PORTLAND, OR — The team behind vivo’s modular camera add-ons is bringing the same maker-friendly approach to Apple’s ecosystem. PGYTech’s new RetroVa Vintage Imaging Kit for iPhones is live on Kickstarter and has already surpassed its $10,000 goal, raising over $55,000 at the time of writing.
What’s in the kit
- 2.35x telephoto converter add-on lens
- Camera grip (with controls and storage features)
- Phone case
- Lens adapter ring
- Tripod collar
- Neck/hand strap
Optics and zoom math
The add-on lens threads into the included adapter and pairs with Apple’s periscope hardware to extend native reach:
- iPhone 17 Pro series: mounts to the 4x 48MP camera, yielding ~235mm (~10x) native field of view
- iPhone 16 Pro series: mounts to the 5x 12MP camera, yielding ~282mm (~11.7x) native field of view
- PGYTech’s app presents quick zoom presets at 235mm, 400mm, 600mm, and 960mm
As with any teleconverter-style adapter, expect tighter framing with the trade-offs that come with stacking optics; results will hinge on alignment, app support, and shooting conditions.
Grip and storage details
- Physical shutter button, zoom dial, multi-function button, and tripod mount
- MicroSD card slot for recording video to external storage
The external microSD option is notable for mobile productions, letting you offload media quickly and treat the phone more like a modular camera brain.
Software notes
PGYTech says you’ll need its camera app to fully leverage the lens and presets. The app lists full manual controls, vintage filters, and personalized watermarks—useful for consistent looks across community shoots and shared projects.
Pricing and how to back
- $184: full RetroVa Vintage Imaging Kit (lens, grip, case, adapter, collar, strap)
- $72: Grip Kit (grip + case), no lens or extras
Standard crowdfunding caveats apply: timelines and final specs can shift. That said, the package mirrors PGYTech’s proven vivo setup closely, down to the 2.35x extender.
Why it matters for builders
- Modular workflow: a bolt-on lens, tripod collar, and grip bring phone rigs closer to small-form cinema builds.
- Interchangeability: the adapter ring invites experimentation—expect community-made shims, step rings, and 3D-printed cages.
- Repeatability: app presets and manual controls help document settings, making collaborative shoots easier to reproduce.
The Editor’s Take
This kit isn’t open-source hardware, but it taps into the same spirit: modular parts, predictable geometry, and room to tinker. I can see makers sharing printable adapter plates, grip extensions, and balance weights for gimbals, plus open presets for the app so teams can match focal marks and exposure baselines. The microSD slot is the sleeper feature—it decouples capture from the phone’s storage and nudges the iPhone toward a more hackable, field-ready camera workflow.
Note: Rumors suggest Apple is exploring its own teleconverter ideas, but for builders who prefer to experiment now, PGYTech’s approach brings a practical, mix-and-match toolkit to iPhone shooters.
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Credit and Source: Android Authority
