We tested out a few of OlloClip’s latest add-on lenses for iPhones to the test on a recent trip to the Caribbean. And so, with an iPhone 6 and iPhone 7 at our disposal, we tried out the Telephoto + Wide Angle + Macro 10x + CPL Lens Set for the iPhone 6, which included four lens options: 2x Telephoto, Wide-Angle, Macro 10x and the Circular Polarizing Lens (CPL).
What’s great about these OlloClip add-ons, is that while I still bring my Canon 7D with me wherever I go, I often leave it in the hotel room when I head out to dinner, go cycling, hiking or do water activities.
I have an Olympus Tough TG4 underwater camera, which I reviewed in late 2015 and we’d love to review the latest version (it does a great job, is lightweight and durable). So, more often lately, my trusty Canon sadly takes a back seat.
When you’re in a rush, want to travel light or simply can’t be bothered, we often end up taking more shots on our phones, so why not have lightweight options to improve our photo quality, zoom in or get wide-angle shots without the hassle?
The lenses clip on and off your phone in seconds and you can take a selfie or capture your world with both the front and rear-facing cameras (useful for travelers). It also works with all of your favorite photo and video apps so there’s plenty of versatility and ease-of-use built in.
The Telephoto allows you to get 2x optical magnification, allowing you to get twice as close to your subject – while the removable CPL reduces glare and reflections and makes colors look rich and true to life. Then, you can flip the lens over and capture it all with nearly double the field of view with the Wide-Angle lens. As an added bonus, unscrew the Wide-Angle lens to reveal a Macro 10x lens – this is great for those up close flower shots or even food, which we do plenty of when we review restaurants. Those of you who have an iPhone 6, you can buy the kit on Amazon.
The Active Lens Set for the iPhone 7 is also available on Amazon and has multi-element Telephoto and Ultra-Wide lenses. The complete system, loaded with a 2x optical zoom and “action camera” field-of-view, makes it easy to shoot farther and wider using what they refer to as the CONNECT interchangeable lens system.
Features include new improved optics, a nice hinged base which helps to keep the lens flush with the camera for improved optical performance. (we found this to be better on the iPhone 7 than the iPhone 6 kit). It also includes a wearable pendant stand which helps to keep the lens accessible and opens to create a pocket-sized tripod – how cool is that? More information can be found at www.olloclip.com.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
