Olloclip for iPhone 7/7Plus

June 16, 2017 • Leave a Comment

Olloclip has done it again. They have created a new lens kit for the latest Apple 7series. I’ve been lucky enough to take it for a test spin.

What’s included?

The Core Lens Set includes three different optics: Super-Wide, Fisheye, and Macro. These optics are masterfully crafted to a clip-on mounting system that’s similar to the kits for the iPhone 6/6s and designed to mount flush to the phone even if you use certain standard iPhone screen protectors. The ingenious lenses flip in the mount so they can be used with either the regular wide-angle iPhone 7 Plus camera, or on the 56mm equivalent telephoto camera.

1. Fish-eye lens – super wide-angle lens that shows the scene in a 180-degree spherical look.

2. Super Wide lens – shows 120-degree range wide-angle view.

3. 15x Macro lens – extreme close up views not possible with the naked lens since the images will look blurry if you hold your iPhone that close to the subject

Each kit comes with the 3 lenses and conveniently clips to a plastic pendant complete with carabiner. It also includes a pendant for attaching the lenses to a lanyard to hang around your neck or to a key chain. The pendant it can be splayed open in a V-shape when the lenses are not attached. This allows it to be used in a pinch as a way to hold your phone hands free (great for Facetime) or for filming, time-lapse or taking selfies.

View the "Getting Started Guide" video below:

Olloclip also provides an optional case to protect your iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus for $29.99. These cases work with the lenses and are FINALLY ‘screen-protector-friendly.’

Each set comes with an attachment for iPhone 7 and for iPhone 7 Plus. The video below shows how to set things up with your screen protector:

The system does work with the built-in telephoto 2X lens on the iPhone 7 Plus. The video above shows how to flip the lens in the attachment. You’ll need a camera app that lets the user select the telephoto lens manually. The built-in app on iOS doesn’t seem to work properly with the Olloclip Core Lens Set.

Check out the example of the Super Wide lens from @sun.sj, which takes a photo with a 120-degree range of view.

Below you’ll see what the 15x Macro lens does for your photos. This is the most difficult lens to use as you have to get up close and personal and if you’re outdoors with a bit of wind it will be key to wait for the wind to die down. Click further on the link to see how the photographer captures these amazing snowflake shots:

Investment & Recommendation

Purchasing an iPhone accessory for $99.99 to the expensive price of the iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus may seem like a lot for certain users. But for serious smartphone photographers they will love the results. A photo of a great landscape with the Super-wide lens looks amazing when you can get the wider range of view. And the next time you take a photo of a large group of friends you’ll be glad you have a lens with a wider field of view. The Olloclip Super-wide lens helps you get everyone in the shot.

The Fish-eye lens is not for everyone, especially for portraits of people. But it is perfect for specific situations. It provides a completely different captivating quality unlike other lenses. Try it on animals (your favorite pet), architecture and landscapes alongside your regular lenses to compare.

Head over to the Olloclip gallery to see some beautiful examples of shots taken by their users.

It’s important to remember a couple of things when considering the purchase of the Olloclip Core lens set or any Olloclip lens set. You can’t use your current iPhone 7 case with the lenses. You’ll need to take the case off before attaching the lens, unless you buy one of Olloclip’s iPhone 7 ($29.99) or iPhone 7 Plus ($29.99) cases. You have to take the lenses with you, which can get annoying for some. I carry it around in my pocket, but you can attach it to keys with the carabiner that comes with the set. Finally, it might slightly reduce image quality since you’re putting a lens in front of a lens. I didn’t notice any significant degradation, but it can happen.

Olloclip enables both the amateur and professional photography some amazing options. As the optics of the iPhone camera keep improving the line between high end cameras and mobile cameras blurs. Follow Olloclip on Instagram to see the possibilities.