We love mobile photography, and the advent of a cell phone capable of serious photographic expression has been with us for a while. The problem is two-fold and anchored in physics. First, sensor size matters, and b) optics matter. To keep cell phone small, all sorts of wizardry is taking place with the sensor of related processing. The problem is the lenses, try as you my, but even with advanced MTF curves, you still need glass. With phones being replaced every couple of years, a system from ShiftCam fits a wide variety of phones, future proofing your purchase.
According to recent data, the average time people change their phones is 2.5 to 2.7 years, which considering the price of high-end phones is astounding, often in the range of $500 per year or more. And we have reviewed several wonderful add-on lens systems for specific models. Often sporting first-rate optics, with multi-coated elements, wide-angle, telephoto, and macro solutions. Most of them were dedicated to specific phone models, attaching to the cases. And the majority of the time they weren’t compatible with newer models.
Enter ShiftCam, a company whose offerings are universal, so they fit different makes and models of phones. We love that idea, since we have tablets, Android, iPhones, from different years, etc.. and the ShiftCam allows us to use their lenses on all of them. It all starts with their SnapGrip Creator Kit Pro, which has a full set of accessories based on a magnetic handle grip system. Don’t have a MagSafe compatible phone? No problem, they include a stick on magnet. Mobile phones are great for just about everything but photography, since they are really difficult to handle. The SnapGrip has Bluetooth so you can take photos with it, instead of having to touch the phone. Wait, there’s more! The handle has a battery that can charge the phone, which we found really useful.
If you want to step it up a bit, the ShiftCam Pro Grip adds a clamping system for the outside of your phone, the ability to rotate the hone, rear grip, Bluetooth shutter release, and it has a nice angle feel to it. It’s a bit heavier, but we found it steadied the camera better. The most versatile kit is their ProGip x LensUltra Advanced, which includes the ProGrip Starter Kit, and four lenses. With a LensUltra 16mm Wide-Angle, LensUltra 75mm Long Range Macro, LensUltra 60mm Telephoto, and for cinema fans, a LensUltra 1.33x Anamorphic. It evens includes an LED Light Panel, and a charger.
They even have a LensUltra 200° Fisheye, which we are looking forward to testing in the future. For professional still and video use, they have the Full Kit with every possible lens and accessories. It might seem odd to put that much glass in front of cell phone, but serious cinematic efforts are being made with phones these day. We also liked their TravelPod Pro, which is a solid portable tripod. Look forward to a follow-up article where we take the individual lenses for a serious test. No matter which kit or lenses you choose, the ShiftCam system comes highly recommended and is a Mac Edition Radio Holiday Pick!
For more information on the ShiftCam system visit: https://shiftcam.com
Harris Fogel and Nancy Burlan, posted 12/12/2024
