Apexel as a Budget-Friendly Gateway into Macro
If you’re curious about macro photography but not ready to invest hundreds in a dedicated camera and macro lens, clip-on smartphone optics are a great shortcut. You already carry a high-resolution sensor in your pocket; all you need is a good macro attachment in front of it.
That’s where Apexel comes in.
Apexel specialises in universal clip-on lenses for smartphones, and their macro range covers everything from simple beginner lenses under $20 to surprisingly serious glass that can compete with far more expensive brands.
Why Apexel is a solid way into macro on a budget:
- No new camera needed – works with your existing phone (iPhone, Android, etc.).
- Universal clip – you’re not locked into a specific brand or phone case.
- Big range of options – from playful 12×/24× lenses to serious 100mm macro glass.
- Prices from ±$20–$60 – a tiny fraction of a DSLR macro setup.
- Good enough quality for social media, prints, and even product work if you choose the right lens.
Think of Apexel as the “gateway drug” to macro photography: very low cost of entry, surprisingly impressive results, and enough headroom for you to grow from absolute beginner to serious enthusiast without switching systems.
The Apexel Macro Line-Up: Which Lens Is for Whom?
Apexel’s macro range can look confusing at first, so here’s a clear overview of the main macro lenses and who they suit.
Apexel 100mm Ultra Macro – The Enthusiast’s Workhorse
Check price- Magnification: approx. 10×
- Working distance: ~50–110 mm (5–11 cm)
- Optics: 5 elements in 4 groups, multi-coated glass
- Build: Metal barrel, upgraded universal clamp (with cold shoe), optional ring light & CPL kit
- Typical price band: $50–$75 / £50–£55 (depending on kit and region)
- Best for: Enthusiasts, nature lovers, product shooters, content creators
- Camera-Lens Comparison: Comparable to a 100–150 mm macro lens in perspective and working distance.
- Magnification Ratio: Reaches roughly 1:1 (life-size) at closest focus, sometimes a bit above (~1.2:1).
This is Apexel’s flagship macro. The main attraction is the long working distance: you don’t have to press your phone into the subject. Shooting at 5–10 cm away makes it much easier to light flowers, insects and products, and to avoid squashing delicate petals or scaring skittish bugs.
If you’re serious about macro on a phone and you want one “proper” lens, this is the standout option.
Apexel 6× TeleMacro (APL-TM6) – Telephoto + Macro in One Lens
Check price- Magnification: 6×
- Working distance (macro mode): ~150 mm (15 cm)
- Optics: complex multi-element design (essentially a mini 150 mm telephoto)
- Build: All-metal, premium feel
- Typical price band: $55–$65 / £45–£50
- Best for: Wildlife/insect shooters, travellers, outdoor enthusiasts
- Camera-Lens Comparison: Comparable to a 150–180 mm tele-macro lens.
- Magnification Ratio: Roughly 1:1 at ~15 cm, decreasing to 1:3 as you pull back toward 40 cm.
The TeleMacro is a bit different: it acts as a 6× telephoto lens for distant subjects and a macro lens at about 15 cm. That extra distance is brilliant for shy subjects like butterflies or spiders that would run away if you got too close.
It’s heavier and more specialised, but if you like both telephoto and macro, this 2-in-1 can be very attractive.
Apexel 10–20× ZoomMacro – Extreme Magnification for the Curious
Check price- Magnification: variable, 10×–20×
- Working distance: very short (~15–45 mm, closer at 20×)
- Optics: multi-element zoom design
- Build: Solid, often used with an external ring light
- Typical price band: $45–60
- Best for: Extreme close-ups, scientific/educational use, macro “geeks”
- Camera-Lens Comparison: Equivalent to a short 60–80 mm macro pushed into ultra-macro territory.
- Magnification Ratio: ~1:1 at 10×, up to ~2:1 at 20×.
This is your “almost a microscope” lens. At 20×, you’re photographing pixels on your screen, tiny fibres, or the micro-texture of leaves. It’s amazing for experiments, textures, and science demos, but the ultra-short working distance and paper-thin depth of field make it more demanding.
Most people will enjoy this as a second macro lens, once they’re comfortable at 10×.
Apexel 15× Macro (often in 10-in-1 kits) – Built-In Light, All-Round Fun
Check price- Magnification: 15×
- Working distance: roughly ~50–100 mm (varies by kit)
- Special feature: some versions include a built-in LED/ring light
- Typical price band: usually part of a $25–$30 kit
- Best for: “Just for fun” macro, gift kits, casual shooters
- Camera-Lens Comparison: Feels like a 120–150 mm long macro lens.
- Magnification Ratio: Around 1.5:1 at closest focus, and about 1:1 at the longer end of the range.
The 15× macro that comes in many Apexel kits has a reputation for nice background blur (“bokeh”) and a very fun, dramatic look. It’s not optically perfect, but combined with a kit of wide, fisheye and filters, it’s great for beginners who want a lot of creative options in one box.
Mounting and Compatibility
One of Apexel’s biggest strengths is broad compatibility. Their lenses use a universal clip designed to fit “99% of smartphones”, and it usually works even with a regular phone case still on (very thick cases may need to be removed).
Modern phones have multiple rear cameras, so Apexel’s clips use adjustable sliders or wide openings to help you centre the lens over the correct camera—usually the main wide camera for macro. There’s a small learning curve, but once you know which lens to target, alignment becomes quick and intuitive.
Image Quality and Performance
With good technique and light, Apexel’s better lenses can deliver impressively sharp results. With the simpler single-element lenses (like some 15× or 24× configurations), expect a more “dreamy” look with strong blur and softness outside the central area — which can actually be stylistically pleasing for abstract macro.
Distortion is rarely an issue in macro, and the 100mm Ultra keeps even flat subjects looking natural. Chromatic aberration is well controlled in the higher-end lenses but more noticeable in the TeleMacro and budget models, especially in strong backlight. Depth of field is always extremely shallow at these magnifications, so expect creamy backgrounds and only a thin slice of your subject to be sharp.
Short working-distance lenses require you to get extremely close, which makes lighting difficult and limits you to static subjects. Medium-distance options like the Classic 100mm give a bit more room but are still tight. Long-distance lenses such as the 100mm Ultra and TeleMacro offer the most comfortable experience—better lighting, easier handling, and far less chance of disturbing insects or delicate subjects.
Behaviour on Different Phones
Apexel lenses are brand-agnostic, but real-world results still depend on:
- Sensor quality & resolution – newer phones with high-res sensors and better processing will obviously produce cleaner macros.
- Multiple camera modules – phones that auto-switch between lenses can cause trouble:
- The phone may jump from the main lens to ultra-wide or tele when focusing close.
- This can cause sudden blur or weird framing when using a clip-on lens.
Tips to avoid multi-camera issues:
- Use a camera app that lets you lock a specific lens (e.g. a Pro or manual app).
- Or physically cover the unused lenses with a finger or piece of tape so the phone can’t switch to them.
- Check alignment carefully – the macro must sit perfectly over the lens you want to use.
Real-World Feedback: Pros and Cons
What Users Love (Pros)
✅ Fantastic value for money
People are often surprised how good the images look for $20–$60 accessories. The 100mm Ultra in particular is frequently described as “worth every penny”, especially when compared to the cost of a dedicated camera and macro lens.
✅ Strong image quality (for the price)
- Clear, detailed centre sharpness.
- Impressive close-ups of insects, flowers, jewellery and textures.
- Flagship lenses keep distortion and vignetting low and colours punchy.
✅ Solid build on premium lenses
- Metal barrels and nicely machined parts give confidence.
- Lenses feel like “real” camera optics, not toys.
- Better clips are sturdy and have thoughtful touches like the cold shoe mount.
✅ Easy, universal use
- Clip-on design is very beginner-friendly.
- No need for a specific case or phone model.
- Easy to share between family members and across different phones.
✅ Opens up a new creative world
Many users talk about simply getting hooked on macro: exploring gardens, household objects, textures, and tiny creatures that they’d never paid attention to before. For parents and teachers, this has real educational value too.
✅ Decent customer support and warranty
Apexel offers a two-year warranty on many lenses and appears responsive to replacement requests when something arrives defective.
Common Complaints (Cons & Issues to Expect)
⚠️ Alignment and vignetting frustrations
- First-time users often see black corners or blur, which usually means the lens is not perfectly centred.
- On multi-camera phones, automatic lens switching can make it seem like “the lens doesn’t work” until you lock the correct camera or cover the others.
Once you learn proper alignment and how to tame the phone’s software, this mostly disappears.
⚠️ Shallow depth of field & focusing difficulty
- At 10× and beyond, only a paper-thin slice of the subject is in focus.
- Beginners can feel like “nothing is sharp” at first.
This isn’t a defect; it’s just how macro works. With practice (and steady shooting), you’ll learn to rock back and forth to nail focus or use manual focus.
⚠️ Chromatic aberration & soft edges, especially on cheaper lenses
- The high-end Glass (100mm, Sirui-level lenses) controls CA fairly well.
- TeleMacro and budget macros can show purple/green fringes and softer edges, especially in high-contrast scenes.
For casual shooting and social media, this is rarely a dealbreaker, but pixel-peepers will notice it.
⚠️ Weight and handling on larger lenses
- Lenses like the TeleMacro and 100mm Ultra are noticeably heavy for a phone.
- The setup can feel top-heavy and awkward to hold one-handed.
In practice this just means you’ll usually support the lens with one hand or put the phone on a tripod for longer sessions.
⚠️ Occasional quality control issues
- A small number of users report lenses arriving with misaligned elements, scratches, or weak clips.
- Typically solved by exchanging the lens; but the QA is not at the same level as ultra-premium brands.
Buying from reputable sellers and keeping the packaging until you’ve tested the lens is a good idea.
Final Thoughts: Should You Get an Apexel Macro Lens?
If you:
- Want to try macro photography without a huge investment
- Prefer a universal clip system over brand-specific cases
- Are happy with “very good” quality instead of absolute perfection
…then Apexel is an excellent choice.
Quick recommendations:
Total beginner / tight budget:
→ Start with a multi-lens kit with a 15× macro. Fun, cheap, and absolutely enough to catch the macro bug.Enthusiast who already loves macro:
→ Go for the Apexel 100mm Ultra Macro. It’s the best overall balance of image quality, working distance and build in the lineup.Wildlife & “don’t get too close” shooters:
→ Consider the TeleMacro 6× – it doubles as a telephoto and gives you macro from a safer, more comfortable distance.Macro nerds and experimenters:
→ Add the 10–20× ZoomMacro for extreme close-ups and abstract, experimental work.
For additional details and product comparisons, check out Apexel’s website.
Whichever path you choose, remember that with macro technique matters as much as gear: good light, steady hands, careful focus. Combine that with an Apexel lens and your smartphone, and you’ll be amazed how much tiny detail is waiting to be discovered all around you.
Happy shooting!
