Hardware Review: The 190° Fish Eye Lens from USB Fever

You may have read my review of the excellent Olloclip 3-in-1 clip-on lens for the iPhone 4, but what if you don't have a need for, or want a wide-angle and/or macros lens, but just a fish eye one. Well USB Fever, a long time supplier of iPhone accessories may just have the thing, an ultra ultra wide-angle 190° fisheye lens, that comes with a very useable yet thin protective case for the iPhone 4.

The Case
The easy to fit case (simply snap on or off your iPhone), has a soft none slip velvety like matt finish, a threaded lens mount with cut out that allows for flash photography, when not using the lens, along with cutouts for easy access to all the iPhone's buttons and sockets.

The Lens
Made of aluminium, and supplied with a plastic rear and an aluminium front lens cover, this multi-coated X0.24 190° optical glass fish eye lens, quickly, easily and effortlessly screws on and off the mount of the supplied iPhone case.

What do I think of the USB Fever 190° Fish Eye Lens?
Whilst its uses may be limited, the 190° Fish Eye Lens from USB Fever is well made and well designed, produces acceptably sharp photos, and is perfect for all those arty shots, or shots that suit the use of a fisheye lens.

Above: The 190° Fish Eye Lens used with Hipstamatic.Final thoughts
I have been asked on a number of occasions to recommend an app that gives you that fish eye lens look, and I've always said, "there are none". With this in mind, and the fact that this lens from USB Fever is a reasonable $33.99 USD + shipping, if you are hankering after that fish eye look, then look no further than this non adhesive 190° Fish Eye Lens.

Availability: USB Fever
Price: $33.99 USD + worldwide shipping

Comments

[Zumbrunnen]

the case is very filigree and and weak. mine broke after 3 weeks of heavy usage. It may make sense to order an additional case.

[Glyn Evans]

Was it the threaded mount that broke, or the case itself?

[Zumbrunnen]

It was the small wall which surround the side part of the iphone which broke, the threaded mount was okay and seams to be stable.
anyway, i started to use the olloclip (http://olloclip.com/) with the 180 Degree Fisheye lens. this product is more confident.

[buy mobile phones]

it can took some really nice pics if well used

[MC Duties]

Pity you need a differant case for lenses snd tripod mounts. Would be nice for one case that works with them all.

[Miege]

The one which Photojojo sells seems brand-friendly because it only requires you to stick a tiny ring around the phone/monitor/screen camera so that the lens can magnetically stick on the camera.

And cheaper, too.

[Mark]

you can get a huge variety of fisheye and wide angle lens for the iphone if you look on ebay. Over the last few months, I have bought the fisheye lens, and the wide/angle macro combo as well. The prices are ridiculously low, like around $8 US dollars and well worth it. I would skip the 'brand' mentioned in this article as it is too expensive and it comes with a tacky stupid case that is unnecessary and adds to the bulk. The other ones you can get just come with a stick on magnetic ring and you can easily remove the lens whenever you want in a split second, no need to fool around with removing an entire case. Seriously I should start my own blog for these things as I could have informed you all of this months and months ago.

[Henri]

I was wondering if Pano-apps like PhotoSynth take the wider angle into account when shooting with these fishy (pun intended) lenses?