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13 must-have iPhone camera accessories

These accessories will help you take your iPhone photos to a higher level.

By Ian Paul, TechHive

Boost your mobile shots

As photographer Chase Jarvis once said, "The best camera is the one that's along." And, thanks to iPhone and Android smartphones, many of us always have a camera with these. These cameras are constantly getting better—the original iPhone shipped with a 2-megapixel camera, whilst the newest iPhone 5 sports an 8-megapixel shooter.

Still, there's always room for improvement. If you want to take your iPhone photos to a higher level , check out this collection of must-have iPhone camera accessories. For Android phone users, you will find a set of universal external lenses as well as other products for the handset.

Kogeto Dot

Take 360-degree panoramic video with your iPhone 5, 4S, or 4 using Kogeto's Dot snap-on accessory lens and Looker , a free companion app in the iTunes Store. Dot will come in black, green, pink, or red. The iPhone 5 model is $50 along with the iPhone 4 and 4S model is $40.

Olloclip

The Olloclip three-in-one camera lens for iPhone 5, 4S, and 4 features fish-eye, wide-angle, and macro lenses a single small package. The lens system clips snugly on the side of your handset, but is not works with protective cases or screen protectors. Olloclip comes in black, white, or red for $70.

iPhone SLR Mount

Online photo accessory store Photojojo offers two mounts used to attach Canon EOS or Nikon SLR lenses in your iPhone 5, 4S, and 4. Photojojo warns that you will find to make several small adjustments to get the iPhone along with your lens in sync when centering on your subject. The iPhone SLR Mount is available for $249.

Flip Cage with iPhone 4/4S/3GS Mount

Phone types: iPhone 4, 4S, or 3GS

Starting price: $30

Photographic accessory maker Gary Fong sells this folding tabletop stand with a mount for your iPhone 4, 4S, or 3GS. The flip cage can be utilized as a tabletop tripod, and you can also use the iPod mount to secure your phone with a larger tripod. The flip cage also holds point-and-shoot cameras.

Factron Quattro

This iPhone case produced from duralumin —an aluminum alloy found in aircraft construction—comes with a camera mount that could fit specially made interchangeable external lenses. Available lenses, sold separately, include close-up, wide-angle, and fish-eye. The Quattro features a calfskin leather backing with several unique designs, like lizard and crocodile. While the Quattro may be a good case when planning on taking pictures using your iPhone, it isn't really so great for other purposes. The manufacturer warns that the aluminum case may restrict the iPhone's reception of Wi-Fi, GPS, and cellular signals.

6X Telescope with Crystal Case for iPhone 4S/4

Phone types: iPhone 4S, 4

If you're planning on taking photos from distant, read this telephoto lens from USB Fever. The "Telescope" lens has a fixed 6X zoom, therefore it is only when planning on taking pictures from the distance. The lens also comes using a translucent case that connects to the lens, along with a neck strap.

Glif Tripod Mount & Stand For iPhone 4/4S and 5

Phone type: iPhone 5, 4S, 4

If you already have a tripod and you need a way to mount your iPhone to it, simply visit the Glif from Studio Neat This simple tripod mount is made from rubberized plastic and features a thread which fits most standard tripod mounts. You can also use the Glif as a tabletop are a symbol of hands-free reading or video viewing on the phone.

Zgrip iPhone Jr

Starting price: $69

The Zgrip iPhone Jr helps budding iPhone cinematographers stabilize their camera for a clearer picture. The device features a fixed claw placed on a handgrip for mobile shooting. The handgrip also has a thread on the bottom which will fit most tripods, as well as a thread in the top for mounting lighting equipment. The claw is made to not obstruct your iPhone camera lens.

ZoomIt SD Card Reader

Starting price: $60

The ZoomIt SD card reader will not help you take better photos, but it will assist you to get photos coming from a camera on to your handset faster than syncing using your computer. The ZoomIt plugs into your iPhone's dock connector to help you to import photos on to your device, where one can then upload them for your favorite social networking. The ZoomIt supports various media file types including audio, video, standard document types (DOC, XLS, PDF), and images.

Photojojo iPhone and Android Lens Series

Phone types: Android, iPhone 5, 4S, 4, other camera phones

Starting price: $20

These four lenses—fisheye, telephoto, wide angle, macro—improve shots taken with virtually any camera phone. The lenses make use of a detachable magnetic ring to match up with your camera's built-in lens. Each lens is sold separately for $20 each (fisheye is $25), however, you can buy your entire set for $49.

Joby GripTight GorillaPod Stand

Starting price: $30

This GorillaPod tripod from Joby lets you are taking photos from any angle you can imagine. GorillaPod's flexible and wrappable legs allow you to secure your phone to some tree branch, metal pole, and other structures. You can also have GorillaPod being a phone stand for reading or watching videos.

iFlash

Starting price: $13

If you need to add a somewhat more brightness in your iPhone photography, Cyanics has an LED flash called iFlash that adds an external camera flash to iPhones (versions 4, 3GS, and 3G). You can also employ iFlash in "Torch mode" for any constant light source—the device can double as a flashlight. The iFlash is battery-free, drawing its power through the iPhone. It will come in white or black.

Griffin Clarifi for iPhone 3G and 3GS

Phone type: iPhone 3G, 3GS

Starting price: $10

Clarifi , from mobile device case maker Griffin, features a built-in close-up lens the manufacturer says boosts the camera resolution of the iPhone 3G and 3GS. You can use Clarifi's lens to obtain a clearer photo taken from as close as 4 inches away from your subject.

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