griffin clarifi

(Image from Griffin)

I recently purchased an iPhone case after I decided I didn’t want my iPhone encased. But the selling point on the case I bought wasn’t the case itself; rather, a unique feature of the case sold me. The case I purchased was the Griffin Clarifi, and what is unique about the case is it includes a tiny lens on the back of the case that slides over the camera to improve close-up shots.

Because the iPhone camera doesn’t offer any focus controls (or the camera hardware itself is incapable of changing its focus), close-up shots taken with the camera often are blurry and any text is illegible. Enter Clarifi. From the Griffin website:

Slide the Clarifi lens into place over the built-in lens of your iPhone. Your macro and close-up shots are instantly finer in detail, more accurate in color. With Clarifi’s lens, your iPhone can image an entire business card with astounding clarity. Slide the lens aside for normal photography. WIthout Clarifi, iPhone requires about 18 inches to focus properly. Slide Clarifi’s lens into place and you can move in to 4 inches for crisp detail and great pictures.

The important thing to remember is for non-close-up shots, slide the lens off the camera or your photos will be blurry.

As I said, I bought the case for the lens, but the case itself is solid and sturdy, and it keeps my iPhone from sliding around when I lay it down on a surface and try to type on it.

Photo of text without using Clarifi:

without clarifi

With Clarifi:

with clarifi

Photo of my computer screen without Clarifi:

without clarifi

With Clarifi:

with clarifi

The case retails for $35, but I found it on Amazon for $15 plus shipping. If you’re like me and don’t care if your device is in a case or not but are interested in crisper close-up photos, I highly recommend purchasing the Griffin Clarifi case. The clarity of your close-up shots will amaze you.