Smartphones are wonderful tools that enable a great deal of functionality, from productivity to gaming to creativity. Their cameras, in particular, are powerful enough to threaten even point-and-click and entry-level cameras, but there are still some things that aren’t possible to achieve because of limitations in size and price. DSLRs, for example, have a wider variety of applications because they can swap out lenses depending on the need. That’s impossible with smartphone cameras, but a compromise has been developed that lets you augment or change the way those cameras work by attaching a separate lens, like this new accessory from Moment that enables a powerful macro shot that’s not normally available on the iPhone.
Some Android phones advertise having a macro camera, but those really don’t do justice to what macro lenses are truly capable of. Not only are the magnification levels low, the imaging sensors are also so substandard that it might be better to have no macro camera at all. The only way you’ll be able to pull off a pleasant or dramatic close-up shot is to pair an appropriate lens with a decent sensor.
That’s exactly what the new Moment macro lens brings to the table by attaching a lens with a 75mm focal length equivalent to the powerful wide or ultrawide camera of a smartphone like the iPhone 15 Pro. This kind of lens allows the mobile photographer to capture crisp foreground details with pleasant blurring in the background, even from a distance of four inches from the subject. With a 10x magnification, you can achieve an intense shallow depth of field while still including more of the background in the shot.
Normally, you wouldn’t be able to attach a different lens on a smartphone, but Moment’s T-Series lenses use an innovative yet easy-to-use system to make that possible. In a nutshell, you put a special protective case on the iPhone and then attach compatible lenses on the specially designed mounts to expand the camera’s capabilities using lenses that would have never fit inside the cramped space of a smartphone. This ingenious design means that this new Moment macro lens can also be used on other phones, including the Pixel 8 or Samsung phones, provided you use the matching case or special mount made for the T-series lenses.
With the Moment 75mm macro lens, you can take breath-taking close-up shots of natural objects or even moving subjects, allowing you to create better memories or even win some awards. The $119.99 price tag is a bit tough to swallow, but professionals will probably be able to justify such an expense if they can get more stunning images in every shot. Of course, there’s also the hidden cost of requiring that case to always be on, at least while you’re using the lens, and the lens jutting out from the phone’s back awkwardly, but these are the things that your social media followers will probably never see anyway.
For hundreds of years, photographs have been the dominant way of capturing memories. Whether of historic events or family gatherings, it’s almost a ritual to take out a camera and snap a picture, freezing a memory in time… but there’s one thing these pictures seem to miss – depth. In fact, Apple addressed this exact shortfall when they announced Spatial videos on their Vision Pro device (and even the latest iPhone 15 Pro), but there’s really no need to spend upwards of $3000 to capture memories more immersively. Multi-lens cameras with 3D shooting capabilities have existed for a while now (the Nishika N8000 or the Kodak Stereo Camera come to mind), but the Moment 3D Camera reinvents and reinvigorates the category. While previous cameras shot 3D images on film, the Moment 3D Camera does it digitally, relying on a linear array of 4 lenses that simultaneously take photographs to capture parallax, which our brain perceives as depth.
Designer: Olga Orel
Simply put, the Moment camera freezes a moment in time, capturing 4 different angles to make it look more immersive, and frankly a lot more cooler than a regular photograph. A series of 38mm lenses work in tandem to take photos at the exact same time, which are then presented on the camera’s viewfinder display. The images are showcased as GIF files,panning from left to right to create a trippy sense of depth. Bet your Polaroid can’t do that…
“I discovered old cameras such as Nishika N8000 and Nimslo from the 1980s made by various companies with the same idea of stereography. They were quadrascopic (four lenses) cameras designed to produce four half-frame images from a click of the shutters. Lenticular prints could be made from the negatives,” says Olga Orel, the designer behind the Moment 3D Camera. “Unfortunately, the demand for these products was low due to people losing interest while waiting for the prints, which could take weeks and by some accounts, months to return to the consumer. You have to understand, these cameras were introduced BEFORE we knew anything about GIFs or JPEG files!”
Designed to look and function like a regular camera, the Moment’s multi-lens system gives you a new way to shoot photos without really having to learn anything. Point, look into the viewfinder, and hit the shutter button and the camera does the rest. A viewfinder lets you compose your shot, although there’s also a touchscreen display you can look at. The camera has zoom functionality, a flash, and the ability to toggle between modes, letting you choose whether you’re shooting humans, sceneries, or even macro shots of objects up-close.
Notably, images get captured in a vertical portrait orientation only. The photos you capture are displayed on a vertical touchscreen interface where you can crop and edit media, as well as view photos/GIFs clicked previously. You can even set timers for selfies, and a tripod mount on the bottom proves exceptionally handy when you want to click photos hands-free.
Images get saved onto an SD card, although you can directly hook your Moment 3D camera to an external display through its HDMI port too. Moreover, a USB-C port lets you connect your camera to devices like your laptop, tablet, or phone, and even lets you charge your camera too. Meanwhile, like any handheld shooter, the Moment 3D Camera has a removable battery on its base that you can hot-swap like most photographers would, giving you the ability to freely and confidently shoot 3D images and GIFs as you would regular photos!
You may know Moment for their top-notch smartphone photography gear. Moment makes some of the best iPhone camera lenses (the Anamorphic lens still remains on the top of my wishlist), and even accessories like filters, tripods, and mounts, but the company is now dipping its toe into actual photography with the Long Weekend, a 35mm point and shooter with a disposable-camera aesthetic, but a reusable film design. With an incredibly modest price tag of $49.99, the Long Weekend is perfect for holidays, get-togethers, and special events. The photos it clicks have a distinct retro appeal with the focus-free 31mm, F9 optical grade acrylic lens that gives your images a dreamy 90s aesthetic.
The Long Weekend is a perfect camera for low-stakes high-memories photography, whether it’s a wedding, a beach holiday, or even your kid’s first serious camera. It’s intuitive to use (with just a shutter button and a flash switch) and comes with a lightweight plastic body that can take a few bumps without your heart skipping a beat. The camera comes in two color-ways – a default black, and a gorgeous retrocam-looking cream and blue that reminds us of the Polaroid OneStep.
Optimized for 135 Film (24X36mm) with an ISO range of 200/400, the camera offers versatility in film choice, allowing users to experiment with various film stocks, from classic black & white to popular color films like Kodak Ultramax. The focus-free 31mm, F9 optical grade acrylic lens simplifies the shooting process, making it a great tool for beginners. However, this simplicity does mean a reduction in creative control, as there are no adjustable settings for shutter speed or aperture.
The camera’s shutter speed is fixed at 1/120, and the aperture is locked at f/9, offering a depth of field that covers objects from a distance of one meter onwards. This focus-free approach makes operation straightforward, as you’d expect from a disposable camera… but with the ability to switch out films and continue shooting for as long as the camera lasts you! The lens is made of plastic, resulting in blurry and vignetted corners, a characteristic that you’ll surely come to love.
The Long Weekend also comes equipped with a built-in flash (with a recycle time of 10-15 seconds), making it suitable for low-light shooting. This feature, along with its simple and intuitive operation, makes the camera a fun, easy-to-use device for all skill levels. The flash and the camera itself draw power from a single AAA battery, adding to its convenience and portability.
The camera is available for preorder at $49.99, with deliveries expected to begin from December 26. That may mean missing out on capturing the holiday memories with your friends and family, but it’s just in time for your New Years party or a holiday that follows after!
Up until now, Apple’s interpretation of MagSafe meant ‘modularity’. With Moment’s Strap Anywhere mount, the MagSafe also means ‘hands-free’. Designed to let you secure your iPhone to any handle, pipe, railing, bar, or even your wrist, the Strap Anywhere uses Apple’s MagSafe feature to secure your iPhone so your hands are unencumbered. The idea, Moment’s team says, was to allow users to attach their iPhones to indoor fitness equipment like a Peloton bike, squat rack, treadmill, elliptical, etc. The strap’s silicone construction provides a friction-grip, and is even sturdy enough to double as a stand for your iPhone, letting you prop it up at an angle on your desk or yoga mat.
The Strap Anywhere mount works directly with the iPhone as well as with MagSafe cases for the iPhone. Made from sweat-resistant material, the strap’s perfect for gym equipment, although its adjustable nature means you could technically use it anywhere, from your motorcycle to even your shopping cart! Moment engineered a proprietary configuration of magnets to provide extra strength, combined along with a grippy silicon material. Whether it withstands a bumpy ride on an offroad trail is yet to be determined, although I’d personally just stick to stationary indoor training equipment!
iPhone 12 series is one of the best phone lineup (if not the best) that Apple has launched thus far. The new breed of smartphones come with the MagSafe – a magnetic snap for precise placement on the wireless charger. The feature opens up avenues for tons of innovative accessories that can be used to maximize the utility of Apple’s 2020 iPhones. So, it was obvious that Moment, the popular iPhone accessories maker harnessed this new functionality to its maximum potential.
The Seattle-based accessories company specializing in phone camera gear has created a bunch of iPhone 12 series accessories that inherently have some kind of camera utility. There’s a whole bunch of cases, tripod mounts, and car vent mounts with MagSafe compatibility that add to the functionality of your Apple phone. First up, the cases come in two broader variations – a thinner version for better ergonomic feel in hand and the other a more rugged one for more protection in event of accidental drops. All these cases have wrist strap loops and can endure a 6-foot drop. The cases priced at around $50 are compatible with the M-Series Moment lens system and they also work with the Moment Mounts.
For photography addicts, Moment has a lineup of Tripod Mounts that have a very strong magnetic system for extra strength. These mounts work even without the case and are compatible with ¼-inch to 20-inch tripods, so you are good to go with any tripod. Of them all, the Multi-Threaded Mount that comes at a price tag of $30 is the most intriguing. It can attach your iPhone to anything, as Moment themselves say, “Magic arms, tripods, rig mounts, ball heads, you name it… we let you mount your phone to it with magnets.”
Along the same lines, Moment Cold Shoe Mount, Car Vent Mount, and the Wall Mount for MagSafe work like a charm. The first two cost $30 each while the Wall Mount will set you back $20. All of them are fully compatible with the new Apple phones and well worth the money spent.
Moment, the company that manufactures external lenses, apps and accessories for smartphones, is taking full advantage of the iPhone 12’s MagSafe technology. It just unveiled a line of MagSafe accessories that will let you attach your iPhone 12 to tri...
At this year’s CES, I wrote about a new wave of smart hearing tech. Some were assistive devices designed for those with only mild problems. Others were full-fledged hearing aids stuffed with smart features. This year, hearing technology continues to...
The CEO of AirBnb, Brian Chesky, made a pretty interesting point when he talked about the future of WFH in a post-pandemic world. You see, work from home isn’t a sacrosanct statement… it means work from wherever you are, a hotel, a lobby, a friend’s place, a garage, or even a getaway cottage. Your entire office sits inside your laptop, and the guys at Moment felt this was a chance to redesign the vessel for your laptop… the laptop-bag.
Moment’s Travelwear comes in the form of the classic laptop bag as well as an over-the-shoulder tote bag. Designed to comfortably carry all your stuff around with you (the emphasis being on comfort – with spacious designs and sizes for everyone), the MTW bags are a combination of minimal and sensible, with pockets for all your belongings, water + weather-proof nylon exterior, and accessories for specific carry-ons like camera accessories and battery-packs (which shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering Moment’s rich history with smartphones, cameras, and their catalog of incredibly professional lenses).
Both the MTW Backpack and MTW Tote boast of a design that’s non-specific, which means it can be used to carry your tech with you or even your regular items like clothes, tiffin-boxes, diaper-bags, etc. It’s a bag designed for a life that may be at home or anywhere else, so the bag’s spacious design and multiple pockets account for that. The Backpack comes with sleeves for laptops and tablets, pouches for your phone, notebooks, and stationery, and a hang-tag for your keys… apart from that, there’s 17 liters (small size) and 21 liters (large size) of extra space for the rest of your belongings. The backpacks are soft on the skin and comfortable to wear over hours, with foam padding in the straps, and a breathable pack-panel. A sternum strap lets you easily secure the bag around your torso (pretty handy when you’re hiking/trekking) and if you’re a bit of a jet-setter, built-in luggage-passthrough straps let you secure your bag to a travel-case.
The MTW Tote is just as functional as the backpack, although with an over-your-shoulder design and 19 liters of storage. Pockets on the inside keep all your belongings organized, and dedicated slots for your laptop and tablet allow you to carry your ‘workplace’ around with you. There’s even space for carrying up to 2 water bottles, complete with waterproof pouches to keep your belongings safe. The exterior is waterproof too, and comes with secret outer-pockets for storing things like wallets, ID cards, or precious documents like tickets or passports. The tote’s straps are made to be broad, so they don’t ever cut into your skin… and when you feel the fatigue of carrying your laptop with you for too long, a flat base allows your tote bag to rest vertically without tipping over. I call that an eye for detail.
The abilities of both the backpack and the tote are enhanced by MTW’s organizers, designed to carry a variety of specific items to turn the classic bags into profession-specific ones. The Camera Organizer is ideal for storing cameras and lenses, while a battery pouch allows you to easily carry extra batteries, SD cards, and cables. The Tech Organizer and Mini Organizer offer storage for stuff like charging cables, power-banks, headphones/earphones, so you can easily pop them out of your bag and carry them to your makeshift workspace, having all your work paraphernalia right on your desk instead of embedded inside your backpack.
MTW’s bags, like most products, were born to fulfill needs that other bags couldn’t. The backpack, tote, and organizers are all built to provide reliable, robust, and organized storage while being comfortable to wear and carry, and classic to look at. Moment’s bags were designed to carry your work-life with you, but they aren’t limited to just that. Spacious interiors and a multitude of storage pockets let you carry more than just your work with you, and the backpack and tote have a little something for everyone, no matter what the lifestyle, what the profession, or what the need. Let’s just say that life can sometimes throw curveballs at you (as this year has so effectively demonstrated)… and the MTW bags were designed to help you overcome them by being able to carry your life around with you.
Moment Travelwear: Bags To Work Anywhere, Travel Everywhere.
Everyday backpacks, totes, and organizers for the new work – at home, on the road, from the car, or even the park.
This is Moment’s 6th campaign and the Moment Travelwear is their first line of bags. It’s designed to be comfortable, sustainably built, and made for working on the road. It looks good enough to go to a meeting, but functional enough to use on a shoot. It’s tough enough to carry all your tech, but simple enough that you blend in. It’s light enough to be used every day, but expandable when you need it.
MTW Backpack
Made from recycled material, this bag is rainstorm proof on the outside and well organized on the inside. With room for a 16” laptop, dedicated pockets for tech, and accessible from the top or side… it’s easy to access your gear. Sized for men and women, the padded breathable shoulder straps make this bag comfortable all day long.
Creatives come in all heights, so they wanted to make sure our bags worked for everyone. By studying the frames of various size people, we designed the bags to sit comfortably in the center of your back whether you are tall or small.
Built-in luggage passthrough.
Hyper-adjustable sternum strap adds extra support.
Elevated mesh with airflow channels to reduce sweat.
Removable Camera Insert
Quick side-zipper access to your camera gear for shooting on the go.
Camara insert leaves plenty of space for whatever else you want to carry.
MTW Tote
Its durable and water-resistant shell fabric keeps your gear protected and tote looking good. Dedicated pockets on the inside keep your small items organized, your laptop protected, and your water bottle in place. The ultra-soft straps are tough while being comfortable in hand or on your shoulder, even when wearing a tank top.
The low profile padded base helps the bag stand upright while still maintaining a natural feel – unlike other padded tech totes that are overly bulky.
No dig straps. Super soft, super strong webbing for ultimate comfort, even with a tank top.
MTW Organizers
The first tech organizer with a removable mini pouch, designed by creatives for creatives to help you take control of your tech essentials. The main pouch has space for everything you need, while the removable mini organizer gives you the option to pack light when you want, or carry extra. Its simple zip closure and versatile internal layout allow you to pack it however you like. With a low profile construction and rugged materials, it’s here to help you work from anywhere.
With dedicated, color coded pockets for fresh batteries, spent batteries, and a charger, this pouch helps you keep your power in check. Best of all, the pocket is designed to shift volume so as you use batteries, it makes more space for the used ones. Built with rugged materials and YKK zippers… it’s ready for long travel days and hectic shoots. Highly requested by filmmaker friends, this is the battery pouch we’ve always wanted.
Camera Insert
Designed to fit perfectly inside our MTW Backpack and Tote, the Camera Insert is a perfect way to carry your essential camera kit. It also works inside most other non-camera daypacks. With a large side access zip and interchangeable dividers, you can set it up however you like. Carry up to a Canon 5D (no battery grip) sized camera with a 70-200mm lens and room for extras. Unlike other large, bulky camera cubes, this one is just big enough to carry your essential kit and leave room for other gear in your bag.
You may have to be pickier about your choice of phone if you're a mobile photography enthusiast. Moment has stopped working on its Pro Camera app for Android due to a lack of "engineering bandwidth" (read: enough available staff) to develop the soft...
Moment has announced its biggest ever update for Pro Camera, which adds a bunch of cool new features to the app, and brings the Android version up to parity. And to celebrate, if you download the app for the first time you'll get 15 percent off in th...
You may have to be pickier about your choice of phone if you're a mobile photography enthusiast. Moment has stopped working on its Pro Camera app for Android due to a lack of "engineering bandwidth" (read: enough available staff) to develop the soft...
Moment has announced its biggest ever update for Pro Camera, which adds a bunch of cool new features to the app, and brings the Android version up to parity. And to celebrate, if you download the app for the first time you'll get 15 percent off in th...