Think twice before you slap a bulky case on that new iPhone 4s. I never actually considered it. I despise cases, mostly their bulk, and the fact that if you want to add an accessory to your phone you will either have to take it out of its case, or pay a ridiculous amount of money for a case that will give you a single accessory function. I want my phone to be as versatile as I need it to be.
I updated to my iPhone 4s because of its camera. I love it, it is everything you need in your pocket. The iPhone makes photography fun. These accessories, designed to fit a caseless iphone, are bound to spruce it up:
Detachable Lenses!($10-20)
by John Biehler
by Steve Rhodes
These little lenses magnetically connect to just about any cellphone augmenting the traditional lens with the pizzaz of a Macro, Wide Angle, or a Fisheye Lens. They add a level of detail and a degree of authenticity and a bit more picture awesomeness that all of those apps just can’t touch. These also work on any cell phone I can think of, and make a great gift for even the most novice cellphone photographer. You might also find an assortment of ‘jelly lens’ that change color or add a shaped cutout to your pictures. this is not high tech stuff, but it is certainly fun.
The Olloclip:($70)
by wZa HK
The Olloclip takes those detachable lenses a step further with an accessory made specifically for the iPhone 4(s). I would expect this to be a better solution than the detachable lenses for a serious photographer, it certainly costs more. If shooting video I would take the Olloclip over cheaper detachable lenses any day. A cheep detachable lens falling off your camera while your shooting would ruin the entire shot, and that is just not acceptable. So if you are doing more than just taking pictures of flowers on a sunday morning walk you might want to fork out the extra cash for this ready stable lens solution.
The Glif:($20)
by David Brown
The Glif is the perfect iphone accessory, it is easily removable and stored in your pocket/bag. It doubles as a stand, does not restrict the ability to add lenses, is readily removable if you want to mount your phone to a different case or mount. The price is right! I grabbed one and when paired with a gorilla grip tripod is a great desk/anywhere mount. The Glif could also be used to attach your phone to a quick plate, and from there the posiblities are endless. Portable, adaptable, and utilitarian in its own right. You can’t loose with this accessory.
The Dot ($80)
by Jeff Hestler
This is awesome! Kogeto a surveillance camera manufacturer turned it’s evil (but necessary) creapyness into creative ingenuity by putting it on an iphone! It may look like a case, but you would have to be a complete idiot to think this thing would protect your phone. The “dot” is snugly secured on your phone so that you can take 360 degree panorama videos, and possibly photos maybe… with the right app. I would really love to get my hands on one of these to test the videos ability to be edited. It looks like the editing and viewing may be very limited.
Zgrip($70-300)
by torres21
Shooting video like a pro! I’ve delved into cinematography and making movies on the iphone 4s is a great prospect. The shaky camera sindrome is an obvious downside of making a film with your phone. The Zgrip aims at putting a bit of stability in your shot while freeing up a hand to, say, wave at people or clap your clapper. Zacuto makes some pretty serious equipment for filmmakers and they’ve turned their heads to all of those indy films that are coming out made entirely with the iphone. They have three versions of the Zgrip with a widely variable price range for the amateur home video shooter to the serious cameraman, and something in-between. I can definitely see a use for these if you take a lot of video on your phone.
All of these accessories are perfect for the novice pocket shooter, to the profesional photographer on the go. And of course a few more reasons not to put a case on your iPhone.