Title: Macro Photography as a Challenge: Why I Chose ShiftCam and the Results
I have been following ShiftCam's offerings with interest for quite some time now. Their ecosystem is fascinating, ranging from precision cases to professional lenses and accessories. While they primarily focus on Apple and Samsung phones, their universal S-Mount adapter opens doors for other brands as well.
I am also at the beginning of this new chapter. My work has been linked to the iPhone lens from the very start. I have gradually moved through models 13, 15, and I am now creating with the iPhone 16 Pro. It was therefore a natural step to choose accessories that utilize my phone's potential to the maximum. Even though everything starts with a special case, the ShiftCam 10x Traditional Macro lens has become the heart of my new hobby.
Why did I choose this path and where did my first steps with the new optics lead me? If you are interested in how to push the boundaries of mobile photography, keep reading.
This photograph was taken on January 18, 2026, during my trip to the Albert Rocks (Albertovy skály). To preserve that frosty beauty, the iPhone 16 Pro helped me in combination with the ShiftCam 10x Traditional Macro lens. It is a detailed shot of a frozen thistle and actually one of my very first macro photos in the field. I am really glad I didn't forget to bring this lens with me, because it allowed me to capture this incredible detail. But I'll tell you straight out, it's not easy at all. It requires a steady hand, patience, and a bit of luck with the light.
Who is ShiftCam and why are they changing the rules of mobile photography?
The ShiftCam brand did not arise from nothing. Their journey began in 2017, when a group of photography enthusiasts in Hong Kong presented their first revolutionary sliding lens case on Kickstarter. The goal was clear: to turn a mobile phone into a full-fledged camera that you always have with you.
Since then, they have come a long way. Today, they are no longer just an accessory manufacturer, but a technology leader that collects prestigious awards such as the Red Dot Design Award or CES Innovation Awards. Their quality is also confirmed by the fact that Apple itself chose them for its product range.
What I enjoy most about them is their emphasis on precision. While they started with a simple mechanism in a case, today's LensUltra series uses materials like fluorite glass, which you can find in professional DSLR lenses. No wonder that top mobile photographers from all over the world cooperate with them today. I was even more pleased when ShiftCam selected my macro photograph for its global selection of the best moments of January. On their profiles, they introduced it with words that exactly describe my journey as well:
“A few people started the new year strong - and they didn't play it safe. January highlights from the ShiftCam community: wide scenes, tighter frames, and macro-level texture that shows what's possible with smartphone photography.”
From unboxing to field creation
As soon as I put the ShiftCam case and lens into the cart, I couldn't wait. I was quite impatiently looking out for the courier because I couldn't wait to try shooting with such luxury optics. I watched a lot of videos on YouTube about how people use them in practice, and my expectations were huge.
As soon as the package arrived at my home, I was so excited about the content that I decided that these products 100% deserve an unboxing on my channel. What do you think? For my first unboxing, it's quite good, right? Although I admit that the slight nervousness from filming can be felt at times.
What can you expect in the future?
Disclaimer: This article is not a paid collaboration. I purchased the ShiftCam products with my own funds. My reviews and impressions are subjective, honest, and based on real-world field testing.
