Sandmarc iPhone lenses Review — Phone photography just got REAL
After reviewing the Sandmarc Anamorphic iPhone lens, and loving the hell out of it! Sandmarc were kind enough to send me three more of their premium lenses for review. How exciting. I received a wide angle lens, a fisheye lens, and a macro. I’ll get further into each lens shortly, but in a nutshell: if you want to up your phone photography (and video!) game, then these are the products to look at.
The Sandmarc iPhone Lenses: focal lengths offered
Thought I’d start off by showing you how these lenses look in comparison to the iPhone’s built in camera. No I have the XS Max (is that what it’s called?) and not that crazy iPhone with 900 lenses. This is the standard iPhone outward facing lens I’m talking about, just for reference. Anyways… The first image is the camera alone, then the wide angle, then the fisheye, then the macro.
Check out the Sandmarc stuff here.
Sandmarc Wide Angle iPhone Lens Review
In terms of everyday use and versatility, I think the wide-angle lens is just stunning. Sometimes with your phone — particularly with landscape or street photography — you just want that bit wider focal length. You can buy these lenses separately as well as in a pack, so if you only buy one I think this one might be the most versatile. It is also compatible with their mobile ND filters, which is an added bonus if you shoot video.
The lens (like all three of them) is built wonderfully, with metal screw mounts. The lens caps are simple but effective and will keep your lens scratch-free when you stick it in your pocket and head out of the house. But more than all that, we’re here for the image quality, right? Right. Well. It is sharp, and very very good.
There is a bit of fringing at the edges of the frame, but let’s be honest here. Given how we’re adapting this lens, and given that it is a PHONE, I think it is to be expected to some degree. And having said that, it’s more than usable and the average viewer (on facebook or instagram for instance) won’t notice or care. The optical quality is great.
P.S. these photos are edited with my brand new preset pack, The EVERYTHING Preset. It works with video too. Check it out here!
Sandmarc Fisheye Lens Review
Now, if you want something truly creative, the fisheye is the way to go. I was SO pleasantly surprised by this little lens! I’ve tried numerous cheaper fisheye phone lenses in the past and let’s just say the results were NOT pleasing. It’s actually a feat of engineering that they’ve made this fisheye so sharp and with so little fringing etc.
I mean, there is some fringing, and of course distortion by design, but bloody hell, I had a ball with this lens. It’s so wide I sometimes caught my fingers in the frame as I was holding the camera.
Sandmarc Macro Lens Review
Tiny and mighty indeed. I had low expectations for this lens. I mean, how can you possibly get sharp macro shots from a simple little lens like this? Well. From the first photo I took with it I was entirely blown away.
If you are one of those photographers — like me! — that never remembers to pack a macro lens, or doesn’t prioritie the extra weight of one… then comes across an amazing flower or detail and kick yourself? Well, this is the size of about a British pound coin. Stick it in your bag. The results are more than good enough in a pinch!
Check out the Sandmarc stuff here.
So what about the phone case? What about Android?
If you’ve got an iPhone you’re in luck. Their cases are secure, well-made and minimal. If you’re on Android you’re stuck with the included clip adapter. Bit of a pain but at least Android is included at all. That’s quite rare these days.
The connecting screw mount is made of metal both on the lens and on the case, so these things are built to last.
Conclusion
No matter what camera gear you have invested in, there will always be that day where you wished you had brought a camera with you and didn’t. Our phones have come a long way to fill this gap, but sometimes they’re just not equipped to take the photos or video we envision.
enter: phone lenses. Small, easy to carry with you, easy to use. Share your photos instantly if you’re into that, or edit them at home later. What’s not to love?
Well, possibly the price. Some people might look at the kit price and think… hmm… I could probably buy a “real” lens for that price. Well yes you could. It all depends on the type of shooter or content creator you are. Me? I’m terrible.
Between generally finding myself in un-planned places, and being stingy and never paying for hold luggage on holidays, something has to give. And that usually is lens choices. The idea of having a macro lens in my pocket makes me grin. I grew up with a damn Nokia! Playing Snake! And here we are now with legitimate cameras in our back pockets. What a time to be alive.
Check out the Sandmarc stuff here.
And Sandmarc on Amazon
p.s. You don’t need to buy the entire pack of three lenses. If one stands out to you, start with one and see how you get on. I have a hunch you’ll get addicted.
P.P.S. these photos are edited with my brand new preset pack, The EVERYTHING Preset. It works with video too. Check it out here!