REVIEW – It’s amazing how far phone cameras have evolved over the years. When the first smartphones were introduced, most people used a dedicated point-and-shoot camera. Today, most people don’t even own a dedicated point-and-shoot camera and use their phone as their primary camera. While the latest phone cameras are great, they aren’t perfect for every situation. That’s where the market of add-on lenses has become an interesting category of phone accessories. Today, we will take a probing look (sorry, I couldn’t help myself) at the Sandmarc Probe Lens.
What is it?
The Sandmarc Probe Lens is a lens that has been designed for iPhones to capture extreme close-up perspectives of still images and video.
Tech specs
Click to expand Specs
Focal Length: 16mm
Magnification: 2.1X
Field of View Angle(degree): 106°
Focus Distance: 16mm
Length: 346mm
Diameter: 35.3mm
Weight: 9.1 Oz (258g)
What’s included?
- Sandmarc Probe Lens
- Drawstring pouch
- Zippered carrying case
- USB-C charging cable
- Carabiner
- Polishing cloth
- Case for your iPhone (not pictured)
Design and features
At 13.62 inches long and made of aluminum, the Sandmarc Probe looks more like a weapon than a lens for your iPhone’s camera!
The larger end of the lens has a power button for the built-in LED light, which is on the opposite end. The light has two brightness settings that you can toggle through by pressing the power button multiple times.
A USB-C port allows you to charge the Probe’s internal battery, which powers the built-in lens illumination LEDs.
You’ll also notice the knurled ring below the USB port. This is the focus ring.
Here’s a look at the LEDs on the lens end of the Probe.
And this is what it looks like when the light is on the brightest setting.
How do you use the Sandmarc Probe Lens?
To use the Probe, you first remove the protective cap on the threaded base of the lens.
Then you screw the lens into the included case for your iPhone.
You need to screw the Probe lens into the slot for the iPhone’s main lens. If you’re like me, you probably had to Google which is the main lens. Spoiler, it is the bottom lens.
See it in action
When you watch the video, you’ll notice a glare or lens flare in a few places. I noticed this while shooting videos indoors and outdoors in bright sunlight or under florescent lights.
You’ll also notice that some footage appears a little shaky. The lens is over half a pound alone, which makes handholding it along with the case and your iPhone a little heavy for moving shots. Even Sandmarc mentions using a slider on the product page.
What I like about the Sandmarc Probe Lens
- Interesting lens option for creative videos
- Easy to use
What needs to be improved?
- Lens flare can be an issue
- Need a dolly or slider for the better stabilized footage
Final thoughts
Due to the price of the Sandmarc Probe Lens, this isn’t an accessory that everyone will want to buy. But for creatives, it allows you to get up close and personal and into areas that you can’t go with your naked iPhone (watch my video for a couple of examples of this). As with all Sandmarc’s lenses, the Probe is well made, easy to use, and fun. It has inspired me to figure out interesting ways to use it, so stay tuned for its use in some of my upcoming videos on The Gadgeteer’s YouTube channel.
Price: $349.99
Where to buy: Sandmarc
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Sandmarc. Sandmarc did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.
