(Part 3) Best cell phone lens attachments according to redditors

Changes the focal length of the lenses. Like this or this.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KQTNS76/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk



I know a couple of people who use these and get better than average results.

It's by no means anything great and I find it annoying sometimes to use but it was cheap and gives me decent shots

Phone Lens Kit, 10 in 1 Cell Phone Camera Lens- Zoom Telephoto Lens + Fisheye Lens + Wide Angle & 15x Macro Lens+ CPL/Flow/Radial/Star Filter+Kaleidos https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CXMR6SC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_HEetvVwzP6Oyu

It was a part of this set that I got. It’s got a big clip that clamps to the side of your phone. You just switch out the lenses on the clip

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FVQJ8TP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_FSHRBbW1E5RR5

I haven't used this one personally, but I have had it recommended by people in your particular position (birdwatching, travel photography, and no tolerance for interchangeable lens system)
https://www.amazon.com/PANASONIC-Megapixel-20-1200mm-Stabilization-DC-FZ80K/dp/B01MS16V42

Alternatively your S9 has a great camera. You could get a moment zoom lens on that and try it out. I'm finding more and more that there isn't a lot of room in-between full-frame cameras and cell phone cameras with how much better cell phone cameras have gotten.

https://www.amazon.com/Moment-iPhone-Samsung-Galaxy-OnePlus/dp/B07K4T1NG7/

>Aye well most of us are taking pictures on whatever cheap garbage camera is in our cell phones =P.

​yeah, me too. i'm not a photographer, but i need to take pictures of parts sometimes. for a while i had a shitty clip on filter, but i lost that.

I purchased the moment case, but didn't want to pay the ridiculous price for a moment portrait lens ($120 or so) so I bout the Sirui 60mm which was half the price. It is absolutely amazing.

Here are some shots taken with the lens.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/PtNieetKGYS5UFi4A

Some of those shots are taken with portrait mode, which really doesn't do the lens much justice because there's additional blurring going on. The 4k videos are a really good way to see how the lens works and how it focuses so I definitely recommend watching those. I have been so incredibly happy with the lens. Here's the product page on Amazon, and if you scroll down you'll see my review of it as well.

SIRUI Black Upgraded Version 60mm Portrait Mobile Phone Auxiliary Camera Attachment Lens with Mobile Lens Clip Adapter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G75YJVH/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_n0R2DbY3RW8M3

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G1DHYZW/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_4FmIDbHNY83JQ

This one

5HCQC88L
https://www.amazon.com/Kaiess-Telephoto-Kaleidoscope-Starburst-Smartphones/dp/B07FCFLRMX?SubscriptionId=AKIAIJKR6IY4BV5FKK7A&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B07FCFLRMX/ref=sr_1_9&ie=UTF8&qid=1542358251&sr=1-9&keywords=iphone+lens

I just bought a microscope for phone that does 30X zoom. It works well enough for what I need and it was about 10 bucks at a place I bought it a few years ago.

bitplay AllClip seems to be working well with latest iPhones too, but without any case.

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https://bitplayinc.com/allclip/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JF6S2RJ

Google “3-point lighting” and watch two or three videos about it.

Buy lenses that clip to your phone, like these: https://www.amazon.com/Apexel-Remote-Telephoto-Kaleidoscope-Smartphone/dp/B07GN3WW2G/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=lenses+for+iphone+11&qid=1571332589&sr=8-6

You will need to learn more about photography, but this is a good start.

It was part of a 5 in 1 kit I got off of Amazon. Pretty decent if you're new like me.

Nah, man. I can assure you that the end result is we are going to agree to disagree on this. With that said, here we go...

Lets back up this disagreement so it's clear:

My argument (with a bit more clarification):

Higher-end photographic equipment makes your life easier. Whatever equipment you've got, it'll never be perfect (unless you've got unlimited funds). It's best to evaluate the genres of the photos you're taking, understand that when picking out a camera, and understand there will be compromises. Any camera, including a cell phone can produce good enough results, but you've got to be creative with compromises.

Who is this advice for:

Beginners/Novices/Anyone who wants to take pictures but may have limited funds

Your argument:

You are barred from photo genres if you don’t have a specific camera / lens combo. You mentioned that specific cameras and lenses are needed for each genre. The genres you mentioned: Birds, Portraits, Macro, Action (and since they were discussed, landscape, street).

Let's break it down:

Portraits: Can it be done with a basic kit lens / dslr or phone camera? You betcha*.* Focus on making portraits that use the environments. Not all portraits have to have extreme bokeh.

However, do you still want some creamy bokeh portraits? Get ready to get good at photoshop.

Lighting? Flash? Okay, guess we're gonna be getting a shit ton of lights around the house and using aluminum foil as a reflector and get ready for trial and error. (I should remind you that this person wouldn't be a professional.)

Macro: This one is easy because there's a whole article on it (and there are tons of articles on this one). Basically, you can do it with a kit lens for around $50. If you've got a cell phone, they make lens attachments, which are very cheap.

Is it perfect? No, but that's okay because you're not a pro.

Action/Street: I'm lumping this together because the solutions are similar. You need something fast focusing. So, why not use zone focusing? Focus your camera at a predetermined length and frame your shot beforehand. You can also roll the dice and there is a chance that you will get your shot.

I danced around with an EOS M, so I know this drill.

Will you need to do some creative workarounds / compromises to get the shots you want? Yup, but then again, you're not a professional.

Landscape: Plan everything out just as a normal landscape photographer would with their focal length available, time of day, location, etc.

Birds: I saved this one for last because this is out of my purview. I will concede I don't know anything about bird photography, but this one basically comes down to sharpness/reach in my books (please correct me if I'm wrong).

You can get a cheap zoom lenses (You could even consider a mirror lens). Also there are cheap zoom lens attachments for cell phones.

Is it gonna be tack sharp? Yeah, no. But here we circle back to, you ain't a pro and don't need it to be (but there are better focal lengths/apertures that work better than others!).

Then there's also creative/unconventional means such as using remote shutter.

I'm not saying I'm 100% right here (for the bird genre), so I'm interested in your thoughts on this. I haven't shot anything bird-related and don't really plan to.

Conclusion:

Beginner Hobby with a little money = Compromises. You'll need to work within the limitations of the device you've got and think creatively how to get the shots you want. But not impossible.

Also, since you're a beginner, even if you had the equipment a pro has, you probably couldn't get the shots you want because you're still figuring everything out. So in reality, there's really not much problem solving / compromises for you yet.

Advanced Hobby with little money = Compromises. Work with the limitations, not against them. Understand you're gonna have to be a bit creative and problem solve a lot.

Whatever hobby with a lot of money = No compromises, because there are no limitations.

Pro = No Compromises and you're forced to spend money...but in most cases, you still don't need top of the line to do most genres, let's be real.

I use the a moment case since it has an attachment for a wrist strap and is compatible with this wide angle lens I got as a gift for Christmas. I've managed to drop my phone twice (once while biking) and my phone survived without a scratch. I've also heard really good thing about this Spigen case.

wait. wait. wait. so are you telling me that all the amazing pictures on this sub are just taken with these things?

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https://www.amazon.com/AquariClip-Smartphone-Orange-Aquarium-Photography/dp/B07BB4KTVC

here similar to this one and that’s about what I paid for mine, and my camera is an iPhone 6s

I'm using this one! It's only for iPhone X/XS though

This looks good in terms of reviews.

Ztylus Gloss Black Revolver M Series Camera Kit: 6 in 1 Lens with Case for iPhone X - 2x Telephoto Lens, Macro, Super Macro Lens, Wide Angle Lens https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078PVKMNV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_dkNHAbV36DAFP