A round, bent view of the world
A fisheye lens gives a very wide view in which straight lines curve strongly towards the edges. It is a look rather than a correction, and few phones can do it on their own. It suits skateboarding and action shots taken close up, fun pictures of pets with big noses, crowds, festivals and gigs, the inside of a car or a tent, and playful shots of buildings and streets.
The fisheye lenses here
The fisheyes in this range come in three-in-one kits. Each kit has a fisheye with a view of about 180 degrees, a wide-angle lens, and a macro lens built into the back of the wide-angle for close-ups of small things. A universal clip holds whichever lens you are using, and the lens heads come off quickly so you can swap them. They come in a choice of colours, with lens covers and a soft bag.
For more lenses in one set, including a telephoto and filters, look at phone lens kits. For the wide view without the curve, wide-angle phone lenses.
Getting good fisheye shots
A phone with several cameras on the back needs the clip-on lens over the one in use. Open the camera at 1x and cover each lens in turn with a fingertip: the one that darkens the screen is where the clip-on goes. If dark corners show, slide the clip until they clear. A thick case or a camera lens protector can hold the lens off the glass, so most clips work best with the case off.
A fisheye shows a lot, including your own feet and fingers, so hold the phone by its edges and look round the whole frame before you take the shot. Get close: the fisheye look is strongest when something is near the lens, with the background curving away behind it. Lines through the very middle of the picture stay straight, so put a horizon there if you want it level. Fisheyes are sharpest in the centre and softer towards the edges, which suits a subject in the middle.
Questions people ask about fisheye phone lenses
Why is there a black circle round my picture?
Some fisheyes show a round picture with black round it rather than filling the frame, and the zoom setting changes how much of the circle shows. Try the phone at 1x, and line the lens up again if the circle is off to one side.
How close do I hold the macro?
Very close: these kits give about half an inch, roughly a centimetre, from the subject. Move the phone slowly until it comes sharp.
Can I take a fisheye on holiday?
Yes. It packs into its bag with the other lenses and weighs little. The guide to clip-on lenses and filters covers fitting and care.
How long does delivery take?
Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when it usually arrives.
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