NAB 2013: Schneider shows off iPro Series 2 Lenses for the iPhone 5

iPro lens mount for the iPhone 5

If you are the proud owner of a new iPhone 5, and the owner/user of the Schneider Optics iPro Lens System, then you may be interested in this new iPro Lens mount from BoPhoto.

Using Shapeways 3D printing technology, BoPhoto have created a double sided clip on iPro Lens mount, that is not too dissimilar to the Olloclip mount, for the iPhone 5, that lets you fit up to 2 lenses, that can be flipped when you need to switch between them.

Priced at a reasonable €14.45 Euros, the BoPhoto mount is available from BoPhoto's Shapeways online store now.

The Schneider iPro 2x telephoto lens; 4 weeks later

You may recall at the beginning of July, I took delivery of a Schneider Optics 2x telephoto iPro lens, and at the time I expressed concern and disappointment that the lens seemed to badly suffer from soft edges. Since then I've been in contact with Schneider, and have been testing the lens, and below are my thoughts on this not so cheap lens and some of the feedback from Schneider regarding my concerns.

I'm not going to go in to too much detail regarding the lens build and packaging, as I've already covered this, but for those who have not read my "quick look at the Schneider iPro 2x telephoto lens", here is a quick summary.

Priced at $105 USD (lens only), the 2x iPro lens is nicely packaged, solidly made, and comes supplied with a combi case/handle extender and a lens cap (although this can't be left on the lens whilst stored in the case!!). If you're new to the iPro lens system, then you will also need to buy the iPro iPhone case (this is to allow you to attached the lens you your iPhone), which will cost you an extra $31.00 USD.

So we know the lens is solid and well made, but what about the optical quality that I raised concerns about? Well whilst on holiday a few weeks back, I took the opportunity to play some more with the lens, which sadly continues to disappoint. It didn't matter which camera app I used the results were the same as when I wrote my "quick look", sharp centre sweet spot, with very soft edges!! Now I've been in touch with Schneider over this problem, and they have sent me a preliminary report, that essentially says there is nothing wrong with the lens construction itself, and that the issues are related to limitations of the iPhones lens and image capturing process. Issues like the fixed f2.8 aperture on the iPhone 4 (f2.4 on the 4S), the selective focus and the way the iPhone captures and processes these shots with a lens that has no moving elements, and the rolling shutter, which has caused its own issues in the past.

Despite the report, I can't help but feel all this should have been spotted at the design and development stages, and clear usage guidelines provided on the iPro website, after all, I spotted these issues with in minutes of testing the lens.

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Although the lens does not living up to its expectations, it's not all doom and gloom, as if used on the right subject matter, like portraits, or where you want to create a depth of filed, then just like my sample shot above, the soft edges of this lens can be worked to your advantage.

So, in summing up, the 2x iPro lens is a disappointment, but as I've just said above, if used under the right conditions (and this will be subjective too your style of photography), it can produce some very pleasing results.

If you've bought the 2x iPro lens, what are your thoughts? What do you think of it? Have you experienced the same problems as me?

A quick look at the Schneider iPro 2x telephoto lens

Last week whilst I was working away from home, a package from the UPS man was left with my next door neighbour, which turned out to be the 2x iPro telephoto lens from the very nice people at Schneider Optics.

The Schneider iPro 2x telephoto lens, lets you optically (not digitally) go from this…

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to this...

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Now I've only been back home for a few days, so haven't really had time to put the lens fully through its paces, but I have had a quick play with it, and being a little disappointed I've decided to share my initial thoughts on this lens.

Click to read more ...

Schneider Optics 2x Telephoto Lens now available for the iPhone

You may recall back in January, Schneider Optics demonstrated and announced the pending release of their 2x Telephoto iPro Lens for the iPhone. Well the good news is, this, what should be an excellent addition to the iPro System, is now available to order. Priced at $105 USD, this new lens halves the iPhones camera field of view from 62° to 31° for stills, and from 46° to 23° for video, giving a 35mm equivalent focal length of 60mm and 84mm respectively.

I will be reviewing this new lens as soon as it arrives at iPhoneography HQ, but if you can't wait to order yours, then more information and ordering options can be found at iprolens.com