The iPhone’s great camera has lead to a number of different interchangeable lens setups being made available, as well as a variety of other more specific accessories for photographers and keen filmmakers. ALM’s mCamLite really belongs in both categories.Let’s see how it performs.
Design
It could really be better. I doubt that a bulky hunk of metal is really necessary to get the desired functionality in terms of interchangeable lenses and tripod mounting (you might need it to mount a flash), and it could be slimmed down in some areas. That’s not to say it’s terrible, but if you’re looking for something compact, this isn’t for you.
The mount is made up of two separate parts: the metal bit with all fixings and the lens, and a plastic case which you slot your iPhone into. You then put your iPhone with case into the metal part to use it. This does cause some usability problems which I’ll go into later.
Finally, the mic swivels 180 degrees, so you can get the exact angle you want, which is nice.
Usability
While I do the think the design can be improved, I can’t deny that it gets the job done perfectly well. It feels nice to hold, almost like a DSLR, and it also features mounting points for a flash and a tripod, very important for all those keen iPhone photographers and filmmakers.
The mCamLite comes with a macro (wide angle) lens, however more lenses are available to buy on ALM’s website. It would have been nice to have more than one included, but it’s not a huge deal. Check below for sample images with and without the Macro lens.
The mic plugs into the iPhone audio jack and having tested the audio quality, I can say that it is a significant improvement from the in built iPhone mic, and it’s definitely worth using if you’re recording video.
I mentioned that some usability problems were caused by the design. The main problem is removing your iPhone from the metal part and the plastic case. It’s quite difficult, and a system where it slides would I think be better and quicker. The plastic iPhone case supplied is also difficult to remove from the iPhone, and knowing that a lot of people would want to use their own cases, ti could potentially be irritating.
Having said that, obviously if you plan to use the plastic case as your main iPhone case’s it’s less of a problem.
Verdict
The mCamLite is a great way to turn your iPhone into a more professional photography or filmmaking device. It adds support for tripods, interchangeable lenses and more, and is perfect if you’re planning on some heavy duty use.
Having said that, this probably isn’t for the everyday consumer due to it’s bulky nature, and I think the design can be improved upon, especially when talking about how the iPhone fits in to the mCamLite. However it fits the purpose, and if you’re a pro customer, you will like it.
Finally, it’s worth noting that I tested the iPhone 4/4s version, but an iPhone 5 version is also available, so it fits all recent iPhones.
Rating: 4/5[rating:4]
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