On many occasions, in the Photographer’s Blog, you will have read the importance of a lens in photography at a creative level. We often recommend buying a cheaper camera and investing in lenses, as they are the door to creativity, the instrument that will allow you to take very different photos, either because of the focal length or because of its aperture. The fact is that a goal opens up a whole world of possibilities. In mobile photography it was not going to be less 😉 . That is why today I bring you this article dedicated to mobile lenses (if you want to delve deeper into mobile photography, you cannot miss the mega guide that we have prepared with all the tips and tricks or this other one with the best photography applications for your cellphone).
It is clear that we are not going to compare these lenses with the range offered by SLR cameras. It’s not my intention, not at all. However, it is true that these lenses also expand your creative possibilities when taking photos with your smartphone. And this is what interests us. Taking into account, above all, the low price they have. For very little money you can have fun and experiment to find out if you like, for example, photos with a fisheye effect.
Advantages and disadvantages of mobile goals
Before continuing, I am going to present you the advantages and disadvantages of these accessories.
Advantage
-
- Price. I think that is its biggest advantage. For very little money, as I said at the beginning, you can try, experiment and open up a range of possibilities with your mobile camera.
-
- Universality. These objectives are usually universal, so they are valid for any smartphone, if you change your mobile, you will not have a problem, they will be equally valid. They are hooked with a clamp.
- Portability. They are so small that you can carry them whenever you want. They usually come in a bag or a case to store them better.
drawbacks
-
- Quality. Obviously, you cannot ask a lens that does not reach 10 euros for the quality of one that costs 300 euros. Don’t expect to do macro the same way you would an SLR with a macro lens. They have a fairly decent quality, but according to the price and the quality of your mobile camera. Miracles still do not work 😉 .
- if you use protective shell, especially if it’s a shockproof one like mine, you’ll have to keep taking it off and putting it on. I don’t use them anymore for that reason, but I admit that the day I take off the casing and use them I end up delighted and I have a great time.
What targets can you find?
The lenses you can find for smartphones usually come in a kits in which all or several of these types go.
Macro
To increase the reason. There are different magnifications, so if this is one of the objectives that you plan to get the most out of, I recommend that you look at the magnification number. In the following image you can see the difference. I think it’s worth trying it at least, don’t you think? In this case it is a 10x magnification.
telephoto
With this type of lens you can capture distant objects as if they were closer. It may seem to you that it is like the zoom that your mobile incorporates, but it does not work the same. Unless you have a high-end mobile with a specific telephoto camera, which really zooms in, like the one on this mobile, what you will achieve with the zoom is to enlarge. It is the same that you can achieve with the editor by cropping and enlarging the photo, with its consequent loss of quality.
wide angle
It allows a wider viewing angle, that is, it captures more of the scene. Ideal for landscapes or large group photos. You will notice this more or less depending on the focal length of your mobile camera. For example, in this comparison you will not notice the difference so much, but this mobile that I have now covers more of the scene than the one I had before. I know that with the other one I would have noticed the difference much more. If you often complain that you don’t fit the group of friends in the image, or that you always have to move away to fit the subject, this objective will be very useful for you.
Fish eye
The fisheye is like a more extreme wide angle that also has a creative effect. Images appear distorted, with highly curved lines. To continue with the example of the plant, here is the comparison.
Now another scene where you can better see the difference. This is as far as I could get from the door because there was a wall behind it. In these two photos you can see the difference between shooting with or without the fisheye. Forgive the quality of the photographs, but the idea was that you check the part of the scene that this mobile lens was capable of covering.
Here I leave you with another image taken with a fisheye.
Microscope
I discovered this option thanks to a family Agricultural Engineer who works looking for bugs on plants, who gave it to me. It is perhaps the least creative at the photography level, but I find it very interesting for those who want to see the smallest things enlarged and, in addition, be able to photograph them. The only thing is that you will have a photo like the one in the example, a circle with the motif and the rest black. At least as far as I’ve been able to test. I leave you with a sample.
Polarizing
A polarizing lens helps eliminate reflections, whether from glass, water, or any metallic or reflective surface.
Mobile Lens Recommendations
I leave you with some recommendations. Take a look, the offer on Amazon is quite wide and with affordable prices. The examples that I have given you of the plant have been taken with this first kit.
AUKEY
Three lenses in one, they are the ones I have (when the Three Kings of the East brought them to me, there was not so much supply, much less telephoto lenses 😉 ). The clamp is very comfortable, it comes with a bag. Macro and wide go together, you have to screw in or out to use one or the other. The bad thing is that I lost a lid the first day and of course, inside the bag with the tweezers it is easy to scratch 🙁 . Otherwise, very practical and I am very satisfied. It is that for the price they have ((price not available at this time) ) offer you many creative possibilities, as we have already discussed.
ARORY
This seems to me to be one of the most complete kits as it includes: a 12x magnification telephoto lens, a wide-angle lens (0.65x), a macro lens (12x, minimum focus distance 10-25 mm), a fisheye lens (180 degrees ), a star filter lens (so the lights emit flashes of light instead of looking like dots), five caps, cleaning cloth, two clips, instruction manual, bag, and wireless shutter release.
Of
)
0 new0 2nd hand
(* = Affiliate Link / Image Source: Amazon Affiliate Program)
LESHP
This kit includes 7 lenses: Telephoto (with 2x zoom), Fisheye (198°), Macro (15x), Wide Angle (0.63X), Super Wide 0.36X, CPL (Polarizer ) and kaleidoscope lens (allows you to view a series of superimposed images of the scene). And I find the case very practical and safe for the lenses.
Of
)
0 new0 2nd hand
(* = Affiliate Link / Image Source: Amazon Affiliate Program)
microscopic magnifying glass
This is the same type with which I have taken the photograph of the leaf. It’s not a big deal, it’s true, but with that ridiculous price I think that if you want to play, experiment or even if you need it for some of your work it can come in handy. You just have to know what it is for and how far it can go. Don’t expect to remove the black background because it looks just as you would look through a microscope (low quality of course 😉 ).
Of
)
2 new since €8.990 2nd hand
(* = Affiliate Link / Image Source: Amazon Affiliate Program)
I leave you with these options. Although there is more. If they have caught your attention even a little, I recommend that you take a look and choose the option that suits you best. You will see how you discover a before and after in the possibilities of your mobile to photograph.
If you have found this article interesting or useful, do not hesitate to share it on your favorite social network.