Martino Loc: Northwest Florida

An that can be done with a cell phone camera.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

You are entitled to your opinion.

Martino Loc: Northwest Florida

The following three photos, selected quickly from my catalog are all taken using an iPhone.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

I also use a cellphone camera, but I also recognize it’s limitations. I also believe that cameras in cellphones are a nod toward those who don’t necessarily want a dedicated camera. That is, a stand alone camera. A cellphone camera is an add-on feature to a cellphone. My iphone 8 Plus camera takes pretty decent pictures, for what it is, and I have no problem with using it. And while I don’t consider myself to be an artist, I do like to bring out the more artistic side of photography with a camera that allows me to control a scene, wheras with a cellphone camera, you get what it gives you. And yes, you can be artistic with a cellphone camera.

However, I believe your comments are offbase here. No need to be insulting. Disagree if you wish, with something someone states in a post, but don’t get insulting and derisive in your responses. No one appreciates that.

Martino Loc: Northwest Florida

Another iPhone image

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Nice pic. But there was just one photo.

Martino Loc: Northwest Florida

...and a last.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

What you are showing here is that even with a cellphone you can take very nice photos, and that it reveals that the photographer is knowledgeable about how to compose a photo to show more than just a pretty scene, but to get the most out of it. Please note, though, that in my original post I never insinuated that a cellphone camera isn’t a good camera. I was merely pointing out that a cellphone camera is aimed squarely at those who are likely not all that interested in art, but in capturing a moment. Just look at Facebook and Instagram or Snapchat. You can’t even post on Snapchat unless you use a cellphone picture, I believe.

By the way, that’s a beautiful sunset photo.

Martino Loc: Northwest Florida

Thank you and I don't disagree with what you say there. The majority of people have always taken 'snaps'. From as soon as the vest cameras arrived. The majority have always been records of events, friends and family. Many had their heads chopped off, bad composition etc etc. However for a group of supposedly accomplished or striving to be accomplished photographers to express some of the comments here does nothing to spread the enthusiasm to the general public of any age.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

I believe that the interest in art, photography or any other genre, transcends age or age groups. We all started out young some time, in photography, and look at some of us now. I am by no means more than an amateur, but there are some advanced amateur as well as accomplished professional photographers here on UHH. I know that there is some degree of elitism here from time to time. I think it would be the same in any other kind of endeavor. But art resides within the individual, regardless of age. My grandson is a good example. He’s 20 and attending a professional photography school. He is every bit an artist and regards his photography seriously. He does some amazing work. He also uses his cellphone camera a lot, but nearly 99% of that use is for social media, yet he has taken some beautiful, artistic photos with it. He just has that touch and sense.

Perhaps the draw for others here lies not in comments made by individuals, but in what they see that others post with their pictures. I think our photos inspire others, that’s why daily there are new folks coming onboard, and why they, and we, ask lots of questions. There’s a wealth of wisdom and experience here that others count on, capitalize on, which is another draw for new or returning photographers. And really, the argument over cellphone cameras vs. dedicated, stand alone cameras, Nikon vs. Canon, mirrorless vs. DSLR, is all minutia. If whatever you have works for you, then that is the important thing, in my opinion. And all of this really took a big bunny trail off the original subject matter of add-on telephoto lenses for cellphone cameras, didn’t it?

Martino Loc: Northwest Florida

It did indeed!

What you say makes perfect sense.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

👍

berchman Loc: South Central PA

There will always be those whose need to think well of themselves is dependent on taking a patronizing and denigrating stance toward others. “My 8x10 view camera will never be matched by your cell phone,” (My button is bigger than your button,)

SalvageDiver Loc: Huntington Beach CA

Well said Martino.

First, let me address the OP's question. Buyer beware, if it sounds to good to be true, it usually is. IMO, the claims of this company are outrageous. I've used Zeiss and Moment lens on the iPhones. They filled a gap in the iPhone 6. However, the iPhone X camera (2x) produces better images than the external lens.

Back to this subject. DSLRs, Mirrorless, P&S and cellphones are only tools, but excellent tools with different strengths and weaknesses. The quality of the image is still determined by the artist using the right tool to create his/her art. For those that believe that a DSLR is the only real camera, I challenge them to go to 500px, flickr, instagram, facebook, to name a few, and check out the quality of cellphone photography when used in the hands of skilled photographers. Then compare those cellphone photographs to their own. There are excellent photographers out there using cellphones, that I could only dream of emulating, even with my real camera. I believe the following statement stills holds true:

great equipment + lousy photographer = lousy images
lousy equipment + great photographer = great images

To encourage new talent, we should encourage the "art" of photography, not preach the latest and greatest equipment. And yes, the majority of photographs will always be snapshots, no matter what equipment is used.

berchman Loc: South Central PA

I'm not sure, but I think the Moment telephoto lens multiplies the iPhone X 2x lens by another 2x. My main reservation about using Moment lenses on my iPhone is that the phone can no longer be conveniently shoved into a pants pocket or if it is, then the lens has to be removed from a case and attached to the phone which destroys the immediacy and spontaneity of a cell phone shot unless one is using it to shoot landscapes or architecture. Also, Moment lenses require using a Moment case which is probably not as protective of the phone as, for example, an Otterbox Defender.