How To Get Started With Moment’s Mobile Lenses

From lenses and filters to MagSafe accessories and more, Moment offers a wide range of gear designed to enhance your artistry and make photography and filmmaking more accessible than ever before.

Our prized mobile lenses are at the heart of our product lineup: the Anamorphic 1.33x or 1.55x, Macro 10X, Macro 75mm, Tele 58mm, Wide 18mm, and Fisheye 14mm. Each lens is meticulously crafted with high-quality glass to cater to specific styles and elevate every detail of your shots. But how do you install these lenses properly, and what tricks can you use to maximize the potential of your smartphone camera?

Don't worry; we’ve got you covered. Our Gear Guides are available around the clock, providing top-tier customer service and personal advice whenever needed. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube for inspiring content, tutorials, and tips. And if you have any questions or are still confused, just email us at hello@shopmoment.com. Let’s dive in.

1. Buy a Moment Case & Drop-In Lens Mount

First, you must use an attachable drop-in mount for whichever lens you like.

Attachment mechanisms are specific to your device; below is our breakdown. Additional information and compatibility can be found on each product page.

1. For iPhone 12’s & Older - Our phone cases have an integrated mount-in mechanism, so you’re set.
2. For iPhone 13, 14, and 15 Models - Order a phone case AND a drop-in mount. iPhone 13 models require the M-series drop-in mount, while the 14 series require this one for the T-Series lenses. They snap in place to ensure perfect optical alignment.
3. For Samsung Models - Our phone cases have an integrated mount-in mechanism, so you’re set.
4. For Pixel Models - Our phone cases have an integrated mount-in mechanism, so you’re set.

2. T-Series vs. M-Series Lenses

While the M-Series, first launched in 2017, marked our 2nd generation of mobile lenses, the T-Series, crafted in 2023, is a significant leap forward, tailor-made for iPhone, Android, and Google camera phones.

The T-Series is crafted for enthusiasts deeply invested in mobile photography and filmmaking. We recognize that avid Moment users often gravitate towards the latest pro-model phones, and that's where the T-Series truly shines. It offers a 20% larger aperture than the M-Series, broadening the field of view. This design comfortably accommodates phone cameras with an equivalent focal length of under 26mm. Moreover, the T-Series has larger lens elements constructed from HD glass, ensuring photos of unparalleled clarity and minimal color distortion even at high resolutions. But perhaps our favorite feature is the authentic photography experience it provides: capturing stunning bokeh, flares, depth-of-field effects, natural distortion, and image compression. These are aspects that many camera phones often misinterpret through computational imaging.

On the other hand, while not optimized for the most recent camera optics or sensors, the M-Series still embodies top-tier cinema glass in a compact form. Think of it as the vintage camera lens of the mobile world: cost-effective yet exceptionally effective in the right circumstances. It's the perfect fit for newcomers to photography, such as young budding photographers, those seeking a lightweight setup (shoutout to iPhone Mini aficionados), or individuals who'd rather not risk their high-end phones on more adventurous outings.

If you're left curious and want more information on the differences between M-series and T-series mobile lens compatibility, check out our full article linked below.

3. How To Attach Your Mobile Lens

Our Drop-in Lens Mount Interface snaps into our newer cases, allowing you to attach Moment Lenses. This new Drop-in Lens Mount Interface includes three locating points to keep things tight, secure, and precise when you attach a lens. Plus a refined lens fit, installing a lens with less effort is more straightforward. If you still need help, check out this video for step-by-step visual directions below.

• Step 1: Firmly hold the case in your hand WITHOUT the phone attached to the inside of the case facing you.
• Step 2: Pop out the original camera bezel insert from the bottom right-hand corner with your fingers until it’s completely removed.
• Step 3: Drop in the lens mount by snapping in the top edge first, then snapping the rest of the mount’s perimeter.
• Step 4: Make sure the drop-in lens mount has snapped in all around and is flush with the case from the inside.
• Step 5: Viola! It’s in. Then, put the case back onto your phone.
• Step 6: Grab your Moment Lens of choice and check the lens for a white line. Align the white line on the lens with the line on top of the case and lower the lens into the mount. Now turn clockwise 90 degrees to lock in the lens securely.

4. Using the Moment Pro Camera App

Get more out of your lenses with the optional use of our app! The Moment Pro Camera App is designed to enhance the functionality and features of Moment Mobile Lenses. You can unlock advanced controls, optimize image quality, and fully utilize the lenses' capabilities to capture stunning photos and videos. You can read additional instructions or information about our app here, including some FAQ’s. And if you want to learn about using Tele 58mm over your native tele, keep reading or scroll down! We cover a ton of information about each of the lenses below.

Note: This app is not a requirement for using our mobile lenses but aids well in controlling the look of your photos and videos with advanced controls if you’d like.

Installation of the Moment Pro Camera App

Step 1: Open the App Store on your iPhone.

Step 2: Search for "Moment ProCamera App" and click on the app in the search results.

Step 3: Click on the "GET" button to download the app. You may need to input your Apple ID password or Touch ID/Face ID to confirm the download.

Step 4: Once downloaded, tap "OPEN" to launch the app.

5. Mobile Anamorphic Lenses

Turn your life into a movie with our mobile Anamorphic lens for creators and filmmakers. These stellar tools are our #1 best-selling lens for mobile filmmakers, giving everyday footage a wider aspect ratio and even greater cinematic taste. We now offer two types of Anamorphic ratios: 1.33x and 1.55x. Read our comprehensive article to learn the difference between these two models and choose which is right for you. Additionally, they come in either Gold or Blue flare for even greater creative control depending on your footage or project.

How To Orientate Mobile Anamorphic Lens For My Phone

To orientate your Moment Mobile Anamorphic Lens for your smartphone correctly, follow these steps:

1. Identify the lens mounting point: The Moment Mobile Anamorphic Lens typically attaches to your smartphone using a specialized lens mounting plate or case. Locate the mounting point on your phone to securely attach the lens.
2. Align the lens: Ensure that the lens is correctly aligned with the mounting point. It should be centered and parallel to the smartphone's rear camera lens.
3. Attach the lens: Gently screw or clip the lens onto the mounting point once aligned. Be careful not to overtighten or force it, as it may damage your phone or lens.
4. Verify positioning: Launch your smartphone's camera app and switch to the rear camera. Check if the Moment Mobile Anamorphic Lens is properly positioned and not obstructing the camera's field of view. Adjust if necessary.

The spare screws with the lens are typically included as backup or replacement screws. If any original screws become loose, damaged, or lost, you can use the spare screws to secure your smartphone’s lens or mounting plate. Keep them in a safe place so that you can access them if needed.

How To De-Squeeze Anamorphic Footage

Within our app, there’s a 33% wider field of view than the existing iPhone sensor (1920x1080 used for video). De-squeezing involves displaying the video with one unit high by 1.33 units wide pixels and encoding an output file with a display width of 2554 pixels (1920x1.33).

Here's how within the Moment Pro Camera App:

1. Open App
2. Select the “Anamorphic Lens Button” with the little “A” in the middle of the circle. (NOTE): Using the Anamorphic setting with your Moment Anamorphic Lens will only show what it’s like de-squeezed as a preview, but it WILL NOT save de-squeezed. You must continue to step three.
3. Click the “Settings” button (three lines).
4. Apply the "De-Squeezed file” button.
5. You’re all done, except… if you’re shooting 4K 60FPS or 1080p 240FPS, your phone will have difficulty processing that high amount of RAM power, resulting in dropped frames after production.

6. Moment Tele 58mm Mobile Lens

Our Tele 58mm lens is ideal for portraiture or up-close compoisitons. Creators have fallen in love with its focal length and bokeh background using real glass instead of fake generated A.I. from a smartphone’s software.

Disclaimer: iPhone 13 / 14 / 15 Models are NOT Compatible with the use of Apple’s Standard Wide lens, as the photo quality is NOT sharp when used in tandem with our mobile M-Series Tele 58mm lens. However, you still want this lens to get double the optical zoom when bundling it with the Moment Pro camera app for tele-on-tele action.

However, our T-Series Tele 58mm lens is entirely redesigned to meet the technological needs of newer iPhone and Android smartphones. Expect the same dreamy bokeh and natural background compression from shooting through telephoto glass, with stunning clarity and better low-light performance at higher image resolutions.

Using the Moment Pro Cam App for 58mm on Native Tele

To get even more out of your Tele 58mm lens. Our team has created a way to bypass Apple’s auto lens selection so you can fully control where the image output comes from.

Using our Moment Pro Camera App, you can hard select which lens you want to use, which offers the capability of utilizing our Tele 58mm over the native telephoto lens on your device and offering 4x optical zoom. Optical zoom produces a higher-quality image but can only be used from a limited distance. Digital zoom can be used from any distance, but the image quality tends to look grainier. You can still digitally zoom in once you have mounted the Tele 58mm on the native telephoto, which will give you a better result than zooming in digitally natively.

Using Manual Focus for Cleaner Details

We encourage manual focus with the Tele lens to clarify particular subjects, like the eyes in a portrait. In the Moment Pro Camera App, you'll find manual focus controls within the app's interface. The location may vary depending on the app version you’re using, but typically, you can find it by tapping the focus icon or accessing the settings menu.

1. Enable manual focus: Ensure manual focus mode is enabled once you have accessed the manual focus controls. This mode lets you control your camera’s focus and adjust it manually according to your preferences.
2. Adjust the focus: With manual focus mode enabled, you can now adjust the focus manually. In the Moment Pro Camera App, you can typically drag a slider or tap on the screen to set the focus point. Move the slider or tap on the area you want to focus on, whether it's a specific subject or a particular part of the scene.
3. Fine-tune the focus: You can use the app’s focus peaking feature for precise focusing. It highlights the areas that are in sharp focus, making it easier to achieve accurate focus. Look for colored edges or outlines on the screen, indicating the in-focus areas of your composition.

7. Moment Macro 10X Lens

A crowd favorite among detail-orientated lovers, plant enthusiasts, and niche creators. Sharper and cleaner than the smartphones’ native macro lens — this attachable glass enables creators to capture fine details using superior lens technology.

How Far Should I Be With My Subject?

To achieve optimal focus and capture detailed macro shots with the Moment Macro 10X lens, it's recommended to be very close to your subject. Generally, the ideal distance is between 0.5 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 centimeters) away from the subject. This proximity lets the lens focus properly and capture your desired fine details. Experiment with different distances and observe your shots’ focus and level of detail to find the sweet spot.

What’s The Diffuser Hood for?

The diffuser hood helps to soften and distribute light more evenly when capturing macro shots. It reduces harsh shadows and glare, resulting in more balanced lighting and better image quality. It also acts as a protective shield for the lens, preventing accidental bumps, scratches, or smudges on the lens surface. Positioning the lens close to your subject adds stability and a secure grip.

To remove the diffuser hood from the Moment Macro 10X lens, follow these steps:

1. Gently hold the lens and locate the diffuser hood, which is the larger, circular attachment surrounding the lens.
2. Firmly grip the diffuser hood and rotate it counterclockwise. You may need to apply a slight force, but be careful not to twist too hard or damage the lens.
3. Continue rotating until the diffuser hood detaches from the lens. You can then set it aside or keep it safe for future use.

Removing the diffuser hood gives you direct access to the Macro 10X lens, allowing you to capture even closer shots and explore the finer details of your subjects.

8. Moment Wide Lens

The Moment Mobile Wide Lens is a popular accessory that expands the field of view of your smartphone camera, allowing you to capture a broader perspective and fit more into your frame. Crafted with high-quality glass and multi-element optics to ensure sharpness, clarity, and minimal distortion across the entire frame. It enables you to capture detailed images with accurate colors and minimal vignetting. The Moment Mobile Wide Lens works seamlessly with the Moment Pro Camera App, enhancing your shooting experience. The app recognizes the lens and applies lens-specific corrections, ensuring optimal image quality and reducing potential distortions.

Best part? This lens gives way better image results with clearer edges, especially in low-light settings, than your smartphone's built-in ultra-wide lens.

9. Moment Fisheye Lens

The Moment Fisheye 14mm Lens provides an extreme 170-degree field of view, creating a captivating fisheye effect. It curves straight lines and exaggerates the distortion, resulting in a visually striking, immersive image with a rounded, spherical appearance. The fisheye effect of the lens adds a creative and artistic touch to your photos, making them stand out from standard perspectives. It can transform everyday scenes into visually dynamic and captivating images, allowing you to explore new creative possibilities. Perfect for skating videos, high fashion portraits, or unique angles in architectural shoots.