Olloclip Agonized Over Bringing Out An iPad Lens, But Here It Is [CES 2014]

By

ces-2014-25b
Yes, that's an Olloclip lens on an iPad Air. Photo: Eli Milchman

CES 2014 bug

LAS VEGAS — For years now, Olloclip has been making stellar lenses that slip over the iPhone’s camera lens and enhance iPhoneography with the ability to take fisheye, telephoto and macro photos. But there has apparently been a struggle within Olloclip about whether or not to offer an iPad lens. Now the struggle is over, and iPad-loving photographers have won: The first Olloclip lens for iPad will be available soon.

Chong Pak, the company’s design director, told us there were only a few hurdles to clear before Olloclip went iPad — but those hurdles were tall.

The first was an internal argument over whether users would overcome the awkwardness of holding up a giant screen in order to shoot photos (Chong said Olloclip might actually have an etiquette guide to help). The second hurdle shrunk when the iPad’s camera jumped in quality with the introduction of the iPad Air and Mini Retina; better cameras mean more photo enthusiasts using the iPad to shoot with. Finally, the fact that the iPad Air and Mini Retina have identical thickness meant Olloclip could fashion one lens that would fit both models.

Apart from its intended camera, Olloclip’s iPad lens is identical to Olloclip’s iPhone 4-in-1, with a fisheye, wide-angle, 10x and 5x macro lenses; it will only fit the iPad Air and Retina Mini (the regular Mini is slightly thicker) and will cost $70 when it arrives this spring.

Our own Alex Heath was with me and wasn’t sold on the idea of shooting with an iPad. On the other hand, I’ve been yearning for an accessory iPad lens and can’t wait to get my hands on the thing: My Retina Mini’s larger screen is perfect for framing, and its larger dimensions make for a much more comfortable-to-hold camera than the iPhone.

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.