Telephoto 10x LensUpdated 3 days ago
Getting Started with the Telephoto 10x Lens – SANDMARC
The Telephoto 10x Lens mounts on your iPhone's main wide-angle (1x) camera and delivers true 10x optical magnification at 240mm. It is compatible with all iPhone models from iPhone 7 onward and requires a SANDMARC case and a tripod. A tripod is not optional at this magnification. Start with Section 1 to confirm compatibility, then follow the setup steps before your first shoot.
1 Compatibility
The Telephoto 10x Lens is compatible with all iPhone models from iPhone 7 onward. It mounts on the main wide-angle (1x) camera via the threaded mount on a SANDMARC case. A case is required — no clip mount is included or compatible with this lens.
This lens is part of the Telephoto family (2x / 6x / 10x), which mounts on the main 1x camera. It is a different product from the Tetraprism family (48mm / 72mm / 96mm), which mounts on the dedicated telephoto camera found on iPhone 15 Pro Max and newer Pro models. It has a 40.5mm diameter and works with SANDMARC's ND, CPL, Drama PL, and Scape ND filters.
SANDMARC case and tripod required
The lens weighs 310g and is 183mm long, so it must be secured in the threaded aluminium mount of a SANDMARC case (sold separately). At 10x and a 10 degree field of view, even a steady breath causes visible shake — shoot from a tripod every time.
Minimum focus distance: 16 feet (5 metres)
The 10x Lens is built for distant subjects. Anything closer than 16 feet will not focus, regardless of the focus wheel position.
2 What's Included
Everything in the box.
- Telephoto 10x Lens (240mm, multi-coated glass) with adjustable focus wheel
- Filter Mount (for SANDMARC ND, CPL, Drama PL, and Scape ND filters)
- Lens Pouch (doubles as microfiber cleaning cloth)
- Front and Rear Lens Caps
Sold separately: SANDMARC case, tripod, and filters.
3 Camera Location Guide
The Telephoto 10x Lens mounts over the wide-angle (1x) camera via the SANDMARC case. Select your iPhone model to confirm the correct camera position.
| Model | Cameras | Wide Camera (1x) — Mount Here |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | 3 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| iPhone 18 Pro | 3 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| iPhone Duo | 2 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| Model | Cameras | Wide Camera (1x) — Mount Here |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | 3 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| iPhone 17 Pro | 3 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| iPhone Air | 1 rear camera | Bottom Camera |
| iPhone 17 | 2 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| Model | Cameras | Wide Camera (1x) — Mount Here |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | 3 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| iPhone 16 Pro | 3 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| iPhone 16 Plus | 2 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| iPhone 16 | 2 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| Model | Cameras | Wide Camera (1x) — Mount Here |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | 3 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| iPhone 15 Pro | 3 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| iPhone 15 Plus | 2 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| iPhone 15 | 2 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| Model | Cameras | Wide Camera (1x) — Mount Here |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | 3 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| iPhone 14 Pro | 3 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| iPhone 14 Plus | 2 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| iPhone 14 | 2 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| Model | Cameras | Wide Camera (1x) — Mount Here |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | 3 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| iPhone 13 Pro | 3 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| iPhone 13 Mini | 2 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| iPhone 13 | 2 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| Model | Cameras | Wide Camera (1x) — Mount Here |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | 3 rear cameras | Middle Camera |
| iPhone 12 Pro | 3 rear cameras | Middle Camera |
| iPhone 12 Mini | 2 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| iPhone 12 | 2 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| Model | Cameras | Wide Camera (1x) — Mount Here |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 11 Pro Max | 3 rear cameras | Middle Camera |
| iPhone 11 Pro | 3 rear cameras | Middle Camera |
| iPhone 11 | 2 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
Quick check
Open Camera and tap 1x — that's the camera to mount the lens over. For the sharpest results, keep Camera at 1x or 2x.
4 First Time Setup
Follow these steps carefully before your first shoot.
Thread the Telephoto 10x Lens into the aluminium lens mount on your SANDMARC case. Hand-tighten securely. The lens is 310g and 183mm long, heavier than most iPhones. Make sure the connection is firm before lifting the camera.
Use the SANDMARC Tripod or any tripod with a compatible phone mount. The combined weight of iPhone and lens approaches 500g+. Use a ball head for easy repositioning and tighten the head completely before pressing the shutter.
Open the Camera app and set to 1x for the sharpest results using the main sensor. On iPhone 15 Pro / 16 Pro / 17 Pro / 18 Pro, shooting at 2x (which uses the main 48MP sensor in crop mode) also delivers excellent quality.
Your subject must be at least 16 feet (5 metres) away. At a 10 degree field of view the frame is very narrow. Use slow, deliberate tripod adjustments to centre your shot.
Rotate the focus wheel on the barrel until your subject is sharp. At 10x the depth of field is extremely shallow. Turn slowly and check the screen before shooting — small adjustments make a significant difference.
Tap your subject on screen and hold to activate AE/AF Lock. Fire the shutter using the volume button or a Bluetooth remote. Tapping the screen at 10x introduces enough vibration to blur the shot even on a tripod.
5 Mounting and Stability
The 10x Lens requires a SANDMARC case and a tripod. At this magnification, no other setup reliably produces sharp results.
The 10x Lens threads into the precision aluminium mount on a SANDMARC case. This is the only mounting option. At 310g, the lens is too heavy for a clip to hold securely. Cases are sold separately.
At a 10 degree field of view, the slightest movement throws the subject out of frame entirely. Use the SANDMARC Tripod or any tripod with a compatible phone mount. For combined zoom beyond 10x, a tripod is mandatory.
6 Shooting Tips
Tips for getting the most out of 10x optical zoom.
Keep Camera at 1x or 2x for maximum optical quality. Both use the main 48MP sensor. Combining with the iPhone's built-in telephoto gives more reach but requires a tripod and works best for stationary subjects.
At 240mm the depth of field is extremely shallow. Always use the manual focus wheel rather than relying on autofocus. Dial slowly and check the screen before shooting.
Tap and hold to lock focus and exposure, then fire with the volume button or a Bluetooth remote. Even a gentle tap on the screen at 10x will blur the shot on a tripod.
At 240mm, backgrounds blur naturally and optically, not through software processing. Position your subject against a background with texture or depth and let the optical compression do the work.
The included filter mount lets you attach SANDMARC's ND, CPL, Drama PL, and Scape ND filters. An ND filter is especially useful for slowing shutter speed in bright conditions for smooth video panning or long-exposure landscapes.
Multi-coated glass maximises light transmission without the noise that iPhone's digital zoom produces at night. On a tripod with a longer exposure, the 10x Lens captures city lights, stadium shots, and night landscapes at distance with excellent clarity.
7 Telephoto 10x vs 6x vs 2x
All three lenses in the Telephoto family mount on the main 1x wide camera and deliver optical zoom superior to digital zoom. They cover very different working distances, subjects, and shooting styles.
The 2x (58mm) is the versatile everyday lens, handheld-friendly and great for portraits, street, and events. The 6x (144mm) reaches further and is ideal for wildlife and sports from a distance with a tripod. The 10x (240mm) is SANDMARC's most powerful zoom, built for maximum reach: birds in flight, distant landmarks, stadium action from the back row, and mountain ridgelines where even the 6x isn't close enough.
| Telephoto 10x (240mm) | Telephoto 6x (144mm) | Telephoto 2x (58mm) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnification | 10x (up to 50x with 5x camera) | 6x (up to 12x) | 2x (up to 6x) |
| Focal length | 240mm | 144mm | 58mm |
| Field of view | 10 deg | 17 deg | 52 deg |
| Min. focus distance | 16 ft (5m) | 16 ft (5m) | 30cm (1 ft) |
| Tripod required | Yes, essential for all shooting | Yes, strongly recommended | No, works well handheld |
| Focus control | Manual focus wheel | Manual focus wheel | iPhone autofocus |
| Filter mount | Included in box | Not included | 40.5mm step-up ring required |
| Best for | Extreme reach: birds, distant stadiums, mountain ridges | Wildlife, sports, distant architecture | Portraits, street, events, travel |
Not sure which to choose?
Choose the 2x for nearby or moving subjects up to around 30 metres away. Choose the 6x for subjects further away that are mostly stationary. Choose the 10x if maximum reach is the priority and you always shoot from a tripod.
▶ Video Tutorial
Watch the full getting started video for a guided walkthrough of the Telephoto 10x Lens, covering mounting, focus wheel, camera settings, and how to get the sharpest results at extreme zoom.