Field Testing the Apexel 100mm Macro Lens - Product Review

Addendum:
After reading through your comments I did some experimenting. Thanks to the pointers left by Andrew Johnson on deploying AF/AE lock and using manual zoom, I was able to get the phone to stay on the macro camera, at a fixed focus BUT ONLY after removing the protective lens covers that I had put on when I bought the phone. With that thing on, it wouldn't lock focus. So my one remaining reservation is that the clip is pants (I have made a sturdier one). Great little lens for spur of the moment macro - at 1/5 of the price of spur of the Moment macro!
Apexel invited me to check out their new lens, so I did. It was fun and I discovered that even with the extremely irritating input from the iPhone 12's hilarious camera switching app, this lens was a ton of fun and made some nice sharp pictures. But best of all was how great this lens was for getting up close and personal video footage with a bunch of lovely little creatures. I think I just invented macro video!
No, never heard of a chap called Attenborough, why?
Check out the blog post for some cool pictures and words. @.com/blog/apexellens
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LATE ADDITION -
Apexel is offering my viewers a huge 20% discount on this lens - go to www.amazon.com/gp/productBO7T... and use the code205PV29J to get the 20%0ff. You can also go directly to www.amazon.com/gp/mpc/A33BD6C...
This code is only valid until January 12 of 2022, so act now!
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In this masterpiece I told you the price was $20. Well it was, yesterday, when I made the video. But the price has gone up. A lot ($12). This was a definite "get one" at $20, but at $32 it is still a "get one", but with less arm waving and foot stomping. It really is a fun lens and surprisingly sharp. By the way, If you plan to purchase any of the items discussed or used in this video, and would like to help the channel out when you do so, please consider using the link below. As an Amazon Affiliate I may earn a small commission from qualified purchases made using some of these links.
I think you should get it before it goes up again... amzn.to/3BT97Zy
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[@michaelmckeag960]

Allan, when I saw the title of this episode my first thought was, “I don’t need another macro lens.” But I watched the episode anyway just because it’s a pleasure to watch you do what you do no matter what the topic. I certainly wasn’t expecting to come away with another macro lens on my shopping list. My iPhone 8 won’t have a problem switching lenses, having only one lens to choose from. So far, with every new iPhone release my first thought has been, “I don’t need another iPhone.”

[@maxrockbin]

As of 10/22 USA: Amazon jacked the price up to $37. You can still get it on Ebay from Apexel for $26. Other sellers even less. Ordered one! Thanks for finding this.

[@slowbluesmaster]

Interesting! FYI, it appears they've upgraded this by ditching that finicky clamp and replace it with an adjustable full-phone-frame grip clamp that inspires much more confidence. That new 'Multifunctional SmartPhone Stretch Clip' can be bought separate;y for next to nothing to be used with your existing lens. Nice review @ Petapixel

[@crazyhammie8864]

Haha I just wanted some info about the lens but had too much fun watching your video! :D thanks for both!

[@JH-lz4dh]

I enjoyed this review and your commentary 😂

[@d.k.1394]

Great video

[@delaarocha]

my first exposure to the macro photo world, lens (modified prosumer lens) attached on my phone, this bring back memories :D

[@robertstorost629]

Everytime my wife goes to the dollar store she brings me home a gadget. One day she brought home a clip-on lens for my phone that is "ultrawide" and it has some amazing macro capabilities. And the images are really unexpectedly Sharp. Of course you can't blow these images up but they're still pretty good. For $1.

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

I have one of those $1 versions. I'm going to see if the clip can be transplanted to the bigger lens, but it's pink, so I'm moving slowly on the project.

[@scampbell8136]

They made a newer version , better clip, CPL option. built in light, under €30.

[@robertecarpenter]

would sure like to see it in 4k

[@bluediamondwatch6633]

sir does it work with s22 ultra ?

[@damnation22]

I just go into pro mode. But there are other ways such as changing aspect ratio switches lens, portrait mode only uses one of the lenses, certain zoom levels switch lenses. But yes really annoying...

[@Youtube-Censorship-Police]

have you tried to shoot photos with a third party app like the integrated camera mode from adobe lightroom? these are often limited to the main lens which should stop the switching issue when you shoot the pics, and as added bonus you can make your photos in RAW format :-) great review and really impressive results, i might buy one to use while my camera is in the repair. cheers

[@JH-lz4dh]

Hmmm

[@vancedjob8187]

How is the Apexel macro 200x ? 🤔

[@messylaura]

wonder if it would have a use used in-line as an objective lens on a camera set up to further magnify the existing set up? bet you had the same thought

[@andrewh2341]

I suspect you would have image circle size issues on formats larger than cellphone cameras when using it as a diopter.

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

Oh yes. I never stop experimenting with this kind of thing. In this case the lens is designed to produce an image on a fairly small phone sensor. So the field of view on any other sensor size is severely limited. I even tried it as a magnifying adapter for a microscope. I have other ideas to try as soon as I figure out how to get the lens out of the PVC tube it is currently residing in.

[@barryt09]

Thanks Allan, very interesting, love the co-operative dragon fly! I am astounded that a mobile as expensive and supposedly advanced as the IPhone 12 has such a stupid lens switching system. Apple seem to have a habit of introducing features that really annoy their customers, the APP verification feature being a prime example. Add that to a Big Sur operating system which seems to be dedicated to slowing your Mac down and new swear words are frequently invented!

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

No Joke - I got this phone and updated to OS 11, BigFur(ball) the same month. I would gladly go back to the 6S and OS X.

[@andrewh2341]

Not that I’m a fan of clip on lenses, but have you tried to lock focus by tap and hold on the screen when aiming at something close, then push/pull to really focus on your subject?

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

Please see addendum in program notes.

[@ohmimprovement5767]

Back in 2016 ohmboy Josh sent me a wide angle / macro clip on lense for my iPhone 6s+ I build advanced coils with my phone locked on an articulating vise and selfie stick. I've been doing it for years, and did all my macro for IG with that same setup till I decided to finally cave in and buy an actual camera. I use the app called camera+ with it for photos, I wonder how well it works with your newer iPhone 🤔

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

Same here - my entire back catalog of coil images were shot on an old iPhone with a $3 clip on lens. I could have used a whole room full of macro gear, but this was so much easier and quicker. I look at them now and wish I had actually photographed some of the really intricate stuff. Maybe it's time to haul out all the old builds and do them properly. I traded in my 6S a month ago - 10 years out of that thing!

[@ohmimprovement5767]

@@AllanWallsPhotography definitely do it!! I'd love to watch that video!! Lol

[@drpainsjourney]

ohhh? I am also doing coil photo, using my OnePlus 8 Pro with build-macro Shooting. I am 95% happy with this setup, but you know, more want more 😎

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

@@drpainsjourney I hear you - there is a lot to be said for a clear crisp digital image from a phone camera, and the setup couldn't;t be easier or quicker. When I was designing and building, the first priority was the build, the photography was much less important. I had all the gear and experience to make much better pictures, but I invested that time in more elaborate and difficult builds instead. Now I wish I had taken the time to capture properly lit, carefully stacked images with perfect composition and sharp from front to back. My builds were as good as most out there, but my pictures didn't show it. I would urge you to give as much time as you can spare to getting the very finest images your equipment and skills will allow - you'll be glad you did!

[@drpainsjourney]

@@AllanWallsPhotography I have just bought a Tamron 16-300mm linse, and going for either a Nikon D3500 or D5600 or even a D610 (used) I got a small photo tent, and will doing to several health issues only take photo in our house. I'm just not sure whish camera I should go for. I got issue with the understanding of all those numbers you can dial in, so have always (Sadly) used automatic photo shooting. I do say really many thanks for taking time to answering me.

[@troybuttress7833]

Get a Samsung - change to "Pro" mode and use manual focusing - no problem. People in the Apple camp often get stuck there - liberate yourself, theres a whole other world out there :)

[@MacroEverythingAroundMe]

That’s why I buy cheaper, used iPhone XR. It’s the last iPhone they made w/ a single lens & I think all the newer ones are 12mp lenses just like the XR is. I’ve used the 25mm Sandmarc macro lens kit (about $90) for almost 3 yrs. It takes very clear pics similar to what you used in this video. It comes w/ a cell phone case that’s made for that iPhone & the macro lens screws right onto the case making it super easy & quick to put on. Also comes w/ a big clip that I can’t stand because it covers some of the screen options. I recently ordered the 75mm Ulanzi “Super macro lens” for $30 straight from them from China, but it’s horrible. I think the roundness of their lens is what gives it really blurry edges on everything. *Wouldn’t refund my $ or do anything more than discount on new items, so not happy w/ that company at all. Only thing that’s happened to my Sandmarc is the threading on their cell phone case has wore off where it doesn’t stay on & I’ve just been using the big, goofy clip for now til I order a new one! 🤓😏👍👌🤜🤛

[@troybuttress7833]

Or you could get a brand new Samsung and switch it to "Pro" mode with manual focusing

[@jkbordoloi]

Thank god my phone is not smart enough. I own my phone and the camera on it ..not the other way round. It only uses the lens I would tell it to use rather than assuming it knows better. :-)

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

I am happy for you, but would you mind asking your phone to talk to my phone - it won't listen to me.

[@drpainsjourney]

Did you know, that there is other brands of smartphones then Apple, that DON'T playing around with your settings? Take a look on OnePlus, or Samsung. But if you REALLY want to use a mobilphone, Huawei make the absolut bedst cameraphone that beat them all.

[@AllanWallsPhotography]

Very true. I mentioned the compatibility, but I couldn't speak to whether or not they would have the same issues with the cameras because I've never used one - but it is really good to know there are options. I bet they aren't as stupidly expensive either.

[@margaretharding8833]

I have just purchased the Apexel 100mm HD lens from Amazon for €45. Wish I hadn´t bothered. My phone is the Samsung S22 Ultra and I have had exactlyl the same problem with switching lenses just as I go to take the photo.

[@troybuttress7833]

Shoot your photos in "Pro" mode with manual focusing

[@juliel7522]

Problem is pro mode is very low res, doesnt make use of the 108mp ​@troybuttress7833

[@jeffholmes1362]

Fun toy, not sure I’ll call it amazing, but hey,

[@dickusmaxximun8126]

No offense, but it looks like crappy. Pretty contrast-less. It looks like it has a diffuser included.

[@d.k.1394]

Ohh dear the video you film yourself with goes in and out of focus...annoying.