Take Photo

CM:  I came up with the SquidCam when I started noticing magnetic attached lenses on mobile phones, but I noticed typically one could not use a case while using these lenses. I’ve always liked building block toys and I realized that a case with a grid pattern to attach lenses would be awesome. The case alone would stand out itself and now add lenses, it immediately gave me the drive to start this product.

An iconic case design, built around the building block look + iPhone lenses kit.

CM:  The case started as a silicone case with the iPhone 4/4s and the inside of the case looking like suction cups. The rubber feel of the material reminded me of a mollusk like “octopus,” since Octopus was a little long, “squid” made more sense. Add the “cam” for camera and there you have it, “SquidCam.”

CM:  The lenses are bonded to the adapter piece - simply align and snap them on to the case. The fisheye lens has a 180-degree view, unscrew the fisheye lens for 15x macro. The wide angle has almost 2x the viewing range, unscrew the wide angle lens for the 10x macro.

CM:  We basically have the same functioning lenses 4in1: fisheye, wide angle and 10x/15x macro. The main difference is that my lenses attach by snapping on to the case. The lenses never touch the phone, so it cannot scratch the phone from repeated removal.

With the lenses attaching to the case, there is a little bit more vignetting/shadowing since there is more space between the lens and the camera. A lot of photographers like this effect for the fisheye and wide angle, but it can easily be worked around via zooming or post cropping.

Macro Sample © @trumaebelle

CM:  I want everyone who purchases a SquidCam to have the full experience, so all 4 lenses come together with the case. Replacement lenses can be purchased separately.

CM:  Yes I’m an active iPhoneographer. I’m the one and only curator on the @squidcam Instagram account. The SquidCam IG account has a lot of my customer’s SquidCam photos. For the product photos, those are all taken by me with the iPhone, I only use the iPhone and my lenses to take product pics of my product. Being a car hobbyist, the automotive related photos on my page are typically my personal photos.

CM:  I have thought about it, but my main priority is expanding the product line. For an app like that, I will definitely have to find an expert camera app developer team to create what I would like since app development is not my field of expertise. There are many apps out there which can be used to edit SquidCam fisheye and wide angle photos including the Olloclip app.

CM:  People love it, the case is so bold and speaks for itself and add the lens to the whole package; it serves as functional and fashionable. I always have people asking me about the case as they’ve never seen anything like it before.

CM:  I want to work on creating formal packaging for the product. By operating mainly through online sales, I haven’t needed formal retail product packaging. I think it will be a step to making the product experience better and is the first step towards possible retail sales.

CM:  It’s been a lot of work and I hope everyone can enjoy it. I’m definitely thankful for Instagram, the greater percentage of my orders come from Instagram alone and will continue to listen to my customers/fans on further developing the SquidCam.

I’m not saying we are the best, but the SquidCam does it with more flair!
Links: SquidCam / Twitter / Instagram / Facebook / Tumblr

Geri's First Impressions on SquidCam 

I didn't quite know what to expect when opening up my SquidCam packaging. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I really loved the case. Charles sent me a black case and and a red case along with the lenses and four colored blocks to spruce up my SquidCam. The case easily slipped right on my iPhone 5s and all openings perfectly aligned with the iPhone. I tested the Sleep/Wake and Volume buttons and everything worked. The case provides a nice bumper edge to my phone as well, so it not only looks cool, it protects as well.

Next, I had a look at the lenses. They fit very tightly on to the case and feel really secure. I shook the case up and down and the lenses didn't budge. I gave each of the lenses a test run as well. All shots were clear and crisp and the lenses each provided the expected results. I'm looking forward to trying them further the next time I head out on a photo shoot, especially the fisheye and wide angle.

Left to Right: Without SquidCam, 10X Macro, 15X Macro © Geri Centonze

If there is ever an update to the SquidCam case, I have only one suggestion. Currently you can attach one lens to the case for shooting and attach the other right next to it which makes it easy to switch lenses. I would love to be able to attach both lenses to the case. This would allow easy access to both lenses and still allow me to shoot without them as well.

I'd like to thank the following photographers who granted permission to post their photos - find their Instagram galleries here:
@trumaebelle
@antoinettemarrie
@lowerthenu