Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
The iPhone photography industriousness never ceases to unblock better , more in advance , and sometimes extremely strange accessories . On its own , the iPhone is already a great camera — the iPhone 4 sportsman a 5 - megapixel detector while the 8 - megapixel iPhone 4S also make an optics boost to capture sharper , better - light up images . But there ’s always room for melioration . Schneider Optics , a professional lens maker , has liberate theiPro Lens System . This all - in - one supplement admit a wide - angle lens , a fisheye lense , a specially designed iPhone sheath , and a lens of the eye case that double as a hold and tripod mount .
To use the iPro Lens System you need to snap on the let in iPhone case , which is compatible with the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. The right hand and pass on sides of the type feature threaded inserts for you to attach the handgrip . The case is made out of wrought credit card , and is very stiff — ab initio it seems unacceptable to put on and take off . It turn out you need to attach the lens case deal to the right-hand side of the iPhone case and then apply leverage while popping the phone in and out . Schneider Optics furnish these education to Macworld , but have not yet included them in the system ’s user guide . Once you know this , however , the intact meet appendage is very easy .
Once you have the case on , you’re able to climb the wide - angle or fisheye lenses onto the iPhone camera . The back of the case features a bayonet mounting system , which lets you easy twist the wide - angle and fisheye lenses on and off . The same mounting scheme is located inside the electron lens event , to keep the lense secure . It ’s a well - design system that does a good job of keeping lenses on the case , even with some impenetrable quivering .
No lens
In our picture taking test , the iPro Lens System ’s lenses produce sharp , high - caliber images . The wide - slant lens of the eye is pure for people who take a portion of landscape shots , or just want to be able-bodied to capture more in one photo . While the iPhone 4 camera alone captures a 62 - academic degree arena of view , the wide - angle lens makes it possible to seize an 86 - point field of view . The difference is even more noticeable when scud TV , where the spacious - angle get a 70 - arcdegree field of position compare to the iPhone ’s 46 . Shots are frizzly ; there ’s very little twisting and utterly no vignetting . ( picture below were taken from the same distance at the same slant . Click to magnify . )
No lensWide - slant lensFisheye lens of the eye
Obviously , the fisheye results are the more extreme . The electron lens captures a 160 - arcdegree landing field of view in still camera musical mode , and 120 degrees in video musical mode . My only job with the fisheye lens is that the vignetting is not completely symmetrical : One side of a shot has somewhat more vignetting than the other . But image results are passing crisp , and overall it ’s a swell lens . Another cool feature with the iPro Lens System is that the lens casing cover also functions as a tripod climb . The bottom of the handle has a 1/4 - 20 attachment point , compatible with any standard tripod .
No lens
This level of iPhone shot does n’t come up tinny though . The iPro Lens System is a humongous $ 199 , almost three times the toll of the comparable olloclip , and $ 30 less than the super - sturdyOWLE Bubo mount . Granted , the iPro Lens System ’s image calibre is higher-ranking to all other iPhone lense pick I ’ve seen . Plus , you get a nice case and a handle to stabilise your shots . It ’s also portable : In my days of reviewing the iPro Lens System , I kept the showcase on my iPhone , and carried the electron lens example with me in my pocketbook . Whether Schneider Optics ’ iPro Lens System is worth the money depends a lot on what you use your iPhone for , and how often .
Macworld’s buying advice
I can ideate the iPro Lens System as a great option for people who make skating , biking , and other action sport videos . It might be a worthwhile investment for Instagram lovers , or anyone who has started to rely on their iPhone camera to take pic more than their DSLR . People who do n’t oftentimes take photos with their iPhone and still want extra lens system personal effects once in a while should turn over cheaper option . But for those who are greedy iPhoneographers and need the very best lense appurtenance for their gadget , this is it .
[ Alexandra Chang is a Macworld staff editor . ]
Wide-angle lens
Fisheye lens
