Lenses that can zoom in and out do so by changing the focal length. This short distance also distorts the image, seeming to stretch the photo horizontally.Īs the focal length increases, distant details get larger and clearer. Lenses for landscape photography use a short focal length to capture large views and objects. Many manufacturers list their products as 'compatible with iPhone and above.'īesides aperture, the primary difference between lenses is focal length, the distance in millimeters between the point of convergence in the lens and the sensor in the camera that ultimately affects the viewing angle or zoom of a photo.Ī short focal length captures more of the scene in front of the camera (a wide-angle image). The best way to make sure a lens will work with your iPhone is to pay attention to the compatibility indicated on the lens itself. It’s important to know that a particular lens has a mount that will work for the specific size and shape of your iPhone. This all depends on the design of the lens mount, since some lenses come with the lens mount built into the body, while others use a separate mount that can hold any of the company's lenses. The iPhone has been around for several years, so lenses must now fit slightly different body styles. A good assortment of lenses is the best way to go if you’re shooting pictures on the go.

Unless your photography is confined to an indoor space, you’ll likely have to balance bulk and portability. Because of the greater focal length, lenses for longer distances are bulkier, making them less ideal for carrying around. Small lenses with short focal lengths, often used in portrait and street photography, are perfect for carrying in a bag or backpack. When it comes to portability, weight and size are the key factors that determine if you can easily carry around a lens. But it's easy to reduce or eliminate these advantages with the wrong lenses. The iPhone is a great shooting platform since it’s lightweight and fits in a pocket. Lens kits include different lenses that can handle subjects near and far, detailed subjects, or small objects.Īs most photographers and videographers know, lenses make up the bulk of a shooting setup. Some photographers prefer to have multiple lenses for different shooting situations. Most iPhone lenses are marked with either a focal length or the intended style of photography. The lens needs to have a short focal length for a wider viewing angle. landscape photography captures a larger view. A good portrait lens captures the details of a person's face and presents a good background. Since there are so many options, even for smartphones, it's helpful to decide what kind of lenses you need for your style of photography.įor example, you might want to be close to your subject to take a portrait. With different lenses, you can shoot at different distances and angles and get varying image quality all from a single camera.

But if you're looking for a slightly less expensive alternative to Moment's lenses, Sandmarc's are a very good option.Most lenses are 'prime' lenses, meaning they don't zoom on their own, but you can still use the camera's built-in zoom.Ī lens expands the shooting capability of your iPhone camera. Ultimately, we prefer Moment's lenses because of their slightly better quality, and that you can use them with both of the iPhone X's lenses (as well as the second lens on the Note 8 and other dual-lens smartphones). The only lens I had issue with was its fisheye while it was able to capture more of the scene than Moment's fisheye, those areas were blurrier than I would have liked. In general, Sandmarc's lenses helped produce some great images, with excellent build quality. Bottom LineĪfter Moment dominated the high-quality iPhone lens market for some time, I like that the company finally has some genuine competition in Sandmarc. Sandmarc also sells The Photography Edition ($189), which includes the Wide, Macro and Fisheye lenses.

Iphone fisheye lens