Smartphone accessory lens maker Olloclip has launched a new mobile lens system that is designed specifically for use with the Apple iPhone X.
With a number of interchangeable lenses and a "lens mount" that clips onto your device, Connect X works in a very similar way to previous Olloclip systems. However, the new lenses come with a number of features that are exclusive to Apple's flagship smartphone, including a lens mount that aligns perfectly with the iPhone X's front and rear cameras, allowing for use of the accessory lenses with both camera modules.
In addition, the lens mount is expandable and therefore usable in combination with most protective phone cases. The Connect X system also comes with a pendant stand designed to carry the set of lenses, but that also works as a mini-tripod.
There are six lenses available for the Connect X system:
Super-Wide: Four-element lens with 120° field of view
The system is now available to order on Olloclip.com. Individual components range from $60 to $80. You can also purchase a Mobile Photography Box Set for iPhone X which contains the Connect X lens mount plus Super-Wide, Fisheye, and Macro 15x lenses. It will set you back $100. The bundle will also be available at Apple Stores starting in June.
Well, I got one with wide and ultra-wide. The lens is wonderful, however, and this is a big however, it's much harder to work with than all previous versions. The joy was you had two lens with you at all times and could just reverse the clip. No longer. If your "clip" has the fisheye and ultra wide for example and you wish to switch one to the rear camera, you cant just reverse the clip. You have to remove each lens, reinstall the lens you want on the rear, shoot then reinstall the original lens to its position. Very cumbersome. Back to switching prime lenses :). I know from experience continued lens switching leads to broken plastic clips. So I'm not looking forward to a good run. FYI only their case works. It has cut-outs around the rear camera that their clips " pop" into.
Hello, The clip is excellent, it's just not as easy to work with as it was in the past. The other issue on the iPhone X is that when the clip is attached you cannot use face ID you need to enter the code manually, I would recommend the wide and ultra wide... quality of image is very good
I hope that DP Review "reviews" some of these clip-on lenses (like Olloclip, Moment, etc) and publish the photos actually taken using them. Most photos used for their ads do not have full resolution, and heavily "photoshopped". Even so, I can see some blurry parts around the center (the center looks OK). But I cannot exactly see how bad it is. I need some honest (full resolution) pictures by honest reviewers using all the lenses they offer (Tele lens, wide angle lens, Macro lens etc).
It is untrue that these work with most phone cases. If you look at the product pages for the lenses it says right there that it doesn't support any other phone cases except for olliclip-ready cases.
Cut and paste from product page:
✓ Works with caseless iPhone ✓ Works with "olloclip-ready" phone case ✗ Does not work with any other phone case
I have been using Olloclips since they were a Kickstarter project. A fantastic addition to my "photo life." Your review states "therefore usable in combination with most protective phone cases." not according to their website video, only their own case works, "no matter how thin"... as for its value, well worth it. I've gotten shots in confined spaces using the ultra wide that I could not have gotten with either my D7200 or XT2, without carrying around a bag of lenses. Clip it on a belt loop and it's easy to take along...
I carry my phone in a very small purse. It only has room for my phone, credit cards and cash. I only use my phone as a camera when I see something I want to shoot a picture of and I don’t have a camera with me. I carry my keys in my pocket. I could slip this into my other pocket. Bab
It says that it can be used with most protective phone cases. My X has an Apple phone case and should be included. I might stop by Apple in June and check these out. They will probably allow customers to try it at the store. As far as Apple iPhone X sales go, I read today that Apple had a very good quarter, thanks in part to excellent iPhone X sales.
if a contraption like this has validity then thicker phones with better or removable batteries , thicker phones that have decent lenses and sensors , and thicker phones that can actually be held properly are valid too
well the obsession with thinness hurts every aspect of performance ... better a few mm more than these ridiculousness bendable thin battery thin optical stack apple slivers and the android copycats in thiness
I would agree that phones could stand be a little thicker. Just not as big as a phone with the olliclip attached, which is what I thought you were implying.
True, and there are now reports circulating that the iPhone X isn't selling well due to it's $1000 price point. Probably headed for an early demise or at least a much small production run. There will be fewer cameras onto which you can attach the Olloclip so it's not good news for Olloclip.
There's a very good likelihood that Apple will reuse the camera design in the future. They typically have done 2-3 generations with the same camera placement on other models.
"True, and there are now reports circulating that the iPhone X isn't selling well due to it's $1000 price point. Probably headed for an early demise or at least a much small production run. "
Have you read all the reports AFTER Apple has announced their quarterly profits?
G1Houston - No it was based on rumors that apple was cutting back orders with suppliers of parts for the iPhone X. The quarterly report shows the X doing well and that the rumors were false. I stand corrected.
Actually, the quarterly figures shows not meeting estimates in pretty much all IPhone sales, and in per phone revenue, which implies IPhone X not getting close to estimates sales numbers..
In what way is that 'doing well'?
Total profit increased mostly due to more big cuts in costs..
There have been 2 impediments to these smartphone lens systems being really practical:
1) Being able to use with your existing cases. Most people use a case on their iPhone and do not want to have to remove it to use a lens system. Also the same goes for a screen protector. I have seen someone's screen protector prevent a lens from fitting onto an iPhone.
2) Being able to use with additional models of iPhones as new designs are released. With these lens systems they are designed for one type of iPhone body, and so they will have a very limited shelf life if you update your iPhone.
So in summary, to make these lens systems really take off, one would have to somehow make them more universal: can be used with virtually any case, on any model. I don't know if that is even possible, but if not then these will continue to be a very niche market.
The main advantage of using a smartphone for photography is convenience. Another is the perception that it is free, since you needed a phone anyway.
Whenever you start needing extra cost attachments to make your phone "more camera like" you diminish both. The resulting configuration ends up less convenient, harder to carry and more expensive. And all those separate parts aren't "always with you" unless you want to start carrying a cell phone bag.
Who says they need to always be with you? Use the lenses in the camera most of the time, or for convenience purposes. Use the add-on lenses when you want to be creative or are on vacation, etc.
I am sure that people with ILC kits don't take ALL their lenses with them all the time. If they did, you could easily conclude that pancake lenses are pointless.
@ Marty4650 I have a Full Frame Canon. Should I drop my plans to buy the bulky/expensive/heavy and therefore inconvienent "Holy Trinity" Zooms? Maybe all I really need is a fast 50mm.
You absolutely shouldn't. Go ahead and buy that Holy Trinity. And get a fast 50mm lens too. I'd opt for the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art lens.
You will be glad you did.
Sure it will be less convenient than using a cell phone plus a bag of toy plastic clip on lenses, but your photos will be at least a million times better.
apple users already need to pocket contraptions like dongles just to use a non apple [ and sometimes apple ] headphone set.... just store accessory lenses in the dongle pouch
This is key for me: "usable in combination with most protective phone cases." I'm simply not using my Iphone without a protective case. Yet I do not see in the video this system being used with, say, an otter case, or any other protective case. Nothing on the website either.
I do appreciate DPReview covering this subject as I'm very interested in getting a lens set for my Iphone X.
On the vendor website it simply says that this lens system has 'Expanding mount is compatible with all screen protectors." Nothing about it expanding to work with all cases.
The most the vendor does is offer their own case which is compatible with this lens system.
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