You don’t want the newest and costliest digital camera gear to seize nice pictures and movies. Smartphone images is rising in recognition. I’ve dabbled in it myself, particularly since I bought my Google Pixel 7 Professional which has a wonderful digital camera. However when you’re feeling underwhelmed by your smartphone’s digital camera or don’t have one of many finest digital camera telephones, don’t fear: Second lenses are right here for you.
Second presents a variety of lenses to select from, whether or not you need a macro lens to get caught within the element or a fisheye lens for artistic functions. Its lenses boast superior optical high quality, premium construct and building, and the very best half? All it’s a must to do is twist them on to lock them into place. I examined 4 Second lenses and whereas they’re nice total, every has a few drawbacks value mentioning.
Are these a few of the finest iPhone lenses round? Learn my Second lenses assessment for the total breakdown.
Second smartphone lenses assessment: Specs
Specs | Tele 58mm | Large 18mm | Macro 10x | Fisheye 14mm |
---|---|---|---|---|
Value | $150 | $140 | $140 | $130 |
Dimension (diameter x depth) | 1.92 x 1.31 inches | 1.92 x 1.12 inches | 2.24 x 1.31 inches (with hood) | 1.57 x 1.05 inches |
Weight | 4.1 ounces | 2.51 ounces | 1.42 ounces (with hood) | 2.22 ounces |
Viewing angle | 48 deg | 48 deg | 65 deg | 200 deg |
Magnification ratio | 2x | 0.5x | 10x | 0.2x |
Equal focal size | 58mm | 18mm | 34.8mm | 14mm |
Minimal focus distance | 12 inches (300mm) | 2.75 inches (70mm) | 0.6 inches (15mm) | 2.75 inches (70mm) |
Second smartphone lenses assessment: Value & availability
I examined 4 T-Sequence Second lenses: the Tele 58mm ($150), Large 18mm ($140), Macro 10x ($140), and Fisheye 14mm ($130). These are a little bit costlier than the Sandmarc iPhone lenses. Pictured above are additionally two anamorphic lenses which I am within the strategy of testing.
I examined the Second lenses mounted onto a Second case ($50) for the Google Pixel 7 Professional, and we additionally mounted these onto a Second case for the iPhone 15 Professional. You may get instances for varied Pixel, iPhone, Samsung and OnePlus fashions.
All 4 lenses are additionally obtainable within the M-Sequence variant, suitable with older telephones, though the costs might barely differ.
Second smartphone lenses assessment: Design
The Second lenses are constructed and designed rather well. They’re made with aerospace-grade materials and hand-polished glass that can be used for high-end 4K movie lenses. The lenses keep a glossy look even when mounted onto your telephone, and whereas they differ in weight, they by no means really feel so heavy you can’t maintain your telephone in a single hand.
As aforementioned, you want a particular Second telephone case to twist the lenses onto your telephone, and a case will value you round $50. Nonetheless, you too can get a drop-in lens mount ranging from as little as $5. These aren’t obtainable for lots of telephones although. Sandmarc lenses, however, include an included iPhone case and drop in mounts to be used on a number of units. Higher worth for cash?
I used to be a little bit involved when mounting the lenses onto my telephone. The lenses sit immediately on prime of the built-in lens and have edged steel wings which hook across the within the case lens mount — they sit extremely near the telephone’s lenses and twisting them on made me apprehensive that I used to be about to scratch the glass, so simply watch out. You’ll be able to take away the case after which twist a Second lens on, and whereas that may be time consuming, you’ll be able to relaxation assured your telephone’s lenses are unscathed.
Second smartphone lenses assessment: Tele 58mm lens efficiency
The Second Tele 58mm lens is an honest performer. With a 2x magnification — similar because the Sandmarc Tele 58mm lens ($129) — you get additional optical attain to get nearer to topics. The gallery beneath demonstrates this. The primary picture was shot utilizing the Pixel’s most important digital camera and with out an extra lens, and the second picture was taken with the Tele 58mm lens. The primary picture is zoomed additional out, and it isn’t as contrasted because the second, with the timber’ greens not showing true-to-life.
In comparison with digital zoom discovered on smartphone lenses, optical zoom (which achieves a zoom optically utilizing an extended lens as an alternative of digitally by cropping) typically produces sharper photos on the similar magnification, demonstrated by the gallery beneath — the primary picture shot with simply the Pixel’s telephoto lens zoomed to match the framing, and the second with the Second lens fitted. The variations are minor although, with the sides of the sculpture barely sharper within the second picture.
The variations are so minor that within the two photos beneath, there’s solely a little bit distinction in distinction. The primary was shot with the Pixel’s 15x zoom, and the second with the Tele 58mm lens. So does the Tele 58mm warrant its steep price ticket, if there’s barely any distinction? I’m not satisfied, at the least not with the Pixel 7 Professional.
Second recommends the Tele 58mm lens for portraits, promising “buttery bokeh.” Within the gallery beneath, the primary picture was shot utilizing the Pixel’s most important digital camera, and the second with the Tele 58mm lens hooked up. There isn’t a lot distinction between the 2 pictures, though the blur is barely tighter within the Second picture (as you’d count on from a lens with an extended bodily focal size, due to distance compression). I wouldn’t contemplate it “buttery” although — it’s nothing just like the bokeh you’ll obtain utilizing a correct extensive aperture lens on a DSLR or mirrorless digital camera.
Portraits taken with the Tele 58mm lens come out detailed, although, as demonstrated within the gallery beneath. All photos have been shot with the Second lens hooked up to my Pixel, with the Pixel’s portrait mode enabled. I like that within the pictures of the birds, you can also make out their particular person feathers (and the totally different colours on the pigeons) once you zoom in. The background is simply out of focus to spotlight the topics properly too.
I used to be more than happy with how the portraits turned out, particularly the final picture (above) of my mum and brother. However total, whereas I loved utilizing the Tele 58mm, it didn’t add something new that my Pixel couldn’t already do.
Second smartphone lenses assessment: Large 18mm lens efficiency
The Second Large 18mm lens presents a large angle of view to seize vital particulars with none distortion. Since I’ve owned my Google Pixel 7 Professional, I haven’t been mightily impressed with its extensive and ultra-wide capabilities, as pictures have all the time appeared missing intimately. The Second lens cures that.
The gallery above has three pictures: the primary was shot with the Pixel’s most important digital camera, the second with the Pixel’s 0.5x ultra-wide zoom, and the third with the Large 18mm lens hooked up. Within the first shot, the greens have a low-key synthetic tint, whereas within the second shot, the purple flowers lose a little bit of their vibrancy. The third shot, although, utilizing the Second lens, is ideal. Colours are well-balanced and after I zoomed into the picture, I might see the main points on the flowers.
Indoors, the Large 18mm lens performs properly too. The primary picture within the gallery above was shot with the Pixel’s ultra-wide lens zoomed out to attempt to match the framing of the second picture, which was shot utilizing the Second lens. The flowers within the vase look barely sharper within the second shot, and the PS5 controller on the desk doesn’t look as distorted. Within the first shot, the controller appears a little bit elongated, however stays true-to-size within the second.
Second smartphone lenses assessment: Macro 10x lens efficiency
Macro lenses can reveal hidden worlds in day-to-day objects and may have you trying on the world in a unique gentle. The Second Macro 10x lens is a small and light-weight lens that may remodel your smartphone images, particularly in case your telephone doesn’t have a devoted macro lens. It comes with a diffuser hood for reaching the precise focus, and it’s bought a minimal focus distance of 0.6 inches (15mm) however this may increasingly differ relying on the telephone mannequin. I take advantage of my Google Pixel 7 Professional’s macro mode virtually day by day, so I used to be actually trying ahead to testing the Second lens.
It took me some time to get used to the latter as it’s good to be extraordinarily near the topic — virtually touching it, even — so this lens can’t be used to {photograph} bees or bugs and is best suited to nonetheless topics. It proved a little bit irritating at instances as discovering that candy spot can take time as you progress forwards and backwards to place the topic in focus.
However I used to be impressed by the picture high quality the Macro 10x lens delivered. Within the gallery above, the primary picture was shot within the Pixel’s macro mode, and the second with the Second lens hooked up to my Pixel. Whereas each photos are good, I choose the one taken with the Second lens. The high-quality particulars throughout the focal aircraft are highlighted by the tight blur (now that’s what we’d name “buttery”). However the Pixel actually holds its personal right here too, though the background isn’t as tender. The Second lens merely produces a nicer aesthetic through an especially skinny depth of discipline.
The principle subject with wide-angle macro lenses is that it’s good to be so near your topic that each one gentle will get blocked out — as is the case with the Sandmarc 25mm Macro lens and the Second Macro 10x. If you’re that near your topic, you solid a shadow on it, as will be seen within the picture of the pretend petals above. You’ll be able to’t inform that it was taken in broad daylight.
Second smartphone lenses assessment: Fisheye 14mm lens efficiency
Given the complexity of the design and building, fisheye lenses will be costly, so the Second Fisheye 14mm lens offers you the possibility to experiment earlier than committing to a professional lens for one of many finest mirrorless cameras. Second’s providing has a minimal focal size of 0.63 inches (15.88mm) and an f/1.7 aperture. It delivers wider fields of view and better picture high quality than commonplace ultra-wide lenses on smartphones.
I had numerous enjoyable utilizing the Fisheye 14mm lens and loved the aptitude it provides to an in any other case generic picture. The lens captures vibrant photos which are sharp within the centre, demonstrated by the primary picture within the gallery above. Shot from a balcony and when zoomed into, the bricked buildings within the distance seem sharp. However naturally, as a result of results of barrel distortion, the peripheries of photos are blurred, as seen within the second picture within the gallery above. This isn’t dangerous, although, as it may possibly assist draw consideration to your topic. I additionally like that the Fisheye 14mm lens captured the sky and tree to offer some context to the second shot.
The primary picture within the gallery above additionally demonstrates my level about barrel distortion which is a pure a part of ultra-wide angle optics. The centre of the picture, once more, stays sharp. It’s vital to remember that not each picture will prove the best way you envisioned — however that’s additionally the enjoyable a part of a fisheye lens. The pictures could be a little trippy too, as seen within the second shot within the gallery above, which additionally exhibits how a lot of the scene this lens captures.
Second smartphone lenses assessment: Verdict
Second’s lenses have so much to supply, and so they can undoubtedly take your smartphone images to the following degree, particularly when you have an older telephone. All 4 of our take a look at lenses are constructed rather well, due to the aerospace-grade materials and hand-polished glass. They really feel premium to carry and whereas a few of them are weighty, they’re by no means too heavy, so you’ll be able to comfortably maintain your telephone with one hand. You do want to purchase both a particular Second case or a drop-in lens mount individually to twist the lenses onto. You additionally have to be a little bit cautious when twisting the lenses on as they could scratch your telephone’s lens.
The picture high quality is nice throughout all 4 lenses. Whereas I discovered the Tele 58mm lens a little bit missing in comparison with the Google Pixel 7 Professional’s — its $150 price ticket didn’t assist — I used to be happy with the efficiency of the Large 18mm, Fisheye 14mm and Macro 10x lenses. After all, it isn’t the identical as shopping for one of many finest cameras, and also you’ll by no means obtain the identical degree of element or picture high quality with the restrictions of a telephone’s sensor and lens, however the Second lenses nonetheless warrant a suggestion.
An ideal method to give attention to enjoyable and body your world, Second’s lenses give your smartphone images a lift with out the necessity for cumbersome gear.