The How-To Series by Fotorgear
How to Setup and Shoot with 2x/3.5x Telephoto Lens

WWelcome to The How-To Series by Fotorgear. In this dedicated series, we provide deep-dive tutorials, step-by-step setups, and pro-level tips for our entire gear ecosystem.
Everything you need to set up and start shooting with the Fotorgear Retro series 2X & 3.5X Telephoto Lenses — optical telephoto magnification with multi-coated glass for portraits, street photography, stage performances, and reaching distant subjects from a comfortable distance.
Video Tutorial

Compatibility

The2× / 3.5× Telephoto Lens is compatible with most iPhone models and most Android devices. Mounting the lens over the (1×) camera creates a circular vignette (telescope effect), which can be resolved by digitally zooming and cropping the frame.
However, we recommend mounting it directly over your phone’s native telephoto camera. Please refer to the native magnification of these popular models below:
| Brand | Phone Model | Native Telephoto |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone | 15 Pro Max 16 Pro 16 Pro Max 17 Pro 17 Pro Max | 5X 5X 5X 4X 4X |
| Sony | Xperia 1 Vll | 3.5X |
| Samsung | S23 Ultra S24 Ultra S24 Ultra S25 Ultra S26 Ultra | 3X 5X 5X 5X 5X |
| Xiaomi | Mi 10 Ultra Mi 11Ultra 13 Ultra 14 Ultra 15 Ultra 15 pro 17 Ultra | 5X 5X 3.5X 5X 4.3X 5X 4.3X |
| Vivo | x200 Pro x200 Ultra x100 Pro x100 Ultra x90 Pro+ | 3.7X 3.7X 4.3X 3.7X 3.5X |
| Oppo | Reno 13 Pro Reno 14 /14 Pro Find X7 Ultra Find X8 Ultra Find X8/X8 Pro | 3.5X 3.5X 6X 6X 6X |
How It Works:
The designation (2× or 3.5×) means your camera's native magnification is multiplied by 2 or 3.5.
For example, if you are using an iPhone 16 Pro(native 5× optical zoom):
-With 2× Lens: 5x * 2x =10x optical magnification.
-With 3.5× Lens: 5x * 3.5x =17.5x optical magnification.
This gives you a true optical result with crisp, sharp details—far superior to a blurry frame caused by digital zoom.
Camera Location Guide
The 2X/3.5X Telephoto Lens mounts over the Telephoto camera.
For iPhone Pro & Samsung Galaxy models: Please refer to the diagram below to locate your telephoto camera.

For other models: Open your phone's camera app and select the telephoto mode (typically 4× or 5×). Cover the lenses one by one with your finger; when the screen goes completely dark, you have located the native telephoto camera.
First Time Setup
The Telephoto 2× Lens is straightforward to set up — attach, align, and shoot.
Follow these steps for your first use.
- Attach the lens
Mount the Telephoto Lens using your Fotorgear case or clip it directly over the telephoto camera using the included clip mount. - Download the Fotorgear APP
We highly recommend downloading the Fotorgear App—this allows you to lock the sensor and prevents the iPhone camera from automatically switching lenses during your shoot.
Or open the iPhone Camera app and ensure it is set to the native telephoto mode (4× or 5×). - Lens EIS in APP
-Open the app, swipe left on the red button at the bottom of the viewfinder, and locate "Lens eis."
-Tap the lens icon at the top to open it, and select "2x" or “3.5x”.
By shooting this way, your phone will stay locked on the telephoto camera, and you will get footage with electronic image stabilization (EIS).
..- Keep minimum focus distance in mind
Tap your subject on screen to set focus and exposure. For portraits or static subjects, tap and hold to lock AE/AF.
Our Telephoto Lenses are engineered for long-distance shooting with the following minimum focus distances:
2× Telephoto Lens: Approx. 13–16 feet [4–5 meters]
3.5× Telephoto Lens: Approx. 33–39 feet [10–12 meters]
Think of it like a pair of binoculars: while they bring a player across the stadium into sharp focus, they cannot focus on the drink in your hand. If you are closer than the minimum distance to your subject, the image will not be able to focus. Step back slightly if you notice the image is persistently soft.
- Shoot
The 2× Telephoto Lens works great handheld for medium-to-long-distance shots. It’s ideal for travel portraits with that beautiful, natural background blur, as well as smaller concerts or local stage shows.
If you need maximum reach, the 3.5× Telephoto Lens is built for capturing distant, steady subjects. Think large stadium concerts, major music festivals, live sports from the stands, or spotting wildlife out on the open plains.
For longer shoots or hands-free control, take a look at our ecosystem bundles below.
How to use the lens clip
Mounting Options
This lens includes a universal lens clip, allowing you to start shooting immediately without needing a dedicated case.
For those seeking enhanced stability and professional convenience, our T-mount phone cases offer a seamless integration.


Shooting Tips
Practical tips for getting the best results from the Telephoto 2× Lens across portraits, street, events, and moving subjects.
Always shoot at Telephoto

Keep Camera set to Telephoto camera at all times when the this Lens is attached.
Due to automatic lens-switching on native devices as subject distance shifts, we recommend covering the wide (1×) and ultra-wide (0.5×) cameras with a lens sticker to lock your frame.
*Dedicated lens stickers are included in the box for this purpose.
Use it with Fotorgear APP

Or you can skip the stickers entirely by shooting with the Fotorgear App (available for free download).
Simply open the app, select Lens EIS Mode, and choose the 2× Lens or 3.5x Lens.
This completely locks your camera to the native telephoto sensor, preventing any automatic lens-switching.
Great for concerts, festivals & stage performances
The Telephoto lens paired with the Fotorgear App’s electronic image stabilization (EIS) makes it perfect for capturing distant live events. Even when you are deep in the crowd or far from the stage, this setup lets you record crisp, shake-free footage of the performance without losing clarity.
Keep the glass clean
Multi-coated glass maximises sharpness and contrast, but fingerprints and dust still show up in your shots. Wipe the front element with the included lens pouch before every shoot, especially in bright or backlit conditions where smears become most visible.
Add-on options
This classic telephoto lens doubles as a powerful macro tool. By pairing it with our add-on Macro Lens, you can instantly unlock the best of both worlds—combining extreme telephoto reach with stunning macro close-ups in a single setup.


The Macro Add-on Lens kit features a stackable design and includes two specialized macro lenses per set.
Depending on your subject, you can use them individually or combine them to customize your depth and distance.
Mix and match your setup freely to capture the exact scale your subject demands.
1 Lens Attached: 15.7 in (40cm) Focus Distance — Ideal for medium close-ups.
2 Lenses Stacked: 7.9 in (20cm) Focus Distance — Engineered for extreme, ultra-sharp macro detail.
What's Included 2X:

2X Telephoto Lens:
1 * 2X Telephoto Lens;
1 * Lens Clip;
1 * Metal Lens Cap;
1 * Rubber Lens Dust Cap;
1 * Premium Leather Protective Box;
1 * Microfiber Cleaning Cloth;
1 * Lens Identification Sticker
Macro Lens Kit:
2 * Macro Add-on Lenses;
1 * Protective Bag
What's Included 3.5X:

3.5X Telephoto Lens:
1 * 3.5X Telephoto Lens;
1 * Lens Clip;
1 * Metal Lens Cap;
1 * Rubber Lens Dust Cap;
1 * Premium Leather Protective Box;
1 * Microfiber Cleaning Cloth;
1 * Lens Identification Sticker
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