olloclip – the lens that makes your iPhone an even better camera

Gadgets, gimmicks – sometimes they are just that – fun, silly things that aren’t the kind of thing you’re going to keep in your bag ready for every situation. If you have a fleeting interest in photography and have an iPhone take note – you’re going to want one of these.

The olloclip is a simple little gadget which slides onto the top of your iPhone to enhance your camera with new high-quality lenses.

I’ve made no secret of the fact that in the smartphone battles there is still no camera better than the iPhone.  While megapixel counts or app features may be better on others, there’s something about the speed and overall quality for day-to-day “quick take a photo” use as well as “lets capture this magic location” shots that make it a class leader.

But, there’s one problem with this and other smartphone cameras.  Digital Zoom.  If the shot isn’t perfect do not, I repeat do not pinch and zoom.  Trust me, it’s not a better photo, it’s just a digitally zoomed crop from a smaller part of the bigger photo.

And when it comes to distant objects, or super close ones, you’re better off giving up.

Here’s a 10c coin – with the iPhone about 3-4mm away from it.

Let’s throw the olloclip 4-in-1 lens on, and unscrew the wide-angle lens off the clip.  Now try that again:

What?  Are you kidding me?  WOW.  That’s all I can say.

Ok, try it again, this time on a G-Shock watch, this is the FULL iPhone photo, with the phone less than a cm away from the watch:

SOLD!

Seriously amazing. A little bit of glass, strategically placed and you’re on a winner.

The olloclip has two sides, two lenses, and what’s cool is the second lens is covering the front camera, so selfie’s a whole load better – take this one – no selfie-stick just a wider angle lens – normally the kids have to squeeze right into the picture.

There are two types of olloclip – the 4-in-1 which retails for $129.95, and the Active lens which is $154.95.  While the 4-in-1 is by its very nature more versatile, there’s a whole lot more glass in the Active providing a sensational telephoto optical zoom.

NOTE: DICK SMITH have an ONLINE sale 3 August Only – Great price for the 4-in-1

Standard iPhone Lens

Fisheye and wide-angle are the two main lenses on the 4-in-1, both of which screw off the clip to provide a 10x and 15x macro lens.

olloclip Fisheye lens

olloclip Wideangle lens

 

If you need an Ultra-wide lens, or an all-important telephoto then the Active suits best.

olloclip Ultra-Wide lens

olloclip telephoto 2x optical

For my mind, the Telephoto and Macro lenses are a must have – which means you need both olloclips, but man-oh-man – sensational results from something so small and simple.

Both the olloclip 4-IN-1 Lens and the Active Lens are available from Apple, Dick Smith and pica.com.au/olloclip.

NOTE: DICK SMITH have an ONLINE sale 3 August Only – Great price for the 4-in-1

Trevor Long

Trev is a Technology Commentator, Dad, Speaker and Rev Head. He produces and hosts two popular podcasts, EFTM and Two Blokes Talking Tech. He also appears on over 50 radio stations across Australia weekly, and is the resident Tech Expert on Channel 9’s Today Show each day and appears regularly on A Current Affair. Father of three, he is often found down in his Man Cave. Like this post? Buy Trev a drink!

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