When it comes to making the lives of smartphone filmmakers easier, Beastgrip is no stranger. Back in 2015, the company ran a successful Kickstarter campaign for its handheld camera stabilizer, which provides a more functional and controllable form factor to an otherwise unwieldy device. Well, Beastgrip has returned to the crowdfunding platform with not one, but three exciting new pieces of gear that aim at making your smartphone more powerful and capable than ever.

Introducing Beastgrip's DOF Adapter MK2 Pro Series 1.33x Anamorphic lens, and Beastrail support system.


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DOF Adapter MK2

This adapter is kind of like the 35mm ones we used to use back in the old days before prosumer cameras came with detachable lenses. What the MK2 does is straightforward; it allows you to mount your DSLR lenses to your smartphone, giving you control over focus, bokeh, and depth of field. Now, this is actually the newest iteration in Beastgrip's line of DOF adapters, but the company has made some pretty significant improvements to the original design.

  • Custom optics that dramatically reduce vignetting/hotspotting, chromatic aberration and distortion
  • Compatibility with a much wider range of full-frame SLR/DSLR lenses, such as zoom lenses
  • Sealed focusing screen and components for a maintenance-free user experience
  • Durable, black anodized aluminum casing with a rotating barrel that aligns the focusing screen and bayonet mount in one simple motion

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1.33x Anamorphic lens

Beastgrip is extending their line of Pro Series lenses to include the 1.33x Anamorphic. It gives smartphone filmmakers the ability to shoot widescreen videos with a 2.4:1 aspect ratio, which means potentially higher resolution since you don't need to crop, as well as a wider field of view, lens flares, and that classic cinematic look that anamorphic gives you.

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Beastrails

No beefy camera rig would be complete (or usable) without a set of rails to put everything on. Beastrails provide support for your big, heavy lenses, as well as any other camera accessories you want to add on, like a follow focus system.

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Granted, there's no way to make your smartphone's sensor any bigger, and that of course creates plenty of inherent limitations to your devices capability of capturing images. However, under the right conditions, particularly ones with good lighting, Beastgrip's new gear seems like it can really help you use your phone for more cinematic applications. Here are some videos that showcase what the DOF adapter and anamorphic lens can do:

Perhaps the best thing about Beastgrip's new tools is the price. Each item, the Beastgrip, the Anamorphic lens, the DOF adapter, and Beastrails are less than $300, and even less if you decide to bundle. Here's a pricing breakdown of all of your options:

  • Beastgrip: $140
  • DOF Adapter MK2: $215
  • Anamorphic lens: $140
  • Beastrails: $105

Kits range from $244 to $650 (the Ultimate Kit includes everything listed above, including the Kenko 0.75X Wide Angle lens). There are six days remaining in the Kickstarter campaign, so head on over to learn more.

Source: Beastgrip