Olloclip’s new Active Lens ($100) for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus pairs a telephoto lens — last seen in the company’s Telephoto + CPL Lens — with a new ultra-wide-angle lens. As per usual with Olloclip’s latest lens kits, the Active Lens comes with three wearable pendants, lens hoods, and a carrying pouch. Two included clips to be inserted in the kit make Active Lens compatible with either the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus — the kit also fits Olloclip’s new Ollocase.
Because we’ve already seen what Olloclip’s telephoto lens can do — refer to the Telephoto + CPL Lens review for more details — the new ultra-wide lens is of greater concern to us for purposes of this review. When compared to the regular wide-angle lens in Olloclip’s 4-in-1 Photo Lens, the differences are obvious. As one might expect, Active Lens’ ultra-wide lens gets more in the frame. There is also a bit of distortion and a fisheye effect at the edges, though — as pictured below, first is a shot with Olloclip’s wide-angle lens. After that is the ultra-wide lens — notice how it brings in the edges of the nearby walls into the shot, and how they have a fisheye look.
Here, in a more open area shot, the fisheye effect isn’t as pronounced. Again, the wide-angle lens is first, followed by the ultra-wide lens. We really like the width of the scene in the former.
The telephoto lens, as also in Olloclip’s Telephoto + CPL Lens, offers a quick 2x optical zoom. The comparison below shows a shot of a building with the iPhone 6 Plus camera, and a second shot with the telephoto lens attached.
It can be hard to keep Olloclip’s lens options straight at this point — Active Lens is the company’s sixth lens kit for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Compared to the Telephoto + CPL Lens, we think Active Lens has a wider appeal (pun intended). We also prefer it to the Telephoto + Wide-Angle Lens, at the same price. While we still believe the 4-in-1 Lens offers the best overall value, Active Lens is a better option for those who want a zoom lens, and those looking to get the widest shots on an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, outside of panorama pictures. Active Lens earns our general recommendation.
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Company and Price
Company: Olloclip
Model: Active Lens
Price: $100
Compatible: iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus