Smart Lens Attachments for Next-Level Smartphone Visuals (2024)

Published:
Updated:

DISCLOSURE: AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES. READ THE FULL DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO. ALL AFFILIATE LINKS ARE MARKED #ad

The latest smartphones from major brands feature quality cameras, allowing anyone to practice their filmmaking or photography skills.

However, smartphone cameras still lack the versatility of a camcorder, hybrid, or cinema camera. Luckily, there are lots of cool lens attachments available for smartphones these days.

Here is a curated list of some top lens attachment choices for smartphones. I like the quality products from Moment but remember that they require proprietary mounts. You can read more about these at the end of the article.

Moment 1.33x Anamorphic Mobile Lenses – Blue and Gold Flare (T-series)

If you want to elevate your smartphone videography to cinematic heights, the Moment 1.33x Anamorphic Mobile Lens – Gold Flare is your go-to accessory.

This innovative lens is designed to deliver a widescreen 2.40:1 Cinemascope effect that’s synonymous with big-screen films.

It’s tailored to fit M-Series mounts, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of smartphones. The lens creates horizontal flares and artifacts that add a dramatic, professional touch to your videos.

Crafted from aerospace-grade metal and hand-polished glass, the Moment Anamorphic lens promises durability and exceptional optical quality.

It’s engineered to overlay perfectly onto your camera phone’s wide lens—or tele lens for certain models—transforming your device into a filmmaking machine.

This lens not only captures the essence of anamorphic photography but also maintains the integrity of your footage with its true-to-life aspect ratio.

Product Specs:

  • Aerospace-grade metal and hand-polished glass
  • Compatible with T-Series mounts

Pros:

  • Cinematic 2.40:1 widescreen effect
  • High-quality build
  • Natural aspect ratio capture

Cons:

  • Requires additional mount purchase
  • Distortions may not suit all video styles

Moment 1.33x Anamorphic Mobile Lens – Blue Flare (M-Series)

For those seeking to capture a cinematic feel in their smartphone videos, the Moment 1.33x Anamorphic Mobile Lens – Blue Flare offers a distinctive blue streak to your light sources, enhancing your visual storytelling.

This lens is engineered to emulate the 2.40:1 Cinemascope used in the film industry, augmenting your content with that widescreen, blockbuster quality.

Notably, the anamorphic design achieves the classic horizontal lens flares and oval bokeh, hallmarks of anamorphic cinematography.

The aerospace-grade metal construction ensures durability, while compatibility with the latest smartphone models means you won’t be left behind in the technology race.

It’s an ideal choice for filmmakers and photographers who demand a fusion of innovation and classic cinematic aesthetics in their mobile content.

Product Specs:

  • 1.33x anamorphic lens
  • Aerospace-grade metal construction
  • Compatible with the M-Series cases

Pros:

  • Cinematic blue flares
  • Durable build quality
  • Wide compatibility with current smartphones

Cons:

  • May have a learning curve for optimal use
  • Barrel distortion might be undesirable for some users

Moment 1.55x Anamorphic Lens – Gold & Blue Flare T-Series (T-series)

Capture cinematic widescreen shots with the Moment 1.55x Anamorphic Lens, which delivers gold and blue flares to elevate your smartphone photography and video to professional levels.

Inspired by the classic 1.5x Iscorama 54, this lens can create ultra-wide formats with rich tones, especially during golden hour or indoor settings. Its design emphasizes a more neutral, less sci-fi aesthetic, ensuring your footage retains a natural yet striking look.

Engineered to work with the latest smartphones—including the iPhone 15, Pixel 8, and others via the T-Series interface—this anamorphic lens excels in low-light conditions. It maximizes the full resolution of camera sensors for that quintessential filmic feel.

Its wide aperture and additional glass elements are meticulously crafted to produce a dramatic 2.76:1 aspect ratio while maintaining increased clarity throughout the frame.

Product Specs:

  • Type: 1.55x Anamorphic Lens
  • Compatibility: T-Series Interface, iPhone 13 and newer, Pixel 7 and newer, Galaxy S22 and newer
  • Aspect Ratio: 2.76:1 Cinemascope
  • Aperture: 20% wider than M-Series

Pros:

  • Produces cinematic gold and blue flares
  • Enhanced low-light performance
  • Compatible with multiple smartphones and lens modes

Cons:

  • Slight softness at the margins
  • Requires specific case for mounting
  • May not be compatible with older smartphones

Moment Wide 18mm Lens (T-Series)

The Moment T-Series Wide 18mm Lens offers a dramatic wide-angle perspective perfect for capturing landscapes, architecture, and group photos.

With its Universal Lens Mount, the T-Series easily aligns with your device’s camera, and its compatibility with a range of models ensures you won’t miss out, no matter your phone choice.

It’s also available as an M-Series.

Integrating the Pro Camera app on the iPhone elevates your photography game, granting you manual control to fine-tune your images.

For those with M-Series lenses, the trade-in program provides an affordable upgrade path to the T-Series, keeping you at the forefront of mobile photography innovation.

Product Specs:

  • Compatible with iPhone, Pixel, and Samsung phones
  • Universal Lens Mount for other Android models
  • Optimized for use with the Pro Camera app

Pros:

  • Expansive wide-angle field of view
  • High-quality image capture
  • Versatile compatibility and easy mounting

Cons:

  • Requires Pro Camera app for full functionality
  • Trade-in offer limited until November 2023
  • May be on back-order due to demand

Moment 10x Macro Mobile Lens (M-Series)

The Moment 10x Macro Mobile Lens M-Series is designed to transform your smartphone into a powerful tool for sharp and detailed close-up photography and videography.

It’s also available for the T-series mount.

With its precision-engineered optics, you’ll be able to capture the intricate beauty of minute subjects at a reduction ratio of 0.16:1, ensuring that you don’t miss a single detail.

The aerospace-grade metal construction and hand-polished glass exhibit the quality and durability expected by discerning photographers and videographers alike.

The M-Series interface makes it easy to attach the lens to your device with a simple twist-and-lock mechanism. Additionally, the lens comes with a removable diffuser hood that evenly distributes light and minimizes shadows.

This feature is handy when documenting a leaf’s complex patterns or an insect’s delicate wings. The Moment 10x Macro Lens can reveal textures and details that go unnoticed.

Product Specs:

  • Weight: 34.7g (39.7g with diffuser)
  • Dimensions: 15.3mm height (33.7mm with diffuser), 34.5mm diameter (44.4mm with diffuser)
  • Optics: 200 LP/MM (Axis), 100 LP/MM (Edge)

Pros:

  • 10x magnification for extreme close-ups
  • High-resolution optics for clarity
  • Robust, high-quality construction

Cons:

  • Requires additional mount for attachment
  • Higher price point compared to some alternatives
  • Maybe more specialized than a standard lens attachment

Moment 14mm Fisheye Mobile Lens (M-series)

You’ll notice a dramatic difference in your smartphone photography and video with the Moment 14mm Fisheye Mobile Lens.

This lens offers a 50-degree wider field of view for expansive, dynamic shots. It excels in tight spaces and ensures your subject remains central to the action.

It’s also available for the T-Series mount.

The aspherical design of this superwide lens maximizes sensor utilization, leading to crisper, more detailed outcomes. This lens is especially impressive compared to the native ultra-wide capabilities of devices like the iPhone.

The 14mm Fisheye lens is constructed with aerospace-grade metal, highlighting its dedication to quality. It is compatible with Moment Cases and the Moment Pro Camera App, ensuring a seamless user experience.

Whether you’re into action-packed videos or architectural photography, this lens minimizes camera shake and enhances low-light performance, pushing the boundaries of mobile imaging.

Product Specs:

  • Field of View: 50 degrees wider
  • Compatibility: M-Series Interface
  • Material: Aerospace-grade metal
  • Design: Aspherical elements

Pros:

  • Expansive field of view
  • Enhanced low-light performance
  • Durable, high-quality build

Cons:

  • Requires additional mounting hardware
  • May not fit all phone models without a case
  • Higher price point compared to other mobile lenses

Moment 58mm Tele Mobile Lens (M-series)

Capture closer, sharper images with your smartphone using the Moment 58mm Tele Mobile Lens, a must-have for photographers and videographers who demand high-quality optical zoom.

This lens is designed to work seamlessly with a wide range of devices through the M-Series interface, providing an optical zoom superior to your phone’s default digital zoom.

It’s also available for the T-Series mount.

Its aerospace-grade metal construction and hand-polished glass, similar to those used in high-end 4K film lenses, ensures durability and exceptional image clarity.

By leveraging the Moment 58mm Tele, you can achieve roughly 2x optical zoom over the main camera of multi-lens smartphones and approximately 4x zoom when paired with the iPhone’s telephoto lens (using the Moment Pro Camera App).

The result is tighter, crisper shots and enhanced portrait photography with a more flattering compression effect.

Product specs:

  • M-Series compatibility
  • Works with the latest Apple, Google, Samsung, and OnePlus devices
  • Aerospace-grade metal and hand-polished glass

Pros:

  • Superior optical zoom capability
  • High-quality construction
  • Easy twist-and-lock design

Cons:

  • Requires Moment Case and Drop-in Lens Mount for certain models
  • Additional cost for cases and accessories
  • Adds weight to the phone

Moment 67mm Variable ND Bundle (Clip-on)

The Moment 67mm Variable ND Bundle enhances your mobile photography and videography. This bundle is a game-changer for content creators who demand the flexibility to adjust lighting.

I tested their 77mm and 82mm Variable ND filters here.

The Variable ND Filter, available in 2-5 or 6-9 stop options, is crafted with Schott B270 Pro Cinema Glass for unparalleled clarity. Its hard stops prevent cross-polarization, which is crucial when striving for that perfect shot.

When using the Moment 67mm Variable ND Bundle, you’re equipping your smartphone with a professional-grade tool that mitigates overexposure without sacrificing image quality.

It’s compatible with the latest iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, ensuring that even the most tech-savvy users can maximize their photographic potential.

However, vignetting may occur with ultra-wide cameras, and the Lens Filter Mount isn’t compatible with all iPhone 14 Series phones.

Product Specs:

  • 2-5 stop or 6-9 stop Variable ND options
  • Schott B270 Pro Cinema Glass
  • Hard stops to eliminate cross-polarization

Pros:

  • Precision exposure control
  • High-quality premium glass ensures sharp images
  • Compatible with iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max

Cons:

  • Possible vignetting on ultra-wide cameras
  • Lens Filter Mount not suitable for all iPhone 14 models
  • Total price varies with selected products

Moment 67mm CineBloom Bundle (Clip-on)

The Moment 67mm CineBloom Bundle offers diffusion filters that soften harsh lines and flatter your subjects with a gentle glow for an ethereal touch to your smartphone photography and video.

These filters, available in 10% and 20% densities, are designed to capture and bloom light, creating that sought-after dreamy, film-like aesthetic.

You’ll notice a smoothing effect on skin tones, which is especially beneficial for portrait work as it makes wrinkles less noticeable, imbuing your imagery with a timeless quality.

The CineBloom Filters are specifically tailored to complement the iPhone 14 Pro series, ensuring that the mic hole isn’t obscured and audio pass-through is unhindered by the filter mount.

The Snap-On Filter Mount is a perfect accompaniment, allowing for quick changes on the go.

When selecting these filters, you’re not just buying a product but investing in a versatile tool to elevate your visual storytelling.

Product Specs:

  • CineBloom Diffusion Filters in 10% and 20% densities
  • Compatible with iPhone 14 Pro Series
  • Features a 67mm filter mount

Pros:

  • Creates a film-like, dreamy effect
  • Softens skin tones and hard edges
  • Doesn’t block the iPhone mic hole

Cons:

  • Limited compatibility with non-iPhone 14 series
  • Variable set pricing can be confusing
  • Lens Filter Mount not compatible with iPhone 14 Series

Last Thoughts on Smartphone Lens Attachments

Smartphone lens attachments typically clip to the top of the smartphone, positioning the external lens directly on top of the built-in camera lens.

When shopping for lens attachments, pay attention to the mounting options.

The lenses here require either the Moment M or T mount:

The M-Series is a line of mobile lenses introduced in 2017 as the second generation of such products, designed for enhancing mobile photography.

The T-Series, launched in 2023, is an advanced range of lenses compatible with iPhone and Android devices, intended for mobile photography and filmmaking enthusiasts.

Key points about the T-Series:

  • 20% larger aperture than the M-Series for a wider field of view.
  • It is designed for phones with cameras having an equivalent focal length of less than 26mm.
  • Larger lens elements are made from HD glass for superior photo clarity and minimal color distortion.
  • Unlike phone cameras that rely on computational imaging, capture bokeh, flares, depth-of-field effects, natural distortion, and image compression authentically.

The M-Series is still valuable for:

  • Beginners in photography.
  • Those wanting a compact and cost-effective lens solution.
  • Users of phones like the iPhone Mini or those engaging in activities where damaging a high-end phone is a risk.

Differences between the two series:

  • The M-Series, suitable for older phone models like the iPhone 6, is now considered outdated compared to modern phone cameras.
  • The T-Series is crafted for the latest camera phone technology, ensuring high quality and compatibility with new phones.
  • The T-Series features a durable, wider bayonet interface for quick lens attachment and compatibility with larger phone lenses.
  • It includes a threaded front ring for easy attachment of accessories like filters and hoods.

The T-Series is a modern, high-quality lens series for mobile photographers and filmmakers. The M-Series caters to those just starting or needing a more budget-friendly and compact solution.

Remember that some lens attachments require a separate clip or case. If cost is a major factor, consider buying one kit with multiple lenses.


Author

    by
  • Jan Sørup

    Jan Sørup is a indie filmmaker, videographer and photographer from Denmark. He owns filmdaft.com and the Danish company Apertura, which produces video content for big companies in Denmark and Scandinavia. Jan has a background in music, has drawn webcomics, and is a former lecturer at the University of Copenhagen.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.