Telephoto 2x Lens (58mm)Updated a month ago
Telephoto 2× Lens – Getting Started | SANDMARC
Everything you need to set up and start shooting with the SANDMARC Telephoto 2× Lens — 2× optical zoom with multi-coated glass for portraits, street photography, and reaching subjects from a comfortable distance.
▶ Video Tutorial
Watch the full getting started video for a guided walkthrough of the SANDMARC Telephoto 2× Lens — mounting, camera settings, and shooting techniques.
1 Compatibility
The Telephoto 2× Lens is compatible with all iPhone models and most Android devices. It attaches via the SANDMARC case mount or the included clip mount, and works on both the rear and front-facing cameras.
2 Camera Location Guide
The Telephoto 2× Lens mounts over the wide-angle (1×) camera. Select your iPhone model below to confirm the correct camera position.
| Model | Cameras | Wide Camera (1×) — Mount Here |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | 3 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| iPhone 17 Pro | 3 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| iPhone 17 Air | 1 rear camera | Bottom Camera |
| iPhone 17 | 2 rear cameras | Bottom Camera |
| Model | Cameras | Wide Camera (1×) — 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 (1×) — 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 (1×) — 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 (1×) — 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 (1×) — 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 (1×) — 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 |
3 First Time Setup
The Telephoto 2× Lens is straightforward to set up — attach, align, and shoot at 1×. Follow these steps for your first use.
Mount the Telephoto 2× Lens using your SANDMARC case (screw it into the threaded aluminium mount) or clip it directly over the 1× wide-angle camera using the included clip mount. Refer to the Camera Location Guide above for your exact model.
Open the iPhone Camera app and ensure it is set to 1×. The Telephoto Lens handles the optical zoom — keeping Camera at 1× gives you the best quality 2× result. Do not tap the 0.5× ultrawide or any telephoto zoom option.
Tap your subject on screen to set focus and exposure. For portraits or static subjects, tap and hold to lock AE/AF. At 2× magnification, iPhone autofocus performs very well — you can also leave autofocus active for moving subjects.
The Telephoto 2× Lens has a minimum focus distance of 30cm (approximately 1 foot). If you are closer than this to your subject, the image will not be able to focus. Step back slightly if you notice the image is persistently soft.
The Telephoto 2× Lens works well handheld for most subjects. For fast-moving or distant subjects, use the Film Rig or Creator Grip for added stability. See the Shooting Tips section for more detail.
4 Mounting Options
Three mounting options are available. The Telephoto 2× Lens also accepts standard 40.5mm filters via a step-up ring.
The SANDMARC case features a precision-threaded aluminium insert aligned over the wide-angle camera. Most secure option — ideal for daily shooting, travel, and longer sessions.
Clips directly over any iPhone or Android camera without a case. Quick to attach and remove — suitable for occasional use or switching between devices.
The Telephoto 2× Lens has a 40.6mm outer thread, accepting SANDMARC's full filter lineup — ND, CPL, and Drama PL — via a standard 40.5mm step-up ring.
5 Shooting Tips
Practical tips for getting the best results from the Telephoto 2× Lens across portraits, street, events, and moving subjects.
Keep Camera set to 1× at all times when the Telephoto Lens is attached. The lens provides the optical zoom — tapping into any additional digital zoom will compound image quality loss.
58mm is a classically flattering focal length for portraits — it compresses the background gently, creates natural subject separation, and avoids the distortion that a wide-angle lens introduces to faces. Keep your distance at 1 metre or more for the most natural results.
Unlike the 6× lens, the 2× is forgiving enough to use handheld for both static and moving subjects. For added stability when tracking movement, use the SANDMARC Film Rig or Creator Grip to reduce natural hand shake.
The 2× reach lets you capture candid scenes from a comfortable distance without drawing attention or distorting your subjects. The 52° field of view is tight enough to isolate your subject from a busy background while still including environmental context.
At 58mm, backgrounds appear slightly closer to your subject than they do at 1×. Use this intentionally — position a textured wall, a busy street, or a landscape behind your subject to create a more layered, professional-looking image.
Multi-coated glass maximises sharpness and contrast, but fingerprints and dust still show up in your shots. Wipe the front element with the included lens pouch before every shoot, especially in bright or backlit conditions where smears become most visible.
6 Telephoto 2× vs Telephoto 6×
SANDMARC makes two telephoto lenses: the 2× (58mm) and the 6× (144mm). Both zoom in optically, but they serve meaningfully different use cases — and the right choice depends on your subject, your distance from it, and how you're shooting.
The 2× lens is the more versatile of the two. It works well handheld, handles moving subjects easily, can focus as close as 30cm, and produces a natural 58mm perspective ideal for portraits, street, events, and travel. It's the everyday telephoto — reach without restriction.
The 6× lens is a specialist tool. At 144mm it brings distant subjects much closer, but requires a tripod in most cases, has a minimum focus distance of 16 feet, and produces significant background compression that makes distant elements appear to loom behind your subject. It's best for wildlife, sports, and architecture where your subject is far away and stationary enough to frame carefully.
| Telephoto 2× (58mm) | Telephoto 6× (144mm) | |
|---|---|---|
| Magnification | 2× (up to 6× with app) | 6× (up to 12× with app) |
| Focal length | 58mm | 144mm |
| Min. focus distance | 30cm (1 ft) | ~5m (16 ft) |
| Handheld use | Yes — works well handheld | Tripod usually required |
| Moving subjects | Yes — easy to reframe | Difficult — static subjects preferred |
| Background compression | Moderate — natural-looking | Strong — background looms close |
| Best for | Portraits, street, events, travel, buildings | Wildlife, sports, distant subjects, moon |
| Filter compatible | Yes — 40.5mm step-up ring | Yes — 40.5mm step-up ring |
7 What's Included
Everything needed to start shooting is in the box.
- 1 Telephoto 2× Lens (58mm, multi-coated glass)
- 2 Clip-on Mount
- 3 Lens Pouch (doubles as microfiber cleaning cloth)
- 4 Front & Rear Lens Caps