SwitchLens Pro Camera System turns any Smartphone into a Photography Powerhouse

Smartphone cameras have come a long way and have become quite capable tools in preserving memorable moments for posterity. There is, however, still a very good reason why they haven’t completely overthrown pro cameras. You can only squeeze so much hardware into a slim smartphone, and you can’t really have large lenses or even a lens mount bulging out from the back of the phone. There are admittedly a few accessories that try to bring some of that interchangeable lens experience but usually limit themselves to small lenses made just for smartphones. Bringing a true “pro camera” experience to mobile requires taking a few cues from pro cameras themselves, and that is exactly what the SwitchLens does to level up your mobile photography game.

Designer: sneaki design

Click Here to Buy Now: $199 $329 ($130 off). Hurry, 33/450 left! Raised over $490,000.

SwitchLens is a complete pro camera system that not only takes the lessons learned from digital cameras but even the technologies employed there. In particular, it embraces the popular micro four thirds or MFT system that leverages large sensors and interchangeable lenses to create highly detailed and breathtaking shots. The large 20.75MP 1.33-inch CMOS sensor that SwitchLens uses is unmatched by even flagship phones, which means it can take in more light and record more details just with the hardware alone, no post-processing or AI touch-up required.

And just like the MFT used in compact digital cameras, you can also swap out lenses to get the best shot out of a scene, whether that’s a 25mm f1.8 portrait lens for closeups or a 12mm f2.8 wide-angle lens for sweeping panoramic shots. What makes the SwitchLens system even more impressive is that it can actually support MFT lenses from Panasonic or Olympus that you might have lying around. You are no longer limited to what the manufacturer provides, and you are definitely not limited to tiny lenses that compromise on performance in return for their pretty sizes.

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Unlike other such accessories, SwitchLens is a powerful device that can function even when detached from the back of your phone. Using a stable and fast Wi-Fi connection, you can control SwitchLens remotely for more difficult shots, or magnetically stick it to the back of your iPhone or Android phone to recreate the experience of using a digital camera but with a much larger and clearer viewfinder. From selfies at extremely low angles to macro photography, SwitchLens gives you the flexibility to take a shot in the most comfortable and most convenient way.

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The pro camera experience doesn’t end there. SwitchLens’s Peaking Focus assistance feature easily marks out which objects are in focus with vibrant, eye-catching colors to ensure sharp and in-focus images every time. With support for microSD cards up to 1.5TB in capacity, you have nearly limitless room for taking thousands of RAW photos and recording 4K 30fps videos without filling up your phone storage. With the SwitchLens MFT modular camera system, your phone is no longer a stumbling block for a pro photography experience and becomes the launch pad for taking stunning photos and videos like a pro.

Click Here to Buy Now: $199 $329 ($130 off). Hurry, 33/450 left! Raised over $490,000.

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This GoPro concept with Interchangeable Lenses brings DSLR abilities to the Action Camera

The GoPro is, on paper at least, an incredibly high-resolution camera capable of recording 4K at high speeds of up to 120fps – that’s pretty remarkable for a camera… but no photographer or videographer will ever take a GoPro seriously, because it lacks the one feature that most professionals look for – the ability to change lenses. The GoPro is perpetually stuck with its ultrawide lens, and that doesn’t appeal to most photographers. Designed to bridge this gap, Liam de la Bedoyere designed a GoPro that actually lets you remove and replace lenses, giving you the ability to choose between macro, telephoto, wide-angle, and fisheye shots… all while still retaining the GoPro’s gorgeously compact aesthetic.

Designer: Bored Eye Design

Bedoyere’s (better known by his online moniker Bored Eye Designs) concept isn’t what you’d call a traditional GoPro – its design is quite the overhaul, with a funky orange-meets-black aesthetic that sort of feels reminiscent of Rabbit, but with a more balanced color palette. The design features the GoPro’s main body, with the screen at the back, but also comes with a removable camera module, reminiscent of the recently launched Insta360 Go 3S. This removable module snaps onto the main body when it needs a battery boost, but can be removed and carried separately as a body-worn or handheld tiny cam. It also features those aforementioned removable lenses, allowing you to change your PoV on the fly.

Designed as a part of a Productober sprint (with daily prompts through the month of October), Liam de la Bedoyere created a rough draft of an action camera with the ability to remove and mount different lenses. Although Bedoyere barely made the deadline for the prompt, his concept existed just as a mere sketch. Taking some more time after Productober officially ended, he decided to flesh out the design by making a proper 3D CAD model of what this shapeshifting action cam could look like.

Bedoyere’s vision of a GoPro with interchangeable lenses is something that quite a few videographers have thought of. In fact, Canada-based hardware company Back-Bone also makes a modified version of the GoPro HERO12 with an armature on the front that lets you attach literal DSLR-style lenses on your action camera, with a choice between M12, CS, and C-mount styles!

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SANDMARC’s $335 Probe Lens takes ‘Shot on iPhone’ to a completely new level

The probe lens, which became the talk of the photography town in 2018, is now going to become a staple of smartphone photography too. After seeing Shiftcam debut their probe lens for the smartphone (although it hasn’t officially been launched yet), SANDMARC has joined the ranks with its own probe lens for the iPhone. Priced at $349.99 along with the mounting case for your phone, SANDMARC’s Probe Lens promises to deliver a new perspective that gives you a tiny critter’s POV, making the world around you seem much larger than life!

Designer: SANDMARC

The lens measures an impressive 12 inches long, and comes with that signature probe-shaped design that lets you poke your camera into tiny spaces and capture things from a small PoV. Essentially, it builds itself on the aesthetic set by Laowa and Shiftcam after, and sports a wide DoF, a focus wheel, and LEDs on the front to let the lens gather as much light as possible (tiny lenses do require higher light capture because of their small design).

More importantly, this release from SANDMARC promises to change iPhones and smartphone photography as we know it. Humans are used to the human perspective, which is why we’re so enamored by drone footage. The Probe Lens brings yet another perspective to how we capture the world, and it’s going to be absolutely phenomenal to see what creators do with it.

At its $335 price tag (for just the lens), this isn’t something everyone can or even should buy. The Probe Lens is designed mainly for creatives, filmmakers, and nature documentary folks. The lens has a focal length of 16mm, a magnification of 2.1x, and the ability to focus on objects with stunning bokeh and also a wide FoV. You truly feel like you’ve been shrunk 100x and you’re now exploring the world in a new, tinier body. SANDMARC hasn’t specified whether this probe lens is waterproof (Shiftcam’s upcoming lens is), which means you may not be able to prod your lens into a glass of water, or a pond to observe wildlife inside. There is, however, a set of shadowless lights on the rim, for low-light photography, and a USB-C port that lets you charge your Probe Lens. The lens ships with a pouch, front and back lens caps, a charging cable, and even a mounting case for your iPhone (compatible with iPhone 14 and above).

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Gudetama 35mm camera lets you embrace basic analog photography

Gudetama is one of my favorite Sanrio characters as I find that I relate a lot to it even though it’s an anthropomorphic egg yolk. I’ve watched its “Eggcelent Adventures” on Netflix and I also collect various stationary stuff featuring this lazy ennui-filled cute egg. I’m not alone in this obsession as the character has 852,000 followers on Instagram and has probably sold a lot of Sanrio merch as well.

Designer: Retrospekt for Sanrio

Another Gen Z thing that has been trending lately is a throwback to 35mm digital cameras. And no one does retro tech products better than Retrospekt. Their latest collaboration with Sanrio is the limited edition Gudetama Restrospekt FC-11 35mm Film Camera which has the egg yolk character on center stage, or rather, center camera. The camera has a silicone lens cap and the body has faux leather artwork with the different Gudetama versions.

It is a pretty simple point-and-shoot camera with a 1m fixed-focus lens and built-in optional flash. All you have to do is look through the viewfinder, line up your shot, press the shutter button, and then get your 35mm film developed in your favorite film developing shop. It’s just like any other 35mm film camera except you have the Gudetama butt staring at you when you look into the viewfinder.

The camera has a 200-400 ISO with a 31mm f/9 lens and 1/120 second shutter speed. It’s pretty light as it only weighs 122g and may even be lighter than your smartphone. It’s pretty cute that kids these days are enjoying taking analog photos and having cute cameras like this one adds to the appeal.

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Canon’s quirky new lenses help you create content for Apple Vision Pro and VR

Mixed reality platforms try to seamlessly blend physical and digital objects, but our current technologies have their limits. You can, for example, view a regular photo or video in this virtual world, but it’d be like seeing a TV float in front of you. Such content doesn’t fully convey the power and the possibilities offered by these technologies, for which you’ll require specialized tools that are often well beyond the reach of even the majority of professional content creators. Fortunately, the industry landscape is changing, and more accessible tools are becoming available, like this pair of Canon lenses recording at creating stereoscopic 3D photos and videos that don’t require you to buy a new camera, provided you already have a compatible Canon model.

Designer: Canon

To create a stereoscopic 3D video effect that doesn’t look fake, you’ll naturally need either multiple cameras working in sync or one that records in 3D from the get-go. Since there isn’t a huge demand for the latter, 3D or spatial cameras are rare and expensive. More importantly, they require you to set aside your existing cameras and settle for something unfamiliar and potentially less capable than your pro DSLR or mirrorless camera.

Canon’s solution is to actually equip its interchangeable lens cameras with optics designed to take photos or record videos directly in stereoscopic 3D or spatial video. This does mean using two lenses, which is what the upcoming RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens will bring to the table. Details are still slim on this particular lens, other than it’s designed with the Apple Vision Pro in mind, particularly its new Immersive Video capability. Best of all, this lens is compatible with existing cameras, though only the Canon EOS R7 has been named so far.

The RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens is, of course, also compatible with Canon’s own EOS VR system, as is a slightly odder RF-S3.9mm F3.5 STM DUAL FISHEYE lens, also for the Canon EOS R7. As the name implies, the lenses for this module are farther apart, allowing for a wider field of vision and a deeper 3D effect. It does make your camera look weird and could potentially block easy access to the grip or buttons on the front of the camera.

At $1,099, the RF-S3.9mm F3.5 STM DUAL FISHEYE isn’t exactly cheap, but it’s also within reach of pro content creators. More importantly, they won’t need to buy another camera and can stick to the powerful Canon EOS R7, presuming they already own this model. The price for the RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL for the Apple Vision Pro will most likely be revealed closer to its launch this Fall.

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Blackmagic Spatial Camera for Apple Vision Pro looks like a mini spacecraft

A lot of the focus at Apple’s WWDC event has so far revolved around the cleverly named Apple Intelligence and its features for iPhones and iPads. Of course, that’s hardly the only thing the company talked about this week, and one of its more highly debated products did get its fair share of attention as well. Although the initial hype seems to have died down and complaints about the device’s comfort have popped up here and there, Apple is showing that the Vision Pro is still going strong and growing strong, expanding not only its features but also its reach to other markets. In fact, Apple has just revealed how the platform will become an even bigger space thanks to devices that will let creators design content specifically for visionOS, like this two-eyed camera that looks more like a miniature version of a space-faring cargo ship.

Designer: Blackmagic Design

One of the strengths of Apple’s spatial computing platform is the seamless fusion of the physical and digital worlds, which means plain two-dimensional objects like apps and photos look almost natural while floating in the air in front of you. Of course, that doesn’t take full advantage of the strengths of the Vision Pro headset, which requires crafting content designed specifically for it. For that, you’ll also need the right tools for the job, and the upcoming Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive camera is one such new device made especially for Apple’s visionOS.

Like any camera system designed to capture stereoscopic 3D content, be it photos or videos, this Blackmagic Design spatial camera has two “eyes,” each of which boasts 8160×7200 sensor. The camera also has 16 dynamic range stops for better color quality and accuracy, and it supports recording 3D video at 90fps rates. This imaging is made possible with Blackmagic’s own RAW format as well as the built-in Blackmagic Media Module that provides 8TB of high-performance network storage. In theory, this would allow creators to record over two hours of 8K stereoscopic 3D immersive video in that high-quality format.

The camera’s design itself is as distinctive as its features. Made with a robust magnesium alloy chassis and lightweight carbon fiber polycarbonate composite skin, the camera is designed to keep up with filmmakers, regardless of where inspiration takes them. The URSA Cine Immersive’s blocky yet sleek aesthetic gives it a retro-futuristic flavor reminiscent of the design for spaceships in films and TV shows from the 80s and 90s. Add to the fact that it can be mounted beneath a drone for aerial shots, you shouldn’t be surprised if it gets mistaken for a UFO from afar.

The Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive camera and an upcoming update to the famed Da Vinci Resolve Studio software are some of the first tools designed for Apple’s new Immersive Video format for visionOS. This is just one of the new features that are coming to the Vision Pro, including the ability to turn any plain 2D image into a spatial photo, with no additional hardware or software required. The Vision Pro headset is also being made available to more countries this month, which will hopefully increase the testing of the headset’s design and its features to help future iterations of Apple’s spatial computing platform.

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Blackmagic Spatial Camera for Apple Vision Pro looks like a mini spacecraft

A lot of the focus at Apple’s WWDC event has so far revolved around the cleverly named Apple Intelligence and its features for iPhones and iPads. Of course, that’s hardly the only thing the company talked about this week, and one of its more highly debated products did get its fair share of attention as well. Although the initial hype seems to have died down and complaints about the device’s comfort have popped up here and there, Apple is showing that the Vision Pro is still going strong and growing strong, expanding not only its features but also its reach to other markets. In fact, Apple has just revealed how the platform will become an even bigger space thanks to devices that will let creators design content specifically for visionOS, like this two-eyed camera that looks more like a miniature version of a space-faring cargo ship.

Designer: Blackmagic Design

One of the strengths of Apple’s spatial computing platform is the seamless fusion of the physical and digital worlds, which means plain two-dimensional objects like apps and photos look almost natural while floating in the air in front of you. Of course, that doesn’t take full advantage of the strengths of the Vision Pro headset, which requires crafting content designed specifically for it. For that, you’ll also need the right tools for the job, and the upcoming Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive camera is one such new device made especially for Apple’s visionOS.

Like any camera system designed to capture stereoscopic 3D content, be it photos or videos, this Blackmagic Design spatial camera has two “eyes,” each of which boasts 8160×7200 sensor. The camera also has 16 dynamic range stops for better color quality and accuracy, and it supports recording 3D video at 90fps rates. This imaging is made possible with Blackmagic’s own RAW format as well as the built-in Blackmagic Media Module that provides 8TB of high-performance network storage. In theory, this would allow creators to record over two hours of 8K stereoscopic 3D immersive video in that high-quality format.

The camera’s design itself is as distinctive as its features. Made with a robust magnesium alloy chassis and lightweight carbon fiber polycarbonate composite skin, the camera is designed to keep up with filmmakers, regardless of where inspiration takes them. The URSA Cine Immersive’s blocky yet sleek aesthetic gives it a retro-futuristic flavor reminiscent of the design for spaceships in films and TV shows from the 80s and 90s. Add to the fact that it can be mounted beneath a drone for aerial shots, you shouldn’t be surprised if it gets mistaken for a UFO from afar.

The Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive camera and an upcoming update to the famed Da Vinci Resolve Studio software are some of the first tools designed for Apple’s new Immersive Video format for visionOS. This is just one of the new features that are coming to the Vision Pro, including the ability to turn any plain 2D image into a spatial photo, with no additional hardware or software required. The Vision Pro headset is also being made available to more countries this month, which will hopefully increase the testing of the headset’s design and its features to help future iterations of Apple’s spatial computing platform.

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Camera concept has touchscreen manual controls for panoramic photography

When I was traveling around New Zealand last year, I was treated to a daily visual feast. Everywhere I looked, I felt like I was in a scene from Lord of the Rings. Capturing images and videos on my smartphone camera didn’t do it justice. I was wishing I invested in a good DSLR camera, although taking photos and videos on my mobile device was pretty convenient already. But a higher quality camera would probably have captured these panoramic views better than my “measly” phone camera.

Designers: Álvaro Arregui Falcón, Mireia Gordi i Vila, Lucas Seidenfaden

Having something like the Keirin concept camera would also have captured the scenery beter since its focus is panorama photography. The name itself actually comes from the Japanese motor-paced cycle racing which happens in an oval track. The prototype shows that it has a curved OLED touchscreen where all the controls are located and actually wraps around the back panel. The touchscreen idea for the controls should make it easier to learn how to use than the usual manual controls on cameras. It is also pretty compact and almost the same size as a mobile phone.

The prototype tries to show that the design can actually work with the UI that they’re looking to create for the camera. It has a wide rear-mounted screen that you can use as a panoramic viewfinder and swiping through it will bring you the different manual exposure controls. It assumes of course that those who want to use this kind of camera are not the point and shoot kind of photographers but those that want to control things like aspect ratios and exposure in order to better capture panoramic photos.

The plan is for the Keirin to have a 60MP full-frame sensor with a 35mm lens and it needs to have SSD storage and mobile connectivity so your images can be backed up to the cloud automatically. It can also attach other peripherals like a panoramic optical viewfinder and a wireless flash unit. It’s highly unlikely this camera will be a commercially viable product though but it’s a nice idea to have.

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Acer SpatialLabs Eyes 3D camera adds a new dimension to meetings and live streams

Although the buzz around the Apple Vision Pro has died down, there’s little doubt that spatial computing, mixed reality, and the metaverse will be our unavoidable future. We still have ways to go, of course, but the industry is already trying to get us used to seeing digitally in 3D, whether we’re wearing glasses or just looking at specially-designed monitors. Those 3D objects, however, don’t just pop out of thin air and have to be created one way or another. Not a problem for fabricated 3D models, but it’s a big problem when you want to make real-world physical objects into believable digital 3D objects. As part of its own push for spatial computing, Acer is launching a consumer-friendly stereoscopic 3D camera that lets anyone capture the real world in a way that can be easily viewed in 3D glasses and on glasses-free 3D monitors.

Designer: Acer

Video conferencing and live streams have become quite common these days, the latter even turning into a lucrative business opportunity. But while these mediums are able to bridge distances, there are some things that are still difficult to convey in flat, 2D monitors, things such as miniature models of architectural designs or merchandise you’re trying to sell online. While some online stores now offer 3D views of products or spaces, it’s something that’s way out of reach of regular people because of the lack of accessible and affordable tools.

The Acer SpatialLabs Eyes puts one such tool in the hands of the masses. The rather unassuming compact box packs the hardware necessary for a computer to see in stereoscopic 3D, especially thanks to an 8MP sensor per eye and plenty of controls for both beginners and experts to tweak the video quality. The hardware is encased in a weather-proof shell that has a built-in selfie mirror for easier framing, as well as a touch-sensitive LCD screen on its back.

Although the SpatialLabs Eyes is quite capable of capturing still 3D images, it really shines in its capability to record and stream stereoscopic 3D video in real-time. This makes it a powerful tool for making presentations in video calls, showing off products during live selling streams, or simply committing special, once-in-a-lifetime moments to memory in an extra special way. Of course, you’ll need a way to actually view these videos in stereoscopic 3D, and, not by coincidence, Acer’s SpatialLabs brand has a line of monitors and laptops that won’t require you to wear headsets or even glasses just to do that. The Acer SpatialLabs Eyes stereoscopic 3D camera launches in Q3 of this year for $549 in the US.

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Compact MagSafe Flashlight is perfect for everything from iPhone photography to outdoor adventures

With a stunning 300 lumens of brightness, the WUBEN E1 is 6 times more powerful than your smartphone flashlight, making it perfect for selfies, vlogging, outdoor trips, emergencies, and even reading. The best part, it snaps right onto the back of your phone, giving you a compact ring-light on demand, so you don’t have to use your phone’s crummy excuse for a flashlight. And when you’re not using the light, you can use it as a stand to prop your phone up at any angle.

The WUBEN E1 is proof that MagSafe was an incredible idea. While Apple merely designed the feature to support chargers and attach wallets, MagSafe has spawned a whole host of third-party accessories, from finger grips to tripods, power banks, EDC, and now the E1 flashlight. A perfect example of an accessory that nobody knows they want but everyone definitely needs, the WUBEN E1 straps a powerful lighting device to the back of your phone. Much more effective than your smartphone’s native flashlight, the WUBEN E1 sports a ring of 28 LEDs that create a bright ring light that’s perfect for selfies or for exploring the outdoors. The light sits on a hinge that serves as a stand for your phone, while also letting you face the light forwards or backward, giving you the option of even using it for selfies. Plus, multiple brightness levels and three color temperature settings (warm, neutral, cool) give you way more freedom than your smartphone flashlight could even dream of.

Designer: WUBEN

Click Here to Buy Now: $39 $49 (20% off) Hurry, limited units at discounted price. Raised over $133,000.

For context, the iPhone 15’s flashlight maxes out at 50 lumens – ask any photographer and they’ll tell you that is far too little for effective flash photography. The WUBEN E1, however, overshoots the smartphone flashlight’s brightness by about 6x, giving you a light that’s much more effective in a variety of scenarios, whether it’s finding your keys in the dark or taking beautiful low-light selfies.

Slightly smaller than a hockey puck, the WUBEN E1 packs a series of 28 LEDs in its compact design, and can be used either independently or while securely snapped to the back of your MagSafe-compatible smartphone. On its own, the WUBEN E1 is a pretty handy little flashlight that can be held in your hand, attached to the hood of your car (or any metal surface), or even propped up on any flat-ish plane for instant lighting. Snap it onto the back of your smartphone, however, and you’ve got yourself a powerful tool for selfies, vlogging, or even outdoor adventures.

The WUBEN E1 operates entirely thanks to a crown located on the rim beside the LEDs. Similar to the ones found on a watch, the crown can be pushed to activate the light or cycle through temperature settings, and can be rotated to adjust the brightness. Keeping things gloriously simple, the E1 doesn’t come with an app or any settings that would complicate its use. It’s simply a great, intuitive, sleek EDC light that just so happens to attach to the back of your phone.

Attaching the WUBEN E1 to your phone gives you two distinct benefits. The light’s hinged arm lets you use the E1 as a stand for your phone, propping it up in pretty much any angle you choose. The second, more obvious benefit, is the fact that it replaces your phone’s flashlight with something far more versatile and powerful. The LED ring is 6x more powerful than your phone’s native flashlight, and the hinged arm lets you face the lights anywhere, creating a great makeshift camera light that’s just wonderful for low-light shots, vlogs, or even vanity selfies. Weirdly enough, the LED ring also makes your iPhone look somewhat like a Nothing Phone (1), which feels ironic and slightly hilarious. iPhone users get the last laugh, however, because the E1 is so much more capable than the Nothing Phone’s notification LEDs.

Each E1 comes made from lightweight Magnesium alloy, giving the EDC flashlight a weight of just 36 grams or 1.26 ounces. At just 6mm thin, the WUBEN E1 fits comfortably onto the back of your phone without really jutting out or obstructing regular phone usage. It’s also slim enough to slide directly into your pocket with or without your phone, reinforcing its portability. A 320mAh battery gives the flashlight anywhere between 30 minutes of usage (on its brightest setting) or 50 hours of on-time (on its lowest setting), while a USB-C port on the base of the light lets you charge your device.

The WUBEN E1 starts at $39, and for $69 you’ll get the E1 along with a metal tripod stand/selfie stick that sits between the flashlight and your phone, turning your cutting-edge phone into a comprehensive photo and videography device. The Wuben E1 ships globally starting July 2024.

Click Here to Buy Now: $39 $49 (20% off) Hurry, limited units at discounted price. Raised over $133,000.

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