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Tuesday, February 26, 2013

DPP Solutions: Bling Your Smartphone

Professional accessories for gaining extraordinary images and video from iPhones and iPads

This Article Features Photo Zoom

Hitcase PRO

There are several lens and filter kits for emulating the eccentric analog style of the highly regarded Holga "toy" cameras for Canon and Nikon, so it's only natural that there also would be an offering for the iPhone. The iPhone Lens Filter and Case Kit is available in several colors with a color wheel that houses nine different effects on top of the case. You then dial in "optical filter" effects like dual, triple and quadruple split images, macro, colored filters and the "Holga Hole" for lo-fi vintage appeal. Estimated Street Price: $29.

Kogeto and Pixeet both sell a panoramic lens alongside a free app for achieving a full 360º of video on your current lens. The Pixeet Fisheye Lens for the iPhone 3G/3GS/4/4S employs an adhesive metal ring to adhere the aluminum and glass lens to the phone, which makes the tool compatible with many other mobile phones, webcams and cameras, as well. Stepping up to the "Precision" or "Pro" packs adds a universal tripod adapter and lightweight extendable monopod. Kogeto's Dot iCONIC lens snaps to the iPhone 4/4S/5. The Looker app then allows you to capture and view videos, and you also can share directly through the app to email, Facebook, Twitter or Kogeto's online gallery of videos. Estimated Street Price: $49 (Pixeet for iPhone, Kogeto Dot); $69 (Pack "Precision"); $99 (Pack "Pro").

Schneider Optics iPro Master Trio

Image Stabilization
Telescoping K-Tek Tadpoles feature monopod-like tilting "Ball & Socket" heads that allow you to crane smartphones and smaller cameras like GoPros for shooting from above and below or at odd angles. The line starts with the single-section 7.5" Mini Tadpole KTADM and ranges up to the six-section KTAD79 with an extendable reach of 1'6" to 6'7". Estimated Street Price: Begins at $55 (Mini Tadpole KTADM).

Joby GripTight GorillaPod Stand

The Gomite tiltpod mobile for the iPhone 4/4S and now the iPhone 5 is a tilting clip with a base that allows you to rotate and tilt your iPhone on a level surface. The newest model for the iPhone 5 also includes a hard protective case in black, white or rubine. The tiltpod mobile attaches to your key ring and there's also a model available for compacts. List Price: $14 (Gomite tiltpod for compact cameras, Gomite tiltpod mobile iPhone 4/4S); $29 (Gomite tiltpod mobile iPhone 5).

Joby's adjustable GripTight Mount phone clamp will fit iPhones, as well as Android or Windows smartphones, whether housed in a case or not. The clamp is available on its own or with the GripTight Micro Stand tabletop pocket-sized tripod, as well as the more capable GripTight GorillaPod Stand mini-tripod. The GripTight GorillaPod Stand is also flexible so it can support your smartphone from any number of uneven surfaces like tree limbs or guard rails. List Price: $19 (GripTight Mount); $29 each (GripTight GorillaPod Stand, GripTight Micro Stand).

K-Tek Mini Tadpole

The Really Right Stuff XC-iP5 iPhone 5 protective case mounts to B2-XJ Quick-Release X-Jaw Clamps (which have been sized specifically for the case) to secure your iPhone to a tripod. The XJ clamps are available in three models: the B2-XJ1 for direct mounting to any RRS clamp, the B2-XJ2 with tapped 3⁄8"-16 socket for compatibility with most tripods, and the B2-XJ3 with any Really Right Stuff SNAP QR mount. The solid-grade aluminum case is available in black, silver, gunmetal gray and red. More options, as well as cases for the iPhone 4/4S, have been planned for the future. List Price: $125 (XC-iP5 iPhone 5 Case), $60 (B2-XJ X-Jaw Clamp).