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Wide-angle magnetic lenses for pocket digital camera. Pros and Con

By Pacita Dimacali

Real Estate Agent with Alain Pinel BRE 01367196

August 03, 2009 07:08 AM

Since I won the Magnetic Lenses to give my pocket digital camera wide-angle capability, I happily logged on and ordered it. Even if I had to pay for it, it may be worth it, for only $39.95! I had to check it out.

Simple to use lenses for use on multiple cameras

lens ring with casio ex-s770 magnetic lens with casio exilim s770 lens on camera lens next to digital camera

PROS: Definitely gave me greater depth. Easy to mount -- magnetic ring with adhesive attaches to outer rim of lens. And lens adheres to the ring and stays there! Lightweight lens.

CON: Visible rounded corners have to be cropped. Need to make allowances for what will be cropped out. More time spent cropping!

UPDATE: A Magnetic Lenses support person name Josh made a simple recommendation that solves this problem: Zoom in just a tad until the corners disappear. You will still have a good wide-angle picture photo. And indeed, it worked!

UPDATE: Found a Youtube video using Magnetic Lenses on a camcorder, and comparing it with the manufacturer (Sony)'s own lenses for that specific camcorder. You can use Magnetic Lenses with your Flip, too! As the Magnetic lens guy says, just zoom in a tad and the round corners wll disappear. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6s7cOr6084

UPDATE November 2009: Some folks who ordered their Magnetic Lenses report that they have not received their lenses, nor can they get through to anyone at the company for a resolution.

Photo without magnetic lens

Photo with magnetic lens

Photo, cropped

MORE BEFORE/AFTER CROPPING. I also tried interior shots. I hate those pictures where all one can get is a picture of a corner of the room. This one I took from one end and managed to get more room in the picture. If I use this, I will definitely have to look at it from the point of view of how much i need to crop from the picture so that it looks presentable.

OR, as the Magnetic Lens' Josh said, just zoom in a tad....this gets rid of the rounded corners without losing too much of the photo. It works!

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Nelson Bermas

EXIT Real Estate Consultants - Lexington, SC

Your Lexington REALTOR®

Thanks for the tips on the lenses. A wider lense does make a big difference.

Sep 05, 2009 02:51 AM

Pacita Dimacali

Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA

Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Nelson, you're quite welcome.

Although we CAN hire professionals to shoot still pictures and create a tour (like CirclePix does), it still helps to know how to do a few simple things. But the most important thing to remember is to make sure that before we activate a listing, that we have photos to upload.

Take care.

Sep 05, 2009 05:03 AM

Christopher Kimball

Christopher Kimball Photography - Saint Augustine, FL

This is the second time I have seen images from that lens. The first was some my father in law (who is a realtor) took and then these. Guess what? They both have the soft, blurry edges and the distortion throughout the image.

I do understand that sometimes money is short but this lens seems to be very low quality since this is the second one producing soft images. Clip on or stick on as it maybe, and $39 for the lens should tell you something.

Sep 07, 2009 01:46 PM

Team Honeycutt

Allen Tate - Concord, NC

Sounds to good to be true. But I believe you. I am on my way to find one tonight.

Thanks for the great information.

Margaret

Sep 10, 2009 08:57 AM

Pacita Dimacali

Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA

Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Christopher -- the most important thing is by the time we upload the listing, we have at least a few decent pictures to post. Depending on one's budget, time, and availability of other resources (like having better/bigger/more expensive photography equipment), it's good to know we have some inexpensive, efficient, effectie and alternative tools.

Margaret --- order onlne. I don't know that you can find this in stores. Good luck!

Sep 10, 2009 09:12 AM

Gretchen Jolly

Benchmark Realty, LLC - Nashville, TN

REALTOR

WATCH OUT!!! I ordered the same lens a month ago after seeing it at a REALTOR.com seminar too and was charged for it and it was never delivered. The company is not responding to calls, emails, faxes, etc. Even tried sister businesses that the owner is affiliated with. WHILE IT SOUNDS LIKE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN A GOOD THING ONCE---THIS IS A FRAUDULENT OFFER NOW!!!

Oct 13, 2009 05:24 AM

Pacita Dimacali

Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA

Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Gretchen -- sorry about that....I wonder what happened to them? I won the lenses from the REALTOR.com seminar, and have actually communicated with someone regarding adjustment and they were responsive.

Probably should tell Max Pigman (Realtor.com) at http://maxpigman.com/ about this since it was he he showed it at the seminar.

Oct 13, 2009 05:32 AM

Cynthia Conlon, CRS, ABR, ABRM

Exit Realty Of Cape Cod - Yarmouth, MA

We also saw this lens at the Realtor.com seminar and ordered it in early September. We were also charged for it and didn't receive anything. The company has not responded to Calls, faxes, e-mails and when I looked them up on the Better Busines Bureau if Florida, they have a F Rating.

I have filed a complaint with the BBB, but doubt they will do anything as this company doesn't belong.

BEWARE- They are scam artists.

Nov 07, 2009 09:31 AM

Pacita Dimacali

Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA

Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Cynthia - that's too bad. I've contacted Max Pigman (who introduced this to the seminar) to let him know.

Nov 07, 2009 09:36 AM

Jon Snow

EXIT Professional Real Estate - King George, VA

Wish I had read this blog before I ordered. I ordered and never received anything! They do not respond to any faxes, emails. I have contacted my dispute resolution department with VISA.

bottom line MAGNETICLENESES.COM is a SCAM! Spread the word.

Nov 11, 2009 07:28 AM

Pacita Dimacali

Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA

Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Jonathan -- sorry you had problems with them. I emailed Max Pigman via his website to alert him about this so that he will avoid promoting the company during his seminars.

Nov 11, 2009 09:43 AM

Kim Olson

RE/MAX Results - Minneapolis, MN

I too was referred to this website during Max's presentation. I ordered the lenses on 10/15 and received an email confirmation that it would be there in 5-7 business days. After 10 business days I emailed support and Josh - no response. I tried emailing directly from their website on 11/13 - still no response. There is no phone number on their website - just a fax #. However, I clicked on the link for the website designer and they have the same fax # and a phone #. When I called the number it was directed to a voice mail that converts your message to an email before delivering to the recipient. Now that I have read that several others have been dooped by this company I will be contacting my credit card company to dispute the charge. How disappointing. The only good news is that my camera has since broke and I will just buy a nice one with a wide angle option if it cannot be repaired. :o)

Nov 16, 2009 11:04 AM

Pacita Dimacali

Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA

Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Kim ----

I have already posted on Max Pigman's blog about these lenses, and I hope he stops promoting them on his presentations. I guess I will do it again.

Nov 16, 2009 04:57 PM

Carina Woolrich

Advantage Chatuge Realty - Hayesville, NC

Advantage Chatuge Realty

Carina Woolrich Pacita, Great blog. I'm a professional photographer, virtual tour provider, and a Realtor. I'd never heard of these lenses until I got a comment about them on my blog. I Googled them to see what they were and found you! I'm not completely versed on blogging etiquette yet, but I wanted to let you know that I cited this blog on my comments added a link to it. If you'd like to check it out, just go to my blog. It's my second post, part 2. I look forward to seeing more of your posts!

Jan 25, 2010 04:22 AM

Pacita Dimacali

Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA

Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Hi, Carina I like the magnetic lens that I received. It's an inexpensive solution, soft edges or not.

Feb 01, 2010 06:52 PM

Eric Crawford

EXIT Realty Leading Edge - Grovetown, GA

Carina I am sad to say I ordered the lens in October 2009. I have not received the lens and the owner Mr. Merth (the owner) will not respond to my emails or phone calls. Magnetic Lenses acknowledged they have my money. I have reported them to the BBB and the FTC. Please be careful with this company.

Feb 06, 2010 02:24 AM

Pacita Dimacali

Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA

Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Eric I'm sad, too, about this company's unresponsiveness. Guess I should be thankful I have the lenses.

Feb 07, 2010 04:43 PM

John Cobb, REALTOR - Warner Robins Georgia Homes for Sale

Fickling & Company - Warner Robins, GA

Subdivisions, Foreclosures, Real Estate, New Homes

I want one. I went to https://www.magneticlenses.com and the webpage is no longer available. I wonder if they went out of business? I still want one if someone has one they wish to sell - just let me know.

Mar 08, 2010 05:58 AM

Pacita Dimacali

Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA

Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

John, I googled magnetic or clip on wide angle lenses, and found this http://www.accessorycircut.com/productdetail.asp?productid=547&refid=goog

Check it out

Mar 08, 2010 05:56 PM

FRANK LL0SA Esq.- Northern Virginia Broker .:. FranklyRealty.com

Northern Virginia Homes - FRANKLY REAL ESTATE Inc - Arlington, VA

I found a $20 version on ebay that has no vignetting and is an iphone magnetic lens. Can't wait to try it.

Apr 03, 2012 03:20 PM