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IN PICTURES: 15 must-have iPhone camera accessories

16 Photos Ian Paul (ARN)

These accessories will help you take your iPhone photos to the next level

  • ZoomIt SD Card Reader... Phone types: iPhone and iPod Touch. Starting price: $US60. Retailer: ZoomMediaPlus. The ZoomIt SD card reader won't help you take better photos, but it will help you get photos from a camera onto your handset faster than syncing with your computer. The ZoomIt plugs into your iPhone's dock connector to let you import photos onto your device, where you can then upload them to your favorite social network or even edit them using iOS apps such as Adobe Photoshop Express. The ZoomIt supports a variety of media file types including audio, video, standard document types (DOC, XLS, PDF, and so on), and images.

  • Glif... Phone type: iPhone 4. Starting price: $US20. Retailer: Studio Neat on Shopify. If you already have a tripod and you just need a way to mount your iPhone 4 to it, look no further than the Glif from Studio Neat. Begun as a Kickstarter campaign, this simple tripod mount is made of rubberized plastic and has a thread that fits most standard tripod mounts. You can also use the Glif as a tabletop stand for hands-free reading or video viewing on your handset.

  • Take Your Photos to the Next Level: As photographer Chase Jarvis once said, "The best camera is the one that's with you." And, thanks to smartphones such as the iPhone and Android devices, many people always have a camera with them. These cameras are constantly getting better, too--the original iPhone shipped with a 2-megapixel camera, while the more recent iPhone 4 is being hailed for its dramatically improved 5-megapixel camera. And rumor has it that the next iPhone's camera (8 megapixels?) will be even better. Still, there's always room for improvement. If you're looking to take your iPhone photos to the next level, check out this collection of must-have iPhone camera accessories--including heavy-duty camera stabilizers, 360-degree lenses, SLR mounts, and a flexible tripod. And for non-iPhone users, there's even a set of universal external lenses: Check it out.

  • Olloclip ... Phone types: iPhone 4. Starting price: $US70. Retailer: Olloclip website. The Olloclip three-in-one camera lens for iPhone 4 features fish-eye, wide-angle, and macro lenses in one small package. The lens system clips snugly onto the side of your handset, but is not compatible with protective cases or screen protectors. Olloclip comes in black or red for $US70.

  • iFlash... Phone type: iPhone 4, 3G and 3GS. Starting price: $US13. Retailer: Cyanics, Amazon, and Gadgets and Gear. If you need to add a little more brightness to your iPhone photography, Cyanics has an LED flash called iFlash that adds an external camera flash to iPhones (versions 4, 3GS, and 3G). You can also use iFlash in "Torch mode" for a constant light source--the device can double as a flashlight. Cyanics' iFlash is battery-free, and draws its power from the iPhone. You can buy the iFlash in white or black.

  • SLR Mount ... Phone types: iPhone 4. Starting price: $US250. Retailer: Photojojo Website. Online photo accessory store Photojojo offers two mounts that you can use to attach Canon EOS or Nikon SLR lenses to your iPhone 4. Photojojo warns that you may have to make several small adjustments to get the iPhone and your lens in sync when focusing on your subject. The SLR mount is available for $US249.

  • Griffin Clarifi... Phone type: iPhone 3G, 3GS. Starting price: $US10. Retailer: Griffin. Clarifi, from mobile device case maker Griffin, has a built-in close-up lens that the manufacturer says boosts the camera resolution of the iPhone 3G and 3GS. You can use Clarifi's lens to get a clearer photo taken from as close as 10cm away from your subject. Plus, Griffin recently marked down the Clarifi from $US35 to a clearance price of $US10. It's unclear how much longer this case will be available.

  • 6X Fixed Optical-Zoom Lens... Phone types: iPhone 4, 3G and 3GS. Starting price: $19. Retailer: USB Fever. If you plan on taking photos from far away, check out this telephoto lens from USB Fever. The "Telescope" lens has a fixed 6X zoom, so it's only for taking pictures from a distance. The lens also comes with a translucent case that connects to the lens, and a neck strap.

  • Kogeto Dot... Phone types: iPhone 4. Starting price: $US80. Retailer: Kogeto website. Take 360-degree panoramic video with your iPhone 4 using Kogeto's Dot snap-on accessory lens and Looker, a free companion application available in the iTunes App Store. Dot comes in black, green, pink, or red. $US79.

  • RainBallet... Phone types: iPhone 4. Starting price: $US50. Retailer: Joy Factory website, and national retailers such as Amazon, Overstock, and Walmart. This waterproof case by The Joy Factory will let you take photos and video in and around water, whether you're caught in a torrential downpour or having a lazy day at the beach. The device is rated to meet IPX7 standards, which means the case can protect against water immersion for as long as 30 minutes at a depth of 3.28 feet (1 meter). Since it's waterproof, RainBallet has to cover the iPhone's camera, so it features front- and rear-facing Sharpvue lenses that still allow you to capture images.

  • Zgrip iPhone Jr... Phone type: iPhone 4, 3G and 3GS. Starting price: $US69. Retailer: Zacuto. The Zgrip iPhone Jr helps budding iPhone cinematographers stabilize their camera for a clearer picture. The device features a fixed claw mounted on a handgrip for mobile shooting. The handgrip also has a thread on the bottom that will fit most tripods, as well as a thread on the top for mounting lighting equipment. Don't worry--the claw is designed not to obstruct your iPhone camera lens. Zacuto also offers a Pro version of the Zgrip, which features an adjustable claw mount.

  • GorillaMobile for iPhone... Phone types: iPhone 4, 3G and 3GS. Starting price: $30. Retailer: Joby. This tripod from Joby lets you take photos from any angle you can think of. GorillaMobile's flexible and wrappable legs allow you to secure your iPhone to a tree branch, metal pole, or other structures that will support your device's weight. You can also use GorillaMobile as a phone stand for reading or watching videos. GorillaMobile is available for the iPhone 3G or 3GS and the iPhone 4.

  • Camera Phone Lenses... Phone types: Android, iPhone, other camera phones. Starting price: $US20. Retailer: Photojojo. Another Photojojo special, these three lenses - a fish-eye, a macro/wide-angle, and a 2X telephoto lens - can improve shots taken with almost any camera phone. The lenses use a detachable magnetic ring to match up with your camera's built-in lens. Each lens is sold separately for $US20 each, but you can buy the set for $US49.

  • Factron Quattro... Phone types: iPhone 4. Starting price: $US257. Retailer: Factron website. This iPhone case made from duralumin - an aluminum alloy used in aircraft construction - features a camera mount that can fit specially-made interchangeable external lenses. Available lenses, sold separately, include close-up, wide-angle, and fish-eye lenses. The Quattro has a calfskin leather backing with several different designs, such as lizard and crocodile. While the Quattro may be a good case for taking pictures with your iPhone, it's not so great for other purposes. The manufacturer warns that the aluminum case may interfere with the iPhone's reception of Wi-Fi, GPS, and cellular signals.

  • Flip Cage With iPhone 4/3GS Mount... Phone types: iPhone 4, 3GS. Starting price: $US39. Retailer: GaryFongEStore. Photographic accessory maker, Gary Fong sells, this folding tabletop stand with a mount for the iPhone 4 or 3GS. The flip cage can be used as a tabletop tripod, and you can also use the iPod mount to secure your phone to a larger tripod. The flip cage also holds point-and-shoot cameras.

  • OWLE Bubo... Phone types: iPhone 4, 3G and 3GS, iPod Touch 4G. Starting price: $US160. Retailer: Action Life Media. Action Life Media's OWLE Bubo is a solid aluminum iPhone camera mount and stabilizer featuring a two-handed grip, an interchangeable 37mm wide-angle macro lens, four tripod mount points, a microphone, and an accessory mount. The Bubo is available for the iPhone 3G and 3GS ($US160), and for the iPhone 4 and iPod Touch 4G ($US170).

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