Cell Phone Camera Telescope Attachment Hones in on Subjects

Whilst the CMOS resolution of integral cell phone cameras has improved dramatically over the last couple of years resulting in significantly better image capture quality one of the areas where the vast majority of cell phone cameras stumble in terms of their functionality in relation to standard cameras is either the complete lack of, or otherwise somewhat rudimentary nature of their optical zoom capabilities – but, thanks to this telescopic zoom attachment, you may at last hone in on subjects without resorting to the dreaded digital zoom.

Anyone who has ever resorted to digital zoom will know that the resulting loss of quality in all but the highest resolution cameras is invariably just not worth the sacrifice. And this is especially the case if you intend to print your pictures (and doubly so if you intend to up scale your images for framing).

In fact, for anything but casual, eminently disposable snapping, digital zoom is a big no, no so, if you happen to own a cell phone that doesn’t offer optical zoom, your options are somewhat limited unless the subject to be captured is close enough at hand.

This gadget from Brando, however, offers a potential alternative in being a 7×18 telescopic lens that can be attached with relative ease to a wide range of camera phones, but quite whether it will transform your cell phone into a fully fledged dedicated digital camera substitute is quite another matter.

Firstly, whilst the device purportedly works with a not inconsiderable range of cell phone models, the range is by no means especially extensive. Not only that but the product site also warns that using this gadget with some phone models may cause vignetting of captured images (though fans of the UK’s Top Gear TV programme will know that this effect can be used to dramatic effect).

Of primary concern, however, is the practicality of using this device. After all, its not something you would want mounted to your cell phone on a day to day basis on account of the resulting additional bulk (try putting your cell in your pocket with this device attached and you’ll either be talking in a high pitched squeal for the rest of your life or spend the entire time explaining to people why it is you appear to be especially happy to see them).

The result is a device that would have to be attached to your cell phone as and when required which, let’s be honest here, is hardly especially convenient not least because it would mean that you would have to carry this device around with you constantly – so (at the risk of stating the painfully obvious) why not just carry a dedicated digital camera instead?

We’re sure that this device may appeal to some but strongly suspect that, as with many Brando products, this would ultimately end up gathering dust in the back of a draw as, whilst the cell phone telescope lens is a nice idea on paper, in reality it’s rendered all but futile by its impracticability.

Still, if this device appeals to you, here’s a list of all phone models listed as being compatible, as well as a video of the device in use:

• Nokia N70
• Nokia N73
• Nokia N95
• Nokia 3500 Classic
• Sony Ericsson K810i
• Sony Ericsson W810i
• HTC P4350 / HTC Herald / Dopod C800 / Dopod C858 / Vodafone VPA Compact IV
• ASUS P535
• HTC Cavalier / HTC S630 / SoftBank X02HT / Dopod C730
• HTC P3600 / HTC Trinity / Dopod D810 / Dopod CHT 9100 / Qtek P3600 / Orange SPV M700 / Vodafone VPA Compact GPS
• Blackberry Pearl 8100
• CLIE TH55
• O2 xda Atom Life
• Treo 750v
• ASUS P525
• Treo 680
• HTC Touch / HTC P3450 / Dopod S1 / O2 XDA Nova / T-Mobile MDA touch
• Motorola A1000
• HTC Vox / HTC S710 / Dopod C500 / Vodafone VDA V / Orange SPV E650
• i-mate SP5m / i-mate SP5 / Qtek 8300 / Qtek 8310 / Dopod 577w / Dopod 586w / O2 xda IQ / O2 xda Orion / HTC Tornado / HTC Tempo
• O2 XDA Atom
• iPAQ rw6800 series
• Palm Zire72
• Qtek s110 / Dopod 828 / Orange SPV M500 / i-Mate Jam Black / HTC Migician Refresh / Vodafone VPA Compact / i-Mate New Jam
• iPAQ hw6500 series
• Blackberry Curve 8300
• Asus P526
• HP iPAQ 512
• Eten glofiish x500
• i-Mate SPL

The Cell Phone Telescope Lens retails for $22.