Moment Macro 10x Mobile Lens II review: A tiny lens that reveals a whole new world of smartphone photography

One of the things I've always found particularly interesting about macro photography is how it can turn even the most ordinary objects into something worth photographing. The texture of a leaf, the fibers of a piece of fabric, or the tiny details of an insect can all become surprisingly fascinating when viewed at extreme magnification.

Smartphones have become increasingly capable at close-up photography, with many modern models offering dedicated macro modes that allow users to capture subjects just a few centimeters away. However, these modes often rely on ultra-wide cameras with smaller sensors, and their close-focusing capabilities still have limitations.

Moment's Macro 10x is designed to push smartphone macro photography further, using an optical attachment to enable extreme close-ups through the phone's main camera.

Moment also offers the Macro 75mm, although the two lenses are designed for quite different styles of photography. While the 75mm prioritizes a longer working distance and more natural subject separation, the Macro 10x is all about getting as close as possible.

Specifications

Price and availability

The Moment Macro 10x is priced at $150 / £150. That's a significant investment for a specialist close-up accessory, particularly when modern smartphones already feature increasingly capable macro photography modes. But if you really want some extreme details and textures, though, the Macro 10x is a relatively accessible way to explore a specialist area of photography.

As with Moment's other lenses, you'll need a compatible T-Series mounting system, so the total investment will be slightly higher if you're starting from scratch.

I think the biggest consideration is whether you specifically want this level of magnification, as the Macro 75mm offers a more practical working distance for many everyday subjects.

Design

The Moment Macro 10x is one of the smallest and lightest lenses in the company's collection, weighing just 35.5g without the included diffuser hood.

The lens uses an aluminum housing with optical glass, and the black finish follows the same understated styling as Moment's other T-Series accessories. There are no physical controls, with the smartphone handling focusing and exposure. It looks like a miniature camera lens, although considerably smaller than the company's telephoto and longer macro options.

There is also an included removable diffuser hood. At extremely close macro distances, lighting can become a considerable problem because the phone and lens are positioned so close to the subject that they can easily block the available light.

The diffuser hood is designed to soften and distribute light more evenly, reducing harsh shadows and helping maintain more consistent illumination.

It also serves as a physical guide for positioning the camera at approximately the correct working distance, which is a particularly useful feature when focusing at such close distances.

Attachment is handled through the T-Series mounting system, with a twist-lock mechanism securing the lens over the smartphone's main camera. This requires a compatible case or mounting adapter, but the system provides more precise alignment than a conventional clip-on accessory.

Performance

The Macro 10x is designed to capture extreme close-up details, and its greatest attraction is the opportunity to photograph subjects that would otherwise be almost impossible to appreciate with the naked eye.

Everyday objects become much more interesting when viewed at this scale. Flowers, fabrics, food, insects, and small product details are all obvious subjects, although the lens also opens up opportunities for more experimental photography.

The most significant consideration is the working distance. Moment specifies a minimum focusing distance of approximately 15mm, which means the camera needs to be positioned extremely close to whatever you're photographing.

This is manageable for stationary subjects, but considerably less practical when photographing insects or other small creatures that are likely to move.

Lighting also becomes a challenge, as the phone can easily cast shadows across the subject, particularly when photographing objects on flat surfaces. The included diffuser hood helps address this, although photographers may still need to think carefully about the direction and intensity of their lighting.

Depth of field is another thing to keep in mind. At extreme macro distances, the area of the image that appears acceptably sharp can become incredibly shallow, meaning even slight movement can affect the focus.

Verdict

The Moment Macro 10x is a particularly enjoyable accessory because it reveals photographic opportunities in subjects that your camera can't otherwise show you. Its extreme close-focusing capabilities make it well-suited to textures and small details.

I also think the included diffuser hood deserves praise, as it addresses one of the more frustrating aspects of macro photography. However, the short working distance is a significant limitation, particularly if you're interested in photographing living subjects. It's also a lens that requires patience, with careful focusing and lighting becoming much more important than they are for conventional smartphone photography.

For anyone who specifically enjoys extreme macro photography, there's a lot to like here. However, if I were recommending just one of Moment's two macro lenses, I would choose the 75mm for its more versatile working distance.