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Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/62609
FEATURE REVIEW The iPro Schneider Optics will soon be celebrating its 100th birthday and has won an Oscar for its motion picture lenses. And even on an iPhone, they take the lens business seriously. The iPro's bayonet-mount lenses are stored in a protective tube that serves as a handle and tripod mount for the shell case they attach to. Though not quite as convenient for spur-of-the-moment grab shots, the setup offers perfect alignment with the iPhone's camera (the lloclip sometimes slips a bit) and provides armor- like protection for out in the field or in your pocket jangling around with car keys and loose change. Another potential benefit of the design is that the iPro system may be able to work with future iPhones simply by changing the case. Though similar in coverage to the lloclip, the lenses themselves have about a 30 percent wider diameter, which is reflected in the overall image quality as well as the light transmission characteristics. Enlarging an image in your favorite desktop graphics program, you'll see that the iPro glass is noticeably sharper. However, the lack of distortion in the iPro wide angle is the biggest surprise. The vertical linearity compares favorably with some DSLR optics that will set you back a lot more than a phone. Schneider obviously is making some use of its lens coating expertise, its optics producing colors that are purer and contrast with a bit more punch. Like the lloclip, the iPro works just as well for video recording. Cam Caddie even makes an iPro-ready version of its Scorpi on Pro bracket system for steady hand-held work and accessory attach points for an external microphone and a dual system sound recorder. (Will the next Cl overfieldor Blair Witch Projectbe shot on an iPhone? Will we even be able to notice if it is?) Both lens systems do cover the iPhone's modest flash. And though all are examples here were shot with the phone's native Camera app, spending a dollar or two on one of Global Delight's Camera+would be a most worthwhile investment. Which lens system you choose really depends on how serious you wan tto get. It's hard to beat the olloclip's snap on convenience and the fact that they're as easy to tote around as a pair of ear buds. However, the iPro gives you some very serious glass at a price that's still quite reasonable and the rugged carry case can take more abuse than a phone (or its owner, for that matter). They both have Rating > Product > Made by > Price > Pros > Cons > Rating > their benefits and drawbacks, but we would enthusiastically recommend either. Product > olloclip Made by > Price > Pros > Cons > olloclip (olloclip.com) $69.99 System requirements > iPhone 4/4S Easy to carry and attach; Macro close-up lens May sometimes slip off center; Probably won't be useable on future phones iPro Lens Schneider Optics (iprolens.com) $199 System requirements > iPhone 4/4S Outstanding optical quality; Rugged case; May work with future phones Must be used with its own shell case 108 MacDirectory