olloclip 4-in-1 Photo Lens Review

Introduction

Lens attachments for the iPhone aren’t new to us, seeing that we got the chance to review the iPro Lens System earlier in the year. For the hardened shutterbugs out there using an iPhone, it provides owners with that DSLR-like experience with its various lens attachments. However, the most distracting thing was its grossly out of proportioned price of $229. Hell, that’s more than the on-contract cost of the iPhone!

Whereas the pricing for the iPro Lens System is a limiting factor for many people, the olloclip 4-in-1 photo lens, on the other hand, is already more appealing with its reasonable cost of $69.99 – so it’s not wallet busting like its rival! Adding more versatility, this pocket-friendly lens attachment includes a fisheye, wide-angle, and two macro lenses (10x and 15x), which all complement the iPhone’s already outstanding camera. Taking into consideration its lower price point and healthy set of lenses, will the olloclip be able to get iPhone owners to capture even more astounding shots?

The package contains:

• Wide-angle lens
• Fisheye lens
• 10x & 15x macro lenses
• plastic lens covers

Design

It's a simple, compact attachment that goes over the camera, but it requires a naked iPhone to be attached properly.

In one way, we truly appreciate the compact and simple design of the olloclip. Our particular model is compatible for the iPhone 5/5s, but they also make other olloclips for the iPhone 4/4S, 5c, and iPad mini/mini with Retina Display/Air. Going with a compact design, the olloclip attaches to the corner of the corner of the phone where rear camera sits – though, it covers up the power button. That’s the least of our worries, seeing that we prefer this design implementation as opposed the case attachment of the iPro Lens System. Now, the one complaint we have is that you’ll need to have a naked iPhone in order to attach the olloclip, since it won’t fit over a case or thick screen protector.

As for the lenses themselves, the fisheye and wide-angle lenses can be removed to respectively expose its 10x and 15x macro lenses. Both the barrels of the fisheye and wide-angle lenses are made from aircraft grade aluminum, which nearly matches the sturdy feel of the brushed aluminum casing of the iPhone 5/5s. Meanwhile, the clip that physically tethers the olloclip to the iPhone is constructed from this soft plastic material – giving it a gentle feeling in order to not scratch the iPhone. Lastly, the olloclip utilizes precision ground, coated glass multi-element optics for the lenses. However, one problem we find is that dust can easily get stuck or lodged in there.

Even though we dig the miniscule size of the olloclip, it’s so compact that we’re afraid that we might lose or forget about it when we store it in our pockets. Luckily, the packaging includes plastic covers that go over the fisheye and wide-angle lenses – to prevent them from getting scratched. Sure, it would be nice if ]this was adjustable to fit various cases, but the company also makes a quick-flip case that conveniently accommodates the olloclip 4-in-1 photo lens.