Smart Lens clip-on for mobile - any experience?

[plugsnpixels]

I was in Walmart today and noticed 2 different offerings from tzumi, first a 3-lens fisheye/macro/wide set and second a 8x fixed telephoto.

I've seen these online and thought they were clever. So I grabbed one for just under $15, safe in the knowledge I could return it ;-)

Since it gets dark early and it's still dark, I did some quick shots in the kitchen:

•iPhone 6 with native lens at widest zoom setting
•iPhone 6 with native lens at full zoom
•Smart Lens+iPhone wide setting
•Smart Lens+iPhone full zoom

Here are my impressions:

Clipping the lens on an iPhone is a bit dorky because the iPhone's lens is so close to the edge, and you have to place it just right to minimize vignetting.

The Smart Lens has a manual focus adjustment, which is fun to use while at the same time the iPhone is trying to focus automatically.

It seems the iPhone's maximum zoom is 8x, since it matches the native magnification of the Smart Lens. But the iPhone pixelates badly at this zoom level, while the Smart Lens doesn't (but the Smart Lens has severe pincushioning). I’m not sure if this is progress or not! Maybe somewhat.

So! I'll play with this thing in the light tomorrow and decide if it's worth keeping. I can't see carrying the Smart Lens around without some sort of camera or carry bag (I don't always have a shirt pocket), but if I'm going to do that, I might as well bring the DSLR and 75-300 along...

I'm curious to know if anyone else has tried this thing.

PS: Holding the Canon zoom in front of the iPhone lens is not an option, ha!

[Black Pearl]

I've been tempted to buy one of the wide angle adapters for ages but they all require the phone to be taken out of a case - which I rarely if ever do - so haven't bothered.

[plugsnpixels]

I tried the Smart Lens both with and without the iPhone case (the latter after much struggling to get the case off). I can't say at this point if it made a difference; in daylight it might be more obvious.

BTW, the iPhone is very slippery without the case. iPads too. I don't get the point of sleek, unable-to-hold-securely design. So I too will be keeping the case on, regardless.

[Dave Humphries]

Please remind me; is the iPhone's zoom digital only, or is there some optical too?

I ask because the W/A+clip-on is a better 'telephoto' image than the iPhone zoom alone.

On this basis, this looks like $15 well spent for the odd 'long distance' capture, if you can accept the (mis?)-handling issues (and have a pocket/bag to put it in).

[plugsnpixels]

Dave, according to Apple's discussion boards,

"...note that the iPhone does not have optical zoom, only digital zoom, which is a hoax perpetrated on those inexperienced with digital photography. All it does is use less of the sensor, so the resolution is reduced."

I agree the clip-on gives a better 8x image without the digital artifacts. If I can see the mountains north of LA tomorrow, I will test it on them. Should still be snow up there, but it's been cloudy lately.

[Shadowman]

How did the first image look when zoomed in?

[Dave Humphries]

How did the first image look when zoomed in?

If you mean the W/A (image 1) cropped and enlarged on computer (mimicking digital zoom), that's a good question.

[Shadowman]

If you mean the W/A (image 1) cropped and enlarged on computer (mimicking digital zoom), that's a good question.

Yes.

[Black Pearl]

Please remind me; is the iPhone's zoom digital only, or is there some optical too?

I ask because the W/A+clip-on is a better 'telephoto' image than the iPhone zoom alone.

On this basis, this looks like $15 well spent for the odd 'long distance' capture, if you can accept the (mis?)-handling issues (and have a pocket/bag to put it in).

Depends on the iPhone. The 7 Plus has two cameras one with a 28mm (equivalent) lens and one wth a 56mm. Apple refer to it as having a zoom though really its switching between the two not zooming - beyond that point it can zoom to 10x but that is entirely digital.

[Manfred M]

One of the people I worked with bought an earlier version of one of these lenses and managed to scratch the lens on his iPhone. He was not a happy camper as the auxiliary lens manufacturer suggested it was not caused by their equipment, so buyer beware.

[rpcrowe]

I can really see the advantage of using the smartphone (iPhone) as a camera since many folks have their smartphones with them at all times. However, I wonder how many of these folks would have the auxiliary lens, tripod adapter, etc., etc... with them at all times. And, if you are going out specifically to shoot images (and if you own a DSLR) why not take the camera, over which you will have a LOT MORE CONTROL

[Black Pearl]

I can really see the advantage of using the smartphone (iPhone) as a camera since many folks have their smartphones with them at all times. However, I wonder how many of these folks would have the auxiliary lens, tripod adapter, etc., etc... with them at all times. And, if you are going out specifically to shoot images (and if you own a DSLR) why not take the camera, over which you will have a LOT MORE CONTROL

My tripod with the phone mount is in the car at all times so I do typically have it with me when I'm out. As to why I chose to sometimes shoot with the iPhone instead of my mirrorless camera - well I like to experiment and absolute pixel level quality doesn't really interest me and I can take images with it that I am more than happy with and it can do some neat tricks my Fuji can't and if I want to I have control over ISO, WB, Aperture, Focus and even focal length. Not sure how I'd get A LOT MORE control?

[plugsnpixels]

Here's a 100% size cropped version from the original iPhone wide angle pic. To my eye it looks pretty much the same as the digital zoom version.

BTW, the images I posted earlier were reduced in size for forum posting.

[plugsnpixels]

A couple quickies out the window in daylight before i head out later.

I think I now have an iPhoneLomo!

•iPhone wide
•iPhone with Smart Lens
•iPhone wide cropped at 100%

PS: That's not the DMZ; that's a "wash" where water from the mountains flows in rain and winter so it doesn't flood neighborhoods anymore.

[rpcrowe]

I guess it would be fun to play with. In fact, during my film days, I played with pinhole cameras. However, I never seriously used those to shoot my images. The pinhole images sort of looked like image #2.

I do occasionally use the iPhone as a camera, when I am dumb and forget my camera at an adoption event. I have solved this by keeping my old Canon 350D with a 40mm pancake lens in my car. That is really a small package but gets great imagery...

Otherwise, I do not consider my iPhone 6+ as a serious contender for my images. IMO, the iPhone 6+ is a PITA to use in bright sunlight because of the LCD. Of course you could use one of these...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Calumet-3x-H...YAAOSwiONYL4vk

Of course, that would make the package almost as big as a DSLR camera...

[plugsnpixels]

Well, after this morning's test, I decided to return the Smart Lens. Got some jeans instead ;-)

[mknittle]

I guess it would be fun to play with. In fact, during my film days, I played with pinhole cameras. However, I never seriously used those to shoot my images. The pinhole images sort of looked like image #2.

I once saw an article in national geographic or time about a guy that made big pinhole cameras out of hotel rooms. I was pretty interesting.