If there are two issues that my smartphone digital camera lacks, it’s bokeh and close-up capabilities – which is why Second’s new macro lenses caught my eye. The Second Macro 75mm II and Macro 10x II deliver upgraded cinema-grade glass close-ups to smartphone images.
The smartphone add-on lenses allow nearer photographs than a unadorned smartphone alone. Because the identify suggests, the brand new lenses are the second era in Second’s T-series, which is designed for newer (2023 and later) telephones. The second-generation macro lenses, introduced earlier this month, use 30 p.c extra glass within the design, which Second says will increase sharpness.
The 75mm permits creators to remain three to 4 inches / 76-101mm away from the topic, whereas the 10x provides an up-close-and-personal one-inch / 25mm capturing distance.
However including the additional glass in entrance of a smartphone digital camera does extra than simply get nearer. The nearer you might be to the topic, the smaller the depth of discipline is. Pattern photographs from the brand new macro lenses present way more bokeh or blurred backgrounds than photographs on a unadorned iPhone.
The 75mm Macro II additionally helps twisting on a 67mm lens filter, whereas the 10X Macro II features a diffusion hood to assist soften the shadows which can be generally a problem with excessive close-ups.
Whereas the close-up capabilities deliver extra bokeh to smartphone images, cellular lenses nonetheless have extra limitations than interchangeable lens cameras, together with the smaller sensors and restricted bokeh.
On a DSLR or mirrorless digital camera, a 75mm macro lens would additionally double as a portrait lens, however Second warns this isn’t the case. The smartphone add-on lenses have a really restricted focus vary. The Second Macro 75mm II can solely deal with topics which can be between 2.75 inches and three.9 inches away, or 70-100mm, so it gained’t double as a telephoto.
One of many issues I want my iPhone may do is take higher closeups – an add-on lens makes it doable to get far nearer. The problem is remembering to deliver alongside the add-on lens with you, because the lenses add slightly extra bulk to the again of the cellphone.
The brand new Second macro lenses retail for $150 / £130 / AU$258 / CA$213 every, with delivery starting on December 2. The lenses require a Second cellphone case to mount the lens. The launch of the brand new lenses additionally comes with a reduction on the older collection.
You might also like
Have an older cellphone? The Second M-series macro is designed for telephones older than 2023. Or, browse the finest smartphone images lenses.