iPhone 8 Moment Lens Review
An iPhone, Android, Pixel…We’re all walking around with cell phones in our pockets. All of us have also clicked the camera button to capture quick moments on the fly. If I’m honest, that’s where the phone camera has always ended for me…I have used it as a tool to capture quick pictures and nothing more. If I want to get serious about a shot, I drag out my Fujifilm camera.
Up until my recent switch to the iPhone 8, I have always been displeased with built-in phone cameras. They always perform, well, like you would imagine a camera on a phone. Overly saturated, overly sharpened, gritty/noisy, blurry, etc. But, the iPhone 8 has changed my opinions and outlook on phone cameras. I have begun utilizing it more in my personal life and in my business. Hence, why I have invested into a Moment Lens…
Why buy a Moment Lens?
I think the biggest questions for most smartphone photographers (or “phoneographers“) is why would you want to spend $100+ on a Moment Lens & Case. The quick answer is, lenses from Moment will turn your smartphone into a more versatile tool and give you more options.
Variable focal lengths: You won’t be limited to the single focal length of your smartphone anymore (“fo•cal length” • the distance between the center of a lens and its focus).
With Moment Lenses, you can simply attach a lens and it will allow you to capture wider angles (more in your picture), go into macro mode (SUPER close to your subject) or go telephoto (super cropped in on something at a further distance). More on the different lenses later…
iPhone 8 Moment Wide Lens Review
How do Moment Lenses Work?
Moment Lenses are quite simple. And in my opinion, they are the best option for attaching a lens to your phone. You will need to purchase a Moment case for your specific phone model. The case itself has a bayonet style thread in which the Moment Lenses screw into. They are ultra secure and fit perfectly overtop the phone’s stock camera, each and every time. It’s simple, quick and secure.
iPhone 8 with Moment Wide Lens
Moment Lenses Quality
This could be a 2 part question. So I’ll answer it as such:
- Image Quality
The image quality of Moment Lenses (at least the “Wide” that I own) is fantastic. If you’re curious how the image quality will be, simply reference your favorite iPhone shot that you’ve ever taken. It will be the same. Moment lenses do NOT distort or degrade the image quality at all. - Build Quality
The build quality of the lens itself is fantastic. I have used lenses from Fujifilm, Sony, Nikon and many other 3rd parties. The products by Moment feel up there with all of the high-end photography lenses that I’ve used. They have excellent weight, beautiful glass, and solid metal mounts. Moment Lenses are not meant to be a disposable toy…They’re a piece of quality gear that will last for years to come.
Moment allows you to, well, capture Moments
It really is quite brilliant, the naming of the company. The iPhone has and probably always will be the quickest & most efficient tool to capture moments. And, now, with the addition of Moment Lenses, I am able to capture them more beautifully.
I’m no longer locked down and constrained to the single crop factor of the iPhone Lens. I can now easily pop a different lens on and capture photos/”moments” that were otherwise unobtainable.
Let’s get real – Why is a “pro” photographer using an iPhone & these lenses?
Firstly, I don’t know that I would consider myself a “pro” photographer. Sure, I make part of my living off of this skill set and area of creativity. But I honestly hate the word “professional”…It’s kind of a turn-off and sounds desperate 95% of the time. But I couldn’t figure out a more logical way of titling this section, so here we are lol. Okay, I’m off track…Let me get focused again!
I personally love using the iPhone with Moment Lenses because it’s a less-serious way to take good pictures. I use professional cameras, lenses, lights, and accessories every day as part of my job. They yield fantastic and stunning results, but they’re quite complex to use. The iPhone is simple. And some days, I feel like going lightweight and for the lack of better words…Brainless. I want something that I can whip out & just take a picture. Not, have to fiddle with 10 different settings before I can click the shutter button.
iPhone 8 / Moment Limitations
The iPhone really is a fantastic camera. As you can see above, this particular photo is razor sharp and in my opinion, beautiful. However, all that glitters is not gold.
The iPhone 8’s image quality begins to fall off as the light does. This is not a fault of Moment Lenses, but a limitation of the camera itself. Your images will become noticeably grainier and eventually unusable as the light grows darker. Likewise, your iPhone’s depth of field (focus range • how in focus things are at distance) won’t be as versatile as a mirrorless or DSLR camera.
Afterall, your aperture (ap·er·ture • the opening of your lens) is locked in at f1.8 (for the iPhone 8) and you cannot adjust it. This means if your subject (what you’re focusing on) is quite separated from your background, then your background is going to blur noticeably. This can be a useful trick for portraits or product photography, but it’s quite limiting for landscape photography. It’s honestly something I am having to work around and get creative with as a landscape photographer.
Which Moment Lens To Buy?
“Wide”: I recommend starting with the Moment “Wide” Lens, just as I have. This is the best option as an all-around lens. It doubles the amount of content in your images and gives you a wider shot. Meaning, you are able to fit more people into your photos and more of a landscape. Also – Don’t forget, your otherwise cropped video will now be un-cropped by the Moment “Wide” Lens….Which is a lifesaver!
“Tele”: If you’re looking to purchase more than 1 Lens, I recommend adding the Moment “Telephoto” to your kit as well. This allows you to not only capture wide shots and standard shots, but you can also pop the “Tele” lens on and get closer details of buildings, people, etc. This lens is certainly on my list to try to acquire in the near future.
Others: As for the *Fisheye and **Macro Lenses: Be warned that these are what I consider “specialty” lenses. If you don’t consider yourself a photographer, you may find trouble with these lenses as they’re very defined in their “look” and not as versatile/beginner-friendly as the “Wide” and “Tele”.
* fisheye • a wide-angle lens with a field of vision covering up to 180°, the scale being reduced toward the edges
** macro • a lens suitable for taking photographs that are unusually close to the subject
Would I recommend Moment Lenses?
Absolutely I would! In fact, I purchased this “Wide” Lens with my own hard-earned money. I went out to test this lens on my own free will, I photographed the product with no obligations by Moment. I’m writing this article because I think it’s a super cool product and a useful addition to any photographers toolkit.
iPhone 8 Moment Lens Review (10 out a 10)
The Moment “Wide” lens is a 10 out of a 10 in my book! I’m really stoked on the build quality of the product + how it has performed so far. I know with more practice on the iPhone 8 I’ll realize its full potential, learn its differences from my pro-camera gear and be able to create even better images as time goes on.
The Moment Lens(es) will be a welcomed addition in my “phoneography” journey, as they’ll give me more of the flexibility that I’m used to as a working photographer.
DIG WHAT I’M DOING HERE?
I put a ton of time into testing each product, photographing them and producing these articles. So, if you dig what you’ve seen please consider buying a print from me, giving me a follow on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin’ or simply purchasing this product for yourself via the Amazon Affiliate links throughout this article.
And as always, if you have any questions about Moment Lenses, the iPhone 8 or Photography – Drop me a comment below!
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