Apexel 50X Telephoto Lens Featured in c’t Fotografie (02/2026 Issue)

We’re excited to share that the Apexel 50X Telephoto Lens Kit (Telecular-3 Series) has been independently reviewed by c’t Fotografie, a respected German photography publication from Heise Medien.

The test was conducted by aerospace engineer and astrophotographer Peter Mein, known for his work in lunar and deep-sky photography.

This in-depth review evaluated our 50X Telephoto Lens across multiple real-world shooting scenarios — from wildlife to long-distance subjects and even astrophotography.

Why External Telephoto Lenses Still Matter

While smartphone cameras continue to improve, telephoto performance remains one of the most challenging areas — especially for:

• Wildlife photography

• Distant architectural details

• Moon photography

• Long-range landscape compression

In the review, the Apexel 50X Telephoto Lens was tested using a Samsung Galaxy A56, focusing on how optical magnification compares to digital zoom.

Build Quality & Optical Design

One of the first impressions noted in the review was the lens construction.

According to the magazine, the lens:

• Features a full aluminum body

• Uses 13 elements in 10 groups of multi-coated optical glass

• Includes a smooth 90° focus ring

• Comes with a 62mm front filter thread

• Offers an Arca-Swiss compatible tripod collar

The reviewer described the lens as feeling solid and premium — especially within its price category.

Optical Zoom vs. Digital Zoom

In long-distance testing (over 1 km), three setups were compared:

1. Native smartphone camera

2. 10× digital zoom

3. Apexel 50× optical telephoto lens

The optical setup delivered noticeably sharper and more detailed results than digital zoom alone, particularly in fine structural elements.

Wildlife Photography Performance

The lens was tested on garden birds in winter conditions. With manual camera control and tripod stabilization, the setup captured strong feather detail and subject separation.

The review notes that success depends partly on smartphone hardware limitations (ISO and shutter speed constraints), especially when photographing fast-moving subjects.

Moon Photography & Astrophotography

The reviewer conducted multiple moon photography tests:

• Single-frame captures

• HDR processing

• Video stacking for enhanced detail

With proper technique, the lens was capable of producing detailed lunar images. The test also explored adaptation to a DSLR system via the M37 thread, extending its versatility beyond smartphones.

As noted in the review, low-light deep-sky performance is limited primarily by smartphone sensor capabilities rather than lens construction.

Included Accessories

The tested kit included:

• 50X telephoto lens

• Adjustable smartphone holder

• Tripod

• Eyepiece for visual observation

• Cleaning accessories and storage pouch

The magazine highlighted the completeness of the kit relative to its price.

Conclusion from the Review

In the final verdict published in c’t Fotografie (02/2026), the reviewer stated that he would recommend the lens within its category.

The review concludes that for users who understand the technical limits of smartphone sensors, the Apexel 50X Telephoto Kit offers an affordable and capable telephoto extension — particularly for well-lit subjects such as landscapes, wildlife, and lunar photography.

Read the Full Review

The complete technical evaluation is available in Issue 02/2026 of c’t Fotografie.

We encourage photography enthusiasts to explore the full article for detailed testing images and methodology.

Explore the Apexel 50X Telephoto Kit

Ready to extend your smartphone’s reach with true optical magnification?

Discover the Telecular-3 Series 50X Telephoto Lens Kit in our store.