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Bower Wide Angle Magnetic Lens (.45x)
- Price: $21.35
- Free Shipping (USA)
- In Stock
- B&H # BOLWA45
- Mfr# VLMWF
Product Highlights
- Designed for Flip Video
- Attaches Easily with Magnetic Design
- Tether Included
Bower's .45x Wide Angle Magnetic Lens is designed for use with your Flip Video camera. This magnetic lens easily attaches to the Ultra, Mino, UltraHD, MinoHD, and SlideHD, and stays put thanks to the included tether and metal adapter rings. Capture more of the scene in your videos with this sturdy and affordable accessory for the popular Flip line of video cameras.
- Designed for Flip Video camcorders: Ultra, Mino, UltraHD, MinoHD, SlideHD
- Provides .45x magnification for your Flip video capture
- Attaches to Flip Video camcorders magnetically, with ease
- Included tether keeps lens attached to the camera, even when it's not in use
| Magnification | .45x |
| Zoom Through | No |
| Rear Mount Diameter | Magnetic diameter 0.8" (2.1cm) |
| Front Mount Diameter | N/A |
| Construction, Elements/Groups | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Lens Diameter | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Length | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Weight | Not specified by manufacturer |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 26 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
92%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to use (23)
- Interfaces well with camcorder (9)
- Great picture quality (7)
- Compact (6)
- Improves picture quality (5)
Cons
Best Uses
- Close up filming (9)
- Home movies (9)
- Shooting indoors (9)
- HD shooting (6)
- Panoramic filming (6)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Casual user (6), Tech savvy (5), Enthusiast (4), Film professional (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (23)
Most Liked Positive Review
Easy to Install and use
I love the Flip Cam Ultra HD and often viewed online tutorials on how to modify the camera for wide angle lens. This does the job by affixing a magnetic hoop to the rim of...Read complete review
I love the Flip Cam Ultra HD and often viewed online tutorials on how to modify the camera for wide angle lens. This does the job by affixing a magnetic hoop to the rim of the lens. The lens sets to the camera with the magnet and it can be easily put on or removed. Comes with a strap to hang it on the camera and a cloth carrying case. You can achieve wide angle shots on the Flip without voiding your warranty.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Works as advertised......BUT
I have used the lens on a Flip during a couple of trips and around the house. The lens does improve the quality of your movies, but there is a big downside while travelling....Read complete review
I have used the lens on a Flip during a couple of trips and around the house. The lens does improve the quality of your movies, but there is a big downside while travelling. The magnet is not as strong as I would like, which means that you must be very careful when handling the camera. The lens can easily be detached from the camera because of the weak magnet. The "safety" cord that comes with lens is basically useless in terms of offering protection because the O-ring is not a tight fit on the lens. Finally, to safely carry the camera, while sightseeing, I detach and then reattached when you want to take a clip. What a pain, but I don't want to drop or lose the lens. However, I would recommend this lens if you are not on the go when taking clips. The lens does significantly improve picture quality.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 26 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Adds Versatility
- Easy To Use
- Interfaces Well With Camcorder
Cons
Best Uses
- Close Up Filming
- Shooting Indoors
Comments about Bower Wide Angle Magnetic Lens (.45x):
I was warned by other reviews that the picture would not be hugely different, and that is the case.
However, this lens does give you a good option for close shots or shots where you can't back up further to widen the field of view.
Installation was simple as can be, and overall, I'm quite impressed. I tad wider picture would be nice, but let's face it, we're talking about an add-on lens for a tiny camera - well done.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Interfaces Well With Camcorder
Cons
Best Uses
- Close Up Filming
- Shooting Indoors
Comments about Bower Wide Angle Magnetic Lens (.45x):
Installs quickly and easily. Provides the wider viewing angle with clarity and makes the Flip camera much more usable IMO.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to carry around
- Easy To Use
Cons
- Awkward connection
Best Uses
- For wide angle shots
Comments about Bower Wide Angle Magnetic Lens (.45x):
A bit awkward to put on and connect it to the Flip Mino so it doesn't fall off.
I use it to make videos - and this enables me to have a bit of a wide-angle.
I think it makes the images a bit less crisp.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact Design
- Easy To Use
- Interfaces Well With Camcorder
Cons
- Lens caps hard to remove
Best Uses
- Close Up Filming
- Shooting Indoors
Comments about Bower Wide Angle Magnetic Lens (.45x):
I have six Flip MiniHDs that I set up in various locations to record ongoing tasks. The idea of a magnetically mounted WA lens was appealing, as I could move it around as needed. Calling this magnetically mounted is a bit of a misnomer - it's mounted onto the camera by an adhesive ring, to which the lens is affixed. Fortunately for me, three adhesive rings are included, so I'll still be able to swap this lens from camera to camera. Surprised no one else has pointed this out in the many comments.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact Design
- Easy To Use
- Improves Picture Quality
- Interfaces Well With Camcorder
Cons
- Occasionally do not use
Best Uses
- Close Up Filming
- Panoramic Filming
- Shooting Indoors
- Shooting Outdoors
- Upgrade
Comments about Bower Wide Angle Magnetic Lens (.45x):
I use this lens 90+ percent of the time for capturing action in a limited area short of a fish eye lens. Does an excellent job and is a must have.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Shooting Indoors
Comments about Bower Wide Angle Magnetic Lens (.45x):
adds a bit of area to your indoors shooting.
Not great but dirt cheap and works OK
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact Design
- Easy To Use
- Improves Picture Quality
- Interfaces Well With Camcorder
Cons
Best Uses
- Close Up Filming
- Panoramic Filming
- Shooting Indoors
- Shooting Outdoors
- Upgrade
Comments about Bower Wide Angle Magnetic Lens (.45x):
It's amazing how this little lens can improve the picture quality...
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Interfaces Well With Camcorder
Cons
- Not nearly wide enough
Best Uses
- Panoramic Filming
Comments about Bower Wide Angle Magnetic Lens (.45x):
It was easy to set up, but I was unable to tell much difference between the scene with this lens on and with it off. It was a little wider, but not enough. In the car, the Flip at its widest setting showed the car radio from the driver's seat. With it installed, it showed part of the steering wheel and the car radio. I was hoping for a lot wider.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact Design
- Easy To Use
- Improves Picture Quality
- Interfaces Well With Camcorder
- Makes the Flip a nice cam
Cons
Best Uses
- Close Up Filming
- Panoramic Filming
- Shooting Indoors
- Upgrade
Comments about Bower Wide Angle Magnetic Lens (.45x):
The main reason my Flip has been sitting on a shelf for the past year is because the lens is just not wide enough. OK, I can move back 30 feet every time I want to shoot something. That doesn't really fly indoors. It really is the biggest let down of owning a Flip. Image stabilization would be nice, but the lens is the real deal breaker. Looking at the Flip, you would never imagine that anything could really be done to fix the problem. Bower has figured out a darned good solution. You stick a magnetic ring around the lens area (they provide 3 or 4 of them) and the wide angle adaptor just snaps on magnetically. Stays on even on a roller coaster (plus it's tethered, so you can't lose it). Image quality is really quite good. It's tough to say if I can notice any softening of the image at all. If you don't line it up right, you may get a tiny bit of vignetting, but just nudge the lens and you are OK. If you own a Flip, for the price, you really have to buy one of these. You will love it and use the Flip again!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact Design
- Easy To Use
- Improves Picture Quality
- Interfaces Well With Camcorder
Cons
Best Uses
- Close Up Filming
- Panoramic Filming
- Shooting Indoors
- Shooting Outdoors
- Upgrade
Comments about Bower Wide Angle Magnetic Lens (.45x):
easy to use, nice addition
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Clear lens
- Improves Picture Quality
Cons
- Requires a stick-on metal
Best Uses
- Close Up Filming
- Upgrade
Comments about Bower Wide Angle Magnetic Lens (.45x):
The lens is very good and very clear. However, I was expecting something that could utilize the built in ring around the flip's lens. Still very satisfied.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Good in Low Light
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Bower Wide Angle Magnetic Lens (.45x):
I use my new wide angle lens with both my digital camera and my FlipCamera. It works well with both, but having a wide angle lens for the Flip is the greatest difference in your field of view.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- Home Movies
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Bower Wide Angle Magnetic Lens (.45x):
A must have for the Flip...
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
Cons
- Limited Zoom
Best Uses
Comments about Bower Wide Angle Magnetic Lens (.45x):
Well...I haven't had a chance to use it much yet, but so far, I haven't noticed much of a change in the width of the picture. Just used it out of window. Leaving for vacation and will have a better chance to play with it. It attaches OK, but needs some play to eliminate a ring.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
Cons
- Limited Zoom
Best Uses
- None
Comments about Bower Wide Angle Magnetic Lens (.45x):
Bought this lens for my Flip Ultra and it did provide a "slightly" wider field of view. If you are thinking about buying this, keep your expectations low and remember that it is a .45x lens.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Travel
Comments about Bower Wide Angle Magnetic Lens (.45x):
This lens gave my Flip exactly the viewing area I needed. The Flip is a great camera, but has a very small viewing area. I love the new recording area with the new lens.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Movies
Comments about Bower Wide Angle Magnetic Lens (.45x):
Great proudct very simple (a four old could use it)Hand strap incorporates into your Flip hand strap so that your lens is always right there and ready to use. No negatives for this product.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
- Easily detached
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
Comments about Bower Wide Angle Magnetic Lens (.45x):
I have used the lens on a Flip during a couple of trips and around the house. The lens does improve the quality of your movies, but there is a big downside while travelling. The magnet is not as strong as I would like, which means that you must be very careful when handling the camera. The lens can easily be detached from the camera because of the weak magnet. The "safety" cord that comes with lens is basically useless in terms of offering protection because the O-ring is not a tight fit on the lens. Finally, to safely carry the camera, while sightseeing, I detach and then reattached when you want to take a clip. What a pain, but I don't want to drop or lose the lens. However, I would recommend this lens if you are not on the go when taking clips. The lens does significantly improve picture quality.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good Image Stabilization
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Home Movies
- Movies/Short Films
Comments about Bower Wide Angle Magnetic Lens (.45x):
The lens worked better than expected.I really like the simplicity of the Flip and once I had a look at the w/a lens I knew I must have it.It's design is genius in it's ease of use and versatility.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Bower Wide Angle Magnetic Lens (.45x):
Got it for Christmas. Thanks Santa! No more panning the Flip to get the whole shot in. I like the fact they provide 3 mounting rings in case one fails. Make sure you keep track of the lens covers. They're easy to set down and walk away from. Can't wait to try it out at the next VW drags I go to in the Spring.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Care & Cleaning
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- Price: $4.99
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