iPhone 15 Pro Max with Moment Lenses | Compatibility & Example Images

Since the iPhone's inception, it has consistently upped the ante on mobile photography. And with every iPhone release, mobile lens companies scurry to innovate. Today, we'll delve deep into an honest, hands-on experience of using Moment’s T-Series and M-Series mobile lenses with Apple’s latest flagship: the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Will the external lenses enhance or outshine the iPhone’s built-in cameras? Are the lenses even compatible? Let’s find out.

First Impressions

The sleek allure of the iPhone 15 Pro Max is undeniable. But the question on many creators’ minds is whether Moment mobile lenses, from either the M-Series or T-Series generation, can match or surpass the built-in lenses from Apple. The landscapes and vibrancy of Vancouver provided an idyllic backdrop for this experiment, enabling an extensive range of photography or filmmaking styles and scenes. Below, you’ll see a ton of example imagery across both generations of mobile lenses, including a FAQ section for those needing more technical information.

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1. Fisheye 14mm Lens: PURE, Sharp Goodness

Location Highlight: Vancouver Aquarium and Granville Island's architecture.

One can't help but be mesmerized by fisheye lenses' unique, expansive viewpoint. Coupled with the iPhone 15's capabilities, the result is nothing short of breathtaking (and way higher quality than the .5x lenses on Apple’s newer models). We captured Vancouver’s cityscapes in unique perspectives with the Fisheye 14mm lens, both in M-series AND T-Series! The results were crisp, detailed, and high quality, even in tricky lighting scenarios.

However, a pro tip for fellow photographers: when using Moment lenses with the native iOS app, remember to disable macro mode. This prevents any software glitches that arise when trying to switch between the lenses. For a more seamless experience, we recommend using the Moment Pro Camera App for all our lenses.

2. Macro 10x Lens: Built-in vs. Moment 10x Macro

Location Highlight: Granville Island’s intricacies.

Granville Island presented a playground for the macro lenses. Whether it was the intricate textures in the local shops or the delicate details of blooming flowers, the built-in and Moment macro lenses had their moments of glory.

We’ve fallen in love with the Macro perspective from our mobile camera phones (available in both M-Series and T-Series). Our lenses grant closer access to your subject without unwarranted blurriness or artificial manipulations caused by the software’s intelligence. Our Macro 10x mobile lenses are crafted with pure glass to magnify texture and detail unseen by the naked eye.

3. Tele 58mm Lens: Portraits and Scenery

Location Ideas: Beautiful telephoto shots or portraits can happen anywhere — an open field, a serene park, or a rooftop with a view. We took these babies all around town.

Comparing Moment's Tele lens with the built-in telephoto lenses was intriguing. While portraits exuded depth and character, viewing Downtown Vancouver from North Vancouver added an extra layer of challenge to the mix.

We strongly prefer using actual lenses instead of relying on digital enhancements. While the 3x and 5x zoom capabilities of the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro-Max are impressive, the Tele 58mm lens offers distinct advantages. It lets you get closer to your subject without the vignetting seen in Apple's cameras and delivers consistently high quality in different lighting conditions. Attaching our Tele 58mm lens to any of the iPhone 15's standard cameras allows you to achieve a clear and sharp F/1.4 aperture, resulting in stunning bokeh and 48MP resolution images.

Pro Tip: Our lenses do not work over the 3x or 5x telephone lenses on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but they work over the 1x and 2x zoom cameras.

4. Wide 18mm Lens: Classic Perspectives

Location Ideas: Vancouer's Cityline

Our company was founded on creating the classic 18mm Wide Lens, and it's incredible to reflect on our journey since then. When you mount this 18mm lens over the iPhone 15's primary camera, it offers superior aperture quality and more control over your shots. Our lens provides a much more pleasing view than the phone's built-in 16mm ultra-wide perspective.

Check our photo examples below, showing the full image of the T-Series vs. 1x on the iPhone, then a 200% digital crop. The T-Series is damn sharp.

5. Anamorphic 1.33x and 1.55x Lenses

The iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts one of Apple's most remarkable camera systems for mobile filmmakers to date. Its 4K ProRes video in the LOG color profile is especially noteworthy. When paired with our Gold Flare or Blue Flare Anamorphic lens, it delivers a breathtaking cinematic experience. The visuals are so compelling that they can even be compared to our Sony FX3's output. 

However, we did notice some pretty distinct vignetting and fuzziness on either M-Series Anamorphic lens attached to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. With this knowledge, we highly recommend using the T-Series anamorphic lenses with the latest iPhone 15 lineup.

The Grand Finale: M-Series vs. T-Series

As our adventure around Canada neared its end, the team gathered, eager to review our photos and footage on a bigger screen. The vibrant display and detailed video shots were a testament to both the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Moment’s lenses, and the images were truly noteworthy after a few hours of pixel-peeping.

Compatibility

Long story short, both the M-Series and T-Series lens lineups work beautifully on Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max. All you need is a Moment case and a lens of your choice to mount to your case and viola. However, it's in our best interest to give you the best opinions and feedback surrounding our products and their compatibility. So, while the M-series does work on the latest generation of iPhone 15 camera phones, our latest and greatest T-Series lenses do offer a clearer and vignette-free experience across both the Macro, Tele, Wide, Fisheye, and especially the Anarmophic mobile lenses. If you already own the M-Series, perfect! But, like all tech, we suggest upgrading if you can for the most optimal compatibility.

Below is a list of some FAQs we often receive in the inbox:

Q: Can I use the T-series mount with M-series lenses and vice versa?

Our lens mounts are not cross-compatible because the T-series lenses feature a 25% larger glass size, resulting in a larger mount opening. Consequently, it is impossible to attach the lens

Q: Can I use the 58mm and a T-Series lens on the 5x Tele camera?

The T/M-Series 58mm Tele is incompatible with the 5x 120mm iPhone 15 Pro Max lens.

Q: How do the M-series lenses work with the 24mm FOV on the main sensor? Is there any significant vignetting?

The M-Series lenses do have vignetting and softness around the corners of the frame at 24mm.

Q: How do the M-series lenses work with the 28mm FOV on the main sensor?

It looks slightly better but still notice softness at 28mm as well.

Q: What’s the overall sharpness of the M-series versions on the main sensor?

Overall the M-series is significantly soft on the 15 pro and pro max; the only lens still very clean is the M-series macro.

Ultimately, for those in a quandary between the M-Series and T-Series, the results from our test lean more toward personal preference. Both have their unique strengths, and the best pick ultimately boils down to the individual photographer's needs and style.

Closing Thoughts

Moment's T-Series lenses, when combined with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, offer a versatile photography experience. While the iPhone's built-in lenses are formidable in their own right, Moment's lenses offer a fresh perspective, ensuring that mobile photography remains an ever-evolving art with the highest quality imaginable using real glass and better optics. Whether you're a pro or just dabbling in photography, this combo is worth exploring.