Now This is Cool: Gizmon iPhone Case

It wasn’t too long ago that I said to myself, “someone should make a really cool case for the iPhone that makes it look like a camera.” Then I saw a few efforts, but they fell painfully short of my expectations. And last night, I came across this...

…The Gizmo iPhone case for the 4, 4S, or 5. This is pretty much exactly the case I would have designed myself. 

Does it create better pictures? Probably not, although it does have a working viewfinder and attachable tripod socket. Is it going to make you more popular? Definitely. You go walking around with one of these strapped around your neck, and you’re sure to attract aspiring photogs and curious onlookers in droves.

If it were purely decorative, I could see not taking it seriously, but the fact that it actually solves three problems (optical viewfinder, tripod socket, and camera strap) and is going make you the center of attention wherever you go makes it hard to resist. The fact that it’s an homage to Leica speaks volumes. I would have ordered mine already, except that I can’t make up my mind as to which I want, the silver and white, black, or brown, or the all black. 

What exactly is it?

It’s a multi-piece case that slips over the top and bottom of your phone. Then you add the lens base and faux lens of your choice (it comes with two) to hold the two halves together. Then, you snap on the top deck, and you’ve got yourself what every mobile-phone camera lacks; and optical viewfinder. The optional tripod adapter also comes with it, and can be installed as needed.

To really go over the top, there are also half-cases and actual accessory lens/filters available; a circular polarizer, a fisheye, a center-focus, a mirage, and a cross-screen.