I always prefer to pack light for vacations and weekend trips whenever possible. While I enjoy taking beautiful photographs while visiting new locations, a mirrorless camera and lenses can take up valuable luggage space. That’s why I was thrilled to try two of Moment’s lenses, which provide the flexibility to take show-stopping images by connecting a small lens to my iPhone. To showcase what Moment lenses can do, I recently brought the Moment Macro 10x Lens and Moment Wide 18mm Lens on a trip with me to Key West, Florida. Let’s take a look at how each lens performed.
Attaching the Lens
All Moment lenses connect to your smartphone through a designated Moment phone case — which is a separate purchase. I received the Moment iPhone XR Phone Case in Black Canvas. Although, there are a number of sleek and sophisticated case colors and styles to choose from, including Tan, Terracotta, and Walnut.
The case linked above features a M-series mounting interface, which means it’s compatible with M-series lenses. Moment currently has a number of M-series lenses available. Each lens connects to the case by simply inserting the lens into the small hole cutout where the iPhone camera is, and lightly twisting the lens until it feels secure. This process is very intuitive but if you are having trouble, each lens purchase comes with easy-to-follow instructions.
Using the Moment Macro 10x Lens
In order to appropriately test out the Moment Macro 10x Lens, I wanted to photograph a subject typically too small to see with the naked eye. That’s why I visited to the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory to examine the efficiency of the lens in capturing a butterfly’s incredibly tiny details.
While the lens did require me to get very close to my subject, the results were paramount. For the best outcome, you should be no more than one inch away from your subject. In this way, the Moment Macro 10x Lens is different from traditional macro photography. Although, for what this lens can accomplish with an iPhone camera, you can’t help but be impressed. I was able to capture the fur on these butterflies — details incapable of seeing with the naked eye.
Additionally, I was amazed at the soft bokeh effect that the lens naturally displays on its subject. The removable diffuser hood — included with every Moment Macro 10x Lens — also allowed for even lighting across the butterfly’s body and wings.
Using the Moment Wide 18mm Lens
The Moment Wide 18mm Lens should be an essential for mobile photographers and filmmakers. I used this lens to capture the full scope of Sombrero Beach and it did not disappoint. While excelling at capturing the wide-angle view of the landscape scene below, the lens also maintained my iPhone camera’s sharpness and clarity, and vivid color science.
Taken Without Lens
Taken with Lens
You’ll see in the images above that the second photo (taken with the lens) covers a much wider area while still maintaining the crispness of the iPhone camera technology. I was happily surprised by the added dimension the lens gave to the scene.
While I didn’t try it out for this review, the lens is also compatible with Night Mode and allows you to shoot in RAW. When comparing this lens to Moment’s macro lens, you’ll see it has a curved hood shop that is not available on some other lenses. This design provides a distinct visual look that also maximizes image quality and minimizes risk of scratching.
Lens Build and Package
Each of these Moment lenses is made with aerospace grade metal and the same hand-polished glass used for high-end 4K film lenses. At a size no larger than the palm of your hand, Moment lenses are the perfect choice whether you’re throwing it in your fanny pack while going for a walk, or in your luggage for an overseas vacation.
Each lens also comes with a lens cap and microfiber carrying bag to avoid scratches — no matter where you take your Moment lens. Aside from the two lens reviewed above, Moment offers a range of lens and accessory options to improve your mobile photography today.
