In my experience, that 5x telephoto is super picky with glass. I'd highkey suggest the Moment T-Series Lens Mount for your 15 Pro Max. It's way more stable for those huge sensors. Make sure to get the Moment 1.33x Anamorphic Lens (T-Series) and the Moment 10x Macro Lens (T-Series). Honestly, idrk if any lens works perfectly on the 5x without some soft edges, but T-Series is basically your best bet. gl!

TL;DR: Avoid putting external glass on the 5x telephoto—it’s a total vignetting nightmare. Stick to the 1x main sensor for the best results. I recommend the iPhone+15+Pro+Max+Video+Cage+%284391%29&linkCode=osi&------123456890?5422-20" target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored">SmallRig iPhone 15 Pro Max Video Cage (4391) for mounting and the Sandmarc Macro 100mm Lens for your macro shots.

Sooo, I’ve been testing this setup for a few months and, unfortunately, the 15 Pro Max is kind of a pain for external lenses. The main issue is that the 24mm sensor is so large now that any slight misalignment causes dark corners and soft edges. If you’re trying to be cost-conscious, I highkey suggest staying away from those proprietary "ecosystem" cases that lock you into one brand’s expensive glass forever.

Instead, I’d go with the iPhone+15+Pro+Max+Video+Cage+%284391%29&linkCode=osi&------123456890?5422-20" target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored">SmallRig iPhone 15 Pro Max Video Cage (4391). It’s super modular and way more stable for heavy lenses than a standard case. For macro, the Sandmarc Macro 100mm Lens is actually better than the standard 10x versions because it gives you a longer working distance. You won't be bumping your phone into the subject as much, which is a massive plus for lighting.

For that anamorphic vibe, look at the Sandmarc Anamorphic Lens - 1.55x Edition. It gives a way wider aspect ratio than the 1.33x. But seriously... only use it on the main 1x sensor. The 5x telephoto has such a narrow field of view that stacking an anamorphic lens on it is basically pointless and looks pretty bad tbh. It’s kinda disappointing that we cant fully utilize the 5x with attachments yet, but that’s just where the tech is right now. Stick to the 1x and crop in if you have to!! 👍

Seconded!

> Since the 15 Pro Max has that 5x telephoto, are there specific lens attachments that don't cause vignetting? From a technical standpoint, the issue with the 120mm equivalent telephoto is the physical distance between the external element and the internal lens entrance pupil. Even with high-end mounts, you are fighting basic optics. Most off the shelf solutions are optimized for the 1x main sensor because the 5x prism optics have a very specific light path that doesnt play nice with standard glass stacking. If you are a DIY enthusiast, you might find better results by building a custom rig using a universal cage and manual alignment tools. This allows you to calibrate the optical center much more precisely than any snap-on mount can manage. Before giving more specific technical advice, I have two questions to better understand your workflow:

• What is your primary output format, 48MP ProRAW stills or Log video?
• Are you looking for a pocketable setup or are you okay with a larger, rail-based tripod rig? Using custom-machined adapters or a rail system is honestly the only way to get professional-grade results without the typical corner degradation seen on these new large-sensor phones. It takes more work to set up, but the optical alignment is significantly more stable.

No way, I literally just dealt with this yesterday. Small world.

CAUTION: Seriously watch out for vignetting on that 5x lens!! Most attachments actually wont work well with the telephoto because the sensor is sooo big now and the focal length is already so tight. If u try to stack glass on the 5x, it’s basically gonna look like ur looking through a tube lol. Stick to the main 1x sensor for the best results!

Anyway, comparing ur other options:
- Sandmarc: Their glass is literally fantastic and feels super professional, but it’s pretty pricey.
- Beastgrip: This is the ultimate for stability and technical control, but it’s kinda bulky for everyday use.
- ShiftCam: Reallyyy cool mounting system and a bit more cost-effective for beginners.

In my experience, Sandmarc is the best choice if u want that high-end anamorphic look without the bulk. It’s expensive but honestly worth it for the quality. gl! 👍