I like having a decent camera on my smartphone. I recently traded in my OnePlus One for an Xperia Z2 because the 20.7-megapixel camera that Sony packs into its flagship Xperia devices is one of the best cameras you can get in a phone. For all that, I understand that smartphone cameras have limitations, among those the lack of interchangeable lenses. Smartphone cameras are not going to replace your DSLR, but some of them can replace your average point-and-shoot. There are a few options out there for extending the power and versatility of your phone cameras, and Mpow’s 3-in-1 lenses are one of those options. Let’s take a look at these three lenses and what they can add to your smartphone camera experience.
The Mpow 3 in 1 lens kit has three lenses in it. One is a 180-degree fisheye lens, one is a 0.65X wide angle lens, and the third is a 10X macro lens. The three different lenses each add their own features and can help you get some really cool shots. I don’t claim to be a professional photographer, but I like using the camera on my phone and appreciate what these lenses add.
Fisheye Lens
The fisheye lens increases your field of vision to 180 degrees and adds a fisheye effect. The ultra-wide-angle lens creates visual distortion and leaves you with a round, panoramic image. It changes the perspective of the shot, creating fun pictures. The Mpow fisheye lens worked well for me in wide shots and close-ups. I did notice that with my Xperia Z2, fisheye shots had a black ring around the edges. The camera lens on my phone is big enough that the outside edges, especially the corners, of a fisheye photo get blacked out. Not all phones will have this issue, though.
Wide Range Lens
The wide range lens simply extends the edges of the picture, letting you capture a wider image. A wide-angle lens has a much smaller focal length and allows the camera to include more of the scene in the shot. This is particularly useful for getting pictures in any situation where you can’t move back far enough to include everything in the picture that you want. You can use this to get a whole building or group of people in a photo, or to take a wider image in a small room. This lens is probably the least fun of the three lenses in the pack from Mpow, but it’s probably the most practical of the three.
Macro Lens
The macro lens was the one that I had the most fun with. This lens lets you zoom in really close to an object and get a super close-up shot. You can get pictures of small objects or zoom in to get incredible detail. Using the macro lens is just a lot of fun, but you have to make sure you have a steady hand when you are using it. You should try to prop your phone against something solid or you risk getting a really shaky image. I had to take a dozen photos to get a couple of clear ones of this pink flower.
Using The Lenses
Using all three of the lenses is really easy. You simply attach the lens to the plastic holder and then slide it over the end of your device. The Mpow lenses are just about universal. They should fit on almost any phone or tablet that has a camera. Once you slide the lens into place over your camera, you’ll want to adjust the lens to make sure it’s centered. Then simply focus your camera and start snapping photos. You’ll find that each lens has a purpose and allows you to create different images, and you’ll find that each may need a little something extra, like an extra steady hand for the macro lens. The lenses are lightweight and easy to carry, in addition to being easy to use. After some adjustment on your phone’s camera and a little bit of use, you’ll be able to get some real great images with these lenses from Mpow.
You’ll want to be careful with the plastic attachment that holds the lenses in place, however. The lenses themselves seem to be well made, but that plastic holder feels cheap. I can see it easily snapping in the middle if you’re not gentle with it. The “C” shaped clip that holds the lens in place feels like it may break pretty easily, as well.
Wrap-up
Overall, I think Mpow has a solid offering with the 3 in 1 lens kit. The fisheye lens, the wide range lens, and the macro lens add extra functionality to your smartphone camera. They are perfect for a budding photographer and for anyone that wants to extend their smartphone camera, making it a little more powerful and fun. The plastic piece that holds the lens itself and holds the lens to your phone is a little bit flimsy so you’ll want to be careful with that part. You can get the Mpow 3 in 1 lens kit on Amazon.
