With an 8 MB camera lens, convenience of easy (and fun) photo editing, and fuss-free uploading to social media platforms, it’s no wonder folk are ditching chunky cameras in favour of their iPhones. Here are some uber-cool gadgets to help you achieve that ultimate panorama, Polaroid-inspired shot, selfie, and more.
Lens Lovin’
Bypass the DSLR with these tech treats, guaranteed to get your phone ready for some serious photography. Despite a fair share of naysayers when news of Sony’s QX10 and QX100 leaked onto the net, it’s undeniable that this high quality attachable lens (complete with performance sensor, zoom, and manual controls) is a revolutionary game-changer. Don’t underestimate the teeny Olloclip, which fits snugly in your pocket. It’s an impressive 4-in-1 lens enhancement that gives you fisheye, macro, and wide-angle capabilities.
Top Row: Sony, Bottom Row: Olloclip
Transform your phone into a sophisticated classic camera with Gizmon’s iCA series (our vote’s on iCA5). Nominated for German Design Award 2014, what essentially seems like a vintage-inspired phone cover is more than meets the eye – packed with an optical viewfinder, shutter button, range of customizable lens, and compatible with regular camera straps. Another power-packed phone case is Holga’s iPhone Filter and Case Kit, which features an adorable wheel of quirky filters, including Holga’s signature range of split, triple, quadruple, and rainbow coloured image filters.
Left Column: Gizmon iCA, Right Column: Holga
Old is gold
Polaroid aficionados (don’t mix them up with instax users) will be familiar with the famed Impossible Project, known for keeping the analog instant photography dream alive by saving the last Polaroid film production plant in the world. Besides retailing their own brand of experimental medium-format film and refurbished vintage Polaroid cameras, Impossible Project has launched the innovative Impossible Instant Lab – which allows you to scan printed Polaroids into your phone (to impress your Instagram followers) and transform any digital picture from your phone into an instant analog photo. Simply attach your camera, insert Impossible Project film, choose your desired image, and within seconds, your developed Polaroid is ejected.
Hands up if you’re a Lomo Lover like us! Folks who swear by Lomography’s funky films and analog cameras will wanna get their hands on Lomography’s Smartphone Scanner – which lets you scan all your revered film negatives into your phone, for easy sharing on Instagram, Pinterest, and more.
Impossible Project (L), Lomography (R)
Picture perfect panorama
Recall those silly moments spent spinning in circles trying to capture a proper panorama shot? No more! Say hello to Kogeto Dot, an attachable lens which helps you effortlessly snap a panorama shot (or shoot a panoramic video) with just a swipe on your phone screen. Perfect for social media addicts, Kogeto Dot shares pictures on your choice of social media platform with just a single click.
Similarly, Bubblescope, a clip-on gizmo with a retractable sphere lens, allows for fuss-free 360⁰ panoramic captures. All Bubblescope users enjoy a free account with BubblePix, which allows you to backup your images, turn them into embedded ‘bubbles’ for your web page, and easy viewing on multiple electronic devices via the free BubblePix app.
Pocket full of sunshine
Bid adieu to poorly lit or plain unflattering flash shots (don’t get us started on the red-eye) with these heaven-sent gadgets. Nova is a wireless external camera flash which projects soft, natural light (adjustable via the Nova app) comparable to professional lighting. Get creative with it and play around with different angles and positioning! Best part? It’s extremely slim and slips perfectly into your wallet for easy storage. For a mountable device, go with The Pocket Spotlight – a charming flash unit, chargeable via USB, which promises up to an hour of continuous light.
Left Column: Glif, Right Column: GripTight
Hands-free
We’ve all had our struggles attempting group selfies and a fair share of crappy pictures taken by passers-by, so it’s no secret that tripods are a huge help when it comes to achieving a well-composed group photograph. Joby’s GripTight GorillaPod Stand is a smartie, with over 24 grippy leg joints which are able to bend and rotate 360⁰, allowing you to secure and stabilise your phone onto nearby tables, benches, or even poles. Taking the product’s versatility to a whole new level, Joby has introduced a magnetic model!
Studio Neat’s Glif Tripod Mount will help your camera tripod (if you already own one) pull double duty as a tripod for your phone. Made from recyclable rubberized plastic, this nifty gadget is equipped with an adjustable setting which allows it to fit virtually any smart-phone.
Till next week’s dose of techy goodness, happy instagramming!
Top Image: Kogeto Dot (L) Bubblescope (R)