Moment Lens Review

Moment Lens started as a Kickstarter project and was successfully funded on February 13, 2014. It was a huge hit that it got $400,000 more of it’s initial $50,000 goal (which they reached in just a day)

I backed the wide-angle lens for my Galaxy S4 and here are my impressions on this nifty, high-grade mobile lens from Moment, Inc.

http://momentlens.co/

The packaging of Moment is nice and simple. The detailed embossed print and good unboxing experience really adds to the premium feel in this product.

I got the Moment Wide.

Each moment lens has an included mount plate for your phone. They only currently support iPhones (generation 4 to 6 Plus), iPad Air/ Mini, Galaxy S4 and S5, Note 3 and Nexus 5. You can buy it separately for $10. The package also has an included extra adhesive

This is what the Galaxy S4 mounting plate looks like.

The Moment Wide sits safety inside the cushioned packaging, waiting for it’s first shot.

This is how the mounting plate looks like installed.

And this is how the lens fit into the plate. It uses a twist-lock mechanism, just like on common interchangeable lens cameras, but simpler.

On the side, it looks like this. It does add a bit of weight on the top part of the device so be sure to take caution when using this as it might fumble in use, specially when pressing the on-screen shutter button at the opposite end.

It fits perfectly on the Spigen Slim Armor case. Mounting the lens also provides a very snug and secure fit. Moment provides a list of compatible cases here: http://momentlens.co/case-compatibility/

Sample Shots

Above: Normal / Below: Moment Wide. Click for full size

Conclusion

Overall, I really like the Moment Wide. It really adds more viewing angle to the default scope of the Galaxy S4. There is no noticeable and glaring distortion and the pictures are clear as if there where no 3rd-party lens installed. However, the expensive $99 price tag might dissuade interested people from buying this thing.

Moreso, while flagship phones like the iPhone and Galaxy models are supported, the limited mounting plates also do discourage other platform and users from buying this thing – specifically Microsoft’s Lumia and Sony’s Xperia line which also has great (if not even better) cameras than the Galaxy 5 and Nexus 5.

Personally, I’m still waiting for them to announce a mounting plate for the Galaxy Note 4 and then I’m all set to upgrade.