macro lens, then without it, the camera could not focus on it
Children's playground, evening, vintage effect applied, warm tint without lens with 0.67x lens
Bench, vintage effect applied, warm shade
As a conclusion
Photo examples are just a small part of what these kids are capable of. They are compact and versatile and do not take up much space. On-ear lenses for phones are a promising and promising trend that is becoming a trend in the modern rapidly developing world of mobile gadgets. Let us know in the comments what experiences you have had with using these accessories.
Surely everyone loves to take pictures and shoot videos on a mobile phone. On modern smartphones rear cameras They allow you to take pretty good photographs, and frontal ones are a favorite among fans of self-portrait photography (the so-called selfie). Today in Chinese online stores you can find great amount various gadgets that improve the quality of photo and video shooting, making it more convenient when taking photographs from certain devices, etc. We decided to conduct research and find out what useful and relatively inexpensive things are available in Chinese online stores for photo and video shooting with mobile phones. All goods are delivered at the seller's expense, that is, they have free shipping.
Surely everyone loves to take pictures and shoot videos on a mobile phone. On modern smartphones, the rear cameras allow you to take pretty good photographs, and the front ones are a favorite among fans of self-portrait photography (the so-called selfie). Today, in Chinese online stores you can find a huge number of different gadgets that improve the quality of photo and video shooting, make it more convenient when taking photographs from certain devices, etc. We decided to conduct research and find out what useful and relatively inexpensive items are available in Chinese online stores for photo and video shooting with mobile phones. All goods are delivered at the seller's expense, that is, they have free shipping.
Gopro Xiaomi Steadicam Stabilizer
The stabilizer allows you to compensate for camera shake. You've probably noticed how the image shakes when shooting video while moving. For example, if you shoot while walking, then every step will be reflected in the video - the frame will jump. The stabilizer allows you to make shooting smoother, without sharp transitions. The kit of this stabilizer includes both a mount for a regular camera and for an iPhone. There are also three weights with which you can adjust the movement of your smartphone or camera on the stabilizer. One of the disadvantages of this gadget is its rather heavy weight - 950 grams. Carrying such a “bandura” in one hand for a long time will be very problematic. Also, those who already use this gadget note that a lot of time is spent adjusting the counterweights.
Price: 36,11$
By the way, if you still haven’t figured out how to shop on Aliexpress, be sure to read our instructions: How to buy and place an order on Aliexpress
Fisheye Lens
This gadget has removable attachments that allow you to shoot in macro mode, wide-angle shooting and fish-eye lens. It is attached using a special clamp directly to the smartphone body. Moreover, smartphones can be from different manufacturers: iPhone, Sony, Microsoft (old Nokia) and others. The Wide Angle Lens allows you to capture significantly more subjects from the same photographic distance. Particularly useful for panoramic nature photography. The Macro lens attachment improves the detail of the photographed object during macro photography (although this is barely noticeable from the seller’s photo). Of particular interest in this gadget is the Fisheye attachment. This is an ultra-wide-angle lens with an image angle of 180 degrees or more. When photographing, a strong distortion of perspective occurs, which produces an image in the form of a circle in which the background appears further away than it actually is. This lens is more toy than real high-quality optics. But for three and a half dollars you can’t expect more from him.
Price: 3,49$
Lens with tripod for iPhone
This is an 8x zoom lens for iPhone mobile devices. The phone is inserted into a special holder and attached to a tripod. In principle, you can shoot without a tripod, since the lens weighs only 46 grams, but when shooting video, the image may shake a little. The minimum image focusing distance is 3 meters, that is, when photographing at a distance of less than 3 meters, it is better to remove the lens. The 8x zoom allows you to take photographs at some distance from the subject, and even use the lens as a monocular. However, it is worth noting that at a great distance you will not be able to clearly see objects, so just watch passers-by from the window (and only if you do not live in some skyscraper). For eight and a penny dollars, this gadget allows you to get pretty good pictures of objects located at some distance from the photographer.
Price: 8,18$
Car endoscope
This gadget, of course, is not designed for photographing birds and butterflies, and you won’t use it to take a cool selfie from a nightclub, but it is a very useful device. The endoscope is designed to obtain images of objects located in hard-to-reach places. For example, you can use it to find out what is broken and requires repair under the hood of a car, where it is really difficult to get to without removing the engine and other parts. Or, for example, find an object that has rolled under a closet or bed. The endoscope is connected to a mobile device, which then displays the image obtained from the endoscope. This endoscope is only compatible with devices running Android 4.0 or higher. The endoscope camera with a diameter of 7 mm, according to the manufacturer’s description, allows you to shoot video in a resolution of 640x480, as well as take photographs. There are 6 LEDs around the camera, which provide good illumination in dark places. The cord itself is 2 meters long, which should be enough to reach hard-to-reach places. The description notes that the endoscope is waterproof and could theoretically work underwater, but we have not tested this. The device can be useful for those who repair cars or often repair their own. Otherwise, there is no point in buying “just to play around”.
Price: 6,85$
Lens case for iPhone 6 and 6 plus
The case for iPhone 6 and 6 plus connects to the device via Bluetooth, and then photos are taken with one press of the case's red button. The case can be attached to the fisheye, macro and wide-angle lenses discussed earlier. It also protects the device from dust and dirt (it will not protect from water, so dropping it into the toilet or other water-filled containers is not recommended). Its cost is thirteen and a half dollars. For an additional price, you can also purchase the above lenses in one set with a case, but if you do the math, it is still more profitable to buy lenses separately.
Price: 13,30$
Qlippie wearable camera
The Qlippie wearable camera is equipped with 8-megapixel wide-angle 122-degree optics, capable of taking high-quality photographs and recording videos in HD and Full HD formats. She has small sizes 4.8x4.8x1.5 cm and weighs only 40 grams. You can attach it to your clothes using a clip, and thanks to different colors, you can choose what suits your specific wardrobe. The internal memory capacity is 32GB, and the footage can be transferred to other mobile and computer devices using the built-in WiFi module. This gadget can be useful for those who travel frequently, since you can set the 30-second photo mode, and every 30 seconds a photo will be taken of the place where the person is at a given period of time. Then, having collected all the photos together, you can create a photo report of your visits. According to the manufacturer, up to 5,000 such photos can be taken, and video in HD format can be shot for up to 12 hours. However, a 1000 mAh battery will last less than three hours of HD shooting, so it cannot shoot for 12 hours continuously. You can also transfer data to your computer using the USB cable that comes with the camera.
Price: 129,69$
Monopod for self-portrait photography
Due to the growing number of fans of self-portrait photography (the so-called selfie), it became necessary to consider a monopod. This is a device familiar to many smartphone owners, which allows you to take photographs of yourself and your friends at arm’s length. This monopod has a telescopic structure (like, in principle, any other monopods) and can be extended to a length of 78 cm. When folded, it is 18 cm. The photo in the store shows how this monopod fits in a person’s pocket, “a little “looking out of it, but in practice, carrying this “thing” in your trouser pocket is very inconvenient. The monopod is suitable for any device that has a 3.5 mm headphone jack and runs Android 4.2 and higher, as well as iOS 5.0 and higher. The monopod costs less than five dollars.
Price: 4,6$
Selfie remote
To create self-portrait photos, you can, in principle, do without a monopod. To do this, just install your phone in some place, connect a remote control that works via Bluetooth 3.0 to it, and take a photo of yourself and your loved ones by simply pressing the remote control button. Although, of course, ideally, the remote control will not replace a monopod, since the smartphone will still have to be “attached” somewhere to take a photo. It only allows you to take a photo at a distance without direct contact with your smartphone. You shouldn't expect more for that kind of money. It is compatible with devices running Android and iOS OS. Powered by a regular battery, similar to those found in wristwatches.
Price: 3,9$
Lens for iPhone 6 with tripod
This lens is suitable exclusively for iPhone 6 and 6 plus (as stated by the manufacturer, but you can try it with other devices). This is a 20x wide-angle lens that can significantly improve the quality of shooting on a smartphone camera. A convenient tripod is included for image stabilization. You can photograph objects at 20x zoom, for example, at a great distance from the object itself. This way you can take pictures or shoot videos of nature, do high quality pictures at musical and other concerts, etc. Someone will say: “Why do I need this lens, if it’s really better to shoot with a cool SLR camera, because the photos will be much better.” And this, in principle, will be a correct statement, but it is worth paying attention to one important point. Good lens for a digital camera (let’s assume you have a DSLR and don’t need to buy it) costs from $500 and above, and this lens for iPhone 6 costs $59.99 - the difference is noticeable. Therefore, if a person has already shelled out $800 (or maybe more) to buy an iPhone and does not intend to part with a similar amount again, then such a lens can be a good help for photographing with a smartphone.
Price: 59,99$
Lens case for underwater photography
For lovers of underwater photography, the Chinese have come up with a gadget that allows you to take photographs on the iPhone 6 without damaging the device by water. However, this is not just a waterproof case for a smartphone, since a photo taken with an iPhone camera through it would turn out blurry. It has a built-in wide-angle lens with an angle of 170 degrees, allowing you to take clear pictures of objects under water. The device is equipped with a special tripod, with which you can attach a “dressed” iPhone to an underwater mask. Thus, while swimming underwater, you can shoot video or take photos undersea world with its many inhabitants. On the side of the case there are two aluminum buttons (not corroded by salt water), with the help of which photographs are actually taken. This underwater gadget costs just under thirty dollars in an online store.
Greetings, dear readers of my blog! With you again, Timur Mustaev. Every day the number of people who prefer a phone with a good camera over professional photographic equipment is constantly growing.
I can assume that this is due, first of all, to the advanced capabilities of the gadget, its lightness, cost and a certain everydayness.
In addition, the versatility of telephone components encourages new experiments.
From the upcoming monologue you will learn what a phone lens is, its types, purpose and features, as well as how to make it with your own hands from the lenses available in the hamster’s arsenal.
So, the lens, as you know, is optical device, “assembling” the picture into a single whole.
The main difference between optics for a mobile device and those used in conjunction with SLR camera, is the primitiveness of the lenses, as well as the low depth and sharpness of the final image.
Of course, photography with a smartphone can replace the usual digital photographic equipment and, probably, it is even more advisable, but it is still very far from the level of a DSLR, although it all depends on the capabilities of your device and the quality of the pancakes.
Smartphone Lens Set
Includes four types:
- Macro;
- Tele;
- Wide Angle;
- Fisheye (fisheye);
Macro, allows you to achieve high detail of objects. It is flawless in photographing from close distances, without losing the quality of individual elements of the frame.
Possessing multiple zoom, a macro lens makes it possible to capture something that is barely visible to the naked eye, for example, the year of issue of a coin, the hallmark of a ring, a fingerprint or an accidentally dead bug.
Often the macro nozzle is one of the components of a collapsible wide angle, in the field of view, which includes more objects and objects than the camera covers without using it.
Tele attachment has a long focal length, thanks to which the amateur photographer can take pictures from afar and close-up. Most often used when photographing dynamic sporting events or wildlife.
Fisheye(Fisheye) is the most popular accessory, having a viewing angle of 180°, sometimes even more.
Its direct purpose is a photo shoot in small spaces, when you need to capture more space or interior items; it is also not bad for photographing a cityscape, various sporting events, holidays, groups of people, panoramas.
Mounting methods
Most often, universal ones are used, the fastening of which is a clip or clothespin-clamp.
Usually the line of such components is not limited to the use of one lens; there are at least three of them in the kit and they all have a thread for screwing into the clamp hole.
Magnetic mount optics are as easy to install as the above model.
When choosing, you should take into account the diameter of the smartphone’s camera and correlate it with the diameter of the ring.
Due to the adhesive surface, the ring is attached to the mobile body, the lens, in turn, is simply magnetic to the ring.
The magnet is very strong, so there is no need to worry about the lens moving or falling.
Some models with an apple release a double accessory for sale, for the front and rear cameras. The mount is a slot in the center where the gadget is inserted.
Don’t rush to buy the first set of lenses you come across, read reviews about this model, compare prices in a particular store, it may turn out that purchasing via the Internet will be more successful and profitable.
For example, on Aliexpress, upon request - Phone lens, gives many options. From very cheap to cheap. Be sure to read reviews before purchasing, this will greatly help in your choice!
When choosing, pay attention to the material from which the body and glass are made.
If glass is a primitive plastic, then in reality the pictures will turn out to be a disgusting mess, as when shooting with a 1.3 megapixel camera.
Once you’ve made your purchase, you don’t have to worry about choosing a place to carry and store the set, because it’s small in size and won’t take up much space in your jacket or backpack pocket.
Plus, the protective cover and case included in the kit (check when purchasing) will save the accessory from scuffs and mechanical damage.
How to make a lens yourself
If you don’t have the opportunity to buy additional lenses, although they cost a penny, but you want to “play around”, try making a lens yourself from available materials.
To make a fisheye lens for your phone, use your grandma's or grandpa's old glasses with thick plus lenses.
- Take out the glass, apologize to your relative for the ruthless looting.
- Cut two pieces of duct tape or tape.
- Glue the glass tightly to the camera.
The toy is actually ready! It's time to move on to experiments, but first, turn off autofocus in your phone settings, because it is not compatible with our know-how.
To make a macro lens you will need an old film soap dish, I think everyone has such a treasure? If not, trade with your neighbor for a chocolate bar.
When examining the rarity, you will probably find a small lens on its body, which is what we need.
To remove it, unscrew the case; if you have no patience, break it.
Wrap the extracted wire, leaving two tails, for attaching to the phone; you can, of course, get by with double-sided tape.
Voila, handmade optics are ready for use.
By the way, in addition to the camera, a similar glass is located in the door peephole; if there is an extra one, use it.
Macro photography can be done simply through a magnifying glass, without using purchased or homemade photographic lenses, but here you need to get used to it.
If I were you, I wouldn’t bother with nonsense, but would simply buy such a set of lenses, especially since they cost mere pennies. On Aliexpress, upon request Lens for phone, 100,500 results are returned. Look, choose, and most importantly, read product reviews, this is very important before purchasing!
That, in fact, is all I wanted to tell you in today’s article. I hope the information received was useful to you and you will definitely use it.
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All the best to you, Timur Mustaev.
A smartphone today is a device with a large number of functions that replaces a telephone, computer, player, camera and camera. To simplify and improve the quality of operation of this gadget, manufacturers offer the market a large assortment additional accessories. An example of such a solution is smartphone lenses.
Each smartphone model has a built-in camera, but specifications devices do not allow it to be used to its full potential. Therefore, many mobile phone owners purchase external lenses, which allows them to take high-quality and original photographs.
The external lens of a smartphone is mobile device compact size, which is attached to the body of the gadget. Despite the fact that such accessories have appeared on the market recently, in a short time they have managed to gain popularity among many smartphone users. Buying a lens for your phone means expanding functionality cameras at low cost, since the cost of this part is significantly lower than the price of the simplest camera.
The Fototo company offers you the opportunity to purchase a lens for your mobile phone at a competitive price. Our catalog contains a wide range of these accessories, allowing you to choose a model that suits your preferences. From us you can buy the following types of lenses for phones:
- magnetic models;
- universal devices;
- sets of lenses.
Wide-angle lens models are designed for panoramic photography, as they have an increased viewing angle. The catalog also includes models for macro photography, which allow you to take photographs with high precision of small details. The competent employees of our store will help you understand the variety presented, who will provide advice and tell you about the advantages and characteristics of a particular model.
Our company operates in accordance with all legal provisions. Therefore, you can easily exchange or return a product purchased in our store within the specified period. Delivery of purchases is carried out promptly, and if the order was placed before 12:00, you can receive it on the same day.
"Fototo" cooperates only with trusted manufacturers, so these lens models and other gadgets are different high quality. Every phone accessory or other product purchased from us comes with a warranty (from the manufacturer or service center), which will allow you throughout warranty period Fix all problems with the device free of charge if they arise.
